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ACES LIBRARY

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CONTENTS OF VOL. V.

NUMBER XXVIII.

I. On Scrophularia aquatica of Linnzeus and Ehrhart. By Cuartes

Assor Srevens, Esq., B.A., F.B.S.E. (With a Plate.)............ page

II. Catalogue of the Species of Fungi obtained in the North of Ire-

land, by Joun Tempieton, SN ay OL Msaua Belfast. By Tuomas

TAYLOR, M. D., M. R. I. Tales FE. L. S. SeeoUWOrrecevesess weeeeeaVpaevorevesene see

IfI. Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. By W. Tuompson, Esq.,

Vice-Pres. of the Natural History Society of Belfast ......scsessseeeseess

IV. Nonnullorum Cerambycitum novorum, Novam Hollandiam et

Tnsulam Van Diemen habitantium, characteres. By Epwarp paki

F, L.S., &e. @eeeececveseese @eeeeeee ®@eeeeevesseseeoeeense SOOOFSCHHSeSCFOHSSHS see GcCeSHeSHESEES

V. Description of Limneus involutus, Harvey, MS. By W. Tuomp-

son, Vice-President of the Natural History Society of Belfast ;—with

an account of the Anatomy of the Animal. By Joun oe hale Esq.

MMR ALE) oo ccc sececetevececteestees Burt hawe/avinetabiedeodsa svat hnt ace n' aciees

VI. On certain characters in the Crania and Dentition of Carnivora

which may serve to distinguish the subdivisions of that Order. By

re Pa ATERBOUSE, Haq). sn). svissicessecetsoseces Tee daarwoees Sitomnact de setaass

VII. Summary Description of Four new Species of Otter. By B.

H. Hopeson, Resident at Catmandu, Nepal .........0.00006 othiv. weeuouee

VIII. Information respecting Botanical Travellers :—Mr. Schome

burgk’s Narrative of his recent Expedition in Guiana............. we scenes

New Books :—A History of British Ferns, by Edward Newman, F.L.S.

—lIter Hispaniense, or a Synopsis of Plants collected in the South-

ern Provinces of Spain and Portugal, by Philip Barker Webb—

Otia Hispanica, seu Delectus Plantarum rariorum aut nondum rite

notarum per Hispanias spentenascentium, Auctore P. B. Webb.—

On the Organs of Secretion in Plants, by Dr. F. J. F. Meyen.—De-

scription of a new Genus of Plants of the Family Leguminose, by

Guglielmo Gasparini.—Observations on the duration and germina-

Page

tion of Grammitis, by Guglielmo Gasparini .......... ssseeeees 36—43

Proceedings of the Linnzean Society ; Zoological Society; Microscopical

peciety; Royal Irish Academy © .:..cessesvsscanscecsecns tia.s slnhageeh 44—67

On Datisca Cannabina and Impregnation ; On a new Genus of Cepha-

lopoda; Derivation of the Teff and the Tocusso, two Species of

te G etS

iV CONTENTS.

Abyssinian Grasses; The Snake Nut; M. von Humboldt on

My. Darwin’s Voyage of the Beagle, and on Mr. Schomburgk’s

Expedition ; Meteorological Observations and Table...... page 69—72

NUMBER XXIX.

1X. On the Structure of the Cellular Membrane in Mosses and He-

patice, By Dr. M. J. ScHuErpDEN <scscceceees pid odne odecacebbonatecpa@ye oes

X. On a minute Alga which colours Ballydrain Lake, in the county

of Antrim. By Wm. Tuompsoy, Esq., Vice-Pres. Nat. Hist. Society of

FSTIAG 2 1n0,ntheuteaerpe seks nits th cianbh ntemnlann stare 0G odd eorex me eseeanceie<tS

XI. Contributions towards a knowledge of the Mollusca Nudi-

branchia and Mollusca Tunicata of Ireland, with Descriptions of some

apparently new Species of Invertebrata. By Wm. Tuompson, Esq.,

Vice-Pres. Nat. Hist. Society of Belfast. (With a Plate) ...... sencevens

XII. On some New and Rare British Mollusca. By Epwarp

Forses, M.W.S., For. Sec. B.S., &c. (With a Plate) ...... asnebeata “as

XIII. Catalogue of the Species of Reptiles collected in Cuba by

W.S. MacLeay, Esq. ;—with some Notes of their Habits-extracted

frem\his! MS 1 Byodaik. .Giriy,, sgn) /FR.S..'1 sed opt inGdn sides oviah ousee

XIV. Characters of Five new Species of Orchidaceous Plants from

Doniisica, Sy frot. TiNucks ce.cccprrececsanctee en pia deasconet tale seleces

XV. Information respecting Zoological and Botanical Travellers :—

Mr. Gould’s Expedition to examine the Zoology of Australia

Mr. Griffith’s Journal of the Mission to Bootan ....,...+s+000+

New, Books :~-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-

miliz: auctore Guil. F. Erichson, &c. &c.—The Petrified Insects

of Solenhofen, described by Professor Germar of Halle.—Transac-

102

116

119

tions of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club............00e. cooee 125—129

Proceedings of the Linnzan Society ; Tweedside Physical and Anti-

quarian Society ; Orkney Natural History Society ; Microscopical

Society of London ; Zoological Society......cscecececseeecseecees 130—139

Hirundo purpurea, Purple Marten of America; Notice respecting 4m-

phipeplea glutinosa; On Pinus pumilio, Hk, by Professor Goep-

pert; On the Nests of the Fifteen-spined Stickleback, or Gaste-

rosteus spinachia of Linneus; On Vespertilio edilis, 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 Papilionacee.

By H. Wairers, from the Linnea, vol. xiii. ......... bie Ste ss PAURYS

153

CONTENTS. Vv

XVII. On the Structure of the Ovule in Plants. By M. J. Scutetpen,

M.D., Professor of Botany in the University of Jena ......+.. ssvdpage 162

XVIII. On the Bone of an unknown Struthious Bird of large size

from New Zealand. By Ricuarp Owen, Esq., F.R.S. ........ccceeeeees 166

XIX. Miscellanea Zoologica. By Greorce Jounston, M.D., Fel-

low of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh......... Sy yt Ae 168

XX. On the British detiniade. By Evwarp Forszs, Esq. (With

& PIRGedy 225i les BAL MLE « PEswALIO, Coishee spin. ae. {SITES eo SDs 180

XXI. A short Outline of a Fauna for Part of Herefordshire. By

Ree ENG WOM ate PSs “Scocso se cosrosccostscpece soos seco ocseceacen, oo. 184

XXII, Monograph of the Dorylide, a Family of the Hymenoptera

Heterogyna. By W. E. SHUCKARD, Esq. ..sccsececeeceees pan Soe R ae aneer 188

XXIII. Description of the Snake-nut Tree of Guiana. By Rozert

H. Scnomsurcx, C.M., R.G.S. (Witha Plate.) ....sescseeeees ee A ee 202

XXIV. Information respecting Botanical Travellers :—

Mr, Griffith’s Journal of the Mission to Bootan ........+4...- 205

New Books :—A Report on the Progress of Vegetable Physiology du-

ring the year 1837, by F. J. F. Meyen, M. ZR, Professor of Botany

in the University of Berlin. Translated ear 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

ee Aaeeadacwus sed uttssuscoeta gs eee cwene egsenier 211—214

Proceedings of the Zoological Society .........s.ssseeeees abited cil G so. es 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 XXXII.

XXV. On the recent Doctrines of Vegetable Embryology. By

Hersert Giraup, Member of the Council of the Botanical Society

of Edinburgh, (With a Plate.) ............ ReePaEeT aaauaeeeeycc nese atk: 225

XXVI. Observations on the Family Helicide, and description of a

new Genus. By Dr. L. Preirrer of Cassel.c...ccccicscsccsesessevees sarees 238

XXVII. Some Remarks on the foregoing Paper of Dr. L. Pfeiffer,

especially on the Clausium of Clausilia. By Joun Epwarp Gray,

F.R.S., Keeper of the Zoological Collection in the British Museum ... 243

XXVIII. Additions to the Fauna of Ireland, By Wm. Tuompson,

Esq., Vice-Pres. Nat. Hist. Society of Belfast .,.......ccescoenssonssveesces 245

XXIX. On the “ Freshwater Carriers,” or 7helidomus of Mr. Swain-

SMES cuvawectcaccacssonesse gon Pe aa RE Tee Code dais ovacese caeun sense create 257

XXX. Monograph of the Dorylide, a Family of the Hymenoptera

Heterogyna. By W. E, SHuckard, Esq, eovessvoorseeenneetes eeeasi aa W-- {4 208

vi CONTENTS.

XXXI, Miscellanea Zoologica, By Grorar Jounston, Esq., M.D.,

&c.—Beania mirabilis, a new Genus of Zoophyte seerecrteseseeeves page 272

XXXII. Descriptions, &. of some rare or interesting Indigenous

Insects.. By Joun Curtis, Esq., F.L.S., 8&0. ....ccccsssccesevoesecceoss ooo 244

XXXIII. Information respecting Botanical and Zoological Travellers :—

Mr, Schomburgk’s recent Expedition in Guiana :—Otters of

UTTAR ceetetd ones meneliiaes nsetpepinesuieiad sateen Stsedabooes 282

New Books :—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

SOC ..sssscasvcesssssssvecses SSeeeeeseseseseteseeeee Seer eteeeeresee eee 290, 291

On a Torpedo taken on the Irish Coast, by Wm. Thompson, Esq. ;

Meteorological Observations and Table ..........s000s prays = 292—296

NUMBER XXXII.

XXXIV. Notes on some Viviparous Plants. By Groree Dicxre,

Esq., A.L.S., Lecturer on Botany in Marischal College, Aberdeen ... 297

XXXV. On Ulex. By Cuartes C. Basineton, M.A., F.LS.,

F.G.S., &e..« CWith' Wood Engravings.) s...0...leclecccbeeticeeedueusenses 300

XXXVI. Miscellanea Zoologica. By Groner Jounston. M.D.,

Fellow. of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh :—Irish Anne-

lides. .. (With a Plate.) . ......seecesees wewweredvede s ASIN UIONIS AN Gas access 305

XXXVII. On the Corymorpha nutans of Sars, a remarkable Hy-

droid Polype. By Enwarp Forses, Esq:, and Joun Goopsir, Esq.... 309

XXXVIII. Monograph of the Dorylide, a Family of the Hyme-

soptera Heterogyna. By W.E. Suucxarp, Esq. (Concluded.) ...... 315

XX XIX. Description of a new Species of the genus Lophotus, from

the collection of Charles Darwin, Esq. By G. R. Wareruouss, Esq.,

Curator to the Museum of the Zoological Society, &c. &c..........eeeeee 329

XL. Description of a new Species of Balanus, from the Cabinet of

Samuel Wright, Esq., of Cork. By the Rev. W. Hincxs, F.L.S....... 333

' XLI. On the Effects produced upon Animal and Vegetable Life by

the Winter of 1838. By P. J. Suzsy, of Twizel House............000006 334

XLII. Information respecting Botanical and Zoological Travellers :—

Dr. Parnell, Mr. Jerdon, Mr. Cuming, Dr. Krauss, and Mr.

Schomburgk .........085 oti’ wee neNAinwis ev ericewies vane eehuebenaee 346

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. ! Vii

by E. Forbes, Esq. ; Mr. Thompson’s Notes on Irish Birds; New

. Species of Agrilus; The Rev. Mr. Hincks on Mr, Gray's editfon

of Turton’s Manual of Shells ; Meteorological Observations and

Pable 335i! ywiteowates ie. 3 LEsh DIED Rs D+ oDUd- RMIT eer page 361—3868

—e NUMBER XXXIII.

XLII. Remarks on Du Petit Thouars’s Theory of the Origin of

Wood. By Enwin LankestEr, M.D., F.L.S., &2C.ccccssossecevccsersscers 369

XLIV. On the Teucrium regium of Schreber. By Cuartes C. Ba-

sineTon, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S,, &c...... DERMAL MEY, of MGS ABRIL 375

~ XLV. On the Strength of the Vital Principle in Intestinal Worms.

By Dr. C. E. Mira, Teacher of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy

in the Academy of Wilna ..... degihs cele vauseses sues sebapiavecncies oaeRe 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. Leicuron, Esq., B.A., F.B.S.E., &. ...... 380

M. Brongniart on the Functions of the Hairs on the Stigma in

the Fecundation of the Campanulacez.

XLVII. Sketch of the Natural History of Leeds and its Vicinity for

Twenty Miles. By Henry Denny, Esq. ..... bo 6x9 on GH bi4d bonslo na Coadaaitos 382

XLVIII. Appendix to Mr. Suuckarp’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

containing a Description of two new Species of Labidus...ccce.seceseee «- 3896

XLIX. Information respecting Botanical and Zoological Travellers :—

Merdischudyrcd ip ck.le aison east, toa pollard. tassel. addto 2. 398

Mr. Schomburgk ........00 sereccecerscccssecerrersesevenaccasceose 399

Mr. Griffith eeeeeesenees @eocneeee9 ATH TEM Aer he8 eseeaeetaoe @eeeege08 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,

EEOC. oss yale rots cavuderiys desvaescsuebvelacstsccvssceres 410—415

Proceedings of the Microscopical Society of London ; Zoological So-

ciety ; American Philosophical Society ......... sine, dfp ae eeidae ee 415—421

On the Flower or Fruit of Ferns; Potamogeton prelongus; The

Cocos de Mer; Propagation by Hybrids; Meteorological Observa-

tions and Table...... oFOCt Mi bde tdi sepa bien! p oitdilieg’ devise ovesse) 421—426

FRM CX cp onsprsrerrrrraneamaanncermrasnraremepaansssseoarsass 00 deusides SGinaeresnece 426

PLATES IN VOL. V.

Piste I. Limneus involutus.—Scrophularia Ehrharti.

II. British Mollusca.

III. Iuanthus Scoticus.—Snake-nut.

IV. Vegetable Embryology.

V. Polynoé scolopendrina.

*IV. Nipadites Parkinsonis.

* This Plate retains the Number (IV.) which it holds in Mr. Bowerbank’s.

Work.

ERRATA.

Page 176, line 8 from bottom : for latter read last.

= 315, —- 14: for noticed read naked.

— 363, — 8 from bottom : for isolating one specimen to a drop of, &c., read isolating one

specimen. ‘Toa drop of, &c.

ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY.

I.—On Scrophularia aquatica of Linnzus and Ehrhart. By

Cuar.ves Apsot STEVENS, Esq., B.A., F.B.S.E.*

{ With a Plate. }

AN examination, through the kindness of Professor Don, of the

specimens of Scrophularie in the Linnzan 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-

nzeus ; the other the S. aquatica of Ehrhart’s ‘ Plante 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 init. 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. agua-

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 Linnzan

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 no

* Read to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, Feb. 18, 1840.

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 5. No. 28. 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. 66. 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.

H. Fi. iii. 139. (diagn. only). Sm. Herb. n.2. With Bot. Arr. (ed. 7.)

nil. 738. Hook. Br. Fl. (ed. 4.) 239. *Sebast. et Mauri Fl. Rom.

205. *Pollinus Fl. 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. 889. Koch. Syn. 515. *Guss. Fl. Sie. 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 Linnzan Herbarium, which is, however, apparently

* For these references I am indebted to Mr. C. C. Babington.

Mr. Templeton on the Fungi of the North of 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, Hhrh. Pl. Of. n. 156. Sm. Herb. n.1. Fl. Dan.

t. 507. Kunth, Fl. Berol. ii.60. Bluff et Fingerh.1.c. Rcehb. Fl.

excurs. n. 2562. 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. 1.

aa. Single cymes of the two Plants.

b b. Staminodia of ditto.

cc. Margins of leaves of ditto.

Il.—Catalogue of the Species of Fungi obtained in the North

of Ireland, by Joun TEMPLETON, Esq., of Cranmore,

Belfast. By Tuomas Taytor, M.D., M.R.IA., F.L.S.

Dunkerron, Kenmare, 12th March 1839.

Tue 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.

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.

1. AcAricus, Linn.

vaginatus, Batsch.

muscarius, L.

clypeolarius, Bull.

cristatus, Bolt.

eburneus, Bull.

rutilans, Scheff.

multiformis, Scheff.

personatus, Fr.

alutaceus, Pers.

emeticus, Scheff.

cilicioides, Fr.

zonarius, With.

giganteus, Sow.

nebularis, Batsch.

pratensis, Pers.

puniceus, F’r.

coccineus, Wulf.

laccatus, Scop.

pelianthinus, Fr.

butyraceus, Bull.

compressus, Sow.

confluens, Pers.

Clavus, Bull.

Rotula, Scop.

androsaceus, L.

caulicinalis, Bull.

galericulatus, Scop.

purus, Pers.

corticola, Bull.

stellatus, Fr.

umbelliferus, L.

fragrans, Sow.

flabelliformis, Bolt.

applicatus, Batsch.

fertilis, Pers.

pascuus, Pers.

evernius, Fr.

gentilis, Fr.

sublanatus, Sow.

bulbosus, Sow.

scaurus, Fr.

aureus, Bull.

squarrosus, Mull.

moutabilis, Scheff.

collinitus, Sow.

fastibilis, Pers.

flavidus, Scheff.

scaber, Miill.

geophyllus, Bull.

tener, Schoff.

involutus, Batsch.

variabilis, Pers.

Georgii, With.

campestris, L.

semiglobatus, Batsch.

fascicularis, Huds.

semiovatus, Sow.

Boltoni, Pers.

disseminatus, Pers.

atramentarius, Bull.

micaceus, Bull.

cinnamomeus, L.

personatus, Fr.

fragilis, Batsch.

dilutus, Pers.

coherens, Pers.

cyathiformis, Bull.

chalybeus, Pers.

Bulliardii, Temp.

2. CANTHARELLUS, Adans.

cibarius, Fr.

lobatus, Pers.

levis, Fr.

3. Merutius, Hal.

corium, Grev.

lachrymans, Wulf.

4. Potyporvs, Mich.

lentus, Berk.

squamosus, Huds.

perennis, L.

giganteus, Pers.

versicolor, L.

pallescens, Fr.

radiatus, Sow.

medulla panis, Jacq.

ferruginosus, Schrad.

Tuos. TAYLOR.

5. Botetus, Dill.

luteus, Z.

bovinus, L.

piperatus, Bull.

subtomentosus, L.

edulis, Bull.

6. Fistutrna, Bull.

hepatica, With.

7. Hypnum, Linn.

repandum, L.

8. THELEPHORA, Ehrh.

epidermea, Pers.

cerulea, Schrad.

aurantiaca, Sow.

calcea, Pers.

purpurea, Pers.

rubiginosa, Schrad.

hirsuta, Willd.

laciniata, Pers.

9. CravaRia, Vaill.

coralloides, L.

rugosa, Bull.

pistillaris, L,

vermicularis, Sow.

tuberosa, Sow.

cornea, Batsch.

inzequalis, Mill.

pratensis, Pers.

10. GrocLossuM, Pers.

glabrum, Pers.

14; Mirra, Fr.

paludosa, Fr.

12. TypHuLa, Fr.

erythropus, Fr.

13. PrsTILLARIA, Fr.

puberula, Berk.

in the N, of Ireland by Mr. Templeton.

14. Hetverra, Linn.

lacunosa, 4/2.

15. Leorra, Hill.

lubrica, Scop.

16. Peziza, Dill.

vesiculosa, Bull.

humosa, Fr.

coccinea, Jacg.

brunnea, 4/b. & Schw.

scutellata, L.

stercorea, Pers.

virginea, Batsch.

calycina, Schum.

inflexa, Bolt.

Calyculus, 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. Burearta, Fr.

sarcoides, Jacq.

18. TrReMELLA, Dill.

mesenterica, Retz.

albida, Smith.

sarcoides, With.

difformis, With.

19. Dacrymyces, Nees.

stillatus, Nees.

20. ScLterotium, Tode.

complanatum, Zode.

durum, Pers.

21. Nipuvarta, Bull.

Crucibulum, Pers.

22. SpH=ROBOLUS, TJode.

stellatus, Tode.

23. Prtosoutus, Tode.

crystallinus, Tode.

24. SpuzriA, Hall.

militaris, L.

Hypoxylon, 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.

Tiliz, Pers.

Gnomon, Tode.

punctiformis, Pers.

Aigopodii, Pers.

Vaccinii, Sow.

Taxi, Sow.

rimosa, Sow.

llicis, Schleich.

lanciformis, Fr.

spermoides, Hoffm.

acuta, Hoffm.

serpens, Pers.

25. DoruIpEA, Fr.

typhina, Pers.

Geranii, Fr.

26. RuytisMA, Fr.

Acerinum, Pers.

27. PuHactpium, Fr.

coronatum, Fr.

28. Hysterium, Tode.

pulicare, Pers.

| Fraxini, Pers.

conigenum, Mong. et N.

Rubi, Pers.

Pinastri, Schrad.

Juniperi, Grev.

29. Bovista, Dill.

nigrescens, Pers.

30. LycopEeRpDoN, Tourn.

celatum, Bull.

31. ELAPHOMyYCES, Nees.

granulatus, 4/b. et Schw.

32. ATHALIUM, Link.

septicum, L.

33. SPUMARIA, Pers.

alba, Bull.

34. Dipymium, Schrad.

physaroides, Pers. .

35. Puysarvum, Pers,

sinuosum, Bull.

36 CRATERIUM, T'rentepohl

minutum, Leers.

37. Stemonitis, Gled.

fusca, Roth.

ovata, Pers.

typhina, Pers.

38. Dicrypium, Schrad.

umbilicatum.

39. Arcyria, Hill.

incarnata, Pers.

nutans, Bull.

40. Tricuia, Hall,

chrysosperma, DeCand.

varia, Pers.

4]. PerRIcHENA, Fr.

populina, Fr.

42. Licea, Schrad.

cylindrica, Fr.

fragariformis, Nees.

43. ONYGENA, Pers.

equina, Pers.

44, Strtpum, Tode.

vulgare, Tode.

bicolor, Pers.

45. Mucor, Mich.

caninus, Pers.

Mucedo, L.

46. Evrotium, Link.

Herbariorum, LA.

47. CLaposporiuM, Link.

Herbarum, LA.

48. Demativum, Pers.

ciliare, Pers.

49, AsPpERGILLUS, Mich.

glaucus, Lh.

50. Stacuyuipium, Lk.

diffusum, Fr.

51. Ceratium, 4d. ef S.

hydnoides, Alb. et S.

52. Botrytis, Mich.

vera, Fr.

53. Montuia, Hill,

racemosa, Pers.

54. Fusarium, Lk.

tremelloides, Grev.

55. AREGMA, Fr.

bulbosum, Fr.

mucronatum, fr.

56. Poprsoma, Lk.

Juniperi Sabine, Fr.

6 Mr. W. Thompson on the Fauna of Ireland.

59. HimantiA, Pers. | Senecionis, Schlecht.

57. Puccini, Pers. candida, Pers. Violarum, DeCand.

Graminis, Pers. Ruborum, DeCand.

Epilobii, DeCand. 60. Unepo, Pers. Leguminosarum, Lk.

Segetum, Pers. candida, Pers.

58. Aicrp1um, Pers. | Caries, DeCand. Lini, DeCand.

Grossularie, DeCand. Labiatarum, DeCand. Rubigo, DeCand.

II1.— Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. By W. THompson,

Esq., V. Pres. of the Natural History Society of Belfast.

MAMMALIA.

De.puinus 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 18

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, Leach. King-Eider. A female speci-

men of this rare British bird was shot in Kingstown harbour near

Dublin about the Ist 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 Ricnarpsoni1, 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

L. 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

Lest. Richardsonit, L. Richardsonii, Stercorarius cepphus, Lestris, trish

Swainson. Jenyns. Leach. specimen.

in. lin. in. lin. in. lin, in. lin.

Length, total............ 22 8 saveee ZU 60. adacacnccsevsss US | ae 19 9

excluding cen-

Beret feathers:.! BOG 5 ings s AO Ut cesnens Waeaeeas BGs O 6. wcsds 16 9

OF WINGS. .c sci. eG 5s sgh BSN MOG cease s.es Gt Os Pees in 12 °6

—— of bill above...... Rs Weare BON i cic Sa nsicieals sicicsln EC ie ta eet 1. 3

— of bill to rictus . 110 ...... Dee Oeee eas cnase tonnes Lei een ce 1 10

— of tarsus ......... OP Ee eae 5 Sa: Maes ore 1 9

of middle toe L 1 | 0

ee att } BBE i. PE a ta tcke Oe toe er

Two longest tail feathers very much acuminated, the others in-

creasing gradually in length from sides to centre, these 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 +.

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 1837, 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.

l’Eur. t. 2. p. 819.). These markings have generally been unnoticed

* Following the curve ; the others may have been measured in a straight

line.

+ Since the above was written the 4th part of Temminck’s ‘ Manuel’ has

been published, and here S. cepphus appears as asynonym of L. parasiticus

(p. 502.). The description of S. cepphus would indeed seem about equally

applicable to a small L. Richardsonu 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. Anser ferus 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 J presume of domestication. The

form of the bill in the 4. ferus is quite identical with that of the

tame goose, andat once distinguishes it from A. segetum and A. al-

bifrons*.

ReEprTIxia.

Cuetonia Caouana, Schweigger. Testudo caretta, Linn.

Loggerhead Turtle, Shaw, Gen. Zool. vol. ii. p. 85, pl. 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 Glarcola, Temm. Mr. R. Ball has described to me a species

of Z'otanus 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 seen in the neighbourhood of Belfast, but

as in the previous instance in terms which do not warrant its introduction

to the Fauna with certainty,

Mr. W. Thompson on the Fauna of Ireland. 9

as an individual washed off 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 Tuynnvus, 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.

Gopius uniruncratus, Parnell. One-spotted Goby. ‘ Wern.

- Mem.’ vol. vii. p. 83, pl. 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. Allman. 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.

CycLorrerus coronatus, Couch. Coronated Lump-fish. ‘ Cornish

Fauna, p.47. ‘Annals Nat. Hist.’ vol. ii. ps 382. Of this fish,

considered by Mr. Couch distinct from the C. lumpus, I procured

two specimens, rather exceeding 10 lines in length, by dredging in

* All the localities noted by Dumeril and Bibron, except Havanna, are

within, or bordering on the Indian Ocean.—Erpétologie Générale, tome ii.

p- 951.

10 Mr. W. Thompson on the Fauna of Ireland.

Strangford lough on the lst 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.

Mo..vsca*.

“ Nautilus caleart, Mont. Miltown Malbay (co. Clare), in sand.”

W. H. Harvey, Esq.

“_ levigatulus, 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. 1510.” Temp. MS.

globosa, Mont. Among Conferva pennata, Belfast Bay.”

Temp. MS.

«= Jevis, Walk. M. Malbay, rare—in sand.” W.H.

Harvey.

“ Orthocera glabra. Flem. Ditto.” Ditto.

trachea. Flem. Ditto. Ditto.

Miliola ovata, Crouch, Illust. Lamarck, p. 40. pl. 20. f. 11. Com-

mon on the north, east, and south coast.

“ Loligo mediat. 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 1833) 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.

+ 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

having been 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.

+ 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

« Arion 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. é

“ Limaz agrestis, Gmel. Common.’ Temp. MS.

variegatus, Fer. (Hist. de Moll. p. 71. pl. 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. 591. 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, Smith, ‘Wern. Mem.’ vol. viii. p. 107. pl. 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 22, height 13. 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.

as 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.

striata, Brown, Illust. pl. 38. f. 41, 42. Bangor, co. Down.

Mr. Hyndman.

12 Mr. W. Thompson on the Fauna of Ireland.

Jittorina sazxatilis, Bean, MS. Northern and eastern coasts: common.

Eulima Donovani, Forbes. ‘ Mal. Mon.’ p. 15. Youghal and Dublin,

R. Ball, Esq. Dredged off Dundrum, co. Down, by Mr. Hynd-

man and myself.

Jeffreys. 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, ‘Mal. Mon.’ p.31. Of frequent occurrence

in north, east, and south of Ireland, and hitherto passing under

the name of N. canrena.

Marginella voluta. 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. Journ.’ vol. ii. p. 366. pl. 13. f. 9.]

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. pl. 82. f. 111. Terebra fuscata, Flem. ‘ Brit.

Anim.’ Cerithium fuscatum, Brown, ‘ Illust. Conch.’ p. 9. pl. 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 Brown, 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. pl. 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. pl. 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 Spirule and Jan-

thine occurred, but none of them in a living state.

“ Arca fusca. 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,| Mr. John Humphreys as found at Cove ; the two

pectinata, first and P. muricata by Mr. R. Ball as obtained

muricata, 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 fourd in the newer pliocene deposits

in Ireland. ‘ Wern. Mem.’ vol. viii. part 1.

Anodon intermedius, Lam. Ihave 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.

“* Donaz 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 ‘ Illust. Brit. Conch.’ pl. 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

mollusca he obtained at Oban in Argyleshire: he remarks that

* Mytilus edulis, Linn. The variety? M. subsaxatilis, Williamson, ‘ 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. KE. 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. Mya 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. 854. K. rubra also occurs on the Irish shores.

Pandora obtusa, Leach, Lam. Penn. ‘Brit. Zool.’ vol. iv. pl. 64.

(three lowest figures) ed. 1777 : same work, ed. 1812. Solen

pinna, vol. iv. p. 175. pl. 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, Novam Hollandiam

et Insulam Van Diemen habitantium characteres. By Ep-

waRD NewMaN, F.LS., &c.t

Genus. SceLEocantHa, Newman.

Prioni facies: prothorax utrinque spina recurva laterali armatus ;

pone spinam excavatione semicirculari incisus, postice bisinuatus :

tibie sulcatze, carinate, extus spinose.

* 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.

+ 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. glabricollis. Piceus, prothorax glaberrimus: elytra profunde puncta,

punctis humeralibus rarioribus, discoidalibus majoribus, apicalibus cre-

brioribus. Corp. long. 1°5 unc., lat. -66 unc.

Exemp. unic. in Mus. D. Children.

Habitat. Insula Van Diemen.

Sp. 2. S. palosicollas.

Prionus pilosicollis, Hope, Trans. Ent. Soc. tom. i. p. 16.

Exemp. unic. in Mus. Soc. Ent.

“ Habitat. Nova Hollandia apud Swan River.”

Genus. Toxxrutses, Newman.

Mallodonis fere facies : prothorax utrinque spinis recurvis, lateralibus,

acutissimis armatus; spina antica ad marginem anticum sita,

valde arcuata ; spina 2°* mediana minus arcuata: tibiz inermes.

Sp. 1. Z. arcuatus.

Prionus arcuatus, Fabricius, Syst. Eleu. tom. ii. p. 259.

Exemp. In Mus. Brit., &c.

Habitat. Insula Van Diemen.

Genus. Matuopon, 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 stigmate 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,

mandibule valide, extus et intus arcuate, apice bidentate, intus

inermes : labi- et maxipalpi elongati, longitudine fere zequales, arti-

culo apicali incrassato ; antennz corporis dimidio longiores, 11-ar-

ticulatz, articulus 25 brevissimus, ceteri subzequales, compressz

oculos haud attingentes: prothorax longitudine paullo latior;

margo anticus postico latior; margines laterales paullo sinuate ;

elytra linearia, prothorace paullo angustiora, disco convexo, apice

rotundata: tibiz angulares, pedetentim incrassate, apice spinis 2

acutis, halteribus 2 obtusis armatz : tarsi manifesto 5-articulati:

articulus 4"5 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 Lonyicorns.

Sp. Dora pentamera. Nigra: elytris punctis, spina apicali suturali brevis-

sima armatis: pedes picei. Corp. long. 1:4 unc., lat. -5 unc.

Exemp. unic. in Mus. D. Children,

Habitat. Nova Hollandia.

Genus. Pirnanores, Newman.

Prioni facies : Caput porrectum : mandibule valid, extus arcuate,

intus dentibus duobus minutis armatis, apice acutissime : labi- et

maxipalpi breves articulo apicali cylindrico : antenne corporis di-

midio longiores, 11-articulatz, articulus 2" brevis, 3% 4"™ cum 5°

longitudine zequans: prothorax brevis, angulis rectangulis, utrin-

que spina acuta mediana laterali armatus : tibie fere precedentis.

Sp. Pith. falsus. Niger: prothorax tuberibus nonnullis, quarum 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. Bracuytria, Newman.

Caput in prothorace receptum: oculi fere reniformes : mandibule et

palpi brevissima: antenne dimidio corporis longiores,11-articulate;

articulus 1" latitudine duplo longior, curvatus ; 2" 3¥5 et 4"S bre-

vissimi; czeteri longitudine subzequales, 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 carine due di-

stincte fere ad apicem desinienes, 3"? subsuturalis indistincta longe

ante apicem desinens. Corp. long. ‘7 unc., lat. *175 unc,

Exemp. 1. in Mus. Brit. ex dono Rev. Augusti Beaufort.

Habitat. Insula Van Diemen.

Genus. Necypauis, Linneus.

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. V7

gricantibus : pectus et abdomen lanugine aurea vestita. (Corp. long.

“4 unc., lat. °075 unc.)

Exemp. 1. in Mus. D. Turner.

Habitat. Nova Hollandia. “ Exemp. unic. prope Adelaide lectum tan-

tum vidi.” A. H. Davis.

Genus. Hestuesis, Newman.

Caput pronum, in prothorace ad oculos reconditum : antennz maris

corpore longiores 12-articulate, femine corpore breviores 11-arti-

culate apice paullo crassiores, articulus 4"% 5° 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 nullomodo dilatati.

Sp. 1. H. variegatus.

Molorchus variegatus, Fab. Syst. Eleu. tom. ii. p. 375.

Exemp. in Mus. Ent. Club.

Habitat. Nova Hollandia.

Sp. 2. H. ferrugincus.

Molorchus ferrugineus, MacLeay

p. 487.

Exemp. in Mus. Ent. Club.

Habitat. Nova Hollandia.

Sp. 3. H. cingulatus.

Molorchus cingulatus, Kirby, Trans. Linn. Soc, vol. xii. p. 470.

Exemp. in Mus. Ent. Club.

Habitat. Nova Hollandia.

Sp. 4. H. bizonatus. Abdominis zonule 2; prothoracis margo anticus tenue

flavus; antennz basi graciles ferruginee ; apice crassiores fuscz : 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.

? Boisduval, Faune de l Oceanie,

Genus. Hetiomanes, Newman.

Caput pronum vix exsertum; antennarum gracilium articulus 4"§ se-

guentibus haud manifesto brevior ; elytra oblonga apice rotundata :

corpus gracile: femora apice repente et manifesto tumida; tarsi

mediocres simplices.

Sp. 1. H. Sidus. Fuscus; antennz 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. Cc

18 Mr. Kk. Newman on Australasian Longicoras.

Genus. Cauuipium, Fabricius.

Sp. C. Faber. Fuscum, nitidum: elytra puncta, utriusque discus macula

magna testacea signatus : femora pallida, tumida: tibie tarsique sutu-

ratiora. Corp. long. *325 unc., lat. «1 unc.

Exemp. 2. in Mus. D. Turner.

Habitat. Nova Hollandia. “Exemp. 2, prope Adelaide lecta.” A. H.

Davis.

Genus. Corpromma, Newman.

Caput in prothorace fere ad oculos reconditum, porrectum, protho-

race angustius ; oculi arcuati, medio ad antennarum basin profunde

emarginati, fere divisi: antenne glabre, maris valde, femine vix

corpore longiores, 1 l-articulatz, articuli e quarto compressi : elytra

basi prothorace latiora apice angustiora, rotundata, inermia, femine

haud abdomen tegentia: femora pedetentim tumida inermia.

Sp. 1. C. virgatum. Atrum, fulgore chalybeo nitens: antennarum apicibus

albidis: caput albido 4 lineatum ; linez 2 verticis inter antennas desi-

nunt, 2 laterales oculos secant et in faciem adjunguntur: prothorax al-

bido 4 lineatus, linez lineis capitis continue : elytrorum lanugo lutea

maculam basalem obliquam, alteram medianam transversam, multasque

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 chalybeo nitens; lineis 2 capiti,

prothoraci, elytrisque communibus albidis: lineze elytrorum medio lon-

gitudinaliter hiantes. (Corp. long. °6 unc., lat. :2 unc.)

Exemp. 1. in Mus. D. Children.

Habitat. Nova Hollandia.

Genus. Iscunotes, Newman.

Caput pronum in prothorace ad oculos reconditum; oculi magni,

spheroides, vix emarginati ; antenne prothorace duplo longiores,

filiformes, ]l-articulate; 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. eylindraceus. Nigra, opaca: inter oculos linea longitudinalis vix ele-

vata: prothorax subtilissime punctus, sed ad marginem posticum serie

transversali punctorum 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 lectum.” A. H.

Dayis.

Mr. EK. Newman on Australasian Longicorns. 19

Genus. XystrocerRa, Serville.

Sp. X. virescens. Fusca, splendore virescenti lta: prothorax et elytra puncta,

punctis plus minusve confluentibus: elytra 3-lineata, lineis haud promi-

nentibus, apice rotundata. (Corp. long. 1*2 uné., lat. °3 unc.)

Exemp. 1. in Mus. Brit. D. Hardwicke legato.

Habitat. Nova Hollandia.

Genus. Puoracantua, 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 Americe Me-

ridionalis genus) species haud collocat. Generis typus Cerambyx

semipunctatus Donovani.

apice-l spinosi: prothorax utrinque medio l-spinosus, spina plus

Antennarum articuli plus minusve

minusve prominens : elytra apice truncata plus minusve bispinosa :

descriptionem fusiorem haud requirat genus percognitum. Novam

Hollandiam species omnes incolant.

Sp. 1. P. Synonyma.

Stenocorus punctatus. Kirby ‘ Transactions of the Linnzean Society,’

xii. 471. <‘ Antenne breviores rufo-picez articulis 5 intermediis, extus

apice spina armatus, &c.”

Sp. 2. P. tricuspis, ined.*

Sp. 3. P. quinaria, ined.

Sp. 4. P. punctata.

Stenocorus punctatus, Donovan,

‘ Epitome of the Insects of New

Holland.’

Sp. 7. P. curvispina, ined.

Sp. 8. P. rubripes.

Stenochorus rubripes, Boisduval,

‘ Faune de l’Oceanie,’ p. 477.

Sp. 9. P. dorsalis.

Stenochorus dorsalis, MacLeay,

Sp. 5. P. obscura.

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.

‘ Appendix to King’s Voyage,’

ii, 451.

Sp. 10. P. aberrans, ined.

Sp. 11. P. ventralis, ined.

Sp. 12. P. biguttata.

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 mv

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.

20 Mr. Kk. Newman on Australasian Longicorns.

Genus. Dipymocantua, Newman,

Caput exsertum, vix pronum; oculi magni, reniformes, antennas

fere amplectentes ; antenne corpore manifesto longiores 11-articu-

late ; articulus 1"* paullo tumidus, 2" minutissimus; 3%, 4 paullo

longior, 5"8, 34° vel 4‘ paullo longior, czeteri ad apicem prece-

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.obliqua. Antennarum articuli 1"* et 2" nigri, 3"* 4"* et 5"* lutei apice

nigri, czeteri fusci: scutellum albidum: elytra sordide testacea fasciis

binis abnormibus nigris. Corp. long. *525 unc., lat. -175 une.

Exemp. 1. in Mus. D. Children.

Habitat. Nova Hollandia.

Genus. Putycrznopes, Newman.

Caput exsertum, vix pronum ; maxipalpi mandibulis valde longiores ;

antennz 11-articulate, articulus 1"° paullo tumidus, 2*° subglo-

bosus; czeteri longitudine fere zquales, ultimo breviori: protho-

rax dorso 4-spinosus, spinis 2 anticis acutis paullo retrorsum

curvatis ; 2 posticis vix acutis nullo modo curvatis; lateribus

l]-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. Trssaromma, Newman.

Caput exsertum, porrectum ; antenne graciles, corpore vix breviores,

1l-articulate; articulus 1"° pyriformis, basi constrictus, apice

tumidus ; 2"8 brevis obconicus ; ceteri fere lineares ; 3% 2° paullo

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 quadruplo

longiora vix duplo latiora, parellela apice extremo oblique abscissa,

femora apice repente tumentia.

Sp. 7. undatum, Testaceum, fusco variegatum lanugine serica splendidum ;

antennz et pedes testacea: femora et tibize 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. Ruagiomorrua, Newman.

Caput exsertum porrectum ; antennz filiformes longitudine corpus

zquantes, 1l-articulate; articulus 1"° elongatus, arcuatus, apice

tumidus ; 2"5 minutus ; ceteri graciles, longitudine fere zquales:

prothorax capite haud latior dorso tuberis 4 fere confluentibus in-

structus, lateribus medio gibberis in spinam obtusam productis :

elytra prothorace latiora linearia apicibus rotundatis : femora ma-

nifesto ac pedetentim tumida.

; * Species normales.

Sp. 1. &. Lepturoides. -

Stenocortus Lepturoides, Boisduval, Faune de 1’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. 455.

Exemp. unic. in Mus. D. Children. Descriptio vix distincta.

Habitat. Nova Hollandia. |

Sp. 3. #. sordida. Fusca, lunugine argenteo sparsim vestita; caput inter

antenuas excavatum, punctum: prothoracis dorsum longitudinaliter

impressum : singuli elytri lineze vix elevate 3: femora basi pallidiora.

(Corp. long. °5 unc, lat. -1 unc.) antennz desunt.

Exemp. unic. in Mus. D, Turner.

Habitat. Nova Hollandia. ‘‘Exemp. 1. prope Adelaide lectum.” A.

H. Davis.

** Species aberrantes.

Sp. 4. &. 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 rotunda lanu-

ginosa aurea interrupta est et ante apicem desinet ; 2"* 1° longior fere

ad apicem desinens; inter 1"™ et 2"™ linea aurea, lanuginosa, basalis

apparet; 3"° ad humerum oritur et longe ante pracedentes desinet ;

4"s infra humerum oritur et ante apicem 2° conjungitur: mesoster-

nui utrinque linea lanuginosa argentea signatum. (Corp. long. °7 unc..

lat. ‘1 unc.)

Exemp. 2. in Mus. Brit.

Habitat. Nova Hollandia.

Genus. StenopeErvs, Dejean.

Sp. grammicus. Pallide ferrugineus: oculi nigri: prothoracis latera fusca :

singuli elytri margo suturalis linezeque tres elevate albida, linea prima

ad marginem suturalem, secunda ad lateralem,. in medio tendit. Corp.

long. °425 unc., lat. ‘075 une.

Exemp. 3. in Mus. D. Turner.

Habitat. Nova Hollandia. “Exemp. 3, prope Adelaidelectum.” A.H. Davis.

22 Mr. Goodsir on the Anatomy of the Limneus inyolutus.

V.—Description of Limneus involutus, Harvey, MS. By

W. Tompson, Vice-President of the Natural History So-

ciety of Belfast ;—with an account of the Anatomy of the

Animal. By Joun Goonsir, Esq.

( With a Plate. }

Limneus involutus

Amphipeplea rips A Harvey, MS.

Spec. Cuar. 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 34 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 striz.

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, Mout., 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 Linnzan 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 Limneus 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.

“In structure the Limneus 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 Limneus and Planorbis, Cuvier de-

scribes the supra-cesophageal portion of the nervous 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. iavo-

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 (0), and inferiorly by four small

lateral (c c c¢ c) and two large median ganglia (dd). 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 (ff), which are connected by a filament,

and distribute nerves to the buccal mass and ceesophagus. 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 ganghia give off all the nerves described by

Cuvier; the two anterior connecting masses supply the mus-

cular bundles in their neighbourhood.

“The arrangement of ganglia 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. Pereger ; 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 Limneus and on the other

gasteropod mollusks, 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, with 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-

nalts, is yet similar to that given by Prevost. The testicle, a, 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 (6) 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 on the Crania and Dentition of Carnivora. 25

appears near the root of the male organ (f), where it is coiled

up, and before terminating in the penis presents a small di-

latation.

“The female organs are an ovary (g) which lies across the

middle of the body; and an oviduct (h) which is dilated and

sacculated transversely along its middle third. The vesicle (i)

found in this situation in the gasteropod mollusks opens by a

short neck at the termination of the oviduct.

“ Joun Goopsir.”

VI.—On certain Characters in the Crania and Dentition of

Carnivora which may serve to distinguish the subdivisions of

that Order. By G. R. WaTeRnHOUSE, Esq.*

Jupeine from the form of the skull and lower jaw, and from the

structure of the teeth, the order Carnivora appears to consist of six

families, of which the Dog, Viverra, Cat, Weasel, Bear, and Seal

afford familiar examples; of these the Cats and Weasels appear to

be the most truly carnivorous, and the Bears the least so.

To these six families Mr. Waterhouse applies the names Canidae,

Viverrida, Felide, Mustelide, Urside, and Phocide.

In the first of these families (the Canide) the muzzle is elongated ;

the bony palate terminates in a line with the hinder margin of the

posterior molars, or even in advance of that line, and in this respect

differs from other Carnivora; the posterior portion of the skull is

short, and there are two true molars on either side, both of the upper

and lower jaw.

The principal genera contained in this family are Canis, Fenne-

eus, Lycaon, and Megalotis. In the form of the lower jaw, and in

dentition, the last-mentioned genus affords a most remarkable excep-

tion to the other Carnivora, and the palate terminates behind the

line of the posterior molars ; there may be some doubt therefore as

to its real situation.

The Viverride have the same general form of skull as the Canide,

but differ in having the posterior portion more produced; the bony

palate is carried further back, and the small back molar observable

in the lower jaw of the Dogs is here wanting ; they have, therefore,

but one true molar on either side of the lower jaw, and two true

molars on each side of the upper jaw.

To this family belong the genera Paradoxurus, Cynogale (which

* Communicated to the Zoological Society, Sept. 24, 1839.

26 Mr.Waterhouse on the Crania and Dentition of Carnivora.

is the Potamophilus of Miller and Limictis of De Blainville), Am-

bliodon, Hemigaleus, Herpestes, Cynictis, Ryzana, Crossarchus (the

three last being divisions or subgenera of Herpestes, in which there

is a complete bony orbit), Viverra, Genetta, Prionodon, and Cry-

ptoprocta.

The Hyena, Mr. Waterhouse is inclined to regard as an aber-

rant form of the Viverride: in the general characters of the cra-

nium, and especially in the curved form of the lower jaw, it differs

considerably from the Cats (with which it has by some been asso-

ciated), and approaches the Viverras. If, however, it be placed with

the Viverride, it will form an exception, as regards its dentition,

having but one true molar on either side of the upper jaw. ‘The

‘carnassiére’ has a large inner lobe, and in this respect also resembles

the Viverras, and not the Cats.

The species of the family Felide may at once be distinguished by

the short rounded form of the skull, combined with the straightness

of the lower margin of the ramus of the lower jaw, and the reduced

number of the teeth, especially of the true molars, of which there

are none in the lower jaw, and but one in the upper, and that very

small.

This family contains the genus Felis, species of which are found

in all quarters of the globe, Australia excepted. The Cats appear

to bear the same relation to the Mustelide as the Dogs to the Vi-

verride.

The Mustelide, like the Felide, have the muzzle short and ob-

tuse ; the skull, however, is more elongated. They may be distin-

guished by there being one true molar on either side of each jaw ;

that in the upper jaw is well-developed, and generally transverse; but

in some, such as the Badger, it is longer than broad: in the Otters,

Skunks, and American Badger ( Taxidia Labradorica), the true mo-

lar is intermediate in form between the common Badger (Meles vul-

garis) and the more typical Mustelide. ‘The false molars in the

Weasels (Mustela) are typically a but in some species they are

reduced to — As in the Felide, the angle of the lower jaw, in the

greater portion of the Mustelide, is on the same plane as the lower

edge of the horizontal ramus: in other Carnivora it is raised. In this

family there is a great tendency in the glenoid cavity of the temporal

bone to inclose the condyle of the lower jaw. The condyle is more

truly cylindrical, and longer than in other Carnivora. In the Dogs

there is no trace of the anterior descending process of the temporal

bone, which in the Mustelas confines the condyle of the lower jaw ;

“Mr. B. H. Hodgson on Four new Species of Otter. 27

in other Carnivora there is always a slight trace of this process, but

in none does it inclose the condyles, as in most of the Mustelide.

The genera contained in this family are Mustela, Zorilla, Galictis,

Bell (which must not be confounded with the Galictzs of Is. Geoffroy

St. Hilaire, published in the ‘Comptes Rendus’ for October 1837,

p- 581.), Mellivora, Ursitaxus, Helictis and G'ulo, in which the true

molar of the upper jaw is transverse; Lutra and Mephitis, in which

this tooth approaches more or less to a square form; Zazxidea, in

which it is triangular; and lastly, Meles, Arctonyx and Mydaus, in

which the true molar is longer than broad. This last-mentioned ge-

nus evinces an approach to the order Jnsectivora.

In the Urside there are two well-developed true molars on either

side of each jaw: the ‘ carnassiére’ here has changed its function, not

being suited, as in other Carnivora, to cutting flesh. The palate is

considerably elongated. In the Bears (Ursus and its subgenera) it

is small, being robbed as it were of its nutriment by the true molars»

which are very large. In the other Urside (Procyon, Nasua, Cer-

coleptes, Arctictis and Ailurus,) the ‘ carnassiére,’ especially that of

the upper jaw, and the true molars, are nearly equal in size, and also

nearly resemble each other in other respects*.

In the true Bears the form of the lower jaw differs from that of

any of the preceding Carnivora in having a projecting process on

the under side of the ramus, and situated a little in advance of the

angle of the jaw. The same character is also found in many Seals

(Phocide), which in several other respects appear to approach the

Bears.

VII.—Summary Description of Four new Species of Otter. By

B. H. Hopeson, Esa., Resident at Catmandu, Nepalt.

One of the most remarkable features of the mammalogy of Nepal

is the great number of distinct species of Otter characterizing it.

There are at least seven species, I believe, though not one of them

is numerous in individuals, at least not in comparison of the common

Otter of commerce, which is produced in the neighbourhood of Dacca

and Sylhet. This rarity of species, added to the circumstance of

the animals not being regularly hunted for their skins, renders it

very difficult to procure live specimens; and without live specimens

* “ From an examination of the external characters of Bassaris astula,

it appears to me that it belongs to this group.”

+ From the Asiatic Journal, No. 88, p. 319.

238 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 I 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 LUTRA.

lst 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. Colouwr—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.

2nd Species—MontTIcoLvs NoBIS.

Size, 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. Colowr—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. |

3rd 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. Colowr—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—AvRO-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 +

= Slain a 26to28 30t032 22to2%4 20 to 22

vase of tail .

Meese Si. 16 20 104 Zi tonls

Weight - I16to20lbs. 20 to 24 11 to 13 9 to 11

I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

Nepal, May, 1839. B. H. HODGSON.

ere es

VIII.—Jnformation respecting Botanical Travellers.

Mr. Schomburgk’s recent Expedition in Guiana.

[Continued from p. 434 of vol. iv.]

Tue 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 I[lliger. 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 differs 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 climb-

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 barbarus. 'The size of the individual from

which the following description is taken, was two feet from the tip

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 Travellers. 54

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

MaIKkanc.

The Grisons have been divided from the true Wolverines (Gulo),

and Mr. Bell has formed the genus Galictis. 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 ina 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 amembrane. 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 24 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. Ina state of nature it is said to

be ferocious, and it is more difficult to tame it even when taken in a

young state than the Gulo burbarus. 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 differences.

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. Pt. 3,

p- 201,

32 Information 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

barbarus 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 manceu-

vres as a cat to get rid of any moisture which might have remained

on it. The Gulo barbarus 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 Mustelide

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 offered 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 sufferings 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 respeciing 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 54 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 tees, the middle one of which was 74 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

comparatively small; but as I intended to have it inspected more

closely on my return, I 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 Maovuraima, the Wapisianas Marura, the War-

raus Oxaty&, the Arawaaks Iassr 0 HARA.

I possess from Mr. Vieth, the following note of a species which I

do not doubt was the Dasypus giganteus. ‘I stuffed at Devonshire

Castle Plantation in Demerara, an Armadillo which weighed 7Olbs.,

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 24 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 required to carry it when they took it to our halting

place.

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 5. No.28. March 1840. D

34 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

The fourth species with which I am acquainted is the Dasypus

Peba, Desm. 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. ‘lhe

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 Iass1, 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 oceasionally on carriont. 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. Peda.

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.”

+ 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

— 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 different 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 with all their force,

while another tickles it behind with a small stick, upon which they

relinquish their hold and are secured.

[To be continued. ]

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-

pleteness 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 spe

progrediunt venz, unde species sepe 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,

meo judicio 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 Linnean 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 pinn

(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 Linnzean Society, of which we hope to give an abs-

tract in our next Number.

38 Bibliographical 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 undescribed 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 J. 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 ter 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 Iles 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. 59

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, La Gasc. Foliis filiformibus, rigidis, acutis

convolutis, scapo gracili, subbifloro, brevioribus ; petalis ovato-

lanceolatis mucronulatis.—N. juncifolius alter. Clus. Hisp. 250.

N. Jonquilla, Linn. Foliis angustis, carnosis, angulosis, obtusius-

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 1] 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.)

Pertper2za, Webb. Involucrum discoideum, imbricatum. Flosculi

radii ligulati, disci 5-dentati, superiores steriles. Receptaculum

conicum, foveolatum, paleaceum, paleis ad basin latis, fusco-

marginatis, tubo corolle equalibus, persistentibus, superioribus

brevibus, scariosis, caducis. Stylis disci ramis ¢ sappendiculatis.

Achenium exalatum, subquadrangulare, glabruir striatum, cal-

vum, areola terminali indistincta.

Herba littorum maris interni, annua, inodora, glabra, precox,

facie Chamemeli. Rami foliosi, apice monocephali. Radius

albus, repandus. Folia bipinnatifida, lobis incisis. Discus fructu

40 Bibliographical Notices.

maturo superne nudus, basi collari seu zepidepaiy palearum per-

sistentium cinctus.

Sp. 1. P. fuscata, Webb. Anthemis fuscata, Brot.

At page 48 the Ulex 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 cespitosus, Boiss. ;

Artemisia Granatensis, Boiss. ; Cytisus tribracteolatus, Webb; 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.

On 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 Géttingen 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. Al

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 Umbellate there is

also evident in summer a formation of passages containing an oily li-

quid. The oil vessels in the seminal envelopes of the Umbellate possess

the same structure, but are smaller than the former. The mucus

and gum passages are of similar origin, but are shorter and without

levigated walls. They occur of a very large size in the Cactee,

Malvacee, and Zamie. ‘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 Chenopodee, 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 of Dictamnus, 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, ( Perldriisen) ; these occur

in Cecropia, Begonia, Piper, Bauhinia, Urtica, and many other plants.

Remarkable is the ascent (hinantreten) 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

Labiate 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

Lysimachia, 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 (Stiébchen). 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 Valeriane

there are also found, in the outer layers, resinous globules in the

cells ; a similar occurrence is also described in Amomum, Curcuma,

and other Scitamineea. ‘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 phenomena in relation to which substances

are secreted externally without the existence of any peculiar appa-

ratus; as in the scales of buds, in the aérial roots of Mais, in the

occurrence of tragacanth, in the efflorescence of sugar on Alge, 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 fnd that the author does not give way to a polemical spirit.—

Linnea, Part IIT. 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 Leguminose, 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 Mimose to the Acacie. 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. corolla subzquale, 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’. odora.

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.—Linnea, Part III. 1839.

Osservazioni intorno la Durata ed il Germogliamento della Grammite,

fatie 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.—J bid.

44. Linnean Society.

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

LINNZAN SOCIETY.

December 17.—Mr. Forster, V.P., in the Chair.

Specimens of the Lagurus ovatus collected last summer at Sewex’s

End, two miles from Saffron Walden, were presented by Mr. Cum-

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 Bambusea,

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, who

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

stems, which are pushed forth, as in many other Bambusee, from a

Linnean 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 follow 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 sete cccupy the place of the ligula. The inflo-

rescence is in terminal spikes, with a flexuose rachis; the locust

subsessile, lanceolate, lax, from 14 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 latifolia 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

46 Linnean Society.

it available for its important uses, and the various modifications in

its construction occurring among the different tribes. He adds also

2 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.5.

“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 A. 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 setee, which are not mentioned as occurring in A. verti-

cillata ; its locuste 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 Schomburgkii.

A. foliis linearibus acuminatis levibus; vaginarum ore utrinque longé

setoso, spica 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 Bulbocastanum 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 larvee supposed by Mr. Curtis to be those of the

Musca Canicularis of Linneus. Mr. Iliff is of opinion they were

voided with the excrements of the Boa, and referred to a case in the

Linnean Society. 47

Memoirs of the Medical Society of London, where he believes si-

milar larve 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 Quekett 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

Ergotetia 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 Sarraceniacee,

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, zestivatione valde imbri-

cata, subpetaloidea. Stamina numero indefinita, hypogyna. Anthere

oblongo-lineares, versatiles, biloculares, loculis oppositis iongitudinaliter

dehiscentibus. Ovarium triloculare, ovulis numerosis anatropis pluri-

serialiter placente axili affixis. Stylus simplex, apice truncatus. Stigma

parvum, obscure trilobum, minute ciliatum. “ Capsula trilocularis,

trivalyis, polysperma”’ (Schomb.). Semina obovata, compressa, testa

48 Linnean Society.

fusca laxiuscula, vix rugosa, in alam fusco-membranaceum semen

cingentem expansa. Lmbryo parvus, teres, rectus, prope basin albu-

minis copiosi, radicula juxta hilum, cotyledonibus parvis.

Herba perennis, uliginosa. Folia radicalia; petiolus tubuloso-amphore-

Sormis, 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 Cy-

cadea,” By D. Don, Esgq., Libr. L. §., Prof. Bot. King’s College.

In Conifere 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 Cycadee 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 Conifere, and which distin-

guishes them as well from Cycadee 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 Cycadee

no such uniformity is observable, their tissue, as in other phenoga-

mous plants, consisting of two kinds of vessels, namely of slender

transparenttubes, 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 Cycadee bear a con-

siderable resemblance to the vessels of Conifere, 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 Cycadee, however, the dots present much less regularity in

number and size than in Conifere, 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 furfuracea and pumila,

as well as in Encephalartos horridus and spiralis; but they are

sometimes Jonger, narrower and nearly linear, giving the vessel

Linnean Society. 43

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 Cycadee 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 difficulty 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 in Cycas

revoluta. All these modifications are frequently to be observed in

the same vessel in Zamia furfuracea and 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 Cycadee 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 Linnean 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 Cycadee 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. iy

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 Cycadee 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 Cycadee as related to Conifere

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. Bostock in the 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 Linnzean

Society, vol. xi., 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-

gide 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 cyanocollis, 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.

Kurylaimus Corydon, Temm.

Cymbyrhynchus cucullatus. Hurylaimus cucullatus, Temm.

Native name, Tamplana Lilin.

Cymbyrhynchus nasutus, Vig. Native name, Burong Ujuu.

Flalcyon Capensis, Sw. Native name, Burong Kaha.

Haucyon varia. HH. pectore, guld, ventre, strigdque oculos cin-

gente ferrugineis ; capite, nuchd, et strigd a mandibuld inferiore

ad capistrum brunneis, singulis pennis teniis ceruleis ornatis :

primariis, dorso, scapularibusque, brunneis, his externé flavo mar-

ginatis, illis maculatis ; rostro flavo, culmine obscuro.

Long. tot. 84 unc.; rostri, 144 unc.; tarsi, 1s.

Native name, Kang Kaing.

Halcyon pulchella. Dacelo pulchella, Horsf.

Native name, Kaing Kaing Kimba.

Alcedo Smyrnensis, Lath. See Kaing Kaing.

Alcedo cerulea, 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.andSelby. Nativename, 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.

Trena puella, Horsf. Native name, Krouing.

Muscipeta paradisea, Le Vaill. -Native name, Mira jabone.

Muscipeta ATRocAUDATA. Mus. toto corpore purpureo-atro, sed

pectore imo abdomineque albis.

Long. tot. 9 unc.: rosiri, $ unc.; tarsi, 77%, unc.

Native name, Murra jabone.

Zoological Society. — 53

Genus Microrarsvs, 0. g.

Rostrum feré capiti equale, altius quam latum, ad apicem incisum,

ultraque nares compressum, ad basim setis armatum; nares mem-

branacez, parve, rotundate.

Tarsi brevissimi, superiore parte plumati; digiti debiles, externi vix

longiores quam interni ; posteriores medios zequantes ; ungues com-

pressi, posteriores longissimi; scwfa tarsi indivisa.

Ale mediocres rotundate, prima pennarum spuria, secunda breviore

tertia, tertid duabusque proximis inter se equalibus.

Cauda rotundata tectricibus superioribus mollibus et longis.

Obs. The above genus is closely allied to Micropus of Swainson.

Microrarsus MELANOLEUCOs. Micr. ater, tectricibus primaris

apicibus albis ; rostro nedibusque atris.

Long. tot. 64 unc.; rostri, 4 unc.; tarsi, 64 unc.

Native name, Mirba tando.

Genus MALacoPrERoN, n. g.

Rosirum feré capiti zquale, altius quam latum, ad apicem incisum,

ultraque nares compressum, ad basim setis armatum; mandibula

inferiore ad basim tumida.

Tarsi mediocres; digiti externi vix longiores quam interni, poste-

riores medios equantes ; ungues compressi posteriores pion aaa

scuta tarsi vix divisa.

Ale breves, rotundate ; pennis secondariis primarias feré zquantibus;

prima pennarum spuria, secunda breviore tertia, que 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.

Maxacorreron macnum. Mal. froute cauddque ferrugineis, nuchd

atrd, dorso strigdque transversd pectore, cinereis, alis brunneis,

rostro flavo.

Long. tot., 6 unc.; rostri, 4% unc.; tarsi, 4% unc.

Fem. mare minor, capite nuchaque ferrugineo et atro maculatis.

Native name, Burong Map.

Mauacopreron cinereus. Mal. femine speciei precedentis similis

sed magnitudine multim inferior.

Long. tot. 54 unc. ; roséri, 5 lin. ; tarsi, 8 lin.

Brachypus entylotus, Jard. and Selb. Native name, Merfa.

BracuHYPTERYX NiGRocaPiTaTa. Bra. vertice atro, genis cinereis,

guld albd, dorso cauddque brunneis, pectore abdomineque ferru-

gineis héc obscurissimo ; rostri mandibuld superiore fuliginosd, in-

Feriore flavd, tarsis pedibusque brunneis.

Long. tot. 65 unc.; rostri, $ unc.; tarsi, 1+, unc.

Dicrurus Malabaricus, Steph. Native name, Chanwee.

Obs. Dic. eratus of Stephens is the female of this species.

Lanius virgatus, Temm. Native name, Burong Tana.

54 Zooloyical Society.

Lanius srricatus. Lan. dorso, caudd alisque ferrugineis, illo atro

strigato ; paucis pennis tertiarum et flecura alarum lined atris ; ca-

pite cinereo, sparso et strigato atro ; corpore subtis obscure albo ;

lateribus pectoreque parce atro strigatis ; rostro apice atro, basi

albd ; tarsis pedibusque brunneis.

Long. tot. 64 unc. ; rostri, +7, unc. ; tarsi, 4%, 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 buta.

Turpus moprestus. Tur. dorso, tectricibus alarum, verticeque oli-

vaceo-brunneis ; paucis tectricum primarium prepilatis albo ; pri-

mariis cauddque brunneis ; guld, strigd oculari abdomineque albis,

alld maculis cinereis sparsd ; lateribus capitis, et pectore inferiore

cinereis ; latertbus pectoreque superiore ferrugineis ; mandibuld

superiore pedibusque brunneis, inferiore flavd.

Long. tot. 8? unc. ; rostri, 4% unc. ; tarsi, 144, unc.

Native name, Kwaran.

Pastor Manayensis. PP. dorso, caudd alisque viridi-eneis ; tec-

tricibus tertiartis abdomineque albis ; vertice nuchdque pennis elon-

gatis, cinereis ; paucis pennis viridi circumelusis ; mento albo ; cor-

pore subtus cinereo.

Long. tot. 62 unc. ; rostri, $ unc.; tarsi, 1 unc,

Fem. dorso brunneo ; reliquis coloribus obscuris.

Native name, Brass Brass.

Tora scapularis, Hersf. Native name, Durong Capas.

Genus CraTaionyx, n. g.

Rostrum forte; mandibuld superiore arcuata, mediocri; nares rotun-

datz, basales, setis brevibus tecte.

Pedes validi syndactyli; digitis medio posteriori inter se equantibus,

exterioribus interioribus vix longioribus.

Tarsi validi elongati; ungues validi, posteriores maximi.

Ale remigibus primariis spuriis, secundis vix brevioribus tertiis ;

tis, 5tis, gtisque inter se eequalibus.

Cauda longa rotundata.

CRATAIONYX FLAVA. Crat. ater vertice cristato ; abdomine pecto-

reque inferiore flavis ; tarsis pedibusque flavis.

Long. tot. 7 unc. ; rostri, Z unc. ; tarsi, 49 unc.

Native name, Seray Seray.

CRATAIONYX ATER. Crat. enea, vertice cristato ; abdomine pecto-

reque inferiore, flavis ; tarsis pedibusque flavis.

Long. tot. 7 unc. ; rostri, 4 unc.; tarsi, +3 unc.

Oriolus xanthonotus, Horsf. Native name, Simpelong Rait.

Oriolus Sinensis, Linn. Native name, Kapindary.

Zoological Society. 55

Gracula religiosa, Auct. Native name, Tchong.

Platylophus galericulatus, Temm. Native name, see Jerray.

Pitta brachyura, Auct. Native name, Mortua Plando.

Pirra coccinea. P. occipite, nuchd, corporeque subtus coccineis ;

alis, dorso, caudd, strigdque utrinque nuche, cyaneis; gutture

Ferrugineis ; lateribus capitis, pedibus, rostroque atris.

Long. corp. 8 unc.; rostrum, 2 unc.; tarsi, 15 unc.

Native name, same as the last.

Buceros picotor. Bue. ater, rectricibus tertiis lateralibus cauda-

que apicibus albis ; rostro albo, strigd cingente basim atrd ; casside

mediocri carinatd a dimidio capitis ad bis trientis rostri tendente.

Long. corp. 334 unc. ; rostri, 6 unc. ; carina cassidis, 5 unc. ; tarsi,

24 unc.

Jun. casside non perfecta et atra. Native name, Kay Kay.

Euplectes Philippinensis. Loxia Philippinensis, Linn.

Native name, Tampua.

Antuus Matayensis. An. dorso brunneo, marginibus pennarum

saturatioribus ; corpore subtis ferrugineo levitéer tincto ; duabus

rectricibus exterioribus caude albis ; pectore maculis brunneis

adsperso ; primoribus marginibus exterioribus flavis.

Long. tot. 62 unc.; roséri, - unc.; éarsi, 1} unc.; ung. post.

4unc. Native name, Lanchar.

The present species, which 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.

Diceum cantillans, Ste. -

Diceum saccharina. Certhia saccharina, Lath. Nat. name, Nella.

Diceum cruentata, Horsf.

Diczum ienicaPitta. Dic. dorso, caudd, tectricibus alarum,

primariis externis partibus, lateribusque capitis obscure azureis ;

strigad oculari atré ; gulé corporeque subtus aurantiacis ; macula

pectorali verticeque rubris.

Long. tot. 34 unc. ; rostri, = unc. ; tarsi, $ unc.

Native name, Nalloo.

Fem. superné cinerea subtisque 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, inferiore

flava ; pedibus brunneis.

Long. tot. 8 unc. ; rostri, 13 unc. ; tarsi, +9 unc.

Native name, Chichap Rimba.

ANTHREPTES MODESTA. An. vertice, dorso, alis, cauddque

viridi-olivaceis hae singulis pennis mediis brunneis, illd prepi-

lata atro; corpore subtus viridi, singulis pennis in mediis

obscuris ; rostro pedibusque brunneis.

Long. tot. 65 unc. ; rostri, 1} unc.; tarsi, 2 unc.

Native name, Chichap Nio.

56 Zoological Society.

Phenicophaus tricolor, Steph. Native name, Kado besar.

Phenicophaus chlorocephalus. Cuculus chlorocephalus, Raffles.

Native name, see Lahia.

Phenicophaus Crawfurdi, Gray. Native name, Kada Kachie.

Phenicophaus Javanicus, Horsf. Native name, Kada Apie.

PuHG@NICOPHAUS VIRIDIROSTRIS. Phen. alis dorso caudd

castaneis ; primariis apicibus brunneis ; rectricibus caude api-

cibus albis, pone strigd atrd ornatis ; capite, collo, pectoreque

superiore 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, Tuhoor.

Bucco QUADRICOLOR. ue. viridis; primariis brunneis ; rec-

tricibus caude inferioribus partibus azureis ; fronte aureo, ma-

culd coccinea posteriore utrinque ad latus locatdé ; strigd per-

oculari atra, hae anticé maculd coccinea, infra azured ornata ;

guld coccined ; pectore superiore ceruleo maculis coccineis ornato ;

macula flavd ad angulum inferius rostri ; rostro, tarsis, pedi-

busque atris.

Long. tot. 83 unc.; rostri, 1} unc.; tarsi, 12 unc.

Native name, Tahoor Capata Cuning.

Genus MrecaLoruyNcuts. n.g.

Rostrum validum culminatum, carina basali vix ad apicem adunca ;

altius quam latum ; nares magne, basales, rotundate ; setis tecte.

Pedes scansorii; digiti bini locati; exteriores singulis partibus

eequales et longiores quam interiores; posteriores et exteriores

brevissiml.

Ale primis pennarum spuriis, secundis brevibus, tertiis, 448, 5%, 6ts,

inter se equalibus.

Tarsi mediocres.

Cauda rotundata, mediocris.

MEGALORHYNCHUS sPINosuS. Meg. superioribus partibus brun-

neis ; pennis prepilatis olee colore, vertice pennis mediis spino-

sis, oculis spatiis nudis et rubris cireumdatis; gulad obscuré

ferrugined ; corpore subtus sordide albo.

Long. tot. 6} unc.; rostri, 14; tarsi, 8; unc.

Native name, Ariko Berine.

_ Chrysonotus Tiga. Picus Tiga, Horsf.

Native name, Glato.

Chrysonotus miniatus. Picus miniatus, Gmel.

Native name, Glato.

Picus validus, Temm. Native name, Glato.

Hemicircus badius, Picus badius, Raff.

Hemicrrcus BRUNNEUS. Hem. brunnéus transversim ferrugineo

Zoological Society. 57

strigatus ; guld strigis minutis; vertice genisque brunneis et

non strigatis ; maculdé oblonga ad latera cervicis flavo-ferrugi-

ned ; noté ab angulo inferiore rostri utrinque ad gulam ten-

dente coccinea.

Long. tot. 72 unc. ; rostri, 1 unc. ; tarsi, 3 unc.

Hemicircus tristis. Picus tristis, Horsf.

Picus poicilolophus,'Temm. Native name, Glato.

Polyplectron Chinguis, Temm. :

Nycthemerus erythrophthalmus. Phasianus erythrophthalmus,

Raffles. Native name, Pagas.

Cryptonyx coronatus, Temm. Native name, Bestum.

Prrpix #RuGiINosus. FPerd. eruginosus ; tertiartis transversim

strigaits atro; abdomine guldque saturatioribus ; nullo calcare ;

rostro tarsisque atris, illo fortt.

Long. tot. 10 unc. ; rosiri, 2 unc, ; tarsi, 13 unc.

Native name, see Hole.

Hemipodius Taigour, Sykes. Native name, Pochio.

HemipopIus ATROGULARIS. Hem. guld pectoreque supertore

atris ; pennis ad latera colli albis atro prepilatis ; illis verticis

et frontis atris, albo prepilatis ; dorso brunneo, singulis pennis

transversim strigatis atro, et maculis parvis albis sparsis ; tec-

tricibus atro preptlatis, et transversim late strigatis flavo-ferru-

gineo ; tectricibus caude ferrugineis, et super caudam tendenti-

bus ; lateribus airis ; rostro aurantiaco pedibus, tarsisque brun-

nets.

Long. tot. 63 unc.; rostri, 7 lin.; tarsi, 1 unc.

Native name, Pochio.

Coturniz 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 phenicura, 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.

Scoiopax 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 Muride.

«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 bulle 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 Phleomys, 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 (Pata@omys) Cuminer. WM. vellere setoso, suberecto, pilis la-

nuginosis intermixtis ; auribus mediocribus extus pilis longis

obsitis ; mystacibus crebris et perlongis ; pedibus permagnis et

latis, subtus nudis ; caudd mediocri, pilis rigidis et longis (ad

Murem Rattum ratione habitd) crebré obsitd : colore nigrescenti-

fusco sordide flavo lavato, subtus pallidiore ; caudd nigrescente ;

pilis longioribus in capite et dorso nigris. une. lin.

Longitudo capitis corporisque ...... ONAL

COUGESIA\. 304 Un ls ss eh oe

fea antepedis (unguibus exclusis) 1 84

— 1 ic) a GPCR Sete hon 2 10

—— auris . Maric .), O

CRUG OSSO0 oe. ced abet hata Pei. at

Latitude, C7UGGeT | jx. jcc nis scr lol phen Rene at ie:

Hab. 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 differs,

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 zigrirostris, and proceeded to charac-

terize it as follows:

PrEROGLOSSUS NIGRIROSTRIS. Pt. rostro, capite summo, nuchdque

nigris ; guld alba ; corpore supra olivacco-fusco ; rectricibus se-

condaris olivaceo-viridibus ; uropygio pallide sulphureo: caudd,

60 Zoological Society.

tectricibus caude, nigrescenti-viridibus, plumis quatuor intermediis

ad apicem, femoribusque castaneis : corpore subtis pallide cyaneo,

crisso coccineo, pedibus nigris.

Long. tot. 20 unc. ; rostri, 34% ; ale, 6%; cauda, 7; tarsi, 14.

Hab. P

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 Cuculide, the genus Pheni-

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 laminz, 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. Beauharnesti 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 :

Puanicornaus Cuminer. PA. cristatus, plumis criste et qutturis

laminis corneis ovalibus splendide nigris terminatis ; nuchd, et

pectore castaneis ; facie pallide cinered ; alis et caudd metallice

virescentibus, hdc ad apicem albd.

Long. tot. 16 unc. ; rostri, 14; ale, 6; caude, 8; tarsi, 34.

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 iil. p. 279; also in the ‘ Ausland,’ 1830, No.

118, p. 470.

Zoological Society. | 61

large and black, length from beak to tail, 84 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 black 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 ; specuto

alarum purpureo-virescente, antice et postice nigro marginato ;

corpore subius fuscescenti-cinereo.

Long. tot. 21 unc.; rostri, 24; ale, 82; caude, 44; tarsi, 15.

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 Berigora, 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-7-papa.

Aigotheles 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, Ora.

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, Vir-cou-ce;

Scalp Parrot of the colonists.

Trichoglossus concinnus, Vig. et Horsf.

Trichoglossus purpureus. Native name, Warrow-Ka.

Meliphaga Novae-Hollandia, Vig. et Horsf. Native name, Wandow.

Anthochera rufogularis. Acanthegonys rufogularis, Gould.

Sitella melanocephala, Gould. Native name, Coolta-tacoow.

Coturnix Australis,'Temm. Native name, Tou-ta-wa-tee.

Coturnix pectoralis, Gould. Native name, Tou-ta-wa-tee. This

is no doubt the male of the preceding species.

Charadrius nigrifrons. Avgialitis nigrifrons, Gould.

Rallus Philippinensis, Less. Native name, Herncou; Land-Rail

of the colonists.

Porphyrio melanotus, Temm. Native name, Cow-oue; Bald Coot

of the colonists.

Nycticorax Caledonicus, Less.

Anas superciliosa, Gmel. Native name, Tow-an-da?

Rhynchaspis Rhyncotis, Steph.

Cygnus atraius, Shaw.

Phalacrocorar Carboides, Gould. Native name, Yal-tow; Black

Shag of the colonists.

Mr. Fraser, who 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.—William 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 Society 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 Coquallin of Buffon (S. variegatus, Gmel.) than any

Zoological Society. 63

other with which I am acquainted. It is, however, much smaller ;

rather less indeed than the common European Squirrel, and differs

both in the colours themselves and in their distribution. ‘The whole

upper surface of the head and nape, as well as the cheeks of the

Coquallin, are intense and uniform black; the ears and muzzle are

pure white ; the black and light- yellowish brown colours of the back

are finely intermixed, or as it were granulated, whilst the long hairs

of the tail are yellowish red at the roots, glossy black in the middle,

and intense red on the terminal portion. In the new species, on the

contrary, the head, muzzle, cheeks, and neck, are of the same colour

as the back ; the ears are but thinly covered with short hair, and that

of a sandy red colour, surrounded by a narrow black border, most

conspicuous in front; the back colours are brindled, or mixed in

wavy irregular patches, and the long hairs of the tail are mostly

black, terminated by snowy-white tips, which give the whole organ

a hoary appearance; many of these hairs, however, have yellowish

gray roots. ‘The limbs and under-surface of the body, in both spe-

cies, are red, but in the present species it is of a lighter and more yel-

lowish cast. .

For this species Mr. Ogilby proposed the name variegatoides : its

chief characters are as follow:

ScruRUS VARIEGATOIDES. Sc. supra fulvo nigroque variegatus ;

subtis helvolus ; caudd longd, cylindrica, floccosd, canescente ; au-

riculis imberbibus, subrufis, nigro marginatis.

une. lin.

Longitudo ab apice rostri ad caude basin.. 10 O

PMC Ae WHS SW ones Saya ated vo fey

—— POPSt GiGlOTUMNGUe ° .\ «s-'.oe in >> 2» *G

CO NIGP IC a Reade VRE SAG eas rae Ors

ab apice rostri ad basin auris.. .. 2 14

A new species of Squirrel, sent by Hugh Cuming,®Esq., Corre-

sponding Member, from one of the Philippine Islands, was thus cha-

racterized by Mr. Waterhouse :

Sciurus Puriiprinensis. Sc. supra intense fuscus, pilis nigri-

rufescenti-flavo annulatis, subtis cinerescenti-albus, capite et anti-

cis pedibus cinerescentibus ; auribus parvulis ; caudd mediocri.

une. lin.

Longitudo ab apice rostri ad caude basin.... 6 6

S25 Sigs) 7 le RRR, See a 6 i%G

ab apice rostri ad basin auris .... 1 6

tarsi digitorumque..........-0.-- ae,

IB Deri ea tette BN Te aii ag es ose OE 3a

Had. 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 1857, p. 496. The specific name fristriatus

is there proposed for the new species.

“The skull of Sciurus tristriatus,’ observes Mr. Waterhouse,

“differs 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.|Sc. tristriatus.

unc. lin. unc. lin.

Tom joength oe sces Sree bin is Sinise is ey ee Lk 94

Width, aciks cabs soto es te ae Pea pes

= hetween yorprts .¢ 15 oi at Ree 5s | 64

~Length of nasal bones \. 2 3.32.5 + ek ens 5+ | 6

From outer side of incisors (upper jaw) : ey

to front molartooth’. 17225 ...267 = | of

Space occupied by the five molars a 31 ay

either side of upper jaw ........

Length of palate... @ ss ded Dae see meee 74 9

of ramus of lower jaw from 101 iy xs,

front to posterior part of condyle... §

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, anda 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 Sphyrena

among recent fishes in its dental structure.

The second instance was the Basilosaurus of Dr. Harlan, which

had been referred to the class Reptilia; and the double-fanged struc-

ture of its teeth, had, on the strength of its supposed Saurian affi-

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

eachalot 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. March 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 cytoblast 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 cytoblast 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 Trish Academy. 67

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 fibre 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 difference 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

Hibernica,” by Robert Patterson, Esq., Member of the Natural

History Society of Belfast.

In a note appended to his paper on the Cydippe Pomiformis,

(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 having 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 Beroé 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

F 2

68 Royal Trish Academy.

than one-fifth of the entire length. The body 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 5

Do. of the head SFM 20'S »

Average lenpth ‘of armas). 2°. SP 200: 2°8 +

Lenethortentacnitas ))) oF 0a) eerie? Sp A

Breadtr'6f Bayne eerie ae ae x

Liencthoog fa fo ot ay Se ae ee ‘

Extreme breadth of body, .......... ir -

Length of dorsal lamina, ............ 3°5 »

Extreme breadth of dorsal lamina, .... 0°2 ‘

Breadth of largest horny hoops of ace-

tabula aol tt ov 2 cae Aiea 02 »

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 Hblane*.

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 subulata. 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 conferve, but apparently of a different

species.

MISCELLANEOUS.

ON DATISCA CANNABINA AND IMPREGNATION.

Dr. Fresenius has observed that in Datisca cannabina, 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.—Linnea, 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

Jacobshayn, in Greenland, as a new genus, under the name Cirro-

teuthis Miilleri, with the following character: ‘‘ Octopus suctoriis

minimis unam seriem in quovis 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 Derry, 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.

70 Miscellaneous.

ratis et cum membrana natatoria vel cum plicis ejus pendulinis usque

ad apicem fere connatis; alis natatoriis duabus transversalibus, ver-

tebrve cartilagineze corporis insertis. Suctoriis singulorum brachi-

orum 30, cirris 32.” Length of body 32; 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 abyssinica, Jacq.* 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 Riippel’s

seed, an Hleusine, very similar to El. indica, but yet forming a new

species, Hleusine 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 /usus nature,—a merely

accidental resemblance to the snake, assumed by the kernel in

shrinking ; 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 Linnzan Society, in June, 1837.

* The identity of the plant produced from the seeds brought home by

Bruce under the name of Jef, with the Poa Abyssinica 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 ¢0 the same grass.

Meteorological Observations. i1

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., 1840.

Chiswick.—Jan. 1. Overcast: fine. 2. Very fine. S. 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. Sharpfrost. 12. Frosty: fine. 13. Clear. 14. Hazy. 15.

Drizzly. 16. Fine. 17. Foggy. 18. Frosty and foggy: rain. 19. Boisterous,

with 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. 93,

Rain, 24, Stormy: rainp.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.

Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire.— Jan. 1. Fine morning: rain p.m. 2. Very

wet a.m.: showery allday. 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. Frostagain. 10. Still frosty but cloudy.

11. Wet and stormy. 12. Thesameall 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 v.m. 29, Frost a.M.: fine winter day. 30. Frost

early a.m.: changer.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 14 day. North-east 53 days. East 1 day. South-east 5 days.

South 3 days. South-west 95 days. West 4 days. North-west 13 day.

Calm 8 days. Moderate 5 days. Brisk 3 days. Strong breeze 9 days.

Boisterous 5 days. Storm 1 day. Temperature of spring water, taken 3 times

in the month, 43°°3.. Mean temperature of the atmosphere 37:8,

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ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY.

IX.—On the Structure of the Cellular Membrane in Mosses

and Hepatice. By Dr. M. J. ScHLEIDEN*.

Ir is doubtless an interesting subject of inquiry how far the cell

agrees in all plants in its vital phenomena, and how far we are

thence justified in coming to the conclusion that the vegetable

cell is in all cases one and the same physiological element. For

this purpose detached remarks are not without value, and

their proper place will be assigned to the following statements.

If anything already known should be found amongst them, it

may be passed over. In the deluge of botanical literature it is

no longer possible, even with the best helps, immediately and

accurately to become acquainted in detail with everything

new; and, indeed, when I noted down this observation I had

no library at hand.

One of the most important and characteristic events in the

vital phenomena connected with cellular tissue, is the thick-

ening of the membrane by a deposition of layers, the original

spiral arrangement of which will soon, it is to be hoped, be

universally established beyond doubt. Great importance has

already been attributed to spiral formations, but the conse-

quence resulting from them was too partially comprehended,

inasmuch as the porous kinds of tissue were excluded, though

these in reality are formed according to the same law. Now

if after so many new inquiries the idea must be proposed,

nay more, admitted, that we possess in the spiral formation an

elementary organ distinct from and opposite to the cellular

system,—that the spiral formation, including porous tissue, is

altogether but a characteristic portion of the vital process of

the cell,—so will this afford the means of determining whether

or not under the notion of cells are comprehended elements of

different importance. Where we find similar stages of de-

* Wiegmann’s Archiv fiir Naturgesch. V. Jahrg. Part IV. p. 277.

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.5. No.29. April 1840. G

74 Dr. Schleiden on Cellular Membrane in Mosses.

velopment we shall always obtain a valid ground for admitting

the identity of the elements, and thence we shall also be jus-

tified in assigning other occurrences in the life of the cell of

plants by analogy to those cells in which they have not yet

been expressly observed.

So far as J am aware, up to the present time the occurrence

of a spiral formation has been ascertained in the reproductive

organs of Hepatice only in the elaters and fruit valves*. But

these are not less strikingly developed in the vegetative or-

gans of Marchantiacee. The parenchyma of the leaf in Mar-

chantia polymorpha and Fegatella conica consists almost en-

tirely of cells, the partitions of which appear most distinctly

porous or (especially in M. polymorpha.) thickened beau-

tifully with network. This thickening of the cell partitions

takes place to so great a degree in the older parts and in the

proximity of the midrib, that by transverse sections the pore-

channels may be plainly recognised.

Amongst mosses, the true Dicrana, for example D. Schra-

deri, spurium, &c. are distinguished by leaf-cells, of which

the sides are very thick and the partitions evidently pierced

through, frequently by very wide, frequently by funnel-shaped

pore-channels, just as is apparent in the epidermis of so many

phanerogamous plants. And still more conspicuously do these

spiral and porous formations display themselves in Sphagnee,

and in the nearly related group of Leucophanee established

by Hampe. The structure of the cells of Sphagnum, Leuco-

bryum vulgare, Hampe, (Dicranum glaucum) and Octoblepha-

rum albidum, seems to me to have been sufficiently discussed

by Mohl; here therefore I can only add some inconsiderable

contributions. Those peculiar and large pores which in the

older state of the leaf become real holes (just as in the parti-

tions which separate the vessels of phanerogamous plants),

besides being found in the species above-mentioned, also oc-

cur in Octoblepharum cylindricum, Schimp. Didymodon sphag-

noides, Hook., and in Leucobryum minus, albidum, and longi-

folium, Hampet. All the mosses reckoned amongst Leuco-

* Beautiful and interesting forms are especially met with here in Pedlia

epiphylla.

+ The determination of these mosses is to be depended on, as they were

all communicated to me, with his accustomed kindness, by Hampe himself.

Mr. Thompson on an Alga which colours Ballydrain Lake. 75

phanee by Hampe are characterized, just as in the Sphagnee,

by peculiarities in the structure of the leaf, which consists of

two different species of cells, some narrow and filled with

chlorophyll, others wider, transparent, and perforated with

pores which afterwards pass into holes. The differences de-

pend, with the exception of the structure of the sides of the

cells, particularly upon the arrangement of these two species

of cells. In Sphagnee both lie more or less in one plane, and

so form but one layer, of which the whole leaf consists ; in

Leucophanee the green cells are always covered on both sides

with 1, 2, or 3 layers of the large transparent perforated cells.

From this arrangement, by which the green cells are greatly

obscured, results that glaucous colour which characterizes the

whole tribe at first sight, together with its peculiar quickly

drying and brittle as well as moist and flexible habits.

X.—On a minute Alga which colours Ballydrain Lake, in the

county of Antrim. By Wa. Tuompson, Esq., Vice-Pres.

Nat. Hist. Society of Belfast.

JuLy 25, 1838.—Late in the autumn of 1837 I observed

patches of a singular looking blueish green scum at the edge

of Ballydrain Lake—a beautiful and picturesque sheet of water

situated a few miles from Belfast*—but being hurried at the

time, I did not procure specimens for examination. This I

had intended to do a few days afterwards, but circumstances

prevented its accomplishment at that time, and when I soon

afterwards returned the plant had disappeared. On visiting

* Ballydrain Lake covers about twenty acres of a sandy and peaty soil, and

its elevation above the sea is perhaps forty feet. It is of various depth, is

fed by springs, and has an outlet in but one small brook. During winter it

is the daily haunt of great numbers of wild fowl (Anatide) of various spe-

cies, that resort to it as a secure asylum; and I am happy to say not in vain,

for agreeably to the good taste of its proprietors, a shot is not permitted to

be fired upon it; but, notwithstanding, these most attractive birds have been

on the decrease for the last few years. In fishes, mollusca, or other plants

than those here treated of (unless more microscopic species remain to be dis-

covered), it possesses no peculiarities. Myriophyllum, buck-bean (Meny-

anthes), and the larger phenogamic plants generally, have much increased of

late years, to the detriment of pike-fishing, the vegetation near the edges

a so dense as to conceal the bait placed on night lines for the capture of

these fish.

qa?

76 Mr. Thompson on an Alga which colours Ballydrain Lake.

the lake today for the purpose of investigating this Alga, for to

some minute tribe of this order of plants I was satisfied that

the substance noticed did belong, I found that the whole

body of water was tinged with a dull faintly glaucous hue.

On going out in a boat to ascertain the cause of this appear-

ance, I saw that the water was everywhere filled with ex-

tremely minute particles, which might be compared to the

motes in asun-beam. To the unassisted eye they seemed as

delicate as the finest human hair and of a spiral form: with

the aid of a lens they were seen to be a vegetable production.

Around the boat, which was stationary, their motion was not

very rapid, but those on the mere surface moved in an oppo-

site direction from the particles beneath, and the latter the

more quickly. Their present appearance, together with the

recollection of the floating masses observed last autumn, at

once brought to mind the Oscillatoria erugescens discovered

in 1837 by my friend Dr. J. L. Drummond in Glaslough

(county of Monaghan*), and where, as in the present instance,

that plant performs a similar part in giving a colour, &c. to

the water. Until the microscope be resorted to, there seems

indeed the strongest analogy between them, but this instru-

ment proves that the alga under consideration does not be-

long to the genus Oscillatoria.

On inquiry from some relatives, whose demesne is situated

on the borders of the lake, I learned that the appearance de-

scribed had been observed only for the last four or five years,

and for about three months in each year: one of my friends

had looked upon its approach with dread, as it interfered so

much with his angling that during the period of its continu-

ance this sport had to be abandoned. Eels, pike, and perch,

especially the latter, are abundant in the lake, but when the

water is clouded by this plant, the diminution in the number

of perch taken is said to be not less than about one to fifty—

the difference is attributed to the fish being unable to see the

bait. About the Ist of this month I am informed that the

water was perfectly clear.

July 30.—I visited Ballydrain and found the entire lake

tinged with this plant, but unequally so ; in some parts, where

* See Annals Nat. Hist. vol. i.

Mr. Thompson on an Alga which colours Ballydrain Lake. 77

the water was two feet deep, the bottom could be seen; in

others it was invisible at one fourth of this depth: at the lee-

ward and windward sides there was but little difference, ex-

cept that at the latter it was occasionally observed to give a

pale green tinge to the surface, where the water circling gently

in, congregated it together and threw it thence in a broken

cloudy form for a moment, when it was again dispersed:

since the 25th I should say that it has increased by at least

one third. The lake has at first sight the appearance which

Dr. Drummond ascribed to Glaslough, of being “ greened” by

the reflection of trees : from eminences at some little distance

the green tinge of the water is most conspicuous, and parti-

cularly so at the further side. In some places the colour is of

a pale dull green, in others greenish brown; thus imparting to

this fine sheet of water, in place of its wonted appearance of

coolness and freshness, the dull dead aspect of a Dutch canal.

When viewed at the distance of a few paces from the margin

the plant is apparent during sunshine, as it likewise is at such

times in water lifted in the hand*.

Sept. 16.—I again went to the lake, and found it to be much

more densely coloured than on the 30th of July. The day

being perfectly calm, the surface of the water was covered to

some extent, where the depth appeared to be about five or six

feet, with an alga of a pale but rich green hue. When atten-

tively observed it was seen moving in currents presenting the

form of what is technically called “the feather” in the most

admired mahogany, now moving round a centre or “ knot,”

and again diverging from it rapidly and in the most graceful

forms, the water appearing through the moving masses of the

plant so as to take the place of the darkest hues and knots in

the wood. It was perhaps an appearance similar to this, that

MM. Engelhardt and Treschel have described the Oscillatoria

rubescens,—a minute alga which tinges with a red colour the

lake of Morat in Switzerland,—occasionally to assume, when,

* A quantity of the alga brought home today in a phial of water remained

scattered through it for twelve hours; in twenty-four it had all risen to the

surface : in another instance it on the third day covered the bottom of the

vessel.

78 Mr. Thompson on an Alga which colours Ballydrain Lake.

to use their own words, it presents “ figures assez semblables a

celles produites par lélectricité positive sur l’électrophore*.”

In sheltered places there were floating pale blue tufts or small

masses, such as I saw here last autumn; but endeavouring to

secure them by carefully putting beneath a sheet of paper on

which to lift them, I was surprised to find, that notwithstand-

ing their apparent consistency, they floated off in the water

with which they were brought up, not even leaving behind a

tint of their colour. Some specimens from deep water, brought

home today, when viewed under the microscope, exhibited

precisely the appearance the plant did in July.

Sept. 26.—On visiting the lake this afternoon, which was

fine, though dull and without sunshine, (as the earlier part of

the day had been,) I remarked that the water generally had

lost some degree of its opacity and looked clearer than on the

16th. Instead of the beautiful appearance which the surface

presented upon that day, there was in some places merely a

little scum, which excepting its very pale greenish tinge, re-

sembled precisely the appearance remaining on the surface of

water in which ice has been dissolved. Towards the edge of

the lake, there were in some places, as on the 16th, gelatinous

tufts of a pale blue colour; in one place crowded together in a

mass which covered an area a few yards in extent. These

were generally of greater consistence than on the 16th. The

portion nearest the edge had, apparently from decay, become

ferruginous, and strongly tinged with rust colour the paper on

which it was placed, but with the greatest pains I could hardly

obtain a trace of the blue colour. The masses, both blue and

ferruginous, were very slippery to the touch, about an inch in

thickness, and of considerable consistence, more so than sea-

jellies or Meduse generally are, or like that of an oyster; and

on being lifted out of the water in a wire-gauze net, remained

there without diminution by dripping off or otherwise : their

weight too was great. When brought near they had somewhat

of the offensive smell of water in which flax had been steeped,

and at a short distance from one part of the lake this disagree-

able odour was sensibly perceived.

* Mémoires Soc. Physiq. et d’Hist. Nat. de Genéve, t. iil. part 2. p. 31.

Mr. Thompson on an Alga which colours Ballydrain Lake. 79

Sept. 27.—I went out this morning (which was beautiful

and with bright sunshine) soon after eight o’clock to observe

this plant further, and from a greater display of it upon the

surface than yesterday, considered that the heat of the sun

might have attracted it thither. I had previously observed,

that in perfectly calm weather, it, like the Oscillatoria eruges-

cens, &c., is disposed to ascend to the surface ; it was now evi-

dently beginning to assume the graceful and attractive forms

remarked on the 16th. By fixing a phial to my net and skim-

ming the greenish surface with it, I ascertained to a certainty

that this surface plant was of the species under consideration.

In addition to what was mentioned yesterday of the water of

the lake having lost some of its opacity, it may be stated, that

where a foot in depth it now in some places is perfectly clear,

but in others where it is from two to three feet, it appears

when the sun shines upon it of a very pale blue; whether this

be an optical deception or be owing to the plant in progress

of decomposition, I cannot presume to state.

Oct. 7.—This plant and the Aphanizomenon (hereafter to

be particularly noticed), both of which were obtained on the

27th Sept., have now entirely disappeared from the lake, the

water throughout its depth as well as at the surface being clear

and pure: since the day last named there has been no change

of weather to produce this effect, the days having been uni-,

formly warm and fine, and the nights with very little frost for

this advanced period of the year.

The following additional notes were made in 1839.

July 3.—I was rowed all over the lake, and observed the

alga dispersed throughout the entire water, but rather spa-

ringly, and not to such an extent as to tinge or conceal the

bottom in any place; it appeared like metallic points where-

ever the sun shone upon it; for some weeks it has been ob-

served, and was first noticed about the 6th of June. On the

present occasion I had the pleasure of being accompanied by

P.J. Selby, Esq. and the Rev. Edward Bigge, of Merton Col-

lege, Oxford.

Sept. 23.—The lake was quite clear, and in a few places the

remains only of the blueish masses which indicate the disap-

pearance of the plant for the season were visible, and these

80 Mr. Thompson on an Alga which colours Ballydrain Lake.

were in sheltered spots in the midst of a flotilla of Aphanizo-

menon, Which was still abundant in a few creeks.

Sept. 25.—With the desire that my friend Mr. W. H. Har-

vey, now in Dublin, should have the opportunity of investi-

gating both plants in a recent state, I visited the lake in the

hope of procuring them. The water looked perfectly clear as

on the 23rd, but going into the boat I at once saw on looking

down into the lake where the sun struck upon it, that the spi-

ral alga was still there, though very sparingly ; I brought some

up in phials. The water was slightly agitated today and con-

sequently none of the Aphanizomenon was obtained.

I have been thus particular in noting the observations on

this plant just as they were made from time to time, chiefly

to show that the species undergoes no change whatever

either in size or otherwise from its first appearance as a co-

louring matter until about three months afterwards, when de-

composition ensues and it is utterly dissolved. In consequence

of the great changes that some species of Alge do really un-

dergo, and the conjectures of botanists that others which have

not been investigated are likewise subject to them, I took

much interest in attending to this point during the time that

this alga plays such a prominent part in the waters of the lake.

On examining this plant when first obtained, I could only

say that it did not belong to any British genus with which I

was acquainted, and no further attention was then given to it.

M. Morren, Professor of Botany in the University of Liége,

and well known to have successfully studied the freshwater

Alge of Flanders, on his visit to Dublin in the following

month (Aug. 1838) was shown some sketches of the plant

which I had communicated to Miss Ball—a lady who has given

much attention to the Alge of Ireland, and made therein

some interesting discoveries—and he referred them to the ge-

nus Anabaina of Bory St. Vincent. With the genus Sphero-

plea, Ag., in its last or free state, my species would however

as well agree as with Anadaina. Except in the specific dif-

ference of being much more minute and more regularly spiral,

it resembles the Spheroplea crispa, Berk.* in this state, but

* The specific characters of this species are—‘ Threads erect, short, green,

mucous, crisp, simple, at first with articulations as broad as long, filled with

minute distinct granules, then with parallel rings, which at length become

Mr. Thompson on an Alga which colours Ballydrain Lake. 81

whether like that plant it be originally fixed I am unable to

say. .

As my species does not correspond with any Anabaina of

Bory’s, I venture to characterize it as follows:

Anabaina? spiralis, mihi. A. consisting of an extremely mi-

nute moniliform thread of a rich green colour, and regu-

larly spiral like a corkscrew; globules of equal size through-

out its entire length.

The specimens obtained were invariably of similar breadth

and rarely presented more than four spiral turns, and when of

this size were =, of an inch in length. The species at first,

when mingling with the water, is of a dark green colour:

when in calm weather it ascends to the surface in separate

particles, it appears pale green ; when it does so en masse (the

earliest symptom of decay), it is of a pale blue; and in the last

stage of decomposition, ferruginous. Having on the 27th Sept.

brought home in several phials specimens of what I had pre-

sumed to be this plant in all its stages (1. e. from its first to

last appearance as a colouring matter), I was much pleased

to have the conjecture verified by microscopical examination.

A portion taken from the surface when it appeared pale

green, was under the microscope of as dark a hue as in July,

whilst the blue and ferruginous colours exhibited different

stages of decomposition. When in the most perfect state in

which the plant has occurred to me, the globules appear en-

tirely filled with granules, but when very highly magnified are

each found to be surrounded by a hyaline membrane. The

blue and ferruginous tufts exhibited generally the empty glo-

bules and the escaped granules scattered all about, but the

former were seen in every state from full to empty: some had

granules only in the centre, others were half-full, and some

separate globules were entirely filled with the granular mass.

When two of the spiral portions come in contact, they have

an elastic power, by which they can, though slowly, disen-

tangle themselves and separate from each other,—a fact which

globular and escape in moniliform threads.”” It grows “on stones, aquatic

plants, and the boards of sluices in early spring, forming a tuft of small

erisped somewhat intricate bundles of filaments, of a beautiful deep green.”

—Berkeley’s ‘ Gleanings of British Algz.’

82 Mr. Thompson on an Alga which colours Ballydrain Lake.

I witnessed in various instances; but under such circumstances

only did I ever perceive any motion in this alga*.

In some respects the Anab. spiralis resembles the Anab.

impalpabilis, Bory, as described in the ‘ Encyclopédie Métho-

dique,’ but its dull green unlustrous hue on paper is quite op-

posed to that of the species just named, which is described—

“ Prépareé sur le papier, ot on a facilité son développement,

elle est de la teinte la plus brillante, tirant sur celle de Poxide

de cuivre, et luisante comme si on l’eut enduite d’eau de

gomme.” Besides, were this species of the exact spiral form

of that under consideration, this character would not I con-

ceive have been unnoticed in the description.

Anabaina flos-aque, Bory. Byssus flos-aque, L. This spe-

cies may here be noticed, after having passed the judgement

of my friend W. H. Harvey, Esq. It attracted my attention

when tinging with its delicate green hue the margin of the

smallest ? of the lochs Maben in Dumfries-shire, or that near-

est to Jardine Hall (on the road from the village of Loch-

maben), as I drove thither on the 15th Aug. 1838; the day

was calm and bright. My specimens tinge the paper with a

verdigris colour, and are quite dull or wanting in any lustrous

appearance. This species is introduced here on account of

its having been erased of late years from the British Flora.

Hudson and Lightfoot included it, but without assigning to

it any British station or locality.

Aphanizomenon recurvum, Morren. On the 25th July 1838,

I observed on the surface of sheltered creeks in Ballydrain

Lake a very minute Alga having the appearance of powdered

verdigris. On examining it after I had reached home, I could

merely, as in the instance of the Anabaina procured on the

* Bory St. Vincent remarks of the genus dnabaina—* Leur mouvement

offre un espéce de rapport avec ceux au moyen desquels ambulent les lom-

brics; ils sont progressifs, et les courbures qu’ils déterminent sont a’une ex-

tréme lenteur. C’est a l’aide de cette faculté ambulatoire que ]’on voit sur-

tout les espéces aquatiques s’élever a la surface de l’eau, le long des Con-

ferves et des débris des végétaux, ramper a la surface des roseaux et des

carex, pénétrer la vase et les Oscillaires, en les surmontant, ce que leur a

mérité le nom tiré du grec, pax lequel nous avons proposé de les désigner.”

—Ency. Méthod. This author ranked the 4nabaine in the animal king-

dom.

Mr. Thompson on an Alga which colours Ballydrain Lake. 83

same occasion, consider it as belonging to a genus that had

not been recognised as British. Having preserved a quantity

of the plant I communicated specimens to Dublin, where on

the following month they were seen in Miss Ball’s collection

by Professor Morren, who was highly gratified to recognise

them as the alga discovered by himself in Flanders, and for

which he constituted a new genus—Aphanizomenon—that was

announced to the Royal Academy of Brussels in the prece-

ding month of December.

M. Morren observes in reference to this species—“ Vers le

milieu du mois de Mai jusqu’au mois de Juillet, on trouve des

étangs, des mares, des bassins, qui environnent les maisons

de campagne en Flandre, dont Peau offre des flocons d’un

vert blanchatre et de la grosseur qui varie de celle d’un

petit pois a celle d’un melon. Ces flocons, qui paraissent nua-

geux de loin, sont placés a distance les uns des autres; on les

dirait immobiles, mais vus de plus prés, ils jouissent d’une

véritable locomotilité, qui permet de les rencontrer 4 toutes

les hauteurs dans eau. J’en ai observé cette année encore,

prodigieuse quantité 4 Gentbrugghe, prés de Gand.”

In Ballydrain Lake I have, both in 1838 and 1839, remarked

its presence in very calm days, for it is only at such times vi-

sible, during the months of July, August, and September,

and then it appears in the most sheltered creeks only, floating

in patches of various dimensions.

Under the separate heads of “ Organologie” and “ Physio-

logie de ?Aphanizoméne,” highly interesting details, which I

must content myself with referring to, will be found in M.

Morren’s Memoir ; as however this may not be accessible to

all British botanists, it seems to me desirable that the follow-

ing at least should be copied from it*.

“ APHANIZOMENON}.

Filamenta simplicia, cylindrica, flexilia, membranacea, vitrea,

articulata, articulis in lamellis planis, apice laciniatis,

coadnatis, rectis aut hic et illic inflatis, materia viridi

JSarctis, oscillantibus, sponte dissilientibus.

* I have only seen a separate copy of this memoir which was sent by the

author to Miss Ball. It was printed at Brussels in 1888, but whether as

part of the Transactions of the Royal Academy of that capital is not stated.

t De dQaviGeuevor, qui se dissipe.

84 Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland.

SPECIES UNICA.

APHANIZOMENON INncuRVuUM, Nobis, vid. tab. fig. 1—12.

Lamella plana, alba-viridi, incurva, filis coadnatis, articulis 2—8

duplo longioribus, discretis, ceruleo-viridibus.

Habitat in fossis et stugnis aque dulcis in Flandria, mense Maio ad

Julivm.

“ Tl est évident que ce genre lie les conjugées vrais aux zy-

gnémées, par un accouplement bien prononcé chez ces derniers,

mais devenant une simple soudure chez les aphanizomenes. IU

met en rapport les conjugées avec les Jaminaires des eaux ma-

rines, par la forme de la lamelle qui résulte de la soudure des

filets. Il établit une analogie entre les oscillariées et les con-

Servées, en démontrant qu’un mouvement de reptation, de na-

tation ou d’oscillation, peut appartenir aussi bien a l’organi-

sation des conferves qu’a celle des oscillatoires, dans lequels

on croit reconnaitre les caractéres de animalité. Les vési-

cules renflées raménent l’aphanizomeéne a la Conferva vesicata

d’Agardh, et les articles, comme l’organisation des filets elle-

méme, lui conservent avec les confervées vrais des rapports si

clairs, qu’il serait hors de propos de placer ailleurs que parmi

elles ce genre nouveau.”

1. Appearance of Anabaina spiralis under alow

power of microscope.

4 c 2. Its appearance considerably magnified—when

ee g 9 1, consisting of this number of spiral folds 7, of an

wY inch in length.

2, 3

3. Different appearance of granules as noted in

3. description on Sept. 27.

X1.—Contributions towards a knowledge of the Mollusca

Nudibranchia and Mollusca Tunicata of Ireland, with De-

scriptions of some apparently new Species of Invertebrata.

By Wa. Tuompson, Esq., V.P.N. Hist. Society of Belfast.

(With a Plate.]

Mouuvusca NuDIBRANCHIA, Cuv.

DorIS TUBERCULATA, Cuy. Johnst. Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. 1.

p. 50. pl. 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

Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland. 85

1812, 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

Kye, 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 | 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 12 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 ? 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 them 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; branchize

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. bclamellata 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 with some

suspicion. Compared with D. bilamellauta, the D. affinis has

more solidity, is somewhat more depressed, its outline of

body less elegant, margin of the cloak narrower, tentacula

and branchize 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. bila-

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 bilamellata, Linn. Johnst. Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. 1.

p. 53. pl. 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 ©. 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. 7. 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 digitata). 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&. Johnst.in Ann, Nat. Hist. vol. 1. p. 54. pl. 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

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 sublevis, mihi. Pl. II. fig. 1.

D. 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 44 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. levis,

Linn. Mull. Z. D. vol. i. 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.

pl. 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 tuberclest, 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 1 of

a circle posteriorly, two hinder leaflets shortest. On calling

Mr. Allman’s attention to Dr. Johnston’s description, he re-

* “ Doris ovalis alba corpore supra planiuscula levi,” is Muller’s. dia-

gnosis of D. levis.

+ 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 slit 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

Allman from the living mollusk, illustrate the above points.

Doris elongata, mihi. Pl. II. fig. 7.

Goniodoris* do. do.

D. elongated, narrow, a row of papille on each side the back,

branchial filaments about 10, plumose.

Length of specimen (from spirits) 3 lines, breadth 1 line, height

3 line, breadth of body equal throughout.

This species resembles in form the D. gracilis and D. pal-

lens of Rapp. Nova Acta, vol. xii. part 2. p. 522. tab. 27.

figs. 9 and 10.

% obtained this mollusk in June 1838, between tide-marks,

the island of Lambay, off the Dublin coast.

Tritonia Hombergii, Cuy. Johnst. Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. 1.

p. 114. pl. 3. figs. 1 and 2

A specimen about 4 ‘teueat 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 ; ers 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 7. arborescens,

Cuy. 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 7. arborescens in Fleming’s Brit. Anim. p. 284,—

“‘branchiz 6 on each side, in the form of plumose tubercles,”

applies equally to the T. dactea, 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 ; branchiz decreasing in size towards

the tail,’—this in 7. lactea is very small. On comparing

it with a specimen of T. arborescens from St. Andrews, in Mr.

K. Forbes’s collection, the most striking difference is in the

shorter body of 7. 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. arborescens 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.

Kolidia 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.

Holidia Cuvierii, Johnst. Ann. Nat. Hist. 1. 120. pl. 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.

Holhdia rufibranchialis, Johnst. Mag. Nat. Hist. 5. 428.

fig. 85. Annals N. H.1. 121.

The first specimen of this Kolidia 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. Hi

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 plumosus, mihi. Pl. 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 branchize

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 fcetid and discoloured (perhaps

from the presence of too much animal matter,) that the entire contents of

the bottle were thrown away.”

+ Nevertheless I cannot but think that D. pedata is identical with the

species under consideration.

;

Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca 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 papille 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 was 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 Philippit, have been found in the Me-

diterranean alone; these differ so much from the northern

species as to render comparison unnecessary. The EL. plumosus

in general appearance much resembles the #. clavigera of

Muller, 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 EH. pulehert 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. Siciliz, p. 103. tab. 7. fig. 1. £. fron-

dosus and E. cirriger. Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. iv. pp. 88 and 89. pl. iil. fig.

1 and 2.—translated from Wiegmann’s Archiv.

t Dr. Johnston first described this species under the name of Tergipes

pulcher, and subsequently constituted a new genus, 7'rzopa, 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 Luplo-

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

LE. clavigera, 1 have ventured to restore the original specific name. The

genus 7Z7iopa will still rank under its banner the anomalous 7. nothus of

Dr. Johnston.

H 2

92 Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland.

* Polycera quadrilineata,”’ var. nonlineata. P\. II. fig. 6*.

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. Colouwr—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 Muller 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. guadri-

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-

tata. 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.

Muller’s was done from the living animal.

Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Ireland. 93

January, 1835, at the same time with Huplocamus 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. pl. 7.) and the P. h-

neatus of Risso, (Hist. Nat. ?Eur. Merid. iv. pl. 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. capensis, 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.

Mo.uvsca 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 will 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 im 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 on

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 parallelogramma, 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 Algz.

Ascidia echinata, Linn. Mull. Z. D. vol. iv. p. 10. tab. 130.

yee

Of this well-marked and pretty species, I obtained an in-

dividual parasitic on one of the larger Ascidie dredged in

Strangford lough.

* Ascidia orbicularis, Mull. Z. D. vol. i. p. 53. tab. 79. f. 1,2.

Obtained on Zostera marina in Strangford lough.

*Ascidia mammillaris, Delle Chiaie, vol. i. 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. pl. 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. pl. 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 pl. 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, Gaért. 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. Gaértner announced the D. variolosum to be found

enveloping Fucus palmatus, on the coast of England.

Botryllus Leachii, Sav. Mem. p. 199. pl. 4. f. 6. and pl. 20.

f.4. Delle Chiaie, vol. ili. 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. pl. 14.

I have occasionally obtained this on Algz, 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. pl. 4. fig. 5. Bo-

tryllus Reniert. Delle Chiaie, vol. iu. 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, e¢ seg., two

Ascidie are figured and described as new by “C. M.,”—a

signature adopted by my friend Robert Templeton, Esgq.,

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 1 have found the species there, adhering to the sub-

merged rocks. The Ase. anceps is perhaps not distinct from

Asc. prunum.

INVERTEBRATA MISCELLANEA.

MOLLUSCa.

‘Tanthina nitens, Menke.? Philippi Enum. Moll. Sicilia, p.

164. tab. 9. fig. 16.2? J. pallida, Harvey MS. PI. II. fig. 2.

This Janthina, 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, J. fra-

gilis and I. exigua, and was named J. 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 L. ni-

tens, Menke, as described and figured by Philippi in his

excellent ‘Knumeratio Molluscorum Sicilia, but from this

it differs in the columella being curved so as to present a

somewhat rounded appearance, instead of being straight; the

Tanthine, however, are subject to considerable variety. With

the exception of this character, it agrees well in form with

the I. prolongata, Blain., figured in Payraudeau’s ‘ Moll. de

Corse ;? but the colour of this, (dark blue,) is very different

Mr. Thompson on the Mollusca of Lreland. o7

from mine. Philippi at the same time quotes the I. 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. Philippi’s dia-

gnosis of this species is, “Testa ovata, obtusa, anfractibus

omnibus valde rotundatis, sutura profunda divisis, apertura

semiovata, labro profunde exciso angulo columella cum labro

acuto.” Habitat, Sicily. Size of Irish specimens, 11 lines

long, 83 broad.

The genus Janthina is mm much confusion, which the pre-

sent notes tend in no way toclear up: they are only intended

to introduce a third species of this attractive genus to the

British Fauna.

Rissoa Harveyi, mihi. Cingula sculpta, Harvey’s MS. PI. II.

fig. 11.

This species—two lines in length—is most nearly allied to

the R. 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 superne angulatis,

medio concavis, longitudinaliter costatis, ultimo inferne cingulis

tribus transversis elevatis mstructo, apertura ovata simplici [costz

circiter 12 (24) in quovis anfractu* superne et inferne angulatee. |

«Testa minuta, 1!’ longa (2), oblonga, anfractibus 4—5 (6), apice

obtuso ; apertura ovalis superne vix angulata, labrum simplex.”

Mouth not so large as in R. 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:

the 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. Pl. II. fig. 10.

R. conic, volutions 54, rounded, smooth, with spiral rows of

tawny spots, first whorl very large, aperture roundish oval, umbi-

licus none, 3 strie winding round the summit of each whorl.

Length 14 line.

A connecting link between R. semistriata and R. interrupta.

Found at Youghal by Miss M. Ball.

Rissoa Ballia, mihi. PI. II. fig. 9.

R. elongated, white, apex obtuse, 5 slightly rounded whorls,

deeply marked longitudinally with somewhat distant strie, aperture

ovate, margin of the mouth thin, lower portion of the first whorl

spirally striated. Length 14 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 11 whorls, transversely ribbed, spirally striated,

whitish, with a single fulvous band winding round the volutions.

Length 33 lines.

Found at Portmarnock, near Dublin; and communicated to

me by Miss M. Ball.

“ Cerithium reticulatum, var. 8.’ 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 34 lines, breadth 15 ; 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 Ireland. 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 1s only a variety of C. reticulatum;

the shell was found by this gentleman at Miltown Malbay.

Natica.

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 Natice, 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 N.

monilifera. Lam. t. vill. p. 625, 2nd edit. M. Deshayes

sets it down as the young of this species. Id. p. 639*,

ECHINODERMATA.

Ophiocoma Ballit, mihi.

Disk round or pentangular, covered with imbricated scales, two

diverging broadly wedge-shaped scales at the base of each ray...

Largest specimen—disk 23 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 +; 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 +; 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 Sound, 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.

HH, of an olivaceous and white colour, with light brown suckers,

which are very numerous on the angles, from 6 to 12 in each trans-

verse irregular row ; when contracted, tentacula long, pedicled, trifid,

plumose, purple.

Length 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. MHolothuria dredged yesterday

of an olivaceous and white colour; at first, the shape ofa

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-like 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 Hyndmani, 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*.

* & Fiolothuria brunnea, Forbes MS.

“ H, brown, angulated, suckers 6 to 8 in each row, tentacula long, whitish,

pinnated towards their extremities. Forbes.” '

This minute Holothuria, 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 papille.

This is a fine and large species; throughout the greater

part of its length posteriorly, the papillz 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.

Specimens 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, Membranipora stellata, mihi*.

M. stellate, or of a sub-stellate outline, cells without hairs

or sete.

Polypidom of a light sandy colour, encrusting the larger

marine Algz 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.t), 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 which are

transverse rows of square and roundish cells considerably

larger than those which constitute the central portion; “ pa-

rietes of the cells prettily punctured{.” This description

applies to the species in its most perfect state. When the

* Considering al/ the generic characters of Flustra and Membranipora,

the present species would seem to appertain about as much 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.

t 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 sublzevis. Fig. 7. Goniodoris elongata.

2. Ianthina nitens? 8. Cerithium reticulatum, var.

3. Tritonia lactea. Y. Rissoa Balliz.

4, Euplocamus plumosus. 10. Rissoa tristriata.

5. Polycera typica. 11. Rissoa Harveyi.

6. Polycera quadrilineata, var.

XII.—On some New and Rare British Mollusca. By Ep-

wARD ForseEs, M.W.S., For. Sec. B.S., &c.

[ With a Plate. ]

I. Doris Arco. 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 Doris

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} inch in length, by rather more than 3 broad.

It is of a most vivid orange-red colour with lighter specks

on the back. The mantle is covered with very minute papille,

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 branchiz 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 papille might

have easily been overlooked. Bohadsch’s description of the

colour of its back, “ In parte prona seu dorso colore coccineo

splendet” (p. 66), 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 Nudibranchia, 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 ceruleo-maculato, tuberculis carneis

104 Mr. Forbes on new British Mollusca.

obtecto, tentaculis carneis basi tuberculatis, branchiis allns,

pede albo. Lon. 14 une.

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 branchiz like

ostrich feathers, dignifying it much above its British bre-

thren.

III. Nov. Gen. Gonroporis. Forbes.

Body prismatic: mantle marginally reflected, abbreviated pos-

teriorly : oral veil forming two sustentacula: posterior ex-

tremity acute, caudiform: branchie 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, Gonioporis, Polycera, (Thecacera?), and Euploca-

mus, which last genus conducts us to the next family, the

Tritoniacee. 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 levi, sustentaculis

ovatis, acutis. Lon. 2} 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 branchiz 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 branchize 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 papille on each

side. The lower or oral tentacula are lanceolate, acute and

large; the upper or dorsal laminated. The branchize 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 papillz appear to be mucronate. The colour of the back

is white tinged with rose: the foot, tentacula, and branchiz

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.

vy. 1. p. 55., Pl. Il. 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 (Noy. Acta Acad. Nat. Curios., tom.

xiii. 2nd part), also belong to this genus. The sources of

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 5. No. 29. April 1840. I

106 Mr. Forbes on new British Mollusca.

specific characters in this genus appear to be: Ist, the gene-

ral form as regards elongation; 2nd, the smoothness or rough-

ness of the back, including the number of papilla, 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. Monracua viripis. Nov. Sp. Forbes. Plate II.

fig. 18.

M. elongata alba, branchiis elongatis viridibus apicibus albis,

in seriebus quinque digestis: tentaculis superioribus longi-

oribus. Lon. OF une.

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 branchiz, seven or eight

in the broadest rows, which are those placed foremost. There

appear to be no papillz on the sides as in the two other

British Montague. 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 Eolide as

have their branchiz 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 branchiz

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 branchie,

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. 107

tennularia indivisa, dredged in deep water off the coast of

Ballaugh, Isle of Man, September 30, 1839.

V. Rissoa rupestris. Nov. Sp. Forbes. Plate II. fig. 13.

Rh. testa oblongo-turritd, albd, anfractibus 7 planulatis, ultime

basi striata ; suturis marginatis ; labro simplict. Lon.

7 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 slightly 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. PLevroroma Smituit. Nov. Sp. Forbes. Plate II.

fig. 14.

P. testé fusiformi-turritd, sub lente tenuissime striatd ; an-

Ffractibus 8 convexiusculis, costatis, costis 12: apertura ob-

longo-lanceolatd, spird multo breviore, caudd brevi. Lon.

0,4, unc.

This pretty species has the whorls slightly rounded, and

ernamented 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. PLevurotoma coarctrata. Nov. Sp. Forbes. Plate

Il. fig. 15.

P. testa anguste fusiformi, striata, anfractibus 7 convexiuscu-

108 Mr. J. EK. Gray on Reptiles

lis, costatis, costis 7; aperturd anguste lanceolata ; caudd

mediocri. Lon. 0+; 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. Paretia? ancyiores. Nov. Sp. Forbes. Plate

II. fig. 16.

P. testd, 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 Patelle, 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.

Tue 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

{ cannot refer with any certainty to the species described by

brought from Cuba by 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. t. 15.

Iguana Cyclura, Cuv. R. A.ii.45. Iguana (Cyclura) carinata, Gray,

Griffith A. K. ix. 39.

Cyclura Harlani, Coct. Hist. Cub. Erp., t.6. Dum. and Bibr. iv.218.

Young Lacerta nubila, HE. W. Gray, MS. Brit. Mus. Cyclura nu-

bila, Gray, Griffith A. K. ix.

This is probably the Guana figured by Catesby in his Carolina, 1.

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

Griffith’s A. K. ix. 42.

Holotropis microlophus, ‘‘ 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 Holo-

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 Roguet 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. K. Gray on Reptiles

theless Cuvier gives the name of Roquet to a species of his genus

Anolis, which by the way is not the Anolis of Rochefort but his Gobe-

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 differs 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 tailscurled in spiral,

peep from under the dusky flat stones which are generally sea-broken

and time-worn pieces of Madrepores.”

TROPIDURUS.

3. Tropidurus (Leiolemus), 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 infront.

Temples with small keeled scales (discoloured) blueish chin and

throat blueish white spotted ; belly and underside of tail white. wo

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 Anotius 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. lil

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 with a black spot.

2. Xiphosurus Ricordii. Anolis Ricordii, Dum. and Bibr. iv. 167.

Sides with two broad black streaks.

II. Dactry oa.

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 Edwardsi, 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 écharpe, 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. Rhodolemus, 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. Rhodolemus. 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 Chameleon, and may like it be made to live in confinement.” —

W.S. M.

III. Cuama.eotis, 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. Chameleolis Fernandine, ‘‘ Coct. H. Nat. Cub., t. 12.’’= Anolis

Chameleonides 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.”—

Wis. MM.

IV. Awnotis.

The penultimate joint of the toes dilated. Back and nape simple

or with alow 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 subcompressed, 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.

5. 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 five 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. and Bibr. 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 nebulosa = Dactyloa nebulosa,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. 8S. 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 keeied 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. EK. 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, slightly four-keeled, shield irregular; toes very

slender ; blueish, beneath whitish.

Inhab. Jamaica.

c. Ventral scales smooth, subovate ; 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 eneus. 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 éyes 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. s

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. 8. M.

ALLIGATOR.

9. Alligator fissipes. Caiman fissipes, Spir. 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. Maz.

Alligator Cynocephalus, Dum. and Bibr. Rept. iii. 87.

‘* Occurs sometimes 25 feet long.”-—W. 8S. M.

TEsTUDO.

10. Gopher Tortoise, Bartram. Testudo Polyphemus.

Inhab. Cuba.

Lives in domestication.

AMPHISBANA.

11. Amphisbena punctata, Bell Zool. Journ. 111.

Inhab. Cuba.

X1IV.—Characters of Five new Species of Orchidaceous Plants

from Dominica. By Prof. Linpuey.

In a small but interesting collection of dried plants of Orchi-

dacee, 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. Stexis scabrida; folio oblongo bidentato marginato basi

cuneato caule longiore, racemo filiformi stricto folio lon-

giore, bracteis ovatis amplexicaulibus acutissimis, petalis

vertice scabridis labelloque levi truncatis, anthera pube-

scente.

2. PLEUROTHALLIS aristata*; ceespitosa, folio ovali acuto

* Since this was in type, I have found 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 Orchidacee from Dominica.

apiculato basi angustato caule longiore, racemo capillari

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 inflecum; caule elongato subramoso pseu-

dobulbifero, foliis geminis inzequalibus 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 tuberculatéa.— Leaves

about 2 inches long.

4. RopRrigueEzia cochlearis ; pseudobulbis subrotundis com-

pressis monophyllis czespitosis, 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.—F lowers apparently yellow.

5. PELEexiA bursaria; caule elongato folioso, foliis ovato-

lanceolatis petiolatis, petiolis basi vaginantibus, scapo

rachi ovariisque pilosis, bracteis membranaceis acumi-

natis pilosis ovari longitudine, labello indiviso apice

glanduloso, calcare inflato obtuso ovario pauld breviore.

—A fine species with the habit of Goodyera procera.

Stem from 1—14 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 Tin-

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 ceconomy 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 Kasores! ‘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 Hucalypti 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 gullies 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 exgs 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 ceconomy and structure the

Menura bears little or no relation to the Gallinacee ; 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 R. Bo1teau Pemperton. By W. Garir-

FITH, Esq., Madras Medical Establishment.

[Continued from vol. iv. p. 429.]

Fes. lst. 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. 5th. 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 1300 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

Koollong, 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 Phullung. 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 toa wood of

Pinus excelsa, the first one I had noticed, and which occurred about

1000 feet above Phullung. 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. 14th. 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. 15th. 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. K

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 84 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 Singé 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 Singé 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 Singé.

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 I 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. 18th. 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

ef 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.

_ Feb. 23rd. 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 Singé. 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. 26th. We continued the ascent through heavy snow. For the

first 1000 feet it was easy enough, but after that increased much in

difficulty. 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 14 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 fine wood of the black fir. On

recommencing the steep descent we passed over swardy patches sur-

rounded by fir weods, and we continued through similar tracts until

within 1000 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 Smithiana ; 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

Bibliographical Notices. 125

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 different 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.

Qiadrumane oe ee 31

Chenoptetan 2. 5. Se eee 1

Perse ys HEP Boorse ©) pea 38

Marsupialia PT ep ee

Gives? Ft. EA ea 19

Hdentote rt 72 98 oP PRS 1

Pachydermimta HY 48 445 92 FS 9

Rumhinanhe??, 25 ee ee 31

LOG fs CEPT. Fos 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 z34;,th of an inch, a very common size it seems of the cor-

puscles among the mammiferous animals generally.

3. Ferg. The average-sized corpuscles of this order appear to be

. generally between =,1,5th and z,)45th of an inch in 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 4545th and z-445th of an inch.

5. Glires. The common-sized corpuscles appear to be compre-

hended between z;4,5th and x54,5th of an inch in 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

gogoth to z5)5qth of an inch.

Bibliographical Notices. 127

7. Pachydermata. In the elephant the average-sized corpuscles

appear to be z74,5th of an inch in 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 ;pb qth of an inch in 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 blocd corpuscles of the goat

were the smallest known to physiologists before the publication of

the author’s observations ; but in the genus Moscdus, as it appears

from his examination of the blood of the Napu musk deer (see Dub-

lin Medical Press, Nov. 1839, 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

T3s00th 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 familia.

Auctore Guil. F. Erichson, &c. &c. Pars prior, accedunt tab. zn. 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, external strueture, 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. Pzederini; 5. Pinophilini; 6.

_ Stenini; 7. Oxytelini; 8. Piestini; 9. Phlocharini; 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 Academiz Ces. Leopol. Carol. Naturz Curiosorum. Vol.

I PE

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 Rey. 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 Gusterosteus spinachia of Linneus,”—

130 Linnean 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 Larve of a coleopterous Insect were discharged.” —

‘‘ Notice of the Myliobates 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.

LINNZAN 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 Linnzeus 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 Linnzus, 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 pinne commence. Frond bipinnate ; pinne alternate, ovate-lan-

ceolate, acuminate, smooth, under surface glaucous, upper surface

Linnean Society. 131

dark green; those pinne bearing the sori curved, the barren pinn®

straight ; pinnule 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 pinne branched,

in the fertile pinne 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. Thece 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

132 Linnean 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 Burmanniacee.”” By John Miers, Esq., F.L.S.

Of the thirteen recorded species of Burmannia five are natives of

Brazil, where they were found by Von Martius, who has not only

accurately described them, but has given an able detail of the genus.

The author, previous to his departure from Brazil, discovered five

new plants, evidently allied to Burmannia, but which differ in many

essential characters: from these he has established three new ge-

nera, Dictyostega, Cymbocarpa, and Stemoptera: they possess the

habit of Burmannia in their thickened rhizoma with branching fibres,

an erect stem, almost naked, or furnished with a few distant bracti-

form leaves and terminal flowers, with a tubular petaloid perian-

thium, having asix-partite border, composed of three sepals and three

petals ; stamens three, almost sessile, in the mouth of the tube be-

low the petals ; anthers with the cells disjoined and opening trans-

versely ; a simple style ; three stigmata and a capsule surmounted by

the withered perianth bursting irregularly ; seeds minute, resembling

those of Orchidee ; but the most important difference consists in their

having unilocular capsules, with three parietal placente, while Bur-

mannia has always a trilocular capsule, with central placentation,

an essential difference, which entitles them to be considered, if not

as forming a new natural order, at least as constituting a distinct

sub-family. Allied to these are to be arranged three other plants,

already recorded, the Apéerza setacea of Nuttall, a native of North

America, and Gonyanthes candida and Gymnosiphon aphyllum of

Blume, by whom they were found in Java. The author considers

his genus Dictyostega as coming very near Apteria, which, however,

from the drawing and description of Mr. Nuttall, would seem to re-

semble Stemoptera still more closely in its habit, its seeds, and its

large single flowers; but it does not appear to possess the very

remarkable stamens of the latter genus, nor the habit or singular

seeds of Dictyostega. He gives a full description of the charac-

ters of his new genera and species, adding at the same time the

character of Apteria and of Dr. Blume’s two genera, so as to collect

Linnean Society. 13%

all the evidence yet known respecting the order of Burmanniacee.

Of the genus Dictyostegu he describes three species, which he found

in Brazil, to which is to be added a fourth species, discovered by

Mr. Schomburgk in British Guiana.

The following are their characters :—

DICTYOSTEGA.

Perianthium tubulosum, ovario adnatum, superné liberum : limbo 6-fido,

laciniis 3 alternis minoribus. Stamina 3: filamentis brevissimis: an-

there loculis disjunctis, transversim dehiscentibus. Stylus simplex.

Stigmata 3. Capsula 1-locularis, sub 3-valvis, polysperma, apice dehi-

scens: valvis medio placentiferis. Semina minuta, scobiformia, test&

laxa, reticulata, pertranslucida, nucleo quintupl6 Jongiore vestita.

Plante (brasilienses) rhizocarpea, radice fibrosd, squamis membranaceis,

imbricatis, ciliatis, incanis tectd. Caulis erectus, subflexuosus, pallideé

purpurascens, subsolitarius, rarius ramiferus, et tune ramis 1—3

erectis, alternis, trunco consimilibus. Folia bracteiformia, subsessilia,

adpressa. Inflorescentia terminalis, dichotomé racemosa, vel subum-

bellato-cymosa, floribus purpurascentibus, pedicellatis.

1. D. orobanchioides, caule erecto simplici vel ramifero, racemis geminis,

floribus nutantibus unibracteatis, bracteis cum pedicellis alternantibus,

eapsula subvalvata ecostata longitudinalitér dehiscente.— Monte Corco-

vado, Rio de Janeiro.

2. D.umbellata, caule erecto simplicissimo, foliis erecto-patulis, umbella

simplici 6—9-flora, floribus erectis, pedicellis basi bracteatis, ovario

ecostato.—Serra dos Orgaos, Prov. Rio de Janeiro.

3. D. costata, caule erecto simplici, floribus erectis, cymA bibracteata, pe-

dicellis ebracteatis, capsula evalvi 6-costat4 apice dehiscentii—Rio de

Janeiro.

4. D. Schomburgkii, caule erecto subsimplici, racemis geminis paucifloris,

floribus unibracteatis, bracteis pedicello oppositis, perianthio medio

haud constricto, laciniis obtusioribus, capsula 6-costat& apice dehiscenti.

—Guiana.

CYMBOCARPA.

Perianthium tubulosum, ovario adnatum, superné liberum : limbo 6-fido,

laciniis tribus alternis minoribus. Stamina omnind Dictyostege.

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 tantim dehiscens. Semina scobiformia, numerosissima, test

reticulata nucleo vix excedente.

Plante (brasilienses) rhizocarpee, radice fibrosd. Caulis simplex, sub-

flexuosus, erectus, albescens. Folia sessilia, bracteiformia, erecta, aut

adpressa. Inflorescentia dichotomé spicata, pauciflora, floribus fla-

vescenti-albidis, basi bracleatis, cum pedicellis brevissimis summo abrupté

declinatis geniculatis.

1, Cymbocarpa refracta.—Monte Corcovado, Rio de Janeiro.

134 Linnean Society.

STEMOPTERA.

Perianthium ovario adnatum, supra liberum, subinfundibuliforme : Sauce

turgidé sacculis 3 interioribus auct&: limbo 6-partito, laciniis acutis,

zstivatione marginibus induplicatis, 3 alternis brevioribus. Stamina

3, fauci adnata: filamentis complanatis, é margine sacculorum orienti-

bus bifurcatis, ramulo singulo antherifero alato. Ovarium turbinatum,

1-loculare, placentis 3 parietalibus. Stylus longitudine staminum. Stig-

mata 3, recurvata, apice glandulifera. Capsula 1-locularis, polysperma,

subtrivalvis, apice 3-fisso dehiscens. Placente 3, parietales. Semina

numerosissima, scobiformia, testé nucleo vix excedente, reticulata, are-

olis elongatis obliqué dispositis.

Plante (brasilienses) rhizocarpee, radice fibrosd. Caulis erectus, subdi-

chotome ramosus, ramis subflexuosis, pallidis, subpurpurascentibus. Fo-

lia pauca, sessilia, erecta, bracteiformia, pallida. Inflorescentia termi-

nalis, uniflora. Flores ceteris majores, ebracteati, purpurascentes, Ap-

teriz Nutt. haud absimiles.

1, Stemoptera lilacina.—In uliginosis ad Serra dos Orgads 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 Apostasiacee have been separated from Orchidee, and Xyridee

from Restiacee, these plants ought to constitute an order distinct

from Burmanniacee ; but the difference between the unilocular cap-

sale 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 Gentianee 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 Burmanniacee, dividing it into two sub-

families, viz. 1. Burmanniee, which will contain only the single

genus Burmannia (and perhaps the Gonyanthes of Blume may be

found to belong also to this section); 2. Dictyostegee, com-

prising Dictyostega, Cymbocarpa, Stemoptera, Apteria, Gonyanthes,

and Gymnosiphon. He then proceeds to show the close affinity which

Burmanniacee bear to Orchidee, 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

Linnean 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-

chidee, 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 Acanthacee.” 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

Acanthacee, 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, and 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 mass 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 Tweedside Physical and Antiquarian Society.

out representing the spiral cells, which Delile does not appear to

have detected.

‘T'wo species of Blepharis 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

noctiflora, 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, apa

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 Strobilanthus lupulina. '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 ilicifolius, Dipteracan-

thus erectus, Blechum Brownii, &c., Ruellia secunda, and several spe-

cies of Justicia and Hranthemum.

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.17th,

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 Coleuptera and Lepidoptera,

amounting to several hundred species, systematically arranged, being

the first instalment of a general collection, illustrative of the ento-

Orkney Natural History Society. 137

mology of Great Britain, from Prideaux John Selby, Esq. of

Twizell.

From Mr. Plummer Johnston, Sprouston.—l1st, specimen of Fe-

male Pintail Duck (Anas acuta) ; 2nd, Ditto; of Female Oyster-

Catcher (Hematopus 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 Makdougall, 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-

knowledged 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 1840. 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 o

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 Algz, for obtaining which there is not a better place in Britain

than these islands, is ‘ truly excellent.” ‘he Society ‘possesses: Se-

yeral most ardent cultivators of marine botany, amongst whom may

Zoological Society. 139

be mentioned the Rey. Charles Clouson, Dr. Pollexfen, Miss Watt

ef Skaill, and Mrs. Traill of Woodwick. It is interesting to find,

that the study of the Alge, 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

country women.

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 use, 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 Afii-

nities of the Bacillarie 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 Bacillarie, on the one hand

a place in the vegetable, and on the other a position in the animal

kingdom. The mixed nature of the phenomena exhibited by these

animaleules, 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 Bacillarie 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 Looloyical Soctely.

lengthened communication, still, 4s 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. ,

‘Tt 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 Yhalassidroma

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 ( Zhalassidroma pelagica, Selby) was also seen, but in far less

numbers: both species disappeared on approaching the latitude of

Madeira, their place there being occupied by another species, which

I took to be Thal. Bulweri. This latitude was also favourable to

the Shearwaters, Puffinus cinereus, and Puff. obseurus, the former

being there in great numbers.

“We came to anchor in the roadstead of Santa Cruz, Island of

Teneriffe, on the 11th 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 Robin (Erythaca rubecula, Swains.), and the

Black-cap Warbler ( Curruca atricapilla, 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 Fthynchops and Frigate Bird ( Tachypetes),

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 se pomiar 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-

Zaria Capensis of authors). On the 23rd, lat. 31° 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 (Procellaride) 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 ( Thalassidroma), 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 portion 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, skeletens 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 I made into

the interior. While there I procured several specimens of the Me-

nura superba ; 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 Gallinacee, 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.

“T 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 albis ; corpore

superné et subttis intensé fusco; dorso metallicé splendente ;

plumis pectoris abdominisque albo marginatis ; alis cauddque mi-

grescentibus ; restro, oculis, et pedibus nigris.

Long. tot. 63 poll. ; rostri, £; ale, 74; caude, 34; tarsi, 7%.

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 succeeded 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 PHALENOiDES. Pod. cinereo, fuscoque ornatus, lined

mgrad centralt per plumas singulas excurrente ; scapularibus,

tectricibusque majoribus castaneo sparsis ; primaris fuscis, albo

angusté fasciatis; caudé cuneiformi, nigro angusté fasciata ;

rostro fuscescenti.corneo ; pedibus oliwvaceis.

Long. tot. 143 poll. ; rostri, 21 ; ale, 85 ; caude, 6}; tarsi, 1.

Hab. 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, angusté nigro-fasciatis ; crisso albo; alis cau-

ddque mgris, hac ad basin alba ; rostro tarsisque nigris.

Long. tot. 15 poll.; rostri, 11; ale, 83; caude, 8 ; tarsi, 12.

Hab. Liverpool Plains.

From the collection of Stephen Coxen, Esq.

PACHYCEPHALA LANIoipEs. Pach. vertice, plumis auricularibus

et pectore mgris ; dorso posteriore fascia castaned ornato ; gut-

ture, abdomine medio, crissoque albis ; dorso, lateribus, humeris,

mecnon primarias secundariis tectricibusque, ealerné, cinerets ;

caudd, rostro, pedibusque nigris.

Long. tot. 74 poll.; rostri, 1; ale, 32; caude, 34; tarsi, 1.

Hab. The north-west coast of Australia.

From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq.

PETROICA ROSEA. Pet. (mas) vertice, guld, corporeque superné

cmereis ; fronte fascid angustd albé notato ; pectore rosaceo ;, ab-

domine, cressoque, albis; alis, rectricibusque caud@e sex inler-

medius mgrescentibus ; rectricibus externis ad apicem albis ; ros-

tro pedibusque nigrescentibus.

Foem., fascia Jrontali lutea; corpore supra cinereo-fusco ; alis,

fasciis, secundariis fasciis duabvs luteis, obscuré notatis ; caudd

fused.

1 . > . >

Long. tot. 44 ; rostri, 4; ale, 23; caude, 24; tarsi, 3.

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 noldque humerali al-

bis ; pectore abdomineque coccineis ; rostro nigro ; pedibus fuseis.

Long. tot. 5 poll. ; rostri, 2; ala, 3; caude, 2} ; tarsi, 1.

Hab. Norfolk Island.

MALURUS CRUENTATUS. Mal, (mas) dorso, humerisque cocci-

neis ; partibus reliquis nigris.

Foem., pallide fusca, abdomine albescente ; rostro, tarsisque pallidé

Suscis.

Long. tot. 4 poll. ; rostri, 3 ; ale, 13; eaude, 13; tarsi, 3.

Hab. North-west coast of Australia.

PARDALOTUS UROPYGIALIS. Pard. vertice et lined oculari nigris ;

lined superciliari, pectore, et abdomine medio, albis ; guld, genis-

que croceis; uropygio sulphureo ; dorso cinerescenti-olivaceo ;

alis nigris, primarus plurimis ad basin albo notatis ; ald supra

ad apicem coccinea ; cauddé nigra, plumis externis tribus ad api-

cem albis ; rostro mgro ; tarsis plumbeis.

Long. tot. 33 poll. ; rostri, 3; ala, 24; caude, 1 ; tarsi, 3.

Hab. North-west coast of Australia.

From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq.

AMADINA ANNULOSA. Am. facie guldque albis, vitté nigraé mar-

ginatis ; pectore albescente, subtus fascia nigra marginato ; ver-

tice dorsoque cinerescenti-fuscis, lineis albidis transversis, angusté

notatis ; uropygio, crisso, cauddque nigris ; alis fuscis ; tectrici-

bus, secundarisque cinereo crebré ornatis ; rostro pedibusque

plumbeis.

Long. tot. 4 poll.; rostri, 2; ale, 2; caude, 23 ; tarsi, 3.

Hab. North-west coast of Australia.

This species is nearly allied to Estrilda 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 caude, crisso, et

femoribus, albis ; rostro pedibusque flavis.

Long. tot. 52 poll. ; rostri, 3; ale, 23; caude, 33; tarsi, 3.

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 alba notatis ; rostro pedibusque ni-

grescentibus.

Long. tot. 63 poll.; rostri, 2 ; ala, 23 ; cauda, 34; 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-

laque flavis ; uropygio albo ; dorso cinerco, obscure albo fasciato ;

Zoological Society. 145

doris, plumisque auricularibus, nigris; guld, genis, corporeque

subtus, albis, pectore notis fuscis im formd sagitte ornato ;

alis cauddque fuscis ; primarius externé, cauddque ad basin fla-

vescentibus ; caudd ad apicem albd ; rostro flavo ; pedibus flave-

scenti-fuscis.

Long. tot. 92 poll.; rostrt, 1; ale, 54; caude, 5; tarsi, 1%.

Hab. Banks of the Namoi, interior of New South Wales.

This species is rather larger than A/yzantha garrula, to which,

and MW. ettreola, it is closely allied.

Myzantua Lured. WM. cute nuddé pone oculos, fronte, apicibus-

que plumarum ad latera colli, citreis ; loris nigro-fuscis ; plumis

auricularibus nigrescentibus splendore argenteis ; corpore supra

cinereo, nuchd dorsoque albo transversim fasciatis ; uropygto, tec-

tricibus caude, et corpore subtis, albis ; guld, pectoreque cinereo

lavatis, plumis singulis notd fusca fasciatis ; alis fuscis plumis

obscuré citreo marginatis ; caudd fuscd ad apicem albd ; rostro

citreo ; pedibus flavescenti-fuscis.

Long. tot. 102 poll.; ale, 54; caude@, 54; tarsi, 1}.

Hab. North-west coast of Australia.

From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq.

TROPIDORHYNCHUS ARGENTICEPS. Trop. vertice argenteo, capi-

tis partibus reliquis nudis, et nigrescentibus ; corpore subtis albo ;

pectoris plumis lanceolatis ; corpore supra cauddque fuscis ; ros-

tro pedibusque nigrescenti-fuscis.

Long. tot. 104 poll.; rosirt, 12 ; ale, 54; caude, 43 ; tarsi, 1}.

Hab. North-west coast of Australia.

From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq.

POMATORHINUS RUBECULUS. Pom. guld, strigdque superciliari

albis : pectore, et abdomine superiore rufescenti-fuscis ; strigd a

rostro, per oculos, ad occiput tendente nigrescenti-fuscd ; vertice,

dorso, abdomineque imo intensé fuscis, olivaceo-tinctis ; tectrici-

bus caude, crisso cauddque mgris, hdc ad apiceimn albd, rostro

corneo ; pedibus nigrescentibus.

Long. tot. 91 poll.; rostri, 13; ala, 4; caude@, 43 ; tarsi, 14.

Hab. North-west coast of Australia.

From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq.

PTILoTIs FLAVESCENS. Pt. olivaceo-cinerea, capite corporeque

subtus citreis ; nota ad latera capitis fuscd, et pone hanc altera

nitide flava.

Long. tot. 43 poll.; rostri, 2; ale, 24; caude, 23 ; tarsi, 3,

Hab. North-west coast of Australia.

From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq.

MyzoMELA ERYTHROCEPHALA. Myz. intense fusca, capite, et

uropygio, coccineis ; rostro pedibusque nigris.

Long. tot. 43 poll. ; rostri, 2; ale, 21; cauda, 12; tarsi, 3.

Hab. North-west coast of Australia,

From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq.

SITTELLA LEUCOPTERA. Suitt. vertice, plumis auricularibus, nec-

. A ° . . A . . .

non alis, caudaque nigris, hac ad upicem albd, illis fascid trans-

146 Miscellaneous.

versd albd ornatis ; guld, tectricibus cauda, corporeque subtis al-

bis ; dorso, cinerescenti-fusco, plumis ad medium fusco notatis ;

rostro ad basin pallide flavo, ad apicem nigro, pedibus flavis.

Long. tot. 4 poll. ; rostri, 11; ale, 3; eaudea, 13; tarsi, 14.

Hab. North-west coast of Australia.

From Benjamin Bynoe, Esq.

Hemipopius castAanotrus. Hem. capite, et pectore olivaceo-

cinereis, plumts colore cervino notatis, illius ad apicem, hujus apud

medium ; abdomine medio crissoque stramineis ; strigd superci-

liart, cauda, dorso et humeris, castaneis, dorsi, humerorumque

plumis albo guttatis, singulis guttis anticé nigro marginatis ; pri-

maris fuscis, cervino colore marginatis ; rostro pedibusque pal-

lidé flavis.

Long. tot. 7 poll.; rostri, 4; ale, 34; 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 effect: ‘‘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,

i. .p.275.

Miscellaneous. 147

NOTICE RESPECTING AMPHIPEPLEA GLUTINOSA,

_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. (Limneus* glutinosus,

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 Limneus and Physa. Am-

phipeplea agrees with the former genus in the structure of the an-

tenne, 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 maxillz, and also from the tongue being provided with ser-

rated teeth. There is therefore between the genera Physa and Lim-

neus 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. Antenne filiform; foot posteriorly acuminate; respiratory,

anal, and sexual aperture on the left side. Puysa.

2. Antenne triangular; foot posteriorly rounded; respiratory,

anal, and sexual aperture on the right side. AMPHIPEPLEA.

II. An upper and two side maxille, simple conical teeth on the

tongue, mantle not folding over the shell. Animal inactive.

3. Antenne filiform; foot posteriorly acuminate; respiratory,

anal, and sexual apertures on the left side. PLANOBBIS.

4. Antenne triangular; foot posteriorly rounded; respiratory,

anal, and sexual apertures on the right side. Limn2£vs,

ON PINUS PUMILIO, 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 :—Limneus,

Lymneus, Lymneus, §c. We believe the classical authority of Dr. Goodall,

whose loss we have to deplore, was decidedly in favour of Limneus.—Ep.

148 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 13 feet, with

a diameter of from 24 to 34 feet.—Linnaa, Part V. vol. xiii. 1839.

ON THE NESTS OF THE FIFTEEN-SPINED STICKLEBACK, OR GASTER-

OSTEUS SPINACHIA OF LINNEUS.

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-shaved, formed by matting together

the branches of some common Fucus, as, for example, of the Fucus

nodosus, with various confervee, ulve, the smaller floridez, 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 about 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.

Norr.—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 Gobdies, 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.—f rom the Transactions of the Berwickshire Na-

turalists’ Club.

ON VESPERTILIO EDILIS, 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 described by Mr. Jenyns as probably forming a

new species :

“ Vespertilio edilis, Jenyns (Annals of Nat. Hist. No. XV. p. 73,

Plate XIII.), 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 fresh, 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 23, of the body 52, of tail 52, of hind foot 24 inches.

Inhab. Australia. In the collection of Mr. Tucker, the naturalist

dealer, after whom I have named it.—Joun 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 Cetacee 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. Vertebre of Balenoptera 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 (blittriges 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

Navicule 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

Blittertripel accidentally penetrated by mineral pitch ; whilst at Bilin,

Cassel, etc., it appears without any mixture of bitumen. Its colour

may be 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., 1840.

Chiswick.—Feb. 1. Cloudy: rain. 2. Very fine. 3%. 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. Frostyhaze. 26. Coldhaze. 27. Cloudy, cold

anddry. 28, 29. Fine but cold.

Boston.—Feb. 1. Cloudy: rain p.m. 2. Fine: rain early a.m. 3. Stormy:

rainearly a.m. 4. Stormy: rain early a.m.: raine.m. 5. Cloudy: rain p.m.

6. Cloudy. 7. Cloudy: rain early a.m.: rain e.m. 8. Fine: rain and snow p.m.

9. Fine. 10. Rain. 11. Fine. 12—15. Fine: rainp.m., 16,17. Cloudy. 18.

Fine. 19. Cloudy: snow a.m. and p.m. 20. Cloudy: snow a.m. 21. Cloudy:

snow 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. 11. Fine day: a few drops of rain. 12. Storm of wind

and rainr.M. 13, Fine day: norain. 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 34 days. South-easterly 7 days.

Southerly 33 days. South-westerly 83 days. West 1 day.

Calm 145 days. Moderate 8 days. Brisk 14 day. Strong breeze 2 days,

Boisterous 3 days.

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ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY.

XVI.—On the Irregular Form of the Flower of the Papilio-

nacee. By H. Warers*.

Tue irregular form of the flower of the Papilionacee has given

rise to the most varied explanations, to such an extent indeed,

that the enumeration of all the opinions hitherto advanced re-

specting the origin of this form, which, according to the point

of view in which they have been considered, differ essentially

from one another, would occupy too much space to be stated

here. It might consequently appear almost superfluous to

increase the great number of theories advanced on this inter-

esting subject by another; and I would on that account have

held back my views, which differ from all hitherto brought for-

ward, did I not find them to be confirmed by all the researches

which I have made relative to the subject.

The pod so peculiar and so characteristic (/egumen) be-

longing to the entire family of the Leyuminose, must, from

its disposition, be regarded as the single carpel of a five car-

pellary fruit. DeCandolle has already drawn attention to

this, without any botanist however having hitherto made

use of this fact, (proved by the pentagynous genus Affonsea,

A. St. Hilaire,) in explanation of the irregular form of the

papilionaceous flower. These five pods of Affonsea are ar-

ranged in a circle, so that their superior seminiferous sutures

are situated innermost; the individual pods have therefore to

be considered as eccentric from the imaginary floral axis which

passes through the point of union of the margins of the pods.

Of these five ovaries normally four become abortive, from

reasons it is true unknown, and a single one only remains,

although exceptional cases occur of two and three ovaries in

one flower. This sole remaining ovarium stands eccentric from

* Translated from the Linnza, ein Journal fiir die Botanik, Part IV.

Vol. xiii. 1839.

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.5. No. 30. May 1840. M

154 M. Walpers on the Irregular Form

the imaginary floral axis, and generally has lengthwise a la-

terally compressed form arising from the unilateral adhesion

of the ovules.

The pod of the Leguminose from its situation must always

be viewed as that one of the five carpellary fruit which is

furthest removed from the floral axis,—it is then the inferior

ovarium in the flower which is developed, while the four su-

perior ones prove abortive; for I have found the flores resu-

pinati of the Leguminose on more accurate examination to

be constantly produced by the twisting of the peduncle.

This twisting it is true usually takes place in the bud state,

and descriptive botany has rarely taken this into considera-

tion.

The eccentricity of the individual ovaries from the floral

axis is demonstrated not merely by the Affonsea which has

been already mentioned, but also by those cases where se-

veral ovaries occur in one flower; thus I have observed in

Cesalpinia digyna, Willd., Herb. No. 8026, that the two ova-

ries do not stand as might be expected with their broad sides

parallel with one another, but in imperfect opposition, so that

on the one (the right) side, one, and on the other (the left) side,

two ovaries must be supposed to have been abortive.

‘The calyx in all Papilionacee is composed of five sepals, cor-

responding to the number of petals* ; these enter into the most

varied cohesions inter se; in most cases, however, they are

united at least to some extent into a tube or cup, &c. and only

free at the apex. Exceedingly. few cases of the calyx occurring

quinquepartite to the base in the fully developed papiliona-

ceous flower are mentioned by authors, although in the em-

bryonal state of the bud, as Schleiden and Vogel have demon-

strated in their excellent ‘ Beitrigen zur Entwicklungsge-

schichte der Bliithentheile bei den Leguminosen,’ (Nov. Act.

Ac. Cees. Leop. Carol. Nat. Cur. vol. xix. p. 1.) all the subse-

quently cohering parts of the flower are then free, and in the

course of development these parts, still consisting of delicate

parenchyma, at first cohere from intimate reciprocal pressure.

* Strange enough, Bischoff still describes the corolla papilionacea as ge-

nerally consisting of fowr petals.—Handbuch der botan. Terminologie, p.

bud.

of the Flower of the Papilionacez. 155

The cause of the cohesion is correctly explained by the reci-

procal pressure in the flower bud, without however contri-

buting in any way to the explanation of the very remarkable

irregularity of the flowers.

The cohering-leaved calyx, however, as well as the position

of the ovarium with respect to the other floral parts, appear

to furnish the best explanation of this irregularity.

From the double circle of anthers present in all decandrous

Leguminose, and actually to be observed in the embryonal

state of the floral bud, we obtain an explanation of the alter-

nation of the petals and ovaries which we find realized in 4f-

Jfonsea, and indicated in the other one-podded Leguminose by

the position of the ovarium between the two carinal petals.

This ovarium is during the flowering period in general sessile,

or merely provided with so short a petiole that it does not

project out of the tubular calyx. Consequently an action on

the other floral parts cannot be denied to this ovarium, as it

frequently attains to a considerable size, and this action is

manifested by pressure on the adjacent organs, which on that

account are greatly inclined to cohesions in their still paren-

chymatous consistency. Since the petals in proportion to the

length of the calycinal tube can generally only be designated

as shortly unguiculated, nay in several genera a great portion of

the /amina is even still situated in the calyx, the lateral petals

standing nearest to the ovarium cohere at their inferior mar-

gins very frequently, where the pressure which the calyx and

ovarium jointly exert is most powerful, and form the carina.

This pressure is even so considerable in the genus Jonesia,

Rxb., that the petals are from the first entirely suppressed,

and further the ovarium coheres at its inferior suture through

its entire length with the perianthium, as I have observed in

several undescribed species of this highly instructive genus.

In the Cesalpiniee there are several genera with only from 1

to 3 petals, these then constantly stand in the place of the

vexillum and of the wings (ale).—Perhaps the absence of the

other petals may be deduced from hence? Direct observation

can only decide this question. Yet we observe in Tamarindus

Indica, L., at the place where the two absent petals should

M 2

156 M. Walpers on the Irregular Form

have stood, two minute scales, which appear to be the rudi-

ments of the petals.

The flower of the Leguminose acquires a laterally com-

pressed appearance from the abortion of the four superior

ovaries ; and I am not aware of a single case where the flower

of any one of this family corresponds exactly to the scheme

properly deducible for it.

The petals forming the carina are, as is well known, those

standing nearest to the ovarium ; and they must therefore, in

the true papilionaceous flower, be those situated innermost ;

and indeed they always closely surround the ovarium and

proceed perfectly parallel with it. The two following petals,

or the wings, retain their original position, and place them-

selves, in consequence of the lateral compression of the entire

flower, over the carinal leaves, with which, by the too great

pressure and considerable development of the former (as in

several Phaseolee and many Trifoliee) they frequently cohere

at their base, naturally however above the unguis. But they

are generally prevented by the gamosepalous calyx from de-

veloping and spreading themselves freely as they would

otherwise do. The last petal, the vexillum, opposed to the

ovarium at its upper suture, stands both from its situation as

well*as position,—as may be distinctly seen in numerous

Sophoree,—furthest from the ovarium, consequently meets

with the fewest hindrances to its independent development,

and thus frequently attains to a considerable size in pro-

portion to the other petals: this also depends on the stronger

nutriment, which in consequence of its distance from the ova-

rium appears to be conveyed to it through the calyx. Thus

then in the bud at least the vexillum will be folded round the

other petals and inclose them, whence arises the well-known

vexilla-covering sstivation (estivatio vewillaris) of the Papi-

honacee.

If the petals are very narrow, and the calycinal tube very

long and narrow, they at times cohere through their whole

length at their margins to a tube whose border exhibits five in-

cisions which open according to the type of the papiliona-

ceous flower, as in many T7rifoliee.

of the Flower of the Papilionacex. 157

If on the contrary the calycinal tube is very short and

broad, and the calyx thus surrounds the other floral parts but

very loosely—as in most of the Sophoree—then indeed the

carina is formed of two non-cohering petals, nevertheless the

papilionaceous flower is still easily recognizable. This case

has also a similar action on the stamina, which are then like-

wise free or only cohering at their base.

The stamina, which in the Papilionacee are with few excep-

tions always to the number of ten, stand, as is well known, in

Zwo circles around the ovarium. These two circles, it is true,

are In most cases, from the cohesion of the filaments, very in-

distinct ; yet in the young bud,.as also in the perfectly deve-

loped flower of some Sophoree, they are clearly to be distin-

guished ; and they are likewise indicated in numerous other

Papilionacee by the alternate similar or sterile anthers (in

this case it is constantly the inner circle which is sterile),

and also by the alternately longer and shorter filaments. The

stamina present but a very slight surface of Opposition to the

outer pressure, and on that account are subject to the most

varied cohesions—the more so as they are situated nearest to

the ovarium ; nevertheless they are always more or less free

at the apex, and I am only acquainted with a few cases where

the anthers are directly sessile on the staminal tube.

Hitherto the following modifications of cohesion of the sta-

mina have been observed :—

d. The stamina cohere in a perfectly closed tube.

6. The stamina cohere in a tube slit at the upper side,

either in its entire length or only partially.

Here two cases are possible :

a. The staminal tube is slit from the apex downwards.

8. The staminal tube is slit from the base upwards. This

is the rarer case.

c. The stamina cohere in a tube slit at the lower side along

its whole length, Very rarely,

d. Nine stamina cohere to a tube slit superiorly ;_ the

tenth, belonging to the inner staminal circle, and stand-

ing opposed to the ovarium, is in its entire length free,

é. The stamina cohere in two bundles of 5 and 5 through-

ee ee

158 M. Walpers on the Irregular Form

out their whole length; and as these two bundles stand

on each side of the ovarium, they must be imagined to

have originated from a staminal tube slit superiorly and

inferiorly at the same time.

J. Of the ten stamina, that standing at the upper and that

standing at the lower floral pole are free in their whole

length (the first belongs to the second or inner, the latter

to the first or outer circle); the other 8 stamina are si-

tuated in bundles of 4 and 4 on each side of the ovarium.

(This case has hitherto been observed only in Platypo-

dium, See § Linnea,’ vol. xii. p. 420.)

Besides these, the stamina at times cohere more or less with

the petals. The case most frequently occurring is the cohe-

sion of nine stamina to a superiorly slit tube with a tenth

free filament, and is to be explained thus: the tenth stamen,

opposed to the suture of the pod, stands furthest from the

ovarium, and is consequently the least subjected to pressure

and the cohesion arising therefrom. That this is actually

the case is moreover evident from the stamina situated su-

periorly on both sides of the ovarium entering successively

into a more and more intimate cohesion towards the inferior

floral pole, so that the stamina following on each side the free

stamina, which belong to the outer circle, are frequently but

slightly connected with the rest, while the succeeding ones co-

here higher and higher,—a statement, which will be found to be

confirmed in the greater number of diadelphic Papilionacee.

The other cohesions above-mentioned must also be ex-

plained in the same manner, from the general or partial,

greater or smaller pressure which the stamina have to suffer

from the adjacent floral parts; and there consequently exists

no reason, as is also evident from the above-mentioned va-

luable researches of Schleiden and Vogel, for denying to the

merely mechanical influences all action on the form and posi-

tion of vegetable organs, as many botanists have done who

have endeavoured to reduce all phenomena of vegetative life

to the influence of higher influences, which unfortunately in

most cases approaches near to scientific mysticism, by which

little good is gained.

of the Flower of the Papilionaceze. 159

Yet as there is no rule without at least an apparent excep-

tion, there may be persons who can bring forward a number of

facts which appear to speak against the correctness of the

theory here advanced; but these exceptions serve, as far as I

have hitherto become acquainted with them, only to confirm

and extend the above positions, which I only maintain for

the true Papilionacee sufficiently well characterized by their

estivatio vexillaris.

One might mention, for stance, the large groups of the

Cesalpinee and Mimosee, which can scarcely be separated

from the family of the Leguminose, in which the almost re-

cular five petalled corolla now and then occurs together with

the characteristic pod, as not being in harmony with the law

above stated for the Papilionacee, although the forms of flower

which here occur are nothing more than modifications pro-

duced by that law.

The Cesalpinee are distinguished in addition to the erect

embryo, which is of no importance in our inquiries, from the

Papilionacee by the imbricate, the Mimosee by the valvate,

zestivation.

The former appears to be produced by the calyx in the

Cesalpinee being generally quinquepartite to the base; it is

therefore not able to inclose the floral parts so tightly and to

press them on one another, as a gamosepalous calyx; the petals

can consequently develope more freely and adopt that zestiva-

tion originally peculiar to them.

In this case almost all the petals are of like size and form ;

they expand freely, not being prevented by the calyx, and

approach in their outer appearance more to the rosaceous co-

rolla than to the papilionaceous: the stamina likewise rarely

cohere infer se, and we here find them arranged in two circles.

If on the contrary the calyx is cohering (Coulteria, Hb. B.

Kunth, Cesalpinia, L., &c.) we immediately find the papilio-

naceous corolla make its appearance.

Further, when the ovarium in the Cesalpinee is spherical

or cylindrical, then it will be less eccentric than the usually

occurring compressed ovarium ; its axis will approach nearer

to the imaginary floral axis than is otherwise the case, for it

160 M. Walpers on the Irregular Form

will at all events adopt that position in which it meets with

the least opposition ; it will consequently approach the upper

floral pole, where the other four abortive ovaries would have

stood—an appearance which, although in a slight degree, we

also find in the true Papilionacee—by which the reciprocal

pressure of the individual floral parts on one another becomes

more equalized. The irregularity of the flower diminishes

however in the proportion in which this equality is established.

The calyx in this case is nearly regular (Hymenea, &c.), and

just so the corolla dependent on it ; although frequently, as a

sign of the still perceptible eccentricity of the ovarium, 4

shght irregularity of the floral parts is evident.

If lastly the calyx is indeed gamosepalous tubular, but if the

petals are provided with claws which exceed the calycinal tube

in length, or if they cohere with it in their whole length, both

which cases are of frequent occurrence in the Mimosee, then

all reason for irregularity of the corolla disappears of itself, the

corolla as well as the calyx are regularly quinquepartite or

expanded rosaceously, and since the petals are then constantly

acuminate, they can no longer cover one another laterally in

the bud, but are merely folded valvately (estivatio valvata).

The.stamina here frequently occur in very considerable num-

ber, and then, in consequence of the increased pressure by the

inferiorly narrow calycinal tube, frequently cohere inier se, al-

though above the tube they are perfectly free. At the same

time the calycinal tube is here so narrow that there can no

longer be a question as to a sensible eccentricity of the ova-

rium ; and the influence which this would exert on the form

of the corolla seems to be thus suspended, from the ovarium

being frequently provided with a considerably long stipes,

which appears to destroy the reaction against the unilateral

pressure of the calyx, since it is but feeble. In this group we

find the case, already frequently mentioned, of a pentagynous

leguminous plant, which we have considered of such im-

portance in explanation of the papilionaceous flower.

of the Flower of the Papilionaceze. 161

EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES.

Fig. 1. Diagram according to which the papilionaceous flower is con-

structed as regards disposition, and which actually occurs in Affonsea,

St. Hil.

a, a, a, a. The abortive ovaries in the papilionaceous flower, a! the re-

maining ovarium.

b, b, b, b. Second inner staminal circle alternating with the ovarium.

¢, ¢, c, c. Second outer staminal circle opposed to the ovaries.

d, d, d, d. Petals alternating with the ovaries.

e, e, €, e. Sepals opposed to the ovaries.

jf. Imaginary floral axis.

Fig. 2. Diagram according to which the papilionaceous flower is actually

constructed. Similar to the former, but the abortive ovaries a, a, a, a, are

omitted.

fig. 3. Diagram of a diadelphous papilionaceous flower.

a. Ovarium.

6. The tenth free stamen belonging to the inner circle.

e. The superiorly slit tube formed of the other nine stamens.

d" d". The two petals cohering at their inferior margin forming the ca-

rina.

d' d'. The two wings; d. the vexilla.

e, @, e, e. Sections of the calyx.

162 Dr. Schleiden on the Structure of the Ovule in Plants.

XVII.—On the Structure of the Ovule in Plants. By M. J.

ScuLeIDEN, M.D., Professor of Botany in the University

of Jena*.

Linnaus established a fixed period for the description of the

organs of reproduction ; namely, for the floral organs the fully

developed flower at the moment of the diffusion of its pollen;

for the fruit, on the other hand, the moment of maturity, 7. e.

in general, the natural separation of the fruit from the plant ;

and in so doing he was perfectly right. Linnzeus undoubtedly

described well, for what he could not see with the naked eye

or with a moderate lens he passed over in silence. But it was

soon felt requisite to pay attention to parts not perceptible

to the naked eye ; and more especially since a preference has

been given to the natural arrangement of plants has it been

found necessary to take into consideration the structure of the

ovule. Now-a-days, indeed, it is pretty generally the case

that but few physiological botanists take the trouble to in-

quire into the structure of the ovule and the development of

the seed, and the more systematic botanists borrow their

statements upon trust and faith, or without such warrant

judge of the structure of the ripe seed, mutato nomine, from

the ovule+. He, however, who is not totally ignorant of the

history of the development of plants knows very well that the

gradual changes resulting from progressive development are

frequently so considerable, that even the reduction of later

stages to the earlier ones which have been actually observed

is quite impossible without constantly following the progress

of development. Thus it seems singular enough, when de-

scribers with an air of great seriousness, as if they had ac-

tually observed it with their own eyes, talk for instance of an

[* Translated from Wiegmann’s Archiv, p. 282. Part 1V. 1839. We

here beg to acknowledge our thanks to the author for the kind communi-

cation of separate copies of this and other interesting Memoirs.—R. T.]

+ That frequently accident or fancy have the principal share, is among

other things proved by the position of the Nympheacee in Kunth’s excellent

‘ Flora Berolinensis,’ otherwise entirely arranged from personal and new ob-

servations. That in such a work the Nympheacee should be classed under

Monocotyledons, and indeed, as Butomeis proxime affines, and that the re-

searches of Brongniart, Mirbel, Brown, and Lindley should be entirely

passed over, is scarcely conceivable.

Dr. Schleiden on the Structure ef the Ovule in Plants. 163

ovarium uniloculare, ovulo pendulo in Viscum, or in Corylus

of an ovarium diloculare, ovulis initio erectis mox pendulis* 5

happily their disciples are kind enough.to believe the teacher

upon his word, or otherwise they might easily devote their

life in vain to find such pretty descriptions confirmed by na-

ture.

But if at last, and indeed with perfect justice, an essential

value has been placed on the description of the formation of

the ovule, and if we are every day more and more convinced

that a plant is not a crystal which can be laid aside today,

and ten years afterwards found in the same state, but that

engaged in constant, active, and lively development, it some-

times manifests this side of its life, sometimes that, and thus

every moment escaping the observer, it nowhere can be con-

ceived as a process terminated in a given moment, but solely

as the idea of several stages of development, and as the col-

lective expression of an uninterruptedly continuing process ;

then indeed it is evident that by the present mode of proceed-

ing science is not much advanced; and that on the one hand,

a fixed moment must be established for the description of

the structure of the ovule according to Linnzus’s notions ;

but, also, on the other hand, that the progress of develop-

ment must be indicated, through which apparent differences

at certain periods may be reconciled with a higher unity,

while apparent resemblances are resolved into their proper

members according to the different principles of develop-

ment. Here again Robert Brown is the name which first

trod the right path and indicated what is required of us, al-

though, as in many other cases, without any one making use

of or following up his ingenious indications. Robert Brown,

struck by the apparent contradiction in finding in the same

genus (Huonymus) both pendent and erect ovules at the same

time, inquired further, and discovered the law, that the raphe

in the ovule constantly passes along the side directed towards

the placenta ; that in the ovula pendula of Euonymus this is not

the case, but that they become ovula erecta, if in imagination

we again bring the raphe into the right position ; that there-

fore the ovules of this plant are only apparently pendent (pro-

* Of course, ovarium in its state at the time of flowering is here intended.

164 Dr. Schleiden on the Structure of the Ovule in Plants.

perly speaking curved downwards), but in reality erect. The

correctness of this statement is confirmed by the history of

development. As far as I am aware, no one has profited by

these inquiries of Brown, in order to solve similar anomalies

which obscure the clear perception of affinity; for which ob-

ject the Ranunculacee present an excellent opportunity. The

one-seeded plants of this family have been divided according

to the difference of pendent and erect ovules (?) into Ranun-

culacee and Anemonee ; and botanists have remained content

with believing in such an important distinction even between

plants so nearly allied to each other. But the ovule in these

two divisions is at a not very early state exactly similarly con-

structed, and is ovulum adscendens anatropum, figs. 1—2 ; at

a subsequent period the ovarium either grows alone upwards,

when we have an ovulum erectum anatropum, fig. 3, or the ova-

rium is compelled to employ for its development the space

Fig. 4. a

below the ovulum, which then curves from the placenta down-

wards and becomes spurie pendulum, anatropum raphe aversa,

fig. 4. In several species no difference is perceptible at the

time of flowering (for instance between Ranunculus and Myo-

surus); and in all the others intermediate forms run so gra-

Dr. Schleiden on the Structure of the Ovule in Plants. 165

dually together, that the difference alluded to is absolutely

incapable of being employed as a ground of division at the

time of flowering ; when the seeds are ripe it then indeed af-

fords a well-defined distinctive character. But since we have

genera which cannot be divided (Euonymus) in which this

double form occurs, such a character can in no case be made

use of to establish and justify a division, unless nature evi-

dently indicates it otherwise ; and indeed the less so, when, as

in Ranunculacee, nature has set no value on the structure it-

self of the ovule, and when peculiarities otherwise most con-

stant within the limits of family are found to be among the

most variable. Of this nature is the number of integuments

of the ovule, which in Ranunculacee vary even in the same

genus.

With an integumentum simplex there are, Thalictrum, Ane-

mone, Hepatica, Ranunculus, Ficaria, Caltha, Helleborus, Del-

phinium tricorne and chinense, and the Podophyllee.

With an tntegumentum duplex there are, Clematis, Adonis,

Trollius, Isopyrum, Aquilegia, Aconitum, Peonia, Delphinium

fissum, elatum, bicolor, consolida, Ajacis, and the Magno-

hacee.

So great is the difficulty of examining most plants of this

family with reference to the original structure of their ovule,

which in general is no longer to be recognized even in the de-

veloped bud, that I will not assert that some error may not have

crept into the preceding enumeration (perhaps in Delphinium). ‘

But if, as I trust, the greater part is correct, then the con-

clusion is justified—that the number of integuments, which is

of fixed constancy in most other families, here appears as a

totally variable and consequently secondary character, ac-

cording to which alone the family can neither be restricted

nor extended.

An example of similar anomalies also oecurs in the family

of the Aroidee. Here there is nothing constant in the forma-

tion of the ovule, but the integumentum duplex pertaining to

all Monocotyledons. We find moreover in this family ovula

erecta (Arum), pendula (Pothos), atropa (Sauromatum), he-

mianatropa (Meconostigma), anatropa (Calla), and even hy-

pertropa (Orontium aquaticum). Robert Brown united Typha-

166 Prof. Owen on a Relic of an unknown Struthious Bird.

cee with Aroidee ; Lindley subsequently separated them, and

as it appears*, chiefly on account of the pendent ovules. Not

to mention that the ovules are not unfrequently pendent in

Aroidee, which Lindley has forgotten ; it is also to be ob-

served that the ovules in Typhacee are only spurié pendula,

for in them also we meet with the raphe aversa.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES.

fig. 1. Adonis vernalis. Longitudinal section of the ovarium just before the

expansion of the flower.

a. Placenta. In the fully developed flower, the form of the ovulum

scarcely changed.

Fig. 2. Ranunculus repens. The same.

fig. 3. Ranunculus repens. Just after the expansion of the flower.

a. Placenta ;—b. Raphe.

Fig. 4. Anemone nemorosa, Just after the expansion of the flower.

a. and b. As in the preceding figure.

XVIII.—On the Bone of an unknown Struthious Bird of large

Size from New Zealand. By Ricuarp Owen, Esq., F.R.S.

THE bone of an unknown Struthious bird of large size, presumed

to be extinct, has been placed by Mr. Rule, in the hands of Pro-

fessor Owen for examination, with the statement that it was found

in New Zealand, where the natives have a tradition that it belonged

to a bird of the Eagle kind, but which has become extinct, and to

which they give the name “ Movie.” Similar bones it is said are

found buried in the banks of the rivers.

The following is an abstract of Profesor Owen’s account of this

bone, communicated to the Zoological Society, Nov. 12.

“The fragment is the shaft of a femur, with both extremities

broken off. The length of the fragment is six inches, and its sinall-

est circumference is five inches and a half. The exterior surface of

the bone is not perfectly smooth, but is sculptured with very shallow

reticulate indentations: it also presents several intermuscular ridges.

One of these extends down the middle of the anterior surface of the

shaft to about one-third from the lower end, where it bifurcates ; two

* Upon a reference to Lindley’s ‘ Natural System of Botany,’ ed. ii. p. 369,

it will be found that this is not an exact statement. That author’s words

are, “ They (Zyphacee) are generally regarded as a distinct tribe by most

writers, and are surely sufficiently characterized by their calyx being 3-

sepalled and half glumaceous, or a mere bundle of long hairs, long lax jila-

ments, clavate anthers, solitary pendulous ovules, and peculiar habit.” —E.

Prof. Owen on a Relic of an unknown Struthious Bird. 167

other ridges or line aspere traverse longitudinally the posterior

concave side of the shaft ; one of them is broad and rugged, the other

is a mere linear rising.

“The texture of the bone, which affords the chief evidence of its

ornithic character, presents an extremely dense exterior crust, vary-

ing from one to two lines in thickness; then there occurs a lamello-

cellular structure of from two to three lines in thickness. The la-

mellz rise vertically to the internal surface of the dense wall, are

directed obliquely to the axis of the bone, decussate and intercept

spaces which are generally of a rhomboidal form, and from two to

three lines in diameter. This coarse cancellated structure is con-

tinued through the whole longitudinal extent of the fragment, and

immediately bounds the medullary cavity of the bone, which is about

one inch in diameter at the middle, and slightly expands towards

the extremities. There is no bone of similar size which presents a

cancellous structure so closely resembling that of the present bone

as does the femur of the Ostrich ; but this structure is interrupted

in the Ostrich at the middle of the shaft where the parietes of the

medullary, or rather air-cavity, are smooth and unbroken. From

this difference I conclude the Struthious bird indicated by the pre-

sent fragment to have been a heavier and more sluggish species than

the Ostrich ; its femur, and probably its whole leg, was shorter and

thicker. It is only in the Ostrich’s femur that I have observed su-

perficial reticulate impressions similar to those on the fragment in

question. The Ostrich’s femur is sub-compressed, while the present

fragment is cylindrical, approaching in this respect nearer to the

femur of the Emeu; but its diameter is one-third greater than that

of the largest Emeu’s femur, with which I have compared it.

“The bones of the extremities of the great Testudo elephantopus

are solid throughout. Those of the Crocodile have no cancellous

structure like the present bone. The cancellous structure of the

mammiferous long bones is of a much finer and more fibrous charac-

ter than in the fossil.

“ Although I speak of the bone under this term, it must be ob-

served that it does not present the characters of a true fossil ; it is

by no means mineralized : it has probably been on, or in, the ground

for some time, but still retains most of its animal matter. It weighs

seven ounces twelve drachms, avoirdupois.

“ The discovery of a relic of a large struthious bird in New Zea-

land is one of peculiar interest, on account of the remarkable cha-

racter of the existing Fauna of that island, which still includes one

of the most extraordinary and anomalous genera of the struthious

168 Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides.

order, and because of the close analogy which the event indicated

by the present relic offers to the extinction of the Dodo of the island

of the Mauritius. So far as a judgment can be formed of a single

fragment, it seems probable that the extinct bird of New Zealand,

if it prove to be extinct, presented proportions more nearly resem-

bling those of the Dodo than of any of the existing Struthionide.

“Any opinion, however, as to its specific form can only be con-

jectural ; the femur of the Stilt-bird (Himantopus) would never have

revealed the anomalous development of the other bones of the leg ;

but so far as my skill in interpreting an osseous fragment may be

credited, I am willing to risk the reputation for it on the statement

that there has existed, if there does not now exist, in New Zealand,

a Struthious bird, nearly, if not quite, equal in size to the Ostrich.”

XIX.—Miscellanea Zoologica. By Grorcr Jounston,

M.D., Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edin-

burgh.

(Continued from vol. iv. p. 375.]

ConTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS A History or THE IntsH ANNELIDES.

A LARGE collection of Irish Annelidans has been put in my

possession by my friend Wm. Thompson, Esq. of Belfast.

The collection was made partly by Dr. Drummond, Messrs.

Ball, Hyndman, and Allman, but principally by Mr. Thomp-

son himself, who had determined several of the species, and was

well aware of the distinctions of others. As however the state

of his eyes forbade him the long use of the microscope, he de-

clined entering on their minuter examination,—a task which

I have too willingly undertaken, for I was loath to lose this

opportunity of having my name associated with those of the

most zealous and distinguished cultivators of Irish zoology.

My attention having accidentally been called, in the first

place, to the genus Nereis, I proceed to give the results of a

careful examination of the many specimens of it in the col-

lection, as well as of some others procured from other sources;

and this will enable me to correct some blunders of a previous

Essay, and to characterize anew all the species which have

been hitherto ascertained to be natives of our shores. As of

most natural and typical genera in every class of animals and

of plants, the species appear to be numerous, and to resemble

Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides. 169

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

azo 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 1s 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 antenne ; 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 papilla presumed to be branchial, and two tubercles

* “Ceterum numeravi sine respectu magnitudinis segmenta 56, 65, 76,

78, 86 in diversis; igitur de numero nil certi statui posse patet: hunc cha-

racterem etiam quam maxime vacillare facile credat, cui mutilatio et redin-

tegratio articulorum innotuit ; sub reintegrando enim articulo caudali pri-

mum accrescente, reliquis vero successive, a momento conspectus numerus

dependet.”—Faun. Greenl. 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 papilla, and

the inferior tubercle between this and the ventral papilla. On

these particulars I will endeayour 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. & M. Edw. Litt. de la France,

ii. 181.—Lycoris, (Savigny,) Lam. Anim. s. Vert. v. 311. 2de édit. 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 papillz 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 brevimanus.

Hab. 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 :

antennz 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. a7I

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. p.). 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.

——— —

a NS

PSs =, RON

Nereis viridis.

Hab. 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 differerices 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-

neus, nor N. verrucosa of Muller. The true synonyms of

N. viridis appear to be the following :

Nereis coerulea, Penn. Brit. Zool. iv. 93. pl. 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, Jbid.

in lib. cit. 420 ; and in Mag. Nat. Hist. vii. 230.—Nereis pelagica, 4n-

nals Nat. Hist. iii. 290.

3. N. pelagica, 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 swan’s 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 oblique striz 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.

Méthod.’ Vers, pl. 55. fig. 21—23, undoubtedly represents

this species; hence it follows that it is also the Nereis verru-

cosa of Muller (Prod. p. 217), and of Otho Fabricius (Faun.

Grenl. p. 292.). That it is the Nereis pelagica of Linnzus is

not so certain, for his specific character—“ N. seymentis 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 willingly appropriate the

name to the one before me; 1. because such was the opinion

of Muller and Fabricius; 2. because Linnzus quotes as a

probable representation of his species a figure of a worm in

Baxter’s Opusc. Subse. 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. 451. pl. 26.), but

Dr. Leach’s character of the species is entirely generical ; and

Savigny and Milne-EKdwards 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. ili. p. 294, which belongs to a different sec-

tion of the genus.

4. N. bilineata.

I have nothing to add to the character and description of

this species given in the ‘ Annals,’ 11. 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, i. p. 196.

Fig. 5.

Nereis Dumerilit.

Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides. 175

Hab. Apparently not unfrequent on the Irish coast. Strangford Lough,

and elsewhere on the coast of Down, Wm. Thompson, ee 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 ;

176 * 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, il. p. 188.

Hab. Down Coast, Wm. Thompson, Esq.

The single specimen in the collection was about 5 inches in

length and as thick as a large swan’s quill: the colour was a

blucish 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

antennz: 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 lamellae.

7. N. renalis, jaws with 5 strong serratures; proboscis

Fig. 8.

| Nereis renalis.

prickly ; posterior feet with 3 foliaceous lamelle, 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 setiferous tu-

bercle ; and the other, also kidney-shaped, is attached under-

neath the ventral cirrus ; dorsal cirrus much overreaching its

lobe.

Hab. Bangor, Dr. Drummond; (shores of the Isle of Man, Mr. Edw.

Forbes ; Berwick Bay, G. ./.)

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 antennz, 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 rugz 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-

eific origin could produce. In Nereis lobulata the leaf-like

178 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 allied 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 N. renalis before the one now given, which, I believe, 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 lamellz, and a smaller one of the same

figure is appended to the base of the ventral cirrus ; superior

cirrus rather longer than its lobe.

Nereis longissima.

Hab. 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. 179

stinct, rather small, obtusely triangular; the antennz 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 examined 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

lamellze of the feet are quite similar in structure to the branchial

leaflets of 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. FE. Forbes on the British Actiniade.

X X.—On the British Actiniade. By Epwarp Forses, Esq.

{ With a Plate. }

I. Sucu Actiniadz 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 (Linneeus), 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 Actiniade 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, dnihea standing by itself as the typical ge-

nus of the Actiniadz. Actinia we may regard as a soft Ca-

ryophyllia, Iluanthos as a soft Turbinolia, and Adamsia pro-

bably as an encrusting Zoophyte.

The points of generic character among the Actiniade 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 ; (2.) the length ;

and (3.) the structure of the tentacula.

Mr. E. Forbes on the British Actiniade. 181

In Actinia, (1.) the arrangement of the tentacula; (2.) the

structure of the oral disk; and (3.) the shape of the body.

As there is only one species as yet known of each of the

genera Adamsia and Iluanthos, it is impossible to say cer-

tainly what are the points of specific character in those ge-

nera. Probably they will depend in the first on the tentacula

and colouring ; in the second on the tentacula and sulcature

of the body. In assigning sources of specific character I have

been guided by the analogies of the genera, taking it as a pro-

bable law, that the points of specific character correspond in

animals at once analogous and allied, and that the points of

specific character in the typical genus of a tribe are mainly

characteristic of the tribe itself.

II. The genera of British Actiniade may be essentially

characterized as follows :—

I. AnrHEA (Johnston). Body cylindrical, adhering by a

broad dase. Tentacula simple, non-rectractile, surround-

ing the mouth.

II. Acrinra (Linneus). Body cylindrical, adhering by a

broad dase. Tentacula simple, retractile, surrounding

the mouth.

III. Apamsta (Forbes). Body expanded, bilobed, adhe-

ring by a broad base. Tentacula subretractile, simple,

surrounding the mouth.

IV. Invantuos (Forbes). Body cylindrical, tapering to

a point at its posterior extremity, free? Tentacula sim-

ple, retractile, surrounding the mouth.

V. Lucernaria (Muller). Body campanulate, adhering

by a narrow base. Tentacula in tufts at regular distances

on the oral margin.

As among zoophytes anatomical characters are of secondary

generic, though of primary ordinal importance, I have not

reckoned them essential. The two last genera may however

be distinguished anatomically from the other three by their

converging ovaries. This organization is the result, not the

cause, of external form. In drawing up the above generic cha-

racters, I have borne in mind the existence of single Helian-

thoid Polypes wanting tentacula or with branched tentacula.

182 Mr. E. Forbes on the British Actiniade.

Of the former the genus Discosoma is an example; of the

latter Thalassianthos, both inhabitants of the Red Sea, where

they were discovered by Ruppell and Lauckart.

III. When in Guernsey in August last, I found a species

of Actinia frequent among the rocks at low water in the island

of Herm, which I have reason to consider undescribed. It

was a cylindrical species, appearing as if pedunculated, from

the narrowness of the lower part of the body, about one inch

and a half high and one inch across the disk. The oral disk

is surrounded by numerous tapering tentacula in two rows,

the inner row consisting of sixteen long tentacula, three times

as long as the outer, placed at some distance from each other :

the outer forms a circle of numerous shorter tentacula, about

a quarter of an inch in length. The colour of the body is dark

brown with blue stripes, which bifurcate towards the base. —

The tentacula are paler, as also the disk, which is ornamented

with bright blue stripes radiating from the mouth. This

pretty species I propose to name Actinia biserialis, and cha-

racterize as follows :—

A. corpore elongato-cylindrico, brunneo, ceruleo-lineato ;

disco rotundo ; tentaculis in duabus seriebus digestis, se-

rie internd longissimd, externd numerosissimd.

This Actinia has no tubercles on the disk. The nature of

such tubercles has not as yet been rightly investigated. Ac-

tinia mesembryanthemum, which generally has them, is some-

times without them, and so also with Actinia viduata; but

wherever they are present in the latter species they are white,

whilst in the former they are blue, an additional argument for

the distinctness of the two species.

When dredging on the Manx coast in Sept. I took several

specimens of Actinia bellis*, a species which has been little

noticed since Gaertner’s time; and as doubts have been thrown

on its specific identity, I add a note or two drawn from the

living animal. The body is cylindrical, of a reddish or reddish

white colour, regularly and finely striated longitudinally and

transversely, and having glands of a bright yellow colour,

small and not very numerous, scattered over the surface. At

* Of British authors, but not of Rupp.

My. E. Forbes on the British Actiniade. 183

the oral end the body bulges, forming a calyx, on which the

furrows are fewer but more granulose. When the disk is ex-

panded, this calyx laps back, and is then almost even with the

expanded tentacula. Disk angular, in my specimens square,

surrounded by three or four rows of short tentacula, thickly

set, of a white or brownish colour, variegated, having gene-

rally a white line down the centre of each. The disk is broad,

brownish or orange, with white lmes. The margin of the

mouth is bright orange. The animal can project its disk

forward in a pouting manner. ‘Tentacula and disk are re-

tractile. The specimens described were about one inch long

when expanded, but I have seen larger.

IV. The propriety of constituting a separate genus for the

reception of the Actinia maculata of Adams must be evident to

every one who has studied this beautiful family and has seen

the species in question alive. The characters I have given above

are sufficient for the genus; the species has been fully described

before, both at home and abroad. On two points I have a

remark to make. This year when dredging I paid particular

attention to the alleged horny disk said to be secreted by the

animal, and to the presence of the Hermit Crab, in the shells

on which it is parasitical. Not a single specimen taken this

season had either Hermit Crab or horny disk. That both such

coincidences are common however may be seen by reference to

a paper by Duges, “ Sur une nouvelle espéce d’Actinie,”’ in the

‘ Annales des Sciences Naturelles,’ 2nde Série, Zoologie, vol. vi.

p- 93. pl. 7. c., im which he describes this species, apparently

unaware of its prior discovery. On the Manx coast in Sep-

tember last I found an unspotted variety. I have named the

genus ApAMsiA after Mr. Adams, who first noticed it, and

who contributed largely to the British Fauna in an age less

favourable to natural history than the present; and for the

species I have retained its original appellation of maculata,

referring to it as synonyms the Actinia carcincopados of Otho,

the Actinia picta of Risso, and the species described but not

named by Duges.

V. Last summer, in company with Mr. Smith of Jordan

Hill, we dredged up among Cordule and other inhabitants of

mud, in four fathoms water, in Loch Ryan on the west coast

184 Mr. Lingwood’s Outline of a

of Scotland, the remarkable zoophyte, for the reception of

which J have constituted the genus J/wanthos. It is a free

Actinia, about an inch and a half in length, the body large

above, but tapering at its posterior extremity to a point. The

mouth is round and rather small, surrounded by a circle of

numerous long filiform tentacula, which are nearly equal in

thickness throughout their lengths. The body is of a pink

colour, with regular distant longitudinal white stripes: the

tentacula are greenish, with a dark line down the middle of

each*. It is probable the animal fixes itself in mud by means

of its attenuated extremity, which I regard as analogous to the

terminations of Virgularia and Pennatula. In its anatomy it

differs not from other Actinie, save that its ovaries converge.

I propose to name the genus Ilwanthos, from idvs, mud, and

avOos, a flower; and the species Z/wanthos Scoticus.

REFERENCE TO PLATE III.

Actinia biserialis, and Iluanthos Scoticus.

XXI.—A short Outline of a Fauna for Part of Hereford-

shire. By R. M. Linewoopn, Esq., F.L.S.

Tue district included in the following list lies S.E. of the town

of Hereford, and is exceedingly interesting in a geological

point of view, as it comprises the Townhope Valley of Mr. Mur-

chison’s Silurian Regions; and the remainder is the Old Red

Sandstone ; it is about ten miles long from N.E. to $.W., and

six broad from N.W. to S.E. I have thought that a list of

the animals and birds might not be unacceptable to some of

your readers. I have followed the nomenclature of Jenyns’s

British Vertebrata.

MammMattia.

Meles Taxus. (Badger.) Not uncommon.

Mustela Putorius. (Polecat.) Common.

vulgaris. (Weasel.) Common.

Erminea. (Stoat.) Common. I have a specimen shot in

February of this year, quite white except the back of the head and

the tip of the tail.

* Resembling very nearly the tentacula of Rupp’s Actinia filiformis.

Fauna for Part of Herefordshire. 185.

Lutra vulgaris. (Otter.) One or two generally frequent the river

Lug. |

Canis Vulpes. (Fox.) Common.

Talpa Europea. (Mole.) Common.

Sorex Araneus. (Common Shrew.) Common.

fodiens. (Water Shrew.) Meadows by river Lug.

Erinaceus Europevs. (Hedgehog.) Not very general.

Rhinolophus Hipposideros. (Lesser Horse-shoe Bat.) Over the

kitchens at Sufton Court.

Vespertilio Noctula. (Noctule.) Found 47 individuals in a hole

in an ash tree.

Vespertilio Pipistrellus. (Pipistrelle.)

auritus. (Long-eared Bat.)

Sciurus vulgaris. (Squirrel.) Very plentiful.

Myoxus avellanarius. (Dormouse.) Not general.

Mus sylvaticus. (Field Mouse.) Common.

Musculus. (House Mouse.) Common.

decumanus. (Brown Rat.) Common.

Arvicola agrestis. (Field Campagnol.) Very numerous.

riparia. (Bank Campagnol?) I am unable to insert this

species for certainty, as only one specimen has come under my ob-

servation, and that in a damaged state.

amphibia. (Water Rat.) Common.

Lepus timidus. (Hare.) May 27th 1839. My attention was at-

tracted by a hare carrying something in her mouth, and upon con-

cealing myself she passed within two or three yards of me, and I di-

stinctly saw she was carrying a leveret a week old: her purpose

seemed concealment, as she took it into some thick fern, and I saw

no more of her.

Cuniculus. (Rabbit.) Common. A black var. is not uncom-

mon, and occasionally a yellow var. is seen.

AVES.

Falco Tinnunculus. (Kestrel.) Common.

Accipiter fringillarius. (Sparrow Hawk.)

Milvus Ictinus. (Kite?) Only inserted on the authority of my

gamekeeper.

Buteo vuigaris. (Common Buzzard.)

Otus Brachyoios. (Short-eared Owl.) A single bird killed Nov.

1839.

Striz flammea. (White Owl.) Common.

Syrnium Aluco. (Tawny Owl.)

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.5. No.30. May 1840. O

186 Mr. Lingwood’s Outline of a

Lanius Collurio. (Red-backed Shrike.) Not common.

Muscicapa luctuosa. (Pied Flycatcher.) A pair shot June 1839.

Turdus viscivorus. (Missel Thrush.)

pilaris. (Fieldfare.) Common in winter.

-musicus. (Song Thrush.) Common.

iliacus. (Redwing.) Common in winter. |

— Merula. (Blackbird.) Common. |

Accentor modularis. (Hedge Accentor.) Common.

Sylvia Rubecula. (Redbreast.) Common. |

Luscinia. (Nightingale.) Not common. .

Atricapilla. (Blackcap.)

cinerea. (Whitethroat.) Common.

sibilatriz, (Wood Wren.) Common.

Trochilus? (Willow Wren.) .

Hippolais. (Chiffchaff.) Common.

Regulus aurocapillus. (Gold-crested Regulus. )

ignicapillus. (Fire-crested Regulus.) The latter appears

the more plentiful species.

Motacilla alba. (Pied Wagtail.) Common.

Boarula. (Gray Wagtail.) ;

flava. (Yellow Wagtail.) Not common,

Parus major. (Great Titmouse.) Common.

ceruleus. (Blue Titmouse.) Common.

—— palustris. (Marsh Titmouse.) Common.

— ater. (Cole Titmouse.)

caudatus. (Long-tailed Titmouse.) Common.

Alauda arvensis. (Skylark.) Common.

arborea. (Wood Lark.) Common.

Emberiza Scheniculus. (Reed Bunting.) Common.

Citrinella. (Yellow Bunting.)

Fringilla Celebs. (Chaffinch.) Common,

domestica. (House Sparrow.) Common.

— Chloris. (Green Grosbeak.)

——— Carduelis. (Goldfinch.) Common.

— cannabina. (Common Linnet.)

Pyrrhula vulgaris. (Bullfinch.) Common.

Sturnus vulgaris. (Starling.) Common.

Corvus Coraz. (Raven.) Breeds in Stoke Park.

Corone. (Crow.) Common.

frugilegus. (Rook.) Common.

—— Monedula. (Jackdaw.)

—— Pica. (Magpie.) Common.

Fd ||

Fauna for Part of Herefordshire. 18

Garrulus glandarius. (Jay.) Common,

Picus viridis. (Green Woodpecker.) Common.

Yunx Torquilla, (Wryneck.) ;

Certhia familiaris. (Common Creeper.) Common.

Troglodytes Europeus. (Common Wren.) Common.

Sitta Huropea. (Nuthatch.) Common.

Cuculus canorus. (Cuckso.) WHeard 22nd April 1839, for the

first time.

Hirundo rustica. (Swallow.) Common.

urbica. (Marten.) Common.

riparia. (Bank Marten.) Common.

Cypselus Apus. (Common Swift.) Common.

Caprimulgus Europeus. (Goatsucker.) Not common.

Columba Palumbus. (Ringdove.) Common : breeds in great num-

bers.

— Gnas. (Stockdove.) Found a nest in a hollow tree.

May 1839.

— Turtur. Not common.

Phasianus colchicus. (Common Pheasant.)

torquatus. (Ring-necked Pheasant.) And all inter-

mediate varicties.

Perdix cinerea. (Common Partridge.)

Vanellus cristatus. (Lapwing.) Not common.

Ardea cinerea. (Heron.)

Scolopax Rusticola. (Woodcock.)

Gallinago. (Snipe.)

- Gallinula. (Jack Snipe.)

Crex pratensis. (Corncrake.) Common.

Gallinula chloropus. (Common Gallinule.) Common.

Anas Boschas. (Mallard.)

Crecca. (Teal.)

Mareca Penelope. (Widgeon.)

Reprita.

Lacerta agilis. (Common Lizard.) Not general.

Anguis fragilis. (Blind-worm.) Common.

Natriz torquata. (Snake.) Not common.

Vipera communis. (Common Viper.) I killed one in Oct. 1839,

measuring 34 inches in length.

AMPHIBIA.

Rana temporaria. (Frog.)

Bufo vulgaris. (Toad.)

188 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

Triton palustris. (Warty Eft.)

punctatus. (Common Eft.)

PIscEs.

Perca fluviatilis. (Perch.)

Cottus Gobio. (Bullhead.)

Cyprinus Carpio. (Common Carp. )

Gobio. (Gudgeon.)

Tinca. (Tench.)

Rutilus. (Roach.)

Leuciscus. (Dace.)

Cephalus. (Chub.)

——— Phoxinus. (Minnow.)

Cobitis barbatula. (Bearded Loach.)

Esox Lucius. (Pike.)

Salmo Salar. (Common Salmon.)

Fario. (Common Trout.)

Thymallus vulgaris. (Grayling.)

Platessa Flesus. (Flounder.) A single specimen caught with rod

and line Dec. 1839, in river Lug, below Mordiford Bridge.

Anguilla acutirostris. (Sharp-nosed Eel.)

latirostris. (Broad-nosed Eel.)

\ In river Lug.

XXII.—Monograph of the Dorylide, a Family of the Hyme- —

noptera Heterogyna. By W. E. Suucxkarp, Esq.

Tue discovery of an insect that will, I expect, help to clear up the

difficulty which has hitherto attended the completion of these genera,

as yet consisting of males only, has induced me to undertake the pre-

sent monograph. Although the materials with which I entered upon

this task were rather scanty, they have grown upon my hands and

are now coextensive with the metropolitan collections; and when

we know that these comprise the collections of many individuals, all

much attached to the order Hymenoptera, we must conclude that

these genera are naturally poor in individuals, although the number

of species that I produce far exceed all that have been hitherto de-

scribed. In the genus Dorylus three species only have yet been

noticed, two African and one Indian, but it is very questionable if”

one of the African species may not, understood under the name of

D. helvolus, consist of many species from that quarter of the globe

which constitute the majority of the family, for Africa is evidently

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 189

its metropolis. Our present knowledge of the range of the genus

Labidus is of much more limited extent: it has hitherto been found

only in the intertropical portion of the New World. As confusion

attends the nomenclature of the species hitherto recorded, and

wherein evidently several have been included, it will perhaps repay

the trouble of investigation to subject them to a critical examination,

for thus only will it be possible to extricate them from the disorder

into which they have fallen. This has, I have no doubt, arisen from

their great rarity, as probably not more than a single specimen, or

perhaps specimens. of a single species, have been at the time in the

possession of either of the several describers, who have all attributed

it to that originally published, never more than doubtfully surmising

the possible existence of any but that one species; and so fully pre-

occupied must they have been with this idea, otherwise the disparity

of the descriptions would have evinced at once that they belonged

to different insects.

The situation which these genera occupy in the system, and their

right to form a separate family, has been latterly subjected to discus-

sion by very competent individuals—le Comte de St. Fargeau in

France, and Mr. Haliday in our own country, who both seem dis-

posed to unite them permanently with the social Heterogyna or Ants,

and these views they have supported by many arguments. It is

however only latterly that they have been separated from the Mutil-

lid, and by these same gentlemen, although less definitely and di-

stinctly by St. Fargeau, who calls them Genera provisionally ap-

proximated to the Heterogyna*. But Mr. Haliday has first raised

them to a family equivalent to the whole of the social Ants, and

which with them constitute his tribe Heterogynat, and he at the

* [t is by this author in the same work, ‘ Hist. Nat. des Insect.’ Hymen.

(and in which he is followed by Mr. Haliday), that the term Heterogyna was

restricted exclusively to the Social Ants. Latreille comprised within it the

Mutillide also, and it thus consequently embraced all the aculeate Hyme-

noptera with apterous females. If the distribution thus introduced is to

hold, and they are to be subdivided, and each division to be considered equi-

valent to the other tribes, the name Heterogyna ought to remain with what

we now understand by the Mutillide, as it is only these that have anoma-

lous females, this sex in the tribe of Ants, as far as they are yet known,

being all winged like their males; the term therefore in application to them *

is very inappropriate, unless in reference to other sexual discrepancies, and

then it could be as legitimately applied to many other Hymenoptera. I shall

have occasion shortly to go more particularly into this subject, and shall

then discuss the propriety of the present contents and distribution of the

whole of Latreille’s Heterogyna and the neighbouring groups.

+ Dr. Leach had previously formed them into a family by the naine

Dorylide, which he incorporated with the tribe Mutzllarides, and he made

them equivalent to the whole of the remainder of the Mutzllida.

190 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

same time makes the whole of Latreille’s Diploptera intervene be-

tween them and the Mutillide. I am prepared with Mr. Haliday to

consider them as constituting afamily, but certainly not to be united

at present with the Ants, nor yet can they be incorporated with the

tribe Mutillide, miscalled a family, which distinctly contains several

natural families, but they are a connecting link between the two. In

favour of my opinion of their being as intimately allied to the Mu-

tillide as to the Ants, I may in the first place adduce the argumentum

ad verecundiam,—the opinions of some celebrated entomologists,—of

Linneus, Fabricius, and Latreille. It is true, Linnzeus first placed

the insect, which for several years singly constituted the genus

Dorylus, in the genus Vespa*, but he immediately afterwards

transferred it to Mutillat, with this note however—<* Singularis spe-

cies, forte hujus generis.” The first time that Fabricius notices it

is in his Mantissat, for he does not mention it in his two preceding

works, and there he says, ‘‘ Hujus generis videtur, quamvis habitus

differt, nondum rite examinata. Potius forte ad Tiphias pertinet :”

and in his next work, the Entomol. Systemat., he constructs for it the

genus Dorylus, and very truly says, ‘‘ Genus singulare, instrumentis

cibariis, mandibulis exceptis, minutissimis, attamen distinctis :”

and he here places the genus between the last of his genera of Ants

and the genus Muti/la, and subsequently made no alteration in it

except by the addition of two species, the claims of which will be

examined below. Latreille invariably throughout all his works

placed it with the Mutillide, and we may conclude from this that his

views never vacillated regarding its position ; for although his works

present a gradual and progressive alteration as to the grouping of

insects—not always for the better—yet in this instance he was uni-

formly the same; and swayed doubtlessly by his observation in his

‘ Genera Crustaceor.§,’ where he says of the two genera, of which

he had there formed a distinct section of the family, “‘ Labidorum

et Dorylorum ceconomia latet, et masculi tantum noti ; femine forsan

apterz et solitariz degentes. Si, ut formicarie, societates inirent,

frequentius quam masculi colligerentur.”” But he here places them

in close approximation to the genus Formica. Jurine, although the

“founder of the genus Labidus, can scarcely be adduced as an author-

ity for systematic distribution; yet he also places them in close

approach to the Ants, but before Cynips, and puts the genus Labidus

in juxtaposition with Dorylus, of which no doubt was ever enter-

* Museum, Ludov. Ulric. Regin. p. 412.

+ System. Nat. ii. 967. t Tom. i. p. 313. 18. 1787.

§ Genera Crust. et Insect. p. 124. Annotatio.

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 191

tained except by St. Fargeau*, although he says apparent analogy

induces him to leave them together. To me however it is evident

that, with the exception of the small difference in the neuration of

the wings, the genera are very much alike, and this affinity is still

further proved by means of the new genus I describe below by the

name of nictus ambiguus, which deprived of its wings might

easily pass for a Labidus, it having the same kind of canaliculated

peduncle to the abdomen, and legs like the latter, for neither femora

nor tibie are compressed as in the typical Doryli.

In reviewing the arguments urged by St. Fargeau for placing these

genera with the Social Ants in opposition to the views of Latreille, I

cannot think that founded upon the structure and relative propor-

tions of the antennze of any value at all, as in the several species of

each of these genera the structure and proportions of these organs

differ considerably; and besides this, in very many of the males of

the Social Ants, indeed, I may say in the majority of them, the

scape or first joint of the antenna is not one-third of the length of

the entire organ. In the structure of the mandibles, which he also

cites in support of his opinion, there are, especially in the genus Do-

rylus, considerable differences in the species, and nothing can be

more fallacious than to suppose that the structure of these organs in

the genus Dorylus can possibly indicate eedificatorial habits; for they are

edentate, forcipate, and considerably slighter in proportion than the

male mandibles in the great majority of the genera of the well-known

solitary Heterogyna: and his argument from the structure of the

wing is not so strong as he might have made it if he had adduced

the single recurrent nervure, which is a structure never found in the

normal solitary Heterogyna, for they have invariably two recurrent

nervurest. I admit that the mere absence of the females proves

nothing as to the solitary habits of these genera, although I think

with Latreille as above cited, that the presumption is in favour of

their being so.

In confirmation of St. Fargeau’s views, Mr. Haliday, as I observed

above, has formed these two genera into a family, and has placed

them in the same tribe with the Social Heterogyna, making them

equivalent to the whole of this tribe ; and in corroboration of St. Far-

geau, he says, ‘‘ Dorylidas societate victuros more Formicarum con-

tendit Peletierus argumentis equidem gravissimis, quibus adjicienda

* Hist. des Hymenopt. vol. i. p. 227.

7 Certainly with the exception of the genus 4pterogyna, which is another

anomalous form, and which seems to be also another connecting link at a

different point with the Social Heterogyna.

192 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

videntur—squamularum defectus, (alas alterius sexus caducas innuens)

et mesothorax spiraculum insigne, a structura Mutillarum aliena.”

Having above shown that these supposed weighty arguments of St.

Fargeau are not valid, I think their corroboration must fall with

them ; for both of these genera have very distinct squamulz (or te-

gulze) ; and the mesothoracic spiracle is also conspicuous in many of

the Mutillide, particularly so in the few smooth and glabrous females

of the genus Mutilla itself.

If it had been possible consistently to overrule the plausibility of

these being solitary insects from our previous ignorance of any that

might have been appropriately assigned to them as females, the ma-

jority of the few arguments which I shall adduce in favour of their

constituting a separate family, and to intervene between the Social

Ants and the Mutillide, would have helped to strengthen the sup-

posed connexion with the social tribes, which however I admit to be

only a very close affinity. ‘They are these: lst. The before-men-

tioned solitary recurrent nervure to the wings; 2nd. The single

calcar to all the tibie; 3rd. The labrum closely shutting the oral

orifice and inclosing all the internal trophi; 4th. The curtailed

structure of the palpi; and 5th. The enormous size of the male ge-

nital organ.

The first two circumstances evidently separate them from the Mu-

tillide, which in all instances have two calcaria to the four posterior

legs; and two recurrent nervures to the superior wings, with the so-

litary exception before noticed ; but it is necessary to observe that

in Dorylus the insertion of the recurrent nervure is considerably

further in advance towards the second submarginal cell than it ever

occurs in any of the Social Heterogyna that have but two submar-

ginal cells. The closing of the labrum is found frequently amongst

the Social Ants, but it also occurs in the Solitary Heterogyna in the

female Thynnide : the fourth instance peculiarly separates them from

both tribes ; but in the fifth, the structure of the male organ, they ex-

clusively resemble several of the Solitary Heterogyna, for this is evi-

dently both in form and size a prehensile organ, and we know that

it is used as such in the males of several of the genera of these soli-

tary insects who thus seize and carry off their females; and W. 8.

MacLeay, Esq. has recently informed me in a letter from Sydney,

New South Wales, that this is universally the case in the New Hol-

land Thynnide, and we consequently find, where this is the case, that

the male is much the largest insect. This last observation is not

limited to these families, for it is confirmed in the genera Anthidium

and Anthophora, amongst the Bees, both of which carry off their fe-

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 193

males and are always larger than that sex. In the Ants however

the males are, as far as I correctly know them, invariably smaller

and frequently disproportionately so to their partners, consequently

this analogy is strongly in favour of the connexion of these genera

with the Mutillide, although three of the preceding speak for their

union to the social Ants. I think therefore that this combination

and the peculiarity incident to themselves only in the structure of

their palpi warrant me in the present state of our knowledge to

consider them an osculant tribe intervening between these two, and

as such I shall view them.

With respect to their habits of life I have nothing positive to

state ; I will however hazard the hypothesis that they are parasitical.

The Ants and the Staphylini have been supposed to represent each

other in the tropical and temperate zones. In the temperate zone,

and especially in our own country, the Staphylini are a dominant

group, and the ants a secondary one. The reverse is the case

within the tropics, and the lines immediately adjacent within a few

degrees north and south. In our own country and throughout

Europe we find several species of this northern dominant group pa-

rasitical in the nests of Ants; and, ceteris paribus,why may there not

be, where the Ants themselves are the dominant group, an analogous

instance of a genus closely allied to the Ants parasitical upon them ?

For the genus Bombus is another dominant northern group which

has a parasite—the genus Psithyrus—so like it, that they were not

until latterly separated from it, although sufficiently distinct; and in

this genus Psithyrus the males greatly predominate in number.

Now if I can show that the two genera Dorylus and Labidus are

considerably alike, and in many points analogous to the genus Po-

nera among the Ants, which although not exclusively a tropical

form, yet chiefly so,—which however strays into Europe and as far

north as England, but it is most fully developed in Africa and South

America, and another form of it wanders into New Holland*,—I think

it will be admitted that there is some plausibility in the supposition

that these extraordinary genera may possibly be parasites upon the

Social Ants ; and when it is further seen that the female, which I sur-

mise may belong to the genus Labidus, is both apterous and blind,

it becomes further probable that she may seldom quit the nest

where she is a parasite ; and this will in a great measure account for

specimens of this sex rarely coming to Europe, asit is not to be sup-

* There are three distinct types in the genus Ponera, which ought to form

so many sections, and these seem to follow countries, viz. northern, south-

ern and tropical.

194 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

posed that disturbing a nest of Ants for the sake of examining its

contents, even if it have ever been thought of within the tropics, is

there the same slight matter that it is here, and that it may be exe-

cuted with the same impunity. The colonies of these insects in hot

climates are very populous, and their sting much more venomous

than here, the poison increasing in intensity with the degree of heat;

besides which, the collectors in those climates are either natives or

negroes, who would be contented with what chance might throw in

their way, without exposing themselves to the possibility of a con-

flict with such redoubtable opponents as a colony of Ants.

I am prepared, in pursuit of the above conjecture, to show a con-

siderable degree of resemblance, as I said just now, in many points

of analogy between Ponera and the Dorylide. 1 possess a male of

the former from Western Africa, which in its minute head, large

ocelli, elongate cylindrical body, and node of the abdomen, very much

resembles a Dorylus, and in the neuration of its wings it is a close

approximation to Labidus; but notwithstanding these particulars it

is but an analogy, for the trophi are totally dissimilar, and there it is

a genuine Ant. I have just now stated the female which I have so

often alluded to is blind, and this is the case in the species of Po-

nera that occurs in this country, the only European species of the ge-

nus ; and besides which this remarkable little female has three mi-

nute spines at the apex of the abdomen, a character found in the

Ponera crassinoda from Demerara, but which occurs, as far as I have

had the opportunity of examining, in no other female of any hyme-

nopterous genus. In Labidus also the calcar of the four posterior

legs is dilated at its base and acuminated at the apex, a character

found in one of each of the calcaria of the four posterior legs of

Ponera; these I consider all strong analogical circumstances. In

conclusion I would observe that I think it extremely probable that

these females are of very voracious habits, for the perfect one I pos-

sess has within its mandibles a portion of the wing of apparently a

Termes* ; and the second species, of which I have only the head, is

attached by the mandible to the thigh of a large Formica, an insect

six times its size. I willingly allow that an important portion of the

whole of this argument wants direct confirmation as far as regards

what I consider may be the female Labidus, for although the points

of resemblance which I shall below show are many and strong, yet

are they only conjectural: but how shall it be proved or disproved,

* IL once thought it possible that they might be parasitical upon this ge-

nus, but I speedily discarded this idea as merely a vague hypothesis.

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 195

i unless by actual observation, that it does or does not belong to this

genus, and what its sex may be—and when may we hope for this ?

In the absence of such direct testimony, and of any insect that may

: be more consistently united with this little female as its legitimate

partner, I shall not hesitate continuing to consider my conjecture

. of their identity as correct, particularly as it seems confirmed by the

structure of the palpi in all.

I shall here therefore terminate these general observations, and

proceed with the Monograph, premising that I have found it neces-

sary throughout to give ample specific descriptions to prevent the

possibility of mistake. I consider the position of the family in the

system will stand thus :

HETEROGYNA, Larr.

~ Socrauss, Latr.

Formicide, &c.

Parasitica? Shuck.

Dorylide, Haid.

Souitariaz, Latr.

Mutillide, &c. &c.

Family Doryuipa, Haliday.

Doryuipa, Leach.*

Cuar. Head transverse, small.

Lyes and ocelli large and prominent.

Antenne setaceous, not geniculated.

Mandibles edentate, forcipate.

Body elongate, cylindrical ; superior wings with two or three submarginal

cells and one or two recurrent nervures: one calear to all the tibiz.

Abdomen with the basal segment usually smaller than the following, from

which it is separated by a deep incision.

Table of the Genera.

One recurrent nervure :

Three submarginal cells .............c0e0eees 1. Lasipus, Jurine.

Two submarginal cells

Hemora ‘ey lindrical:ja. 5. .cccsiecasosieceeé 2. Ainicrus, Shuck.

Femora compressed ....-...ecesseeee .... 3d. Doryius, Fab.

Mise FECUTrent NET VULPES: bs discnkscohok pb vaecchocdes 4, Ruocmus, Shuck.

I have arranged the family according to what I consider their most

* In Brewster’s Encyclop. Art. Entomology.

196 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

proximate affinities. Thus Rhogmus by its two recurrent nervures

leads off to the Mutillide, and from general habit Dorylus closely

approaches it: between the latter and Labidus intervenes AZnictus,

which participates in the characters of both; whilst finally, taking

them inversely, Labidus distinctly points towards Ponera amongst

the Social Heterogyna.

Genus 1. Lasrpus, Jurine.

Dorytus, Fab. partly ?

Cuar. Body elongate, cylindrical.

Head small, short, transverse, flat.

Antenne varying in length, usually setaceous, curved and inserted within

two facial projections (forming vertical carinz) upon the anterior mar-

gin of the nearly obsolete clypeus, the scape never more than one-fourth

the length of the flagellum, the apex of which frequently extends as far

back as the insertion of the superior wings.

Eyes large, lateral, subglobose, and very prominent.

Ocelli large and very prominent, and placed in a curve upon the vertex.

Mandibles elongate, slender, arcuate, and forcipate, always leaving an open

space usually semicircular between them and the clypeus.

Labrum triangular, the apex rounded, and in repose shutting down upon

and inclosing the internal trophi.

Mazxille ?

Maxillary palpi two-jointed, shorter than the labial ? *

Labial palpi two-jointed, slender, the basal joint the longest.

Labium triangular.

Thorax ovate, gibbous: prothorax extending laterally to the insertion of

the wings, which is at about half the length of the thorax: scutellum

transverse: metathorax perpendicular and abruptly truncated.

Superior wings usually as long or longer than the abdomen, rarely shorter,

* Tatreille throughout all his works says the ‘‘ maxillary palpi are at

least as long as the labial, and consist of four or at least three joints.” (Palpi

maxillares labialium saltem longitudine, articulis quatuor aut ad minimum

tribus.— Genera Crustac. et Insect., iv. 123.) except in his portion of the

‘Régne Animal’ of Cuvier, where he says, vol. v. p. 315, that they consist of

at least four joints: but he here further says of this genus, that the man-

dibles are shorter and less slender than in Dorylus; the reverse of which

is the case. Now all this implies very unsatisfactory uncertainty, and I am

therefore disposed to consider that Jurine is correct, and that the palpi are

constructed as stated in the text. I have unfortunately not had the oppor-

tunity of dissecting a specimen, as only single specimens of any species are

extant in any collection, and the extreme minuteness of the parts would in-

volve the certain destruction of the head: from the saine cause I have been

unable to examine the male sexual organ, and to compare it with those of

the other genera; but this is the less necessary here, as the geuus is otherwise

very obviously distinguishable from the rest.

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 197

with one marginal and three submarginal cells, which vary in form in

the species, and one recurrent nervure, which is inserted about the

middle of the second submarginal cell *.

Legsvarying in length in the species: cove large, not deeply excavated above:

trochanters small, triangular : femora and tibi@é cylindrical, all the latter

with a single calcar at their apex, which is usually dilated at the base :

tarsi long and slender, the basal joint the most robust and the longest,

the remainder decreasing in length, excepting the terminal one, which

is a little longer than the penultimate: claws armed with a minute

tooth just within the apex, and furnished with a small pulvillus within

their fork.

Abdomen cylindrical, slightly curved, the segments frequently slightly con-

stricted, the basal one forming a variously constructed peduncle, oc-

casionally either flat or concave above, but most frequently transversely

convex, and always separated from the following by a deep incisure.

Penultimate and antepenultimate segments subequal, and the terminal

one strictly compressed vertically at its apex, where it is profoundly

emarginate.—The male sexual organ usually protruding in the form of

a deeply canaliculated and emarginated plate or two acuminated com-

pressed and curved spines f.

Type of the genus, Lasipus Latreilli, Jurine.

As far as yet discovered, the insects of this genus are all from the

New World, and I believe inter- or subtropical. Their habits have

not been observed, nor have their females been yet detected with cer-

tainty, although it is perhaps probable that the insects I describe

below as such may be so; at all events they have a decidedly close

affinity to the present genus. The arguments whereby I support

this view will be exhibited in connexion with the insects themselves.

Although three species of this genus have been described, they have

been attributed to the same, but that they are not identical will be

shown in the synonymy. As the first species was described by a

patronymic, I have followed this example, and have dedicated them

all to individuals distinguished for their attachment to the Hyme-

noptera.

* The larger relative proportions of the wings in this genus is shown by a

comparison of their expansion with the length of the insect; I have therefore

always given both these admeasurements.

+ The form of this organ I regret I cannot examine, for the sake of com-

parison with those of the other genera of this remarkable family. It must

necessarily very much differ from the others, even more than they do inter

se, from the peculiar structure of the apex of the terminal segment; but I

suspect it would most resemble that of Rhogmus, with which the genus

agrees in the vertical incision of the dorsal portion of the terminal seg-

ment.

198 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

* Peduncle subtriangular and concave above.

Sp. 1. Lab. Fargeavii, Shuck. Length 14 lines.

Rufo-fusco-hirtus, capite thoraceque et femoribus nigris, cetera rufo-fuscus,

abdomine supra rufo-sericeo.

Labidus Latreillii, St. Margeau, Hist. Nat. des Hymenop. (Suites

a Buffon), tom. 1. p. 229. i.

“ Head and antenne black. Mandibles brown black. Thorax black : me-

tathorax prolonged in the centre of its sides into an obtuse point. Ab-

domen, legs, and tarsi reddish brown. First segment of the abdomen

furrowed longitudinally above ; its sides raised into a carina which ter-

minates posteriorly in a point. The whole insect enveloped in long

reddish upright hair, excepting the back of the 2—5 and base of the

sixth segments of the abdomen, but which are covered with a close de-

cumbent reddish silky down. Femora blackish. Wings of a reddish

yellow.”

I have not seen the preceding insect, but a comparison of its de-

scription, which is verbally translated above, with the next but one,

which is the genuine Lab. Latreillit, will distinctly show that they

must be different, and that the present one was incorrectly attri-

buted. I have consequently given it the name of its distinguished

describer. It is apparently the largest in the genus. |

Sp. 2. Lab. Jurinii, Shuck. Length 102 lines ;

Expansion 20 lines.

Rufo-testaceus, pubescens : capite (mandibulis antennisque exceptis) nigro ;

-pedunculo abdominis subtrigonv, supra valde concavo ; pedibus longis-

simis.

Entirely ofa reddish testaceous, excepting the vertex and the face, which are

black. It is throughout pubescent, excepting the metathorax and the

surface of the peduncle. The antenne are long, setaceous, and curved;

the scape robust, and about one-fourth the length of these organs,

which are inserted about the middle of the clypeus, within two deep

cavities internally acutely carinated, and these carine, which ascend

the face, abruptly truncated at about one-third the length of the scape :

ocelli placed in an equilateral triangle on the vertex: mandibles very

long and much arched, leaving a nearly circular space between them

and the clypeus.

Thorax having the scutellum moderately large and prominent, not very gib-

bous: metathorax smooth and shining, nearly perpendicular : superior

wings with their marginal cell lanceolate; the first submarginal penta-

gonal, and larger than the second, from which it is separated by a waved

transverso-cubital ; the second transverso-cubital straight and directly

transverse; the recurrent nervure inserted at about one-third the length

of the second submarginal: legs long, the posterior pair extending as

rs, 4 OT 8 eee

lie Sia ad a

a eee

ee es ee

te a ee

ee oe,

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 199

far as the apex of the abdomen: the basal joint of the posterior tarsi

very robust.

Abdomen opake, curved downwards, the segments not constricted: the

peduncle subtrigonal, narrower than the following, rounded at the base,

concave and shining above, the posterior angles produced, and the ven-

tral portion smooth and not produced; the terminal segment vertically

but not acutely compressed at its extreme apex, where it is deeply

emarginate.

In my own cabinet.

This species is from Demerara I believe. The difference of size

prevents my considering it the type, which is the next ; this, although

not a conclusive point in the majority of insects, I think may by

analogy be considered so here, for in the genus Dorylus, in which I

have had the opportunity of examining many individuals of several

species, there is none or but a very immaterial difference in their

size. In the present genus I have seen but single specimens of any

species. ‘To judge from the description, the distribution of colour,

and the structure, are apparently the same, excepting that in the

next the neuration of the wings is brown, whereas in this they are

of the same colour as the body.

Sp. 3. Lab. Latreillii, Jurine. Length 8 lines.

Rufo-testaceus, pubescens : capite (mandibulis, antennisque exceptis) nigri-

cante ; pedunculo abdominis subtrigono, supra in medio plano, ad latera

elevato; nervis alarum brunneis.

Jurine, Nouv. Method. Hymenop., p. 282.

Latreille, Genera Crustac. et Insect. iv. 123.

Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat., 2e éd. tom. xvii. 141.

“‘ Body reddish, pubescent. Head blackish, excepting the antenne and

mandibles, which are of the same colour as the body. Ocelli are placed

in a triangle on the vertex: the superior wings are of a bright fulvous

tint, and the nervures brown; their marginal cell is oval and elongate ;

the first submarginal is nearly square, the second is smaller and receives

the recurrent nervure: the tibize increase in thickness to their extre-

mity, and the calcar at their apex is broad at the base, as is also the

basal joint of the tarsi.

“ The abdomen is elongate and curved at its apex; the peduncle has the

form of a saddle, the sides being raised.”

This insect Latreille says is from Cayenne. I have not seen the

species, consequently his description given in the second edition of

the ‘ Nouveau Dictionnaire d’ Hist. Nat.’ is here repeated. It is

very probable that he received it from M. Jurine, who dedicated

the species to him. Others have frequently been mistaken for it,

but I think its size and other peculiarities sufficiently distinguish it

200 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

from any that I know. It is remarkable that this genus should have

suffered neglect so long as to have had but one species distinctly

recorded.

** Peduncle more or less convex.

+ Transverse-quadrate.

Sp. 4. Lab. Halidaii, Shuck. Length 7 lines;

Expansion 14% lines.

Rufo-testaceus, pubescens: capite (clypeo, mandibulis antennisque exceptis)

nigro; stigma alarum brunnea: et abdominis pedunculo transverso-

quadrato, suprain medio convexo. :

Lab. Latreillii, Haliday. Linn. Trans., vol. xvii. p. 328.

Body reddish testaceous, pubescent, especially about the cox, beneath the

peduncle, and towards the apex of the abdomen. Head black, except-

_ ing the clypeus, mandibles and antennz, which are of the same colour — ink

as the body; the latter are inserted nearer the middle of the face than

usual, the carinz behind which they are inserted terminating abruptly 54

near the anterior ocellus. The ocelli iets in acurve upon the verti a

tenn: the mandibles small, leaving but a small aperture Satw een theta

and the clypeus.

Thorax very gibbous in front, as also at the scutellum: metathorax abruptly —

perpendicular, slightly produced laterally : superior wings with theists

stigma brown, marginal cell lanceolate, slightly acuminated from the ©

apex of the second submarginal, and scarcely larger than either of the -

two first submarginals, which are also nearly equal in size: the first

transverso-cubital nervure straight, and the second cubital cell recei-

* ving the recurrent nervure at about one half of its length, beyond which

the cubital nervure becomes a little thickened: legs short and very

slender. -

Abdomen very shining : its first segment transverse-quadrate, and a little —

wider than the second, the posterior angles truncated, and with a small |

convex elevation in the centre of its superior surface, its ventral por “i

tion scarcely produced; the third and fourth segments slightly con-_

stricted at their base, and the terminal one acutely vertically compressed.

at its apex, where it has a deep fissure; and the sexual organ protru- 2

ding beneath in the form of aslightly convex plate, deeply emarginateg <0 4

SU ie oe

ay a

with the lateral processes very acute. a :

In the collection of Capt. King, R.N. and Mr. Curtis. — she

This insect is from St. Paul, on the Brazilian coast. It is the a >

specimen examined by Mr. Haliday, and considered as the Labides = , # es

Latreillii in his description of Capt. King’s insects; but that it is not — fF

this insect, a comparison of its description with the preceding will

amply show. I have accordingly dedicated it to Mr. Haliday. In

the observations on the next species I shall mark its differences

from that.

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 201

. Sp. 5. Lab. Swainsonii, Shuck. Length 6 lines ;

Expansion 13 lines.

- Rufo- testaceus, pubescens, capiie (mandibulis antennisque exceptis) cas-

taneo: pedunculo abdominis transverso-quadrato supra subconvexo ;

pedibus brevis.

~ Body of a pale reddish testaceous. Head, with the exception of the man-

dibles and antenne, of a bright castaneous; the carinze of the face,

behind which the antenne are inserted, very prominent, and termi-

nating gradually in front of the anterior ocellus; the ocelli placed in a

curved line on the vertex: the antenne having the flagellum at the

base, as stout as the scape, which is a little less than one-fourth the

length of the organ: mandibles long and very slender, leaving a large

semicircular space between them and the clypeus.

Thorax in front and scutellum very gibbous : metathorax perpendicular and

slightly produced laterally: superior wings with their nervures and

stigma pale testaceous: the marginal cell lanceolate, slightly acumi-

nated beyond the second submarginal, the first of the latter narrow,

pentagonal, less than the second, from which it is separated by a waved

nervure : the second also narrow, but growing more so towards its apex,

where it is separated by a short straight nervure from the following ; it

1 is much less than the marginal cell, and has the recurrent nervure in-

ea serted about its middle, beyond which to the apex of this cell the cu-

ji ce bital nervure is considerably thickened: legs short and slender.

pabdomen slightly shining, its peduncle transverse-quadrate, with the angles

rounded, the surface plane, except towards its apex, where it has a slight.

convex transverse ridge, and is as wide as the second segment, its

-_- ventral portion slightly produced; the base of all the segments very

3 slightly constricted, and the extreme apex of the terminal one consi-

derably compressed vertically, where it has a deep fissure: the male

_--_—_—s sexual organ protruding beneath, in the form of a deeply and con-

: eavely emarginated plate, the lateral processes of which form acutely

--——s aeunminated slightly upcurved spines.

: In my own collection.

a This imsect was captured by Mr. Swainson in the Brazils, to

_ whose entomological exertions there we are indebted for the know-

_ ledge of several undescribed species, and this I accordingly dedicate

~ to him. It is distinguished from the preceding by many particulars,

but most obviously by the relative proportions of the marginal and

_ first and second submarginal cells.

[To be continued. ]

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.5. No. 30. May 1840. P

202 Mr. Schomburgk on the Snake-nut Tree.

XXIII.—Description of the Snake-nut Tree of Guiana. By

Rosert H. Scuompurek, C.M. R.G.S.*

{ With a Plate.]

For several years past nuts of the size of a walnut were

brought from the interior to Georgetown in Demerara, the

kernel of which when opened, and the membrane which co-

vered it being removed, displayed the striking resemblance to

a snake ‘coiled up.’ There was the head, the mouth, the

eyes, so complete, that one unacquainted with the fact would

have believed them to be an imitation made by human hands,

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 acreeper; 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 Terebinthacee, nearly related to the division Ju-

——=

* Communicated to the Linnean Society, and read June 6, 1837.

Mr. Schomburgk on the Snake-nut Tree. 203

glandie*. All the buds which I opened consisted apparently

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. TrEREBINTHACES.

Calyx imbricatus. Corolla 3-petala. Drupa bivalvis. 1-sperma.

Vulg. Snake-nut tree.

Arbor excelsa, truncus glaber, cortice levi cinereo. Folia pinnata; fo-

liola petiolata 3—-G6-juga cum impari, lanceolato-ovata, acuminata, in-

tegerrima, subcoriacea, venosa, glabra, nitida. Petioliuniversales supra

ceanaliculati, glabri, articulati, partiales breves. Flores paniculati;

paniculz in ramulis terminales subinde axillares; ramosz; floribus

brevissime pedicellatis, numerosis confertis. Calyx imbricatus. © Co-

rolla 3-petala, ovata, concava. Drupa coriacea unisperma, unilocu-

laris, glabra, spherica. Nux dura, glabra, bivalvis, unilocularis; nucleo

albo.

Hab. in sylvis Guiane prope fluvium Essequibo. Floret Aprili.

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 Anacardie and Juglandiea.

204 Mr. Schomburek 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 DeCandolle’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 ‘tigelle’ 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 inte 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: 4, is the radicle or rhizoma; b, the neck, tigelle, or

collet; c, the two cotyledons, which have been unfolded, as they are other-

wise applied to dd, and partly surround the embryo.

The figures in Plate II]. 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, under Captain R. Bo1reau Pemberton. By W. Grir-

FITH, Esq., Madras Medical Establishment.

{Continued from p. 125. ]

March \st. Proceeded to Byagur or Juggur. ‘The vegetation con-

tinued the same, the road traversing either sward or fir woods, con-

sisting 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 we 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 1m-

mediately on starting ; surmounting this, which is of an elevation at

the part we crossed of 11,035 feet, we continued for some time at the

same level, through fine open woods of Pinus 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 Moorcroft-

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 sufficiently 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 puttah, 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

we 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 any body would wish to see. It is wretchedly

situated in a very narrow ravine, drained by a petty stream, on the

Information respecting Botancal Travellers. 207

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 area

species of barberry, and a hitherto undescribed genus of Hamamelide.

No woods can be reached without ascending 1200 or 1500 feet. Bar-

ley was the chief cultivation we saw, but the crops alternated with

rice, which is here cultivated as high as 6800 feet. In the gardens

attached to the cottages, or rather huts, we observed the almond and

pear in full blossom: the only other trees were two or three weep-

ing cypresses and willows, and a solitary poplar. Nothing could

well exceed the discomfort we had to undergo during our tedious

stay at this place. Our difficulties were increased subsequently to

our arrival by the occurrence of unsettled weather, during which we

had ample proofs that Bootan houses are not always water-proof ;

we were besides incessantly annoyed with a profusion of rats, bugs,

and fleas; nor was there a single thing to counterbalance all these

inconveniences, and we consequently left the place without the sha-

dow of a feeling of regret.

March 24th. To Tchinjipjee. We commenced by ascending until

we had surmounted a ridge about 800 feet above Taseeling ; during

the remainder of the march we traversed undulating ground at nearly

the same altitude, at first through an open country, afterward through

beautiful oak and magnolia woods, until we came on the torrent

above which we had been ascending since leaving the Mateesum ; a

little further on we came on the finest temple we had seen, and si-

tuated in a most romantic spot, It stood on a fine patch of sward,

in a gorge of the ravine, the sides of which were covered with beau-

tiful cedar-looking pines; the back ground was formed by lofty

mountains covered with heavy snow. Following the river upwards

for about a mile and a half, we reached Tchinjipjee, which is situated

on the right bank of the torrent. The march was throughout beau-

tiful, particularly through the forest, which abounded in picturesque

glades. No villages or cultivation were seen. 'chinjipjee is perhaps

the prettiest place we saw in Bootan ; our halting-place stood on fine

sward, well ornamented with (Quercus seme carpifolia ?) very pictu-

resque oaks, and two fine specimens of weeping cypress. ‘The sur-

rounding hills are low, either almost entirely bare or clothed with

pines. The village is of ordinary size, and is the only one visible in

any direction ; its elevation is 786 feet. There is some cultivation

about it, chiefly of barley, mixed with radishes.

March 27th. We continued following the river upwards, the path

208 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

running generally at a small height above its bed. Having crossed

it by a rude wooden bridge, we diverged up a tributary stream, until

we reached a small village; we thence continued ascending over easy

grassy slopes, here and there prettily wooded, until we reached the

base of the chief ascent, which is not steep, but long, the path run-

ning along the margin of a rhododendron and juniper wood: the

height of its summit is 10,873 feet. Thence to Rydang was an un-

interrupted and steep descent, the path traversing very beautiful

woods of rhododendrons, oaks, yews, &c. Snow was still seen lin-

gering in sheltered places above 10,000 feet. The march throughout

was beautiful. In the higher elevations the Bogh Pat was very com-

mon. Besides the village mentioned, two temporary ones were seen

near the base of the great ascent, built for the accommodation of the

Yaks and their herdsmen: of this curious animal two herds were

seen at some distance.

March 28th. We descended directly to the river Gnee, which

drains the ravine, and continued down it sometime, crossing it once ;

then diverging up a small nullah we commenced an ascent, which did

not cease until we had reached an elevation of 8374 feet. Continuing

for some time at this elevation we traversed picturesque oak and rho-

dodendron woods, with occasionally swardy spots ; subsequently de-

scending for a long time until we reached Santagong, in the direc-

tion of which the trees became stunted, and the country presented

a barren aspect. Santagong is 6300 feet above the sea; it is a small

village, but the houses are better than ordinary. The surrounding

country, esvecially to the north, is well cultivated, and the villages

numerous. The country is bare of trees; almost the only ones to

be seen are some long leaved firs, a short distance below Santagong,

close to a small jheel abounding in water-fowl.

March 29th. From Santagong we proceeded to Phain, descending

immediately to the stream, which runs nearly 1800 feet below our

halting-place. ‘Towards Phain the soil became of a deep red colour.

This place, which is 5280 feet above the sea, is a small village, con-

taining six or seven tolerable houses.

April 1st. To Punukka. We descended rather gradually towards

the Patchien, proceeding at first north-west, and then to the north.

On reaching the stream, which is of considerable size, we followed it

up, chiefly along its banks, until we arrived at the capital, no view

of which is obtained until it is approached very closely. The val-

ley of the Patchien was throughout the march very narrow ; there

was a good deal of miserable wheat cultivation in it, and some vil-

lages, all of moderate size. ‘The country continued extremely bare.

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 209

The distance was about eleven miles. Punukka, the second capital

in Bootan, the summer residence of a long line of unconquered mo-

narchs—Punukka, to which place we had been so long looking for-

ward with feelings of delight, although the experience of Tongsa

ought to have taught us better, disappointed all of us dreadfully :

for in the first place I saw a miserable village, promising little com-

fort as respects accommodation, and one glance at the surrounding

country satisfied me that little was to be done in any branch of na-

tural history: for a narrow, unfruitful valley, hemmed in by bar-

ren hills, on which no arboreous vegetation was to be seen, except

at considerable elevation, gave no great promise of botanical suc-

cess. The capital of Bootan is for pre-eminence, miserable. The

city itself consists of some twelve or fifteen houses, half of which are

on the left bank of the river, and two-thirds of which are completely

ruinous, and the best of these ‘ Capital’ houses were far worse than

those at Phain or Santagong, &c. Around the city, and within a

distance of a quarter of a mile, three or four other villages occur, all

bearing the stamp of poverty and the marks of oppression. The pa-

lace is situated on a flat tongue of land formed by the confluence of

the Matchien and Patchien rivers. To the west it is quite close to

the west boundary of the valley, the rivers alone intervening. It is a

very large building, but too uniform and too heavy to be imposing :

it is upwards of 200 yards in length, by perhaps 80 in breadth. Its

regal nature is attested by the central tower, and the several cop-

pered roofs of this. The only cheering objects visible in this capita!

are the glorious Himalayas to the north, and a Gylong village 1200

or 1500 feet above the palace to the west; elsewhere all is dreary,

desolate-looking, and hot. During the first few days of our stay, and

indeed until our interview with the Deb, we were much annoyed by

the intruding impertinence and blind obstinacy of his followers.

They were continually causing disputes either with the sentries or

our immediate followers, and it was only by repeated messages to

the palace, stating the probable consequence of such a system of

annoyance, that Capt. Pemberton succeeded in obtaining any respite.

After many delays, we were admitted to the Deb’s presence on the 9th.

A day or two after, our interview with the Dhurma took place. He

received us in an upper room of the quadrangular central tower:

while we were in his presence we remained standing, in compliment

to his religious character. ‘The Dhurma Rajah is a boy of eight or ten

years old, and good-looking, particularly when the looks of his father,

the Tungso Pillo, are taken into consideration. He sat in a small re-

cess, lighted chiefly with lamps, and was prompted by a very vene-

210 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

rable looking, grey-headed priest. He had fewer attendants, and his

room was less richly ornamented than that of the Deb. Around the

room sat priests busily employed in muttering charmed sentences

from handsome gilt-lettered black books, which reminded me of those

used in some parts of Burmah, During our protracted stay at this

place nothing particularly worthy of notice occurred. Intrigues

seemed to be constantly going on, and the trial of temper on the

part of Captain Pemberton must have been very great; it was how-

ever soon evident that no business could be transacted with a Bootea

Government without being enabled first to enforce abundance of fear,

and consequently any amount of agreement from them; messages

to and fro passed continually, the bearer being a very great rascal,

in the shape of the Deb’s Bengal Moharrer. ‘Thus he would come

and appoint the next day for a meeting; then he would return and

say that such a place was better than such a place; as evening drew

near, he would come and say, unless you agree to such and such,

there will be no meeting ; and after bearing a message that no change

in this respect would be made, he would make his appearance and

say, all the ministers were sick, and so could not meet. My only

amusement out of doors was a morning walk up or down the valley:

I was prompted to this chiefly by the pangs of hunger, as the Bootea

supplies were very short, indeed wild pigeons afforded me at least

some relief. During the day I examined such objects as my col-

lectors brought in, for it was too hot to think of being out after 9 a.m.

The climate of Punukka has but little to recommend it, and in fact

nothing, if viewed in comparison with the other places we had seen

in Bootan. The greatest annoyance existed in the powerful winds

blowing constantly throughout the day up the valley, and which

were often loaded with clouds of dust. The mean temperature of

April may be considered as 71°. The maximum heat observed was

83°, the minimum 64°. The mean temperature of the first week of

May was 75° 3/; the maximum 80°, and the minimum 70°. The

cultivation in the valley, the soil of which seems very poor, contain-

ing a large proportion of mica, was during our stay limited to wheat

and buck-wheat, but scarcely any of the former seemed likely to

come to ear. Ground was preparing for the reception of rice, which

is sown and planted in the usual manner. Crops just sown are im-

mediately eaten up by the swarms of sacred pigeons that reside in

the palace, so that husbandry is by no means profitable ; more espe-

cially as there are other means of providing for the crops, such as

they may be. Thus we saw several small fields, amounting perhaps

to an acre in extent, cut down to provide fodder for some ponies that

ee ee Oe a ee ee

Bibliographical Notices. 211

had lately shared in a religious excursion to Wandipore. Cattle are

not frequent. ‘There were some pigs. ‘The fowls were of the most

miserable description, and very scarce. In spite of offers of purchase

and plenty of promises, we were throughout allowed three a day,

and they were rather smaller than pigeons. Towards the latter end

of our stay rice became bad and scarce. There are a great number

of Assamese slaves about Punukka: indeed, all the agricultural work,

as well as that of beasts of burden, appears to devolve upon these

unfortunate creatures, who are miserably provided for, and perhaps

dirtier than a genuine Bootea himself. On the 9th May at noon we

left Punukka, the most uninviting place I have ever seen in a hilly

country. On the morning of the same day there was a demonstra-

tion in the palace of great boldness ; the roof of the northern side

was covered with troops, who shouted, fired, and waved banners.

We crossed both bridges of the palace without any interruption or

annoyance, at which I was most agreeably surprised ; and then gra-

dually ascended the right flank of the valley, following the course of

the united rivers, Patchien and Matchien. We proceeded in this di-

rection for some time, until we came on a ravine affording an outlet

to a tributary of the Punukka river, which we then followed, gradually

descending through fir woods until we reached the torrent. Crossing

this, which is a small one, we commenced the ascent to Telagong,

which we soon reached.

[To be continued. ]

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

A Report on the Progress of Vegetable Physiology during the year

1837. ByF.J.F. Meyen, M.D., Professor of Botany in the Uni-

versity of Berlin. Translated from the German, by William

Francis, A.L.S. London, 1839. Svo. pp. 158.

To those who are interested in the cultivation of science it might

appear superfluous to recommend such a work as this; and yet the

delay in its appearance, caused by the want of a sufficient number

of subscribers at its very moderate price to cover the mere expenses

of publication, seems to indicate that it is not sufficiently known or

appreciated. No one can now assume any elevated position in bo-

tanical science who is not conversant with the structure and physi-

ology of plants, as well as with their external forms and aspects.

The time when the acquirements of a naturalist were measured by

the number of species he had collected is now, we trust, gone by for

ever, and names and classifications are looked upon by the man of

212 Bibliographical Notices.

enlightened views as but the mechanism by which the true principles

of science are to be worked out. Although Britain can boast of

possessing some among the foremost in the rank of philosophical

botanists, and of having contributed her full share of the most im-

portant discoveries of recent times, she must be content to remain

far behind in regard to general knowledge of the science as long

as the prevailing ignorance of its progress abroad shall continue to

exist. To this our insular situation in part contributes; and it is

partly due to the small amount of attention paid to natural history

as a branch of general education. On both these points, however,

we look for rapid improvement. Rail-roads and steam-boats will

have an important influence on the progress of science as well as on

the extension of commerce. ‘The period is surely now commencing

when “‘many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”

And in regard to education, we see many indications of an important

change. ‘There is a growing feeling amongst those who are en-

gaged in it that the minds of the young may be trained with advan-

tage to observe and reason upon the wondrous phenomena of the

universe ;—that to neglect the pages in which the works of the Cre-

ator are displayed to us is an error comparable with that of neglect-

ing his word ;—and that, for the object of intellectual discipline, the

study of things may often be substituted for that of words, with

the double advantage of interesting the pupil, and of giving him a

store of knowledge which will be subsequently valuable. ‘To this

revolutionary innovation upon the old system the University of

London has given its sanction, by requiring from candidates for its

degree in Arts a knowledge not only of classics and mathematics,

but of natural philosophy, chemistry, natural history, and physiology.

In this we see much that augurs well for the progress of science in

England. The youthful mind is much more apt in the acquirement

of elementary knowledge than the adult, whose observing powers

have been allowed to lie dormant at the time of their greatest acti-

vity; and, if a good foundation be early laid, we have no fear of a

deficiency of motives for subsequent labour.

We have always regarded the study of Vegetable Physiology as

the department of natural history best adapted to engage the atten-

tion of the young, from the facilities which offer themselves to its

pursuit, and its freedom from those drawbacks so common in other

branches. Its objects are never out of reach; for barren indeed must

be that country which affords no shelter to the products of the ve-

getable kingdom. ‘The meanest and most common herbs are in

the eye of the physiologist as interesting as the majestic tree or the

Bibliographical Notices. — 213

rarest flower ;—witness the important results obtained by Mirbel from

the study of the Marchantia polymorpha. The toilsome labours of

the collector are not required here, nor is the mind fatigued by the

difficulties and technicalities of classification ; and what renders the

pursuit of this science especially adapted to the female sex is its

freedom from the necessity of that corporeal suffering, which, how-

ever laudable its ultimate object, the truly humane mind willalways

dread to inflict upon its sentient fellow-beings.

There is another class upon which we would urge the necessity

of attention to Vegetable Physiology—the students of medicine.

Those who are sufficiently enlightened to perceive that a knowledge

of the actions of the human body in health is the best preparation

they can have for the study of its diseased conditions, will find it

much to their advantage to have gained an early acquaintance with

the yital phenomena exhibited by plants, which often exhibit changes

whose conditions are obscure in animals, in a magnified form as it

were, and in circumstances which allow them to be more easily stu-

died. We especially refer to those concerned in reproduction and

in the act of organization, on which new and important contributions

have been recently made to vegetable physiology, that have led to

equally successful researches into the corresponding mysteries of

animal life. No one, it seems to us, can now be esteemed a sci-

entific physiologist who does not embrace in the scope of his in-

quiries all classes of animated beings, and the more extended his ba-

sis the more certain and comprehensive will be his generalizations.

Periodical reports of the progress of any special department of

science are, if well executed, among the most valuable additions to

its literature, and this is particularly the case when the number of

its cultivators is great, so that their contributions are spread over a

wide surface. ‘There is perhaps no science which stands more in

need of such comprehensive sketches than Vegetable Physiology,

and no individual who could execute them with more success than

Prof. Meyen. Of the mass of information brought together in the

Report before us, a great part would never have reached this country

if it had not been thus embodied; and if it be thought that he has

manifested less acquaintance with the progress of science in England

than with the labours of German physiologists, it will be remem-

bered that the fullness with which the latter are presented should

make it peculiarly acceptable to the English reader, who may be

supposed to be acquainted with the labours of his countrymen. The

translation is very ably executed, and presents the ideas of the au-

thor with greater force and precision than most of our readers would

214 Bibliographical Notices.

be likely to attain by their own perusal of the original; since it re-

quires considerable familiarity with the German language to be able

to render with accuracy the nicer shades of meaning which are often

adopted from colloquialisms into scientific language. We would

strongly urge upon our scientific friends therefore to encourage the

continued translation of these valuable reports by aiding in the sale

of the part before us. We feel confident that they will progress-

ively increase in interest as the science advances towards perfec-

tion, and will afford a valuable and interesting record of its progress.

To those who desire to be au courant with the present state of know-

ledge an acquaintance with them is indispensable.

A List of theGenera of Birds, with an indication of the Typical Species

of each Genus. By George Robert Gray, Ornithological Assist-

ant Zool. Departm. British Museum, &c., &c. 8vo. London,

1840.

This work, as its title indicates, contains a complete enumeration

of the genera of birds, disposed according to a system ‘‘ based on the

arrangements of M. Cuvier and Mr. Vigors, with such improvements

as in the author’s view of the subject could be gleaned from those

of Mr. Swainson and others.” The number of genera enumerated,

not including those names which are regarded as merely synonymous,

amounts to 1065; but Mr. G. Gray avows his opinion that his List

*‘contains some genera established upon characters too trivial to

admit of their being definitively adopted.” He states it indeed to

have been his object, in the present publication, rather to give “a

correct view of all the genera that have been proposed” than

‘closely to criticize the value of the subdivisions employed.” We

trust, however, that the latter more important task will be undertaken

by him in a more extended work, in which the preface gives us rea-

son to believe that he has long been engaged, viz. a ‘‘ Genera of

Birds,” accompanied with their characters.

In the mean time the work before us may be regarded as a useful

outline of the present state of Systematic Ornithology, comprehend-

ing a much more complete enumeration of genera than any that has

preceded it; evincing great care in determining the priority of names,

and showing due respect for that universal law (so recklessly in-

fringed by many ornithologists) which scrupulously assigns the pre-

ference to prior publication. Under each genus are added the syno-

nyms, or those names which have been employed to designate spe-

cies of the group; one species is cited as an example, a figure being

referred to whenever it exists ; and occasional rectifications of syno-

Zoological Society. | 215

nymy occur with regard to the species mentioned. By these means

the work is rendered highly useful to the ornithological student, and

especially to those who are desirous of obtaining an index to the ex-

tensive subdivisions that have been made within the last few years

in this interesting department of zoology, through which the num-

ber of genera has been so largely increased. It bears every appear-

ance of haying been compiled and arranged with industry, diligence,

and good faith.

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Aug. 13, 1839.—William Yarrell, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.

A collection of Bird-skins, from the neighbourhood of Erzeroom,

presented to the Society by E. D. Dickson, and H. J. Ross, Esgqrs.,

was exhibited.

The species contained in this collection were brought under the

notice of the Meeting by Mr. Fraser, and the following notes (made

by Messrs. Dickson and Ross) which accompanied them, were read.

Buteo ? August 207. Very common: arrives middle

of March, and leaves middle of November.

* Falco tinnunculus, Linn. Mt. April 28. Common. Iris dark

hazel. A mouse found in its stomach. This bird was perched on a

tree, with some starlings and sparrows.

Falco tinnunculus, Linn. F. April29. A bird and a frog found in

its stomach. Five well-developed eggs in the ovarium. Another

had eight eggs, besides a great many small ones, and its stomach

contained a frog and some scaly substances, probably a portion of a

fish. It breeds in April, on lofty poplars, and also on the top of

minarets. Arrives early in April and departs late in November.

Falco Afsalon,'Temm. M. April23. Eyes large, round, and of

a bluish-black colour: rim of eyelids, cere, and legs, bright yellow.

A great number of thin tough worms, from one to two inches long,

between the peritoneum and muscles on the left side: neither sto-

mach nor intestines contained any.

Milvus ater, Gould. M. May 10. Common. Shot on a tree

close to the town. Eyes large, of a light cinnamon colour, and with

a black ring round the iris. Testicles reniform; yellow. Arrives

middle of March.

Noctua Indica, Franklin. August1. Common about the foot of

the mountains near the town.

+ The date when the specimen was procured.

* The species marked with an asterisk have been noticed in the Proceed-

ings as inhabitants of Trebizond, a locality not far distant from Erzeroom.

See Proceedings for 1834, pp. 50 & 133; for 1835, p. 90; and for 1837,

p- 126.

{ The letter M stands for male, and F for female, throughout the paper,

216 Zoological Sociely.

Cypselus murarius, Ill. M. May 24. Very abundant. Arrives

beginning of May, leaves late in September.

Merops Apiaster, Linn. F. May 20. Gizzard full of insects.

Arrives middle of May, leaves latter end of September.

*Coracias garrulus, Linn. September 6. Common in various lo-

calities. Arrives early, and departs late in September.

Collurio minor, Vig. August 6. Common. Frequents haycocks.

Arrives beginning of August, leaves middle of September.

Oriolus galbula, Linn. F. September 2. Rather rare. Found

in willow-trees. Arrives early in August and departs middle of Sep-

tember.

*Cinclus aquaticus, Bechst. F. December 9. Very few seen.

Frequenting a mountain stream. Shy: flies rather high : food, small

crustacea. LHyes light hazel. ‘Two small oval appendages, one on

each side of the rectum; hollow, and communicating with its cavity.

The down on the breast very thick.

Motacilla alba, Linn. Not uncommon. Arrives end of September

and departs end of October. Migratory.

Budytes melanocephala, Savi. M. June 7. Very common on moist

ground: food, insects. Arrives middle of April and leaves early in —

November.

Phenicura ruticilla, Swains. M. April 29. A straggler: found

in a garden in Erzeroom.

*Sazicola Ginanthe, Bechst. Eyes hazel. Frequents rills; also

found on adjacent hills.

Saxicola Ginanthe, Bechst. M. May 27. Common all over the

neighbourhood. Food, coleopterous insects and caterpillars.

Savicola rubetra, Bechst. A few seen in April.

* Hrythaca rubecula, Swains. (In spirit.) Found in a stony ravine

in November; the only one yet noticed.

Sylvia hippolais, Pean. August 15. A few seen on high thistles,

in moist situations, from the commencement of April to the middle

of October. Migratory.

Salicaria Cetti? Gould. October 28. Caught in a stable after

the first falls of snow. Neither this bird nor several others of the

same family procured at the time had any tails.

Anthus arboreus, Bechst.

Anthus rufescens, Temm. F. June 2. Found on the adjacent

hills. Gizzard filled with coleopterous insects.

Alauda Calandra, Pall. Rather numerous: frequents fields. Ar-

rives end of October and departs late in September. Migratory.

~ Alauda arvensis, Linn. Very common in summer.

* Alauda ? Not very common... Food, the grain found

among horses’ dung: This variety differs from the preceding spe-

cies in the construction of the bill. It is only found in winter, and

occurs in flocks, in company with the Horned Lark (Alauda pent-

cillata).

Alauda brachydactyla, Temm. Seen in large flocks. Only noticed

from 21st of April to 28th of May. Frequents fields and the hills.

The cock is of a brighter colour than the hen, and has its ears and

the spot on the breast much darker.

Zoological Society. 217

~ Alauda penicillata, Gould+. Numerous: food, seeds. The speci-

mens sent are not so bright as the living bird, probably from the ef-

fects of the arsenical soap. The males differ from the females in

being of a brighter colour, and in having the black feathers on the

top of the head much more distinctly marked. The yellow gorget

of both, in winter is bright, and in summer remarkably faint, while

the purple on the nape is vice versd. During the hot months they

are found on the neighbouring mountains, from which they are

driven down to the plain in winter in quest of food, which consists

then of the grain found in the dung of cattle, the ground being at

that time covered with snow several feet in depth. ‘They fly in

companies of from three to twelve birds; are very familiar, especially

so in winter, when they may be killed easily with an ordinary whip.

When approached, or in the agonies of death, they erect their horn-

shaped crest quite perpendicularly, with the tips curved inwards.

They run on the snow with surprising rapidity : as soon as the snow

has melted on the plain they return to the mountains.

*Emberiza miliaria, Linn. M.& F. April 23, June 5. Common

in the fields close to Erzeroom. Feed on corn.

*Pyrgita domestica, Cuv. M. Excessively common. Begin to

pair and build about the end of April and beginning of May.

Pyrgita petronia, Gould. M. May 28. Wery common, observed

in the spring and summer months in steep and stony ravines. Giz-

zard filled with wheat and chaff. _

Fringilla nivalis? Linn. May 27. Rare: food, insects. Found

in the neighbouring hills.

Linaria montana, Ray. October 14. Noticed from the 20th of

September to the 18th of November, in companies.

Fringilla sanguinea, Gould{. May 28. Tolerably common. First

appears on the neighbouring hills, and afterwards in the plains, at no

great distance from them. Food, the unripe seeds of the Cichoracee.

The young bird has a lighter plumage, and its skin is of a deep

pink colour. Arrives in the middle of May, and departs in the mid-

dle of September.

Pterocles arenarius, Temm. M. & F. Very common. Iris dark

hazel; margin of eyelids pale light yellow. Food, grain, vetches,

tares, &c. Said to breed towards the end of April, on the adjoining

hills, amongst loose stones. Arrives in the beginning of April; they

are then seen in those fields that are free from snow, close to the

town. In summer frequents bare sterile grounds. Quits Erzeroom

about the end of September. Native name, Bahghr-Kahrah (Black

Belly).

* Otis tetrar, Linn. Very common in ploughed fields and on the

skirts of the marsh. Arrives early in September, and departs in the

middle of November. Native name, Mez-mel-dek.

Glareola limbata, Riipp. September 8. Rare. In flocks in marshy

situations.

Vanellus cristatus, Meyer. September. Very numerous. Arrives

+ Proceedings Zool. Soc. 1837, p. 126. t Ibid.

Ann, Nat. Hist. Vol. 5. No. 30. May 1840. Q

218 Zoological Society.

at the end of March and departs at the end of November. During

summer frequents the river}, but on its arrival and previous to its

departure it is found in moist fields near Erzeroom. Native name,

Kiz-Cooshdéo (Maiden’s Bird), or Kahmaum-Cooshéo (Bath-bird).

Vanellus Keptuschka,Temm. September 17. A few observed from

the middle of September to the middle of October. In flocks. This

specimen sent had its right leg shrivelled up.

Charadrius morinellus, Linn.

Charadrius minor, Meyer. June 26. Numerous on the sandy

and pebbly banks of the Aras at Hassan-Kaléh (18 miles east of

Erzeroom), about the middle of June. The naked rim round the

eye is of a deep sulphur colour. None of these birds have been no-

ticed at Erzeroom.

Tringa subarquata, Temm. Numerous about the streams at So-

ook-T’cherméh, a village four miles from Erzeroom.

Tringa minuta, Leisl. » August. Plentiful at Tchif-lik, a village

five miles distant, close to the houses, about pools, in company with

sparrows and starlings.

Tringa minuta, Leisl. September 15. Abundant at the village ~

of So-ook-Tcherméh.

Limosa melanura, Leisl. November 15. One leg had apparently

wasted and dropped off, and the other was found in an incipient

state of atrophy, like that in Vanellus Keptuschka, Temm., but not in

so great a degree.

* Himantopus melanopterus, Meyer. End of July. Not very com-

mon. On the borders of the river. A naked rim round the eyelid,

of a bright vermillion colour.

Ardea alba, Linn. Not many: seen only at the river, from the

commencement of May till the beginning of October. Sometimes

in flocks and sometimes solitary.

Ibis Falcinellus, Temm. End of August. Seen during the hot

months at the river.

Ibis ? End of August. Not uncommon: about the river

in August. Food, shell-fish: has a pemenrably, thick gizzard.

Fulica ater, Linn.

Tadorna rutila, Steph. August 30. Véiy abundant : gregarious.

During the day frequents marshes, but feeds late in the evening and

early in the morning, in corn and stubble-fields. Arrives in the

middle of March and departs at the end of November: rarely seen

in the water. Said to breed in the marshes. Great numbers on the

Lake of Van in August. Native name, Ahn-godt.

Sterna nigra, Linn. Very common about the river during spring

and summer.

The collection also contains specimens of Cricetus aceedula (Mus

accedula of Pallas.), which species is ‘‘ very common. ‘The eyes are

large and black ; cheek-pouches spacious, extending from the angles

of the mouth to the back of the head, a little beyond the ear. It is

+ The river referred to in this paper is the Karah-Soo, or northern branck

of the Euphrates.

Miscellaneous. 219

one of our domestic mice. In winter it is sometimes found on the

snow ; its fur is then silky and glossy.”

The common mouse (Mus musculus) is said to be very common

in houses at Erzeroom.

The Spalax (Spalax typhlus, Ulig.), a specimen of which is also

sent, is said to be ‘common all over the plain. [ts food is roots, but

it will readily eat bread: its paws are thick and fleshy: it is very

expert in burrowing, which it performs with all four of its feet. The

pericardium is excessively thin and transparent, and without any

traces of fibrous texture. The left lung is entire, and the right one

divided into four lobes ; heart, pancreas and kidneys, natural; peri-

toneum of exactly the same structure and appearance as the peri-

eardium ; liver five-lobed, with a small appendix; a large thick,

round blotch (resembling an ulcer) on the inner surface of the great

curvature of the stomach ; spleen narrow, very much elongated, and

adhering to the posterior and left side of the stomach; capsule re-

nales firmly attached to the upper end of the “kidneys; cecum and

appendix vermiformis of an enormous size, in proportion to the intes-

tines: between the rectum and bladder a flat white substance, of a

follicular structure, and terminating at its posterior extremity in a

thick fleshy canal. Native name, Kior-Seetchdn (Blind Rat.).”

MISCELLANEOUS.

BOTANICAL INFORMATION.

“« Unio Itineraria.”’

Bexrevine that many readers of the Annals of Natural History are

unacquainted even with the existence of the Society whose notice is

now about to be laid before them, it may not be amiss in the first

place just to give a concise account of its simple organization and

government before making known the Report of its present opera-

tions and progress ; both the Report and the short account thereto

prefixed have been translated and carefully abridged from the printed

circular of the Society and from the file of ccrrespondence received

by their London agent from the Secretaries, Drs. Steudel and Hoch-

stetter: the latter—the correspondence—comes down to the 20th

March, 1840.

Abstract from the laws of the Society :—

“1. The Wurtemburg Natural History Travelling Union, gene-

rally known among botanists as the ‘ Unio Itineraria,’ consists in

a society of the friends of natural history (especially botany), who at

their general expense send out and support travellers and collectors

of specimens illustrative of natural history, chiefly botanical, in the

Q 2

220 Miscellaneous.

most interesting, little known, and far distant parts of the world,

under the superintendence of directors, secretaries, &c.

“2. The introduction to this Society is open without limitation

to amateurs and collectors generally ; its only conditions are the sub-

scribing a fixed sum for one or more shares (or even portion of

shares) in each or any of the announced expeditions ; such sum to

be paid at the time of entering the application, &c.

‘“« 3, Each subscriber may bespeak either a larger or smaller share

in the anticipated proceeds of any given enterprise as may suit his

wishes or convenience, recollecting, however, that the most liberal

and extensive supporters have the first claim for the most complete

collections, &c.”’

The above appears to give a sufficient intimation as to the general

rules of the Society, which, however, extend to seven principal

enactments. ;

Report of the present position of the Society and its enterprises :

the latter, now in progress, extend to three principal expeditions,

V1Z. :—

First, That confided to Wilhelm Schimper into Abyssinia. Of

this a portion of the dried plants is now being distributed into sets

for the subscribers under the eye of the secretaries at Esslingen, who

report that the first delivery will (it is hoped) be ready in about two

months’ time; this will include the plants collected up to the close

of the year 1837, and contains many genera entirely new to European

botanists, and about one-half of the number of species will also, it is

believed, prove new and undescribed. 'The seeds have already arrived,

and are by this time in the hands of the various subscribers in Eu-

rope; they consist of small packets of 100 species, and some few

sets are made up of 200 species.

Second, Kotschy’s journey into Southern Nubia, Cordofan, Fas-

sokel, &c., is looked upon by botanists with scarcely less interest than

the former one by Schimper into Abyssinia, embracing as it does a

most extraordinary region, and one whose botany is at present almost

entirely unknown, with the exception of some small previously ob-

tained collections made by the same traveller a few years ago, and

which, being offered for sale at Vienna, were eagerly purchased.

Intelligence from Theodore Kotschy is now anxiously looked for, as

none has been received of a very recent date. That already pos-

sessed by the Society warrants them in earnestly inviting more sub-

scribers to come forward and support this most deserving and cou-

rageous young man in an expedition of no ordinary interest and

Ee ee

ae 1 ee

Miscellaneous: 921

importance, which indeed will form a continuation or supplement

nearly allied to that of Schimper. It is in the full expectation of

a part of Kotschy’s collections being received at Esslingen from this

traveller in the course of the present year that the directors of the

Society feel themselves warranted in requesting new members to

subscribe for shares from so low as 30 to 60 florins (3/. 3s. to 6/. 6s.

sterling) or upwards, according to the portion they may wish to se-

cure. The subscription price is fixed at the same as Schimper’s

was, viz. 15 florins (1/. 11s. 6d. sterling) per 100 species.

Third, Welwitsch, who has been despatched to the Azores and

Cape de Verde islands, and whose collections (including the plants he

gathered during his detainment at Lisbon, and which are themselves

far from inconsiderable) are shortly expected to arrive. A single

share for this expedition is stated at 24 florins.

*,* The Society still have at disposal to Non subscribers a few

collections from the former expeditions, viz. Georgio-Caucasian,

North American, and Egyptio-Arabian, at from 15 to 25 florins per

century.

9, Queen-street, Soho-square, London,

May Ist, 1840.

NOTE ON ARGULUS FOLIACEUS, JURINE, BY WM. THOMPSON,

VICE-PRES. NAT. HIST. SOC. OF BELFAST.

Belfast, Oct. 29, 1838.—In our market today I had the pleasure

of detecting one of these very interesting and handsome parasites at-

tached to the dorsal fin of a Salmo Trutta, about a foot in length.

The Argulus is 34 lines long, is a female, and in addition to the

ova exhibits at the base of the tail the dark green spots (‘“ noirs,”

Desm. Consid. Gen. Crust., p. 382), which are considered to mark

this sex. Although the fish to which it was attached had been

for some hours out of the water, the Argulus held so firmly by

its two disks that I had some difficulty in detaching it without in-

jury. For about ten minutes it was wrapped in a piece of dry paper,

and then placed in a vessel of water in which sait had been dis-

solved until it was to the taste like strong sea-water*. This was no

sooner done, than my pretty captive, after drawing her last pair of

feet together several times}, thus calling to mind the common house

* This was done in consequence of my having been told that the fish was

taken in the sea; the stomach, however, contained the remains of fresh-

water insects (according to my friend A. H. Haliday, Esq., to whose in-

spection they were submitted), which possibly might have been washed into

the sea and there obtained, but this is by no means probable.

¢ I observed this repeatedly doue afterwards—they seem to be rubbed

against the caudal plates.

929 Miscellaneous.

fly, struck out her oars, and thereby was rapidly impelled through

the fluid.

The figures of Desmarest (tab. 50.) and Yarrell (Brit. Fish., vol. ii.

p- 399.) are very characteristic of this species, but the great beauty

exhibited in the specimen before me is at the same time not shown,

- perhaps in consequence of the upper side of the female not being re-

presented—this consists in its being closely spotted with very dark

green along the central part of the body for two-thirds posteriorly

commencing a little above the ovary in the form of a head, and ex-

tending to the posterior portion; the rest of the upper side of the

body being of a very pale yellowish green hue and semi-transparent

as described, the part thus spotted is well defined, and is strikingly

of the form of a coleopterous insect, which the Argulus in another

point of view resembles, when the two sides of the greenishly trans-

parent ‘‘ boucliers” are thrown a little apart, as we see the elytra

of the insect. I was further reminded of the resemblance when at-

tempting to remove it, as in holding firmly by the suckers, the body

was drawn in, and the “‘ boucliers” elevated quite above it. Its mo-

tion through the water seems equally rapid whether it be on the up-

per or under side, or swimming retrally—it frequently moved along

the surface with its back downwards, and was wholly immersed ex-

cept the suckers, which were thrown either on a line with the water

or quite above it, and thus would the animal occasionally remain

quiescent for a short period.

The constant motion of these organs (visible to the naked eye) in

addition to the rapid play of the feet, impart much life to the ap-

pearance of the Argulus, and present not the same aspect for two

continuous seconds of time, whether the body be at rest or other-

wise. They—i.e. the marginal row of minute suckers, which ap-

pear as a dark line round the disk in figures of the species—are fre-

quently drawn together to the centre of the disk, exhibiting a dark

point not larger than the eye.

The eye itself, under the lens or microscope, exhibits constant

motion, and even to our unassisted vision

its red colour—that of the lady bird, Coc-

cinella septempunctata—is apparent; when Ls

magnified it looks black where the lines /

and dots are, red elsewhere.

After having been about four or five hours in the salt water, and

displaying its wonted activity to the last, the specimen was lost

during my absence from the room. Thad intended to observe how long

it—a freshwater species—would live in salt water, but though foiled

Meteorological Observations. 223

in this, have thought these notes, made with the living animal before

me, might perhaps be worth the room they occupy, more especially

as the Argulus seems to be very little known as a British species.

From what has been stated it would seem to be very tenacious of

life. The individual here treated of is the second Irish one I have

seen ; the other was, when swimming freely in Lough Neagh, taken

by Mr. Hyndman in the autumn a few years since. Like the present

specimen, it displayed a mass of large ova.

INFUSORIAL ANIMALCULES IN RED SNOW.

Mr. Shuttleworth relates, that being occupied in the examination

of some red snow that fell at the Grimsel, and expecting to see only

inanimate globules of Protococcus nivalis, he was astonished to find

that it was composed of organized bodies distinct in nature and

form, partly vegetable, but the greater number endowed with the

liveliest powers of motion, and belonging to the animal kingdom.

Among these he has named one species Astasia [Ehrenb.] nivalis,

and another Gyges sanguineus.—Bibl. Univ.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR MARCH, 1840.

Chiswick.—March 1, 2. Coldanddry. 3. Cloudy. 4. Bleakand cold. 5.

Frosty: cold and dry: sharp frost at night. 6,7. Frosty haze: fine. 8, 9.

Clear and frosty: fine. 10. Very fine. 11. Drizzly. 12. Cloudy. 13. Hazy:

fine. 14. Overcast: very fine. 15. Slight rain. 16, Fine but cold. TZ.

Clear. 18. Overcast. 19, 20. Cloudy and cold: clear. 21. Veryclear. 29.

Overcast. 23. Fine but cold. 24,25. Clearand cold. 26—28. Cloudy and

cold. 29, 30. Cloudy and fine. 31. Drizzly.

It may be observed that the quantity of rain in this month was less than 3-10ths

of aninch, The barometer stood remarkably high and in general very steady.

Boston.—March 1—3. Fine. 4. Stormy. 5—8. Fine. 9. Cloudy. 10. Fine.

11, 12, Cloudy. 13. Fine. 14. Rain. 15. Cloudy: rainr.a. 16, 17. Cloudy.

18. Rain: raine.M. 19, 20. Cloudy. 21. Fine: snow early a.m. 22. Cloudy:

raine.m. 23. Cloudy: snow early a.m. 24. Hail: snow early a.m, 25. Fine:

snow early a.m. 26. Fine: snowr.mM. 27, 28. Cloudy. 29. Cloudy: rain r.m,

30, 31. Cloudy.

Applegarth Manse, Dum/fries-shire.— March 1, 2. Fine clear day: frosty. 3. The

same: getting cloudy p.m. 4,5. The same: still freezing. 6. Remarkably

fine day: gentle frost. 7—9. The same: hoar frost a.m. 10. The same, but

threatening change. 11. The same, but cloudy: no frost. 12. The same: con-

tinuing cloudy: no frost. 13. Dry and boisterous: cloudy. 14. Dry but

cloudy. 15. Fine day: raina.m. 16, Slight rain morning: cleared up. 17,

Fine: frosty early a.m. 18. Fine: the same. 19. Fine: without frost. 20,

Fine: hoar frost. 21. Fine: strong frost. 22. Fine: getting cloudy. 23.

Passing showers of snow and hail: frosty. 24,25. The same: very cold: frosty.

26. Fair butcloudy. 27.. Fine but dull. 28. Remarkably fine day. 29. The

same after ashower a.m. 30. Wet morning: drizzly all day. 31. Occasional

showers.

Sun shone out 29 days. Rain fell 5 days. Snow and hail 1 day. Frost and

hoar frost 17 days.

Wind north 13 day. North-east 84 days. East 2 days. South 4 days. South-

-west 3 days. West 2 days. North-west 6 days. North-north-west 1 day. North-

north-east 1 day. Variable 2 days.

Calm 15 days. Moderate 9 days. Brisk 5 days. Strong breeze 2 days.

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ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY.

XXV.—On the recent Doctrines of Vegetable Embryology.

By Hersert Giraupv, Member of the Council of the

Botanical Society of Edinburgh, Ext. Mem. Med. Soc.

Edin.

[With a Plate.]

NOTWITHSTANDING the rapid progress which has of late been

made in developing the phenomena attendant on the repro-

duction of plants, still the true theory of phanerogamic em-

bryology has not yet been fully established. The discoveries

of Amici, Brown, and Brongniart, proceeding so far in advance

of the old doctrines of Kelreuter, Gzrtner and Linnzus,

gave, as it were, a fresh impulse to the inquiry regarding the

intimate nature of the origin and development of the embryo

in flowering plants; hence, in this country, but more parti-

cularly on the continent, this subject has been prosecuted

with considerable zeal and activity ; and it has certainly re-

ceived much elucidation by the disclosure of phanomena

hitherto little suspected. Still, however, the statements of

some of the most eminent of the continental phytologists are

of a very opposite nature, and the hypotheses to which they

would justly lead, are still more widely discrepant. I here

allude to the very discordant opinions, regarding the origin of

the embryo, entertained by Schleiden, Wydler, and many of

the German botanists on the one hand, and the views main-

tained by Mirbel, Spach, and Brongniart on the other.

The facts and doctrines advanced by Schleiden and his follow-

ers have been made known to British botanists chiefly through

the medium of a translation by Dr. Wood of Bristol, published

in the L. and Ed. Philosophical Magazine for March 1838 ;

as, however, some of the readers of this paper may not yet be

aware of the views of Schleiden, I will venture shortly to de-

tail them; that a general view may be taken of the disputed

points and of the question as it at present stands. According

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.5. No.31. June 1840. R

226 Mr. H. Giraud on the recent Doctrines

to this observer*, at a very early period of the development of

the ovule, a cellule from the interior of the nucleus, which ori-

ginally differed not from the surrounding ones, is developed to

an extraordinary degree, and presses more or less on the sur-

rounding tissue of the nucleus, which is then absorbed from

within outwards. This cellule is the embryo-sac (membrana

amnil, Malpighi; sac-embryonnaire, Brongniart; quintine,

Mirbel) which exists in all phanerogamic plants without ex-

ception, even before impregnation. This embryo-sac contains

a substance which is gradually transformed into cellular tis-

sue; and being ultimately developed within the embryo-sac,

forms (when not absorbed by the growth of the embryo) the

endosperm, or albumen of most authors. The pollen tube,

having made its way through the conducting tissue of the

stigma, and having reached the ovule, penetrates the aperture

in the teguments, traverses the summit of the nucleus, and

following the intercellular passages arrives at the embryo-sac.

Having reached this point the pollen tube presses before it

the membrane of the embryo-sac, which is then folded all

around it; so that the extremity of the pollen tube appears to

penetrate into the sac; though in reality it is on the outside

of it. (Pl. IV. fig. 1. and 2.) Thus inclosed the extremity of

the pollen tube enlarges into the form of an oval spheroid, and

its contents are converted into cellular tissue; at its sides are

formed the lateral organs or cotyledons, from which the ex-

tremity remains distinct and is developed into the plumule.

The portion of the tube situated above the embryo, and which

is embraced by a duplicature of the embryo-sac, is gradually

but completely obliterated; so that the embryo is then left

free within its sac. In this way the embryo is formed of two

membranes ;—the indented embryo-sac and the membrane of

the pollen tube. (Fig. 2.) With these statements of Schlei-

den the still more recent observations of Wydlery+ agree,

except as regards the folding in of the embryo-sac, which this

last observer has never met with; but it appeared to him

* Schleiden, Sur la formation de l’ovule, et l’origine de l’embryon dans

les Phanerogames, Ann. des Scien. Nat. 2nde Série. Botan. Mars, 1839.

+ Wydler, Note sur la formation de l’embryon (Extrait d’une lettre de

M. Wydler, professeur 4 Berne, communiqué par M. A. St. Hilaire a l’Aca-

démie des Sciences 4 Paris, Oct. 1838.)

of Vegetable Embryology. 227

that the cavity of the sac elongated itself, under the form of

a straight canal, even to the summit of the ovule, and there

opened in the endostome and received the extremity of the

pollen tube.

If the truth of these observations be admitted, two very ob-

vious conclusions will result. 1st. Our notions regarding the

functions of what are called the male and female organs (sta-

mens and pistils) must be materially altered, and the sexes of

the two sets of organs respectively exchanged; the anther

must be considered as a female ovarium, and each pollen

grain as the germ of a new organism, being determined in its

development by the secretions of the embryo-sac ; this last

structure therefore must be held to correspond with the male

organ. 2nd. The process described by Schleiden obviously

establishes a close analogy in the development of the embryo

between the phanerogamia and those cryptogamia in which

the sporules appear to be conversions of the cellular tissue of

the foliaceous organs; for the same part in both furnishes the

groundwork of the new plant in each group.

It has been conceived by Dr. Carpenter* that it is not the

extremity of the pollen tube, but one of the pollen granules

transmitted along the tube, which is ultimately developed into

the embryo, and that hence a still more intimate analogy may

be instituted between the reproductive organs of flowering

and those of flowerless plants; a precisely similar function

being performed by the theca and the anther, and by the spore

and the pollen grain. These doctrines, so deeply affecting

some of the most generally received opinions regarding the

reproduction of flowering plants, have not passed without the

critical investigations of other observers, but have incited

MM. Mirbel and Spach to enter on a series of inquiries un-

dertaken for the express purpose of testing the accuracy of

the statements of Schleiden and Wydler. As far as I am

aware, these observations have not yet been published, and

are little known in this country ; they were conducted with

the view of ascertaining the intimate nature of the develop-

* Carpenter, Dr. W. B., Principles of General and Comparative Phy-

siology.

R 2

228 Mr. H. Giraud on the recent Doctrines

ment of the embryo in Zea Mays. The following are the re-

sults which were obtained, arranged, as by Mirbel and Spach,

under seven general heads, corresponding with the progressive

periods of the growth of the female organs*.

First Period.—The origin of the female spike of the Zea

Mays, like that of all the external organs of plants, commences

in a simple excrescence of cellular tissue, invisible to the naked

eye. As it advances in age, this excrescence enlarges, elon-

gates, becomes conical, and is studded partially from base to

apex with little projections, which separately give origin to

others. Each group of mammillary projections is the germ of

a future flower ; but seldom more than one becomes developed

in each group, the rest being abortive. The remaining one, or

that which is ultimately formed into a flower, produces at its

circumference little thin cushions of tissue (bourrelets) in the

form of rims, some of which form complete circles, others only

semicircles ; all however being concentric. Each of these

little margins is quickly transformed into either a bract, a

glume, a carpel, an ovary, or the integument of an ovule, ac-

cording to the relative position which it occupies. The apex

of the mammillary projection constitutes at this period the

nucleus of the ovule.

Second Period.—The ovarium has now the form of a small

cup with a large orifice, and its parietes consist of a thin and

transparent membrane. The nucleus is fixed to the base of

the ovarium ;—an arrangement which is constant in the Mays.

The primine and secundine proceed from the circumference

of the nucleus, which they partly inclose. The first of these

envelopes being much shorter than the other, surrounds the

nucleus only at its base ; hence it follows that the endostome

sensibly extends beyond the exostome.

Third Period.—The style, of which, up to this period, there

was not the least appearance, arises from that side of the ova-

rium which is nearest to the axis of the spike ; as it elongates

it assumes the form of a straight lamina of tissue. The ovule

with its two membranes,—the primine and secundine, has

* Notes pour servir 4 1’Histoire de l’embryologie végétale. Par MM.

Mirbel et Spach, Ann. des Scien. Nat, 2nde Série, Botan. Avril 1839.

of Vegetable Embryology. 229

now changed its position; its axis was at first parallel with

that of the spike; but it is now inclined at an angle of about

45°. The secundine is still in advance of the primine.

Fourth Period.—The ovary is now of a rounded form, ha-

ving its orifice narrowed into a kind of canal. The style con-

tinues to enlarge, and has its upper extremity terminated by

two dentitions, more or less distinct, which may be considered

as constituting a double stigma. The axis of the ovule now

makes an angle of 90° or 100° with that of the ovarium, but

coincides with that of the nucleus, at the apex of which it

terminates. Very near this point, in the interior of the nu-

cleus, there appears a small ovoid cavity, which contains a

transparent mucous matter, first pointed out by Schleiden.

(Fig. 4d.) In the same ratio as the axis of the ovule in-

elines from that of the spike, do these portions of the pri-

mine and secundine, which lie on the opposite side, increase

in size and elongate; while those portions which are attached

to the side next the axis of the spike remain almost stationary

in their development: from both these envelopes a process

extends into the canal leading from the ovarium.

Fifth Period.—The ovarium continues to enlarge and the

style to elongate ; in the latter may be observed, as Brongniart

first noticed, two bundles of tubes, which, after running to-

gether for a short distance, divide and pass off to each side of

the ovarium, and continuing in a parallel direction, are ulti-

mately lost. in the dentiform projections which constitute the

stigma. At this period the ovule is inclined at an angle of from

125° to 135°. The mucilage of the little cavity situated at the

apex of the nucleus disappears ; and at the same point may

be distinctly seen a large ovoid, diaphanous utricle, which

fills and lines the cavity. (Fig.5 a.) This utricle is called

by Mirbel the primary utricle. The fact of such an organ

being formed, and of its having acquired a sensible progress

in growth, before the period of impregnation, is of the great-

est importance with reference to the views of Schleiden; this

utricle is what is described by that observer as “l’extrémité

antérieure du boyau pollenique.” It is surrounded by a thin

projection, upon which are attached small spiral vesicles, ar-

ranged in close clusters; and it is terminated at its inferior

230 Mr. H. Giraud on the recent Doctrines

extremity by a filiform tubular appendage, projecting at the

endostome, and called by Mirbel the suspensor. This last

organ 1s considered by Schleiden to be a portion of the pollen

tube.

This early formation of the primary utricle, which may be

considered as the first outline of the embryo, has been proved

by Mirbel and Spach in a large number of the Graminez ;—

in all those, in fact, which they have examined.

Sixth Period.—Immediately after its first appearance the

primary utricle contains a fluid opake matter, in which how-

ever may be perceived an organized substance composed of

globules having each a small central cavity; it is called by

Mirbel “ Globulo-cellular cambium.” This substance soon

transforms itself into a mass of membranous tissue, which be-

comes moulded to the cavity of the primary utricle and its

suspensor ; this last organ now sensibly elongates and en-

larges. (Fig. 6.)

Seventh Period.—It now becomes evident that the primary

utricle, and the cellular tissue with which its cavity is filled,

constitute the first trace of an embryo, which now enlarges at

its thickest part, and elongates into a cellular lanceolate point ;

this is the lamina of the seminal leaf (hypoblaste, A. Richard ;

carnode, H. de Cassini), the inferior surface of which is in re-

lation with the interior of the ovule, the superior with the axis

of the spike; at its base is the radicle, terminated by an empty,

flaccid, lacerated tube,—the last vestige of the suspensor, which

has gradually been absorbed. Upon the upper surface of the

lamina, immediately above the point at which it unites with

the radicle, there is formed a projection or swelling of the tis-

sue, which is the commencement of the plumule ; it soon ex-

tends itself, and becomes imbedded in a kind of hood, in the

cavity of which the first rudiments of the stem leaves make

their appearance. The edges of this little hood gradually

approach each other, unite, and form a kind of pouch*

(cotyledon, A. Richard and H. de Cassini). (Fig. 7. and 8.)

* Schleiden has of late imagined that this pouch represents the ligule of

the cotyledon leaf;—an hypothesis which, though at first sight very attract-

ive, loses all its probability as soon as germination commences ; for then

the pedicel, which always takes its origin above the point of the attachment

of the cotyledon leaf, is seen to elongate, and to bear up with it the little

of Vegetable Embryology. 231

In tracing out the development of the embryo in others of

the Graminez, MM. Mirbel and Spach found the phzenomena

presented by each species to be so closely similar, that the em-

bryogeny of the Zea Mays may justly be considered as the

type of this process as carried on in all the Graminee: still

however a few modifications of minor importance were dis-

closed; thus, in the Zea Mays, the Huchlena mexicana, the

Coix Lacryma, and in Tripsacum hermaphroditum the ovule

remains attached to the base of the cavity of the ovarium,

however advanced the period of development may be; but in

Sorgham vulgare and Melica nutans the attachment of the

ovule is so displaced that this body is found fixed to that in-

ternal portion of the wall of the cavity of the ovary which cor-

responds to its anterior surface. Again, in Zea Mays, and in

Euchlena mexicana, the apex of the ovule is inclined, and, as

it begins to approach its base, the primine completely covers

the secundine. About the same period those parts of the two

envelopes which correspond with the orifice of the ovary,

elongate into two empty points, of which one is inclosed

within the other. Lastly, the primary utricle in Euchlena

differs from that of Zea and Sorgham, resembling a little

crooked cone, the base of which is rounded; and the suspen-

sor, which in Sorgham and Zea arises from the base of the

utricle, and elongates itself in the direction of the axis to ar-

rive at the exostome, arises in this instance from the side of

the utricle, a little above its base; and in elongating towards

the exostome it follows an oblique direction.

On comparing the observations of Schleiden and Wydler

with those of Mirbel and Spach, which we have just stated in

detail, a striking and essential difference is clearly perceptible

between the conclusions to which these observations respect-

ively lead, at the same time that a wide distinction is indi-

cated between the doctrines necessarily flowing from each.

In instituting a comparison between the conditions of the

oyule and embryo during the progress of their development

as stated by these observers, it will be found, that the parti-

pouch with which it is surromded. Hence we obtain a proof that this or-

gan has nothing in common with the ligula.

232 Mr. H. Giraud on the recent Doctrines

cular points upon which they do not agree, and with regard

to which the statements of Mirbel and Spach would appear

to controvert the views of Schleiden, may be ranged under

three general heads, corresponding with as many stages of the

development of the female organs.

Ist. Schleiden maintains that when the axis of the ovule

makes an angle of about 90° with that of the style, an oval

cavity, containing a limpid mucous fluid, (eambium, Mirbel,),

is discovered near the apex of the nucleus; that the forma-

tion of this cavity is contemporaneous with that of the embryo-

sac (quintine, Mirbel ; sac-embryonnaire, Brongniart,), which

soon makes its appearance, gradually increases, and becoming

filled with a cellular substance, occupies a considerable space

in the nucleus. Now in opposition to this, M. Mirbel’s in-

vestigations have shown, that the little cavity, which is always

fixed to the apex of the nucleus, does not become enlarged

during the growth of the ovule; but that its fluid contents

soon contribute to the formation of the primary utricle.

2nd. It is asserted by Schleiden, that when the oval cavity

enlarges and the embryo-sac is correspondingly developed, the

tube issuing from the pollen grain penetrates to the summit

of the nucleus, pressing before it the membrane of the embryo-

sac, which, yielding to its pressure, forms a ceecum in which

the extremity of the tube is lodged. This view is opposed by

the statements of Mirbel, who has shown that in many spe-

cies of plants, and particularly in the Graminez, the embryo-

sac is wanting; and that in these cases the primary utricle

takes its origin from the fluid matter (cambium) of the little

cavity of the nucleus; so that this last may be wholly desti-

tute of a lining membrane, such as Schleiden would make the

embryo-sac. But even supposing that this part existed and

underwent the changes conceived by Schleiden, and that a por-

tion of the embryo-sac was expanded into a ceecum serving as

a sheath for the extremity of the pollen tube, it would follow

that from the translucency of the parts, the existence of two

membranous expansions (the pollen tube and the embryo-

sac) might readily be determined; but both Mirbel and Wydler

have only succeeded in detecting one; that, namely, which

of Vegetable Embryology. 233

Schleiden takes for the extremity of the pollen tube. Again,

if the membranous sac or primary utricle of Mirbel be only

the extremity of the pollen tube, it would occur that, during

the first formation of that utricle, the posterior part of the

tube would show itself externally to the nucleus; but Mirbel

has shown that the utricle originates in the cavity of the nu-

cleus, and for a long time is wholly lodged there, giving no

indications externally of its presence. A fact which appears

to strike at the very foundation of Schleiden’s statements is,

that at the period when the observations of MM. Mirbel and

Spach were made, impregnation could not possibly have taken

place, for the female organs of the Zea were entirely covered

by from seven to ten broad bracteze, all closely infolded within

each other; so that under this disposition of parts it was im-

possible that the pollen tubes could arrive at their destination.

3rd. Schleiden states that the part of the pollen tube lodged

in the ceecum of the embryo-sac becomes club-shaped, and in

its cavity is produced a mass of utricular tissue, with which it

. becomes filled ; whilst the posterior part of the tube still con-

tinues in its original membranous condition ; that portion

soon disappears, while the extremity of the tube becomes

transformed into the embryo, and commences a new develop-

ment. Now M. Mirbel has shown that the first appearance

of the primary utricle precedes the application of the pollen ;

that it is independently engendered in the ovule; and that,

conjointly with the utricles which it produces, it commences

the formation of the embryo. The same observer has moreover

stated that the flaccid membranous tube by which the

young radicle terminates, is not the posterior part of the pol-

len tube, but the suspensor, or appendage of the primary

—— utricle, of which it evidently forms a part, as its elongation

takes place from within outwards, and not from without in-

wards.

The refutation of the doctrines of the German phytologists,

thus apparently afforded by the observations of MM. Mirbel

and Spach, would serve to establish the generally received

opinions regarding the sexual functions of the reproductive

organs of flowering plants, and to maintain the present views

234 Mr. H. Giraud on the recent Doctrines

of the nature of phanerogamic generation; for certainly the

investigations of these latter observers lay more claim to our

confidence than those of Schleiden, from their having been

conducted with greater care, and in a regular chronological

order*. But with reference to this question, I believe that

an induction may be drawn from a source, which, whilst it is

derived from the most universal law of the development of

plants, is free from those errors which will ever be found to

creep into microscopical investigations, even when conducted

by the most skillful hands,

From the recent additions which have been made to our

knowledge regarding the morphology of the reproductive

organs, I think it may be shown, that a consideration of the

morphological conditions of the ovule and embryo, independ-

ent of arguments founded on any other grounds, would lead

to the conclusion—that the embryo is originally a body fo-

reign to the ovule, and introduced into it from without—a

view corroborative of the opinions of Schleiden.

Most authors make four great stages in the morphology of

the sexual system ;—viz. the whorl of the calyx, corolla, sta-

mens, and pistil. I think, however, we may make five or

even six, by including what I believe to be leaf formations of

the ovule. According to these authors, the upper and last

stage of metamorphosis is that of the fruit-leaf (carpellary

leaf), which, in each of its three dimensions, is changed in a

peculiar way. But does the axis terminate with this carpel-

lary whorl of leaf metamorphosis? Von Martiust is of

opinion that the axile formation is terminated by the recep-

tacle, upon which the fruit-leaf is situated ; so that the elon-

gation of the axis is herewith at an end. M. Mohl, found-

* The very anomalous phenomena attendant on the embryogeny of San-

talum album (so accurately described by Mr. Griffith in the Linn. Trans.

vol. xviii. Part I.) are equally opposed to the views of Schleiden; for in no

case could Mr. G. perceive the membrane of the embryo-sac either pierced

or depressed by the pollen tubes. And, in the cases of Loranthus and

Viscum, he found that the formation of the ovule was a process subsequent

to impregnation ;—an observation at total variance with the idea that the

ovule or female organ is a nidus adapted to the development of an embryo,

supposed to be derived entirely and directly from the male.

+ M. Von Martius, Die Metamorphose der Pflanzen, 1837.

of Vegetable Embryology. 235

ing, as I suppose, his opinion on the production of buds on

the leaves of Bryophyllum and Malazxis paludosa, concludes

that the ovules always spring from the upper surface and

margins of a carpel leaf, and that they are wholly unconnected

with the axis, which, as he supposes, has no share in the for-

mation of the ovarium. Certainly the position of the ovules

on the edges of the carpellary leaves in Papaver and others,

or at the sides of the midribs in Viola, &c. would appear to

favour these opinions.

Professor Meyen* believes that the origin of the ovules is

fourfold; that they originate most frequently at the mar-

- gins of the carpellary leaves ; next, at the sides of the midribs

of the carpel leaves; and lastly, from the axis, where they

occur either at the end of the axile formation, or at the side

of the frequently much shortened axis. The facts, however,

from which these statements are deduced, may be explained

upon the supposition that the ovule is an axile formation ;

and if the ovula be considered as analogous to buds, they

will fall in with that very general law—that a bud is never

formed on a leaf, but from the axis or its derivative organs

alone. The case of Bryophyllum alone offers a real excep-

tion to this view.

MM. Henry and Marquart} have represented the car-

pellary leaves separated from the axis and forming stamens,

while nevertheless the axile formation produced ovules ;

than which no better proof can be afforded of the elon-

gation of the axis. The most obvious conclusion regard-

ing the nature of the true Placenta centralis libera is that it

is a prolongation of the axis, as in the Polygonee and in

Taxus; and Schleiden, who coincides in this view, enume-

rates several examples which tend to prove its correctness ;

such as the condition of the ovaria of the Fumariaceze and

Cruciferz, and of the cones of the Coniferze. Von Martius

states that the reproductive organs produce axes of peculiar

* Report on the Progress of Vegetable Physiology during the year 1837.

By F. J. F. Meyen, M.D. Translated by William Francis. Lond. 1839.

+ Ueber abnorme Bildungen des Fruchtknotens der Salix cinerea, L. mit

einer Tafel Abbildungen. Ersten Jahresbericht des Botanischen Vereines

am Mittel- und Niederrhein. Bonn, 1837.

236 Mr. H. Giraud on the recent Doctrines

structure, (meaning the ovules with their embryos,) which

separate from the primitive axis, and commence an inde-

pendent life; but it is impossible to reconcile this with his

former statement—that the axis terminates at the receptacle.

If it be conceded that the axis is prolonged into the ovarium,

and has its share in the formation of the placenta, then may

we conclude that the ovule itself is an axile formation, and

that it is in all respects analogous to a leaf-bud; hence the

ovular membranes, inclosing the nucleus, must be collateral,

or true leaf formations. The correctness of this view may be

moreover established on the following grounds. The primine

and secundine, at a very early period of their development,

are not presented each as a continuous membrane encircling

the nucleus, but they consist of several portions, forming

two whorls of what I would term ovular leaves, their inter-

node being wanting; its normal position being occupied by

a portion of tissue near the chalaza. This opinion is also

supported by the instances which have been noticed of the

descending metamorphosis of the ovule. MM. Henry and

Marquart have noticed the retrograde or descending metamor-

phosis in the ovules of the Salix cinerea, and have represented,

in drawing, a catkin, the carpels of which were filled with a

number of longitudinally folded leafs occupying the normal

situation of the ovules; doubtless these were the organs

which should have constituted the ovular membranes. Hence

then it may be concluded that the axis has its termination at

some point within the ovule; this I would consider to be

situated at the chalaza ; here, the vessels which have ascended

through the woody tissues of the stem, and have penetrated

the cellular structure of the placenta, are suddenly stopped,

as it were, in their course, and are spread out in ramifications

to the nucleus and its tegumentary membranes; thus form-

ing the true organic placenta.

It has been asserted by Turpin* that the axis has its ter-

* Esquisse d’Organographie Végétale, fondée sur la principe d’unité et de

composition organique et d’évolution rayonnante ou centrifuge, pour servir

4 prouver l’identité des organes appendiculaires des végétaux, et la metamor-

phose des plantes de Goethe. Paris, 1837.

of Vegetable Embryology. — 237

mination in the embryo; in which case, according to the

general laws of vegetation, the embryo should be continuous,

at its organic base, with the organic base of the ovule; and

consequently the radicle should be turned towards the cha-

laza, that is to say, next the point where the ovular leaves

(membranes) are connected; for in this way only can an

organic continuity be established between the female parent

plant and the embryo. But if the normal position of the

embryo, with regard to the axis of the ovule, be considered,

it will appear that in all these respects an opposite arrange-

ment is presented; so that the organic base of the embryo

(the radicle) is diametrically opposite to the organic base of

the ovule (the chalaza), and is directed towards the micropyle.

From this it is evident that the embryo cannot be considered

as the product of metamorphosis within the ovule; that it

has not taken its origin in the interior of that organ, but has

been introduced into it from without, that it may attain a

degree of development fitting it hereafter to live as an inde-

pendent axis.

If this view be admitted, the doctrines of Schleiden will

receive a confirmation, which must entitle them to more con-

sideration than they would otherwise have merited, with the

statements of Mirbel and Spach weighing so heavily against

them ; for the position which we have here maintained, on

morphological grounds, is not liable to have its foundations

shaken by those objections which may be raised against the

observations both of Schleiden and of his opponents, from

the well-known inaccuracies and deceptions which are attend-

ant on microscopical investigations, however carefully con-

ducted.

While then the accurate statements of Mirbel and Spach

would appear to prove undoubtedly that the impregnation

of the ovule is not required for the primary engendering

of the first traces of the embryo, (which, if proved, would

completely falsify the views of Schleiden and of Dr. Car-

penter,) the morphological condition of that structure com-

pels us to admit the high degree of probability which may

be attached to the idea—that the embryo is a body origin-

238 Dr. Pfeiffer’s Observations on the Family Helicide,

ally foreign to the ovule, and introduced into it from with-

out.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE IV.

Fig. 1. Part of the ovule and conducting tissue of Phytolacea decandra.

a. Conducting tissue. 6. Pollen tube. ¢. Embryo. d. Embryoersac. e.

Nucleus. jf. Secundine. g. Primine. (Schleiden.)

Fig. 2. The extremity of the pollen tube (embryo) indenting the em-

bryo-sac. a. Pollen tube. b. Embryo. c. Embryo-sac. (Schleiden.)

Fig. 3. The inferior part of an ovule of Carduus nutans, after impregna-

tion. a. Pollen tube. b. Embryo. c, Embryo-sac. d. Nucleus. e. Te-

guments. (Schleiden.)

Fig. 4. Section of the ovarium of Zea Mays at an early period of its de-

velopment. a. Primine. 6. Secundine. ec. Nucleus. d. The little cavity

in which the primary utricle is afterwards formed. (Mirbel and Spach.)

Fig. 5. The same at a more advanced period. a. The primary utricle.

(Mirbel and Spach.)

Fig. 6. The primary utricle, detached from the ovule, filled with the glo-

bulo-cellular cambium. (Mirbel and Spach.)

Fig. 7. The embryo detached. a. Cotyledon. 6. The first leaf of the

plumule. c. The second leaf of the plumule. (Mirbel and Spach.)

Fig. 8. The embryo at a more advanced period. a. The first leaf of the

plumule. 6. Radicle. c. The suspensor. (Mirbel and Spach.)

XXVI.— Observations on the Family Helicide, and descrip-

tion of a new Genus. By Dr. L. Preirrer of Cassel*.

Tur most difficult question concerning the limits of genera

among the land mollusca has of late been frequently treated

of, and with widely different results. If, on the one hand,

Férussac went much too far, in comprising nearly all air-

breathing mollusca with four tentacula in his genus Heliz, still,

on the other hand, the attempts at a division of this large

group have not yet succeeded in a satisfactory manner. Dra-

parnaud’s genera, however, form a good basis, to which I am

inclined with slight deviation to return. Lamarck evidently

relied too much on individual peculiarities of the shell, be-

cause he was not acquainted with a sufficient number of spe-

cies in which the transitions of the forms may be distinctly

* From Wiegmann’s Archiv, Part I. 1840,

and Description of a new Genus. — 239

demonstrated. This is especially the case with the genus

Achatina, which had necessarily, in as far as its character was

merely founded on the truncated columella, to be again united

with Bulimus, as the animals, both as to their exterior as well

as their anatomical characters, are perfectly similar, and all

the intermediate forms may be followed, from the truncate

columella of Achat. virginea to the beautiful round aperture of

Bul. hemastomus.. But those species are excluded from this

reunion which Montfort comprised in his genus Polyphemus,

as these are not merely distinguished by the peculiar form

of the columella, but likewise by the bilobate snout of the

animal.

I follow therefore in general the well sustained view of De-

shayes, who reunites the genera Achatina and Bulimus of La-

marck, and shows on anatomical grounds (Lam. vii. p. 14. 2de

édit.) that they cannot be comprised under Helix; but I can-

not at all agree in the opinion expressed by the same ingenious

naturalist, that Clausilia and Pupa must likewise be combined.

I find, rather, no reason for separating Draparnaud’s genus

Pupa from Bulimus. In the European species described by

Draparnaud, there were, it is true, some constant character-

istics evident which appeared to justify this separation; but

with how many species have we since then become acquainted,

which have shown the earlier generic characters to be insuf-

ficient, and have therefore been sometimes ascribed to the one,

sometimes to the other of these genera! In fact, I know at pre-

sent not a single distinctive character between the two. The

animals are perfectly identical ; the form is in both cylindrical

or ovate; and the oral edge disconnected. What therefore

is left? The form of the aperture, or its folds and teeth? The

form of the columella? For all these characteristics the most

distinct forms of transition are afforded by Férussac’s genus

Partula or Swainson’s Achatinella. Aye the teeth and folds

of the aperture to constitute the chief character,—which for

instance Menke seems to adopt, since he refers to the Pupe,

the long-known Bulimus Pupa? But how many toothed spe-

cies do we not now refer without scruple to Bulimus, fol-

lowing the analogy with Helix, while at the same time we do

not class, for instance, Pupa obtusa among them! In the ex-

240 Dr. Pfeitier’s Observations on the Family Helicide,

ceedingly difficult group of the large extra-European forms»

the teeth of the aperture and the folds of the columella are a

very uncertain character; sometimes they are present, some-

times missing: Pupa sulcata is perfectly toothless. On the

other hand, the great affinity of this group with Bulimus la-

biosus*, Br. is evident, and this can just as little be separated

from Bulimus faba, Desh. (Partula australis, Fér.) as the latter

from Bul. egotis, Mke. (Auricula Sileni, Lam.) Bulimus ci-

trinus and the other true species of Bulimus (according to

Draparnaud !). Indeed the most certain proof of a genus

having been falsely established is when several of its spe-

cies are thrown from one to another; or generally when we

are uncertain to which any species that occurs is to be car-

ried.

From all these reasons I consider that the genus Pupa, Dr., -

must be wholly discarded, and its species arranged with Bu-

liimus. But the genus Clausilia, according to its old Drapar-

naudian characteristic, remains firm. Did there exist no other

distinctive character, the clausium—a part evidently ana-

logous to the operculum of several molluscous genera—would

alone suffice to establish the genus; and if we define this with

Draparnaud’s short words thus: “ Testa fusiformis; peri-

stoma continuum oblongum ; clausilium !”’ we have a well-de-

fined whole. It is true, a portion of the species included

by Draparnaud in this genus, to suit which Lamarck (ed.

Desh. viii. p. 195.) says, Ce nom fut d’abord significatif!

must then be excluded; viz. 1°, all those which have no

continuous peristoma; and 2°, those which have a circular

continuous peristoma but possess no clausium. Of the

former I will merely mention the Clausilia exesa, Spix

(Desh. No. 39.), and Turton’s Balea fragilis, which indeed

is reckoned by Draparnaud, Nilsson, and Lamarck as a

Pupa; but by Studer, C. Pfeiffer (vol. i.), and Menke as a

Clausilia. Both must range, together with the genus Pupa,

under Bulimus. 'To the second section belong Lamarck’s

* Desh. No. 130. This beautiful species, adopted by Deshayes only from

Miiller’s excellent description, is in my possession. It is represented with

perfect truth in Chemnitz (ix. p. 1234.), but the figure in Gualtieri (T. 4.

R.) cited with a query has no relation to it, but belongs to the species which

Blainville (Malacol. tab. 39. fig. 5 a.) has figured as Pupa Mumia.

and Description of a new Genus. 241

and Deshayes’ species, Nos. 2, 9, 40, 41, 42,43. But since all

these, on account of the regularly continuous peristoma, can be

elassed with none of the other genera of the family Helicide,

and on account of the structure of the animal can far less

be referred anywhere else, I conceive that they form of them-

selves a good genus, and propose for this the name Cylin-

drelia,—a name which in the first place points to the form of

all the species known, modified by the termination already

in use in molluscous genera.

The characteristic of this new genus would be as follows :-—

CyLinpRELLA, L. Pfr— Animal heliciforme. Testa sub-

eylindracea, imperforata, multispirata, seepe truncata. Peri-

stoma continuum, suborbiculare. Operculum vel clausium

nullum.

All hitherto known species are inhabitants of the West In-

dian Islands, and I myself have found in Cuba four evidently

distinct species, of which two have already been described and

figured by Férussac (Helix Cochlodina perplicata and subula),

the two others are perhaps new. The latter have been pre-

liminarily described by me inWiegmann’s Archiv (1839, p.353.)

under the name Clausilia elegans and crispula. It appears

remarkable to me that all the Cuban Cyclostomata with which

I am acquainted are always truncate, i.e. cast off the apex at

a certain age, and reclose the open place. Almost all known

' species are dextral, and we should be justified in adopting

this as a generic character if Chemnitz’s Turbo elongatus from

Jamaica (Clausilia Chemnitziana, Desh.) was not sinistrously

whorled, according to the figure and clear description. (Chemn.

ix. fig. 956.) In other respects this species is so nearly allied

to my Cyl. elegans in its habit, that we may admit with cer-

tainty that it likewise has no clausium, and belongs to the

new genus, of which the following are the hitherto known

species :—

1. Cylindrella gracilicollis (Clausilia truncatula, Lam. 2.)

2. ————. ocollaris (Claus. collaris, Lam. 9.)

antiperversa (Claus. antiperversa, Desh. 40.)

subula (Claus. subula, Desh. 41.)

perplicata (Claus. perplicata, Desh. 42.)

6. ————._ Chemnitziana (Claus. Chemnitziana, Desh.43.)

Ann. Nat. Hist, Vol.5. No.31. June 1840. s

242 Dr. Pfeiffer’s Observations on the Family Helicide.

7. Cylindrella elegans \ Clausilia, L. Pfeiffer in Wiegmann’s

8. ———— crispula Archiv, Part I. 1839, p. 353.

9. ————? forticollis (Claus. torticollis, Lam. 1.)

The first five of these species are figured by Férussac on the

163rd plate, and are referred by him to the subgenus Cochlo-

dina. Rossmissler calls them, (‘Iconographie’, Part II. p. 13.)

“ long-necked Pupe,’ under which Sowerby (‘Genera of

Shells,’) also classes some species belonging here. Whether

Clausilia torticollis, Lam. from Candia, must likewise be re-

ferred to Clausilia I will not venture to determine, as I am not

acquainted with the species, nor is the figure at present at my

disposal, and the description is slight, especially with reference

to the aperture. Yet much speaks in favour of this being its

true position.

From what has been above stated it appears to me advan-

tageous to divide the family of the Helicide into the following

_ genera :—

1. Vitrina.

2. Helicophanta.

3. Succinea.

4. Helix (with Carocolla and Anostoma, Lam.)

. 5. Bulimus (with Achatina; Lam., Pupa, Drap., Partule,

Fér., and Megaspira, Lea.)

6. Vertigo.

7. Cylindrella.

8. Clausilium.

9. Polyphemus, Mont.

The character which all have in common with the Limacide,

and by which they are distinguished from the following orders,

are the retractile tentacles provided at the apex with eyes ; and

the separate genera appear to me only in this way capable of

being sufficiently established according to correct principles.

Perhaps, however, some changes must be made in accordance

with the structure of the animals, as I am chiefly led to sup-

pose from some observations made on living specimens of

Bulimus hemastomus. ,

Mr. J. E. Gray on the Clausium of Clausilia. 243

XXVII.—Some Remarks on the foregoing Paper of Dr. L.

Pfeiffer, especially on the Clausium of Clausilia. By Joun

Epwarp Gray, F.R.S. Keeper of the Zoological Collec-

tion in the British Museum.

To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History.

Dear Srrs,—lI have read Dr. L. Pfeiffer’s paper with great

interest, though, as you will perceive by the following re-

marks, I differ from him in some particulars, as I consider .

he has just been doing what he blames others for, that is, at-

tempting to establish a genus which when examined by his

own views will not stand. The genus which he describes has

been long known to English conchologists under the desig-

nation of Brachypus, of the late Rev. Lansdown Guilding,

but finding this name preoccupied, he afterwards changed it

to Siphonostoma. It will be found characterized under the

latter name in Mr. Swainson’s volume of Lardner’s Cyclopz-

dia, p. 168, f. 22, and 333, f. 97, d and e, where the Clausilia

collaris of Lam.= Turbo truncatulus,Wood’s Cat. Supp. f. 27,

a species first figured by Lister, is. called Siphonostoma cos-

tata*. Ihave long separated the group in my cabinet; but

Dr. L. Pfeiffer appears to have overlooked one of the most

essential characters of the genus, namely that there is always

a slight groove in front of the mouth of the shell, forming a

ridge or keel on the front of the last whorl, as in Clausilia.

This groove appears to have given rise to Guilding’s latter

name of the genus.

I do not consider this natural and geographical group,

which is only established on conchological characters, as more

distinct in the family of Helicidze, than all those genera which

Dr. L. Pfeiffer in this paper proposes to get rid of, as for ex-

ample Anastoma, Achatina, Pupa, Balea, Partula, Megaspira,

and Achatinella, which are all equally natural and groups of

confined geographical distribution. If such groups are to be

used as genera all the above-named must be retained, and

many more established, and at the same time I consider they

are all much more distinct from each other than Vertigo is

* costatum.

s 9

fod

244 Mr. J. EK. Gray on the Clausium of Clausilia.

from Pupa, which the author of the paper is willing to con-

sider a distinct genus of the same rank as his Cylindrella.

There are several other species referable to this group,

besides those named by Dr. Pfeiffer; among others, a very

large and beautiful one, the giant of the genus, named Pupa

purpurea by the English authors, which has a very slender

tapering tip about an inch long, and then the whorl suddenly

enlarges and forms a broad ovate shell; the top which held

the body of the animal in its young state being far too small

for its rapidly increased size, falls off and leaves a blunt end.

A second species nearly as large is Helix Maugere of Wood,

Cat. Sup. t. 7. f. 31. = Helix ignifera, Férussac, n. 494.

If the shell which I possess under the name of Clausilia

torticollis is correctly named, it is a true Clausilia.

I cannot agree with Dr. L. Pfeiffer in regarding the clau-

sium of Clausilia as “evidently analogous to the operculum

of several molluscous genera.” First, It is not attached

to the animal as the operculum always is, but is a mere ap-

pendage to the mouth of the shell. Secondly, It is only

formed when the animal has nearly reached its full growth,

when it is about to complete the mouth of its shell, and not

developed in the embryo of the animal while yet in the egg,

as is the case with the operculum. ‘Thirdly, The genus be-

longs to a group of molluscous animals which are never

operculated.

From the above considerations I have always regarded the

clausium as a peculiar modification of a tooth or plait; I

think, that when its position, use, and mode of formation is

considered, this will be found to be the case. If this be

correct, I do not then see how the genus Clausilia is to be

separated according to Dr. L. Pfeiffer’s views from Bulimus ;

and as Cylindrella Chemnitziana has the ovate mouth, and

the sinistral whorls of Clausilia, and I believe a rudimentary

clausium, it will be necessary, if his views are carried out, to

unite his genus Cylindrella to the same great group.

Yours very truly,

Joun EpwarpD GRAY.

British Museum, May 14, 1840.

Mr. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 245

XXVIII.— Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. By W. Tuomp-

son, Esq., Vice-Pres. Nat. Hist. Society of Belfast.

[Continued from p. 14. ]

Mo.nuvusca*.

Sealaria Trevelyana, Leach. MS. Several years ago I was favoured

with specimens of this handsome shell from the coast of the

county of Cork by Mr. John Humphreys. Like many other

British mollusca long known to naturalists it still remains un-

described, but it is not for me to attempt its description. I

learn from Mr. Alder that it was discovered many years ago on

the coast of Northumberland by Miss Emma ‘Trevelyan, in

honour of whom it is named.

EcuHINODERMATA.

Asterias aurantiaca, Linn. Youghal, Mr. R, Ball; coasts of Down

and Antrim, W. T.; Ross bay and south-west coast of Cork,

common, Mr. G. J. Allman. oe

+Asterina gibbosa, Forb. Wern. Mem. vol. vii. part 1.

Asterias gibbosa, Penn. Coasts of Down, Antrim, and Dublin,

W. T.; Southern and western shores, Mr. R. Ball.

Linkia rosea, mihi.

Asterias rosea, Mull. Zool. Dan. vol. ii. p. 35. tab. 67. In Mr. R.

Ball’s collection, I have seen two specimens of this star-fish,

which is an addition to the British Fauna—they were obtained

* Trochus millegranus, Philippi, Enum. Moll. Siciliz, p. 183. tab. 10. f. 25.

This species has been in my collection for some years from the northern and

southern localities of Strangford lough and Bantry bay. Mr. Forbes informs

me that it is to this 7’rochus the name of 7. Martini is applied in Mr. Smith’s

paper lately published in the Wernerian Memoirs (vol. viii. Part I.). It is

there stated that Mr. Alder found the species at Dublin; but I understand

that the Irish specimens thus alluded to were not from that locality, but

from the one first mentioned here. Mr. Humphreys of Cork, from whom

I had the Bantry bay specimen in 1835, stated that Dr. Turton had named

it T. conuloides.

+ Goniaster Templetoni, Thomp. Forbes, Wern. Mem. vol. viii. On ex-

amination of a species of Goniaster obtained by Mr. Ball from the Nymph

Bank more than twenty years ago, itseemed to correspond with the descrip-

tion of what Mr. Templeton considered doubtfully as the Ast. equestris

(Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. ix. p. 237.) and appearing at the same time to be un-

described I named it as above. Mr. Templeton’s specimen is not now

available for comparison, but the gentleman who found it, on being lately

shown one from the south, stated that they were certainly of the same spe-

cies. The G. Templetoni approaches the Ast. pulvillus, Mull. Z. D. vol. i.

p- 19. tab. 19. more nearly than any other, and chiefly differs from it in the

under surface being conspicuously tessellated.

246 Mr. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland.

in 1818 at the Nymph Bank, off the southern coast. One spe-

cimen, which is perfect, is 4 inches across ; the arms of the other,

though much injured, are each 5 inches in length. The spe-

cies is admirably represented in the Zoologia Danica.

Stellonia violacea, mihi.

Asterias violacea, Mull. Zool. Dan. vol. ii. p. 7. tab. 46. Northern,

eastern, and southern (R. Ball) coasts. The typical forms of

S. violacea and S. rubens are very distinct in appearance, yet,

through their varieties, they sometimes approach so nearly as to

render the propriety of their separation as species somewhat

doubtful.

Stellonia glacialis, Forb. Wern. Mem. vol. viii.

Asterias glacialis, Linn.

— angulosa, Mull. Z. D. vol. ii. p. 1. tab. 41. Youghal, Mr.

R. Ball; south-west coast of Cork, Mr. G. J. Allman. This

species attains a very large size on the southern coast ; on the

north-east I have obtained a few very small specimens only.

Ast. glacialis is noticed in Templeton’s catalogue as having

been found by Mr. Grimshaw, from whom I learn that the 4.

glacialis of Flem. Brit. Anim. (Stell. rubens, Forbes) is the spe-

cies alluded to, and not the present one.

Stellonia hispida, Forb. Wern. Mem.

Asterias hispida, Penn. Coast of Down, W. T.

Luidia fragilissima, Forbes.

Anas tabs rubens, Johnst. Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. ix. p. 144, f. 20.

Common about Youghal, Mr. R. Ball; Glendore, county Cork,

Mr. Allman.

Ophiura albida, Forbes. Common on the north-east coast. This

species, lately described by Mr. Forbes (Wern. Mem. vol. viii.)

as distinct from O. texturata, had been so distinguished by Mr.

Hyndman and myself for some years.

Ophiocoma neglecta, Forb. Wern. Mem.

Ophiura neglecta, Johnst. Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. vill. p. 467. f. 42.

Common on the north-east coast. The first specimen obtained

by Mr. Hyndman and myself, in Strangford lough in January

1834, was set apart as an undescribed Ophiura. Dr. Johnston,

taking a similar view, described the species as new in the fol-

lowing year.

Ophiocoma bellis, Forb. Wern. Mem.

Ophiura bellis, Flem. Brit. Anim. Coast of Dublin, Mr. R. Ball,

Mr. Hyndman; Belfast and Strangford loughs, W. T.

Ophiocoma granulata, Forb. Wern. Mem.

Mr. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 247

Ophiura granulata, Flem. Brit. Anim. Coast of Dublin (R. Ball)

| and Down (W. T.). The species figured by Templeton (Mag.

Nat. Hist. ix. 237.) with doubt as this species is the O. rosula.

Ophiocoma brachiata.

Asterias brachiata, Mont. Linn. Trans. vol. vii. p. 84. Of this species,

apparently known only to Montagu, two specimens were ob-

tained in August 1836, by Mr. Hyndman and myself, when

dredging off Dundrum on the coast of Down: the body of the

more perfect one is 4rd of an inch in diameter, the least in-

jured arm 34 inches long, and where broken nearly as broad as

at the base.

Ophiocoma minuta, Forbes. This Ophiocoma as distinguished by

Mr. Forbes from Op. rosula (Wern. Mem. vol. viii.) has oc-

curred to me in the north; and among marine productions from

Courtmasherry harbour (county Cork) favoured me by Mr. All-

man is a fine specimen. Templeton has noted the O. minuta of

Pennant as Irish, but its identity with the present species is

doubtful.

Holothuria pentactes, Mull. Z. D. vol. i. p. 47. t. 108. f. 1—4?

Among a quantity of marine productions dredged in Belfast bay

in October last by my friend Edmund Getty, Esq., and. kindly

sent to me, was an injured specimen two inches in tea ap-

parently of this Holothuria.

Mulleria* papillosa, Johnst. Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. vii. p: 584. f. 66.

Dredged in Belfast and Strangford loughs in 1834, and subse-

quently by Mr. Hyndman and myself.

Cuvieria phantapus, Flem. Johnst. peck Nat. Hist. vol. ix: p. 472.

f. 68.

Holothuria phantapus, Mull. Z. D. vol. iii. p. 54. pl. 112. In Sep-

tember 1835 I obtained by the dredge a single specimen at

Bangor, county of Down.

VERMES.

Planaria tremellaris, Mull. Zool. Dan. t. 32. f. 1, 2. At the end of

April I have taken numbers of this species from the under sides

of stones in pools among the rocks at Rockport, Belfast bay.

The specimens were rather under the size—‘‘ long. 9 lin. lat.

4 lin.” —attributed to the species by Muller, but were other-

wise identical.

_Planaria vittata, Mont. Linn, Trans. vol. xi. p. 25. tab. 5. f.. 3... A

* See remarks on this generic name in Lamarck Anim. sans Vert. t. 3.

p- 455. 2nd ed.

248 Mr. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland.

single individual of this extremely beautiful species (of which

Montagu’s two original specimens only have, I believe, hitherto

been recorded) was taken by Mr. Hyndman and myself when

dredging in Strangford lough on the lst of October—in size it

exceeded Montagu’s, being 2inches in length and one in breadth.

It was of a whitish cream colour with black lines, occasionally

broken or non-continuous, disposed longitudinally over the up-

per surface of the body, not unlike those which on a whiter

ground render so attractive the plumage of the male silver

pheasant (Phasianus nycthemerus): these lines are from the de-

licacy of the animal all visible when the under side—which in

itself is plain white—is next the spectator; it was surrounded

by a border of pure opake white, which from the transparency

of the entire body within imparted a beautiful finish to its ap-

pearance : the two auricular appendages which emanate from the

anterior margin exhibit a black line along their basal half pos-

teriorly ; eyes could not be distinguished.

This Planaria was in form quite a proteus, and gliding with

an easy motion folded itself gracefully over every object that

came in its way. Having placed it in a phial of sea water, one

half of the body rested on the bottom and the other against the

side, and being thus at the same time horizontal and perpen-

dicular, and presenting throughout its entire length one mass

of folds, of which no two were alike in size, it looked as sin-

' gular as beautiful. Montagu’s figure, though correct, gives no

idea of the grace of the original; as usual, his description is

admirable: he remarks, that a drawing was fortunately made

from his specimens, two in number, upon the day on which

they were procured, as next morning they had disappeared,

having been dissolved in the sea-water.

ACALEPHA.

Medusa papillata, Abilg. in Zool. Dan. vol. iv. p. 24. t. exl. Of this

very minute species, 13 line in diameter, a specimen occurred

to me in Strangford lough in October.

Medusa (Geryonia) hemispherica, Mull. Z. D. vol.i. p. 6. t. 7. On

October 5, 1838, I obtained one of these Meduse in Belfast bay,

and a day or two afterwards many specimens were brought me

by Mr. Hyndman from the same locality : in size they rather

exceeded Muller’s, measuring 5 lines in diameter in their most

depressed state. This and the preceding species were deter-

mined from accurate drawings taken of the living animals. Mr.

Mr. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 249:

R. Patterson informs me that he obtained the G. hemispherica

at Larne in the summer of 1835.

Rhizostoma Cuvierii, Blainv. Actin. p. 297. t. 44. f. 1. Belfast, Au-

gust 6, 1838. I received a fine specimen of this Medusa from

Edmund Getty, Esq., whose attention was called to it yesterday

by an old fisherman seventy years of age, who stated that ‘‘a

large starfish, he had not seen the like of before,” was lying

on the beach near Holywood (Belfast bay). ‘The specimen ex-

actly accords with Blainville’s figure of R. Cuvierit and with

the Med. undulata of Borlase, as quoted by Pennant and Fleming.

Its total length is 18 inches, the body 74, and thence to extre-

mity of peduncles 104 inches : entire outer surface of the body,

which is 12 inches in diameter, granulated over like the rind

of an orange or lemon. The body is almost hyaline, with a very

slight tinge of dusky yellow; peduncles and their appendages

delicately tinged with lilac and roseate hues. Weight 6 lbs.

Oceania ? tubulosa, Sars. Bekriv. ov Polyp. &c. p. 25. pl. 5. f. 11.

April 18, 1840. I had the satisfaction today of identifying

with this species, a Medusa of which several individuals were

brought to me by Mr. Hyndman, just after their capture in

Belfast bay. On calling the attention of Mr. R. Patterson to

them, a reference to his notes on Meduse showed that he had

procured the same species at Larne (county Antrim), in May

1835, and June 1838; and again at Bangor (county Down), in

July 1839. As my friend could not find the species described

—Sars’ work he had not for reference—he drew up a detailed

and interesting account of the animal, accompanied by several

characteristic sketches of it in various positions.

Having remarked that one of my specimens, which was in a

phial containing 14 ounce of sea-water, appeared as lively after

four days’ captivity as at first, although the fluid had not been

changed, nor any nutriment added, I, before leaving home for

some days, handed it over to Mr. Patterson, that the period the

animal would live under such circumstances might be noted.

From him I learn that this individual lived thus for twelve days

(from the 18th to the 30th of April), and that for the first ten

it retained its ordinary vivacity.

ZOOPHYTA.

Hermia glandulosa, Johnst. Brit. Zoop. p. 111. vign. No. 12, and

pl. 4. f..1. 2.

250 Mr. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland.

Coryne glandulosa, Lam. Found attached to Fucus nodosus, growing

at entrance to Strangford lough, W. T.

Tubularia indivisa, Linn. Johnst. B. Z. 113. pl. 3. f.1. 2. Dublin

bay, W. H. Harvey, Esq., 1834; Youghal, Miss Ball, 1836;

Belfast and Strangford loughs, Mr. Hyndman and W. T.

larynz, Ellis and Solander. Johnst. B. Z. 115. pl. 3. f. 3.

and pl. 4. f. 3—5. Belfast and Strangford loughs, Mr. Hynd-

man and W. T.; Dublin bay, Mr. R. Ball.

muscoides, Linn. A few specimens of a Tubularia which I

obtained in Strangford lough in January 1835, parasitical on

Fucus nodosus, and subsequently between tide marks at the

island of Ireland’s Eye, off the Dublin coast, were placed in my

collection under this name. Having supplied a specimen to my

friend Dr. G. Johnston, he remarked upon it—‘‘ This is what

Agardh and Lamouroux say is the real T. muscoides of Linn.,

but not of any other author excepting Muller and Fabricius—

you are the first to discover it on our shores.’ In so far as my

limited observation extends, this would seem to be a littoral,

T. indivisa and T. larynx to be deep water species*.

Thoa Beanii, Johnst. B. Z. 120. pl. 7. f. 1. and 2. Procured by

dredging in Belfast bay, where it in some situations seems to

take the place of T. halecina. Before it was described as a di-

stinct species, its peculiarities, independently of the remarkable

ovaries, were noticed by Mr. Hyndman and myself—its general

"aspect or habit first attracted our attention. Instead of the

rigid ‘‘ herring bone” appearance of T. halecina, it is somewhat

flexible and graceful. Although not mentioned in the descrip-

tion, this difference is observable in the plates of the British

Zoophytes.

Sertularia filicula, Ellis and Soland. Johnst. B. Z. 131. pl. 11. f. 1.

In Dr. J. L. Drummond’s collection is a specimen of this coral-

line obtained many years ago near Ballycastle by that most di-

stinguished botanist R. Brown. Bangor (Down), Sept. 1835,

and subsequently, W. Tt.

* Tubularia ramosa, Linn., noticed by Templeton as found in Dublin

bay, occurs not uncommonly on shells dredged in deep water on the north-

east coast.

+ On reference to Mr. Templeton’s specimens I find that the Sertularia

named by him S. pinnata (Mag. Nat. Hist. ix. 468.), and subsequently S.

Hibernica by Dr. Johnston, in consequence of the former appellation being

preoccupied, is only a fine state of S. polyzonias. Since the publication of

his work I submitted the original specimens to Dr. Johnston, who agrees

with me in this opinion.

Mr. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 251

Plumularia pennatula, Ellis and Soland. Johnst. B. Z.:145. pl. 18.

f. 1, 2. Specimens of this rare and beautiful species profusely

invest about six inches of the stem of a Laminaria digitata ob-

tained in a fresh state by Miss M. Ball at Youghal in 1837. It

must rather I presume have been owing to the East Indies

being the locality whence the specimens described by Ellis and

Solander were brought, than to any fault in Fleming’s descrip-

tion (which seems as good as one so brief could be) that led

some authors on the continent to attribute it to other species.

The Irish specimens correspond with the descriptions in the

works of Ellis and Solander, Fleming and Johnston, and with

the figures in the first and last—some of them are 44 inches in

height.

Laomedea gelatinosa, Lamour. Johnst. B. Z. 152. pl. 21. f. 3, 4, and

pl. 23. f. 1. Youghal, Miss Ball; Bangor, county Down, Oct.

1835. W. T. In the ordinary state parasitical on Zostera marina

in both localities. Miss Ball has likewise obtained specimens

presenting the finest state of the species, and 11 inches in

height. See Brit. Zoop. pl. 23. f. 1.

Campanularia syringa, Lam. Johnst. B. Z. 155. f. 18. Of this spe-

cies, which has not a place in Mr. Templeton’s published

catalogue, I find specimens labelled ‘‘ Belfast Lough,” in his

collection—to myself it has occurred on the coasts of Down

and Dublin.

Campanularia ? dumosa, Flem. Johnst. B. Z. 157. pl. 23. f£. 2—5.

On Tubularia indivisa at Youghal 1836. Miss Ball.

On Serialaria lendigera and various corallines in Belfast Bay, W. T.

Caryophyllia Smith, Stokes and Brod. Johnst. B. Z. 207. vign. p.

206. A few specimens were prccured at Youghal, by Miss

Ball, in April 1836, and subsequently—diameter of the largest

74 lines.

Actinia dianthus, Ellis, Johnst. B. Z. 216. pl. 28. Belfast bay, Dr.

Drummond; Edm. Getty, Esq., Strangford lough, W. T.

Amongst the various forms it assumes, I have seen this species

present the exact appearance of the Act. plumosa of the Zoo-

logia Danica. Mr. Templeton marks it with doubt as Irish.

Actinia maculata, Adams, Johnst. B. Z, 218. f. 32. This extremely

beautiful species, taken by dredging in Strangford lough, in

January 1835, by Mr. Hyndman and myself, has subsequently

occurred to us commonly there and in Belfast bay—to Bulla

lignaria as well as the larger Trochi it is occasionally found

attached. Every shell that I have seen the A. maculata invest

252 Mr. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland.

was ‘tenanted by the Pagurus Prideauzii, Leach, a species

which, extensively as the native Paguri have been collected by

me, never occurred under other circumstances.

Bowerbankia densa, Farre, Johnst. B. Z. 255. f. 41. p. 256. When

shown this zoophyte by Dr. Farre in the spring of 1837, I re-

cognised it as a species which had not uncommonly occurred to

me in the north-east coast, attached in the form of minute tufts

to the stems of Desmarestia aculeata, Furcellaria fastigiata, &c.

I once procured it from the under side of a stone in Belfast

bay.

Lagenella repens, Farre. Bowerbankia repens, Jobnst. B. Z. 256.

vign. p. 235. In January 1835, this occurred to me in Strang-

ford lough, but I was unable to identify it with any described

species. Dr. Farre’s excellent memoir, which appeared in the

Philosophical Transactions for 1837, supplied this want; and

since that time I have by the examination of the living polype

obtained in the locality just named (and on the same species

of alge as the B. densa,) ascertained to a certainty its identity

with B. repens.

Crisia luxata, Flem. Johnst. B. Z. 262. pl. 30. f. 5.6. Attached

to the base of various alge collected near Glenarm by Miss

Davison in 1833. Youghal, Miss Ball; Waterford coast Miss

A. Taylor.

*Anguinaria spatulata, Lam. Johnst. B. Z. 266. pl. 30. f. 7, 8.

This is stated in Mr. Templeton’s catalogue to have been

‘‘found on the shore at Carrickfergus, on the sand, Aug.

1811.”—Mag. Nat. Hist. ix. p. 466. The specimen labelled

under this name in Mr. Templeton’s collection is Campanularia

syringa, but having “‘ Belfast Lough” simply written on it may

not be the one published. Of the A. spatulata I possess spe-

cimens which invest the stem of Dasya coccinea, collected at

Youghal by Miss Ball.

tTubulipora patina, Lam. Johnst. B. Z. 267. pl. 31. f.1—3. On

* Hippothoa lanceolata, Gray. Johnst. B. Z. 265. As only one habitat,

Kinsale, county Cork, is known for this very minute, but well-marked spe-

cies, it may be stated that it once occurred to me on a stone dredged in deep

water at the entrance of Strangford lough.

+ Tubulipora obelia, Johnst. B. Z. 269. pl. 31.f. 7, 8. Obtained with the

last. Specimens from Kinsale have been noticed by Mr. J. E. Gray, but

the species being considered rare, a second and northern habitat is given.

By reference to Mr. Templeton’s specimens, I find that his Pherusa tubulosa

(Mag. Nat. Hist. ix. p. 469,) is the Zubulipora serpens, Flem. (7. trans-

versa, Lam.)—This species it will be recollected was the Millepora tubulosa

of Ellis and Solander.

Mr. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 253

Cellepora cervicornis, &c. from the southern coast, in Mr. R.

Ball’s collection. North-east coast, W. T.

Discopora hispida, Flem. Johnst. B. Z. 270. pl. 31. f. 9—11*. Not

uncommon on marine plants and shells in the north and south.

Cellepora cervicornis, Flem. Johnst. B. Z. 276. pl. 33. Obtained

many years ago in abundance from the Nymph Bank by R.

Ball, Esq.

Lepralia hyalina, Johnst. B. Z. 277.

Cellepora hyalina, Linn. Common on marine plants, &c. on the

shores of Ireland from north to south.

Lepralia nitida, Johnst. B. Z. 277. pl. 34. f. 7.

Cellepora nitida, Fabr. On stones, &c. dredged in deep water at

entrance of Strangford lough.

Lepralia coccinea, Johnst. B. Z. 278. pl. 34. f. 1—3.

Cellepora coccinea, Lamour. ‘This species first occurred to me of a

snow white colour, on the bark of a tree washed ashore at

Bangor (Down) in January 1834:—on stones and shells

dredged in deep water on the north-east coast, it was of the

ordinary pale reddish purple hue.

Lepralia variolosa, Johnst. B. Z. 278. pl. 34. f. 4. On Pinne

dredged at Cork, and favoured me by Mr. R. Ball, rare. I have

obtained this species on the shell of the common edible crab

(Cancer Pagurus, Leach) taken near the entrance of Belfast bay.

Lepralia ciliata, Johnst. B. Z. 279. pl. 34. f. 6.

Eschara ciliata, Pall. Common on marine plants, shells, &c. around

the Irish coast.

Lepralia immersa, Johnst. B. Z. 280. pl. 34. f. 8.

Berenicea immersa, Flem. On Pinne from Cork. North-east and

Dublin coast, Mr. Hyndman and W. T.

Flustra lineata, Linn. Johnst. B. Z. 288. pl. 37. f. 4. On Lamina-

ria digitata and on stones dredged in Strangford lough. W. T.

+Flustra tuberculata, Johnst. B. Z. 289. pl. 34. f. 9. On shells and

stones from Belfast and Strangford loughs. W. T.

Alcyonidium gelatinosum, Lamour. Johnst. 300. pl. 41. f. 1—38.

Ulva diaphana, Eng. Bot. t. 263. Of occasional occurrence on

the north-east coast. W.T.

* Dr. Johnston’s figures represent a singular state of the species; the

ordinary one is very different.

+ flustra spongiosa, ‘Templeton, Mag. Nat. Hist. ix.469. Membranipora

spongiosa, Brit. Zoop. p. 252, is identical with Flustra ? carnosa of the latter

work. Dr. Johnston agrees that the specific name spongiosa should, in

right of priority, be retained for the species.

254 Mr. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland.

Alcyonidium hirsutum, Johnst. B. Z. 303. pl. 42. £1,:2.

Alcyonium hirsutum, Flem. Not uncommon on the northern

shores. W. T.

Alcyonidium echinatum, Johnst. B. Z. 304. pl. 42. f. 3,4.

Alcyonium echinatum, Flem. Commonly encrusting univalve shells

around the coast.

Alcyonidium ? parasiticum, Johnst. B. Z. 804. pl. 41. f. 4, 5. At-

tached to Sertularie, &c. on the northern and eastern shores.

W. T.

Plumatella repens, Lam. Johnst. B. Z. 322.f.51. In rejectamenta

on the shores of Lough Earn, I obtained this species in Sept.

1837.

Spongia mammillaris, Zool. Dan. vol. iv. p. 44. tab. 158. f. 3,4. A

specimen of this sponge, which I have not seen referred to as

identical with any British species, was dredged in Strangford

lough in 1835, by Mr. Hyndman and myself.

Halichondria parasitica, Flem.

Spongia parasitica, Mont. Wern. Mem. vol. ii. p. 114. Not

uncommon on marine plants and the larger corallines on the

north-east coast. W. T.

Halichondria suberica, Flem. Coldstream, Edin. New Phil. Jour.

1830. vol. ii. p. 235. pl. 4.

Spongia suberica, Mont. ‘This species, as represented by Dr. Cold-

stream, has occurred to me investing univalve shells dredged in

the loughs of Strangford and Belfast. In the former locality I

in 1835 obtained the Spongia ? suberia, which in the Magazine

of Natural History, vol. vil. p. 491, is described and figured by

Dr. Johnston, who considered it the ‘‘ perfect state of the

HZ, suberica.”

Halichondria ventilabra, Flem. Sea-fan sponge, Ellis, Phil. Trans.

1765; DP. 200. tan, TE Tere.

Spongia ventilabra, Linn. Specimens of this sponge (with one of

which I have been favoured,) were obtained by Mr. R. Ball

from the Nymph Bank in 1818.

Grantia ciliata, Flem.

Spongia ciliata, Fabr. Sp. coronata, Ellis and Soland. Zoop. p. 190.

tab. 58. f. 8 and 9. This very beautiful species I have com-

monly found on marine plants on the north-east coast, and

occasionally of large size™.

* Flabellaria opuntia, Blain. Actin. p. 551. tab. 96. f.4. Halimeda

opuntia, Flem. Brit. Anim. p. 515. A specimen of this Flabellaria in

Aisa

Mr. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 255

CRUSTACEA.

Pirimela denticulata, Leach. Mal. pl. 3. Edw. Crust. t. 1. 424.

Amongst a number of invertebrata collected some years ago on

the coasts of Down and Antrim by Dr. J. L. Drummond, and

which I owe to his kindness, was an individual of this species.

Portunus pusillus, Leach, Mal. pl. 9.f.5—-8. Edw. Crust. t. 1.444.

In course of dredging in the loughs of Strangford and Belfast

a few specimens of this crab have generally occurred to me.

Some in Mr. R. Ball’s collection were similarly obtained by

him in Dublin bay.

Ebalia Bryerii, Leach, Mal. pl. 25. f.12. Edw. Crust. t. 2. 129.

A single individual of this rare species, with which I have

been favoured by Mr. Hyndman, was procured by him from

deep water in Belfast bay*.

‘Pagurus Prideauzii, Leach, Mal. pl. 26. f. 5. 6. Edw. Crust. tab. 2.

216. See Actinia maculata, p. 251.

Galathea nexa, Embleton, Proceedings Berwickshire Club.p. 71.pl.1.

I have found in the stomachs of cod-fish brought from the

coasts of Down and Antrim to Belfast market; and in Dr.

Drummond’s collection are specimens which were similarly

procured. A comparison of one of these with an original spe-

cimen in Dr. Johnston’s possession, proved, what from its

agreement with the description and figure I had previously

little doubt of, the identity of the species.

Mr. R. Ball’s collection was found some years ago by Mr. Wm. Todhunter,

among the refuse of a Torbay (Devonshire) fishing-boat, in Dublin bay ;—

it was brought up in the trawl-net somewhere between these two ports.

This species has hitherto, I believe, been noticed but in one locality in the

British seas. Vide Flem. ].c.

* The following Brachyurous Crustacea having in Ireland been hitherto

noticed only as occurring on the coast of Cork, may be worth mentioning

here.

Hyas coarctatus, Leach. Frequent in deep water on the north-east coast,

W.T. Dublin bay, Mr. R. Ball.

Eurynome aspera, Leach. In Oct. 1834 and subsequently, a few speci-

mens have been procured by Mr. Hyndman and myself when dredging in

Strangford lough.

Portunus arcuatus, Leach. P. Rondeletii, Edw. In January 1835, and

since obtained by dredging in Strangford lough. W.T. When at Killin-

chy, on the shore of this lough, on the Ist Oct. last, and looking to the

refuse in a number of small boats which had been employed the previous

night in herring fishing, I found in every one of them several of these

crabs, and none of any other species.

Ebalia Pennanti, Leach. In Sept, 1836, a specimen was taken in Bel-

fast bay by Mr. Hyndman, and subsequently another was procured here

by Dr. Drummond. For one obtained in Dublin bay I am indebted to Mr.

G. J. Allman.

256 Mr. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland.

Callianassa subterranea, Leach, Mal. pl. 32. Edw. Crust. t. 2.

p. 309.

Cancer Astacus subterraneus, Mont. Linn. Trans. vol. ix. p. 88.

t. 3. f. 1, 2. March 25, 1839. On examining the contents of

the stomach of several individuals of the Platessa Pola, which

were taken early this morning off Newcastle (county Down),

two of the larger arms of this species, so peculiar in form and

still retaining their beautiful pink colour, were detected.

Pasiphea Sivado, Risso, Hist. Nat. ? Eur. Merid. t. 5. p. 81. ed.

1826. Edw. Crust. t. 2. p. 426. In the British Museum

there is a specimen so named, and labelled “ Ireland.”” From

the donor, the Rev. James Bulwer, I learned that it was taken

by him in the vicinity of Dublin.

Dexamine spinosa, Leach. Desm. Gen. Cons. Crust. p. 263.

pl..45. f. 6.

Cancer gammarus spinosus, Mont. Has occurred to me not uncom-

monly on the north-east coast.

Dynamena rubra, Leach, Desm. p. 298. As last. This species was

determined from comparison with Dr. Leach’s specimens in the

British Museum.

Aiga bicarinata, Leach, Desm. p. 305. March 30, 1839.__ I pro-

cured an individual of this species alive in Belfast market,

whither it was brought with oysters from Carrickfergus. It

was not known to Dr. Leach whence the specimen was brought

that served for his description, and the works accessible to me

in which the species is introduced do not contain any informa-

tion as to its habitat. é

Caprella linearis, Latr. Johnst. Mag. Nat., Hist. vol. vii. p. 672.

f. 71. Found among marine plants collected near Glenarm by

Dr. Drummond, in May 1836, and subsequently obtained in

abundance by Mr. Hyndman and 3) hes EUemilahe, ay

dredged in Strangford lough.

Bopyrus squillarum, Latr. Desm. p. 325. t. 49. ft. 8-+10. A Palemon

serratus, taken by Mr. R. Ball at the South Islands of Arran,

off the coast of Clare in June 1835, contained within the plates

of the head a fine specimen of this Bopyrus 64 lines in length,

and agreeing with the female as seReenteg hk Desmarest and

other authors.

Argulus foliaceus, Jurine. See a separate comitunivation at p. 221.

Lernea uncinata, Mull. Z..D. vol. i. p. 38. t.33. Johnst. Mag. Nat.

Hist. vol. viii. p. 565. f.53. I obtained on the gills of a Gadus

callarias, taken at Larne (county Antrim) in the summer of

On Mr. Swainson’s genus Thelidomus. 257

i834. By Dr. Bellingham of Dublin I have been favoured

with specimens, which he found attached to the gills of whiting

— (Merlangus vulgaris) brought to the market of the metropolis.

*Lernea cornuta, Mull. Z. D. vol.i. p. 40. tab. 33. f. 6.

Entomoda cornuta, Lam. t. 3. p. 686, 2nd ed. ‘To Dr. Bellingham

I am indebted for specimens of this Hxtomoda, which were

found by him attached to the gills of sole, purchased in Dublin

market in May 1837.

Chondracanthus Lophit, Johnst. Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. ix. p. 81. f. 16.

The first specimens which I have seen were procured by Dr.

Scouler on a Lophius piscatorius in Dublin—more recently they

occurred to myself, in the pouches of a fish of the same species

brought to that city.

In concluding the present ‘‘ Additions,” it may be mentioned,

that as a further step towards a Fauna of Ireland, I intend publish-

ing catalogues of the species contained in all the departments which

have occupied my attention, whenever they may have been satis-

factorily investigated, giving at the same time such details as may

seem desirable.

XXIX.—On the “Freshwater Carriers,” or Thelidomus of

Mr. Swainson.

Mr. Swainson in his Malacology, a recent volume on

“Shells and Shell-fish,” has established a genus, under the

name Thelidomus, upon two bodies which he received with

some Planorbest+ from Brazil. These “two Helix-looking

shells,” as he calls them, he considers as “ absolute counter-

parts of” the carrier Trochi, and states that they “ fill the

same situation among the Rofelline which Onustus (the carrier

Trochus) does among Trochine.” He also represents them as

forming a passage from these animals to the Helices, and ob-

serves that the “discovery of this extraordinary shell will

probably induce naturalists to a more accurate examination

of the fossil turbinated univalves than they have received ;

* Lernea branchialis, Linn. Guerin Icon. Régne. An. Zoop. pl. 9. f. 1.

gadine, Mull. Z. D. vol. iii. p. 65. tab. 118.

This species is published as Irish by Mr. J. V. Thompson. By Mr.

Glennon, of Suffolk Street, Dublin, I have been presented with specimens,

of which he procured several from the gills of a cod brought to the market

of that city.

+ Mr. Swainson’s plural is Planorbi.—Ep.

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 5. No.31. June 1840. T

258 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide, :

for it is clear, that, although Thelidomus opens the path to the

F[elicide, there must be several other forms between the two,

either extinct or undiscovered,” p. 228.—The bodies which

he here describes, and the “singular discovery” which he

represents as throwing an “ entirely new light on this interest-

ing question”, are “actually composed of little stones and

prains of sand only, agglutinated together,” p. 227 and 353,

and are the cases of a caddis worm which is very common in

Brazil and the United States. It differs from the cases of

the European kinds in being spiral; but it agrees with them

in being pervious at each end, though the hole at the smaller

end appears to have escaped Mr. Swainson’s observation.

The North American cases have been described by Mr. Lea,

under the name of Valvata arenifera. It might have been

supposed that the ridicule which Mr. Lea has incurred for this -

error, would have prevented any other naturalist from falling

into the same mistake. Indeed it is difficult to understand

how any one who considers the formation and structure

of shells, should not have reflected on the peculiarity of the

formation of these bodies before he described them, and pro-

ceeded to build up such important reasonings upon their

supposed place in his system.—Joun Epw. Gray.

XXX.—Monograph of the Dorylidz, a Family of the Hyme-

noptera Heterogyna. By W. E. Suuckarp, Esq.

[Continued from p. 201.]

Sp. 6. Labidus Hopei. Shuck. Length 6 lines.

Expansion of the wings 12 lines.

Rufo-testaceus, pubescens: capite (mandibulis antennisque exceptis) atro ;

thorace fusco, scutello in medio sulcato, et pedunculo abdominis transverse

quadrato, supra subconvexo.

Reddish testaceous, pubescent, the hair longest upon the legs, and beneath

the first ventral and the whole of the terminal segments of the abdo-

men. The head having the vertex and face deep black and shining,

the remainder castaneous, the carinze of the face terminating gradually

in front of the anterior ocellus ; ocelli placed in a curve on the vertex ;

antennz slender, the scape about one-fifth the length of the organ;

mandibles moderately long and very slender, having but a small open

space between them and the clypeus,

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 259

Thorax subfuscous, very gibbous both in front and at the scutellum, the

Jatter longitudinally sulcated in the centre; superior wings with their

nervures pale testaceous ; marginal cell regularly lanceolate, consider-

ably larger than either of the two first submarginals, and rounded within

the first submarginal, which is rather smaller than the second, from

which it is separated by an inwardly curved transverso-cubital nervure ;

the recurrent nervure inserted at less than one half the length of the se-

cond submarginal cell, and beyond which, and as far as the second trans-

verso-cubital, the cubital nervure is considerably thickened : legs short

and slender.

Abdomen shining, the base of all the segments constricted, the peduncle

as wide as the following segment, transverse quadrate, the posterior

angles truncated, plane above with a transverse convex ridge at its

apex, and its ventral portion viewed laterally produced in the middle

inte an acute tubercle. The terminal segment vertically much com-

pressed at its extreme apex, where it has a deep fissure, and the

sexual organ protruding in the form of a deeply emarginate plate, ter-

minating on each side in a compressed acuminated spine.

In the collection of the Rev. F. W. Hope.

This species, which was also captured by Mr. Swainson in the

Brazils, is distinguished from all the rest I know by its longitudi-

nally suleated scutellum: other prominent differences are supplied by

the relative proportions and form of the marginal and cubital cells

and the insertion of the recurrent nervure.

Sp. 7. Lab. D’Orbignii, Shuck. Length 63 lines.

; Expansion of the wings 12 lines.

Niger, brunneo-holosericeus, pedunculo abdominis semicirculato supra sub-

convexro, nervis alarum brunneo-testaceis.

Black, covered with a close brownish silky down. Head having the ocelli

small and placed in a very open curve at the vertex, and with an ele-

vated carina connecting the posterior pair, the carinz of the face

curving off and terminating in front of the anterior one; antennze

fulyous beneath, moderately long, and thickest at the base, the scape

rather less than one-fifth the length of the organ: mandibles moderate,

very slender, and leaving a nearly semicircular space between them and

the clypeus.

Thorax very gibbous in front and at the scutellum: superior wings with

the nervures brownish testaceous ; the marginal cell short and broad,

extending but a little way beyond the apex of the second submarginal

cell, where it is angulated; the first submarginal larger than the second,

from which it is separated by a slightly inwardly curved nervure; the

second submarginal rather narrow, and having the recurrent nervure

inserted at about halfits length, where immediately at the junction the

cubital nervure is slightly thickened: legs short and slender, loosely

covered with long hair.

rT Q

260 Mr, Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

Abdomen with the base of the segments slightly constricted, its sides, at the

junction of the dorsal and ventral plates, inclining to a bright testa-

ceous ; the peduncle nearly semicircular ; the posterior angles straight,

plane above, with a transverse convex ridge at its apex; the ventral

portion viewed laterally produced acutely in the middle ; the extreme

apex of the terminal segment vertically compressed, and the sexual

organ protruding in the form of an emarginate plate, the lateral por-

tions of which form two acute and compressed spines.

In Mr. Westwood’s collection.

This species is from South America, where it was captured by

Mons. D’Orbigny, whose name Mr. Westwood suggested should be

applied to it, which I accordingly adopt. It is the only black spe-

cies I know, and the peculiarities of its small ocelli and broad mar-

ginal cell also conspicuously distinguish it.

Sp. 8. Lab. Klugii, Shuck. Length 43 lines.

Expansion of the wings 8$ lines.

Rufo-castaneus, pubescens ; vertice, thoracis dorso et stigmate alarum badiis:

clypeo tuberculis binis acutis instructis et pedunculo transverso qua-

drato subconvexo.

Reddish castaneous with the vertex, dorsal portion of the thorax and

scutellum, as also the stigma of the wing and the extreme base of the

intermediate segments of the abdomen, dark castaneous, Head having

the antenne very long and slender, the scape scarcely one-seventh the

_length of the organ; the ocelli placed in a curve upon the vertex,

the posterior pair situated close to the margin of the eyes: the facial

caring less prominent than usual, and terminating by the side of the

anterior ocellus ; the clypeus armed with two acute and prominent

tubercles, the space between which and the mandibles narrow ; the

latter moderate and very slender.

Thorax very gibbous in front, and at the scutellum, the latter fringed late-

rally: metathorax slightly convex : superior wings with their marginal

cell regularly lanceolate and rather larger than either of the two first

submarginals ; the radial nervure rounded and not angulated ; the first

submarginal rather larger than the second, the transverso-cubital ner-

vure that separates them being straight ; the recurrent nervure re-

ceived at about one half the length of the second submarginal cell,

and the cubital nervure beyond its insertion not thickened : legs very

short and slender.

Abdomen with the base of the intermediate segments slightly constricted :

the peduncle rather narrower than the following segment, transverse

quadrate, the posterior angles slightly rounded, plane above, with a

slight convexity in the centre of its apex; the apex of the’terminal

segment less vertical than usual, but much compressed and _ fissile ;

the sexual organ protruding in the form of a deeply emarginate plate,

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 261

the sides of which are acuminated in two prominent teeth, and beneath

from the emargination it is canaliculated. In my own collection.

This species is from St. Vincent’s in the West Indies, where it

was collected by the late Rev. Lansdown Guilding, from whose col-

jection I purchased it. It is remarkably distinguished from all the

others by the two teeth of the clypeus and the length and slender-

ness of its antennz, besides other differences.

Sp. 9. Lab. Romandii, Shuck. Length 44 lines.

Expansion of the wings 7 lines.

Ru/fo-testaceus, subpubescens: vertice badio, stigmate alarum brunneo-fusco

et pedunculo abdominis quadrato convexo.

Reddish testaceous, subpubescent. Head having the vertex dark casta-

neous, on which the ocelli are in a curve and very large, the posterior

pair placed rather laterally and near the margin of the eyes ; the facial

carinz small and rounding off to the sides of the anterior ocellus: an-

tennz moderately long, the scape very short, the flagellum not thickest

at the base: mandibles short and slender, leaving but a small narrow

space between them and the clypeus.

Thorax slightly gibbous in front ; the scutellum not gibbous, rather flattened

above: metathorax rounded : superior wings with their nervures very

slender and brown, the stigma dark brown: the marginal cell lanceo-

late, larger than either of the two first submarginals, and slightly

acuminated beyond the apex of the second, which is less than the first,

from which it is separated by a nearly straight transverso-cubital ner-

vure; the recurrent nervure inserted in the centre of the second sub-

marginal cell, and the cubital nervure thickened merely at the junc-

tion: legs short and slender.

Abdomen with the base of the intermediate segments constricted, the ter-

minal ones slightly compressed ; the peduncle quadrate, slightly con-

vex, narrower than the second segment, which is also a little narrower

than the third; the two last segments slightly laterally compressed,

and the apex of the terminal one very much compressed and fissile:

the sexual! organ protruding as usual. In my own collection.

This species was also captured by Mr. Swainson in the Brazils.

I have dedicated it, as a small tribute of respect, to Mons. de Ro-

mand, an ardent lover of the Hymenoptera, whose rich collection

would, I expect, yield other species had I the opportunity of exa-

mining it. The present is singularly distinguished by the form of

the peduncle, the compression of the segments, and the pruportionate

differences between the second and third: its small mandibles are

also of a very peculiar character.

? Sp. 10. Lab. mediatus, Fad.

Niger thorace arcu antico cinereo, abdomine rufo: petiole anoque nigris.

Dorylus mediatus, Fab. Sys. Piez. 428. 3.

Habitat in America meridionali, Dem. Smidt. Mus. Dom. de Sehestedt.

262 Mr. Shuckard’s Monoyraph of the Dorylide,

Media. Antenne nigra: articulo secundo basi ferrugineo. Caput nigrum,

Jabio cinereo villoso. Thorax niger, arcu antico cinereo. Abdomen

rufum, petiolo anoque nigris. Ale obscure.

Latreille and St. Fargeau have surmised, from the country of this

insect, and from Fabricius having associated it with his Doryli, that

it must be a Labidus. I think, however, both from the distribution

of colour and his description of the labium (labrum), that it cannot

belong to either of these genera; but what it may possibly be I can-

not at all surmise.

N.B. Dr. Maximilian Perty, in the ‘ Delectus Animalium Arti-

culatorum’ of the Brazilian Travels of Spix and Martius, has figured

in plate 27, fig. 11, a Labidus which he calls Lab. Latreillii, and at

p- 138 he thus describes it :—

Totus badio-testaceus, albido-pubescens ; ocellis magnis, hyalinis ;

alis albis, nervis flavicantibus.

Length 7 lines, width of prothor. 14 line.

Expansion of the wings 16 lines.

He says it occurs in the province of Piauhiensi and in Southern

Brazil.

It is very probable that this is a distinct species, or that the species

from each of these localities are different, but without a careful ex-

amination it is impossible to say. If however they are both of the

same size, and the expansion of the wings is the same, they are

doubtlessly identical ; the proportions between the expansion and

the length differ so considerably from any that I have described, and

as by a comparison with the description of the genuine Lad. La-

treillii above it appears evidently different from that, I therefore

propose to call it

? Sp. 11. Lab. Pertii, Shuck.

Lab. Latreillii. Perty, Del. An. Art. Tab. 27. fig. 11. p. 138.

Genus Tyrutopone, Westw.*

Head oblong, convex, emarginate behind, occasionally longitudinally sul-

cated, and nearly as long as the thorax, not exhibiting either eyes

or ocelli.

Antenne about as long as the head, inserted within two short parallel

facial caring, and close to the anterior margin of the clypeus, geni-

culated and subclavate, consisting apparently of only ten joints; the

* Mr. Westwood has neither given a generic nor specific description of

what he calls T'yphlopone fulva ; he has only given an outline of the insect, —

and of its maxilla and labium and their palpi, and described the mandibles.

See Introd. to Mod. Class. of Ins. vol. ii. p. 226. fig. 86, and the descrip-

tions at p. 219. And he has not noticed the remarkable structure of the

antenne, apparently wanting two joints.

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 263

scape clavate, nearly as long as the flagellum, which is also clavate; the

terminal joint half as long as the scape, the intervening ones short and

subequal.

Mandibles sickle-shaped, serrated ? along their inner edge. Westw.

Mazvillary palpi short and two-jointed, the joints subglobose. Westw.

Labial palpi \onger, also two-jointed, the joints subclavate. Westw.

Mentum subtrilobate in front. Westw.

’ Thorax oblong, much narrower than the head, with a deep transverse

suture separating the meso- and metathorax, the latter with a

large circular spiracle at its base above. Legs simple, thighs subclavate;

dibie slender at the base, increasing slightly towards the apex, where

they are all furnished with a simple calcar, which is somewhat dilated

at the base; ¢arsi slender, longer than the tibiz, the terminal joints of

the anterior slightly dilated, ali the terminal claws simple.

Abdomen elliptical; the basal segment quadrate convex, forming a peduncle,

and separated from the next by a deep incision; the ventral portion

acutely produced, the following slightly constricted at their base, and

all exhibiting laterally a conspicuous spiracle; the terminal segment

abruptly truncated or subretuse at its apex, the dorsal portion armed

laterally with two minute spines, and the ventral with a single one.

it is here requisite that I should state my reasons for considering

the three following insects as probably the females of the genus

Labidus. In the absence of any observation relative to their habits,

my arguments must necessarily all.be derived from structure ; and

deduced from this I still admit that there is one, and only one, point

that makes me waver in my supposition. Sexual discrepancies are

universal throughout the Heterogyna, for it is rarely the case that

the partners resemble each other, therefore those differences here

must not startle us. In the preliminary observations I have already

shown that the males, the only sex accurately known of the genera

of this family, possess characters found partially in the Solitary and

Social Heterogyna, but conjunctively nowhere excepting in them-

selves, and upon this I establish a claim for their constituting a

family intervening between both. In these apterous insects (Ty-

phlopone) I can exhibit a similar combination, which consequently

proves that they necessarily belong also to this family. In the form

of the head they are most closely like the female Scleroderma*,

* I am prepared to show from the analogy of one of the Thynnida, of

which I have both sexes taken in copula, (the female of which is the

Diamma ephippiger of Guerin, and the male a Rhagigaster of the same

author,) that Scleroderma belongs to the Solitary Heterogyna, and not to

the Bethylide as supposed by Mr. Westwood in his Monograph, and that

the males he has described as belonging to them are certainly misplaced.

There is every probability that what is usually considered as the Myzine of

Latreille, but which is the Zvis of Fabricius, are the true males of Scleroder-

ma, there being no European species of the genuine Myzine, which is the

264 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

and in the anamolous limitation of the number of joints of the an-

tenn, they resemble Myrmecodes and the rest of the apterous

Thynnide, although in the latter there is one joint more to be seen

than in these, viz. eleven. This curtailment is never found in the

apterous Social Heterogyna, to which however the single calcar to

all the tibiz, and their wanting eyes, approximates them, and I have

before stated that in the armature of the apex of the abdomen they

much resemble Ponera. They thus partake of both groups, but »

they have this peculiar to themselves amongst the apterous Hetero-

gyna, viz. the small development of the prothorax, which cannot be

seen from above, and the large development of the mesothorax at the

expense of it; now in the apterous individuals of both the adjacent

groups, the Social and Solitary Heterogyna, we find either a very

large development of the prothorax or an equal one of both pro- and

mesothorax ; and in their males either the three divisions are equal,

or the meta- and meso- are equal and more fully developed than the

prothorax ; but where the meso- and metathorax are unequal, it is

the latter which is most developed. In the male Dorylide we also

find an enormously developed mesothorax, and the prothorax rarely

observable from above ; to these they are likewise closely linked by

the two-jointed palpi, the size and conspicuousness of the lateral

spiracles of the thorax and abdomen, as also by the insertion of the

antenne near the edge of the clypeus. To Labidus especially do they

appear connected, by the carinz of the face, the dilatation of the

base of the calcaria, the proportions of the labial and maxillary

palpi, and the form of the mandibles, the latter differing no more

than might be expected in the opposite sex. The slight constric-

tion of the segments of the abdomen appears also a connecting re-

semblance. If from the preceding argument it is admitted that

these apterous insects must belong to the Dorylide, and from

analogy we may infer that they are females, and when we know

that their country is America and the West Indies, and that none

but females have yet occurred, and when it is further considered

that there is a genus of the same family from the same country of

Plesia of Jurine, the type of it being the Tiphia maculata, Fab. Besides —

this I am acquainted with genuine males of these Plesie which closely

resemble their females, and are totally different in structure from the Eis

sexcincta, Fab., the type of his genus Elis, and which has been latterly

usually considered as the Myzine of Latreille. Were the females of this

genus Elis winged, as several species of the male occur in the South of

Europe, it would be strange that the female should not have been captured

ere this. Sidney Smith Sanders, Esq. has informed me that he finds se-

veral species of Scleroderma not uncommon in Greece, where also he has

found more than one species of the male Elis, and for one species of each

of which I am indebted to him, ; .

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 265

which we only know the males, and when I have also shown that

there are as many structural resemblances as might be expected, or

is usual between the opposite sexes of these anomalous groups,

surely it is not presumptuous to suppose, in the absence of positive

testimony, that these may be the sexes of the same genus. The

solitary point which still causes me at all to doubt it, is the minute

tooth beneath and within the apex of the claws of the males of the

genus Labidus, although it is scarcely obvious in the smaller species

of that genus; therefore in these small females, which are much

smaller than the smallest males, this tooth may become obsolete.

The disparity of size in the sexes, I have before stated in the pre-

liminary observations, is no objection to the hypothesis. I proceed

accordingly to describe them as Labidi.

Sp. 12. Lab. (1 Typhlopone) Kirbii, Shuck. Length of the head 1 line.

Probable length 43 lines.

Capite castaneo nitido punctulato, antice subsulcato, mandibulis badiis.

Head bright chestnut, shining, very slightly and loosely punctured ; slightly

longitudinally channeled in front, but which terminates abruptly in a

small fossulet at about one-third the length of the head: without eyes

vor acelli. _Mandibles dark pitchy chestnut, flagellum of the antennz

also. obscure.

In my own collection.

Of this insect I have iio the head, which is attached to the thigh

of a Formica; to judge from the size of this head and the comparative

proportion to the whole insect in other species, this would be the

largest. I dedicate it with much respect to the venerable promoter

of the science of Entomology in this country, whose Monographia

Apum Anglie will ever remain a standard of high perfection.

Sp..13. Lab (2 Typhlopone) Curtisii, Shauci-.

Length about four lines.

Rufo-testaceus, glabratus ; capite punctulato, postice profunde sulcato ;

mandibulis badits.

Reddish testaceous. Head brightly shining, punctulate, deeply sulcated

lengitudinally in the centre behind, the channel terminating near the

centre of the head in a moderately large fossulet: without eyes or

ocelli ; mandibles pitchy-brown.

Thorax opake, more closely and deeply punctured than the head.

Abdomen brightly shining; very slightly punctured, the peduncle quadrate,

opake and convex, the third and fourth segments slightly constricted

at their base, the apex of the terminal segment abruptly truncated

and armed on each side with a minute spine.

In the collection of the British Museum.

i bis insect is distinguished from the preceding by its smaller

size and by the deeper sulcation appearing only on the vertex. It

266 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

is dedicated to John Curtis, Esq., the author of the British Ento-

mology, in which work the portions devoted to the Hymenoptera

were evidently a labour of love.

Sp. 14. Lab. (3. Typhlopone) Westwoodii, Shuck. Length 3 lines.

Testaceus ; capite (mandibulis piceis exceptis) castaneo nitido, valde punc-

tato et in medio sulcato.

Pale reddish testaceous. Head bright chestnut, shining, rather closely and

deeply punctured, deeply sulcated longitudinally above in the centre,

the channel dividing the head into two halves; mandibles pitchy red.

Thorax more closely and deeply punctured than the head, and about its

length.

Abdomen brightly shining, scarcely punctured, the peduncle quadrate,

opake, convex, the ventral portion produced into an acute tubercle,

the following segments slightly constricted at their base, the apex of

the terminal one subretuse, armed on each side with a minute spine,

and its ventral portion also furnished with a minute central spine.

In my own collection.

From South America. Its distinction from the two preceding

consists, exclusive of size, in the entire longitudinal sulcation of the

head.

Genus Ainictus, Shuck.

Body elongate cylindrical.

Head small, transverse, flat.

Antenne short, setaceous, curved, inserted upon the anterior margin of the

clypeus, and not quite so long as the insertion of the superior wings,

the scape about one-third the length of the flagellum, the joints of the

latter equal. :

Eyes globose, lateral, and very prominent.

Ocelli placed in a slight curve upon the vertex, large and very preminent.

Mandibles edentate, elongate, slender, compressed, very much curved,

slightly broader at the base, and forcipate.

Labrum truncated at the apex, where it is emarginate in the centre.

Maxillary palpi

Labial palpi

Thorax short, oval: collar or prothorax more developed than in Dorylus,

and not concealed in front by the gibbosity of the mesothorax: scu-

tellum quadrate, very gibbous, slightly projecting over the metathorax,

which is perpendicular.

Tegule small but distinct.

Superior wings with a large stigma, one acuminated, marginal cell angu-

Mazille

} oe

* The internal trophi I am obliged to pass over, but as they are scarcely

distinguishable in the large species of Dorylus,in a small insect like the pre-

sent, which is at least fifty times less, the investigation would incur a cer-

tainty of destruction without possibly effecting the object; but it is quite

sufficiently distinguished by its more obvious characters,

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna." 267

lated within, and two submarginal cells, the first of which is smaller

than the second, and receives the recurrent nervure at nearly three-

fourths of its length.

Legs short and slender: core robust, canaliculated above for the articula-

tion of the femur: trochanter not distinct: femora and tidie slender

and subcylindrical, the latter furnished at their apex with a single

calcar: farsi slender, longer than the tibize, the basal joint as long as

the three following, the fourth joint the shortest: the claws simple.

Abdomen elongate, curved downwards, cylindrical and slightly clavate; the

dorsal segments, but especially the terminal ones, slightly constricted ;

the penultimate segment much shorter than the antepenultimate, and

forming merely a transverse slip; the first segment, which forms the

peduncle, quadrate, the angles rounded; above deeply channeled down

the middle, which gives it a bilobate appearance, beneath carinated

and flattened laterally from this carina: the apical segment obtuse

and rounded. Type of the genus Zinictus ambiguus, Shuck.

Named from its znigmatical structure, which participates in that

both of Labidus and Dorylus, from the latter of which, although the

neuration of the wings is nearly similar, other parts differ so much,

especially the mandibles, prothorax, peduncle of the abdomen and

legs, that it would not consistently associate with it, and in all these

particulars it completely agrees with Labidus, forming a link between

the two genera which thus corroborates their affinity *, although

their generic disparity is strongly substantiated by the comparative

conformation of the male sexual organ, which, as in Dorylus, here

also has the fornicate lateral valves (the external sheath), which are

also fimbriated at their apex. The central process (penis), however

here takes the same curve, but higher than these valves, which closely

embrace it laterally, and are not more than three-fourths as long as it;

this central portion forms, viewed from above, a double parallel

tube, separated by a narrow fissure at its extreme apex, but after-

wards joined by membrane : the representative of the inner sheaths

take here a very different form from what they present in Dorylus,

for here they are fornicate, excised just within their apex, they then

become suddenly dilated, terminating abruptly in an obtuse angle,

which points downwards. The horizontal furcate plate beneath is

very broad and quadrate, the furcation being formed by two slender

acuminated converging spines. This remarkable insect is a na-

* St. Fargeau hints a doubt of this, where he says, “ Je ne présume pas,

en I’ absence du sexe féminin, quelle peut étre leur place définitive, et, du

reste, |’analogie apparente me porte a les laisser avec les Dorylus, et a les

placer ici hors de rang, en attendant des éclaircissemens sur leurs mceurs.”

* Hist. Nat. des Hymenop.’ (Suites a Buffon), tom. i. p. 227. But this au-

thor has made many mistakes throughout his notice of these genera, and

his opinion of them consequently is not at all to be trusted.

268 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

tive of India, and thus binds the forms of the Old and the New

World together. The genus is, however, as yet incomplete, as I

only know male individuals.

Sp. 1. Ainict. ambiguus, Shuck. Length nearly 4 lines.

Expansion 73 lines.

Rufo-testaceus, pubescens: capite (antennis, mandibulisque exceptis) et

thorace nigro.

Reddish testaceous, covered with a close silky down; head, with the ex-

ception of the antennz and mandibles, which are of the same colour

as the body, black and shining; ocelli placed upon an eminence on

the vertex, in a curve; mandibles very long, much curved, somewhat

broadest at the base, pubescent externally, and when closed leaving a

wide space between them and the clypeus, upon the anterior margin

of which the antennz are inserted in a cavity, the inner carinated edges

of which join in the centre of the face, forming a single carina, which

extends to the anterior ocellus. Antenne rather robust, equally thick

throughout, the scape not thicker than the flagellum and about one-

third its length.

Thorax black, or sometimes pitchy, covered with a close decumbent down,

convex, very gibbous at the scutellum, which is quadrate: superior

wings with the neryures and stigma brown; the tegulz testaceous ;

legs short, slender, testaceous, and covered with long loose hair.

Abdomen testaceous, covered with close decumbent down, with the pedun-

cle wider than the second segment, deeply canaliculated, and of the

shape of a saddle reversed, rounded at the base; the terminal seg-

ment rounded and obtuse.

Col]. Sykes’s collection.

A native of Poonah in Bombay, whence it was brought by Lieut.

Col. Sykes. I have above amply dilated upon its extremely ano-

malous structure. The female unfortunately is not known.

Genus 38. Doryuvs, Fab.

Vespa, Lin. Murtitra, Lin., Christ.

Body elongate, cylindrical, more or less pubescent.

Head small, transverse, flat, the face sometimes swollen.

Antenne short, setaceous, curved, the scape long and stout, inserted near the

anterior edge of the clypeus within the inner angles of the mandibles;

the scape and flagellum varying considerably in their relative propor-

tions, the former rarely one-third the length of the whole organ, the

apex of which rarely extends to the insertion of the superior wings.

Eyes moderately large, globose, very prominent and lateral.

Ocelli placed in a triangle on the vertex, very large and prominent.

Mandibles edentate, much compressed, forcipate, convex externally, and

concave within, variable in form and proportion.

Labrum semicircular, occasionally tuberculated and shutting down upon

and inclosing the remainder of the trophi.

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 269

Mazille obsolete ?

Maxillary palpi two-jointed, the joints minute, subglobose, abruptly trun-

cated, the terminal one rather the smallest, both having divergent

sete at their apex.

Labial palpi two-jointed and in advance of the maxillary, than which they

are rather longer, the basal joint subobconic, the terminal one minute

and subulate, and both with divergent setz at their apex.

Mentum waved laterally and emarginate in the centre.

Labium membranous, triangular.

Thorax subcylindrical, very gibbous at both extremities.

Prothorax extending laterally to the insertion of the anterior wings.

Mesothorax largely developed, advanced considerably beyond the insertion

of the anterior wings, gibbose in front and suspended over the pro-

thorax.

Scutellum large, usually transverse, gibbous, rounded at the apex.

Metathorax not largely developed.

Tegule small, slender, and linear, but distinct.

Superior wings not so long as the abdomen, with one marginal and two

submarginal cells, the first of the latter much longer than the second,

and receiving the single recurrent nervure usually near its middle.

Tegs short: core large, convex beneath and concave above: trochanters

triangular : femora quite glabrous and shining, very much compressed,

usually triangular and broadest at the base: tiie smooth, shining,

slender, not so long as the femora, and furnished at the apex with a

single calcar, at the insertion of which there is usually a coronet of

small spines : farsi longer than the tibize and very slender; the basal

joint as long as the three following, the fourth the shortest, and the

fifth terminal joint supplied with a pair of short stout simple claws,

and having a moderately large pulvillus between their fork.

Abdomen elongate, cylindrical, frequently slightly clavate towards the

apex, whiere it curves downwards ; the first segment variously formed

and separated from the following by a deep incision, forming a sort of

peduncle always convex above: the penultimate and antepenultimate

segments equal or subequal: the male sexual organ frequently pro-

truding. Type of the genus Muritta Helvola, Lin.

This genus is restricted to the old world, and its metropolis ap-

pears to be Africa, from the southern extremity of which one spe-

cies, the type, comes in considerable plenty, which renders it strange

that nothing should come with it that might with any probability

be associated as the female. But if my assumption should be right

as regards the female of Labidus, the supposition is that it also has a

blind female which never or rarely quits its subterranean abode.

The generic differences throughout this family are strongly con-

firmed by the structure of the male sexual organs, which have also

specific diversities, and thus here obtain a value not usually acceded

270 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

to them in the description of insects*. The Rey. Mr. Kirby said,

many years ago,—‘‘ The head and its organs are in some degree ana-

logous to the root in plants, for they collect and absorb the nutri-

ment; the truncus may be looked upon as representing the stem, the

limbs the branches, the wings the leaves, the abdomen as a kind of

calyx, including the fructification. Therefore the great command,

‘increase and multiply,’ will direct us to those parts which con-

stitute the essence of an insect.” He next says in continuation,

“but these, if it were possible, it would be improper to use for

characters.’ I introduce them here certainly not as characters, but

in confirmation of less tangible characters, thus proving the efficiency

of the latter, and as a small contribution to the description of the

comparative structure of these organs in insects, which comparative

anatomists may not always or even frequently have the opportunity

of examining.

In Dorylus helvolus this organ consists of two large fornicate valves

(the external sheath of the penis, Burm.) which are fringed at their

apex ; within the fornix, and springing from the centre of its base,

there is an elongate linear process (the penis) deeply longitudinally

channeled both above and beneath, and which extends to the apex

of the valves opposite their central division: this division reaches

nearly to their base, where these valves have a common origin, and

this base forms on each side beneath a convex return, with which an

elongate compressed spine (the inner sheath) articulates, having a

vertical motion ; and these spines curve upwards on each side of the

central canaliculated process near its base, where it is also articu-

lated. At the extreme base of this complex organ, and articulating

with it beneath, there is a horizontal flat linear plate deeply furcate

at its apex, the furcation half the length of the plate, which also ex-

tends to the apex of the two large superior lateral lobated valves.

It is a circumstance worthy of remark, that wherever I have had

the opportunity of examining and comparing several individuals of

a species throughout the family, I have found so great a uniformity

of size that I have not detected a difference of half a line even among

the larger ones. ‘Thus although the characters that separate them

are sometimes very obscure, and without patient examination elude

discovery, my experience seems to support an opinion that wherever

great differences of size are found between specimens of these genera,

the presumption is, that characters exist which will individualize

them, although too recondite for instant detection, yet so tangible

when found as not to admit of the least doubt of their specific value,

* Monog. Ap. Angliz, vol. 1. p. 39. 1802.

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 271

and which become corroborated, as I observe above, by the form of

the male sexual apparatus. The species in the present genus

seem to separate themselves into groups, for there is less uniformity

of general structure than is commonly found in a natural genus, and

the form of the peduncle of the abdomen appears in some degree to

influence the form of other parts. The groups they resolve them-

selves into are these, which may be thus characterized by the form of

the peduncle alone or in conjunction with the mandibles, viz. :

Ist. Peduncle cup-shaped, nearly as large as the following segment:

Sp. 1.

2nd. Peduncle cup-shaped, much smaller than the 2nd segment.

Sp. 2. and 3.

3rd. Peduncle quadrate, mandibles slender and much acuminated.

Sp. 4, 5, 6.

4th. Peduncle quadrate, mandibles broad and nearly triangular.

Sp. 7, 8, 9, 10.

Sp. 1. Dor. nigricans, I/liger. Length 13 lines.

Expansion 213 lines,

Nigricans, brunneo-holosericeus, abdominis petiolo acetabuliformi, segmento

secundo paulo minor.

Illiger, Mag. der Ent. 1***. Bd. Seit. 188. 18.

Fabricius, System. Piez. 427. 2.

Latreille, Gen. Crust. et Ins. 4. 124.

» Nouv. Diction. d’Hist. Nat. 2° ed. 9. 556.

Blackish brown, velvety, elongate cylindrical: head comparatively large,

slightly convex towards and beneath the vertex ; the ocelli are compa-

ratively small and are placed in a triangle; eyes lateral, small, ovate

convex: antennz short, setaceous, the scape rather more than one-

third the length of the organ ; mandibles elongate, narrow, much acu-

minated, and with the antennz and legs of a dark castaneous.

Thorax very robust, covered with a bright brown silky pubescence, with two

abbreviated longitudinal central lines in front: scutellum slightly gib-

bous, broad : superior wings with their nervures blackish, and the sur-

face clouded with brown, the recurrent nervure inserted just within

the centre of the second submarginal cell, the cubital nervure extend-

ing straight to the angle of the second submarginal : femora elongate,

triangular, subacuminate at the apex.

Abdomen cylindrical, blackish brown, the margins of the segments a little

paler : the peduncle cup-shaped above, villose beneath, nearly as large

as the second, the terminal smooth and abruptly truncated at its ex-

treme apex, which is a little reflected. In most Collections.

This remarkable species, which in the size of its head and peduncle

and smallness of its eyes differs from all its congeners, is from Sierra

Leone.

[To be continued. ]

272 Dr. Johnston ou Beania,

XXXI.—Miscellanea Zoologica. By Grorce Jounston,

M.D., Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edin-

burgh.

Description or A New Genus or Britisu Zooruyre.

Tue kind liberality of my friends, interested in similar pur-

suits, has lately furnished me with several undescribed spe-

cies of British zoophytes ; and there is amongst them one, in

some respects, so remarkable and eccentric, that it seems no

more than just to its discoverer that an early description of

it should be placed on record. It was sent to me by Mr. Wm.

Bean of Scarborough, who was fully aware of the novelty and

singularity of its characters, which raise it indisputably to a

generic rank in its family. Not for this reason however, but

because of the very great number and value of the discoveries

of that well-known naturalist, I propose to associate this zoo-

phyte with his name and memory; and in doing so I know

that I shall confer a gratification on many of his fellow-labour-

ers; and I keep very clearly within the precincts of the rule,

which forbids us to confer on a genus the name of an indivi-

dual unless his services shall have honestly won him that com-

pliment.

Class ZOOPHYTA.

Order AscipDI0IDA. Family VesICULARIADE.

Genus BEania.

(Det nomen Dom. Gulielmus Bean, zoophytorum invyesti-

gator peritissimus.)

Cuar. Polyparium phytoideum, filiforme, repens, corneum ;

surculis tubulosis, diffuse ramosis, vesiculiferis. Vesiculz sin-

gulatim sparse, erecta, magnze, ovate, uno latere spinosee.—

Polypi ignoti.

Polypidom confervoid, horny, the shoots creeping,

filiform, tubular, irregularly divided; the cells very large, ses-

sile, erect, scattered and solitary, ovate with a double spinous

keel on one side. Polypes unknown.

Species B. MIRABILIS.

Habitat in mare Britannico. Scarborough, very rare, Wm. Bean, Esq.

~The only specimen which I have seen of this very remark-

anew genus of Zoophyte. 273

able coralline is parasitical on the upper valve of an Anomia

Ephippium that is likewise almost crusted over with two or

three species of Lepralia. It is large enough to be easily seen

Figs.

with the naked eye, but of such minuteness that it may be

readily passed over unnoticed, excepting by a naturalist of the

practice and acuteness of its discoverer. The stalk creeps

over the surface of the shell, to which it adheres loosely, and

is divided at intervals without order or regularity,—the shoots

forming sometimes a long simple thread, while at other places

they anastomose freely. The shoots are very slender, filiform,

smooth, colourless and pellucid, tubular, unjointed and horny;

and in general they are slightly swollen at the origins of the

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.5. No. 31. June 1840. U

274 Mr. Curtis’s Descriptions of some rare

cells. These appear to be rather seated on the tube than a

development of it, though it is probable that there is a direct

and free communication between them. The cells are scattered

and always single, half a line in height, sessile, ovate, bulging

below, horny, vesicular, slightly compressed, smooth, with a

double keel down one side, each keel armed with from five to

seven spinous teeth, placed sometimes nearly opposite, and in

other instances alternating. The aperture is quadrangular,

terminal and wide, half closed with a thin membrane, and

furnished at each angle with a spinous denticle.

Though the polypes are unknown, yet there can be little

hesitation, from the structure of the polypidom, in prognosti-

cating their affinity to those of the family Vesiculariadz.

Fig. 1. Beania mirabilis, represented as it appears on one part of the

shell, considerably magnified.

Fig. 2. Three vesicles, more highly magnified, to show their characters

more exactly.

XX XII.—Descriptions, &c. of some. rare or interesting Indi-

genous Insects. By Joun Curtis, Esgq., F.L.S., &c.

Most of the following species have been named and recorded

in the ‘ Guide to an Arrangement of British Insects; but as

no opportunity offered of describing them during the progress

of the ‘ British Entomology,’ some of them have been noticed

by other writers, who had not consulted the specimens, which

will render it necessary to give a few definitions, which it is

hoped will make it easy to identify them in future. The

numbers refer to the Guide, and all the insects are in the

cabinet of the author of the above works, excepting the Hy-

grotus and Chrysomela.

Order COLEOPTERA.

Fam. CARABIDZ.

Genus 28. Dromtus.

14. angustatus.

My specimen is 14 line long, but in other respects it agrees with

D. truncatellus, and I suspect the D. maurus of Sturm is only a va-

riety of the same insect.

or interesting Indigenous Insects. 275

Genus 48. Brapyvus.

5. marginatus. Elongate-ovate, piceous ;_head rather small, strongly marked:

thorax twice as broad, transverse, semiovate, being broadest at the base,

on which there are two punctured strie, the outer one forming an ob-

lique sharpish line externally, a faint channel down the middle; sides

convex, margined, bright ferruginous, depressed towards the basal

angle: elytra broader, oval, striz strong and crenated in the male;

duller and faintly punctured in the female: palpi, antenne and legs

bright ferruginous: length 4 to 4%, breadth 14 to 2 lines.

Having taken a male on Boxhill, Surrey, in August, I now possess

the sexes of this interesting species, and find that it connects Bra-

dytus and Amara. The habit and structure of the legs are perfectly

those of the latter group ; but the head and thorax are more strongly

marked. ‘The palpi exhibit a very remarkable character; the ter-

minal joints are compressed and truncated in the male, whilst they

are fusiform and longer in the female, but it is probably accidental.

Dejean’s description of *Amara patricia, Creutzer, agrees with

my insect; but it is very unsatisfactory to find him referring to

Sturm’s two figures of A. mancipium and A. equestrist as examples

of Creutzer’s insect, since the former appears to be a typical Bra-

dytus and the latter a true dmara. It must be remembered that

Sturm’s dissections of the genus Amara are taken from Carabus ful-

vus of DeGeer and not from Carabus consularis as stated by Mr.

Stephens.

Genus 49. Amara.

23. septentrionalis. Elliptical, shining brassy green : thorax semiovate, being

narrowed before, base punctured, with 2 shallow foveze on each side,

and a fine channel down the centre; elytra scarcely wider than the

thorax, but more than twice as long and linear, striz firm and delicately

punctured, the 2nd abbreviated: trophi ochreous, palpi piceous: an-

tennz brown, 3 basal joints bright ochre: legs ochreous, thighs and 4

hinder tarsi piceous: length 3 lines, breadth 14.

The only specimen I have seen of this pretty species was taken in

Scotland, and presented to me by Mr. Lyell.

Genus 76. Tacuys.

9. minimus. Deep dull ochreous, base of head and apex of antenne darker,

trophi very pale ; eyes black ; thorax with a faint dorsal channel ; elytra

with several obscure striz, the 2 sutural ones the strongest: length 1

line.

Very similar to T. minutissimus, of which it may only be a pale

* Spécies général des Coléopteres, t. 3. p. 502.

+ Sturm’s Deutschlands Fauna, vol. vi. tab. 141. figs. C. and D.

U 2

276 Mr. Curtis’s Descriptions of some rare

variety. It was found under a stone on the beach at Sidmouth,

Devon, by Mr. Marshall, the beginning of March.

Fam. Dyricipz.

Genus 90. Hyerorus.

1%. bisuleatus. Ovate-conic, slightly pubescent, reddish-brown ; base of

antennze and thorax ochreous, the latter pitchy at the base, and slightly

punctured, with an oblique channel on each side: elytra minutely

punctured, with a faint line of punctures on each side of the suture,

which is darker, and a channel on each side of the base meeting

those on the thorax: length 4 of a line.

This singular little species was taken on Cambridge Fens by the

Rev. J. L. Brown of Norwich. It seems to form the transition from

Hyphydrus to Hygrotus.

Fam. Parnipz.

Genus 101. Parnus.

3. montanus.

Is only a pale ash-coloured variety of P. prolifericornis, several of

which I found under stones upon the mountains near Ambleside.

Fam. Mycreropuacip2£.

Genus 160. TrTRatoma.

2. pallida. Shining ochreous, regularly and minutely punctured and slightly

pubescent: head brownish; thorax with two large punctures or foveolets

- at the base : elytra thrice as long as the thorax, with a faint greenish

shade: 13 line long.

‘Taken in Oct. amongst dry grass at Southgate by Mr. F. Walker.

Fam. ANISOTOMID.

Genus 164. Puaacrus.

7°. castaneus. Oval, slightly depressed; black, posterior angles of thorax

and elytra castaneous, the latter with nearly 20 regular lines of punc-

tures: underside and legs subpiceous: length 1 line.

Genus 167. LEIopEs.

1». vittata. Globose-ovate, shining, bright and deep ochreous; eyes, tips

of mandibles and upper side of club of antenne fuscous; head and

thorax minutely punctured, the former ferruginous ; elytra punctured,

with rather remote lines of punctures also, with a rosy tinge and a long

conical fuscous stripe on each, probably arising from the dark wings

folded beneath: length § of a line. .

2. latifrons. Oval, shining, ochreous; mandibles prominent, tips black ;

eyes gray ; head and thorax broad, finely punctured; elytra scarcely

broader than the thorax, transversely strigose, with very fine lines of

punctures and a channel on each side of the suture : hinder thighs with

a very strong spine beneath near the apex : length 4 of a line.

or interesting Indigenous Insects. 277

Z. vittata is characterized by its hemispherical form, whilst L. /a-

tifrons is ovate and somewhat linear : it is separated from Anisotoma

spinipes, Gyll. by its paler colour, elytra with lines of punctures, and

ochreous club of the antennz. Both species I took in Norfolk, as

well as L. rufa, which is only a variety of Gyllenhal’s insect.

Fam. STAPHYLINID&.

Genus 191". Pe,ecyruorus, Nord. Euryrorus, Erich.

2. picipes, Payk. |

This species, recorded as Astrapeus basalis, proves to belong to a

new genus, and will be found described in Gyllenhal under the name

of Oxyporus picipes*.

Genus 226. Srenus.

46. basalis. Glossy black, with a few ochreous hairs, thickest on the face,

which isvery rugose ; thorax obovate, truncated at the base, very coarsely

punctured as well as the elytra, which are quadrate convex and twice

as broad; abdomen not margined, rather slender and punctured : base

of tibize bright ochreous: antennz reddish-brown : length 1 line.

The only specimens I have seen were found on mud, in the New

Forest, in May, by Mr. Dale.

Genus 229. Suntvus.

5. unicolor.. Dark brown, pilose, thickly and minutely punctured : thorax

reddish-brown, orbicular, the sides slightly compressed : elytra oblong,

sericeous: abdomen piceous, margins of segments and apex ochreous,

trophi of the same colour ; antennz and legs more ferruginous : length

12 line.

Fam. Corticarip&.

Genus 246. Monortoma.

2. gracilis. Narrow, brown, slightly glossy ; head and thorax punctured,

the former with acute basal angles, the latter with the anterior angles

tuberculated, and a large shallow fovea towards the base, elytra reddish

brown, slightly pubescent, with lines of punctures ; antennz and legs

bright ochreous ; head and thorax sometimes rufous: length 2 to 4 line.

Mr. Haliday has taken this species at various seasons near the bay

of Belfast.

Fam. CERYLONID&.

Genus 248°. Trereposoma, Curt.—Ips. Oliv.

Head short, semiorbicular: eyes lateral. Z'horax long cylindric, tapering a

little to the base: scutel minute, orbicular. Elytra scarcely broader

than the thorax but twice as long, elliptic, cylindric; wings ample.

Legs short, compressed ; tibize dilated towards the apex, with a few mi-

nute spines ; tarsi longish, 4-jointed, 3 basal joints small ; claws simple.

* Insecta Suecica, vol. il. p. 443.

278 Mr. Curtis’s Descriptions of some rare

Antenne short, inserted before the eyes, capitate, hairy, 11-jointed; basal

joint stout, hatchet-shaped, 2nd obovate, 3rd as long and slender, 6

following obovate-truncate, increasing in diameter, 10th and 11th form-

ing a compressed club, the former semiorbicular, the latter suborbicular.

Labrum broad, short, ciliated and pilose. Mandibles broad at the base,

tridentate, with a hairy membranous internal margin. Mazille with

a long, slender, hairy internal lobe and a broad but shorter external one

terminated by an oval brush of hairs. Palpi somewhat long, stout

and 4-jointed, basal joint small, 2nd semiovate, 3rd transverse, 4th the

longest, ovate-conic, slightly truncated. Mentum trigonate-truncate.

Lip small suborbicular. Palpi short and stout, attached to contiguous

scapes, biarticulate, basal joint semiovate, 2nd ovate-conic, slightly

truncated.

1, nitida, Payk.—cylindrica, Oliv. v. 2. No. 18. pl. 2. f. 16.

Black, shining, punctured : elytra castaneous-black, with faintly punc-

tured striz, antennz and legs ferruginous: 14 to 2 lines long.

For specimens of this recent discovery in Britain, I am indebted

to Mr. Trueman, who took them the end of June in Sherwood Forest,

Nottinghamshire, in the trunk of an old oak tree.

Fam. ELATERIDZ.

Genus 309%. Aptorarsus, Step. Limonius Esch.

24. maritimus. Antenne with 3rd and 4th joints of equal length: terminal

joint of palpi obovate, compressed and subtruncate: head margined in

- front: tarsi tapering, somewhat depressed, black, shining, with short

ochreous pubescence and minutely punctured: thorax with the sides

very convex and the basal angles very acute; spine of sternum long

and slender : elytra broader ; depressed, inclining to slate black, firmly

striated, apex entire: tarsi piceous or reddish brown: length 2 lines,

breadth 2.

This very distinct species does not perfectly associate with the

Aplotarsi, as will be seen by comparing the above description with

that in British Entomology, of A. aterrimus, plate 694, but I do not

find any other group better adapted to receive it. I first discovered

A. maritimus under rejectamenta at Broughton, Lancashire, 30th of

June 1827, and Mr. Little has since taken it at Raehills.

Genus 309°. CarpoPHorvus.

41>, formosus, Curt. Black, shining, variolated; thorax entirely rufous ;

elytra with strongly punctured striz, having a slightly curved bright

ochreous fascia near the base and a straighter one beyond the middle :

legs ferruginous: length 3 lines, breadth 14.

The only specimen I have seen of this beautiful species was taken

from the roots of some celery in a cottage garden near Wentworth

or interesting Indigenous Insects. 279

House, Yorkshire, and presented to me by Mr. Simmons, who un-

fortunately had laid a book upon it whilst on the setting-board, by

which accident the antenne were broken off and lost.

Fam. TELEPHORIDA.

Genus 188. TELEPHORUs.

20. &thiops. Black, shining, clothed with short ochreous pubescence:

trophi and base of antennz beneath ochreous: thorax transverse, a

little narrowed before, sides margined and lurid: elytra thickly punc-

tured: legs piceous, base of tibize ochreous: 2 to 23 lines long.

Having taken many specimens of this insect, none of which agree

with Fabricius’s description of his C. pulicaria, nor with Olivier’s

figure, which has the entire border of the thorax ochreous, I have

retained the name I first proposed. They were found on rushes and

grass the middle of June 1827, on the sides of Red Skrees, a moun-

tain near Ambleside, where I also discovered the true Linnzan T. o06-

scurus, for which other varieties had been substituted in the London

cabinets up to that period.

21>. apicalis.

This is probably a variety of T. fuscicornis of Olivier: the antennz

and palpi are darker, and it is distinguished by a blackish stripe

down the four anterior thighs and tibiz.

27. unicolor. Long and narrow: clothed with short pubescence: entirely

ochreous excepting the eyes, which are black and prominent, and the

fuscous wings: thorax bright, shining, not transverse ovate, the base

truncated, all the angles rounded: elytra duller, thickly punctured,

with 2 obscure longitudinal lines on each: 4 lines long, 1 broad.

As this does not agree with Paykull’s description of C. pilosa, I

have retained my name. It was taken on the wing in the evening

in Darent Wood.

Fam. Bostricip&.

Genus 331. Bosrricuus.

3. Waringii. Ochreous, shining ; head black, concave ; thorax pale ferru-

ginous, scabrous, with longish ochreous hairs in front ; elytra punctate-

striate, the suture piceous, an elongate oval space on the outer margin,

and a stripe down the middle of each beyond the centre, but not reach-

ing the apex, piceous also; underside blackish, legs deep ochreous :

length 14 line.

I am indebted to Mr. Waring for my specimen, which he took in

a house in Bristol. It is allied to B. domesticus, Linn.

280 Mr. Curtis’s Descriptions of some rare

Fam. CurcuLionip2£.

Genus 355. BaLaninus.

12. scutellaris.

This appears to be only a var. of the female of B. Brassice, Fab.

with a white scutellum.

Genus 356. ANTHONOMUS.

5>. brunnipennis. Ochreous-brown, glossy, with short ochreous pubescence :

rostrum ferruginous, piceous at the base, faintly striated; antenne fus-

cous, apex of basal joint ochreous: thorax thickly and coarsely punc-

tured: elytra paler, strongly punctate-striate: thighs ochreous at the

base, with a minute tooth beneath: 1 line long, including the rostrum.

I swept four specimens of this new species off heath the 16th of

Aug. ascending the Fairie-hills in the Isle of Arran.

Genus 361. PissopEs?

4. pygmeus. Deep shining black, sparingly clothed with minute white

scaly hairs: club of antenne hoary; thorax with variolose punctures ;

elytra firmly striated, a little variegated with white scales towards the

apex: legs and underside most thickly clothed with them: length 2 of

a line.

I have entirely forgotten where I found the 3 specimens of this

very distinct little msect which are in my cabinet. At first sight

they look very like Molytes, but I have little doubt of their belong-

ing to the genus Pissodes.

Genus 362. Hyprra.

23. fumipes. Black, variegated with cinereous and cupreous scales: an-

tenne ferruginous, club piceous, funiculus 6-jointed: thorax with a

stripe of scales on each side: elytra slightly bristly towards the apex,

tessellated with black, especially down the suture and towards the ex-

tremity ; legs ferruginous, sometimes inclining to fuscous, especially the

thighs: length 1} line, including the rostrum.

I possessed only a single specimen when I gave the name of fu-

mipes to this species, which was taken I believe by Mr. Babington

near Cambridge. I have subsequently received others from Mr, Wal-

ton, which have ochreous and ferruginous legs, depending upon their

age. The 6-jointed funiculus readily distinguishes this small spe-

cies from the rest of the Hypera.

Genus 376. Potyprusus.

6. sericeus.

I detected a female under a stone, on the banks of the Thames

near Gravesend the Ist of June 1839, and Mr. Walton subsequently

found many more specimens.

or interesting Indigenous Insects. 281

Genus 384. Apron.

13. Curtisii, Kirby. Narrow and convex, chalybeous black, shining, very

sparingly clothed with white hairs: antennz with the two basal joints

subferruginous, joints of funiculus globose : rostrum smooth and shi-

ning, face and thorax punctured, the latter cylindric, slightly attenuated,

with an oval pit at the base: elytra elongate-ovate, not twice as broad

as the thorax, with delicate striz and series of white hairs upon and

between them: length, including the rostrum, not 1 line, breadth

scarcely +.

The whole insect is convex, head, thorax and elytra, and not at

all depressed as in A. pubescens, to which it is most nearly allied: it

is further distinguished by the ferruginous base of the antenne, the

globose and not oval joints of the funiculus, and the rostrum is

smooth and polished. Mr. Kirby drew up a description 20 years

since from this unique specimen, which I took in Norfolk, with a

view to publish it under the above name, but Mr. Stephens has

merely described a variety of a common insect which he fancied was

the same.

Fam. SALPINGID#.

Genus 245». Lissopmema HrEyawna.

Will form a subgenus with *Spheriestes 4-pustulatus and denti-

collis, principally distinguished by the club of the antennz being tri-

articulate and not 6-jointed: the structure of the tarsi justified my

placing Lissodema before the Heteromera, and the position of Sal-

pingus seems to be doubtful.

Fam. CHRYSOMELID2.

Genus 429. Eumo.trvus?

3. Hobsoni. Castaneous, very thickly punctured, clothed with short de-

pressed ochreous hairs: antennze ochreous, longer than the thorax,

disc of thorax black: elytra deep ferruginous, with a long black patch

on the suture, a large spot at the base, another on the shoulder, 2 long

black spots at the middle and 3 towards the apex, forming interrupted

fasciz : length 13 line, breadth 3.

This insect, which will probably form a new genus, was taken by

the late Mr. Hobson of Manchester, under the bark of a poplar-tree

at Houghend Clough near Charlton.

Genus 431. CryprocEPHALUS.

20. ochraceus. Smooth, shining, deep bright ochreous; antenne blackish

towards the apex ; palpi piceous; face slightly punctured, with a channel

down the middle: thorax broad with the margins and a line down the

* Curtis's British Entomology, folio 662.

282 Information respecting Zoological Travellers.

middle yellow; scutel sometimes piceous: elytra yellow-ochre, suture

piceous, humeral spot brown ; striz punctured, brown and oblique next

the suture: underside black : length 14 line.

This little insect, which has been confounded with C. pusillus of

Fabricius, has a wider and longer thorax and is well distinguished

by its dark palpi and channeled face. I always find it in August on

grass or herbage, and have never met with any variety as in the al-

lied species, which is common on sallows in June. C. ochraceus is

abundant at the side of the Avon near St. Vincent’s Rocks ; the sand

hills, Sandwich ; at Mickleham ; Bungay Common, Suffolk ; and Mr.

Dale has met with it near Carisbrook Castle.

Genus 433. CurysoMELa.

22. Sparshalli. Smooth, shining, violaceous ; thorax margined, with a few

large punctures on each side: elytra orange colour ; sparingly and irre-

gularly punctured, the punctures all black, scutellum and suture also

black : length 4 lines.

Taken near Epping by Mr. Doubleday, and is preserved in the col-

lection of the late Mr. J. Sparshall of Norwich.

XX XIII.—IJnformation respecting Botanical and Zoological

Travellers.

Mr. Schomburgk’s recent Expedition in Guiana.

[Continued from p. 35. ]

Ir has been suspected that there exists a species of Otter in the

rivers of South America which is undescribed, The difficulty con-

nected with procuring these animals, and the absence of references to

consult whether there were any specific differences between the two

species which inhabit the rivers of Guiana and those which are al-

ready described, prevents me from giving it as my firm opinion that

the Otters of Guiana are identical with Lutra brasiliensis of Ray,

and Lutra enudris of F. Cuvier. Naturalists know very little about the

habits of the South American Otters, nor is it ascertained that the

species which is described by Azara is identical with the Lutra bra-

siliensis. The note which I select from my journal, although meagre

in itself, may prove nevertheless acceptable, until we have a more per-

fect knowledge of their character.

During our first ascent of the river Essequibo we did not meet any

Otters until we had passed the river Siparuni, and approached the

island Tambicabo. We saw first only one, swimming like a dog, with

the head and neck out of the water; but more and more made their

Information respecting Zoological Travellers. 283

appearance, until their whole number amounted to about twelve.

They were approaching our canoes, now raising themselves partly

out of the water, accompanying this motion with a loud snore or an

angry growl, or diving rapidly under water, and reappearing a few

moments after some distance behind our canoes. Our Indians com-

menced a shout, striking repeatedly with the hand against their throat,

by which a sound not unlike to the growl of the Otter was produced.

This attracted their curiosity ; and ranging themselves in a line, they

came nearer, and were within the reach of the gun, when the very

act of raising it induced them to dive, with the exception of the

furthermost, which, more courageous than the others, continued to

advance until it received the discharge. It sunk immediately; but

although the water was coloured with blood and proved that it had

been wounded, we did not succeed in securing it.

We met them afterwards frequently, but always in small societies ;

and the first token that they were near us and that we had been re-

connoitred by them, was that peculiar snore which may be heard at

some distance. I have known them to come so near our canoes that

the Indians attempted to strike them with the paddles. This was,

as it might have been expected, a vain attempt, as they dive with

the greatest rapidity, and are able to remain under the water for a

considerable period before they rise to take breath. We frequently

surprised them while occupied in feeding upon the fish which they

had caught: their retreat was then most rapid, but always in single

file and directed towards the river, into which they glide dexterously,

and where they dive under instantly for greater security. We have

seen them ascend the banks with equal dexterity. ‘They have their

certain haunts, where, when they have been successful, they devour

their prey, leaving the heads, tails, and fragments of fish, which in-

fect the environs with an insupportable smell. The Otters of Guiana

choose for their retreat holes near the banks of the river, but they are

known sometimes to take refuge in hollow trees. Their haunts are

easily known by a strong and disagreeable smell, in some instances so

strong that we increased by all means in our power the speed of the

canoes to get out of its precincts. ‘The lesser species hunt in small

packs of eight or ten, and swim mostly against the stream; of the

larger species I have seldom seen more than two together. As they

dive to a great distance and are able to remain under water for six to

eight minutes, what fish passes over them at that time is sure to falla

prey to their voracity ; they seize them at once by the belly and drag

them on shore, where they are deposited while they continue their

pursuit. The Indians, who are aware of this, watch their success in

284 Information respecting Zoological Travellers.

ambush, and secure what the Otters bring ashore. They attack some-

times fish of considerable size. We watched a pack of Otters at the

Great Cataracts of the Corentyn, where, at the basin which one of the

cataracts formed, they appeared to carry on their pursuits with great

success. One had secured a Haimura at least from ten to twelve

pounds weight, and carried it in its mouth to a rock which was

partly over water. Here it began devouring its prey without

taking much notice of us, although we were not twenty yards from

it on the opposite shore. It did not care for our shouting; its suc-

cess was however disputed by the Indians, who got into the canoe

and paddled so rapidly towards the rock, that the Otter saw itself

obliged to retreat and to leave the better half of the fish to the In-

dians. Although the Otters were numerous round the rock, none

of them showed any intention to share the prey with the successful

hunter or to dispute its possession.

I have already alluded to their having their holes on the edge of

rivers, sheltered by the impending bank. Every rock in the vicinity

of their residence bears the mark of their excrements; and their

feeding-places are so devoid of vegetation, if we except the larger

bushes and trees, that they cannot be mistaken, evenif the num-

ber of scales and fish-bones did not point out the frequency of their

visits. A complete path leads up to these places, which, in conse-

quence of their ascending and descending in single file, is hollowed

out. —

The young remain for a considerable time under the protection of

their parents, the mother teaching them to plunge and dive at ap-

proaching danger. Abbé Ricardo, who wrote in the middle of last

century a treatise on the South American Otter, and who, in order

to study their manners the more effectively, caused a large cage pond

to be erected in Caraccas*, relates, that while the parent Otters are

in existence, they do not suffer the young to propagate their spe-

cies. I cannot vouch for the truth of this assertion, nor could I

make myself sufficiently understood to the Indians to elicit their

corroborative testimony to that effect ; but thus much is certain ;—

that in the same community there are Otters of all sizes, and appa-

rently of three or four different generations.

We had entered the upper Essequibo by its tributary the Cu-

yuwini, and passed at the foot of a ridge of mountains, when we ob-

served on a large ledge of rocks a family of Otters, consisting of

about fifteen, including old and young. At our approach they broke

'* His treatise is said to be still in existence and in good preservation in

the cathedral of Caraccas.

Information respecting Zoological Travellers. 285

out into their peculiar noisy cry, and the parents seizing the young

with their mouth they plunged into the water and disappeared,—and

having placed their young in security, we saw them shortly after

reappearing at the head of our canoe. They raised themselves with

half their body out of the water, snoring for rage and showing their

formidable teeth. At approaching danger or when apprehensive of

it, they collected in a body, deputing the most courageous in ad-

vance ; as our canoe came nearer, they sank under as if by a precon-

certed sign, and appeared the next moment within a few yards of it.

We saw nothing again of the young; but the adults and larger-sized

young ones accompanied us, threatening and snoring, until no

doubt we were so far out of reach of their stronghcld that they

considered their progeny now safe. In other instances, when we at-

tempted to find out their holes, they became so outrageous that they

bit our paddles and left the print of their teeth. The Indians know

nevertheless how to surprise the young ones, who are then taken

home alive, and become in a short time so tractable that they follow

their masters like dogs. I have seen them frequently in the Indian

cabins, where they were fed on fish, meat, and fruits. In two dif-

ferent instances I possessed one myself, but they both mst with an

untimely death. The first was left at the water’s edge on breaking

up our camp, and not missed until evening, when the distance was

too great to return for it; and the second was given to the care of

an Indian woman from the interior, who visited the coast for the first

time in her life. She had been accustomed to keep the young Otter

in a large open basket, which she placed in the river at a short

distance from shore, fastening it to a stake for greater security.

Unacquainted with the rise of the water caused by the flood-tide,

she did the same at the lower Corentyn; and we did not become

aware of it until our attention was attracted by her distress, when

she observed the water several feet above the utmost point where the

string would have allowed the cage of the poor Otter to float. In

both instances the young Otters were quite tractable and attached

to those who nursed them. ‘Their cry when angry or in pain was

most plaintive, sometimes piercing and disagreeable. They appeared

to be fond of being carried into the water, and would float motion-

less, their head merely above the surface.

In Colombia the hunting of the Otter forms a great amusement,

and is continued for a considerable period. In the month of May

the parties assemble, and having ascended the rivers and falls until

they reach the clear waters without current, they encamp. The

dogs which have been trained for the purpose of hunting the Otter

286 Information respecting Zoological Travellers.

are taken in a light canoe, which is manned by the hunters, each

armed with an otter-spear, barbed like a harpoon and provided with

a handle about ten feet long. An experienced Indian occupies the

bow and cheers the dogs, who no sooner wind the game than they

give cry. On arriving at the burrows or Calle Pero (Otter city), the

land party divide into three: one watches, the other occupies that part

at the bank of the river which contains the holes, while the third

pokes his spear into the holes to eject the occupants. As soon as an

Otter is started the hounds are again in full cry; and some of the

smaller species of dog, of which there are several in the canoe, are

let loose to dive after it: in this they relieve each other; as soon as

one is up another goes down; and although the Otter has larger

lungs than most other quadrupeds, and can remain comparatively

for a longer period under water, it is at last obliged to seek for shal-

low water or the shore, where the hunters are ready to despatch

it with their spears. After the old Otters have fled, the young

ones retreat to the uppermost recesses of their holes, where they are

dug out, and secured for the purpose of taming ; or, which is the case

more frequently, they are killed bya slight blow on the forehead.

When hard pursued on land, they frequently double or evince other

cunning tricks to elude their pursuers. I shall never forget the

sight of an Otter-hunt in the river Tacutu. Although almost crippled

by the merciless bites which the sand-flies had inflicted during my

stay in Esmeralda, urgent business made it necessary that I should

proceed after my arrival in Fort Sad Joaquim without delay to Pirara.

I could neither ride nor walk, and the rivers were then so low that

it proved impossible to ascend the Tacutn in a larger canoe: a small

hunting-craft, which afforded sufficient room to stretch myself hori-

zontally, and which could be dragged by main force over shallows

and sand-banks, offered the only means for executing my design.

We were thus toiling one morning through a small channel, bor-

dered on both sides by sand-banks, when we observed before us a

pack of Otters. Our canoe was immediately drawn across, which thus

completely barricaded the outlets ; while some swift-footed Indians,

armed with bludgeons, cut off their retreat by the entrance. The

channel expanded and deepened in the middle, and this small basin

became now the stronghold of the Otters, into which the Indians

rushed for attack; but in spite of their exertions, perhaps inti-

midated by their furious defence, the adult Otters all escaped,

except one, which was now completely hemmed in, and which by

every stratagem attempted to escape its assailants. It now plunged

into the water, sank under, re-appeared, sought its safety on shore,

Information respecting Zoological Travellers. 287

running with rapidity over the sand-bank, although apparently

little calculated for it, doubled its track with much cunning, and

seeing its attempts frustrated by the wily and light-footed Indians,

rushed anew into the water. The dormant savage nature of the

Indians once roused, no barrier can be set to it. I had been left in

the canoe an unwilling spectator. Much as I found myself amused

in the commencement of the hunt, now that their united endeavours

to slay fell upon a solitary individual whose intrepidity and cunning

had as yet frustrated the execution of their murderous design, it

awakened pity. But their blood was up ; orders as well as entreaties

proved in vain; and perhaps annoyed at the escape of the others,

they appeared determined to sacrifice this one to their vengeance

for ill success. Its tenacity of life was astounding; it had received

several wounds with a cutlass, and succeeded nevertheless for some

time in evading the mortal blow, until, chased anew upon the

sandbank, it was transfixed by a pointed pole and despatched. It mea-

sured about five and a half feet in length, including the tail, which

was seventeen inches and a half. ‘The fur was of a dark mouse-co-

lour on the belly and nearly black on the back; the head of a mouse-

colour, and on the breast was a large cream-coloured spot ; the snout

short, whiskers strong, teeth large and powerful, feet short and

webbed, tail flattened. Its upper coat of hair was rather coarse, but

under it was a coat of the finest fur of a lighter colour. This was

the only adult specimen which fell into my hands during my jour-

neys in Guiana, and the want of a fuller or systematic description

must be ascribed, partly to the state of suffering in which I then

was, and partly to the smallness of the canoe to which I was re-

stricted, and which prevented me from taking with me anything but

the most indispensable articles, to the exclusion of any materials for

making the necessary use of its capture. It is nevertheless my opi-

nion that the larger species is identical with Lutra brasiliensis of Ray

and Geoffroy, or Linneus’s Mustela lutris brasiliensis, Buffon’s Sari-

covienne de la Guyane.

I estimate the length of the smaller kind at about four feet, of

which the tail is thirteen to fourteen inches. They are of a light

mouse-colour, rather reddish on the belly, with the white spot on

the breast. In their habits, appearance, and mode of living, they

exactly resemble the larger species, and are found in the same situa-

tions; but while that species is seldom found in societies, and ge-

nerally only in pairs, the smaller is decidedly gregarious. I have

never succeeded in procuring an adult specimen of the latter for ex-

amination. ‘Their head appears broader than in the former species.

288 Bibhographical Notices.

They are equally destructive as the European and Canadian Ot-

ters ; and, as their depredations continue the whole year, their haunts

being never frozen over during the period when Otters of the colder

zones feed upon terrestrial animals,—their food is restricted to fish

alone, and old Izaak Walton would no doubt have found additional

cause to bestow hard names upon these “ villanous vermin.”

The fur of the Canadian Otter forms an important article of com-

merce, and seven to eight thousand skins are annually imported by

the Hudson’s Bay Company alone. The skin of the Otter of Guiana

has, by competent judges, been pronounced equal in quality; and it

might prove of advantage to hunt it for the sake of its skin. General

Parr’s cavalry used them for pistol covers and foraging regimental

caps.

The Arawak Indians of Guiana call it Assiero; the Caribisi, Ava-

ripuya; the-Tarumas, Carangueh ; the Warraus, the smaller species

Etopu, the larger Itsha-keya ; the Macusis, the first Dura, the latter

Maparua. In the colony they are known by the name of Water-

dogs, bearing some resemblance to the canine race when swim-

ming.

{To be continued. }

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

A Manual of the Land and Freshwater Shells of the British Islands,

with Figures of each of the kinds. By William Turton, M.D.

A new Edition, thoroughly revised and much enlarged, by John

Edward Gray, F.R.S. London, 1840. 12mo.

Dr. Turton’s ‘Manual’ has long been known as a useful com-

panion to the student of British land and freshwater shells, although

in its original state it must be admitted to have been defective in

much of that varied information which the more advanced state of

our knowledge in this, as in other departments of natural history,

imperatively demands. In the present edition Mr. Gray (on whose

recent appointment to the Keepership of the Zoology in the national

collection we have to congratulate the Museum and the country)

has fully supplied the deficiency, and has produced a work of a very

different and far higher character, which except in name, in a por-

tion of the descriptive letter-press, and in the greater part of the

figures accompanying it, may be regarded as entirely new.

Mr. Gray’s ‘ Introduction’ includes, among other interesting

matter, a detailed account of no fewer than 50 species of land and

Bibliographical Notices. 289

freshwater shells which have been erroneously, as he believes, in-

troduced into the British list, with his reasons for their exclusion ;

an outline of the geographical distribution of the native species, both

with reference to other parts of the world and to the topographical

divisions of ‘our own country, accompanied by a tabular view; no-

tices of the localities which different species select ; an enumeration

of the fossil speciés belonging to land and freshwater genera that

have been hitherto discovered in Great Britain ; an historical review

of the additions made to this department of our Fauna by each suc-

cessive writer from Merret downwards ; and a list of the British and

of the principal foreign works treating on the subject.

“An Artificial Table of the Genera”’ constructed for the use of the

mere conchologist who confines his observations to the shell, is fol-

lowed by‘some observations on the principal points to be attended

toin the description of shells, founded on their relation to the ani-

mal, with reference to which alone they can be properly studied ;

and we'then atrive at the more strictly Systematic part of the work,

the only part in which any portion of Dr. Turton’s ‘ Manual’ has

been retained. But even here all that has been derived from the

original work consists of the mere characters and descriptions of the

shells, with a few occasional observations, all of which have under-

gone revision ; while the outline of the distribution of Mollusca, the

characters of the classes, orders, families, and genera; the descrip-

tions of the animals; the physiological and other notices accompany-

ing these descriptions, &c. &c., which constitute the chief value of

the work, have been added by Mr. Gray.

The number of species described amounts to 128, arranged under

38 genera; and all of these with one exception (Vertigo angustior,

which, as the author states, could not be procured) are figured in

the plates, supplementary tables containing the more recently disco-

vered’ species having been added to those previously contained in

Dr. Turton’s work. The original plates have also, it is stated, been

revised, compared with the specimens, and corrected where neces-

sary; and enlarged details of some of the smaller species have been

added.’ Woodcut illustrations representing the animals of the dif-

ferent families and of most of the genera, together with a few of the

shells, have also been introduced in the form of vignettes ; and the

work\is got up in a handsome and creditable style.

It would be superfluous to recommend such a work and so edited

to those for whose use it is intended, and to whom it can only be

necessary to indicate its existence and its contents.

Ann, Nat. Hist. Vol. 5. No. 31. June 1840. <

290 Wernerian Natural History Society.

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

WERNERIAN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

April 4.—Professor Jameson, President, in the Chair.

Professor Traill made a communication to the Society on the na-

ture of the food of the genus Trochilus, or Humming-bird, accom-

panied with a dissection. The information communicated on this oc-

casion was not to be considered in the light of a new discovery, as

the Professor intimated he had made the observations many years

ago. It was a favourite notion, he remarked, with Buffon and the

older writers on natural history, that the food of these birds was

scarcely less ethereal than their forms, and that they partook of no-

thing more substantial than the nectar of flowers. This opinion

was first contradicted by Wilson, who, speaking of the birds in a

state of confinement, had remarked, that although they did not re-

fuse to partake of sugar and water, yet they frequently devoured in-

sects. Dr. T. stated that he had opened the stomachs of a great

number of these tiny creatures, and did not remember that he ever

failed in finding insects, often many, and these of large size when com-

pared to the size of the captor. ‘They were usually winged insects ;

and the resort of the birds to honeyed flowers was naturally ex-

plained by the fact that to these many insects resorted for their

favourite food. In the dissected specimen which the Doctor exhi-

bited, the stomach had been opened, and there still remained in situ

three insects of very considerable dimensions. The stomach was re-

markably muscular, as was also the heart; and in fact the whole

muscular system was exceedingly developed. This remark applied

particularly to the muscles of the wing,—to its principal muscle, the

pectoralis externus, which brings the wing down to the body, and

scarcely less to the pectoralis minor, which elevates the member. The

Doctor stated that he had removed the whole muscular apparatus

from the body, and weighed it, and then weighed the rest of the

frame, had repeated this observation upon a variety of other birds,

and found that in none was the relative development apparently so

great.

Dr. Traill added some further observations upon the anatomy of

the tongue and the os hyoides. The long and extensile tongue is

extensively bifid in a horizontal direction, one of the forked portions

lying above and over the other. Both of them are tubular, an ob-

servation based upon his personal observation, and in contradiction

to the denial of some respectable naturalists, whose error he con-

Microscopical Society. 294

ceived arose from their observation having been on dry and not fresh

specimens, The upper side of the tongue is rugous, and the point,

especially of the upper part, almost horny. Hence, he esteemed its

functions threefold: 1st, From that portion of the tongue which is

nearest, the point being supplied with an adhesive secretion, a por-

tion of its food, as in the Bee-eater, readily adhered to it; 2nd, ina

degree prehensile, it somewhat discharges the functions of a hand;

and 8rd, with the sharp hard point of the upper filament, it possesses

the power of impaling and retaining its victims. With regard to the

os hyoides, its cornea are, as in the Woodpecker, much elongated,

and curved round behind the head; to this powerful muscles are at-

tached, and hence the rapidity and vigour of the motions of the

member.

MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.

April 22nd—Mr. Owen, the President, in the chair.

Seven members were elected. Dr. Lindley communicated a short

account of his observations on the antheridia of Polyirichum, in the

cells of which are contained microscopic animalcules of the genus

Vibrio. This discovery, made by Unger, in reference to the anthe-

ridia of Sphagnum, and afterwards observed by Meyen, has been

confirmed by the observations of Dr. Lindley, who gives the follow-

ing description.

The antheridia contain a cellular mucous substratum of great

transparency, and in each of the cells lies one coiled up Vibrio, which

turns round and round within the cell with such rapidity, that it

resembles a cyst in very active motion, the dark head of the Vibrio

forming an eccentrical point round which the rotatory motion takes

place. As soon however as the Vibrio gets into the water, its tail

becomes straightened, and then the true nature of the moving body

becomes apparent. The paper was accompanied by living specimens

of the object.

Mr. Bowerbank read a paper descriptive of four new forms of

vegetable tissue, occurring in silicified wood from Antigua, &c.

The three first of these are from Dicotyledonous woods, and pre-

sent some interesting varieties of reticulated vascular tissue. In

one example the thread of the net-work is filled with numerous ir-

regular vesicular cavities, not exceeding the 554,55 of an inch in

diameter; and in a second the interstices appear to contain the

remains of discoid organs like those seen in the vessels of Ephedra,

to which genus the author thinks the fossil may probably be re-

ferred. The fourth form is from a silicified palm, and consists of

x 2

292 Miscellaneous.

numerous minute globules, which when viewed with a power of S00

linear, are seen to constitute a very beautiful fibro-vesicular tissue,

having a broad and gibbous thread with irregular interspaces. ‘The

original structures, together with highly magnified drawings of the

tissues, were exhibited to the Society. ©

Messrs. John Dalrymple and Varley communicated the result of

their observations on the circulation in Closterium, and also on the

structure of other allied genera.

MISCELLANEOUS.

ON A TORPEDO TAKEN ON THE IRISH COAST.

In the last week of October 1838, a Torpedo, taken on the Irish

coast by a fisherman whe supplies the Dublin market, was brought

to the metropolis, and when quite recent purchased by Dr. Jacob,

Professor of Anatomy, &c. to the Royal College of Surgeons. When

in Dublin some time afterwards, I embraced the opportunity of ex-

amining the specimen, which was at once afforded me with Dr.

Jacob’s usual kindness and liberality. The fish, from the careful

manner in which it had been kept, was with the exception of the

electric organs (which had been removed) still perfect, and for every

purpose of description in as good a state as could be desired. My

chief object was to ascertain its species, as even in our latest works

—those of Jenyns and Yarrell—that of the Torpedo of the British

seas is considered to be undetermined. Although the investigation

was on the whole unsatisfactory, owing to the confusion in which

the species of Torpedo are at present involved; the notes made with

reference to the works consulted on the subject may possibly be

worth transcribing.

Of Gesner’s figures, none accord with the individual under con-

sideration, and if they be correctly drawn, it differs in species from

them. It does not agree with either of the Torpedos given by Al-

drovandus, nor with those of Johnston—his appear to be copies from

preceding works. Willughby’s figure (7. maculosa) is the same as

that of Aldrovandus. With one taken on the coast of France, at

Rochelle, and figured by Walsh in the Philosophical Transactions

for 1778, vol. Ixiii. tab. 19. my specimen is evidently identical; the

only difference worthy of note is, that the spiracles are represented

as notched, which they are not in the specimen, and this cannot be

a sexual character, as Walsh’s fish was-a female as well as the pre-

Miscellaneous. 293

sent individual*. In the Phil. Trans.,for.1774 (p. 464) Mr. Walsh

records the occurrence of the, Torpedo.on.the southern coast of En-

gland, stating that it. had. been, procured at Torbay, Mount’s Bay,

and Brixham. This gentleman.likewise mentions his having been

informed at the village of Ring near Dungarvan, county Waterford

(where he was aware that Smith in his History of this county re-

corded a Torpedo as having been captured about thirty years before

his visit), that one or two of these fish are occasionally taken there

in the course of a year. But in regard to species, the author in this

communication describes a Torpedo received from Brixham, which is

certainly the same as the specimen under consideration. He ob-

serves, ‘‘ the back of it was of a dark ash-colour, with somewhat of

a purple cast, but not at all mottled+ like those of the Atlantic coast

of France, nor regularly marked with eyes, as they have been called,

like some found in the Mediterranean. Its under part was white,

skirted however with the same ash-colour, which towards its tail be-

come almost universal. The side fins being a little contracted and

curled up, prevented the precise measurement of its breadth, but it

appeared to hold the general proportion observed in those of La

Rochelle ; that is, the breadth was two-thirds of the length,” p.465.

Bloch’s figure represents a different fish from the present one. Pen-

nant copies Walsh’s plate illustrative of the French specimens tf.

Donovan (vol. iii. pl. 53.) does not inform us whence his figure was

taken, but that it was not drawn from a recent individual may be in-

ferred from the only original information he gives of the Torpedo as

a British species, being—‘‘ we can further say upon the best author-

ity, that this species has been more than once taken upon the sandy

coasts near Tenby, in Pembrokeshire, South Wales.” His figure ex-

hibits five spots, the spiracles notched, and the tail somewhat longer

than that of the specimen before me. Risso’s Torp. unimaculata and

T. marmorata, fig. 8. and 9. tom. ili. ed. 1826, appear very different

from my fish—the former displays spiracles with an even or circular

margin ; the latter has them notched. Blainville (Faune Francaise,

p- 45.) considers the Torp. narke, T. unimaculata, and T. marmorata,

described as distinct species by Risso, to be only varieties of one.

Blainville figures the three ; the two last are longer tailed than mine.

* John Hunter likewise figures the spiracles notched in the largest en-

graving of the fish that I have seen, and a female is represented. Tab. 20.

It follows Mr. Walsh’s in Phil. Trans. 1773.

+ Small dark markings appear scattered over both upper and under side

in Mr. Walsh’s figures.

t Pennant describes the spiracles of a Torpedo which came under his ob-

servation, as having “six small cutaneous rays on their inner circumfe-

rence.”

294 Miscellaneous.

T. marmorata approaches it more nearly in form, but is less clumsy :

the spiracles are in all three represented as notched. Fleming (Brit.

Anim.) not having seen specimens, describes from other authors.

In the Phil. Trans. for 1834 (p. 542.), Dr. Davy states, that the

Torp.marmorata, Risso, and T. Galvani, Risso, are identical—in this

memoir two Mediterranean species are described, of which this one

only approaches the specimen before me. Jenyns (p. 509.) consi-

ders the British species of Torpedo to be undetermined, as likewise

does Yarrell, whose figure (vol. ii. p. 410.) we may therefore pre-

sume has not been made from a native specimen.

Of Dr. Jacob’s Torpedo, which is a female, the entire length is

34, the greatest breadth 23 inches; breadth across the ventrals 97

inches. The body is rounder and forms a greater portion of the

whole than in Yarrell’s figure (and still more so than in Willughby’s,

which the author just mentioned considers the same as his); it is

191 inches long from the anterior extremity to the part of the body

which is on a line with the extremity of the pectorals, and 144

inches thence to the end of the caudal fin. The first dorsal fin,

which is 3 inches in height, extends for 2 inches along the trunk of

the tail, and terminates nearly on the same plane with the ventrals:

the second dorsal fin originates about 14 inch behind the first ; it is

21 inches in height, occupies 1¢ inch of the tail, and extends within

11 inch of the origin of the caudal fin—it thus nearly occupies the

portion between the ventral and caudal fins: C. fin 5 inches in

length, upper lobe the larger. Eyes minute, } inch long and about

the same broad, 2 inches 10 lines from the anterior edge of the

body, 2 in. 4 lines. apart ; spiracle opening, circular or without

tooth-like processes ; a fimbriated process about an inch within the

margin: several rows of small sharp teeth ; vent about the middle

of body within the ventral fins. Colour of the entire upper surface

uniform reddish-grey, with obscure and small markings of a darker

shade; a single dark spot 3? inch in diameter on the body a little

to the left of the middle; under side rich chalk-white prettily bor-

dered with reddish gray, which colour forms a band about an inch

in breadth round the pectorals, but narrower on the ventrals, and

still more so on the tail.

To recapitulate—in all the works noticed in this communica-

tion, and perhaps unnecessarily so, the only figures of the ‘Torpedo

corresponding exactly in proportion with my specimen are Walsh’s*,

* JT do not recollect to have seen it anywhere satisfactorily stated, whether

individuals of the same species differ much in general outline, or whether

the sexes ever vary much in this respect—colour is admitted to be no cha-

racter. See in particular Dr. Davy, Phil. Trans. 1. ¢.

Meteorological Observations. 295

which are copied by Pennant. Those of the Tremola illustrative of

Dr. Davy’s memoir, seem much the same. Two desirable points

are however attained—the identity of the species with Walsh’s

specimens from the coasts of France and England; and the descrip-

tion of an authentic example of the fish, From Dr. Jacob I learn,

that two Torpedos were taken at the same time about 10 years ago,

and he thinks off Dublin bay, like the present individual; of one of

these there is a cast in the Museum of the College of Surgeons in

Dublin*; this I have examined; it is 38 inches in length, 28 in

breadth, and represents the same species as the subject of the pre-

sent communication. — Wun. Tuompson, Belfast.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR APRIL, 1840.

Chiswick.— April 1. Slight rain: cloudy. 2. Hazy: very fine. 3. Cold dry

haze: frosty at night. 4—6. Very fine. 7, Fine: stormy showers at night.

8. Slight showers. 9, Cloudy and cold. 10—12, Very fine. 13—17. Fine but

very dry. 18. Clear, hot and dry. 19. Hazy: very fine. 20. Very fine. 21—

23. Cloudy and fine. 24. Very fine. 25. Very hot, nearly cloudless, and ex-

cessively dry. 26, 27, Hot and dry. 28. Excessively hot for the period of the

season, thermometer 81° in the shade. 29, 30, Very fine: hot and dry. This

month is remarkable for the limited quantity of rain and for a high temperature ;

the latter being the consequence chiefly of a powerful direct solar heat, which

overcame likewise the counteracting effects of north and north-east winds, for

they were in fact more prevalent than those from the opposite direction.

Boston.—April 1. Cloudy: rainr.m. 2. Rain, 3—5. Fine. 6. Cloudy.

7. Cloudy: stormy with rainr.m. 8. Cloudy: hail and rain p.m. 9—11. Fine.

12, Rain: rain early a.m. 13—19, Fine. 20—24. Cloudy. 25—29, Fine.

30. Cloudy.

Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire.— April 1. Mild day with a shower, 2. Keen

and cold but dry. 3,4. Dry and more temperate. 5. Fine day after a very

slight shower. 6. Stormy day with showers, though slight. 7. Keen cold day.

8. More moderate: 9. Fine mild day. 10. The same: slightly moist and

cloudy. 11. Drizzling all day, but very lightly. 12. Fine though cold: slight

rain r.M. 13, Fine soft slight rain. 14. Charming spring day. 15. Thesame:

with frost rime a.m. 16,17. Fine but coldish: frost rime again. 18. Very fine

warm day. 19. Thesame: whiterime a.m. 20, The same: slight showers

p.M. 21. The same: gentle shower. 22. The same: moisture. 23. Dry but

threatening. 24, The same: cleared up. 25—28. Beautiful day. 29. The

same, but cloudy. 30. Thesame: very warm.

Sun shone out 29 days. Rain, very slight, fell 6 days. Frost, rime 4 days.

Wind north 1 day. North-east 3 day. East-north-east 2 days. East 3 days.

East-south-east 1 day. South-east 4 day. South-south-east 2 days. South 7

days. South-south-west ] day. South-west 74 days. West-south-west 1 day,

West 25 days. North-west 1 day.

Calm 15 days. Moderate 8 days. Brisk 3 days. Strong breeze $ days.

Boisterous 1 day.

* Mr. R. Ball has made an excellent cast from the present specimen.

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ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY.

XXXIV.—WNotes on some Vwiparous Plants. By Grorar

Dicxir, Esq., A.L.S., Lecturer on Botany in Marischal

College, Aberdeen.

Ir by the term viviparous is meant the production by the

parent of young and perfect plants instead of the usual method

of propagation, then this expression is used rather indiscri-

minately, and in some instances very improperly. The pre-

sent remarks being chiefly applicable to British plants, it may

be needless to state that comparatively few of them deviate

from the usual mode of reproduction; such are chiefly alpine

plants, Polygonum viviparum, Saxifraga cernua, Festuca vivi-

para, Aira alpina, and Poa alpina, and some others, especially

some species of Allium, &c.,—and I possess a specimen of Poa

fluitans which presents an appearance similar to Poa alpina,

and a like variety of Cynosurus cristatus 1s of frequent oc-

currence.

In Poa alpina the palee (Lindley) are generally of a soft

succulent texture and dark green colour, the outer cuticle

being easily detached and possessing numerous stomata ; some

of the florets have every appearance of being perfect, inclosing

stamens and an ovary; in some instances however the stig-

mata are absent, and in others the ovary is partially trans-

formed into a membranous leaf, and the stamens are some-

times similarly changed and adherent to one another. In Aira

alpina the same transformations are seen, and the awn of the

one palea is most frequently adherent throughout, and some-

times free only at the apex. In these instances, as well as in

Festuca vivipara, the parts which chiefly deviate from the na-

tural condition are the palez ; they acquire an increase of de-

velopment, perform all the functions of leaves, and no doubt

Ann. Nai. Hist. Vol.5. No.32. July 1840. Y

298 Mr, Dickie on Viviparous Plants.

also possess the property of striking root when brought in

contact with the soil. '

In the other plants already mentioned, Polygonum vivipa-

rum and Saxifraga cernua, a very different structure is pre-

sent.

In Polygonum the perfect flowers are chiefly confined to the

apex of the stem; beneath them are placed numerous oval

bodies of a purple colour, excepting near their summit, where

they have a different appearance, owing to the presence of a

thin loose membrane at that part. Each is supported by a

stalk, which is, however, so short as to be almost impercep-

tible. On making a longitudinal section, it will be seen that

each body consists of a strong membrane containing a gra-

nular substance. This last is principally cellular; the cells

may be easily detached from each other, and each contains

numerous grains of starch. Imperfect spiral vessels pass

through the centre of the cellular substance. (Fig. 2.) The

purple membrane is itself covered by a cuticle, which is closely

adherent to it, excepting near the apex of each body, where it

becomes free, at which part also there is an arrangement ex-

actly resembling a bud; numerous scales are found, each in-

closing the other ; toward the centre they lose their membra-

nous appearance, are more succulent, and in the centre there

is a nucleus. (Fig. 1.) The cellular tissue in which the starch

occurs, when viewed im a mass, appears of a purple colour,

which is owing to the presence of numerous oblong cells that

have this tinge; each separate starch cell is colourless, and

beautifully transparent. The imperfect spiral vessels already

mentioned pass from the point of attachment to the bud at

the apex.

The small bulbous bodies occurring instead of flowers on

Saxifraga cernua, generally consist of two or more thick

Mr. Dickie on Viviparous Plants. 299

fleshy scales, which are concavo-convex, the concavities being

towards each other. (Fig. 3.) Frequently there is found in-

closed between these a small club-shaped body (fig. 4.) en-

tirely composed of cellular tissue, and bearing on its surface

numerous small glandular bodies. Most of these last when

highly magnified bear no small resemblance to certain young

ovules, each resembling a small cup, in the mouth of which a

nucleus is seen; figs. 6. 7, are other forms of these. The

fleshy scales are of a pink or purple colour, and consist of a

tough membrane inclosing cellular tissue which abounds with

starch. In the midst of this tissue there is a central column

(fig. 8.) composed of condensed cellular tissue, and some of

the cells are remarkable for their purple colour; no vessels of

any kind could be detected.

The general structure is therefore very similar to that of the

gemme of Polygonum ; in the bulbs of the Saxifrage there is

however no bud at the apex, and true vessels are also absent.

No opportunity has been afforded of observing the manner

in which the gemmez of Polygonum grow when detached from

the parent, but I have examined specimens of the bulbs of the

Saxifrage in the progress of growth while still attached to the

plant. .Numerous delicate cellular roots are thrown out from

the surface, but chiefly toward the narrow extremity ; the cen-

tral column, already described is the part which produces the

young plant; it increases in size, bursts the membrane, and

after some time acquires a green colour.

The Saxifraga foliolosa (Brown in Parry) is remarkable for

the absence of perfect flowers, instead of which small round

fasciculi of leaves are found on the stem. Specimens of this

plant were given to me by Mr. W. Maitland, surgeon to one

of the whaling vessels; the bulbs were carefully dissected after

Y 2

300 Mr. C. C. Babington on Ulex.

maceration in water. Each may be described as resembling

a cabbage in miniature, being composed of numerous leaves

overlapping each other and becoming more delicate toward

the centre. In each specimen examined stamens and pistils

were found in the centre; they were, however, of very small

size, and such as they are in a very young flower-bud; the

anthers appeared to be completely formed, but almost sessile ;

the pistils were apparently perfect, but so delicate that the

slightest injury destroyed their form. It is not improbable

that these fasciculi of leaves possess the power of striking root

under favourable circumstances. Sir W. J. Hooker, in the

Appendix to one of Parry’s Voyages, states that the plant is

propagated by means of these bodies.

XXXV.—-On Ulex. By Cuarues C. Basineton, M.A.,

F.L.S., F.G.S., &c.*

THE possession of a specimen of U. provincialis (Lois.) from

Marseilles, and the good fortune of meeting with a flowering

plant of U. strictus (Mack.) in the Bath Botanical Garden,

have induced me to draw up the following short account of

the species belonging to this genus, and illustrate it with out-

line figures of the petals and spines. Although two of the

species (europeus and nanus) are peculiarly common in En-

gland, yet I have found that few of the younger of our bota-

nists are acquainted with their true distinctive characters ;

indeed so much uncertainty exists that a very common variety

of nanus is almost always considered as a form of ewropeus.

The other two species belonging to that section of Ulex towhich

this paper refers, are amongst the least known European

plants, one of them (strictus) being confined to a few spots in

Ireland, and rarely flowering, and the other (australis) inha-

biting parts of the South of France, Spain, and Morocco (?).

The whole genus is confined to the South-western parts of

Europe and the North-west point of Africa, having its most

northerly limit in Scotland, and its eastern not reaching the

centre of Germany.

* Read to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, May 14, 1840.

Mr. C. C. Babington on Ulex. 301

I now proceed to describe shortly the four species.

1. U. Europeus, (Linn. Sp. Pl. 1045.. var. a.) Calyce villoso,

bracteis ovatis laxis, foliis junioribus subtus villosis sulcatis,

spinis primariis validis teretibus polygonis sulcatis minutissime

scabris, caulibus hirsutis, floribus lateralibus.

U. Europeus auctorum, Eng. Bot. 742.

In this plant the spines are very large and strong, spreading

horizontally, terete, with numerous longitudinal ribs and fur-

rows, minutely scabrous, alternately branched from their very

base, and producing the flowers from the branches (secondary

spines) or from the primary spines themselves, the points of

which do not extend beyond the expanded flowers. The

leaves are linear-lanceolate, in the young state downy beneath

and furrowed but not ciliated ; the bracteas rather large ovate

spreading ; the calyx shaggy, with the teeth at the summit

of each sepal so closely pressed together as to escape notice

until carefully examined. The form of the petals will be best

seen by the figures,

This plant often grows to the height of from 4 to 6 feet,

and flowers from January to June. Common in England.

U. Europeus.

2. U. strictus, (Mack. in Trans. Roy. Ir. Acad. xiv. 166.) Calyce

villoso, bracteis ovatis laxis, foliis junioribus subtus villosis te-

nuibus, spinis primatiis exiguis tetragonis minutissime scabris,

caulibus hirsutis, floribus terminalibus.

U. strictus, Mack. l. c. Lindl. Syn. ed. 2. p. 322.

U. Hibernicus, G. Don, Syst. Bot. and Gard. 2. 148.

Here the spines are slender, flexible, and short, ascending

at an acute angle from the stem, tetragonal with an interme-

diate rib upon one of the sides, minutely scabrous, alternately

branched from their very base, never (as far as I have ob-

served) producing flowers. The flowers are rarely produced

at all; when present they are few in number, springing from

302 Mr. C. C. Babington on Ulex.

the extreme point of the erect wand-like branches, and rising

above the uppermost spines; the bracteas are rather large

ovate and slightly spreading; the calyx shaggy; the petals

very similar in form, but broader in proportion to their length

than those of U. ewropeus. The leaves linear-lanceolate, in

the young state thin, shaggy beneath, and not furrowed.

Remarkable for its very erect mode of growth and small

spines ; and although closely allied to europeus, it is constantly

very different in habit (no intermediate forms having been

observed) ; and possessing as it does characters by which it

may be easily distinguished, I cannot. but agree with Dr.

Lindley in considering that it ought to be ranked as a distinct

species.

U. strictus.

a. b a

Found in the Marquess of Londonderry’s park in the county

of Down, and a few other places in the north of Ireland,

flowering in April.

3. U. nanus, (Forst. in Sym. Syn. 160.) Calyce sericeo, bracteis

minutis adpressis, foliis junioribus glabris ciliatis sulcatis, spinis

primariis gracilibus teretibus striatis levibus, caulibus hirsutis,

foliis lateralibus terminalibusque.

a. typicalis. Caulibus procumbentibus, spinis primariis brevibus

gracilibus patulis.

Eng. Bot. t. 748.

(3. major. Caulibus erectis adscendentibusve, spinis primariis elon-

gatis validioribus deflexis.

Two marked forms are included under this species, one of

them (var. a.) with slender short procumbent or slightly as-

cending stems, forming a beautiful carpet on the heaths which

it inhabits, and with small slender spreading spines ; the other

(var. 8.) with stems sometimes 5 or 6 feet high forming large

bushes, with the spines long, strong, and deflexed. In both

the spines are terete, striated and smooth, and producing nu-

merous branches (secondary spines) from their bases alone.

Mr. C. C. Babington on Ulex. 303

The flowers are produced upon the primary spines only, the

points of which extend beyond them ; the bracteas are minute

and closely adpressed to the calyx, which is finely downy; the

form of the petals also is different from that found m the twe

preceding species, as will be seen by the figures. Leaves

linear-lanceolate, in a young state glabrous, ciliated and fur-

rowed.

U. nants.

vat

Cae ee i en ey ee ss a Gs

Naa oo

iqually common with U. europeus, var. a. is the more fre-

quent in the eastern counties and var. 8. in the western parts

of England. Flowering from Aug. to Dec.*

4. U. australis, (‘‘ Clemente, Ensayo de la Vid. p.291.(1807)” Webb,

Iter. Hisp. 48.) Calyce sericeo corolle subzquali, bracteis mi-

nutis, foliis minutis glabris, spinis primariis parvis tetragonis

sulcatis levibus, caulibus glabris.

U. australis, Clem. 1. c. Webb, 1. c.

U. provincialis, Lois. Not. 105. (1810) Fi. Gall. (ed. 2.) 2.111.

t. 27. DC. Prod. 2. 144.

Remarkably different from the other species; glabrous

throughout, with the exception of the peduncles and calyx,

which are finely downy. The spines are small, tetragonal,

furrowed, and smooth, alternately branched, but the lowest

branch (secondary spine) distant from the stem ; the branches

again branched (tertiary spines), and bearing the flowers upon

the secondary or tertiary spines. The flowers much smaller

than in either of the other species, and differing remarkably

* Not found within thirty miles of Edinburgh.—W. H. C.

304 Mr. C. C. Babington on Ulex.

from them by having the wings shorter than the keel, whereas

in the other three they are longer than it. The bracteas are

small and adpressed, resembling those of U. nanus. The leaves

very minute, glabrous, and not furrowed.

A native of the extreme south-west of Europe, not found in

the British Isles, which are probably too cold for it. Flower-

ing in winter. I am indebted to W. C. Trevelyan, Esq. for

my specimen, which he gathered near “ Marseilles, Nov. 24,

1838,” where he states that it grows upon dry limestone hills

in low rounded bushes, much smaller than U. europeus, but

quite as stiff or rather stiffer than it, in the spines.

This plant has usually gone by the name of U. provincialis,

conferred upon it by Loiseleur in 1810, but as Mr. Webb (in

the work above-quoted) has determined it to be the same as

U. australis of Clemente, named in 1807, all botanists are

bound to adopt the latter as being the older as well as the bet-

ter name.

U. australis.

There yet remain two plants, both natives of Spain, which

probably belong to this genus, as observed by Mr. Webb (Iter

Hisp. 49.), who has characterized them in the interesting and

valuable work referred to, I mean U. genistoides of Brotero

and U. Boivinit of Webb. These plants differ in several points

from the typical Ulices and form the genus Stauracanthus of

some authors.

St. John’s College, Cambridge, May 6, 1840.

EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES.

The letters refer to the same parts.

a. The standard of the corolla.

b. One of the wings of the corolla.

c. One of the keel petals.

d. A portion of the stem with a spine and its branches and leaves.

x A leaf.

The size of the flowers is not represented in the figures of the spines, but

only their situation. The outlines of the petals are drawn to scale, and point

out their difference of size as well as shape.

Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides. 305

XXXVI.—Miscellanea Zoologica. By Grorce JOHNSTON,

M.D., Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edin-

burgh. .

[ With a Plate. ]

[Continued from p. 274. ]

Tue IrtsH ANNELIDES.

I now continue my description of the collection of Irish An-

nelides before me *.

Family APHRODITACE.

1. APHRODITA ACULEATA, Lin.—Strangford Lough, Wm.

Thompson, Esq.; Bangor, Dr. Drummond.

2. APHRODITA HYSTRIX, Sav.—Aud. and Edw. Litt. de la

France, . p. 70. pl. 1. fig. 1—9. Courtmasherry Harbour,

county Cork, Mr. Geo. J. Allman.

I had previously received a specimen from Mr. Edward

Forbes, who dredged it in 20 fathoms water about 4 miles

from land on the N.W. coast of the Isle of Man.

Desc. Body elliptic-oblong, depressed, the back covered

with 15 pairs of imbricated naked scales; the sides hirsute

and spinous with golden and brown-coloured bristles ; the

ventral surface of a dirty blackish-brown colour, covered with

a coriaceous tuberculated skin, marked with transverse pa-

rallel rugz along the margins, and with a narrow depressed

space down the centre. Head small, entirely concealed under

the front scales; eyes very distinct, occipital, pedunculate ;

between and above the peduncles there is a short porrect

biarticulate antenna, and on one side of the mouth a long

awl-shaped ciliated palpus invested with a fleshy sheath at the

base. Proboscis large and muscular. Scales large, irregularly

heart-shaped, smooth, soft, thin and membranous, with entire

even margins, overlapping each other on the median line and

behind ; the anterior pair is small, rounder than the others

and hidden under those that follow, and the posterior pairs

are likewise so much imbricated that the anal ones are almost

concealed: they are all attached to a fleshy peduncle and are

of a greyish or flesh-colour tinted with brown. Feet 32 pairs;

the anterior and posterior are minute, but they gradually in-

* See Annals Nat. Hist. vol. v. p. 168.

306 Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides.

crease in size towards the middle of the body, where they at-

tain their greatest development. They are of two kinds,—

the squamiferous and cirrigerous,—but a foot of either is di-

visible into two branches, viz. a ventral and dorsal. The ven-

‘ tral branch (or proper foot) forms a stout rough tuberculated

conoid process armed with a stout spine protruded from the

pale papillary apex, and with four or five firm bristles proceed-

ing from under the apex and partially surrounding the spine.

The spine tapers insensibly to an obtuse point, is smooth,

and of a pale yellow colour: the bristles are of a rich

burnished brown colour, with a round shank which grows

a little thicker upwards, and is terminated with a curved

cutting point like a pruning-knife ; in most of them there is

also a tooth-like process on the inner side beneath this point.

(Plate V. fig. a.) The cirrus of the foot does not reach its apex,

excepting that of the first pairs; it is fleshy, setaceous, and

of a pale colour. The dorsal branch of all the feet has an

upward direction, and cannot be used as an organ of pro-

gression along the ground: that of the squamous feet is

armed with two bundles of bristles (0), each proceeding from

a distinct tubercle ; the innermost or dorsad brush consists of

many slender golden yellow bristles, arranged in a fan-shaped

manner ; they are comparatively short, curved like the italic

letter /; and roughened with minute granulations on their

upper half (ec): the bristles of the other brush, placed between

the dorsad one and the proper foot, are remarkable for their

stoutness and length; they are of a rich dark brown colour,

straight, and terminated with a lanceolate point, which is

notched on each side with four reverted barbs, so that the

bristle resembles the barbed arrow or spear of the South-sea

islanders (d). The notches are not opposite, but alternate,

and they are inclosed within a plain sheath, consisting of two

dilated valves which shut upon them (e). The cirrigerous foot

has a single fan-shaped brush of bristles only ; the bristles

are simple and curved like those of the dorsad fascicles of the

squamous feet, but they are more numerous, slenderer, longer,

of a paler colour, and quite smooth; they are unequal in

length, some of them very fine and hair-like, and the whole

brush is usually matted and soiled with extraneous matters.

Length of the worm 2 inches ; breadth ;5,ths.

Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides. 307

The slight differences which may be detected between the

above description, drawn up from an examination of two

specimens of this worm, and that of Audouin and M. Ed-

wards, do not indicate any difference of species. The body

of our specimens was much more oblong, and in both of

them one palpus only was to be found; but the emi-

nent naturalists just mentioned tell us that the worm is

variable in form, and, though they delineate two palpi of

equal size, they also say that often one of them is much less

developed than the other. The scales are represented by

- M. Edwards as roundish, inclining to oval: we found those

near the middle of the back somewhat heart-shaped, but not

uniformly alike, and those near the extremities were rounded.

When highly magnified they appeared to be striated with

fine lines, and were thinly sprinkled over with very minute

granules.

3. PoLyNnor SQUAMATA, Sav.—Bangor, Dr. Drummond ;

Strangford Lough, Messrs. Hyndman and Thompson ; coast

of county Down, Mr. Thompson; Belfast Bay, E. Getty,

Esq.—From the number of specimens it may be concluded

that this is a common species.

4, POLYNOE cIRRATA, Sav.—Belfast Bay, Messrs. Thomp-

son and Getty ; Strangford Lough, Messrs. Hyndman and

Thompson ; Bangor, Dr. Drummond ; Sligo, Mr. Hyndman.

The specimens are still more numerous than those of the

preceding, and scarcely two are alike in the colour and va-

riegation of the scales.

5. POoLYNOE SCOLOPENDRINA, Sav.—Aud. and Edw. Litt.

de la France, ii. p. 92.— Bangor, Dr. Drummond ; coast of

county Down, Mr. Thompson. Plate V.

Desc. Body linear-elongate, flattened, rounded in front

and slightly tapered behind, attaining a length of nearly 4

inches, and about 4 lines in breadth; the anterior portion of

the back scaly, the posterior and larger portion naked but

muricated with small tubercles arranged in three vows, one

down the middle, and one on each side above the bases of

the feet: ventral surface smooth, grooved down the middle,

308 Dr. Johnston on the Irish Annelides.

more or less iridescent. Head concealed by the front scales,

small, tumid, somewhat heart-shaped, sinuated in front,

smooth and flesh-coloured ; eyes 2, very distinct, round and

black, placed far back on the occiput and remote from each

other: antenne 3, the mid one originating in the sinus of the

head, large and equal in length to the palpi, setaceous with

an abruptly acuminated point, downy, of a dusky colour, but

pale and jointed at the base; the lateral antenne are only

about a third the size of the odd one, and of the same

form and structure. Palpi 2, awl-shaped, larger than the

odd antenna, downy or ciliate, and of a straw-yellow colour.

On each side of them there is a pair of tentacular cirri equal

in length to themselves, but not so stout, and in every respect

resembling the mid antenna. Mouth inferior, terminal, fur-

nished with a protrusile proboscis, armed with 4 jaws of a

horn colour, and encircled at the orifice with a series of short

conical papillae. Segments numerous, narrow, deeply incised

on the sides, broader than deep. Scales deciduous, rather

small, roundish, smooth, with a plain unfringed edge, of a

greenish-grey colour, irregularly clouded, and covered with

pale puncture-like dots. In all our specimens some pairs

had been lost. Audouin and M. Edwards say there are 15

pairs, and they are affixed to every alternate segment after

the fashion of the more normal species of the genus. The

anterior pairs are imbricated and cover the back entirely, but

the posterior pairs lie over the bases of the feet, and leave

the back naked in the middle. Feet well developed, homo-

logous; the dorsal branch represented by a mere tubercle,

from which grows a fan-shaped brush of short stout equal

bristles ; the ventral branch conoid, protruded much beyond

the dorsal, obliquely truncate, armed with a series of golden-

yellow strong bristles, and with a small inferior cirrus which

does not extend beyond the apex. Bristles of the dorsal branch

somewhat curved, rather obtuse, rough on one side, and ge-

nerally soiled with extraneous matter; those of the ventral

branch more than twice as long, decreasing both in strength

and length as the series descends to the belly, the two upper

ones pointed like a lance, the rest like a hedge-knife, with

On a remarkable Hydroid Polype. 309

two sharp denticles at the tip, and the inner edge of the

curved part minutely serrulated. Spines yellow, tapered in-

sensibly to a rather obtuse point, one to each brush of bristles.

Tentacular cirri awl-shaped, abruptly acuminate, downy or

ciliate, of a dusky or dark colour, with paler spots, reaching

to or a little beyond the apex of the foot; all the feet posterior

to the 31st pair are furnished with these cirri, but only those

anterior to them which are destitute of scales. Tail without

elongated styles.

It is difficult to describe the colouring of this fine worm.

Of specimens preserved in spirits the ground colour is a

straw or ochre-yellow, but the back is clouded and spotted

with dusky olive-green, there being a row of spots down the

middle, a line or band along each side, and another row of

spots exterior to this above the bases of the feet; and these

markings correspond with the arrangement of the tubercles

which roughen this surface. The number of segments is

liable to vary. Audouin and Edwards say that there are 82

of them. In one specimen we found them to be about 80;

but that which served for our figure, and which was twice the

length of the other, had not less than 110.

Puate V. Fig. 1. P. scolopendrina of the natural size. 2. The head

with its appendages, highly magnified ; the front scales have been removed.

3. The proboscis laid open. 4. Section of a segment, showing the squa-

mous feet; the scales have been raised and reverted. 5. Ascale. 6. One

of the cirrigerous feet. 7. A bristle of the dorsal brush. 8. The upper

bristle of the ventral brush. 9. One of its under bristles.

6. Sreauion Boa, Johns.—Strangford Lough, Messrs.

Hyndman and Thompson. )

[To be continued. ]

XXX VII.—On the Corymorpha nutans of Sars, a remarkable

_ Hydroid Polype. By Kywarp Forbes, Esq., and Joun

Goopsir, Esq. ;

Ar the Birmingham Meeting of the British Association we

gave a short account of a remarkable Hydroid Zoophyte, new

to the British seas, which, supposing it to be altogether new,

generically and specifically, we proposed to name Ellisia flos

310 Mr. Forbes and Mr. Goodsir on Corymorpha nutans,

maris. This name was objected to by our distinguished

friend Mr. Gray, as having been already employed to desig-

nate a genus of plants.

In a rare volume, written in the Norwegian language, en-

titled ‘ Beskivelser ag Jagttagelser af Polypernes, &c., &c.,’

by M. Sars of Bergen, in Mr. Gray’s possession, we recog-

nised a figure and description of our animal, which had been

previously discovered by M. Sars, in the year 1835, and

named by him Corymorpha nutans. The work of the Nor-

wegian naturalist contains many most important observations

on the marine animals of the west coast of Norway; and,

from the intimate relations between the Fauna of that country

and that of North Britain, deserves every attention from

British naturalists. From having examined many of the

animals described by M. Sars, we can bear witness to the

accuracy and fulness of his descriptions. M.de Blainville

had quoted the volume in question in the Appendix to his

useful ‘Manuel d’Actinologie,’ and alluded to the genus

Corymorpha, but has so mistaken the author’s meaning that

it was 1mpossible to recognise the animal by the short de-

scription there given. Of course we withdraw altogether our

proposed name of Hilisia, and adopt the original appellation

of M. Sars.

As the animal is of great interest to the zoophytologist,

being the largest Hydroid polype known, and throwing great

light on the structure of its allies in the order Hydroi-

deze, and as we have had the most favourable: opportuni-

ties of examining the creature in detail, having dredged more

than twenty specimens and watched them alive,—while the

discoverer of the species found but two, and those apparently

from his notice thrown ashore in a debilitated state,—we _

have drawn up the following detailed account from the Bri-

tish examples, adding whatever appeared of additional inter-

est from that of M. Sars. )

The Corymorpha nutans is about four anda half inches in

length, and its stem at the thickest part half an inch in dia-

meter. In form it resembles a Tubularia rather than a

Coryne ; but not being placed in a strong horny tube like the

former, presents much of the habit of the latter. When

a remarkable Hydroid Polype. 311

young the greater part of the body is inclosed in a thin

brown membranous tube, which appears to have no organic

connection with the animal, and which growing thinner as

the animal gets older, at last disappears altogether. The

bedy or stem is rounded, solid, and flexible, and is somewhat

thicker towards the base than above, where it tapers rather

suddenly to the neck. The base is fusiform and tapering to

a point, and roots in the sand, fixing itself there by means

of branching filamentous roots. When sand is much ga-

thered round these roots, they present that subglobose ap-

pearance seen in M. Sars’s figure. The whole of the stem is

translucent, of a white colour tinged with pink, and lineated

with pinkish-brown, longitudinal lines arranged in pairs.

When magnified these lines are seen to be composed of ob-

long dots. M. Sars described these stripes as being of a

pale vermilion colour in his specimens. These lines do not

run down the fusiform root, neither do they extend upwards

quite to the neck, round which there is a band of pink.

Above the neck is the head, which is ovate or pyriform, and

terminates in a long pyramidal pink trunk, at the extremity

of which is the mouth. | Round the thickest part of the head

is placed a row of between 40 and 50 tentacula, which are very

long, white, and not contractile. They are not ciliated. Im-

mediately above this circle of tentacula are the ovaries, which

are 14 branched orange-coloured processes of considerable

size, about one-third as long as the tentacula, each of their

branches’ terminating in a sort of head. Above these the

trunk is covered with very numerous white tentacula, directed

upwards,’not contractile, and very much shorter than those

of the lower circle.

The internal structure is as follows. The stem is entirely

solid, the substance filling it being jelly-like in appearance,

as if contained in cells of'a slightly fibrous tissue. When a

transverse section of the stem is made in the living animal,

the outer membrane contracts so as to diminish the dimen-

sions of the amputated portion. No vascular structure could

be detected, on the most minute examination of transverse

and longitudinal sections of the stem; nor could any current

be observed, either with the naked eye or the microscope, in

312 Mr. Forbes and Mr. Goodsir on Corymorpha nutans,

this part of the living animal. The tentacula are all solid,

and composed of the same substance as the stem and head.

Within the head is the stomach, opening externally by a

small circular mouth without any fringe or oral apparatus.

This stomach is flask-shaped, having an elevated floor like

the bottom of a bottle. It does not descend below the level

of the lowermost range of tentacula. Its internal surface is

villous, but not ciliated, neither are there any cilia on any

part of the body.

This description of the internal structure differs from that of

M. Sars, who says, “ If the skin of the Polype, which is pretty

strong, be cut up, the interior is found quite empty, without

any intestines, except a small cylindrical gut or stomach,

which at the upper end is a little wider than at the lower,

and runs straight from the mouth downwards without bending

to the lower half of the body, or a little lower, where it ter-

minates abruptly, a large number of threads joined by net-

work diverging like rays from its end towards the skin, where

they fasten themselves. On this stomach are also to be seen

strong longitudinal stripes.” This appearance is presented

only by the animal after having been kept for some time in

alcohol; but we can assert positively that no such structure

exists in the: living animal. Misled by the above fallacious

appearance, M. Sars has drawn a false analogy between it

and the Actinee.

To what we have said of the deciduous tube, one of the

most extraordinary points in the ceconomy of this zoophyte,

we must add that the filaments branching from the roots are,

properly speaking, processes of its tube; for the young

animal may be drawn out of its tube uninjured, and then

the tube and the roots will be seen entire. In the adult

animal the filaments and that part of its tube which enve-

lopes the root still remain, while the upper part disappears.

As ovaries of the specimen described by M. Sars were much

further advanced than those in our examples, we quote the

following observations from his account of them :—

“They are for the most part two-branched; at the end of

the branches, the eggs, improperly so called, were seen rest-

ing, heaped together in large quantities. These eggs or buds

a remarkable Hydroid Polype. 313

have an exceedingly remarkable form and internal construc-

tion. For if they are examined with the microscope, it will

be found that they have an oblong-round conformation,

broadest at the top, and slightly blunted; smallest at the

bottom and fastened by a very short stem to the branch. If

considered still more attentively, it will be seen that these

egos (the internal structure is easily observed in consequence

of their transparency,) seem already to contain within them

the most important parts of the future polype. For instance,

we observe in the middle a part which in form, &c. corre-

sponds to the knob in the full-grown animal. This part in

the various eggs is of various forms; in the smaller ones,

round or oblong; in the large and best developed, perfectly

bottle-shaped. Further, there are observed in the upper or

broad, end of the egg four roundish projecting knots, which

internally are continued as tubes downwards to the base of

the bottle-shaped part. One of these knots is always larger

and longer than the other three, which are alike, and it ter-

minates after a small indentation with another small project-

ing knot. It therefore occurs to me as not improbable, that

the largest knot, with its interior continuation, developes

itself as the stem, while the interior bottle-shaped part forms

the head of the polype. However much these eggs at the

first glance resemble the egg capsules or fruit depositors in

one kind of Sertularia, I was confirmed in the opimion just

expressed, partly because I could not observe any eggs

within them, but chiefly on account of another observation

which appears to me important. In some of the larger eggs,

where the above-mentioned internal parts were particularly

plain, I observed very evident, indeed powerful movements ;

inasmuch as the egg, which seemed already to have reached

its full maturity, alternately contracted and expanded itself

quickly, and so by this systole and diastole endeavoured to

disengage itself from the mother animal. I had no oppor-

tunity of observing the disengagement or the further develop-

ment of it.” |

The language of the above observation is fanciful; but

there can be no question of the accuracy of the statements.

We found the Corymorpha in 10-fathom water, in a sandy

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 5. No. 32. July 1840. z

314 Mr. Forbes and Mr. Goodsir on Corymorpha nutans,

bottom in the Bay of Stromness, Orkney. When placed in

a vessel of sea-water, it presented the appearance of a beau-

tiful flower. Its head gracefully nodded (whence the appro-

priate specific appellation given it by Sars,) bending the

upper part of its stem. It waved its long tentacula to and

fro at pleasure, but seemed to have no power of contracting

them. It could not be regarded as by any means an apa-

thetic animal, and its beauty excited the admiration of all

who saw it.

The following is the generic character given by Sars.

Gen. Corymorpna, nov. Corpus longum, cylindricum, molle,

superne Clavato-vesiculosum, inferne conico-attenuatum, tubulo cu-

taceo hyalino tenuissimo partem corporis inferiorem circumdante,

libere (non affxum) insidens. Clava conica, basi serie tentaculorum

longorum circumdata, et ostentaculis brevibus sparsis.

1, Spec. CorymMorpua nutans. Corpore hyalino, lineis longi-

tudinalibus pallide rubris.

The affinities of this genus may be stated thus: The family

of Tubulariade is a group of Hydroid polypes connecting

the true Hydre with the Sertulariade. This connexion is

twofold,—1st, between truly naked polypes and such as form

a horny case; and 2nd, between polypes mostly simple or

individual in their nature, and polypes truly compound. It

is not too much then to expect, that the characters essentially

generic in this family, should depend on this double pro-

gression from one alliance to another, as well as on some

characteristic point in the organization of the animals com-

prising the group, considered as members of one family ; in

other. words, on one positive and two comparative subjects of

character.

The comparative characters we find,—1st, in the presence,

absence, or nature of a tube, indicating a progression from

the Hydre ; and 2nd, in the form of the tube when present,

whether simple or branched, indicating an approach to the

Sertulariade.

The positive character we see in the arrangement of the

tentacula surrounding the head, which arrangement is truly

generic among the Tubulariade, and not merely a family

character as in the preceding and succeeding families. Con-

Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide. 315

sistent with this view, we find accordingly that Coryne is

distinguished by having scattered tentacula of one kind only,

and by not possessing a tube; Hermione, by having scattered

tentacula of one kind only, and a branched tube ; Hudendrium,

by having regular tentacula of one kind only, and a branched

tube; Tubularia, by having two sets of regular tentacula,

and a simple tube which is persistent; and Corymorpha, by

having regular tentacula of two kinds, and a deciduous tube;

the animal ultimately becoming naked.

Thus Corymorpha completes a circle linking Tudularia with

Coryne, partaking of the characters of both. Yet as it par-

takes more of the nature of the former than of the latter, it is

possible a genus as yet undiscovered may exist, characterized

by presenting a permanently noticed body, and regular ten-

tacula of one sort.

British specimens of the Corymorpha will be figured by

Dr. Johnston in his popplement,. to the ‘ History of British

Zoophytes.’

XXX VIII.—Monograph of the Dorylide, a Family of the Hy-

menoptera Heterogyna. By W. E. Suuckarp, Esq.

[ Concluded from: p. 271.]

Sp. 2. Dorylus helvolus, Lin. | Length 123 lines.

Expansion 214 lines.

Helvolus pilosus ; capite rufo, facie opalina convexa, petiolo acetabuliformi

segmento secundo multo minor.

Vespa helvola, Lin. Mus. Lud. Ulric. Reg. 412. 5.

Mutilla helvola, Lin, Syst. Nat. ed. 12%. t. i. p. 2. 967. 8.

, Fab. Mant. i. 313. 18.

—— , ‘ Der Kaper.’ Christ. Naturgeschichte der Bienen, &c.

p. 1ol.

Dorylus helvolus, Fab. Ent. Syst. 2. 365, 1. Piez. 427.1.

Coquebert, Dec. 2. pl. 16. fig. 1.

, Latreille, Hist. 13. 260. Genera Crust. et In-

sect. 4.124. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. 2™° Ed. 9. 555.

Reddish testaceous, very pilose, especially at the vertex, the thorax, the

coxze beneath, and the apex of the abdomen: the head (excepting the

antennee and the mandibles, which are bright castaneous,) red, some-

times obscure, with most frequently a strong opaline reflection; face

about the anterior ocellus very prominent, depressed at the insertion

of the antenne, as also just behind and between their base, where it

takes a triangular form: antennz short, setaceous, the scape rather

zZ2

316 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

more than one-fourth the length of the organ: ocelli disposed in a

triangle, with a space of more than the diameter of one between the

anterior one and the posterior pair: eyes very prominent ; mandibles

elongate, acuminate, slightly curved at the apex.

Thorax gibbous in front and at the scutellum: metathorax emarginated,

the lateral portion slightly produced: superior wings clouded with a

fuscous tinge, their nervures dark brown, the cubital nervure quite

straight to the separation of the submarginal cells, and the recurrent

inserted at rather less than half the length of the first submarginal ;

the two anterior femora somewhat lanceolate, the four posterior form-

ing an elongate triangle.

Abdomen cylindrical, the peduncle cup-shaped, very pilose, truncated pos-

teriorly, less than the following segment and viewed laterally, slightly

angularly produced beneath ; the terminal segment reflected at its

extreme apex, and the horizontal plate of the male sexual organ with

its sides parallel and its spines elongate and parallel.

Common in collections.

This species is from the Cape, exclusively I believe ; for although

Latreille says in the first edition of the ‘ Dictionnaire d’Hist. Natu-

relle,’ that it is also found in India, he could not have compared the

specimens, as the latter must be one of the species I describe below

from that part of the world. In his ‘ Hist. Naturelle,’ tom. xiii. he

says, that this species ranges from Barbary to the Cape: this also is

evidently a mistake, and must refer to some other species that I have

below described, which are all very distinct, except perhaps the next

only, from the present. My reasons for supposing it to inhabit the

vicinity of the Cape exclusively are, because Linné, Fabricius, and

Illiger describe theirs from that part, and all these descriptions were

made from different collections ; and in every metropolitan collection

that I have examined, in all of which this insect is found, it being

the most abundant species of all, it is invariably ticketed from the

‘Cape,’ and never from any other part, and I have seen some hundreds

of specimens of it. It is doubtlessly to this species that Mr. Burchell

refers in his Travels*, Oct. 15, 1811. ‘On the same evening I

caught for the first time a large Dorylus, an insect which I after-

wards found in the months of November and December within the

Cape Colony.’ The following insect much resembles the present,

but their differences will be pointed out in the observations under it.

Sp. 3. Dor. affinis, Shuck. Length 103 lines.

Expansion 19 lines.

Helvolus, pilosus ; capite rufo-castaneo, facie plana, petiolo acetabuliformi,

segmento secundo multo minor.

Reddish testaceous, very pilose; the head reddish castaneous, excepting

* Vol. i. p. 376. note.

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 317

behind the vertex towards the occiput, where it is very dark chestnut ;

face covered with decumbent down and in front of the anterior ocelli

slightly prominent, flattening as it descends between the base of the

antennz, (where there is a triangular smooth shining space,) which are

setaceous and inserted in.a rather deep cavity, with their scape rather

less than one-fourth the length of the entire organ ; ocelli disposed in

a triangle, with a space of less than the diameter of one between the

anterior one and the posterior pair; eyes very prominent ; mandibles

elongate, acuminate, slightly curved at the apex.

Thorax gibbous in front and at the scutellum ; metathorax longer than in

the preceding species and less distinctly emarginated; superior wings

subhyaline, clouded only within the marginal cell; the nervures dark

brown ; the cubital nervure very slightly undulated as far as the sepa-

ration of the two submarginal cells, and the recurrent nervure inserted

at fully one half of the length of the first of the latter and curving

slightly outwards; legs as in the preceding.

Abdomen as in the preceding, the peduncle rather less transverse, and its

produced ventral portion rather boat-shaped, and the horizontal plate

of the male sexual organ constricted near the furcation of the spines,

which are divergent.

In my own coliection.

This species is from the vicinity of the river Gambia; it is very

like the preceding, and a superficial examination might consider it

merely a smaller variety of that insect ; but a more careful inspection

discovers a number of particulars which establish its individuality—

which a comparison of the descriptions will show ; the strongest of

them are the different proportions of the cells of the wings and the

structure of the plate of the male organ.

Sp. 4. Dor. glabratus, Shuck. Length 143 lines.

Expansion 23% lines.

Rufo-brunneus, glaber, subrobustus, nervis alarum nigris, vertice valde

prominente facie in medio sulcata, mandibulis attenuatis, labro tuberculis

binis obtusis instructis et pedunculo abdominis transverso-quadrato.

Rather robust, of a reddish fuscous-brown, glabrous with the exception of

some loose curling long hair upon the face, coxe, and extreme apex

of the abdomen. The head reddish chestnut, except behind the vertex,

where it is black and shining. The face (which is covered with long

eurling hair) and vertex very gibbous, and this gibbous portion viewed

__ laterally much larger than the eye; the face deeply longitudinally sul-

cated ; ocelli placed in a triangle, the posterior pair upon the poste-

rior declivity of the head, and with rather more than the diameter of

one between the latter and the anterior one; eyes moderately large,

__very prominent; antenne short, setaceous, the scape rather less than

one-third the length of the organ; mandibles slightly curved, broad at

318 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

the base, whence they suddenly narrow to the apex, the anterior la-

teral return rather broad ; the labrum having two obtuse tubercles.

Thorax gibbous in front and at the scutellum, which is transverse and

rounded; the mesothorax in front having a short depression on each

side of the two central abbreviated impressed longitudinal lines par-

allel with the suture, metathorax produced longitudinally, horizontal,

where it is abruptly truncated and fringed; wings darkly clouded,

with their nervures black and rather thick, the marginal nervure ex-

tending to nearly opposite the inner angle of the marginal cell, the

cubital nervure slightly sinuated to the insertion of the recurrent (which

is inserted at about half the length of the first submarginal), beyond

which to the termination of this cell it is straight: legs dark chestnut ;

femora elongate triangular, their whole outline beneath curving out-

wards.

Abdomen cylindrical, the peduncle transverse quadrate, convex, not so

broad as the base of the following, slightly fringed along its apex,

where it has an indicated ridge; the ventral portion with its boat-

shaped carina very sharp, second segment also transverse, rather

longer and broader than the peduncle; the terminal segment slightly

reflected at its extreme apex, where it is densely pilose.

In my own and the British Museum collections.

This species is from the Gambia. Next to the D. nigricans it is the

most robust of the genus. It is sufficiently distinct from all, but it

has the tuberculated labrum in common with the two following.

Sp. 5. Dor. Juvenculus, Shuck. Length 153 lines.

Expansion 24 lines.

Rufo-fuscus, glaber, subattenuatus ; capite (antennis mandibulisque castanets

exceptis) et nervis alarum ngris, vertice valde prominente, facie in medio

sulcata, labro tuberculis binis instructis et pedunculo abdominis quadrato-

convexo.

Rufo-fuscous, smooth, with long curling hair only on the face, between the

coxee and peduncle and at the apex of the abdomen ; the head black,

except the antennz and mandibles which are castaneous; face and

forehead very prominent, this prominence viewed laterally (in pro-

file) as large as the eye; ocelli placed in an equilateral triangle on

the vertex, the posterior pair on the posterior declivity of the head

closely behind the summit, and these distant more than the diameter

of ove from the anterior, in front of which the face is deeply sulcated :

eyes very prominent and subglobose; antennz setaceous, the scape a

little less than one-third the length of the organ; mandibles long and

slender, slightly curved, rather broad at the base, whence they imme-

diately attenuate, their return in front broadest in the middle, nar-

rowed at each extremity ; clypeus furnished between the base of the

antennze with a long flock of curling hair, and the labrum with two

small round compressed tubercles.

a Family of ihe Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 319

Thorax gibbous in front and at the scutellum, the latter transverse with a

longitudinal impression at its apex ; metathorax elongate*, abruptly

truncated at its apex, where it is fringed ; -mesothorax slightly corru-

gated in front on each side of the two abbreviated parallel longitudinal

central lines, the wrinkles parallel with the suture that separates it

from the prothorax: wings somewhat obscure, with their nervures

blackish or dark brown, the radial nervure terminating half way be-

tween the commencement and the inner angle of the marginal cell,

and where it loses itself in the coloured portion of that cell; the cu-

bital nervure slightly undulated as far as the insertion of the recurrent

nervure, beyond which to the termination of the cell it is straight ; the

recurrent nervure also straight, and inserted at rather Jess than one

half the length of the first submarginal cell ; legs castaneous, femora

elongate triangular, acuminated towards the apex, the outline be-

neath slightly rounded downwards, the trochanters of the four poste-

rior strictly adhering and not projecting beyond the lower outline of

the femora.

Abdomen elongate, cylindrical, the peduncle quadrate convex, (its central

portion viewed laterally triangular,) fringed at the apex, where it has

a slight transverse ridge, nearly as broad as the following segment,

which and the third are also quadrate, the terminal segment very

pilose.

In the collecticns of the Zoological Society.

This insect is from Barbary, where it was captured by Capt. Lyon.

It closely resembles the following, from which, however, the size of

the head, proportions of the peduncle, and two first segments of the

abdomen chiefly distinguish it. Besides which, the femora in the

present form a less acute triangle, and the radial nervure is much

shorter and less distinctly terminated. It is remarkable that Bar-

bary and India should produce species so closely resembling each

other, when the vicinity of the Gambia, within a very limited di-

strict, furnishes others greatly differing among themselves.

Sp. 6. Dor. labiatus, Shuck. Length 144 lines.

Expansion 23 lines.

Pallide brunneus seu rufo-testaceus glaber, facie pilosa subtuberculaté pro-

minula, in medio profunde sulcata, mandibulis attenuatis, labro tuberculis

binis magnis instructis et pedunculo abdominis quadrato vel potius sub-

globoso.

Pale brown, inclining to fuscous, with long curling hair upon the face, be-

neath the coxe, and at the apex of the abdomen : head black, except

the antennz and mandibles, which are castaneous; face slightly tuber-

culated a little to the side and in front of the posterior ocelli; fore-

head not unusually prominent; ocelli large and disposed in an obtuse

* In speaking of the metathorax as elongate, it is meant comparatively.

320 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

triangle on the vertex, the posterior placed on the posterior declivity

of the head, closely behind the summit, and these distant not more

than the diameter of one from the anterior, in front of which the face

is deeply sulcated; eyes very prominent and subglobose, the scape

less than one-third the length of the organ ; mandibles long and slender,

slightly curved, broadestat the base, whence theyimmediately attenuate,

their return in front equal throughout; the clypeus furnished between

the base of the antennz with a long flock of curling hair, and the

labrum with a pair of large round compressed tubercles.

Thorax gibbous in front and at the scutellum, the latter transverse and

rounded; metathorax elongate, abruptly truncated at its apex, where

it is fringed ; mesothorax slightly corrugated in front on each side of

the two abbreviated parallel longitudinal central lines, the wrinkles

parallel with the suture that separates it from the prothorax : wings

subhyaline, their nervures dark brown, the radial nervure distinctly ex -

tending opposite and rather beyond the inner angle of the marginal cell,

where it terminates abruptly, the cubital nervure slightly undulated as

far as the insertion of the recurrent nervure, beyond which to the ter-

mination of the cell it is straight and inserted at half the length of the

first submarginal cell; legs castaneous, femora elongate triangular,

acuminated towards the apex, the outline beneath not perceptibly

rounded downwards ; the trochanters of the four posterior not strictly

adhering, and projecting a little beyond the lower outline cf the fe-,

mora.

Abdomen elongate, cylindrical, rather slender, the peduncle subquadrate

er rather subglobose (its ventral portion viewed laterally angulated

but hooked backwards), slightly fringed below its apex, not so broad

as the following segment, which with the next is transverse, the ter-

minal segment very pilose.

In the collections of the Rev. F. W. Hope and Lieut.-Col. Sykes.

This species was brought from Poonah, in the Bombay Presidency,

by Col. Sykes, and from Assam by Dr. Cantor, a wider range than

know any other species to take. It considerably resembles the pre-

eiding. A comparison of the descriptions which I have purposely

made parallel will however show ample differences, although the

majority consist of minute particulars, the chief of which have been

already pointed out in the observations on the former.

‘Sp. 7. Dor. Orientalis, West. Length 123 lines.

Expansion 19 lines.

Helvolus pilosus abdomine glabro, capite rufo, facie in medio sulcaté, man-

dibulis subtrigonis, nervo cubital valde sinuoso, pleuris sericeis, et pedun-

culo abdominis quadrato gibboso.

Dor. Orientalis, Westwood, Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1835, p. 72. .-

Pale testaceous with a long shining silky pubescence, especially infront of

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 321

ythe head.and throughout the thorax: bead red, mandibles and scape

»» of the antennz castaneous, the latter about one-fifth the length of the

entire organ, whichis filiform and elongate ; ocelli disposed in a tri-

angle at the vertex, large, with less space than the diameter of one be-

tween the posterior and antetior, in front of which the face (which

is very convex) is deeply suleated : mandibles very broad and -very

slightly curved, their inner edge acute and nearly straight.

Thorax silky, the pleurz shining, gibbous in front and at the scutellum,

which is slightly longitudinally impressed in the centre; metathorax

rather elongate, slightly rounded at the apex, very pubescent : wings

clouded with a fuscous tinge, their nervures dark brown, the cubital

deeply bisinuate, the first sinus dipping into the second discoidal cell,

and the second! beyond the recurrent nervure, which is straight and

inserted. at rather:more than two-thirds of the length of the first.sub-

marginal cell.:, legs castaneous, the femora elongate-ovate, their out-

line rounded both above and below. :

Abdomen with a rich satiny reflection, the peduncle quadrate, Flaws the

ventral portion slightly produced and boat-shaped, the remaining seg-

ments transverse, the sexual organ protruding at the apex of the ter-

minal segment and fringed.

In the collection of Mr..Westwood.

This species is from Bengal, whence it was brought by W. W.

Sanders, Esq. The differences between it and the next are but slight,

and perhaps not specific. I make the descriptions parallel that they

may be compared.

Sp. 8. Dor. longicornis, Shuck. Length 114 lines.

Expansion 18 lines.

Helvolus subpubescens ; capite nigro convexo facie in medio sulcata, man-

dibulis subtrigonis, pleuris obscuris nervo cubitali subrectis, petiolo abdo-

minis quadrato gibboso.

Reddish testaceous with longish hair about the face and thorax, and especially

beneath the peduncle and apex of the abdomen; head black, except

the mandibles, which, as well as the scape of the antenne, are pitchy,

the latter not more than one-fifth the length of the entire organ, which

is filiform and elongate; ocelli disposed in a triangle at the vertex,

large, with less space than the diameter of one between the posterior

and anterior, in front of which the face (which is very convex) is

_ deeply sulcated; mandibles very broad and very slightly curved, their

inner edge acute and nearly straight.

Therax obscure, gibbous i in front and at the scutellum, the iatter is a

slight impression in the centre of the apex; metathorax slightly pro-

duced and rounded posteriorly, somewhat silky: wings fuscous, their

nervures reddish brown, the cubital straight, the recurrent slightly

- eurved outward and inserted at less than two-thirds of the length-of-

322 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylidx,

the first submarginal cell : legs castaneous, the femora elongate-ovate,

their outline rounded both above and below.

Abdomen obscure, the peduncle quadrate, gibbous, the ventral portion

slightly produced and boat-shaped, the remaining segments transverse ;

the sexual organ protruding at the apex of the terminal segment and

fringed.

In the collection of the Rev. F. W. Hope.

This species is likewise from Bengal; I am in doubt as to its in-

dividuality, or whether this or the former may be the species or the

variety, having seen only two of this and one of the preceding ;

but a comparison of the descriptions, which are very faithful, will

justify my considering them species; there is however much less differ-

ence between them than between the D. Juvenculus and D. labiatus.

Sp. 9. Dor. attenuatus, Shuck. Length 10 lines.

Expansion 15 lines.

Helvolus, vel testaceus, subpubescens, capite nigro vel rufo, facie in medio sul-

cata, mandibulis subtrigonis, nervis alarum brunneis vel testaceis, pedun-

culo quadrato gibboso.

Pale reddish, testaceous, opake, subpubescent, slender: head black, except

the mandibles, which, as well as the scape of the antennez, are pitchy,

the latter barely one-fifth the length of the organ, which is filiform and

elongate; ocelli disposed in a triangle at the vertex, moderately large,

with about the space of the diameter of one between the posterior and

anterior, in front of which the face (which is convex) is sulcated ; man-

dibles broad and very slightly curved, their inner edge acute with an

obtuse angulation at the base within.

Thorax gibbous in front and at the scutellum, the latter transverse with a

longitudinal impression in the centre; metathorax produced slightly

and rounded posteriorly ; wings obscure, their nervures reddish brown,

the cubital slightly waved, the recurrent straight and inserted at less

than two-thirds of the length of the first submarginal cell ; legs casta-

neous, the femora elongate-ovate, their outline rounded both above

and below.

Abdomen obscure, the peduncle quadrate, gibbous, the ventral portion very

slightly, obtusely portioned, the remaining segments transverse, the

sexual organ protruding at the apex of the terminal segment, and

fringed.

In my own collection.

Var. «. Pale testaceous ; head red.

I am not sure of the locality of this species, but I believe it is

from the Gambia. In many points of description it agrees with the

two preceding, from which however, besides size, an ocular inspec-

tion shows them to be apparently different.

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 323

Sp. 10. Dor. atriceps, Shuck. Length 94 lines.

Expansion 15} lines.

Sordide helvolus glaber capite (antennis mandibulisque badiis exceptis,) atro,

facie valde prominente in medio subsulcata, pedunculo abdominis quadrato

gibboso.

Fuscous, opake, glabrous, excepting beneath the thorax, coxz, peduncle,

and apex of the abdomen, all of which have moderately long hair :

head deep black, except the mandibles, which are dark chestnut; the

face very prominent, subsulcated beneath the anterior ocellus; the ocelli

placed in a triangle, the anterior at the distance of the diameter of one

from the posterior pair: eyes subglobose, very prominent ; scape of

the antennz very sliort, (the remainder deficient); mandibles very

broad, with a large cbtuse triangular projection at the base within,

leaving no space between them when closed, their inner edge acute.

Thorax darker than the abdomen, gibbous in front and at the scutellum,

which is transverse and rounded at the apex ; metathorax considerably

produced and fringed : wings fuscous, their nervures black, the cubital

thick and undulated, the recurrent inserted just beyond the middle

of the first submarginal cell, straight; legs castaneous, their knees

pitchy, the femora rather broadest at the base, their outline nearly

parallel.

Abdomen elongate, cylindrical, obscure, peduncle subquadrate, gibbous,

ventral portion very slightly angularly produced, less than the follow-

ing segment, all of which are transverse, the terminal segment smooth

and shining and very pilose.

This species is from the Gambia. Although very like the three

preceding, it is very distinct in the form of its head, mandibles, and

femora. It is the smallest of the genus, and singularly enough leads

off to the next by the left superior wing, which has an abbreviated

portion of a pseudo second recurrent nervure; by an unlucky acci-

dent I destroyed its antenne, and therefore cannot give their pro-

portions.

Genus 4. Ruoemus, Shuck.

Body elongate, much curved downwards at the apex, cylindrical and cla-

vate.

Head short, transverse ; face slightly protuberant.

Antenne short, setaceous, curved, inserted within the inner basal angles

of the mandibles upon the margin of the nearly obsolete clypeus, the

scape about one-fourth the length of the whole organ, the apex of

which will not extend to the insertion of the wings.

Eyes large, lateral, globose, and very prominent.

Ocelli \arge, placed in a triangle on the vertex.

Mandibles triangular, edentate, slightly curved at the apex, very much com-

pressed, convex externally and concave within.

324 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

Labrum,

Marilla,

Mazillary and

Labial palpi,

Thorax,

Tegule,

Superior wings as in Dorylus, but not extending much beyond half the

length of the abdomen, with one internally angulated marginal cell

and two submarginal cells, the first of which is considerabiy the longest,

two recurrent. nervures, both of which are received by the first sub-

marginal cell, the first recurrent rather beyond its centre, and the

second near the latter, but diverging towards the apical margin of

the wing: the nervures of the wings very robust.

Legs as in Dorylus.

Abdomen elongate, clavate, much curved, the basal segment forming a

transverse convex posteriorly truncated peduncle; the penultimate

dorsal and ventral segments considerably larger than the preceding, the

terminal dorsal segment also largely developed, emarginate at its ex-

tremity, where, as well as its ventral valve and the ventral penultimate,

it is densely fringed with long silky down. The genital organ largely

developed and differing considerably from that of Dorylus.

Type of the genus, Rhogmus fimbriatus, Shuck.

As in Dorylus.

Named from pwypos, a fissure, in allusion to the deep emargina-

tion of the terminal dorsal segment of the abdomen. ‘The claim of

this remarkable insect to constitute a genus is substantiated by its

two recurrent nervures, its very clavate abdomen, and the large de-

velopment of its penultimate and terminal segments. In the pecu-

liar emarginate structure of the latter it resembles Labidus, but in

that genus the emarginate portion of the segment is vertically com-

pressed. The very different structure of the large genital organ ex-

hibits an absolute necessity for its separation from Dorylus, which

although the general structure be the same, it is very different in

form, for the lateral fornicate valves (the external sheath, Burm.) are

widely separated and compressed. flatly at their apex, where they

are externally and above very hairy, the hair all curled; and within

at the same part they are also flat, but glabrous and horizontally

truncated at the apex : the central process (the penis) is considerably

larger in proportion to the whole organ, vertically broader, narrow-

ing towards its apex, where it suddenly enlarges into a boat-shaped

clava, which has a deep and separating incision down its centre ;

the lateral processes (the inner sheath) which spring from the base

of the large lateral valves, and which here embrace the base of the

central organ, are here shorter than in Dorylus, and form large com-

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 325

pressed plates very hairy at their apex and beneath, and the hori-

zontal piece which articulates at the base beneath the large valves

is here dilated into a broad lanceolate plate, deeply emarginate. at

its apex.

Sp. 1. Rhog. fimbriatus, Shuck. Length 17+ lines.

Expansion 22 lines.

Helvolus, pilosus ; abdomine glabro, segmento ultimo supra et duobus ul-

timis subtus fimbiriatis ; capite, (clypeo antennis mandibulisque casta-

neis exceptis) nigro, nervis alarum brunneis et pedunculo abdominis

transverso-quadrato, convexo. .

Rufo-testaceous very pilose upon the face, the thorax above and beneath the

coxz also beneath the peduncle of the abdomen, and the margins of the

terminal segment above and of the two last beneath, which are densely

fringed. The head black upon the vertex and behind, face convex,

sulcated in front of the anterior ocellus: the ocelli large, disposed in

an equilateral triangle on the vertex, with about the diameter of one

intervening between the anterior and posterior pair ; antenne slender,

setaceous, the scape one-fourth the length of the organ; mandibles

broad, nearly triangular, very slightly curved, the inner edge acute.

Thorax gibbous in front and at the scutellum, which is very pilose, pro-

thorax very distinct, and metathorax slightly produced and rounded

posteriorly ; wings subhyaline, their nervures robust and brown, the

radial lost in a large dilated dark patch at the commencement of the

marginal cell; the cubital slightly undulated, the first recurrent in-

serted just beyond the middle of the first submarginal cell, and the se-

cond recurrent half way between the first and the termination of the

cell, and diverging obliquely towards the edge of the wing ; legs casta-

neous, the femora elongate, ovate, compressed, their outline slightly

rounded above and below.

Abdomen opake, clavate, the peduncle transverse quadrate convex, fringed

at its apex and very pilose beneath, where it is slightly longitudinally

carinated, not so wide as the second segment, which viewed above is

nearly quadrate, the remainder all transverse: of these the penultimate

and terminal are the largest, the latter deeply emarginate in the middle,

fimbriated along the edge, as are also the two last ventral segments,

the terminal of which is semicircular and the penultimate nearly qua-

drate. In the collection of the British Museum, and in my own.

This remarkable insect is from the Gambia ; it is the largest of the

family, and its generic description and the observations thereon will

exhibit its distinction from all the rest of the family.

Note upon Typhlopone.

The preceding pages were at press when I discovered in the col-

lection of the British Museum an apterous insect from Sierra Leone,

326 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylide,

brought thence by the Rev. D. F. Morgan, which appears to be the

African representative of Typhlopone, with which it agrees in many

points of resemblance, but is sufficiently different to constitute an-

other genus, should it eventually prove that Typhlopone is distinct

from Labidus. This African insect agrees with Typhlopone in the

disproportionately large size of the head, which is also subemarginate

behind ; in having neither eyes nor ocelli; in the insertion of the

antennee (but which is within two deep fossulets, the inner edge of

which is not continued in a carina), and in their having but eleven

distinct joints and slightly clavated ; in the general form of the man-

dibles ; in the peduncle of the abdomen, which is convex above ; and

in the apex of the abdomen being furnished with three minute teeth.

I propose to call it

Anomma, Shuck.

for it differs from Typhlopone in the head being considerably widest

in front, at the base of the mandibles, which are elongate, forcipate,

much curved, with one large curved tooth at about half their length ;

in the thorax being constricted, especially at the sutural separation

between the pro- and mesothorax ; the latter and the metathorax very

narrow : the antenne and legs very slender, the latter long and their

femora not clavate, the peduncle of the abdomen very narrow, and

the segments but slightly constricted.

Type Anomma Burmeisteri, Shuck.

Sp. 1. A. Burmeisteri, Shuck. Entire length 6 lines.

Nigro-piceus, nitidus, glaberrimus : antennis pedibusque rufo-piceus.

Brightly shining, perfectly smooth, pitchy black, with the antenne, legs,

thorax, ventral incisures and sides of the abdomen pitchy red.

The following are the proportions of this remarkable insect :

length of the head, including mandibles, 23 lines; thorax 14 line;

abdomen, including the peduncle, 23 lines.

Mr. Thwaites, of Bristol, kindly communicated to me four spe-

cimens of Typhlopone, including two species distinct from those

previously described : they are

15. Lab. (4 Typhlopone) Thwaitsii, Shuck. Length 3—5 lines.

Rufo-testaceus, (mandibulis antennisque rufo-piceis exceptis,) nitidus ; ca-

pite antice sulcato et punctulato.

Bright reddish testaceous and shining; the head sparingly and not deeply

punctured, the channel between the carinz of the face continued about

one-third the length of the head and terminating gradually : the man-

dibles and antenne pitchy red, the former having their teeth and the

a Family of the Hymenoptera Heterogyna. 327

latter their terminal joint obtuse, and these with eleven conspicuous

joints.

Thorax scarcely more punctured than the head, the suture which separates

pro- and mesothorax curved forwards.

Abdomen having the peduncle subglobose, the segments slightly constricted

at their base, slightly retuse at its extreme apex, where it has three mi-

nute teeth.

In the collection of Mr. Thwaites.

This species I have much pleasure in dedicating to my friend

G. H. K. Thwaites, Esq., an ardent lover and careful student of the

Hymenoptera; it is amply distinguished from the Typh. Kirbi by

the proportions and size of the terminal joint of the antennz, as also

by the different sulcation of the face. The species proves that these

insects, of which I had not before seen more than single specimens

of any, vary occasionally considerably in size.

16. Lab. (5. Typhlopone) Spinolz, Shuck. Length 13 line.

Pallide-testaceus, nitidus, mandibulis acutissimis, carinis faciet convergen-

tibus, angulalis. .

Entirely of a pale testaceous: head smooth: antenne having apparently

twelve joints arising from the large terminal joint being divided in its

middle by a slender dark ring: the carinz, behind which the antennze

are inserted, immediately converging, forming an elevated angle, the

apex of which is continued a short distance up the face, and at its ter-

mination there is a slightly indicated fossulet: mandibles having all

their teeth very acute.

Thorax slightly punctured, the suture separating the pro- and mesothorax

nearly straight.

Abdomen having the peduncle subglobose, and the base of the segments

slightly constricted, its extreme apex slightly subretuse, and with

three minute teeth.

In the collection of Mr. Thwaites.

This, which is the smallest of all the species, is distinguished from

all the rest by the carine of the face and the peculiarity of its an-

tenn: I have seen but one specimen of it.

These two species were accompanied with the following observa-

tions by Mr. Thwaites: ‘“‘Of the Typhlopone a great number were

given to Mr. Raddon by a gentleman in the sugar trade, and from

these I picked out the series inclosed ; amongst the multitudes of

them I had in my possession I could not discover any but similar

ones to those sent, and I concluded from their abundance that they

must be a common insect. The gentleman who found them informs

me that sometimes upon opening a hogshead of sugar from the West

328 Mr. Shuckard’s Monograph of the Dorylidee,

Indies the surface is completely covered with this species all alive ;

he has promised to let me know the next time the circumstance o¢-

curs ; I will then look carefully. amongst them for the males. It

strikes me that,the fact of their occurring in such numbers without

being intermixed with any other species* militates against, youropi-

nion of their being the females of Labidus if Labidus is a parasitic

insect; not knowing Labidus by sight I cannot give an opinion as

to the probability of their being the sexes of one genus.” +

I perfectly agree with Mr. ‘Thwaites, that the remarkable appari-

tion of these multitudes, which seems a not unfrequent circumstance,

appears to. affect my supposition of their being parasites, butat does

not contradict theypossibility of their, being the. females of Labidus,

nor of their belonging to this family; and it rather confirms a stronger

affinity with the Solitary Heterogyna from three of one species oc-

curring of such different sizes; for this would certainly be an ob-

jection to the possibility of their belonging’ to the Social Hetero-

gyna, where never more than two differences of size occur in the

same sex.

But I have given the whole of the hypothesis, which does not at

all affect the descriptive portion of the paper, for no more than it is

worth. I build no system upon it ; I have merely suggested it as it

occurred to me in the careful examination of these insects ; nor shall

I, as is too often the case, identify myself with it and make any dif-

ference of opinion a personal matter. . The object I have pursued in

studying natural history has been to ascertain facts, or in their abs-

ence the closest probable approximation to.them ; for I am sure, to

use the words of our great bard,

aoael

‘ Nature is made better by no mean,

But nature makes that mean.’

And she is too protean in her disguises to be fitted by any boddice

we may choose to invest her with. It is perhaps therefore the truest

wisdom to wait patiently, although searching diligently, until she

may discover herself, and the reverse will be no paradox when we

endeavour to anticipate or force her disclosures.

* It is #3 improbable that other species might have been amongst the

individuals discovered, as there are clearly two in the four sent to me by

Mr. Thwaites. A

Mr. Waterhouse on a new species of Lophotus. 329

XXXIX.—Description of a new Species of the genus Lo-

* photus, from the collection of Charles Darwin, Esq. By

~G. R: Wareruovse, Esg., Curator to the Museum of the

~ Zoological Society, &c. &c.

THE genus Lophotus, founded by Schcenherr* upon an

insect from Chile, is placed by that author in his family Cleo-

mdes, and in the apterous section of that family. But one

species of Lophotus was known to him at the time of the

publication of his second volume; he must now however be

acquainted with two species, the Rev. F. W. Hope having

sent him two from his own collection. One of these is de-

scribed and figured by Mr. Hope in the ‘ Transactions of the

Entomological Society,’ under the name of Loph. nodipennis ;

to the other he applies the name ¢rifasciatus—this, however,

I believe to be the same as Scheenherr’s species. Mr. Hope

also refers the Curculio Vitulus of Fabricius to the same

genus ; there are therefore three species of Lophotus known ;

and as these are now before me, together with the new species

I am about to describe, I will endeavour to point out their

chief distinguishing characters.

Section RHYNCHOPHORA.

Subsection GONATOCERI.

Family Cuzonip2.

Genus Loruotus.

Sp. 1. Lophotus Vitulus.

Curculio Vitulus, Fab. Ent. Syst. tom. 1. pars 2. page 479. spec.

«C. brevirostris niger fronte bidentata, elytris unispinosis, |

» Habitat in Terra del Fuego:) Mus: Dom. Banks.

» Caput nigrum rostro canaliculato:’ Inter oculos dentes duo elevati,

acuti. Thorax rugosus, ater anticé punctis duobus elevatis.

_ Elytra carinata, rugosa, atra, posticé spina elevata, acuta.

Pedes nigri.”’—Fab.

Two specimens of this species form part of Mr. Darwin’s

collection ; one of them is from Hardy Peninsula, Tierra del

Fuego, taken in the month of March; and the other is from

* “Genera et species Curculionidum,’ tom. 2, pars prima, p, 314.

Ann, Nat. Mist. Vol. 5. No. 32, July 1840. 2A

330 Mr. Waterhouse on a new species of Lophotus.

Tres Montes, “ found on a bare granite mountain, at an ele-

vation of 2500 feet.” They have been compared with the

original specimen in the Banksijan collection. The length of

this insect varies from 9 to 10 lines (without including the

rostrum, which is rather more than 1 line in length), and its

ereatest width is from 2% to 3 lines. The general colour is

black or pitchy-black. The rostrum is elevated between the

antenne, and there are two longitudinal grooves in this ele-

vated portion: on the head between the eyes are two distinct

obtusely pointed tubercles. The ¢horaz is nearly cylindrical,

but obscurely dilated in-the middle; its upper surface is

covered with strong irregular rug@, which are for the most

part in a transverse direction; besides these irregular ridges,

there are two tubercles situated close to the anterior margin.

The elytra are of about the same width as the ¢horaz at the

base, but towards the hinder part they are dilated; their

upper surface is convex, and at the sides they are com-

pressed—the general form of the body however approaches

to cylindrical. The anterior angles of the elytra are slightly

produced, and the apical portion is rounded: on the upper

surface they are deeply and coarsely punctured; these large

punctures are near each other and leave strongly elevated

rug@, and these ruge are most elevated in the transverse di-

rection, the punctures having a tendency to run into each

other in that direction: on the hinder part of each elytron,

about 2 lines from the apex, is a large angular tubercle. Each

segment of the abdomen beneath is convex and somewhat

coarsely punctured ; and on the last segment two large fovee

are observable. The legs are moderately long.

A specimen of this, as well as of each of the other species

here described, is deposited by Mr. Darwin in the Museum

of the Entomological Society.

Sp. 2. Lophotus longipes, nov. spec.

Loph. niger, rostro longiusculo, culmine elevato, capite rugosé

punctato ; thorace supra lineis irregularibus elevatis transversim,

linedque elevata longitudinali, notato; margine antico elevato :

elytris punctis grandiusculis longitudinaliter in lineis crebreé

depositis ; tuberculis permagnis, apud partem posticam, apice

producto et acuto; abdominis segmentis subtits in medio leevi-

Mr. Waterhouse on a new species of Lophotus. 331

bus, ad latera punctis necnon squamis flavidis vel albis obsi-

tis ; apud metathoracem squamis pallidis lineam lateralem effi-

cientibus; scutello albo; pedibus longis.

Of the species of Lophotus known, the present could only

be confounded with the Loph. Vitulus, but from that it may

be distinguished by the following characters :—the rostrum is —

longer, and instead of having a bisulcated elevation between

the antenne, it is furnished with a central longitudinal ridge,

which is considerably dilated in front of the antenne, where

it exhibits a shallow longitudinal depression in the middle ;

the antenne are longer: the tubercles over the eyes are here

wanting: the anterior margin of the ¢horav is raised into a

fold, but it does not present the two tubercles observable in

Loph. Vitulus ; the irregular ruge on the thorax are more-

over less distinct; the elytra differ in having the posterior

portion produced into a point, the posterior two tubercles

much larger, and the sculpturing less deep. In addition to

these characters, the comparative smoothness of the segments

of the abdomen beneath, and their being furnished with pale

scales on the sides, together with the proportionately great

length of the legs, will serve to distinguish Loph. longipes

from Loph. Vitulus. The scutellum is white. The length of

this species is 9'", and its greatest width is 3"; the length of

the femora and tibie, taken together, is 52, whereas in Loph.

Vitulus the same parts measure only 42!".. Mr. Darwin found

this species in Hardy Peninsula, Tierra del Fuego, and at

Cape Tres Montes.

Sp. 3. Lophotus nodipennis, Hope, Transactions of the Entomologi-

cal Society of London, vol. 1. p. 15. pl. 1. fig. 5.

L. ‘‘ater, rostro canaliculato posticé niveo, elytris unituberculatis,

maculaque albida inter tubercula et apicem posita. Long.

corp. 10". Lat. 23.

Habitat apud Conception Americ Meridionalis.” Hope.

This species is at once distinguished from either of the

others here noticed by its less deep sculpturing, but more

particularly by the white spots by which its legs, abdomen,

and apical portion of the elytra are adorned. ‘These patches

of pale scales are observable in the following situations :—1st,

there is a patch on the basal portion of the rostrum, another on

Z2A2

332 Mr. Waterhouse on a new species of Lophotus,

each side of the thorax, one on the trochanter of each of the

4 anterior legs ; a longitudinal row of spots adorns the under

side of the abdomen, one to each segment, and the two basal

segments have moreover a spot on either side ; a large patch

is situated on the apical portion of each elytron, and all the

femora have a pale ring near the apex: the colour of these

spots is sometimes white, sometimes yellow, and oecasionally

some brilliant pale blue scales margin the white ones, espe-

cially on the legs, and a patch of blue scales is generally ap-

parent beneath the spots on the apical portion of the elytra.

Several specimens of this species were brought home by Mr.

Darwin; some of them are from Chiloe, and others from

Ynche Island, Chonos Archipelago.

Sp. 4. Lophotus Eschscholtzi, Scho. Tom. 2, pars prima, p. 316.

Lophotus trifasciatus. Hope, MS.

L. niger, squamis albis dispersis ; elytris fascias tres latas et albas

exhibentibus, necnon ad apicem notam albam: tuberculis

duobus parvis et angularibus super oculos; thorace punctis

confluentibus ; elytris insigniter punctato-striato.

This species is readily distinguished from either of the pre-

ceding by the black and white fascie which adorn the elytra.

It agrees with the description of Lophotus Eschscholtzi, if we

may suppose Scheenherr’s specimen a little rubbed. In per-

fect specimens the elytra (which are shorter and broader than

in other species) are densely clothed with white scales, ex-

cepting in certain parts, and these unclothed portions form

fascie: asmall black spot is observable on each shoulder, a

triangular black patch (sometimes confluent with the shoulder-

spot) on the scutellum; behind these are two black fascie,

the first of which is interrupted in the middle; and on the

apical portion of the elytra is an irregular black mark. On

the head, zhoraz, legs, and the whole of the under parts of

the body, are scattered white scales.

One specimen of this msect was brought from Valparaiso

by Mr. Darwin, who says “it first appears in November, is

very abundant, and injurious to the young shoots of plums

and peaches.”

The Rey. W. Hincks on Balanus chelytrypetes. 333

XL.—Description of a new Species of Balanus, from. the

Cabinet of Samuel Wright, Esq., of Cork.. By the Rev.

~Wixuram Hincks, F.LS.

Mr. Wrieut, who is a zealous collector in several depart-

ments of Natural History; and is well known from his valu-

able contributions to the fossil conchology of the interesting

district in which he resides, transmitted the species now to be

noticed tothe present writer to be examined and compared

with the specimens in the British Museum, and on finding

that it is undescribed, requested that some account of it might

be communicated to the public.

This animal may perhaps belong to the genus Balanus,

though Mr. Gray is of opinion that it must form the type of

a new genus, and it is a question which may be left for future

decision. |

It is attached to the common turtle. The shell consists of

six yalyes, slightly cohering, unequal in size, the smallest and

largest being opposed to each other, each valve. externally

marked by two or three strong ridges meeting towards the

apex, sometimes further branched below, which penetrate the

bone of the turtle like the fangs of teeth, and appear to enter

the fat underneath. They at length almost, perhaps altogether,

cut out the portion of bone on which the Balanus stands, so

that the removal of the shell would leave a roundish hole.

The opercular valves are lost in Mr. Wright’s specimens,

which were injured in cutting up the turtle. The diameter of

the base in the largest specimen is 1°8 inch. The Balanus

being firmly attached to the bony covering of the turtle, which

it penetrates in the manner described, protrudes through the

horny exterior shell ; but a young specimen apparently of the

same species is fixed to the internal surface of the horny shell,

not having yet either attached itself to the bone or forced its

A specimen in the British Museum which seems to be of

the same species, though the fangs are less developed, had its

peculiarity of appearance attributed to accidental injury, until

a comparison with Mr. Wright’s specimen showed its real

nature.

334 Mr. Selby on the effects produced upon Animal

It is a curious subject for inquiry, by what means, whether

mechanical or chemical, this Balanus is enabled to penetrate

the hard bone of the turtle as well as its outer shell, and also

what is the relation of this arrangement to the ceconomy of

the animal.

I venture to propose as a name for the species Balanus che-

lytrypétes*,

XLI.—On the Effects produced upon Animal and Vegetable

Life by the Winter of 1838. By P. J. Seisy, Esq., of

Twizel House.

TueE severity with which the year was ushered in by the long-con-

tinued frost during the months of January, February, and a part of

March, the cold and long-retarded spring, succeeded by a chilly and

ungenial summer, as well as a late and deficient harvest, place the

year 1838 upon our records as one of peculiar, though happily of

unwonted character. Under circumstances of such a nature, and

which it is more than probable may not again occur during the limit

of the present generation, a few observations upon the effects of so

severe a season, as connected with animal as well as vegetable life,

more particularly as affecting our own district, may perhaps prove

not altogether uninteresting to the members of the clubt. It will be

in the recollection of those who attended to the weather, that, up to

the 5th of January 1838, the season, with the exception of the first

week of the previous November, when we experienced a severe but

cursory snow storm, had upon the whole been temperate and mild:

this was particularly the case on Christmas, and two or three follow-

ing days, when the thermometer ranged from 52° to 55°, at which

time, I may remark, many of the thrushes which still remained in-

land, were heard recording in distinct and audible key, thus flatter-

ing us with the hope that winter had divested herself of her charac-

teristic garb, and that these sweet carols were to be the prelude of

an early spring. ‘These halcyon days, however, were of short dura-

tion, as, on the 6th of January, frost set in, accompanied in this di-

strict by showers or falls of snow and hail, which, in consequence

of the calm state of the atmosphere, fell level upon the surface. It

thus continued falling at frequent intervals, more or less, for nearly

* Chelys, Gr., a turtle, and trypétes, a Greek word signifying ‘one that

perforates.’

+ From the Transactions of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club :—see p.

129 of the present volume.

and Vegetable Life by the Winter of 1838. 335

a fortnight, when the snow had accumulated to the depth of ten or

twelve inches over the whole surface of the country, the frost at the

same time continuing to increase in intensity, till every brook and

pool was locked up in ice and frozen snow. In consequence of this

deep covering, the birds, particularly those of the insectivorous tribe,

or whose chief pabulum consists of worms and insects, soon began

to feel the effects of famine; and blackbirds, redbreasts, hedge-spar-

rows, &c. were reduced, at a comparatively early part of the storm,

to a deplorable state of weakness, and were daily found dead or dy-

ing from the combined effect of hunger and cold. Many fieldfares

also perished at this early stage of the frost, though the great body

of this emigratory species, soon after the commencement of the

storm, moved southwards ; the thrushes also, which I have previously

observed were singing at Christmas, entirely disappeared, a precau-

tion I have observed for many years to take place in regard to this

species, whenever a storm or frost of any continuance has occurred.

I may remark, that previous to the commencement of the storm, all

the haws and other berries which are the occasional food of the thrush

tribe, had been devoured by them, so that no resource of this nature

was left them to fly to when the frost first set in. About this pe-

riod of the storm, that is, after a fortnight’s continuance, the arrival

of a great variety of the rarer kinds of water-fowl along the line of

coast proclaimed the intensity as well as the wide-extended range of

the cold. Wild swans then made their appearance in flocks, and for

two or three weeks several of these birds took up their residence in

Buddle Bay, when, as may be supposed, their unwonted presence

caused an active pursuit, and many individuals were shot. Among

them, I may mention two that were taken alive, having been wound-

ed, but only so as, in conjunction with their reduced condition, to

incapacitate them for flight ; these soon became very tame, and were

afterwards placed by W.B. Clark, Esq. of Belford Hall, in a piece of

water, where one of them continues to thrive, and now associates

with a common goose ; the other died during the course of the sum-

mer, apparently from the effects of some internal wounds it had re-

ceived. Both of these were of the common or elk species (Cygnus

ferus), nor did any specimen of Cygnus Bewickii come under my ob-

servation, though I am aware that a few individuals of this species

were taken in other parts of the kingdom. In other districts of the

country, and inthe South of England, the destruction of these beau-

tiful and noble birds was very great. Among the rarer species of

water-fowl killed upon our coast, the following are deserving of no-

tice. Laurus minutus (Little Gull) near Embleton, the first instance,

I believe, of its occurrence upon the Northumbrian coast; this is

336 Mr. Selby on the effects produced upon Animal

now in the possession of our brother member, Mr. R. Embleton.

Several specimens also of the Mergus albellus (Smew), in the adult

male plumage, in which state it is considered a rare bird, were killed

upon different parts of the coast; and of Podiceps rubricollis, far

from a common species, I saw several instances... Many specimens

of the different Colymbi.(Divers), were also- shot, and wild-ducks,

wigeons, brent-geese, scaup-ducks,,.pochards, . tufted-ducks, and

golden-eyes were very plentiful... Upon the southern coasts of En-

gland an equal or even greater influx of water-fowl took place, and

the destruction, as may be conceived, was comparatively great. In

Hampshire, I am informed, that a noble sportsman, who rented a

small part of the coast expressly for the shooting of wild. fowl, killed

during the storm the extraordinary number of 515 head of various

kinds, among which were thirty-seven swans. ‘This warfare upon

the aquatic tribe continued for six or seven weeks, and it was not

till the middle or latter end of March, that the wild-fowl began to

shift their quarters, or yield to that influence which directs their mi-

gratory movements to the higher latitudes on the first approach of

spring. Before a thaw took place, many of our hardy indigenous

and resident land birds also suffered from the intensity of the frost

and the want of food; partridges and pheasants were found dead in

every direction, and even the hardy muir-fowl upon the higher

grounds were many of them frozen to death. In Edinburgh, I

am informed, that for weeks, after the first ten days of the storm,

baskets full of partridges and other game were brought to the poul-

terers, which had died or had been caught in a dying state, and when

taken into the hand were found so reduced as to be a mere collec-

tion of bones and feathers. Four-footed game also did not escape

with impunity, and during a great part of the storm, their only food,

in this district, was the bark and twigs of such underwood and young

trees as appeared above the snow. But it was not in those districts

alone in which the snow lay deep upon the surface, that animal life

suffered from the severity of the season, for I find that in Dumfries-

shire and other parts along the western coast, where the fall of snow

was very trifling, and scarce whitened the surface, great mortality

nevertheless prevailed amongst the feathered race, all access to food

having been as effectually prevented by the stony hardness of the

earth, as it was where the hoary covering hid everything from view.

We now turn to the effects of the frost upon the vegetable fibre,

and here we find evidences of its intensity equally striking, and as

fatally injurious to certain plants as it was to animal life. In this

district its severity was plainly demonstrated by the appearance of

our hardy native, the common whin ; this shrub, wherever fully ex-

and Vegetable Life by the Winter of 1838. 337

posed, or in so far as it remained uncovered by the snow, was com-

pletely destroyed, for a proof ‘of which I have only to evidence its

unsightly appearance at the present moment: The common bay and

Portugal laurels also suffered severely whenever exposed to the south-

east blast; and many of them still remain in a dubious state of ex-

istence. The laurustinus, which had flowered and grown luxuriantly

for many years past in this district, has most of it been destroyed to

the root; and I find that even such plants as remained partially

green during the last summer, in consequence of some slight nourish-

ment from the stem, are now all withered and dead, a result, how-

ever, | had anticipated from the appearance of the bark when it was

examined last spring after the melting of the snow. In the midland

and southern parts of England, where a still greater degree of cold

prevailed, as indicated by the thermometer, and where no protection

was afforded by a deep covering of snow, the destructive effects of

the frost were more extensive, and few, except the hardiest ever-

greens, escaped without more or less injury, some being killed out-

right, others destroyed to the root, or totally denuded of their leaves ;

and it so happened, that many shrubs and trees, which in the North

of England and Scotland showed but trifling symptoms ‘of injury,

were, further to the south, unable to resist the rigour of the cold.

Thus, in a few short days, or perhaps hours, perished most of those

beautiful evergreens and other ornamental shrubs which add so es-

sentially to the elegant appearance of our country residences, and

which form so prominent and peculiar a feature in English orna-

mental gardening ; many of these had attained a growth of thirty or

forty years, and were flourishing in the greatest perfection, having

braved our usual winters without suffering any material injury. The

loss, I may add, is still more severely felt, as time alone can repair

it; and it is only the young and rising generation who can, even

under the most favourable circumstances, again expect to behold a

new succession equal to that which perished in the winter of 1838.

Among the evergreens which showed an aptitude to bear an unwonted

- degree of cold uninjured, or only injured to a trifling extent, the

Holly, the Rhododendrons Ponticum, catawbiense, ferrugineum, &c.,

the Yew, Box, Arbor Vite, and the Red Virginian Cedar, stood con-

spicuous; the Portugal Laurel also, except in very exposed situations,

was not materially injured, and the common or large bay-leaved

Laurel, in our own premises, escaped in most instances with the loss

of the tender part of the shoot of the preceding season. Of the de-

gree of cold experienced during the continuance of this storm, we

have authentic accounts of the thermometer having descended to 4°

338 Mr. Selby on the effects produced upon Animal

and even 7° below zero, or 36° and 39° below freezing, in the mid-

land and southern parts of the island, In this and adjacent districts

it does not appear to have reached this intensity, the following being

observations on which dependence can be placed. At Kelso, 140 feet

above the sea-level, it fell to 3° F. on the night of the 21st of Jan.

1838, and during the continuance of the storm was frequently ob-

served at 5° and 8° F. At Mellerstein, about 500 feet above the

sea, a self-regulating thermometer of Adie’s marked it at 2° F. du-

ring the nights of January 20 and 21, 1838. At Greenknow, near

Gordon, and considerably higher than Mellerstein, 3° F. on the night

of 21st January. And at Mertoun House about the 14th or 15th Ja-

nuary, a common thermometer was observed 2° F., and again on the

morning of January 21 at 2° F. Early in March the frost abated in

rigour, and a slow thaw began to melt the vast accumulation of snow

which had been drifted into the lanes, hollows, and hedge banks by

the severe and oft-repeated gales that had occurred during the two

months’ frost. Up to this period none of those indications which we

had been accustomed to hail as the harbingers of spring had been

observed, such as the song of the misselthrush and the mayis, the

cooing of the ringdove, or the pipe of the golden plover, which in

usual seasons seldom fail to greet our ears with their welcome notes

before February has advanced into the second week. On referring

to my notes, I find it was not till the 5th and 6th of March that the

peawit and golden plover were first seen, or the carol of the lark

heard ; on the 7th the thrush and missel-thrush were in song, being

a period later by nearly a month than any I can find in a register

kept for many years past, and it was not till the 20th that the con-

gregated flocks of the ringdove began to disperse, or that they were

heard cooing and exhibiting that peculiar flight which distinguishes

the species at the time of pairing, and which in ordinary years sel-

dom fails to occur before the 8th or 10th of February. It was now

that the effects of this long-continued storm, so remarkable for the

great degree of cold that accompanied it, became fully apparent ; for

instead of the host of birds that were wont to resort to our groves

and plantations at this season, and whose “‘ wood-notes wild”’ used

to greet us in every direction, a few individuals or a solitary pair

alone were to be seen ; and where, a season or two before, a united

concert of a multitude of thrushes might have been listened to on a

calm mild spring evening, not more than two or three at far distant

stations could now be heard; of our familiar attendant the red-

breast, few survived to pour forth their impassioned lay, as the dimi-

nished numbers of this favourite bird, even after the increase of the

and Vegetable Life by the Winter of 1838. 339

year, clearly demonstrate. The same may be said of the blackbird,

whose mellow whistle was scarcely recognised during the spring and

summer ; and a like falling off was observed in regard to the wag-

tails, wrens, and indeed all the indigenous insectivorous species,

which suffered to a much greater extent than the Conirostre or

Finch tribe, which subsisting upon seeds and grains, found, if not

ample, at least a sufficient quantity of food to support life in the

stack and fold-yards where the others were perishing from the eftects

of hunger and cold. But the deficiency of the feathered tribe this

year, I afterwards ascertained, was not confined to our indigenous

or permanent residents: it extended to all those species which we

call summer visitants, or which make our island their breeding resort

and habitat during their polar migration ; for as the time of the ar-

rival of the various species successively occurred, I found that through-

out this district their numbers scarcely averaged a third of the usual

supply, and this falling off not confined to a few particular forms,

but extending to all the migratory species. The same was observed

to prevail in the South of England, as ina communication from Mr.

Yarrell, he mentions that the paucity of summer visitants had been

generally remarked by those who interest themselves in ornithology

and observations connected with it. The cause of this deficiency I

attribute to the very cold and ungenial weather which prevailed not

only throughout Britain, but over a great portion of the European

Continent, at the time these birds usually undertake their periodical

flights, and which, I imagine, stopped many on their course, and

prevented that extended movement, which, in ordinary years, permits

their reaching our own and even higher latitudes. That their less-

ened numbers arose from causes which affected them during their

winter sojourn can scarcely be supposed, as that portion of the year,

it is now well ascertained, is passed by most of them in the warm

region of the African Continent or in those parts of Southern

Europe where frost is scarcely known. Some few may undoubtedly

have perished on the way, or from having advanced at too early a

period into the Nerth of Europe, where, in consequence of the chill-

ing cold that prevailed, no appropriate food could be found, and

thus died of hunger; but the more probable reason is, I think, that

already assigned, viz. that they were stopped on their advance by

the peculiarity of the season, and were compelled to remain and

nidificate in lower latitudes than they are generally accustomed to

do. Of the few which did arrive, it was observed that their first

appearance was nearly a fortnight later than has generally been the

case, upon an average taken from a register of some twenty years

340 Information respecting Zoological Travellers.

past. ‘Thus I find that the Willow Wren (Sylvia Trochilus), instead

of the 16th or 18th of April, was not seen or heard before the 3rd.

of May; the same in regard to the Blackcap (Curruca atricapilla),

the Tree Pipit (Anthus arboreus), the Whinchat (Sazicola rubetus) ;

and the 13th of May had arrived before an individual of the Fly-

catcher (Muscicapa grisola) was observed. Of the species just enu-

merated, a deficiency, such as I have already mentioned, was re-

marked; but I think it was even more striking in others, among

which I may particularize the Sedge-warbler (Salicaria phragmitis),

Greater Petty-chaps (Curruca montana), White-throat (Curruca

cinerea). ‘To this cold and long-retarded spring, succeeded a short

and, with the exception of a few days in July, a moist and chilly

summer, circumstances which affected not only the increase of animal

life, but produced the more serious calamity of a deficient harvest.

Fruits also did not ripen at all, or very imperfectly, and were devoid

of their proper taste and flavour. In conclusion, I may add, that a

great deficiency of the insect tribes was generally remarked, and,

from having given a considerable degree of attention to the entomo-

logy of this district for some years past, I can confidently say, that

in most of its great families or divisions the remark is correct, more

particularly as it applies to the Coleopterous and Lepidopterous in-

sects, upon a comparison with what was observed in 1835 and 1836,

as well as years previous to that date.

XLII.—Information respecting Botanical and Zoological

Travellers.

Ir will give satisfaction to many of our friends to learn that letters

have been received from our valuable contributor Dr. Parnell. He

is now about to leave Jamaica, after a residence of nearly nine

months, during which time he has investigated much of the zoology

of that island. His entomological collections have suffered consider-

ably from insects, but in ornithology he states, ‘‘ I have been more

fortunate, having obtained 140 species in a good state, several of

which are very rare, and two or three of them I suspect have never

been before noticed. In ichthyology I have been most successful,

having obtained about 500 specimens.’ At the date of his letter

(22nd March), Dr. Parnell was about to sail for Cuba, whence he ex-

pected to return to Britain in November or December next.

We have also letters from another gentleman, T. C. Jerdon, Esq.,

Assistant Surgeon 2nd Madras Light Cavalry, who has been for some

Information respecting Zoological Travellers. 341

_years resident in India in the prosecution of his profession, and has

employed his leisure time in studying the zoology of that country,

particularly its ornithology. Our parcel contains a partial result of

researches in the latter department in the first part of a ‘‘ Catalogue

of the Birds of the Peninsula of India, with brief Notes on their Habits

and Geographical Distribution* ;” and notwithstanding the informa-

tion contained in the illustrated works of Hardwicke and Gould, and

in the valuable Catalogues and Papers of Franklin, Sykes, Hodgson,

and Eyton, several species among the Raptores are given as new,

Mr. Jerdon divides the peninsula into four great districts or divisions.

Ist, The Northern Circars, comprising a narrow tract of land (be-

tween 16° and 20° N. lat.) from the sea-coast on the eastern side of

the peninsula to the Eastern Ghauts, by which it is separated from

the Great.Table-land; 2nd, The Carnatic, including the whole of the

country lying south of the Northern Circars along the coast as far

as Cape Comorin, and bounded on the west by the Eastern Ghauts,

except the Coimbotoor district, where the eastern as well as western

range is broken ; 3rd, Western coast, including ‘Travancore, Cochin,

and Malabar, and comprising a strip of land of various width lying

between the sea on the western side of India, and the range of

Western Ghauts, which it includes; 4th, The great central table land,

including Mysore, the Baramahl, the ceded districts (Bellary and Cud-

dapah), the kingdoms of Berar and Hyderabad, the Southern Mahratta

country and the Decan.

The species already noticed in this range are 390, and the list will

probably be extended before the completion of the catalogue, which

now reaches only to a part of the Strigide. Of the Falconidz 32

species are noted; and among those belonging to the British list we

have Pandion Haliaétos, Aquila Chrysaétos, Circus cineraceus and

rufus, Falco peregrinus and Tinnunculus, Accipiter fringillarius, and

Astur palumbarius. It is possible however that some of these may

require a more rigorous comparison with the birds of Europe. This

part of the catalogue is illustrated by a lithographic figure of an owl

(Huhua pectoralis), very neatly engraved ; and if figures can be pro-

duced in India equal to that now attempted, they will be of much

importance in illustrating the views of the gentlemen who may in

future attend to the zoology of this very interesting region. Our

correspondent states, ‘‘I have 50 or 60 drawings in the same styley,

drawn by myself and finished by the native artists I kept at Trinco-

* Published in the Madras Journal of Literature and Science for Sep-

tember 1839. The Raptores.

_t Specimens accompany the packet well drawn and beautifully finished:

342 Botanical and Zoological Travellers.

nopoli, most of them of birds hitherto unfigured. I shall commence

sending my specimens next month, and hope by the end of the year

to have forwarded to you a series of all I have procured, for the iden-

tification of species, &c. As you requested, I now add a few remarks

on the Indian Fox and Wolf. Canis Bengualensis, Shaw, C. Kokree,

Sykes, lives chiefly on the open plains, burrows in the ground, ge-

nerally four or five openings to the burrow, some of which commu-

nicate with each other; others are blind: it feeds chiefly on lizards,

locusts, grasshoppers, beetles, small snakes, and occasionally crabs

and rats; runs with remarkable speed; the chase with greyhounds

is a favourite pursuit in India.—Canis Lupus, C. pullipes, Sykes,

Wolf: hunts in small packs and runs down antelopes and hares,

seizes also sheep in a very daring manner in daylight, and carries

off young calves, goats, sheep, &c. during nights, and not unfre-

quently children, It possesses great speed and most extraordinary

powers of endurance. ‘Though often chased by the best horsemen,

unless it is gorged, it always outlasts the fleetest horse, keeping ge-

nerally 20 or 30 yards ahead at whatever pace the rider may go.”

Dr. Krauss’s Return from Southern Africa.

Ir will be remembered, that about two years and a half since, Dr. Fer-

dinand Krauss of Stiittgard, left England for the Cape, on his way

to explore the interior of Southern Africa, with a view to collect

objects of Natural History from those regions. He has within the

last month returned to London with his extensive collections of both

animals and plants, collected principally in Natal and Amazoola

land, where he resided about twelve months; during which period

he assiduously devoted the whole of his time and attention to pre-

serving objects in every department of natural history. The zoolo-

gical collection comprises Mammalia, Birds, Fishes, Amphibia, Crus-

tacea, Insects, Shells (land, freshwater, and marine,), Zoophytes, &c.

The Botanical collection comprises about 3000 species of native

plants, carefully preserved, and in most instances 30 specimens of

each species ; those of Natal, amounting to about 1000 species, are

offered to botanists at forty shillings the hundred; and those col-

lected in the Cape Colony at twenty-five shillings per hundred spe-

cies. A series of the zoological and botanical collections we under-

stand are about to be purchased by the British Museum; the re-

maining sets will be disposed of to those desirous of possessing

them.

In addition to the above collections Dr. Krauss attentively ex-

Information respecting Zoological Travellers. 343

amined the geological features of the country through which he tra-

velled, with a view especially to record the exact position and situa-

tion of the coalfields, very imperfectly known to the farmers in the

interior of Africa. He has brought with him specimens illustrative

of the different formations, including the coal and fossils from the

beds : we anticipate giving a more detailed account of this traveller’s

expedition in a future Number.

Mr. Schomburgk’s recent Expedition in Guiana.

[Continued from p. 288. ]

I nave been told of eight varieties of Opossum which inhabit Guiana,

five of which have come under my notice. I have identified four species

with those described by authors, as Didelphis cancrivora, L., D. quica,

Temm., D. philander,'Temm. and D. dorsigera, L. and Temm.; but the

fifth appears to me to stand intermediate between D. virginiana and D.

Azare, Screb. Temm. It differs from the latter in the absence of the

black markings on the head, black neck, and the black and white ears,

which in the Guiana species are of a uniform black colour. If we could

reconcile the geographical distribution of D. virginiana over a space so

different in temperature, I should consider the specimen which I

am now describing a variety of that species: the circumstance that

the ears are of a uniform black would scarcely constitute a specific

difference. Its body from the nose to the insertion of the tail mea-

sures 15 inches and a half, the tail 15 inches. The latter, which is

prehensile, is for the length of 3 inches clothed with thick fur, the

remainder scaly for about 4 inches, of a black colour, and afterwards

white. The scaly part is covered with a few short hairs, black on the

back part, and white for the remainder. The fore leg to the mal-

leolus measured 3 inches, the hind leg 4 inches. The fur is of a

brownish yellow, short and silky, but intermixed with longer hair of

white colour and somewhat stiff. ‘These white hairs are along the ver-

tebral, line from 4 to 5 inches in length, intermixed with shorter silky

hair, which being black above and white beneath, give it the appear-

ance of a black band stretching from the head along the back to the

insertion of the tail. ‘The fore and hind feet are of a dark mouse

colour, intermingled with a few white hairs. The ears somewhat

compressed at the base, naked, black, and about 1-2 inch in length.

Round the eyes is a dark spot of an oblong figure, but otherwise the

head is almost entirely of a brownish yellow. The neck is covered

with the same short fur of a brownish yellow as the belly, while in

D, Azare@ it is of a black colour, The specimen which has served

344 Information respecting Zoological Travellers.

me for description was shot in the neighbourhood of Georgetown,

but as it was the only one of its kind which I ever saw, I hesitate

to establish it as a separate species, until I have had opportunity of

procuring individuals of the same appearance. It is said to be very

common at the coast region, and is called the white Yawarri by the

colonists, Nopu by the Warrau Indians, Yawarri by the Arawaks and

Macusis. It does great injury to the feathered stock, and frequents

the sugar-cane fields, being apparently partial to sweets.

The black Yawarri (Didelphis quica, Temm.), called so by the co-

lonists from its appearance when at rest; the hair being long and

black at the tip, but yellow towards the root. The tail is longer

than the body, clothed with hair for one-fourth of its length, the re-

mainder naked and scaly. Its size is that of a marten, but in its

head it resembles a fox, and the muzzle ends with a whitish spot. -I

do not possess an actual measurement, but I should estimate the

length of its body about twelve or thirteen inches, and the tail from

fifteen to sixteen inches. The latter, which is prehensile, is of great

assistance tc them in climbing. They are very destructive to poultry

and likewise to fruit. They are often found on those savannahs

where the wild pine (Bromelia,spec.?) flourishes, to the fruit of which

they appear to be partial. Like its.congeners, the female possesses

a pouch in which she carries and suckles her young until they. are

as large as half-grown rats... They produce from six to seven young

at a-time. They sleep during the day and hunt-at night. . They are

sometimes eaten by-the Creoles-and Indians, but.as they have a

rank and disagreeable smell.I doubt if they would apa neon

to us.

The Didelphis cancrivora is too wl known to deserve more

than a passing remark; moreover, ] am not able to add anything

about its habits, as it is more peculiar to the sea-coasts than to the

interior of Guiana.

The Yawarri cusinai of the Macusi Indians, or eeneee of the

‘Warraus (Didelphis philander, Temm.) has an extensive range in

Guiana. It is met with in the coast regions as well as in the interior.

It resembles in size a full-grown rat; the fur, short and silky, is of

a rust-colour, lighter beneath the belly; length of the body nine

inches, tail ten inches and a half, clothed with fur for abeut two

inches, the remainder naked and of a uniform brown colour...A

deep furrow divides the nostrils, and the eyes are brown:and very

prominent, and surrounded by a reddish spot. . Possessing all the

peculiarities of its tribe, it appears to be more lively than the rest, and

climbs with the alacrity of a squirrel. Although I have seen many

‘Information respecting Zoological Travellers. 345

in the'day time, I am inclined to think that the night is their fa-

»vourable time for going abroad in search of food. I have had tame

“ones ’that slept the greater part of the day. In their wild state they

‘live principally on fruits and insects, but I have been assured by the

“Indians that they have the art of surprising small birds, and in

this lam corroborated by Mr. Vieth, who found animal food in their

stomach. Ina tame state scarcely anything comes amiss; boiled

rice, yams, flesh and fish seem equally agreeable to them.

»- One of the Opossums of that species which I had in a tame

state was a female. It was kept in a birdcage of wire-work which

‘permitted me to watch its habits. I have already observed that it

passed the greater part of the day in sleeping, and that it fed alike

‘upon fish or flesh. It might have been in my possession for about

a fortnight, when one morning, on feeding it, I observed five young

ones of the size of a new-born mouse crawling about in the cage.

They were perfectly naked and blind. The mother allowed them

to crawl about and did not appear to care for them. Next morning

{ found only four; the fifth had been eaten by the mother during

night; the four remaining ones had however returned to the pouch.

The succeeding night two more were eaten by the mother, and the

last two were crawling about in a helpless state, and the following

day fell a prey to the voracity of their unnatural mother. It is re-

markable, that although I had the animal longer than a fortnight, I

never was aware that it had young ones until I found them crawling

‘about, and it remains now a riddle to me how the mother could

secrete them so well. «I thought her with young all the time, but

had no idea that they were already in a state so far advanced. Con-

finement’*no doubt was the reason of her acting so cruelly towards

her offspring. She died a few weeks after.

The fifth species which I have observed during my journeys in

Guiana is Didelphis dorsigera, L. and Temm. It is nearly the size

of the former, its fur of a brownish-gray, the tail thin, covered with

hair for about the fifth part of its length, the rest scaly, and of a uni-

form brown. The spot which surrounds the eyes is of a darker brown

than in the former, but it is distinguished chiefly in the females

being without an abdominal pouch, and merely provided with lon-

gitudinal folds near the thighs, within which the young continue to

suckle, or which serves as a place of security in case of danger. I

have seen this species in a tamed state; it appeared however shy,

and was fed upon milk and ‘bread, and plantains. They are said to

be very partial to the latter, and they frequent therefore the plan-

‘Ann, Nat. Mist. Vol.5. No, 32. July 1840. 2B

346 Information respecting Zoological Travellers.

tain fields in large numbers. They produce from six to seven young

ones, |

An individual of that kind, which had been kept for some time in

the house where I resided during my stay in Georgetown, met with

a tragical end. I had procured two young Jabirus (Mycteria Ame-

ricana) : the first exploit when landed and introduced to their new

domicile was, that one assailed the cage which contained the opos-

sum, and having seized the poor animal with its beak, drew it by

force through the bars of the cage, and swallowed it without fur-

ther hesitation.

Having brought these Jabirus under the notice of the reader, I

shall leave the class Mammalia, and turn for a few moments to the

Aves, in order to indulge in a biographical notice* of these two in-

teresting individuals with an introductory remark on the whole

tribe.

The Jabiru or Negrokoop, as it is generally known to such of the

colonists who have seen this bird in its natural haunts, frequents the

great savannahs of the interior and the marshy environs of the

rivers Pomeroon and Guainia, where they live on mollusca, crabs,

frogs, and other amphibious animals. While at Pirara, I saw them

in flocks of several hundreds feeding at lake Amucu, or on the

marshy tracts along the Pacaraima mountains. During our stay in

that village several were shot. Their flesh is palatable, and when

prepared with the necessary ingredients, as a steak, so strikingly re-

sembles beef, that one unacquainted with the fact would pronounce

it such. One was winged in shooting at a flock and was brought

alive to us. The bill measured 13 inches; it was laterally com-

pressed, thick at its base, and ended rather sharply. The upper

mandible was straight and triangular, the lower rather thicker and

slightly turned up. The nostrils are narrow, as the bird seeks

its food in the water; the feet with three anterior toes slightly

united by a membrane ; the hallux, or hind toe, high up on the

tarsus.

* These notices of animals which inhabit Guiana are gleanings from my

Journal, taken at random as they occur, and without tying myself to any

scientific arrangement or description. Those who have thought the prece-

ding observations worthy of their perusal, will be aware that they do not pre-

tend to scientific dissertations; it has been my wish to make the reader

acquainted with the manners of such of the animated beings of Guiana as

have come to my knowledge and under my personal observation, disclaiming

all scientific descriptions and discussions, which we will leave to a period

when I may have gained by experience, and when, not further urged by the

desire of extending my travels, leisure may permit me to digest what prac-

tical knowledge I possess.

Information respecting Zoological Travellers. 347

- From the head to the toes, that is to say, standing upright, it

measured 64 feet, from the tip of the beak to the tail 4 feet 4 inches,

and to its end 4 feet 11 inches; from the end of the toe to the knee-

_ joint 14 foot, from ditto to the thigh-joint 2 feet 10 inches. Its

wings when spread out measured 8} feet; it has therefore, next to

the Condor, the greatest extent of wings. Its plumage is pure

white ; the bill, head, and upper part of the neck are black, and with

the exception of a few scattered downy feathers, quite naked. The

lower part of the neck is red, and likewise set with a few downy

feathers. The skin of the neck, but particularly of the gullet, is

generally wrinkled, but the bird can extend it. The neck measured.

1 foot 10 inches. A species of Ampullaria (guyanensis) is found in

prodigious numbers in the lakes and swamps, as well as in the ri-

vulets which meander through the savannahs, and it appears they

constitute the chief food of the Jabiru. In spite of their unshapely

beak, they are able to remove the operculum most admirably, and to

draw the mollusc out of its shell. I have found it difficult to procure

perfect specimens of that Ampullaria for my collections, although

shells partly broken or devoid of the operculum covered the low

savannahs extensively, while in other parts I found the opercula

equally numerous, but no shells.

The Jabiru builds its nest generally on trees, sometimes on rocks.

It is constructed of dry branches, lined with a few feathers, in which

the female deposits two eggs, which are perfectly white and some-

what larger than a swan’s egg. The young ones are gray and not

roseate as has been asserted.

When the waters subside after the annual inundations, they fre-

quent in small groups the sandbanks of the river Rupununy in search

of crustaceous animals. Nothing can surpass the gravity with which

they stalk along ; their measured step and upright bearing frequently

amused my military companion while on our first expedition in the

interior, who was forcibly reminded of the parade, so that he could

not refrain while passing the beach from giving these feathered re-

cruits the word of command, and they ever afterwards among our-

selves went by the name of his recruits. Before they rise on the

wing they prepare for their flight by taking two or three hops, by

which they are the better enabled to get on the wing. Their flight

is light and graceful; and before they alight, or when rising,

they first wheel round the place in gyral motions, either lessening

or extending the circles according as it is their intention to do the

former or the latter. They soar uncommonly high, and might vie with

the eagle. Indeed they appear sometimes as a mere speck in the air.

2B2

348 Zooloyical Society.

It is a beautiful sight to see a numerous flock on the wing; all ap-

pears confusion when they are first disturbed and rise in the air:

they cross each other in the flight, and one would think from below

they could not avoid coming in contact; but scarcely have they

reached a height of 80 or 100 feet, when order is restored, and they

begin flying in circles, rising with each circle higher and higher.

When on a more extensive journey, they fly in a horizontal line, and

change the leader like the cranes. When feeding on the savannahs,

a party is always on the alert while the others seek for their food.

The Macusis call them Tararamu, the Brazilians Jusu, the Ara-

waks Mora-Coyasrnaa, which signifies spirit of the Mora tree

{Mora excelsa, Benth.), the Warraus Dorn.

[To be continued. ]

Mr. Cuming, some letters from whom, while at Manilla, were

given in the Ist vol. of Annals, pp. 57 and 147, we are most happy

to state has lately arrived in London; bringing with him, as we

understand, very extensive collections of the animals and plants

found in the Philippine islands. Of shells, the quantity is large ;

there are said to be a very great proportion of new species. He has

also brought alive, and presented to the Zoological Society, a fine

specimen of a new species of Gibbon, a species of Paradoxurus, a

large’ Flying Squirrel (Pteromys nitidus), the Argus Pheasant, a

Fire-backed Pheasant, a Hornbill, &c.

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Sept. 10, 1839.—William Yarrell, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.

The following letter, addressed by M. Baillon to Mr. Waterhouse,

was read. It is dated Abbeville, July 16, 1839 :—

««M. De la Motte has just informed me that when he had the

pleasure of seeing you in London you expressed a wish to know the

name of a new species of Goose which I described in 1833 in the

catalogue of the birds observed in the department of the Somme, and

which I have inserted in the ‘ Memoirs of the Society of Emulation

of Abbeville.’ To this bird I gave the name Anser brachyrhynchus,

because it appeared to me that one of its most striking characters

consisted in the shortness of its beak. This species has been sent

by me, under that name, to the museums at Paris, Turin, Mayence,

Zoological Society. 349

&c. I have also forwarded two specimens, exhibiting the young and

adult states, to M. Temminck for the museum at Leyden, and this

learned naturalist stated that he would give an account of the spe-

cies (under the above-mentioned name) in the fourth volume of his

‘ Manuel d’Ornithologie.’

“In the same catalogue I-described two new species of Scolopaz,

one under the name of S. La Mottei, and the other under that of S.

pygmea. M.Temminck does not admit that the first is a good spe-

cies, and for the same reason he will not admit the Scolopar Brehmii,

which, like my new species, differs only from the Scolopar gallinago

in the number of tail-feathers. Sc. Brehmii has sixteen tail-feathers,

whilst LaMotiei has only twelve; the last-mentioned species differs

moreover in being of a much smaller size than the common snipe.

The S. pygmea M. Temminck regards as a good species, and he in-

tends to insert itin his work. Like S. gallinago, it has fourteen tail-

feathers, but it is of a much smaller size than that species ; it is even

smaller than the S. gallinula. ‘Two specimens of this new species,

resembling each other, were killed in the same week, and furnished

me with the materials of my description.

« A new species of Anthus and four new small quadrupeds are also

described by me in the catalogue; two of the quadrupeds belong to

the genus Arvicola, and the remaining two belong to the genus Ves-

pertilio.”

A paper, by George Gulliver, Esq., F.R.S., Assistant-Surgeon to

the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, entitled ‘‘ Observations on

the Muscular Fibres of the Gfsophagus and Heart in some of the

Mammalia,’ was read.

The author mentions the difference of opinion that exists as to the

extent to which the muscular fibre of animal life invests the gullet,

a discrepancy which has probably arisen from the want of a sufficient

number of comparative observations on the lower animals; and states

that it has been generally concluded that this fibre is confined to the

upper portion of the tube, Professor Miller, Dr. Schwann, and Mr.

Skey informing us that the striated muscular fasciculi are either con-

fined to this part of it, or belong only to the muscles of the pharynx,

while MM. Ficinus and Valentin have been led to assign a much more.

extensive range to the fibre in question. He then proceeds to give

the details of his investigation of this subject, from which he con-.

cludes that the muscular fibre of animal life extended much further

towards the stomach in certain brutes than in man, but that there

was also a remarkable difference in this respect even among differ-

ent genera of animals.

350 Zoological Society.

Sept. 24, 1839.—The Honourable Sir Edward Cust in the Chair.

A letter from E. D. Dickson and H. J. Ross, Esqrs., dated Erze-

room, July 18, 1839, was read. It referred to a collection which

these gentlemen had forwarded for the Society's Museum. The

specimens alluded to in this letter having arrived, were severally

brought before the Meeting by Mr. Fraser, and the following notes

which accompanied them were read :—

Accipiter fringillarius, Ray. Procured April 3. Male. Found

in the stomach small birds. Iris bright orange ; margins of eyelids

yellowish ; bill blue, with black tip; cere yellowish green ; legs yel-

low; claws black. Total length 12°5 inches. Shot near the town.

Falco subbuteo, Linn. Procured May 22. Total length about

12 inches. Bill bluish; legs orange ; claws black. The only speci-

men we have yet seen. Female.

Circus pallidus, Sykes. Procured April 4. Iris bright yellow

with yellow margin to the eyelids ; bill bluish ; cere greenish yellow ;

legs orange yellow, with black claws. Total length 17 inches. This

year (1839) arrived March 24, and left April 7; last year they ar-

rived March 8 and left May 1. They were then also much more nu-

merous than this year, and most abundant in April.

* Circus rufus, Briss. One specimen, a male, procured May 8.

Found in the stomach frogs and mice. Shot close to town. Legs

pale yellow. A second specimen procured May 24. Found in the

stomach a Tern (Sterna nigra). Iris bright sulphur-yellow ; legs pale

dirty yellow. Common about the river: they are shy, but bold.

HHirundo rustica, Linn. Procured April 25. Found in the sto-

mach insects. Iris dark brown; bill and legs black. ‘Total length

8°5. Arrives April 20, and remains here the whole summer; very

numerous all over the plain: builds under eaves; the nest is made of

mud, straw, and coarse large feathers, neatly lined with fine hay,

over which there is a layer of feathers; eggs four, white, speckled

with brown.

Lanius Collurio, Linn. One specimen, a male, procured April

20. Found in the stomach Coleopterous insects. A second, a female,

procured May 4: found in the stomach worms, &c. Total length

7 inches. A small number seen together in a burying-ground.

Museicapa grisola, Linn. Found in the stomach insects. Very

common in May, in the burying-grounds, and also in fields.

* The species marked with an asterisk have been noticed in the Pro-

ceedings as inhabitants of Trebizond, a locality not far distant from Erze-

room.—Scee Proceedings for 1834, pp. 50 and 133; for 1835, p. 90; and

for 1837, p. 126.

Zoological Society. 35)

Muscicapa luctuosa, Temm. Procured April 8. Found in the

stomach insects. Shot in a burying-ground. No others have been

seen.

Turdus merula, Linn. Procured March 28. Found in the sto-

mach insects. Observed from March 28 to April 7 about burying-

grounds, &c. Said to be common in winter both at Tortoom and

Trebizond.

Turdus pilaris, Linn. Procured April1. Found in the stomach

beetles. Only one seen; on moist ground.

* Turdus musicus, Linn. Procured March 28. Found in the sto-

mach Coleopterous insects. Seen from March 23 to April 19: fre-

quents the gardens and ditches near town, and also the roofs of

houses. Common. Said to be numerous at Tortoom in February.

Petrocincla saxatilis, Vig. Procured April 19. Found in the

stomach insects. Iris brown; bill and legs dusky. Total length

8°5 inches. Found near the river, on moist ground. Another was

seen April 22 in a burying-ground near the town.

Sylvia Hippolais, Temm. Found in the stomach small insects.

There are two varieties, both of which were sent on a former occasion.

*Curruca cinerea, Bechst. Procured May 11. Found in the

stomach insects. ‘Total length 5°5 inches. Only two seen; one in a

ditch, and the other in a burying-ground.

Salicaria phragmitis, Selby. Procured May il. Found in the

stomach insects. Frequent bogs and other moist localities.

Phenicura Tithys, Jard. and Selb. Procured April17. Found in

the stomach small Coleoptera. The only specimen found. Bill and

legs black.

* Phenicura Suecica, Jard. and Selb. Procured March. Found

in the stomach small insects. Common about rills from March 28

to April 22. Total length 5°7 inches. Subject to several varieties

of plumage.

Saxicola rubicola, Bechst. Procured April 19. Found in the

stomach small Coleoptera. Burying-grounds, and the vicinity of

moist ditches. Common. Seen from 19th of April to the present time.

Alauda arborea, Linn. Procured April 19. Found in the stomach

insects. Shot in a burying-ground adjoining the town : only one seen.

Alauda 2? Var. Albino, of a species we sent in the first

box. No other lark except the Alauda penicillata has been seen

this winter.

Parus ceruleus, Linn. Procured February 17. Bill black, with

brownish white margins; legs and claws bluish gray. Total length

4°5 inches. Several noticed in the same places as (Parus major,

352 Zoological Society.

Linn.) from February 17 to April 7. Some were seen at Tortoom

in February.

*Parus major, Linn. Procured March 25. Bill black, with dark

margins; legs and claws bluish gray. Total length, 5:5 inches.

Among trees and rose-bushes in town. Noticed from January 31

to March 2.

*Emberiza Cia, Linn. Procured April4. Found in tle stomach

very small graminaceous seeds. Total length 6°8 inches. Bill bluish ;

legs light brown. Observed from 3rd to 25th of April, near mill-

streams and in burying-grounds.. Common.

. Eimberiza citrinella, Linn. Procured March 24. Food the same

as that of Emberiza Cia. Common upon trees and in burying-

grounds. Seen from March 23 to April 23. Total length 7 inches.

Eimberiza hortulana, Linn. Procured April 19. Found in the

stomach insects and small seeds. Total length 6°3 inches. Bill light

brown; legs very pale light brown. Frequents the vicinity of mill-

streams. Noticed from April 19 to May 8. It is singular, that among

fourteen or fifteen birds which we examined, shot at different times

and. places, every one had insects as well as seeds in the crop and

gizzard. The female has the feathers of the breast, summit of the

head, nape, and sides of the chin, marked with longitudinal dusky

spots.

Coccothraustes chloris, Fler.

Coccothraustes. vulgaris, Briss. Procured April 10. Found in

the stomach seeds, both large andsmall. Onatree in town. Only

two seen.

Fringilla montifringilla, Linn. Procured March 31. Bill yel-

lowish, and black at the tip; legs dusky. No others have been seen.

Fringilla Celebs, Linn. Procured March 26 and 27. Found in

the stomach small seeds. Common in the vicinity of rills. Total

length 6°3 inches. Bill light brown, or of a smoke-blue colour ; legs

dark brown. Arrived Mareh 26, departed April 17.

Pyrrhula ? Procured Feb. 27. Found in the stomach seeds.

Total length 5°7 inches. Shot on some willows at Tortoom, where

they are said to be common.

* Sturnus vulgaris, Linn. Procured March 8. Total length 9°6

inches. Very common. Frequents the habitations of man, and feeds

in fields, &c.; these birds are also the constant attendants of cattle

while grazing: at sunset they return in large flocks, to roost upon.

trees and eaves of houses. Arrive in the beginning of March and

disappear late in November. Turkish name, Sighergik (diminutive

of ox).

Zoological Society. 353

- Garrulus melanocephalus, Bonelli. Procured February 27. . Bill

black ; legs light brown. Shot at Tortoom, thirty miles from: Erze-

room, having a much milder climate than this. Shy.

Pica caudata, Ray. Procured February. Found in the stomach

carrion, insects, &c. A few live in and about town: roost and

build on trees: none are found at Trebizond.

- *Corvus monedula, Linn. Found in the stomach carrion, offal, &c.

Very common. Frequents town and the vicinity of man; often seen

in fields, and is very familiar : in winter is only seen about the town:

towards sunset these birds assemble in large flocks to roost upon the

trees about the town: begin to pair early in April, and build in the

end of the same month, low down in chimneys.

Corvus frugilegus, Linn. Killed March 24. Begins to arrive about

the end of January. Common. Frequents fields, &c., and is often

seen following the plough : towards sunset these birds assemble into

small flocks, and return to town to roost upon trees, on which they

build.

Corvus Cornix, Linn. \Procured January 13. Found in the sto-

mach grain, hair, bones, offal, &c. Arrives January 1 and: leaves

March 28. Common about the streams near town; when approached

it sometimes erects the feathers on the crown of the head: it: is by

no means shy. Only seen on clear sunny days.

Cuculus canorus, Linn. Procured April 22 and 30. Found in

the stomach insects. Iris yellow ; margin of eyelids bright sulphur-

yellow ; tip of the bill and greater part of the middle black, remainder

greenish ; margins of the gape and the root of the lower mandible

yellow ; legs bright yellow: the plumage of both sexes alike. No-

ticed from April 22 to May 17. Frequents burying-grounds, fields,

and the adjoining hills. Not numerous.

Yunx torquilla, Linn. Procured May 4. Found in the stomach

very small brown ants. Shot on atombstone. Solitary. Total length

7 inches.

Upupa Epops, Linn. Noticed from April 21 to September 17,

Most common during summer.

Columba Ainas, Linn. Food seeds. Common.

Perdix saxatilis, Meyer. Numerous at Tortoom. Sometimes

found here in the depth of winter, in burying-grounds and in the

ditches round the town: in summer it is said these birds inhabit the

neighbouring mountains.

Glareola limbata, Rupp. Procured May 5. Found in the sto.

mach small crickets. Total length 11 inches. Bill black, the mar-

gins of the gape being red ; legs dusky, with black claws, . Only seen

354 Zoological Society.

in May, when these birds were common in small flocks about the

moist turf near the river. Shy.

Nycticorax Europeus, Steph. Procured March 29. Shot at the

river, perched on a tree. Total length 24 inches. Iris bright scarlet.

Gallinula chloropus, Lath. Procured April 14. Found in the

stomach very small black seeds. Anterior half of the bill yellow,

with a greenish tinge ; the remainder, as also the plate on the fore-

head, bright red, inclining to scarlet ; iris bright red, with two very

narrow rings round the pupil, the inner one being dark yellow and

the outer one black; legs yellowish green, with a patch of bright

orange red above the knee-joint. Fell with a few others into the

yard of a house, where it was caught alive.

Totanus hypoleucos, Temm. Procured April 6 in a burying-

ground, near a pool of water. Another shot on the 19th, near a mill-

stream.

* Scolopax major,Gmel. Procured April 19. Total length 11°5

inches. Common in boggy grounds.

Charadrius minor, Meyer. Procured in March. Found in the

stomach insects. Only three seen.

Platalea leucorodia, Linn. Procured May 24. Found in the sto-

mach grass and feathers. Seen at the river, where it breeds: seve-

ral nests are placed near each other, about the middle of the river.

They are made of reeds, bound together by weeds, which are piled

up a few inches above the water's edge. Over this foundation dried

reeds are placed in various directions, to form the body of the nest,

which is not lined with anything, and is just large enough to allow

one bird to sit, and the other to stand beside it: we found four eggs

in each; they are white, spotted with brown. Turkish name, Cashik

Booroonoo (Spoon-bill), and Taktar Boornoo (Broad-bill).

Zapornia pusilla, Steph. Procured April 19. Bill green, with

the margins of the gape red. Boggy ground near the river. Another

shot May 5.

*Anas Boschas, Linn. Procured May 12. Very common at the

river: breeds here. The ducklings seen on the Ist of August 1838;

these birds arrived on the 5th of April. Early in spring a few were

seen in the fields near town; they afterwards feed in wet fields near

the river.

Dafila caudacuta, Leach. Procured April1. Found in the sto-

mach small seeds. Shot in a brook near the river. Total length

26 inches. Upper mandible bluish, with slate-coloured sides near

its base, and black culmen; under mandible brownish black ; legs

slaty colour, with the webs and claws dusky.

Zoological Society. | 355

Chaulelasmus strepera, G. R. Gray. Chauliodes strepera, Sw.

Procured March 28. Found in the stomach sand. In a wet field

near mill-streams, close to town. Iris hazel. Drake, total length

1945, inches. Maxilla black; mandibula dark brown; legs yellow,

with very dark brown webs and claws. Duck, total length 184%, in-

ches. Bill yellow, with a very dark brown ridge along the middle

of the maxilla; legs like those of the drake.

Rhynchapsis clypeata, Steph. Procured April 21. Crop filled

with worms, caterpillars, and a number of eggs of some insect or

fish ; gizzard contained small seeds and gravel. Total length 18°5

inches. Feet orange, with dusky webs and claws; maxilla of a dusky

greenish tinge; mandibula dirty orange brown. A few of these

birds seen together at the marsh.

*Querquedula circia, Steph. Procured April 15. Total length

15°5 inches. Iris hazel; bill dusky ; legs dusky gray ; claws and webs

dusky. A couple seen in a wet field near town.

*Podiceps cristatus, Lath. Procured May 24. Found in the sto-

mach grass, fish, and feathers. Iris bright cochineal colour, with a

narrow yellow ring round the margin of the pupil; bill greyish

dusky; legs outside dusky, inside yellowish gray, marked with

patches of dusky. The bill in some (especially the males) has a good

deal of red. The plumage of both sexes is alike. Frequents the

river. |

Podiceps rubricollis, Lath. Procured May 24. Found in the

stomach grass. At the river.

Podiceps auritus, Lath. Procured June 2. Found in the stomach

grass, with a few insects. Iris of a very bright golden scarlet ; mar-

gin of the eyelids orange ; bill black; legs dusky outside, grayish in-

_ side. Inhabits the river.

Larus argentatus? Brunn. Procured April 12. Found in the

stomach hair, clots of blood, chick peas, and a portion of a sheep’s

hoof. Iris hazel; margin of eyelids bright orange red ; bill orange,

marked with red, dusky near its tips, which have a horny appear-

ance; legs yellowish orange, the claws dusky. Arrives March 23.

At first frequents rills, at a short distance from the town, but after

the melting of the snow these birds are found at the river. They

are shy, and fly high.

*Larus ridibundus, Linn. Procured April 20. Found in the

stomach water-beetles. Iris hazel; bill of a deep lake-colour, with

the tip inclining to dusky ; margins of the eyelids bright red; legs

same colour as bill; the claws dusky. Total length 14°5 inches.

These birds are very common about the river, where they breed,

356 Botanical Society of London.

on small strips of land, just appearing above water, and surrounded

by sedges: the nests are placed in a row, mingled with those of other

birds, and are constructed of reeds externally, and weeds inside ; each

nest is three or four inches high, and contained on the first of June

one egg, of an olive-green colour, spotted irregularly with chocolate,

brown, and purple patches.

Sterna nigra, Linn. Procured May 24. Found in the stomach

beetles. Iris very dark brown, almost approaching to black. Com-

mon at the river, where these birds are seen in small companies.

* Sterna Hirundo, Linn. Procured May 24. Found in the sto-

mach fish. Iris hazel. Frequents the river: common. Breeds on

the slips of land that are laid bare by the diminishing of the waters

at the river: it makes no nest, but lays its eggs on the ground.

On the Crania and Dentition of Carnivora, by Mr. Waterhouse :

(see p. 25 of this volume.)

BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.

November 15.—John Reynolds, Esq., Treasurer, in the Chair.

Donations of British plants were announced from several members.

Mr. Daniel Cooper called the attention of the meeting to several

varieties of British plants which he had selected from the several

parcels sent in for distribution.

Mr. T. G. R. Rylands communicated notes on “Aspidium lobatum,

var. (3. Lonchitidoides.” Mr. R. having long doubted the perma-

nency of this ‘‘ variety,” but having had but few satisfactory oppor-

tunities of judging, came to no decision on the subject. On the 11th

of March, 1839, he met with a plant which he considers goes far to

prove that it is but casual, since from one root he gathered fronds

belonging to both a and (3, and of almost all the grades between;

the following may serve as characters of four of 3 fronds, speci-

mens of which were exhibited.

. Fronds distinctly bipinnate (var. a.). 2. Frond sub-bipinnate,

upper and lower primary pinnules distinct and auricled, pinnze more

or less pinnatifid. 3. Frond sub-bipinnate, upper primary pinnules

only distinct, pinne inciso-serrate. 4. Fronds almost simply pin-

nate, only one or two of the upper primary pinnules distinct and

scarcely auricled, and those at the bottom of the frond (var. {).

No. 1 Mr. R. considers in all respects lobatum verum, and No. 4 is

as far from it as he has ever seen one. He has since had the plant

in cultivation, and though small (owing to the confinement of the

Botanical Society of London. 357

roots) will, he thinks, produce fronds of both varieties this season.

A singular monstrous variety of Juncus, found in Faversham, Kent,

by Mr. Cowell, was exhibited. Specimens of Rhinanthus major from

near Hastings, Sussex, were exhibited by Mr. Ranking, who disco-

vered them in that locality. A small slender-stemmed and purple-

flowered variety of Huphrasia officinalis, (probably a new species,) dis-

covered by the Rev. A. Bloxam, in Seamor Moor, near Scarborough,

in 1838, was likewise exhibited. Mr. Daniel Cooper noticed a rare

variety of Burtsia Odontites, found by him near Papplewick, Not-

tinghamshire, in September 1839, and described only in the seventh

edition of Withering’s British Flora, vol. il. p. 727, and noticed

thus—‘ Barisia Odontites, var. 2. Flowers white, stem very pale

green, leaves without any tinge of red.”” The two following locali-

ties are there quoted, ‘‘ Gathered by Rev. — Bourne, on Northing-

ton Farm, Grimley, near Worcester.’”’ (Mr. Woodward also found

this variety growing near Diss, in Norfolk.—d.) From this it

would appear that the variety under consideration is by no means of

common occurrence. The following is the additional station as

given by Mr. Cooper: ‘‘ At the south-east corner of a small wood

called Jack-o-Sherwood, about half a mile from Papplewick, Not-

tinghamshire, in a marshy plot of ground, on the border of the small

river,” fully exposed to the rays of the sun. From the decided dif-

ferent character and appearance of this variety of so common a

British species, Mr. Cooper is inclined to consider it deserving a

place in the recent British Floras. In the recently published Flora

of the county, Dr. Howitt does not mention it, neither is it to be

found recorded in the recently published British Floras, with the

exception of that of Dr. Withering above-quoted,

November 29.—Anniversary Meeting. J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S.

President, in the Chair.

The Secretary read the Third Annual Report, from which it ap-

peared that donations of British plants had been received from the

Botanical Society of Edinburgh and forty-eight members. The

number of British specimens received amounted to 101 natural or-

ders, 491 genera, 1291 species, including 24,860 specimens, being

an increase in that of last year of 3 natural orders, 69 genera, 241

species, and 6268 specimens. As the British Phenogamous col-

lection is daily becoming more complete, and as the Council anticipate

shortly to have a perfect collection, the attention of the members is —

particularly solicited to the genera Rubus, Rosa, and Salix, as they

are anxious to complete those genera and render them of service to

358 Royal Irish Academy.

botanists for reference. The Society is much indebted to Mrs.

Riley of Papplewick, Notts, for a complete collection of British

Ferns, comprising all the genera, species, and varieties ; to the Rev.

W. T. Bree, for specimens of Aspidium rigidum, from the original

station at Ingleborough, Yorkshire ; and to Mr. J. Tatham, jun., of

Settle, Yorkshire, for numerous specimens of the same species, col-

lected by him on the hills in that vicinity. To the kindness of the

Rev. A. Bloxam, the Society is indebted for specimens of a plant new

to the British Flora, viz. Myriophyllum alterniflorum, discovered by

him at Twycross, Leicestershire, in June 1839; and to Dr. Mac-

reight, V.P., for additional specimens of Spartina alterniflora. ‘The

Council being desirous of forming an Herbarium of British Crypto-

gamic Plants, called the attention of the members to collecting the

several tribes. Donations of nearly 6000 Foreign Plants were an-

nounced.—March 25, 1840.

ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY,

A paper was read by Jonathan Osborne, M.D., on Aristotle’s Hi-

story of Animals.

Dr. Osborne commenced by observing, that this work was com-

posed under circumstances more favourable to the acquisition of na-

tural knowledge than any work on the subject ever published. Ac-

cording to Pliny, some thousands of men were placed at the disposal

of the author, throughout Greece and Asia,—comprising persons con-

nected with hunting and fishing, or who had the care of cattle, fish

ponds or apiaries,—in order that he might obtain information from

all these quarters, ne quid usquam gentium ignoraretur ab eo: and

according to Athenzeus, the same prince gave him, on account of the

expenses incurred in composing it, 800 talents,—a sum, which, taken

at the lowest, that is, the lesser Attic talent, amounts to above

79,000/. ‘The work, composed under such auspices, is such as might

have been expected. ‘The extent of the observations is prodigious ;

and we cannot read far in any part of it, without being constrained

to exclaim with Cicero, Quis omnium doctior, quis acutior, quis in re-

bus vel inveniendis vel judicandis acrior Aristotele ?

Shortly after the introduction of Greek literature to Europe, and

when this book was first printed, those sciences which have nature

for their object were in the lowest condition. There was at that

time no taste diffused for the study of zoology or comparative ana-

tomy ; and at later periods, when the value of these studies came to

be better appreciated, the Aristotelian philosophy had fallen into

Royal Irish Academy. 359

disuse. Thus this work has, from this combination of circumstances,

been passed over; is seldom quoted except at second-hand ; and no

edition of it distinct from the other works of the author, or illustrated

as the subject required, has appeared since that of Scaliger, pub-

lished in 1619,—except one, accompanied by a French translation

by Camus, in 1782, which is said to be incorrect, and is become

scarce.

Dr. Osborne proceeded to make a short analysis of the contents

of this work, and showed that Aristotle had anticipated Dr. Jenner’s

researches respecting the cuckoo, as also some discoveries with re-

spect to the incubated egg, which have been published within the

last year. His observations on fish and cetaceous animals are curious

in the extreme, as might be expected from the variety of these ani-

mals abounding in the Grecian seas. Those on insectsit is difficult

to appreciate, from uncertainty as to the names. He describes the

economy of bees, as we have it at present ; but mistakes the sex of the

queen. He holds the doctrine of spontaneous generation in those

cases in which he could not detect the ovary ; an inevitable conclu-

sion arising from the want of the microscope, to which, and the want

of knowledge of pneumatic chemistry, his principal errors are to be

referred. ‘The various organs are described as modified throughout

the different classes of animals (beginning with man, the BovAevrt-

Kov povoy), in nearly the same order as that afterwards adopted by

Cuvier. |

As specimens of the interesting matter treated of in the work,

Dr. Osborne selected the animal nature of sponges ; the ages of va-

rious animals; the movements of the nautilus; (the same doubt ex-

isting in the author’s mind as to the origin of the shell, which has

divided the opinions of Messrs. Blainville, Owen, Gray, and Mad.

Power, within the last year ;) the localities of animals, as affording

data for ascertaining the rate at which they have extended them-

selves over the globe; particulars relating to artificial incubation as

practised in Egypt; the management of cattle; a mode of fattening

hogs with rapidity, by commencing with a fast of three days; the

mohair goat located in Cilicia, as at present; hybernation and mi-

grations of various animals and fish; description of the fisher-fish

(Lophius piscatorius) and of the torpedo, with the proof that they

catch their prey in the extraordinary manner described ; many inge-

nious modes of taking the partridge, and of fishing detailed; the friend-

ships which have been perpetuated between different classes of ani-

mals,—as the trochilus and the crocodile, the Pinna muricata and

the Cancer pinnotheres, the crow and the heron; their animosities,

360 Orkney Natural History Society.

as between the crow and ow] ; the diseases of animals traced through-

out the series, extending even to fish; hydrophobia described

as being communicated by the bite of the rabid dog to. all animals

except man, which appears to be the correct statement with respect

to hot climates, and not (as has been represented by some modern

travellers) an entire absence of the disease.

These detached specimens of the contents of this work furnish,

however, a very inadequate idea of its real value. There are in it

whole sections, the separate sentences of which would furnish texts

for as many Bridgewater Treatises. The freshness and originality

of the observations, taken from nature herself, and not made up from

quotations of preceding writers; the extent of the views, not bounded

by any necessity for complying with preconceived or prevalent no-

tions, but capacious as the author’s mind. itself, and frequently lead-

ing the reader into the most interesting under-currents of thought

branching off from the great fountain ; these are all merits belonging

to the work, but not constituting its chief value,—which is, that it

is a collection of facts, observed under peculiar advantages, such as

have never since occurred, and that it is at the present day to be con-

sulted for new discoveries.

Now that Greece is, for the first time since the revival of letters,

in possession of a government capable of appreciating scientific in-

vestigations, a favourable opportunity offers for preparing an edition

of the work, at once worthy of the age in which it was composed,

and of that in which we live ; and perhaps some individual may be

found, possessing a competent knowledge of the Greek language,

and of zoology and comparative anatomy, who, after a sufficient ex-

amination of the animals now in Greece, shall undertake the task of

editing and illustrating this great work. Such a performance, pro-

perly executed, would be the resuscitation of a body of knowledge

which has lain buried for above 2000 years ; and would certainly be

no less acceptable to zoologists and anatomists than to the cultiva-

tors of classical learning.

ORKNEY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

We are glad to see, by the Second Report, which has just reached

us, that this Society is proceeding vigorously and successfully in the

promotion of those objects for which it was instituted (see page 137

of our present volume), and that several of the more influential gen-

tlemen who are connected with those northern regions have given

it their support. We feel confident that it cannot but succeed in —

Miscellaneous. 361

greatly promoting the advancement in civilization of the inhabitants

of those islands to which its energies are mvre peculiarly applied.

“We are informed by the Secretary, the Rev. W. Stobbs, that speci-

mens illustrative of natural history from the southern parts of the

kingdom will be peculiarly acceptable to the Society, and as we feel

confident that many of our readers will have much pleasure in ad-

vancing this promising institution, we think that we cannot do bet-

ter than refer them to the Secretary, whose residence is at Strom-

ness, Orkney.

MISCELLANEOUS.

PRIZE QUESTION.

To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History.

GENTLEMEN,—Having met with the following announcement in

the ‘ Repertorium der gesammten Deutschen Literatur,’ No. XVII.

September Heft, 1840, and thinking it might be interesting to some

of your readers, I have transmitted it for publication in the Annals.

“ The Royal Academy of Berlin wishes that experiments be in-

stituted for the purpose of ascertaining, if only in one plant, in what

the physical and chemical effects of the mineral constituents and

salts which plants derive from the earth during the process of deve-

lopment consist. The inquiry to be conducted with a special regard

both to the substances formed by the decaying parts of the plant and

to those excreted by the roots; the object of the whole being to

elucidate the question of the conversion of the constituents of the

soil, as clay, gypsum, &c., into the structure of the plant.”” A prize of

300 Thalers (45/.) will be awarded to the best paper on this subject

which may be written in the German, French, or Latin languages,

and must be sent in before the 31st of March 1841. The awarding

of the prize to be made in July. Each paper must be accompanied

by a motto upon a sealed envelope bearing the writer’s name.

I am, Gentlemen, your obedient Servant,

Epwin LanxeEster, M.D.

Campsall, Feb. 27, 1840.

BOTTLE-NOSED WHALE.

The following detailed account of one of the Hyperoodons noticed

in the Annals for February last, has been communicated to me by

Mr. Henry Johnson, Royal Institution, Liverpool.— Wn. THompson.

Belfast, May 4, 1840.

“I beg leave to say that, in your paper published in the Annals

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.5. No. 32. July 1840. 2c

362 Miscellaneous.

of Nat. Hist. for February last, p. 379, you are right in supposimg

it to have been the Bottle-nosed Whale that was taken near Liver-

pool. It was exhibited on the Cheshire coast, opposite Liverpool :

I went and saw it. It measured 25 feet long and 13 feet in girth ;

from the point of the nose to the pectoral fin 6 feet, pectoral fin 2

feet 5 inches, from the point of the nose to the eye 3 feet 9 inches.

From the origin of the dorsal fin to the end of the tail 9 feet ; width

of tail 6 feet, dorsal fin 20 inches; from the eye to the gape 21

inches. It was caught at East Hoylake in four feet water, and

when first seen was throwing the water from the blow-hole two

roods high. ‘The fishermen attempted to stick grappling irons into

its sides, but they slid off; and when its assailants were about to

give up the chase, (by this time the tide was making fast, and the

whale was exerting itself to get away,) one of the prongs of the

grappling irons slid along, and by chance caught in the blow-hole,

after which it blew no more water and died almost instantly without

a struggle. After being shown opposite Liverpool for a few days,

it was taken back to, Hoylake, cut up, and boiled for oil. Its

stomach contained an immense quantity of cuttle-fish beaks, in fact

there was nothing else in it. There were two teeth in the lower

jaw, very conical in form, and very sharp-pointed. The part which

was above the socket resembles a cock’s spur, but the lower half is

suddenly swelled out and hollow. ‘They measure | inch 8 lines in

length ; no part of them was observable above the gum, and it was

not till I cut for them that Isaw them. The bones were purchased

by the Committee of the Royal Institution, and I intend having

them put up this summer.—Henry Jounson, Royal Institution.

Liverpool, April 25, 1840.” :

REMARKABLE CHANGE OF HABIT IN THE HARE,

My pear Lorp,—I send you the story of the Hares I told at

Florence-court ; Major Bingham is the proprietor alluded to, and my

father related the story in a Lecture for the Zoological Society ‘ On

the Instinct of Animals.’

Most truly yours,

To the Earl of Enniskillen. S. G. Orway.

April 22, 1840.

‘“‘ A considerable landed proprietor has a large tract of sand hills

within the Mullet, which tract (open as it is to all the Atlantic

storms) has been found to have been greatly impaired by the intro-

duction of rabbits, who by their burrowing and disturbing the bent

;

Miscellaneous. 363

grass gave facilities to the wind to operate, and so the sand hills

were, year after year, changing their position, encroaching on the

cultivated ground. To remedy this, he determined to destroy the

rabbits, and in their place introduced hares, which he knew, or thought

he knew, would not burrew : but here he was mistaken ; for the ani-

mai soon found that it must leave the district or change its habit ; for

if on a winter night it attempted to sit in its accustomed form, it

would find itself buried perhaps twenty feet in the morning under

the blowing sand, as under a snow rath. Accordingly the Hares have

burrowed ; they chase out a thin and high sand hill, which stands

somewhat like a solidified wave of the sea. Through this Puss per-

forates a horizontal hole from east to west, with a double opening;

and seating herself at the mouth of the windward orifice, she there

awaits the storm; and as fast as her hill wastes away, she draws

back, ready at all times to make a start in case the storm rise so as

to carry off the hill altogether.”

NOTE ON ANIMALCULES. BY E. FORBES, ESQ.

‘Two vessels of sea-water, the one containing a sea urchin, the

other a portion of Spongia papillosa, were suffered to remain un-

changed until the animals died. That containing the Echinus was

placed im a dark place, that containing the sponge in a window ex-

posed to the sunlight. In about ten days’ time the latter became of

a beautiful green colour, while the former remained transparent

though a thick scum gathered on the surface. ‘The water of each

was then submitted to the microscope, and both were found to abound

in animalcules. The green colour of the sponge water was found to

be derived from innumerable animals of the genus Volvozx, among

which were seen minute worm-like animalcules and other smaller

forms. The urchin water contained no Volvox, but abounded in large

Polygastrica which darted about with great rapidity.

Wishing to examine the structure of these creatures, I adopted

the following plan, which seems to me much superior to the

usual method; namely, isolating one specimen to a drop of the sea-

water containing the animalcules, I added an equal quantity of

fresh water. The effect was instantaneous; the rapid motions of the

little creatures were suddenly arrested ; they were paralysed, but net

killed, and their internal structure was beautifully displayed. They

were as voracious as ever, for on mixing some carmine with the

water, in half an hour’s time their (so-called) stomachs were coloured

with the pigment they had devoured. It was a very curious sight

2c2

364 Miscellaneous.

to see a herd of Polygastrica eating up the carmine, poking about the

colouring matter with their pouted-out mouths like so many pigs.

In the vessel containing the Volvow there grew up some fuci of a

green colour, which attained a length of an inch and a half in a few

days. They sprung from the side of the vessel furthest from the

light, while the Volvox congregated to the side nearest the light.

Whatever I have seen of the structure of the Polygastrica would

lead me to adopt the views of M. Dujardin and Professor Rymer

Jones in preference to those of Professor Ehrenberg.—Epwarp

Forbes, May, 1840.

NOTES ON IRISH BIRDS.

Great SpotTreD WoopreEckER. Picus major, Linn.—On November

13, 1839, one of these birds (which are of very rare occurrence in Ire-

land) was shot at Castlereagh, near Belfast, by Mr. Greenfield, who

remarks that it was ‘‘ very tame,” and when fired at was engaged in

pecking into a dead tree ; it seemed to be unaccompanied by any of

its species. It is a male bird, but not in adult plumage; and has

been presented by the gentleman just named to the Belfast Museum.

Avocet. Recurvirostra Avocetta, Linn.—The only allusion to the

occurrence of this bird in Ireland that I am aware of is in Rutty’s

Natural History of the County of Dublin, in which work a specimen

shot in Dublin Bay is particularly noticed. B.S. Ball, Esq., late of

Youghal, informed me some time since, when looking over conti-

nental specimens of this bird along with him, that many years ago

he shot an individual of the same species near that town.

Sapine’s Snipr. Scolopar Sabini, Vigors.—About March 13,

1838, one of these rare birds was shot near Kinnegad, Westmeath,

and at once brought to Dublin*. In the ensuing month of May I

saw the specimen in the possession of Mr. Glennon, the well-known

bird, &c. preserver in that city. Its measurements were

inch. lin

Length (total) .......... patmwnat cone euenees 1] 3

po OF PUMCAWOVE. corte ccceke eee ce eeeees 2 7

Of TAESUS. Foc ceerreccesesva ay Awa aiaee ] 3s

of middle toe and nail.......... Send aa 4

of wing from carpus ........seeeeee 4) a

In plumage it was quite similar to the individuals hitherto described.

Mr. W. 8S. Wall, a Dublin bird-preserver, who saw this specimen,

then assured me that about nine years before a similar bird was, on

* It was noticed by Dr. Gilgeous before the Natural History of Dublin on

the 20th of April.

Miscellaneous. 365

account of its remarkable appearance, sent him to be preserved by

the Rev. Sir Harcourt Lees, Bart.,; under the name of ‘‘ black snipe.”

It was shot in this country and quite fresh when received by Wall.

When set up it was presented by Sir H. Lees to the Museum of the

Royal Dublin Society, but within a few years was attacked by

moths and destroyed. With reference to the species of the bird in

question, I have every reliance on the discrimination of my inform-

ant. )

Erper Duck. Somateria mollissima, Leach.—A few specimens of

this bird purchased in different years in the Dublin market have been

preserved by Mr. Glennon, and one individual has in a recent state

been seen here by R. Ball, Esq., but I have been unable to ascertain

with certainty whether they were obtained on the Irish coast, al-

though in all probability they were so. The following note, which

is satisfactory on this point, was kindly communicated to me by Dr.

Farran of Dublin, on May 25, 1840 :—*‘ On Saturday last I received

a fine specimen of the male Eider alive from Mr. John King, Bre-

more, Balbriggan; he saw it struggling to get up the rocks, and, at-

tracted by its size and unusual plumage, got a boat and secured it :

a severe injury which it had received in one of the thighs most

likely prevented its rising.” —W. Tuompson, Belfast, June 1840.

NEW SPECIES OF AGRILUS,

The Rev. William Little has during the last summer (1839), among

several other rare insects, discovered a species of Agrilus which ap-

peared undescribed; and upon being submitted to the examination of

Mr. Shuckard for the use of his work on the British Coleoptera, that

entomologist considered it entirely new to science, and dedicated it

to its discoverer. This insect was found in the vicinity of Rae Hills in

Annandale, Dumfries-shire, during the month of June, on a willow

(S. auriculata?), confined to a locality not exceeding six yards in

extent; about twenty specimens were captured.

The following are the characters and description from p. 244 of

Shuckard’s ‘ Elements of British Entomology.’

Acritus Lirtii, Shuck.

Granuloso-punctatus, capite thorace et corpore subtus cupreis ; elytris vi-

ridibus. Length 4 lines.

Rather finely granulated ; head, thorax, the underside of the body, antenne,

and legs of a coppery-red. Thorax undulated posteriorly, having a deep

sinus opposite the centre of each elytron, another central one opposite

the scutellum, and a deep central fossulet in front of the latter; the

sides slightly rounded, depressed and margined, and with a small ab-

breviated carina just within each of its posterior angles.

366 Miscellaneous.

Elytra of a brilliant golden green, as wide as the thorax in front, and slightly

attenuated at the apex, where each is rounded and the edge furnished

with minute denticulations.

I have dedicated this species to the Rev. W. Little, as a small

testimonial of the extensive services he has rendered to British En-

tomology in exploring its productions in the northern parts of the

island.

‘ Mr. Stephens, upon the faith of a casual glimpse of this insect,

says in the Appendix to his ‘ Manual,’ that this species greatly re-

sembles the A. mendax of Dejean, described by Mannerheim, ‘ Bullet.

des Natural. de Moscou,’ 1837, No. viii. p. 111; by a comparison of

the two descriptions, it will however be found that two insects, in

the same genus, could not well differ more, their only points of re-

semblance being the small carine at the base of the thorax. The

A. mendaz is also one and a half line longer, a great difference in

small insects.

ON MR. GRAY’S EDITION OF TURTON’S MANUAL.

Notice respecting the new edition of ‘ Turton’s Manual of the Land-

and Fresh-water Shells of the British Islands, thoroughly revised

and much enlarged, by John Edward Gray, Esq., F.R.S. &c. By

the Rev. William Hincks, F.L.S.

Though far from being all that might be desired, Dr. Turton’s

Manual has been found a convenient and useful book by those inter-

ested in the study of the British land and fresh-water molluscous

animals; and though some may wish that Mr. Gray had rather been

induced to publish an original work on the subject, his improvements

in this edition give it a greatly increased value, and will be grate-

fully received by the lovers of this pleasing and generally accessible

branch of Natural History.

But there is one part of Mr. Gray’s plan, which he deserves our

thanks for introducing at all, which he was obliged to execute, as he

himself informs us, from such very imperfect materials, that the

benefit we derive from what he has attempted will consist rather in

the quantity of information that he will cause to be collected, than

in any great reliance that can be placed on what he has now given.

I refer to that part of his introduction which relates to the geo-

graphical distribution of the land and fresh-water mollusca in Great

Britain. His materials are no doubt good as proofs of the presence

of certain species in certain districts, but they are too imperfect to

allow of any safe negative conclusions.

From no disposition to depreciate his admirable work, but for the

assistance of those who use it, I here note down a few facts which

have fallen under my own notice in contradiction to his statements,

Meteorological Observations. 367

but justifying his own remark,——“ It is probable that many of the

species here indicated may have a much more extended range.”

Species, according to Mr. Gray’s Table, confined to the southern

half of the kingdom, all of which I have found at York, during

my residence there :—

Paludina vivipara.

achatina, near Doncaster.

Bithinia ventricosa.

Neretina fluviatilis. Dorsetshire is mentioned, on Montagu’s au-

thority, as the western limit of this shell, but I have taken it

in the river Exe, and known it to be found in the south of

Ireland.

Planorbis corneus.

Cyclas rivicola, mentioned as almost confined to the Thames, but I

have taken it abundantly at York, and I have it also from Lan-

cashire.

Unio tumidus, near York.

Species enumerated as being only observed in the north, but also

found to my knowledge in the south :—

Helix lamellata, abundant near Cork.

Zonites purus, near Cork.

excavatus, near Cork.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR MAY, 1840.

Chiswick.—May 1. Slight haze: fine. 2—4. Hot and dry with easterly wind.

5. Overcast. 6,7. Slight haze. 8, Heavy showers: fine. 9, Rain with sultry

intervals. 10. Cloudy: sultry. 11. Drizzly. 12. Overcast. 13. Rain: sultry.

14. Cloudy and fine. 15. Heavy rain with thunder. 16. Cloudy: showery :

hail shower at 123 p.m. 17. Rain. 18. Cloudy and fine: rain. | 19, 20, Cloudy

and cold. 21. Clear and cold. 22. Overcast. 23. Clear and fine. 24. Over-

cast: rain. 25. Cloudy. 26. Rain. 27—30. Very fine. 31. Hot and dry:

cloudless,

Boston.—May 1. Cloudy. 2—4. Fine. 5,6. Cloudy. 7,8. Cloudy: rain

early a.m.: raine.m. 9. Rain: rainearly a.m. 10. Cloudy: rain early a.m.

11. Rain: rain early am. 12, Cloudy: rainearly a.m. 13. Rain. 14. Cloudy:

rain with thunder and lightning p.m. 15. Rain. 16,17. Cloudy: rain a.m.

and p.m. 18,19. Cloudy. 20, Cloudy: rainr.m. 21, 22. Stormy. 23, 24.

Cloudy. 25. Stormy: raina.m. 26. Rain: raina.m. 27, Cloudy. 28. Fine.

29, Stormy. 30, 31. Fine.

Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire.—May 1, 2. Beautiful day. 3. The same:

Thermometer in shade 75°. 4, Very dry and warm till p.m. 5. Very droughty.

6. The same increased: cloudy. 7. Slight showers all day. 8. The same a.m.:

cleared up. 9. Slight showers early a.m. 10. The same: thunder p.m. 11.

Rain heavier. 12. Rainnearlyall day. 13. Fair. 14. Showery p.m. : thunder.

15. Occasional showers: thunder. 16. Rain preceding night: clear day. 17,

Rain in the night: fair. 18. Fresh andcool. 19. Dry and rather boisterous.

20. Dry and more moderate. 21. Very droughty: clear sky. 22. Calm and

warm, 23. Showery: high wind. 24. Showery. 25. Showery, and very high

wind, 26. Fresh and showery. 27. Fine a.M.: wete.m. 28. Very wet till

pM. 29, 30, Fine growing day, 31. Variable: bright at midday : wet evening.

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ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY.

XLIII.—Remarks on Du Petit Thouars’s Theory of the Origin

of Wood. By Enwin LanxesterR, M.D., F.L.S, &c.*

THE origin of wood has long been a question of difference

amongst botanists, and although the increasing attention paid

to botany has rendered this subject much more intelligible,

yet at the present time the most eminent men are divided

upon the subject. In entering upon this question, it will

perhaps be better to refer to the generally received views of

botanists upon the formation of the tissues of plants, as upon

these views the whole matter depends; and in these obser-

vations I shall refer to the last edition of Dr. Lindley’s ‘ In-

troduction to Botany.’ Adopting the classification of Meyen,

Dr. Lindley divides the primary tissues of plants into five, viz.

1. Cellular Tissue (Parenchyma) ; 2. Pitted Tissue (Bothren-

chyma) ; 3. Woody Tissue (Pleurenchyma); 4. Vascular Tis-

sue (Trachenchyma) ; and 5. Laticiferous Tissue (Cinenchyma).

These tissues are all of them composed of two primary ele-

ments, membrane and fibre, and the formation of the latter

can be traced to an organic mucus (vegetable gelatin of

Schleiden), supposed to be universally present in or between

the cells of growing tissuet. “ However different,” observes

Dr. Lindley, “these tissues may be from each other, in sta-

tion, function, or appearance, there is no doubt that all are in

reality modifications of one common type, the simple cell;”

and the observations of Mirbel on the development of Mar-

chantia seem to confirm such a view. Thus while the tissues

* Read in the Natural History Section of the Meeting of the British As-

sociation, Birmingham, 1839, and communicated by the Author.

+ See Schleiden’s Beitrage zur Phytogenesis in Miiller’s Archiv, No. 2,

1838, of which an admirable translation appeared in Part VI. of Taylor’s

Scientific Memoirs ; also Lindley’s Introduction to Botany, 3rd edition, p. 2 ;

and Meyen’s Neues System der Pflanzen-Physiologie, 1 Band.

Ann. Nai. Rist. Vol.5. No.33. Aug. 1840. 2D

370 = Dr. Lankester’s Remarks on Du Petit Thouars’s

are separated from each other for practical purposes, there

can be little doubt as to their common origin.

But whilst botanists have admitted that the tissues are thus

developed from a common form, there is still considerable dif-

ference among them as to the precise manner in which this is

accomplished. ‘This remark applies especially to the forma-

tion of the woody tissue, and the varied opinions of botanists

on this subject have given rise to the interminable discussions

on the origin of wood. Although much has been written on

this subject, the whole question may be summed up in the

words of DeCandolle, “ Either there descend from the top of

a tree the rudiments of fibres which are nourished and deve-

loped by the juices springing laterally from the body of wood

and bark; or new layers are developed by preexisting layers

which are nourished by the descending juices formed in the

leaves.” The latter is the view adopted by DeCandolle, whilst

the former originated with Du Petit Thouars, and these views

are respectively advocated by Professors Henslow and Lindley

in their works in this country.

In order to give a clear view of opinions on this subject I

extract the following passages from Dr. Lindley’s work. After

referring to some experiments of Knight, he says, “An in-

ference is drawn that the wood is not formed out of the bark

asa mere deposit from it, but that it is produced from matter

elaborated in the leaves and sent downwards, either through

the vessels of the inner bark along with the matter for form-

ing the liber by which it is subsequently parted with ; or that

it and the liber are transmitted distinct from one another, the

one adhering to the alburnum, the other to the bark. I know

of no proof of the former supposition; of the latter there is

every reason to believe the truth.”

In giving the views of Du Petit Thouars, he uses the follow-

ing passage: “ It is not merely in the property of increasing

the species that buds agree with seeds, but that they emit roots

in like manner ; and that the wood and liber are both formed

by the downward descent of bud-roots, at first nourished by

the moisture of the cambium, and finally imbedded in the

cellular tissue, which is the result of the organization of that

secretion”. From these passages I think we must infer that

ee ae eh ae

Theory of the Origin of Wood. 371

these observers suppose that woody fibre is not formed but

by the aid of buds or leaves. Here then occurs the question

as to what is woody fibre. And can any essential difference

be pointed out between it and the cellular tissue in which it

is imbedded? The most prominent features of woody tissue

are its length, and the hardened secretions which are deposited

in its interior. But these are not positive differences, as cel-

lular tissue, as it is called, is frequently found elongated as in

_the tissue called “ pitted” or Bothrenchyma; whilst on the

other hand we frequently find it in a state as hard as that of

the most hardened woody tissue, as in the endocarp of many

fruits. If then the term wood in these passages is intended

to apply to all hardened lengthened tissue, we ought to be

able to trace its origin to leaves or buds wherever it is found.

But in many instances we have lengthened and hardened tis-

sue, or both combined, in cryptogamic plants, which develope

no buds or leaves, as in some species of fungi belonging to the

genera Thelephora, Boletus, &c.

There are also many parts of phanerogamous plants which

possess hardened and lengthened tissue, which do not appear

to come under the descending influence of the fibres from

leaves or buds, such as the endocarps of amygdalaceous fruits,

and the pericarps of a great variety of other fruits. The pe-

duncles or flowerstalks in many plants possess woody tissue,

but have no leaves, as also the stems of many endogenous

plants which have no regular leaves.

Among the stems of exogens and endogens we shall find

that there are many instances in which wood is formed with-

out leaves. I have examined the stems of leafless monotropas,

and find they possess woody tissue. In the stems also of leaf-

less Cactacee woody tissue is deposited in abundance. If we

examine also trees that have been wounded, we shall find that

the lower lips of the wound have been filled up with woody

tissue, and in such a manner as not to be explained upon the

supposition that the wood at this point has been formed by

the descent of fibres that had been formed and sent down

from the leaves.

Another point to which I would wish to direct attention is

the formation of woody fibres in tissue formed after trees have

2p2

872 Dr. Lankester’s Remarks on Du Petit Thouars’s

been cut down. During the early part of this summer I found

upon the stems of several elm trees that had been cut down a

development of hard new matter between the bark and the

wood of the tree: on submitting portions of this secreted mat-

ter to the microscope, I saw distinctly delicate fibres running

in the direction of the fibres of the bark and wood. On the

stumps of the trees on which this matter was found there were

no branches or buds; and as the stems had been removed the

preceding year, these fibres must have been formed inde-

pendent of either buds or leaves.

In order to satisfy myself of the correctness of these obser-

vations on the exudation of wood from the stumps of trees, in

the latter end of the month of March of this year, I cut away

an entire ring of bark about an inch in length from the

branches of several young beeches. At this time the sap was

rising and the bark was easily removed from the alburnum on

which it lay. On the 6th of this month (Aug. 1839) I removed

some of these branches, which presented the following appear-

ances. The lips of the wound both above and below presented

a hardened exudation, which on being cut into was softer than

the surrounding tissues. This exudation was most abundant on

the upper lip of the wound. On removing the bark from

around the edges of the denuded surface a portion of the ex-

uded matter came away with the bark, whilst another portion

was left in connection witha layer of alburnum that had been

formed subsequently to the removal of the bark of the trees.

The section of the bark on the upper edges of the wound pre-

sented the same appearances, but the layer of alburnum was

thicker. On examining the exuded matter by the microscope

the external portions consisted of cellular tissue, but it was

distinctly fibrous where it united with the wood of the liber

and the alburnum. From these experiments it will be seen

that woody tissue as it existed in the exuded matter from the

lower edge of the cut, and in the alburnum under the bark at

the same point, must have been formed independent of the

descent of any fibrous matter between the bark and alburnum

from the leaves on the tree above the wounded part.

The last occurrence which I shall mention in the organiza-

tion of vegetables, which appears to offer an argument against

Theory of the Origin of Wood. 373

‘the views of Du Petit Thouars, is the existence of woody ex-

crescences in the bark of trees. They present themselves most

frequently on the beech in the form of a nodule projecting

from the bark of the trunk of the tree. On examining them

it will be found that they have no connexion with the wood of

the tree, and consist of several layers of contorted woody tis-

sue enveloped in a bark of their own, consisting of liber and

cellular integument. They are of all sizes, from those com-

mencing existence not bigger than a pin’s head, to some that

attain the size of an orange. The smallest appear to consist of

nothing but cellular tissue ; but as they increase in size a little

spot can be seen in the centre, which appears to be the com-

mencement of the formation of woody tissue. As they increase

an obvious separation takes place into a central nucleus of

woody tissue, and an enveloping integument consisting of

woody and cellular tissue. In the spring, when the cambium

is found to exist between the bark and wood of the tree, it is

found in these excrescences; the nucleus of wood is then

easily removed from its bark, and frequently falls out when

the bark is broken. On some of them, and especially the

smaller ones, buds are observed at the beginning of the year,

but these seldom produce leaves. They are more abundant

on the beech than any other tree, but are frequently met with

on the elm, oak, walnut, crab, sycamore, &c. On cutting into

the nucleus several layers of wood can be distinguished, which

by maceration can be separated from each, indicating un-

doubtedly their yearly growth.

Sometimes a large number of these nodules are developed

together, forming one large knob: this occurs particularly in

the elm and acacia, the wood of the latter of which is fre-

quently used for ornamental cabinet-making, on account of

the beautiful markings which the central points and the con-

centric lamellz of the nodules afford. These large knobs sel-

dom develope branches, and although in these cases they lie in

contact with the wood of the trunk of the tree, yet a distinct

separation can be observed between the wood of the knobs and

the wood of the tree. This separation is so evident in many

cases, that it is obvious the wood of the knobs had not a com-

mon origin with the wood of the trunk. The bark of the

knobs and the trunk are continuous.

374 Dr. Lankester on the Origin of Wood.

Since the greater part of these observations were made, the

third edition of Dr. Lindley’s ‘ Introduction to Botany’ has

appeared, in which I find he has noticed these formations

under the name of embryo-buds*, a name given to them by

Dutrochet. In his remarks, Dr. Lindley observes, that he can-

not reconcile the statements of Dutrochet, that they secrete an

independent cambium, and are “certainement” connected with

the wood of the tree. I have not seen Dutrochet’s notice of

these bodies, but I can so far confirm his remarks, as to say,

that in most which I have examined there is a secretion inde-

pendent of the wood of the trunk, and that in others there is a

connexion, or rather a conjunction with the wood of the trunk.

This latter occurrence takes place occasionally where the buds

have been developed into branches, which is very seldom.

The existence and growth of these bodies cannot be easily

explained on the theory of Du Petit Thouars, and Dr. Lind-

ley admits them to be one of the greatest objections.

The only explanation that I can imagine the advocates of

this theory could offer, would be that the wood in the knobs

is formed by leaves which are occasionally developed, and

not every year with the leaves of the branches. To this I

would answer, that although I examined hundreds of these

knobs during the spring and summer of 1838, I never found

any leaves upon them; and it was only by amuch more exten-

sive examination this year, that I found five or six knobs with

leaves upon them.

The preceding observations have been made in the hope

that they might not prove uninteresting to those engaged in

botanical inquiries, and especially as the facts related have led

me to doubt the correctness of that theory which at one time

IT considered as firmly established.

Campsall, near Doncaster, Aug. 1839.

Nore.—Since the foregoing remarks were written some

valuable contributions to this department of inquiry by Dr.

Schleiden of Berlin have been published in the ‘ Annals of

Natural History,’ and other publications in this country. His

paper on the Anatomico-Physiological Differences in the

Structure of Stems, in the December Number of this Journal,

* From a further examination [ think a more appropriate designation for

these bodies would be abortive branches.

Mr. Babington on the Teucrium regium of Schreber. 375

points out the unsatisfactory nature of the present views of

botanists on this subject, and will, it is to be hoped, open the

way for further investigations on a very important branch of

inquiry. From Dr. Schleiden’s “ Contributions to Phytoge-

nesis” I am happy to make the following quotation in support

of the views I have advanced. “The spiral vessels,” he says, and

the same remark would apply to woody fibre, “begin to be

visible in the newly formed parts, and also in the entire bud,

always in the immediate vicinity of old already formed spiral

vessels, and they proceed in this manner away from the stem

into the new parts. I do not understand therefore what is

meant when the fibres of the stem are regarded as proceeding

from the buds; one might just as well consider the river as

running from the ocean to its source.” (Taylor’s Scientific Me-

moirs, vol. ii. p. 303.) I have also lately received Meyen’s

Neues System der Pflanzen-Physiologie, and to those who are

interested in this subject, I would recommend the observations

made by that able and laborious botanist ‘on the formation

of the new wood and bark,’ in the first volume of the work.

“The Theory” (of Du Petit Thouars), observes Meyen, “on

the formation of the new wood is truly very intellectual, and

although many have given their word for its correctness, it is

yet nothing more than a pretty picture with many defects.”

XLIV.—On the Teucrium regium of Schreber. By CHARLES

C. Basineton, Esq., M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S., &c.

Tue determination of a doubtful species must always be a

subject of great satisfaction to botanists, and I am therefore

much pleased that it has fallen into my power to do a little

towards the elucidation of a plant considered as a “ species

dubia.” The plant to which I refer is the Teucriwm regium

of Schreber, which is stated by that author to be a native of

Spain, and, by Morison, of Italy ; but of which Mr. Bentham

(Labiatze, p. 683) appears not to have seen a specimen. A

plant bearing that name has been in my possession for several

years, having been gathered by M. Fleischer for the Unio

Itineraria “in fruticetis Smyrnez;” and upon comparing it

376 Mr. Babington on the Teucrium regium of Schreber.

with the description by Schreber, I find it to agree perfectly,

and have therefore no doubt of its being the plant intended

by that author.

Within the last year my friend the Rey. C. A. Stevens for-

warded to me for examination a specimen of Teucrium which

he was unable to refer to any species with which he was ac-

quainted ; and upon its examination I came to the conclusion

that it was a truly distinct species, and, as I believed, quite

undescribed; but upon comparing it with the Smyrna speci-

men of T. regium, which I had previously overlooked, I found

that they exactly corresponded, and in short that Mr. Stevens’s

plant was certainly 7. regiwm.

This latter specimen was gathered in Aug. 1836, “on the

south-west declivity of the Blohrenge, at about two miles from

Abergavenny, Monmouthshire,” by Mr. E. Y. Steele, and so,

being a native of England, it becomes even of more interest

than if it had been only a “ species dubia.”

T have now the pleasure of giving a specific character and

description of the plant, together with drawings of the differ-

ent parts requisite for its elucidation.

T. regium (Schreb.). Suffruticosum ; ramis subsimplicibus pube-

scentibus, foliis ovatis basi cuneatis irregulariter crenatis pube-

scentibus subtus tomentosis, floralibus minoribus ovato-rhom-

boideis acutis subintegris, verticillastris 1—6 floris superioribus

contiguis racemosis, calycibus villosis, corollis barbatis.

T. regium purpureum, Moris. hort. bles. 311.

T. lucidum parvo folio, flore venuste purpureo.

Pluk. alm, p. 368. t. 65. f.1. Moris. hist. 3. p. 422. n. 5.

T. regium, Schreb. Unilab. 35. Benth, Lab. 683.

Stem diffuse with long simple branches, hairy with deflexed

hairs, square, internodes about 13 inch long. Leaves ovate

with a wedge-shaped base, the upper half having a few large

and deep crenatures, not inciso-crenate as in T. chamedrys,

shortly stalked, finely downy above, pubescent beneath ; the

floral leaves between ovate and rhomboid, nearly entire, or

with a few, one or two, small teeth above their middle, some-

times slightly coloured, all of the same form, and not gradually

changing into the ordinary leaves at the lower part of spike

as is the case in 7. chamedrys. Flowers from one to five in

—_- —=

Dr. Miram on the Vitality of Intestinal Worms. 377

each verticillastrum, rather larger than those of 7. chamedrys,

shortly stalked ; calyx between tubular and bell-shaped, about

as long as the floral leaves, the teeth lanceolate, nearly equal,

slightly spreading, slightly tinged with purple ; corolla yellow

with a darker reddish tip, bearded below, and with a broad

Teucrium regium.

band of hairs pointing downwards on the under side within

the tube.

This plant is distinguished from T. chamedrys by the di-

stinct line of separation between the floral and other leaves,

the rhomboidal form of the former, and by the latter being

ovate-crenate, not ovate-oblong and incised, the much longer

internodes, and nearly simple branches.

Hab. Spain, Schreber ; Italy, Morison; Smyrna, Fleischer; near

Abergavenny, England, Mr. E. Y. Steele.

St. John’s College, Cambridge, June 6, 1840.

EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES.

a. Represents a lower leaf.

b. Floral leaves and verticillastrum.

c. A flower.

d. A flower expanded so as to show the form and interior.

XLV.—On the Strength of the Vital Principle in Intestinal

Worms. By Dr. C. EK. Miram, Teacher of Zoology and

Comparative Anatomy in the Academy of Wilna*.

Or the cold-blooded Vertebrate Animals, and especially of the

Amphibia, it is well known that they can pass years in a state

* From Wiegmann’s Archiv, Part I. 1840.

378 Dr. Miram on the Vitality of Intestinal Worms.

resembling death; toads inclosed in blocks of granite, where

they neither receive air or nutriment*, have lain torpid for an

indefinite time, but again become animated as soon as they were

exposed to the atmosphere. This death-like state might be

termed torpidity, as it were a prolonged winter sleep, for life

has not totally quitted the body, and even this has remained

unaltered or at furthest only somewhat shrunk up.

The Evertebrate animals appear, with respect to the strength

of the vital principle, to stand on a far higher scale. If they are

deprived of water, which is necessary to their life, they shrivel

up and become perfectly dry, but may again be restored to life

when after a shorter or longer period they are exposed to favour-

able influences. Who has not been struck by the remark-

able experiments of Spallanzani on this subject? From him

we know that Furcularia rediviva, a species of Vibrio, and

the of late much spoken-of Macrobiotus Hufelandii + belong-

ing to the Crustacea, after having passed years in a perfectly

dry state, might be restored to life by a drop of water,—a slight

moistening is sufficient to call them again into existence.

Some intestinal worms are also remarkable from having a

similar peculiar tenacity of life. Rudolphift mentions a re-

markable example of Ascaris spiculigera. He received from

M. Peterson of Kiel three sea crows (Pelecanus Carbo) which

were shot there on the third of May and immediately placed

in alcohol and forwarded to Berlin. On the 14th of May,

therefore after-11 days, Rudolphi opened the alimentary canal

and the stomach of one of these birds, which was highly

impregnated with alcohol, and found some specimens of the

above-mentioned worm, which however seemed to have been

killed by this treatment, and had become already hard and

brittle in the spirits. In order to soften and restore them to

* We should not consider the degree of assurance upon this subject to be

at all so strong as that which the writer seems to entertain, especially as

regards granite.—Ep.

+ This microscopic crab is not, as stated by Schulze (Macrobiotus Hufe-

Jandii, animal e crustaceorum classe novum, reviviscendi post diuturnam

asphyxiam et ariditatem potens, descriptus a Aug. Sigismundo Schulze, Be-

rolini, 1834), anew animal, but Spallanzani’s Tardigrade, Miiller’s 4carus

wrsellus, Schrank’s Arctiscon tardigradum, and Ehrenberg’s Zrionychium

ursinum.— Wiegmann.

{ Entozoorum Synopsis, Berolini, 1819, p. 290,

Dr. Miram on the Vitality of Intestinal Worms. 379

their natural form he placed them in warm water, and, behold!

they began to move, and were soon perfectly restored to life.

To this interesting fact I can now add the remarkable ob-

servation of a restoration to life of Ascaris Acus, Blochii, which

I happened to make in the month of April of this year (1839),

and which is certainly quite as astonishing as the case related

by Rudolphi.

I received the intestines of a very large pike, which was

to be stuffed for the museum of this town, and found a con-

siderable number of Ascaris Acus, partly among the intes-

tines and in part on the edge of the plate; and as they were

placed on it without any moisture, several which were not in

contact with the moisture of the intestines were already per-

fectly dry and dead ; many were dried so firmly to the plate

that they could not be removed without destroying them. In

order to obtain as many good specimens of this worm as pos-

sible, I filled the vessel with cold water and picked out the

living individuals, but was astonished to find so many alive.

I had soon collected all the Ascarides that moved, and placed

therefore the intestines in another vessel, and left the plate to

stand with the water, but came accidentally after some mi-

nutes to the table where it stood, and was not a little sur-

prised to find the water again all alive with these little worms.

I observed minutely the dead and dried Entozoa, and con-

vinced myself that these actually, when they had imbibed

moisture and thus reacquired their previous volume, moved

about with the greatest ease in the fluid; nay, I even saw that

some worms which were not wholly touched by the water ex-

hibited life in that portion only which had imbibed some.

Thus, some moved the anterior part of the body, while the

hinder portion adhered dried on the plate ; others moved the

posterior portion, while the anterior ‘shrivelled portion was

fixed to the vessel.

Wilna, October 2, 1839.

380 Excerpta Botanica.

XLVI.—Excerpta Botanica, or abridged Extracts translated

Srom the Foreign Journals, illustratwe of, or connected with,

the Botany of Great Britain. By W. A. Le1cutTon, Esq.,

B.A., F.BS.E., &e.

No. I. On the Functions of the Hairs on the Stigma in the

Fecundation of the Campanulacee. By ApoutpuEe Bron-

GNIART. (Ann. des Sc. Nat. n. 8s. xil. 244.)

THE upper surface of the stigma of the Campanulas is, as has

been long known, clothed with long hairs, arranged in regular

longitudinal lines correspondent to the number and position .

of the anthers, and especially visible in the flower-bud before

the emission of the pollen. The connexion between these hairs

and the pollen was first observed in many species of Campa-

nula by Conrad Sprengel, subsequently with greater care by

Cassini in Campanula rotundifolia, and has been since detected

by Alphonse DeCandolle in all the Campanulacez, with the

exception of the small genus Petromarula. On the dehis-

cence of the anthers previously to the expansion of the co-

rolla, and whilst the stigmas continue still convergent, these

hairs are found covered with a considerable mass of pollen,

brushed as it were from the cells of the anthers. On the ex-

pansion of the corolla the stigmas separate and curve back-

wards, the anthers having shed their pollen wither away, the

pollen deposited on the exterior of the stigma becomes de-

tached, and the hairs disappear, leaving only slight asperities

visible on the surface of the stigma. According to Cassini

and DeCandolle these hairs are caducous. M. Adolphe

Brongniart by a microscopic examination proves that they are

not deciduous, but exhibit a phenomenon quite unexampled in

the vegetable kingdom ; viz. that they are retractile, similarly

to the hairs of certain Annelides, or the tentacula of Snails.

A longitudinal section of the style previously to the emission

of the pollen shows these hairs to be cylindrical, slightly at-

tenuated at the apex, and formed by a prolongation of the ex-

ternal cuticle of the epidermis, perfectly simple, and destitute

of articulation or partition even at their base. Immediately

under the base of each hair, in the subjacent cellular tissue,

is a cavity equal in depth to one half or one third of the length

Excerpta Botanica. 381

of the hair continuous with the cavity of the hair itself, and

to all appearance filled with the same fluid. This basal cavity

does not extend beyond the superficial layer of the stigma,

and has no connexion whatever with the tissue which lies at a

greater depth.

On the expansion of the corolla, these co which had be-

fore continued extended and covered with grains of pollen,

retreat into the basal cavity in the cellular tissue, their ter-

minal portion insheathing itself in the lower portion gradually

as this lower portion itself retires into the basal cavity in the cel-

lular tissue, until the apices alone of the hairs remain slightly

projecting from the external surface of the stigma. In their

retreat the hairs frequently draw along with them some grains

of pollen, which apparently penetrate into the tissue of the

style, but which in reality remain always in contact with the

exterior surface of the hairs, as is clearly proved by applying

the point of a needle and causing the hairs to reissue from

their insheathment, when the pollen grains are instantaneously

expelled, The pollen grains undergo no modification either

during their application to the hairs or when drawn along with

them in their retractile movement, and consequently no con-

nexion exists between them and the interior of the style. The

probable cause of this retractile movement Brongniart attri-

butes to the absorption of the fluid contained both in the hair

and in the cavity at its base.

Cassini, A. DeCandolle, Treviranus, and Link are of opi-

nion that fecundation is effected by the action of the pollen

on these hairs, but in Brongniart’s estimation erroneously.

For on dissecting the true stigmas of the Campanulas, viz. the

internal surface of the stigmatic branches, after their diver-

gence, the pollen grains are found dispersed on this surface

and adhering to it as on all true stigmas, at first by the lubri-

cating moisture of the part, and subsequently by the develop-

ment and penetration of the pollen-tubes, which very soon

extend into a bundle of fine elongated utricular tissue occu-

pying the centre of the style. This tissue is in form hexagonal,

perfectly distinct from the surrounding tissue, much denser,

and coloured. Its separation is easily effected when it is found

composed of cylindrical or slightly fusiform elongated utri-

382 Mr. H. Denny’s Sketch of the Natural History

cules, which are coloured, laterally free, articuleted to each

other end to end, and containing very minute globules of fe-

cula which turns blue on the application of iodine. The pol-

len-tubes which penetrate between the utricules of this tis-

sue are readily detected by their much greater tenuity, the

absence of articulations, and the very minute granules inclosed

in them.

These observations satisfactorily dissipate all doubts as to

the functions truly stigmatic performed by the parts which in

the Campanulas correspond in position and appearance to the

stigmas of other plants, and prove that these collecting hairs

(“‘ poils collecteurs’’) exercise only a secondary office in fecun-

dation.

XLVII.—Skeich of the Natural History of Leeds and its

Vicinity for Twenty Miles. By Henry Denny, Esq.

In submitting this outline of the vertebrate inhabitants of the

district of twenty miles round Leeds, I do not wish it to be con-

sidered as anything like perfect or complete. I have only in-

serted what have come under my own immediate knowledge

and inspection, or have been communicated by scientific friends

residing in the neighbourhood. ‘There are many sources from

which information might have been obtained to swell this list, I

am fully aware, but to these I have not had access; such a ske-

leton as it is, however, I am not without hopes may be of service,

as a foundation for the cultivators of natural history whose eye

it may chance to meet, and whose means of acquiring import-

ant additions or corrections will enable them to finish the

sketch which I have only attempted in outline. Of the mam-

malia frequenting this neighbourhood but little can be said;

indeed little can be expected in the vicinity of large manufac-

turing towns, surrounded on all sides by smaller seats of in-

dustry, for such many of our villages are become, together

with the clearing of moorland and inclosing of commons, nu-

merous new roads, &c., the necessary concomitants of the

spread of population and commerce, all of which are inimical

to the wild inhabitants of a country.

Beginning with the order Fere, I very much doubt whether

of Leeds and its Vicinity. : 383

the Badger is ever found within our district, although I have

been informed to the contrary. It might probably many years

ago occur in some of the extensive woods which surround us ;

for though it is frequently baited, and specimens living anddead

offered annually for sale, these are all, I believe, brought from

the neighbourhood of Malton in the North Riding. The

Weasel, Stoat, and Polecat are tolerably frequent, more espe-

cially the two former; for though the latter is by no means

scarce, still its geographical distribution upon the whole is

more circumscribed. But the Pine Marten or Common Mar-

ten (for it still appears a disputed point with some writers

whether they are specifically distinct) is rare with us. Two or

three have occurred within the last year; one at Swillington

Bridge, another near Selby ; of a third example which came

under my notice, I could not trace the locality, but as it was

lying at the window of a bird preserver’s shop, unskinned,

it had most probably been killed somewhere near. If the

specific character of the Pine Marten is really the yellow

breast, these specimens were all of that species; yet the

situation in which they were found would differ widely from

the reputed haunts of that animal, which is said to fre-

quent the pine woods of Scotland and other wild situations.

Those again which I have seen from the neighbourhood of

Ross-shire were considerably larger; I should not hesitate to

say nearly double the size of ours. The Otter frequents

most of our streams and rivers and inland lakes: very large

individuals have been killed both in the Ayr and the Wharf.

At Killingbeck, near Leeds, where they used to breed an-

nually, but are now I believe extinct, I have tracked them du-

ring the day by their feces, composed of the remains of fish

bones and scales, and also by their foot-marks in the mud; but

owing to their excessive shyness they would not pass by the

same path on the following day if the spot was much trodden.

From this place I obtained a young Otter, which I kept for

many weeks, and which became quite tame and the pet of the

family ; it followed the inmates of the house up and down

stairs like a puppy, and like the same animal expressed its

uneasiness when it lost any of them by squeaks, but exhibited

great signs of pleasure when played with, by romping or gal-

384 Mr. H. Denny’s Sketch of the Natural History

loping in an awkward manner to and from the party, and ap-

peared to sleep with comfort upon the servant girl’s lap. It

was exceedingly ravenous, and would eat small birds with as

great a zest as fish and milk.

The Fox is of more frequent occurrence, and so long as

there are several zealous foxhunters in the district its breed

will be preserved ; we have two varieties, distinguished by the

appellations of Hound or Dog Fox, and Cur Fox; the former

a larger animal than the latter.

The Mole is very abundant, and not unfrequently of a dun

colour, as also of a grayish lead colour. I do not know a more

pleasing little animal to have in captivity than this; its mo-

tions are so rapid and its sense of smelling and hearing so

acute. The Mole soon becomes reconciled to a box of earth,

and may frequently be seen peeping out of its burrow or

searching the spot allotted for food. One which I kept for

a few days would come to the surface almost immediately on

my holding a piece of fresh meat to the mouth of its hole,

seize the morsel, and retreat backwards with the greatest faci-

lity to devour its meal, and soon reappear for a fresh supply.

The digestive organs of this animal act so rapidly that it is in

almost constant want of food, and soon dies if not frequently

supplied. I suspected that mine died from drinking too

much milk, which I used to give it in a teaspoon, and of

which the little creature appeared exceedingly fond; drinking

very freely, and thrusting its nose into the milk as a pig does

into its trough.

Of the genus Sorex only three species have come under my.

notice, the Araneus and fodiens. I suspect however the re-

mifer occurs also; for the only Shrew which was preserved in _

our Museum until last year was a bad specimen of that spe-

cies, and which I have no doubt whatever was killed in the |

neighbourhood. The S. fodiens is said to be very expert at

catching the Gyrinide. The S. Araneus, which is abundant, .

may be seen here as elsewhere very frequently lying dead in the.

lanes and hedgerows in autumn, some seasons especially, 1 in.

numbers: the cause, however, of this singular fatality appears |

still a mystery. I have heard it stated by persons residing in

the country, that the Shrews fight furiously, and thus destroy

of Leeds and its Vicinity. 385

each other ; if so, they must have some peculiarly vulnerable

part at which the antagonist aims, and from which death will

ensue quickly, without showing any outward scars: whatever

the cause may be, it must result from some sudden effect, as

the animals appear in good condition and not wasted by dis-

ease. If the former account be correct, it is still to be dis-

_ covered what causes this pugnacious propensity, for did it

arise during the season of pairing the victims would be males ;

but I am not aware whether it is the fact that one sex suffers

more than the other, nor whether the autumn is the season of

love. The Shrews are very much infested by two small spe-

cies of Acarus; and I once found a minute Pulex, but never

discovered a single example of Pediculus.

The Hedgehog is tolerably plentiful in some parts, but

rather local in others ; for instance, J am informed that in the

neighbourhood of Hebden Bridge, near Halifax, it is rarely

ever seen, Is this owing to the district being more moun-

tainous and bleak? Of the Vespertilionide I have observed

only four species: Vespertilio Noctula, the most common, on

the meadows near the town, hawking about after insects. The

Nattereri 1 believe has never been recorded as a Yorkshire spe-

cies ; a living pair however were brought me for the Museum

of our Society last June taken out of an old tree in Oakwell

Wood near Birstall. The Plecotus auritus is next to the

Noctula in point of frequency, generally dashing along the

streets on asummer’s evening and entering old buildings. The

pipistrellus, though not so common as the last, is by no means

scarce, and frequents the same localities. Of the Glires, in

addition to the common mouse, which appears, like the nettle,

to be a general associate of man, we have, with two excep-

tions, all the British species. The Mus sylvaticus, which is

plentiful, assumes a grayish colour towards winter, and in

some specimens loses nearly all the white on the under parts

of the body. I am informed there is a small mouse which

builds its nest amongst bushes on marshes near Selby. I

have only seen a skeleton which was said to belong to this

species, which however did not present any peculiar character

except size. The Harvest Mouse, Mus messorius, I have

never seen. The Brown Rat, it is almost superfluous to say,

Aun. Nat. Hist. Vol. 5. No. 33. Aug. 1840. 25

386 Mr. H. Denny’s Sketch of the Natural History

is common enough: we have a specimen of a light cream co-

lour. I have been informed that the Black Rat (Mus Rattus)

has occurred at Selby, but even if this is correct, there is no

doubt it has been brought in some vessel with merchandize.

The Water Campagnol (Arvicola amphibia), and the Field

Campagnol (A. agrestis) are pretty generally dispersed. Of

the Bank Campagnol (Arvicola riparia) only two examples

have come to my knowledge from Halton near Leeds.

The Dormouse (Myoxus avellanarius), although not a scarce

animal, is only locally distributed; I am informed it is more

frequently met with in woods near Selby.

The Squirrel (Scivrus vulgaris) is confined to the more ex-

tensive woods, such as those of Bolton, Harewood, Temple

Newsam, &c., where it may be seen in all its lightness and

dexterity vaulting from tree to tree. In the neighbourhood

of Birstal however it is never seen. The Rabbit (Lepus cuni-

culus) and the Hare (Lepus timidus) are plentiful throughout

the district.

Of the Ruminantia, not properly wild, we have the Red

Deer (Cervus Elaphus) at Bolton, the seat of the Duke of

Devonshire, and the Fallow Deer (Cervus Dama) in the same

park, as also those of ‘Temple Newsam, Denton, &e.

Of the order Cetacea we cannot be expected to boast of

many examples, owing to our distance from the coast. The

Porpoise however (Delphinus Phocena) has occurred several

times in the Ouse at Cawood, where they have made their

way from ocean by the Humber, into which the Ouse flows.

I am informed by Mr. Teale that the Grampus (Delphinus

Orca) has also been seen there.

If the limited as well as inland situation of the district be

considered, our share of the resident as well as migratory Birds

of this island is very considerable, though from the cireum-

stances alluded to we are necessarily deprived of many whose

habits are more maritime or mountainous. The nearest sea

coast being about eighty miles from our extreme limit, the

occurrence of some species recorded in this list will of: course

be solely owing to adverse winds, stress of weather, &c.

Again, great lights are well known to attract birds in passing

by night from one portion of the island to another, This

of Leeds and its Vicinity. 387

has frequently been observed in the neighbourhood of light-

houses. We have no buildings of this nature, but the large

fires kept constantly burning at some of the iron works, pot-

teries, and glass-houses, &c., such as those of Low Moor,

Bowling, Kirkstall, &c., act in a similar way apon birds

passing from the north and east to the west coast. The fires

from the first have been seen as far distant as the Wolds,

nearly forty miles. As the occurrence of one bird in parti-

cular, mentioned in this list, may be questioned from its ex-

treme rarity (Cursorius isabellinus), I have only to observe,

that I did not see the specimen myself, but I have seen a most

accurate and highly finished drawing taken from the bird,

which was in such a mutilated state when it came into the

possession of my friend George Walker, sq. as to render its

preservation impossible, having been killed several days; but

from his sound practical knowledge as a naturalist, and his abi-

lities as an artist, which are well known in this neighbourhood,

there cannot remain the least doubt as to the authenticity

of the species. I may add, that its peculiar habit of running,

and now and then taking short flights, struck the person who

shot it (who however was no ornithologist) as something new,

and its beak again being different from the Plovers, for which

he at first mistook it, caused him to keep it.

RAProreEs.

Aquila Chrysaétos. But one instance of this bird has occurred,

which was a specimen shot in Stockeld Park, near Wetherby,

Nov. 29, 1804.

Pandion Haliaétus. A single specimen shot in Stainland Dean, near

Halifax, a few years since; another occurred at Farnley in 1833;

two or three others have been found a few miles dala our

limits.

Falco peregrinus. Rare. Tadcaster and Craven.

Falco Subbuteo. Rare. Halifax, Barden, and Bolton.

Afsalon. Rare. Allerton Park.

Tinnunculus. Not uncommon. Killingbeck, Swillington.

Accipiter fringillarius. Common. Halifax, Swillington, Killingbeck.

Milvus Ictinus. Rare. Occasionally near Halifax ; probably more

plentiful formerly, as the name of a gentleman’s seat near Leeds

would lead us to suppose. Gledhow, i. e. Glead?

2H 2

388 Mr. H. Denny’s Sketch of the Natural History

Buteo vulgaris, Rather rare. Halifax and North Deighton.

apivorus. Very rare. One shot near Harewood about 1824,

which came into the possession of Mr. Calvert of Leeds, after-

wards to Dr. Leach’s collection, Brit. Mus.

Lagopus. Very rare. Formerly at Blackhill when a rabbit

warren,

Circus rufus. Rare. Halifax.

cyaneus. Rare. Halifax, Thorp Arch, Selby.

Bubo maximus. One shot at Horton near Bradford about 1824.

Oius vulgaris... Not uncommon. Swillington, Halifax, Kilhngbeck,

_ Scarcroft.

Brachyotos. Not uncommon, Halifax in Sept., and some

seasons rather common. Killingbeck.

Strix flammea. Common. Mr, Waterton has observed this species

dart down and catch fish from his lake.

Syrnium Aluco.. Not common. Barwick in Elmet, Walton Park,

Greetland.

Noctua nyctea... A pair observed on Barlow Moor near Selby: the

male shot Feb. 13, 1837, and is. now in the possession of A.

Clapham, Esq., Potternewton.

INSESSORES.

Lanius Excubitor. Rare. Halifax, breeds at Wike; Rothwell.

Collurio. Notuncommon. Killingbeck, Osmondthorp, Ha-

lifax. ers

Muscicapa grisola. Not uncommon.

luctuosa. Breeds occasionally near Halifax, Ovenden,

Harewood, Bolton Abbey, and Killingbeck, _

‘Cinclus aquaticus. Not uncommon. Halifax, Bolton, Adel-beck, &c.

Turdus viscivorus. Occasionally. 7

musicus. Rarely seen in winter: makes its appearance

about 8th or 9th of March. : ee SACS

——— iliacus, Pilaris, Merula. “Common.

——-— torguatus. Breeds in Ogden Clough, near Halifax, Rock-

ing Moor and Craven.

Accentor modularis. Common.

Sylvia Rubecula, phenicurus. Common.

Salicaria Locustella. Rather rare. Halifax, Killingbeck.

Phragmitis. Swillington, Brotherton.

Philomela Luscinia. Rare. Walton Hall and Bramham Park, for-

merly in most of the woods in the neighbourhood.

of Leeds and its Vicinity. 389

Curruca atricapitla, hortensis, cinerea, curruca, Trochilus, lest

All more or less common.

Regulus aurocapillus. More or less common.

Motacilla alba, Boarula, flava. More or less common.

Anthus pratensis. Common.

Savicola Hnanthe, Rubetra, Rubicola. Common on most of the large

moors,

Parus major, ceruleus, palustris. Common.

Parus ater, caudatus. More or less common.

Bombycilla garrula. Rare. Several occurred in 1829 at Halifax,

Woodlesford, Barwick in Elmet, and Huddersfield, pe on

the berries of the mountain ash. 7

Alauda arvensis. Very common.

| arborea. Rather rare. Halifax, Killingbeck, 1832. _

Emberiza nivalis. Rather rare. Halifax, Birstal, 1839. 2

3 miliaria. Occasionally. Halifax, Burley, and pate a

Scheniculus, citrinella. Common.

Cirlus. Very rare. One occurred near Doncaster, as re-

corded by Mr. Neville Wood in the Naturalist.

Fringilla Celebs. Very common.

Montifringilla. Not uncommon.

Pyrgita domestica. Very common.

montana. Occasionally, Potternewton, May 1839.

Coccobtrayetes vulgaris. Rare. Killingbeck, Halifax: a pair shot

near Harewood, 1838.

—— Chloris. Very common.

Carduelis elegans. Occasionally. Halifax, Craven, Killingbeck, and

Ferrybridge. | a a

Spinus. Plentiful in some districts. Ferrybridge, Craven,

ane banks of the Ayr near Leeds. :

Linaria cannabina, minor. Common.

- Montium. Osmondthorp, Halifax.

Pyrrhula vulgaris. Not uncommon.

Lowxia curvirostra. Occasionally. Halifax, Killingbeck. Several at

Meanwood and Huddersfield, 1839, feeding on the larch and

mountain ash. Several nests in Bramham Park this year, 1840.

- Sturnus vulgaris. Common.

Pastor roseus. Rare. Ripley: one shot in the garden at Farnley

Hall, near Otley, 1828.

Corvus Coraz, Rare. Occasionally at Walton Park.

. Corone. Common.

Srugilegus. Common.

—=— ee.

390 Mr. H. Denny’s Sketch of the Natural History

Corvus Monedula. Rather local. Kirkstall Abbey, Halifax.

Pica caudata. Common.

Garrulus glandarius. Common.

ScaNsoRES.

Picus viridis. Occasionally. Halifax, Killingbeck.

major. Very rare. Halifax, Killingbeck, Selby, 4th March, 1839.

—— minor. Rare. Near Armley, 1837. Nest of five young, June,

1840.

Yunx Torquilla. Occasionally. Halifax, Killingbeck : formerly tole-

rably frequent near Leeds.

Certhia familiaris. Not uncommon. Harewood, Halifax, Leeds,

and Middleton.

Troglodytes europeus. Common.

Upupa Epops. Very rare. One was shot by the Hon. Edwin

Lascelles Oct. 8, 1830, at Eccup, a young specimen from a field

of potatoes; another occurred at Low Moor.

Sitta europea. Rather rare. Halifax, near Scarcroft, Harewood

Bridge.

Cuculus canorus. Common.

Coracias garrula. Veryrare. A fine specimen shot in Fixby Park,

1824.

Alcedo Ispida. Occasionally seen at Halifax, Armley, Killingbeck,

_ Walton ; a nest of five young ones were brought me May 28th

from Horsforth.

Hirundo rustica, urbica. Common.

riparia. More or less common.

Cypselus Apus. More or less common.

Caprimulgus europeus. Occasionally. Killingbeck. Breeds on the

moors near Halifax, Otley, and Craven.

RASORES.

Columba Palumbus. Common, especially at Walton Park.

Phasianus colchicus. Common. The ring-necked and mottled va-

riety. Not uncommon. |

Tetrao scoticus. Common on all the moors.

Perdix cinerea. Common. ;

— Coturnix. Rare. Scarcroft, Killingbeck, Churwell ; a nest

was found on Skircoat Moor near Halifax.

GRALLATORES.

Cursorius isabellinus. Very rare. A specimen was shot in April

1816, in a fallow field near Wetherby, by Mr. Rhodes of that

of Leeds and its Vicinity. 391

place, which afterwards came into the possession of George

Walker, Esq. of Killingbeck Lodge, near Leeds.

Cidicnemus crepitans. Very rare. Seen near Selby a few years since.

Charadrius pluvialis. Occasionally near Halifax, Whinmoor.

Morinellus. Rare. Killingbeck, May 27, 1859.

Vanellus griseus. Halifax.

- cristatus.. Common.

Ardea cinerea. Not uncommon. Swillington, Scarthingwell, Wal-

ton. I know of only one Heronry in the neighbourhood, which

is at Walton Park; one of eighteen or twenty nests was de-

stroyed two or three years since at Scarthingwell.

Botaurus stellaris, Rare. A specimen was shot in Royds Hall

Woods near Bradford, 1810; a second at Ilkley, Dec. 1838;

a third near Selby, Dec. 1838.

Numenius arquata. Not common. Roggin Moor near Otley.

Totanus Calidris. Rare. Near Halifax and Selby.

Hypoleucos. Not uncommon. Halifax, Killingbeck, Roth-

well.

Tringa Canutus. Rare. Killingbeck. A pair in 1839.

Scolopax Rusticola, Gallinago, Gallinula. More or less common.

Tringa subarquata. Very rare. Halifax.

variabilis. Rare. Halifax.

maritima. Ovenden Moor near Halifax, 1827.

Ochropus. 'Temple Thorp, Oct. 28, 1839. Baurstal, 1840.

Phalaropus lobatus. Rare. Halifax, Low Moor, Holbeck Moor, 1823.

Rallus aquaticus. Common. Swillington, Dewsbury, Killingbeck.

Crex pratensis. Common. Boston, Halifax, Killingbeck, Leeds.

Gallinula chloropus. Common. Boston, Halifax, Killingbeck, &c.

Fulica atra. Occasionally. Swillington, Halifax, Walton Park; I

saw thirty feeding together 12th Jan. 1835.

Order V. NATATORES.

Anser ferus. Not uncommon. Walton Park.

albifrons. Not uncommon.

—— segetum. Not uncommon. Killingbeck.

Bernicla. Rare. Rigton, 1837.

torquatus. Rare.

Cygnus ferus. Occasionally. Kirkstall, Dec. 1837.

Anas clypeata. Rare. Killingbeck.

Strepera. Rare. Swillington.

acuta. Rare. Scarthingwell, Walton.

392 Mr. H. Denny’s Sketch of the Natural History

Anas Boschas. | Occasionally.” Halifax, Walton Park; Swillington,

Killingbeck.

Querquedula. Rare. River Calder near Copley mill, 1816.

Crecca. Common.: Scarthingwell, Walton Park, Killingbeck.

Mareca Penelope. Not uncommon. Halifax, Swillington, Walton

Park, where one hundred were seen feeding together, Jan. 12,

1835. |

Oidemia nigra.. Rare. Near Selby.

Fuligula ferina, Marila, cristata. More or less frequent. Swilling-

"ton, 1838.

Clangula chrysophthalmos. More or less frequent. Swillington, 1838.

Mergus Merganser. Occasionally. Arthington, Halifax.

serratus. Rare. Swillington, Jan. 24, 1838.

albellus. Rare. -Gledhow, Swillington, 1838.

Podiceps cristatus. Occasionally. Swillington, Jan. 1838, Halifax.

rubricollis. Rare. Near Ripponden in the winter of 1800.

minor. Not uncommon. Halifax; Killingbeck, Swilling-

ton, Walton.

Colymbus septentrionalis. Rare. Harehills Lane near Leeds, Jan.

1829, River Ayr, 1838.

Phalacrocorax Carbo. Rare. Walton Park, Bramham Park.

Sula Bassana. Rare. Rothwell Haigh, Kirkstall, April 1834, Hard-

hambeck and Ilkley, winter of 1838, after the second moult.

Sterna Hirundo. Rare. Knostrop, 1833.

(Larus. tridactylus, canus. Occasionally. Walton, Gasrnind,, and

Selby.

Suscus. Rare. Knostrop, 1840.

Procellaria pelagica. Very rare. Halifax, Rippon.

Leachii. Very rare. Skircoats Moor near Halifax, 1833.

ReEPtTiLia. E

- The Reptiles occurring in this district are those ucla are eptia

generally spread in most localities; and:may be briefly enumerated as

follows ;

Lacerta agilis. Natrix torquata. Triton palustris.

“ Anguis fragilis. Vipera communis. punctatus.

) Rana temporaria.

Bufo vulgaris.

Piscxs. |

Of the last class of vertebrata we are necessarily circumscribed as

fo species, in consequence of the geographical position of this:portion

of Leeds and its Vicinity. 393

of the county ; our share therefore consisting, with two or three..ex-

ceptions, entirely of freshwater fish.

ACANTHOPTERYGII.

Perca fluviatilis. Pretty generally dispersed.

Acerina cernua. Pretty generally dispersed.

Gasterosteus aculeatus, trachurus, semiarmatus. Plentiful. In most

ponds, especially those in the neighbourhood of brick fields.

— Pungitius. Not uncommon at Campsall, as I am in-

formed by Dr. Lankester.

MatacopTrEeryGil ABDOMINALES.

Cyprinus Carpio. Not uncommon in most ponds and lakes.

Gibelio. I have received this fish of various ages, from

the same localities as the following species :

auratus. Exceedingly abundant in many of the reservoirs

belonging to the factories, into which the water from the'steam-

engines is let off for the purpose of being cooled.

Barbus vulgaris. Not uncommon in running streams at Harewood,

Bolton, Castleford, and Wakefield.

Gobio fluviatilis. Plentiful.

Tinca vulgaris. Rather locally dispersed. Kippax, Temple Newsam.

Abramis Brama. Not uncommon. Ferrybridge, Cawood. Our spe-

cimens have only 52 scales in the lateral line, while Mr. Yarrell

describes 57.

Blicca. Rare. We have asingle specimen caught at Ca-

wooed, but in the neighbourhood of Campsall I believe it is not

uncommon.

Leuciscus rutilus, vulgaris. Common.

leucophthalmus ? Not uncommon. This, which appears to

be a new species of Leuciscus, was detected by I’. P.. Teale, Esq.

F.L.S8. of Leeds. It approaches, in some respects, the Dodula,

but not sufficiently to enable us to decide it as that species. It

has been generally overlooked as the Dace, but differs from that

fish in many material characters, as the proportion of the pec-

toral fins to the entire length, the situation of the dorsal, the

number of scales both in the lateral line and above and beiow it,

which I shall not now describe, as it is most probable Mr. Teale

will minutely enumerate its distinctive characters ; in the mean-

. while he has named it provisionally /eucophthalmus.

« Leuciscus Cephalus. Common.

394 Mr. H. Denny’s Sketch of the Natural History

Leuciscus Erythrophthalmus. Local. 1 know of only one locality

(Campsall), which is rather beyond our distance.

alburnus, Local, Cawood, Tadcaster.

Phosxinus. Common.

Cobitis barbatula. _Common,

Esox Lucius. Common.

Salmo Fario. Plentiful in the Wharf at Harewood, Bolton, &c.

Salar. Not uncommon, Cawood.

Osmerus Eperlanus. Occasionally plentiful.. Cawood, Selby. On the

21st Dec. 1834, they were in such abundance that they were

~ sold in Leeds market at twopence per pound.

Thymallus vulgaris. Rather local. Harewood, Bolton, Wakefield.

Clupea Harengus. I obtained a single example in 1834, taken at Ca-

wood.

alosa. I purchased a specimen of this fish in the market for our

Museum, which was said to have been taken at Tadcaster.

Lota vulgaris. Not uncommon near Selby.

Platessa limanda. Occasionally at Cawood.

——

APopEs.

Anguilla acutirostris, latirostris. Tolerably plentiful.

CaARTILAGINEI. :

Acipenser latirostris. This appears to be the only species we have,

which generally occurs every year at Cawood. Three or four

fine fish were caught this summer, two of which were brought

to Leeds alive.

CycLosTOMA.

Petromyzon fluviatilis. Occasionally. Kallingbeck.

Before closing this sketch of the zoological localities of the

neighbourhood, one spot must not be passed over without a

few remarks, since the facilities which are there afforded for

observing a variety of animals in a state of uncontrolled free-

dom are exceedingly valuable. Many interesting facts re-

garding the habits of the feathered tribes especially frequent-

ing this spot have already been given to the world by the se-

cond White of Selbourne (as he has been emphatically termed)

who owns the estate. This tract it will readily be perceived

is Walton Park, near Wakefield, which owing to its construc-

tion, containing 260 acres of wood and meadow, and 24 acres

of water, surrounded by a wall from 9 to 10 feet high, forms

a rendezvous for all comers and goers of every tribe, terres-

of Leeds and its Vicinity. 395

trial, or aquatic, including what are generally denominated

vermin; so that whatever gains access ta this city of refuge is

safe from harm; for not only is security given, but it is the

constant care of the kind-hearted and worthy proprietor,

Charles Waterton, Esq., to provide for the comfort (so to

speak) of such of his cotenants of this earth as seek for shelter,

by offering every inducement for them to fix upon the situa-

tions most suitable for their wants,—such as promoting the

growth of ivy round the stems of large trees, fitting up hol-

low stumps with partitions and entrance-holes, and coyering

up the top to prevent the ingress of rain, in erecting pieces of

masonry with holes of different dimensions to suit the various

requirements of such as seek its concealment and security.

Many interesting observations regarding the history of the in-

mates may be registered by such residences not otherwise easy

to be noted; for instance, the number of mice, &c. destroyed

by a pair of Owls, either while rearing their young or in a

given time at any other period. Of these there are several

families in Walton Park. This could be ascertained by dis-

solving the rejected masses of indigestible substances which

contain the skeletons of their prey, and which may be readily

collected in their dwellings, each of which contains, upon an

average, the remains of six mice, shrews or campagnols, as [

found by examining a supply of such masses given me by

Mr. Waterton for that purpose. Walton Park is not merely

a retreat for such as seek it, but many a poor unfortunate

Hedgehog, &c. has been rescued by purchase from a cruel

death by its amiable owner, and turned loose to end its days

in peace. Indeed I know of no individual to whom the beau-

tiful lines of Goldsmith might be applied with greater pro-

priety than to him, who thus mercifully provides for the wants

of that portion of the Creator’s works which receive little else

from mankind in general than persecution and abuse.

‘¢ Here to the houseless child of want

_My doors are open still.

* * *

“ No lambs that range the valley free

To slaughter 1 condemn :

Taught by that Power which pities me,

I learn to pity them.”

396 Appendix to Mr. Shuckard’s

» Walton, Park is a zoological garden upon the most perfect

plan, because: the various tribes which. resort there may be

seen as such objects should be, truly wild (not in the general

acceptation of the term), but im a state of ease and freedom,

‘and apparent consciousness of security, following their differ-

ent avocations without alarm, which confidence is acquired by

the constant serenity and peacefulness of the region. No guns

are ever allowed to be fired, nor any nests plundered, so that

by such regulations the veal habits of animals are seen in as

it were their state of primeval simplicity, without the ac-

quired fears and misgivings engendered by man’s relentless

persecution and cruelty ; and strange to say, birds of reputed

rapacious characters and habits, and those which are timid

and. harmless, building in the same tree. . In 1833.a Wood-

Pigeon built its nest four feet below that of a Magpie, and

both lived in peace, and hatched their eggs, and reared their

young. Here may be seen the motionless Heron waiting

patiently for his meal; the Cormorant perched within a few

yards of the drawing-room window eyeing the finny tribes in

the lake ;;whole companies of Coots grazing on the lawn and

cropping grass like geese, or flocks of Widgeon, Mallard,

Teal, Pintail, &c. sailing on the smooth surface of the lake,

which is now and then agitated by the diving of a Dabchick

or the flutter of a Waterhen. While passing through Walton

Park the visitor not only observes ornithological. specimens

alive and in motion, but also full-sized pheasants made of wood

perched upon the upper branches of the trees, for the sole pur-

pose of trying the skill, and still more the patience, of a class

of persons who have a singular propensity for pein their

neighbour’s game on moonlight nights.

XLVIII.—Appendix to Mr. SuucKarn’s Monograph of the

, Porylidee, containing a Description of two new Species of

‘Labidus.

‘Srvc the publication of the concluding portion of my Monograph

Mr. Swainson has kindly furnished me from his Cabinet with two

new species of the genus Labidus, captured by himself in the Brazils.

The first would in size precede the L, Halidati, and come into the

same section with it, viz.

Monograph of the Dorylide. 397

Sp. 3—4. L. Illigeri, Shuck. Length 7 lines.

JISHISG J20M! Ss Nos Expansion of the wings (154 lines.

‘ sion subpubescens ; vertice, prothorace; extremitate mesothoracis, scu+

»tello, metathorace et peduncult disco nigris.

Reddish fuscous, with the vertex, the prothorax, excepting its intial angles;

> \the diseal -portion! of the extremity of the mesothorax, the scutellum,

’ metathorax and disk of the peduncle of the abdomen, black; head small,

“ocelli. large. and prominent, and disposed in a very open curve, with

less than the diameter of one between the anterior and posterior ; an-

* tennz moderately long, setaceous, the seapé very slightly thicker than

“the base of the flagellum, and about one-fifth its length; carinz of the

»» face comparatively slightand parallel, term:nating gradually in, front

_‘ of the anterior ocellus ; mandibles very slender and much curved, lea-

. ving but a small space between them and the clypeus.

Thorax very gibbous at the scutellum, and the metathorax abruptly perpen-

dicular ; wings hyaline, their nervures testaceous ; ‘the marginal Gell

considerably larger than either of the two first submarginals; lanceolate

and slightly acuminated beyond the second submarginal, which:is

rather smaller than the first, from which it is separated by an undulated

transverso-cubital, and has the recurrent nervure inserted at half its

length, beyond which to the end of that cell the cubital nervure is con-

siderably thickened; legs short and rather stout.

Abdomen slightly shining, its peduncle transverse-quadrate, the disk’ con-

vex, scarcely so wide as the second, which to the sixth are short and

transverse and slightly, constricted ; the terminal segment considerably

vertically compressed at its extreme apex, and the sexual organ pro-

truding beneath it in the form of two curved and tolerably compresyed

. ere convex beneath. 7

In my own collection,

The proportions of the body of this insect are somewhat similar

to'those of the L. Swainsoni, but it is rather more robust, and dif-

fers from it in the neuration of the wings, colouring of the body; and

other minute particulars; besides being much larger. . I have dedi-

cated it to the celebrated and talented Illiger, whose attachment to

the Hymenoptera is conspicuous throughout all his entomological

works.

The next species will immediately precede the L. Klugii, viz.

Sp. 7—8, L. Guerinii, Shuck. Length 5% lines.

Expansion of the wings 12 lines.

Fuscus subpubescens ; capite atro, scapo antennarum incrassato, et clypeo

tuberculis binis acutis recurvis instructis.

Dark fuscous, especially the thorax and peduncle of the abdomen: the

head small, very black and shining: ocelli large, placed in a curye,

and with less than the diameter of one between the anterior and

398 Information respecting Zoological Travellers.

posterior : antennze inserted higher than usual, setaceous; the scape

about one-fifth the length of the entire organ, very robust, being

nearly twice as thick as the base of the flagellum, and curved

slightly at its base; the caring, behind which they are inserted, termi-

nating above abruptly, in front of the anterior ocellus, where they are

very prominent, and beneath the insertion of the antenne dilating late-

rally and inclosing a large circular concavity, and terminating on the

edge of the clypeus on each side in a recurved compressed acute tooth :

mandibles slender, leaving scarcely any space between them and the

clypeus.

Thorax excessively gibbous in front, pendent over the head; metathorax

perpendicular : wings rather darkly tinged, their nervures testaceo-fus-

cous; the stigma testaceous, with a minute brown spot at its base:

marginal cell yellowish, lanceolate, slightly acuminated beyond the se-

cond submarginal, which is about the same size as the first, from which

it is separated by an inwardly curved transverse cubital ; it receives the

recurrent at about half its length, beyond which to the termination

of the cell the cubital nervure is slightly thickened: legs short and ra-

ther stout.

Abdomen slightly shining and slightly laterally compressed ; its first seg-

ment transverse-quadrate, transversely convex at its apex, about as

wide as the second, which with the following are transverse and short,

and but slightly constricted at their margins, the terminal segment

vertically much compressed at its extreme apex, beneath which the

sexual organ protrudes as usual.

In my own collection.

This species is amply distinguished from all by the peculiarity of

the carinz of the face, the clypeus, the remarkable thickness of the

scape of the antenne, and the excessive gibbosity of the mesothorax

in front. I have much pleasure in dedicating it to Mons. Guerin,

the able illustrator of many genera of Hymenoptera.

XLIX.—Information. respecting Botanical and Zoological

Travellers.

Neuchatel, June 12.—Recent accounts have been received from

the naturalist Tschudy, who some years ago, assisted by the late

King of Prussia and some other gentlemen with four thousand francs,

went out with the Edmond to Lima, in order from thence to make

excursions into the Cordilleras and adjacent country. A consider-

able transport of objects of Natural History collected for the Museum

of our town (Neuchatel) has already come to hand. He is still in

the mountains of Peru ; and having consumed the money taken out

with him, lives by the chase, and is awaiting fresh assistance which

Information respecting Zoological Travellers. 399

is on.the way for him.. He had much to suffer from hunger and

want of shelter during the rainy season ; this however did not abate

his\zeal. His collection for our Museum has considerably increased ;

for he announces 70 Mammalia, more than 500 Birds, Reptiles,

Fishes, 1100 Coleoptera, 200 Lepidoptera, and a hundred Conchylia,

with several other remarkable objects, plants and fossils. The as-

sistance sent will enable M. Tschudy to embark with his rich booty,

and return to his native country.—Augsburg Allgemeine Zeitung,

June 19.

Mr. Schomburgk’s recent Expedition in Guiana.

[Continued from p. 348. ]

In my former remarks I gave some account of the manners and

habits of the Jabiru (Mycteria Americana), and alluded to two

young ones which I received while in Georgetown. They were

brought to me from the Pomeroon, and when keeping their neck

erect they were about five feet high. Their plumage was still grey,

and they might haye been about a year old. They were so tame

that I allowed them to run about the yard, to which, however, they

did not restrict their perambulations, and they extended their walks

frequently to the street. As they were a great curiosity, they had

frequent visitors ; or when in the street, a crowd collected generally

around them, until annoyed by too great familiarity, they would

begin to clack the under chap against the upper, and partly spread-

ing their wings, those unacquainted with the bird fancied these to

be the first preparations for a formidable attack ; and the little knot

of by-standers which ‘had formed round opened their ranks without

further contention, and allowed them to return leisurely to the

yard.

I shall never forget the effect which the sight of them produced

upon a woman of colour, who no doubt had never seen a Jabiru before.

The woman with a tray on her head was walking down the street,

when one of the Jabirus came with its measured step out of the gate.

At the first sight of this gigantic bird she stared with half-open

mouth at what she must have considered a monster ; at that moment

the bird spread its wings to their full extent, and changing its

leisurely step into a hop, it approached her rapidly: this was~ too: -

much for her; and throwing the tray upon the ground, she fled for

protection as quick as her legs would carry her to the nearest shop,

throwing together her arms during her rapid flight violently over her

head. The ridiculousness of the scene cannot be described ; it must

400 Information respectiny Zoological Travellers.

have been seen to conceive it. I wished I had possessed the skill of

a Cruikshank, in order to sketch it when yet fresh in my memory.

While they were in my possession I fed them on butcher’s meat

and the offals of the kitchen. They sometimes got fish, but its high

price in Demerara did not permit me to feed them exclusively with

it, although they appeared to prefer it to any other food. When

the food was thrown in the air they caught it with great skill.

They were very voracious, and would frequently quarrel with each

other for a favourite piece.

When irritated they clacked their beaks violently, and partly

spreading their wings, their appearance was certainly calculated to

cause some precaution. I have seen them strike with their beak to-

wards the face of those who irritated them ; and in one instance a

wound was inflicted, fortunately of no great moment. A dog stood

no chance, as the clattering noise and their appearance was quite

sufficient to frighten him away. In their wild state they are fierce ;

and I have seen them, although mortally wounded, defend them-

selves valiantly.

The season was too far advanced to send the two young Jabirus

to Europe; and as I was on the eve of my departure to the interior,

I gave them away, and am not acquainted with their fate.

All the pictures which I have seen of this bird are poor repre-

sentations of it. It appears to be scarce in European museums; and

the one which is preserved in the British Museum is not only in

itself a poor specimen, but is besides so injudiciously stuffed, that it

does not convey to the spectator any true resemblance of the bird in

its natural state.

The representatives of the swine in South America are the banded

or collared, and the white-lipped Peccari; but although their form of

body, the length of the snout and the shape of their legs are not mate-

rially different from the European swine, there are nevertheless dif-

ferences, even in the outer appearance, which become evident when

we come to examine them nearer. Their body is not so bulky, the

legs are shorter, in lieu of the tail there is merely a short protube-

rance ; but the greatest difference consists in a gland upon its back,

which although concealed, is easily perceptible from the turn of the

hair around it, and which gland secretes a liquor of a strong smell.

Both species appear ta be common to Paraguay and Guiana. In the

latter province, where they have come under my notice, they are

seldom met with on the plains or savannahs, and frequent more the

thick forests and swamps.

he re

ayer mation respecting Zoological Travellers. 401

The, collared or banded Peccari (Sus Tajussu, L., Dicoteles tor-

quatus, F, Cuy.), the lesser of the two. species, is generally met

with: i In small families of eight_or ten, frequently only in pairs. They

are of. a gray colour, that is, their hair, which is ringed alternately

with black and. yellowish white, appears gray at a short distance,

The, belly. i is almost bare, and the bristles on the sides are rather

short, but they, eradually increase in length as they approach the

ridge of the back, where they form a kind_ of bristly mane. From

the shoulders. round the neck extends a narrow collar or band of

whitish -hair. Their legs.are short. and the hoofs long; they run

nevertheless with great swiftness, and when hunted by dogs, take

refuge i in a hollow tree. They feed on seeds, particularly on those

of, different species of palms, which they crack with their strong

jaws, and devour the shell as well as the kernel. They also turn up

the soil like the domestic hog to search for worms. or insects, and.to

procure them: are.often and-more. generally found in swampy situa-

tions ; the assertions that they are only found in mountainous parts

of a country, and.yery:seldom in lowlands or marshes, may be cor-

rect with regard to Paraguay, but not so as to Guiana, where we

have found them generally in marshy. situations, wallowing like our

domestic hogs in quest.of worms.. They bear one young at a time,

rarely two, which follow the dam until it can provide for itself.

They swim across rivers, but seldom take to the water when pur-

sued. by dogs,.asthey do not dive. _ Indeed: they are awkward.in

the water,.and.the Indian hunter is sure of success if he can

drive a herd into the river. T hey are then easily killed by stri-

king them a blow on the nose; however, the Indian does not stop

to, pick them.up.when thus killed; he is well aware of the peeu-

liarity. which they share with few animals, namely, that they float

on_the water, while almost every other animal sinks: the Indian

therefore kills as.many.as:he can, and picks them up. when he.is

no longer able to add to their number.

When taken, young they are easily tamed, and will follow any

one they take a liking to, like a dog; but are apt to bite and snap.

at those..to.whom they take a.dislike.. They appear very fond_.of.,

being scratched; andsopleasing must this operation.prove to them,...

that, they gradually lie down.on.the ground and give. signs.of. their .

great delight. bya low.grunt..; In a tame as well as ina wild states

they, show the-greatest, aversion to dogs; in a domesticated. state

them bristles. rise. .and. they begin attacking the enemy, with their

tusks. When hunted they make a desperate resistance, and.severely

wound dogs that are not accustomed to hunt them. Those which

Ann, Nat. Hist. Vol.5. No.33. Aug. 1840. 2F

402 Information respecting Zoological Travellers.

have been trained by the Indians separate one from the herd and

keep it at bay until the huntsman arrives to shoot it with his arrow ;

the dog then sets off after the herd again and acts in like manner.

I have known a hunter with a well-trained dog to bring three and

four hogs as the fruit of his hinting excursion. The Indian who is

not provided with a dog, on coming up with a herd climbs the first

tree, and begins to imitate the barking of a dog; if young ones

should be among the herd, at which period they are particularly

fierce, this sound is quite sufficient to urge them to attack, and they

soon gather in numbers round the tree, threatening with their tusks.

This is the time for the Indian to discharge among them the con-

tents of his gun, if provided with one, and with what success may

be imagined : off sets the herd in full flight ; the Indian is equally

quick to follow them, and should he be nimble-footed enough to

outstrip them and to get before the herd, he climbs another tree, and

again imitating the barking of a dog, he is sure to assemble them in

full rage around the tree, and has opportunity of firing a second

shot at them. This method is now frequently practised, where guns,

and even double-barreled ones, are no rarity among the Indians of

the coast regions. An Arawak Indian from the Lower Essequibo

nearly paid this ruse with his life; the branch on which he sat when

he was about to fire among the incensed herd which had gathered

round the tree, broke, and he would have fallen among them if he

had not caught one of the lower branches, not high enough however

from the ground to be entirely out of their reach. His legs were

almost literally torn to pieces by their triangular tusks ; still he did

not let go his hold, and kept presence of mind enough to try to

swing himself upon the branch, in which he at last succeeded. Their

victim having escaped, they exhausted their ire on the gun, and at

length left the Indian, who in spite of the loss of blood crawled

homewards and escaped narrowly with his life.

Their flesh is savoury, though drier and leaner than that of the

hog; but precaution must be taken soon after the animal has been

killed to cut off that part on the back which contains the glands,

otherwise it communicates a musky taste to the meat. They form

one of the chief articles of sustenance of the Indians; and as their

being hunted with a well-trained dog insures more certain success, a

dog of that description commands a good price. The Peccari is

called Apuya by the Arawak Indians, Paraxa by the Macusis, Pa-

K1rA by the Paravilhanas, Paxiryr by the Warraus.

The white-lipped Peccari or Kairuni (Dicoteles labiatus, Cuv.) is

considerably larger than the preceding, of a darker colour, and white

Information respecting Zoological Travellers. 403

upon the cheeks and lips; and the hair about the head is so long

that it almost covers the ears. The young are of a chestnut colour,

and their cry resembles the bleating of a goat. Their manner of

feeding and habits in general are not different from the Peccari, but

they travel together in herds of several hundreds. ‘They are more

fierce when hunted, and often kill the dogs that attack them by rip-

ping them up with their tusks; and they are also known to have at-

tacked the huntsman. When they once take to flight they can be

followed without much danger, as they seldom retain their courage

or turn round upon their pursuers. The Jaguars commit great car-

nage among them; they remain generally in the rear and seize upon

the last and all stragglers ; but it is asserted by the Indians, and cor-

roborated by wood-cutters and others who live in the interior, that

the white-lipped Peccaris frequently surround the Jaguar and tear

their enemy to pieces.

Of all the rivers in British Guiana, the Berbice offered the greatest

difficulties to our ascent, either in the shape of cataracts or from

large trees, which we frequently found lying across where the river

narrowed, which either the wind or age had prostrated. Our ad-

vance amounted on the 2nd of January (1837) scarcely to two miles,

the trees which barricaded our passage were so numerous. While

we were thus engaged in cutting through a large mora-tree, one of

the Indians who had been straying about, brought us information

that a herd of the larger Peccari were feeding at a short distance

from a river. Our guns were put immediately in requisition, and off

we started.

Akuritsh, the Caribi, armed with bow and several iron-headed ar-

rows, accompanied us. I came first up with the herd and found

them in a pool of water, where they wallowed in the mire like the

common hog. One stood apart apparently as watch; and scarcely

had it perceived me, when the bristles on its back rose erect, and

turning round towards me, it began chattering with its teeth, and

the whole herd rose : not a moment elapsed, and it lay prostrated in

the mud pierced by my rifle-ball. How can I describe the bustle

and the rush of several hundred, which at the report of the gun

were seen flying in the opposite direction! an Indian who had come

up by this time shot another, and the retreat was now complete.

I had loaded again, but hesitated to wade through the swamp, when

the Arawak chieftain Mathias, who had observed my hesitation,

requested me to lend him my rifle; I gave it him, and he started

off, while J remained at the spot where I first fell in with them. I

heard four or five shots fall, apparently at some distance, and while

2F2

404 Information respecting Zoological Travellers.

I was yet considering how many of them might have told, I heard a

rushing noise like a whirlwind approaching through the bushes to-

wards the place where I stood: the peculiar growl and that awful

chattering of the teeth, did not leave me long in doubt as to its cause;

it was evident that the herd had divided and were coming directly

towards me. I stood alone, unarmed ; these were my last thoughts ;

the next image which stands fixed in my memory is, that I stood on

the lower part of a mora-tree and looked down upon a herd of about

fifty Kairunis rushing by in full speed, their rough bristles standing

erect, their muzzles almost sweeping the ground, and their white

triangular tusks clapping in concert. ‘They came and passed like a

whirlwind, and before I had recovered from my astonishment, I

heard them plunge into the river to swim across. How I came on

that tree I know not; to the rapid execution of what I must have

considered my only means of escape I owed my life. The other

hunters had not been so fortunate as I expected; excitement or fear

made them miss, where it would have appeared almost impossible.

Including the one which I had shot, three more had been killed with

guns, and one by Akuritsh with bow and arrow: they were a most

welcome addition to our reduced Commissariat.

I had never a better opportunity of watching their proceedings

when on march than offered itself while traversing from the river

Berbice to the Essequibo. We had fallen in with the herd and shot

two, of which we took as much as we could carry, and continued our

journey. A preconcerted signal called us shortly after back to our

camp at the banks of the Berbice, where only a case of urgency could

have induced those who were left in command to fire that signal.

Anxious to learn the cause, I had distanced my party, and unaware

and unperceived I fell in with the herd of the Kairunis; they were

in regular line of march, and walked with slow step, though single,

nevertheless so that the preceding covered partly the following ; the

young were walking under the belly of the mother. We shot two

more, which as time did not permit to carry with us, we hung up on

a tree, to send for them if circumstances permitted. A large party

of Caribi Indians had arrived at the camp, which had been the

reason of firing the signals for our return; they came, however, as

friends; and we returned next day for our hogs, and were not a

little astonished to see no vestiges of them. They had been car-

ried away by a Jaguar. After some search we found them, how-

ever, dragged to a thicket, where they were yet untouched, and

of course we put an end to any further question as to who should

possess them. Their meat is justly esteemed, and many prefer

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 405

it to the lesser Peccari. ‘The liquor which flows out of the

gland is equally offensive as in the latter, and is peculiar to both

male and female. They bear only two young ones, frequently only

one; but they are more difficult to tame than the collared Peccari.

Ido not think that any attempts have been made to domesticate

either one or the other species. ‘The Indians tame sometimes the

young ones, but never with the avowed purpose of breeding ;

although I have little doubt that their meat would vastly improve by

regular attention ; and after two or three generations they would be

familiarized. ‘There is no instance known of their having bred with

the European hog and produced an intermediate race.

The white-lipped Peccari is equally indigenous at Paraguay as in

Guiana. It is called Karrunr by the Arawaks, Porince by the Ma-

cusis, lpur& by the Warraus.

Extracts from a Journal of the Mission which visited Bootan, in

1837-38, under Captain R. BortEav PEemMBeErton. By W. Grir-

FITH, Esq., Madras Medical Establishment.

[ Continued from p. 211.]

April 10th. We descended to a small nullah just below the castle,

and then commenced an ascent which lasted for three or four hours,

and which was generally moderately steep. On surmounting the

ridge, which was of an elevation of about 10,000 feet, we commenced

a long and uninterrupted descent along the course of a small tor-

rent (the path being well diversified with wood and glade) until we

reached Woollookha, distant fourteen and half miles from Telagong.

About 1200 feet above this we came on rather fine wheat cultiva-

tion, among which two or three villages were situated. Above this

elevation we came on fine woods of oaks and yews, diversified with

swardy spots; and on reaching the summit of the ridge an cpen

sward with beautiful rhododendron, birch, and juniper woods. Her-

baceous monocotyledons abounded here; in fact the vegetation alto-

gether was very rich, and the first spring vegetation we had yet met

with. Gooseberries and currants were common from 9000 feet up-

wards: euphorbias, primroses, saxifrages, clematises, anemones, ra-

nunculuses, &c., were some among the many European forms that I

met with on this march. Near the summit, on the descent, a genuine

larch was observed, and lower down two species of poplar were very

common. ‘The scenery was generally very beautiful. We passed a

delightfully situated Gylong village not much below the summit,

and near Woollookha saw Symtoka, a rather large square building

406 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

belonging to the Deb Rajah, situated two or three hundred feet above

our road. Woollookha is a good-sized village, and the houses are

very good: it is close to the river Teemboo, which drains Tassisudon

valley, a few miles distant to the north. ‘There are several villages

around it, and a good deal of cultivation of alternating crops of bar-

ley, wheat, and rice. The valley, if indeed it can be so called, for

it is very narrow, is picturesque enough, although the surrounding

hills are not well wooded. The banks of the river, which here flows

gently enough, are well ornamented with weeping willows.

11th. We continued our route following the river, the path gene-

rally lying down its bed, or close to it, occasionally ascending two

or three hundred feet above it. Halted at Lomnoo, an easy march.

The features of the country remained the same until we neared our

halting-place, when woods of Pinus excelsa became very common ;

roses occurred in profusion, and the vegetation generally consisted of

shrubs ; villages were tolerably frequent, and the cuckoo* was again

heard.

12th. To Chupcha. Continued for some time through a precisely

similar country, still following the river, but generally at some

height above its bed. After passing Panga, a small village at which

our conductors wished us to. halt, although it was only six miles from

Somnoo, we descended gradually to the river Teemboo, and con-

tinued along it for some time, during which we passed the remains

of a suspension-bridge. After leaving Panga no villages were passed,

and one small one only was seen on the opposite bank of the Teem-

boo; but up to the above-mentioned place the country continued

tolerably populous. The vegetation, until the ascent was commenced,

was a good deal like that about Somnoo, Pinus excelsa forming the

predominant feature. From the base of the ascent it became com-

pletely changed—oaks forming the woods, and from 7500 feet up-

wards, various rhododendrons occurring in profusion, mixed with

wild currants, &c. We were detained at Chupcha for two days, at

the end of which the last coolies had scarcely arrived: it is ten miles

from Somnoo, and sixteen miles from Panga, and about 8100 feet in

elevation. The greatest ascent, and this too after a march of twelve

miles, must have been between 2500 and 3000 feet. We were

lodged comfortably in the castle, although it was not white-washed,

nor had it the insignia of a belt of red ochre. It is a short distance

from the village, which again is two or three hundred yards to the

* The first time I heard this bird was about Punukka. Although in

plumage it differs a good deal from the bird so well known in Europe, yet

Its voice is precisely similar.

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 407

west of the direct road. We thought Chupcha a delightful place :

the scenery is varied, the temperature delightful, varying in-dosrs

from 46° to 52°. The face of the mountain, although very steep, is

about the castle well cultivated : the crops, which were of six-ranked

barley, were very luxuriant, and certainly the finest we ever saw in

the country. The red-legged crow recurred here. During our stay,

I ascended the ridge immediately above the castle, passing through

a very large village of Gylongs, elevated at least 9000 feet. This

village was the largest I saw in Bootan, and was ornamented with a

pretty religious building, surrounded by junipers, and more deco-

rated than such edifices usually are. Up to the village the path passed

through beautiful woods of Pinus excelsa: above it I came on open

sward, which continued on the south face up to the very summit of the

ridge, which was nearly 11,000 feet. The north face of the moun-

tain was well wooded : on it rhododendrons, a few black pines, beau-

tiful clumps of Pinus Smithiana, bogh pat, mountain pears, aconites,

columbines, saxifrages, primroses, &c. were found in abundance.

The southern face was decorated with a pretty yellow anemone, and

the pink spikes of a bistort. From the ridge still loftier ones were

visible in every direction, all of which were covered with snow, which

lightly sprinkled the one on which I stood. At this season snow

scarcely remains for a day under 11,000 feet, except in very sheltered

situations.

15th. I left Chupcha with much regret. We descended by a pre-

cipitous path to a torrent about 1800 feet below the castle. Cross-

ing this, we descended gradually until we came on the ravine of the

Teemboo; at which point there is a small pagoda, visible from

Chupcha. We then turned southwards, and continued for a long

time at nearly the same level, passing a small village, Punugga, three

or four hundred feet below us. The march was seventeen miles.

The road in many places was very bad, and scarcely passable for

loaded ponies. ‘The scenery was frequently delightful, and vegeta-

tion was in the height of spring luxuriance. ‘The hills bounding the

ravine of Teemboo continued very high until we reached Chuka; they

were well diversified, particularly at some height above’us, with

sward and glade, and richly ornamented with fine oaks, rhododen-

drons, cedar-like pines, and Pinus excelsa. Water was most abun-

dant throughout the march, and in such places the vegetation was

indescribably rich and luxuriant. No village besides that of Punugga

was passed or seen, nor did I observe any cultivation. I was much

impeded by droves of cattle passing into the interior, for the road

was frequently so narrow, and the mountains on which it was formed

408 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

so steep, that I was obliged to wait quietly until all had passed.

These cattle were of a different breed from those hitherto seen in

Bootan, approaching in appearance the common cattle of the plains,

than which however they were much finer and larger. We were

sufficiently well accommodated in the castle of Chuka. ‘There is a

miserable village near it, and several trees of the Ficus elastica.

16th. To Murichom. We descended to the Teemboo, which runs

some fifty feet below the castle, and crossed it by a suspension-

bridge, of which a figure has been given by Capt. Turner; it is very

inferior in size and construction to that of Rassgong, although, un-

like that, it is flat at the bottom. We continued following the

Teemboo winding gradually up its right bank, chiefly through rather

heavy jungle, and descending subsequently about 600 feet to its bed,

by a dreadfully dangerous path, built up the face of a huge cliff. We

continued along it until we crossed a small torrent at its junction

with the large river, and then ascended gradually, following the

ravine of this through humid jungle. As we approached Murichom

we left the Teemboo a little to our left, and continued through a

heavily wooded country. Before ascending finally to Murichom, we

descended twice to cross torrents. We reached Murichom late in

the evening, the distance being eighteen miles. No villages were

seen until we came in sight of Murichom. The mountains were

much decreased in height, and clothed with dense black jungle. We

passed two water-falls, both on the left bank of the Teemboo, the one

most to the south being the Minza peeya of Turner. Neither of them

appeared particularly worthy of notice. The vegetation had almost

completely changed, it partook largely of the subtropical characters,

scarcely a single European form being met with. Murichom isa

small village, rather more than 4000 feet above the sea. Although

at so considerable an elevation, most of the plants were similar to

those of Assam.

17th. Leaving Murichom we descended rapidly to a small torrent,

from which we re-ascended until we had regained the level of Mu-

richom. The path then wound along through heavily wooded coun-

try at an elevation of 4000 or 4200 feet ; we continued thus through-

out the day. At five p.m. finding that the coolies were beginning

to stop behind, and failing in getting any information of my com-

panions, I returned about 14 mile to the small village of Gygoogoo.

18th. I proceeded to Buxa. The path was somewhat improved,

and the ascent gradual until an elevation of about 5500 feet was sur-

mounted, from which the descent to Buxa is steep and uninterrupted.

This place is seen from a ridge about 12U0 feet above it. I reached

= ees ee. oe,

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 409

it between 9 and 10 a.m., and found that my companions had ar-

rived late on the preceding evening, having accomplished a march of

twenty miles in one day. Scarcely any coolies had arrived, how-

ever, before me. ‘The features of the country remained the same,

the whole face being covered with dense black-looking forest. Even

on the ridge, which must have been between 5000 and 5500 feet in

elevation, scarcely any change took place. As I descended to Buxa

vegetation became more and more tropical, and on reaching it I found

myself surrounded with plants common in many parts of the plains

of Assam*. Captain Pemberton left Buxa a day before me, as I was

detained behind for coolies, none of whom had yet arrived. On the

following day I rejoined him at Chicha-cotta. The descent to the

plains is steep at first, and commences about a quarter of a mile

from Buxa. On reaching the steep portion, a halting-place, called

Minagoung, is passed, at which place all bullocks, which are here

used as beasts of burden, are relieved if bound to Buxa, or provided

with burdens if bound for the plains. The descent from this place

is very gradual, and scarcely appreciable ; the path was good, and

bore appearances of being tolerably well frequented: it passed

through a rather open forest, low grasses forming the under-plants.

The plains were not reached for several miles ; indeed the descent was

so gradual, that the boundaries of the hills and those of the plains

were but ill-defined. At last, however, the usual Assam features of

vast expanses of grassy vegetation, interrupted here and there with

strips of jungle, presented themselves. The country is very low,

entirely inundated during the rains, and almost uninhabited. Saul

occurred toward that which may be considered the Toorai of these

parts, but the trees were of no size. To Koolta. We continued

through nearly a desolate country, overrun with coarse grasses,

until we came on the river, which is of considerable width, but ford-

able: we now found ourselves in the Cooch-Behar territory, and

were much struck with the contrast between its richly cultivated

state, and the absolute desolation of that belonging to Bootan. We

continued traversing a highly fertile country, teeming with popula-

tion, until we reached those uncultivated portions of Assam, that are

so frequent in the immediate vicinity of the Brahmaputra. At Ran-

gamutty, where we received every civility from the Bhoorawur, we

took boat and arrived at Goalpara.

Beyond this it is scarcely necessary to trace our progress. I have

only to add, that but one death occurred during the time that the

Mission was absent.

* Plantains, jacks, mangoes, figs, oranges, &c. are found about the huts

of Buxa.

410 Bibliographical Notices.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

A History of the Fossil Fruits and Seeds of the London Clay. By

James Scott Bowerbank, F.G.S., &c. With numerous Engra-

vings. Part I. London, Van Voorst, price 16s.

We have here a work, which if carried through as it has been begun,

cannot fail to be of the highest interest and utility to the geologist

and the botanist. An extract from the Prospectus will best explain

what the author has undertaken, and the manner in which he pro-

poses to execute it.

“‘ Among the numerous and highly interesting fossils found in the Lon-

don clay, none are more abundant than the remains of fruits and seeds,

which, although occurring in such amazing quantities in the Isle of Sheppey,

have hitherto received but little attention from geologists, and consequently

present a wide field for inquiry and research.

‘For many years past the author of the present work has made these

interesting remains his peculiar study ; and during this period there have

passed through his hands more than 120,000 fruits and seeds, from which

he has selected about 25,000 specimens. He proposes to publish figures and

descriptions of as many of the species as can with certainty be determined ;

and, as a guarantee for the accuracy of the delineations, he considers it will

be sufficient to announce that the whole of the drawings and engravings will

be executed by Mr. James De Carle Sowerby. :

“In these beautiful remains of an extinct Flora, the minute and deli-

cately-formed vegetable tissues are preserved in the most perfect manner ;

and it is part of the Author’s plan to give numerous highly magnified illus-

trations of the anatomical structure, as well as of the external form.”

It is obvious that the value of such a work must greatly depend

upon the execution of the figures. Lest we should therefore fail in

conveying to our readers an adequate idea of the force and accuracy

of the engravings, we have obtained the favour of the impressions

of Plate IV. which accompany our present number, and which may

serve to illustrate what we shall extract relative to Mr. Bowerbank’s

first group, Nipadites, and the interesting species which it repre-

sents, Nipadites Parkinsonis.

“The fruits of which this group is composed are found in considerable

abundance on the beach at Sheppey, forming a portion of the organic remains

impregnated with pyrites, so plentifully discovered there. They are known

among the women and children, by whom they are usually collected, by the

“name of Figs. The epicarp and endocarp are thin and membranous; the

sarcocarp is thick and pulpy, composed of cellular tissue, through which

run numerous bundles of vessels. The cells are about the eight hundredth

part of an inch in diameter. Nearly in the centre of the pericarp is situated

Bibliographical Notices. All

a single large seed. (See Plate IV. fig. 2.a.) This, when broken, is usually

found to be more or less hollow. It is frequently not more than half a line

in thickness, but in the more perfect specimens it generally presents the

appearance of a close, granulated structure, in which small apertures, con-

taining carbonaceous matter, occasionally occur. These apertures possess

much uniformity, both in size and shape, and are of about the same dimen-

sions as the cells of the sarcocarp. This seed in one species, Nipadites

Parkinsonis, when in the most perfect state of preservation, was found to

consist of regular layers of cells, radiating from a spot situated near the mid-

dle of the seed, and apparently enclosing a central embryo.”

“ One very fine fruit of a species of Pandanus in the possession of my

friend Mr. Ward, which is nearly four inches in length and two inches and

a half mean diameter, approaches very nearly in external form to the fossil

Nipadites Parkinsonis (Plate 1V.), excepting that instead of being termi-

nated somewhat acutely, like the fossil alluded to, it is depressed at the apex,

and has eleven umbones, which are nearly equidistant from each other.

Upon making a transverse section of this fruit at about its middle, eleven

embryos were seen, arranged exactly in the manner indicated by the um-

bones at the apex of the fruit, and passing nearly in straight lines from that

point towards its base. The cells containing the embryos were about the

eighth of an inch in diameter.”

“ But of all the fruits that I have yet seen, there are none which approach

so nearly to the fossil Nipadites as one of which my friend Mr. Ward has lately

received two specimens from Captain Roberts, of the ship Indemnity, who

met with them floating in the sea off the island of Java, at the mouth of a

small river. These fruits my friend Mr. G. Loddiges recognized as the

seed-vessels of Nipa fruticans.”—“ In their disposition and general character

they very nearly resemble the corresponding parts in several species of our

fossil Nipadites, especially Nipad. umbonatus.”—“ The epicarp is thin and

smooth, and furnished near the apex of the fruit with numerous puncta,

strongly resembling, both in form and extent, those occurring near the apex

of the fruit figured in Plate IV. fig. 3.”

The Nipa fruticans occurs, it is stated, ‘‘at the mouths of rivers

in the Philippines and Molucca islands, especially in Ternate, and

likewise in the Celebes. The tree grows in places within the in-

fluence of the tides. The fruits are often carried by the tide, and

thrown on shore in distant places ; and they take root where the soil

is suitable. If the habits of. the plant which produced our fossil

fruits, as is justly observed by the Author, were similar to those of

the recent palm just described (and it is highly probable that such

was the case), it may account for their amazing abundance in the

London clay.

“ The resemblance existing between the whole of the species of Nipadites,

both as regards their external form and their internal structure, with those

of Nipa, is so close as to leave scarcely a doubt of their being members of

412 Bibliographical Notices.

the same genus; the only difference being that the recent fruit has the in-

terior surface of the pericarp somewhat in a state of induration, which is not

perceptible in that of any of the fossil species; although it may have been

so to a considerable extent in their original state, before fossilization, with-

out our being able, at this period, to determine such to have been the case

with any degree of certainty. And when we take into consideration the

great variation in different species in the degree of thickness of the bony

endocarp of the nearly allied genus Cocos, we can scarcely consider this

single discrepancy sufficient to remove the fossil from the recent genus, I

have therefore thought it advisable to reject M. Adolphe Brongniart’s name

of Paxdanocarpum, and to apply that of Nipadites, as more expressive of

their true relation to their recent analogues.”

We may also remark, that several of the Cupressinites present a

striking resemblance to the fruits of certain species of the Coniferous

genus Callitris, principally confined to New Holland and Van Die-

men’s Land; and one, Cupressinites curtus (pl. x. fig. 20.), exhibits

a close analogy with the fruits of Callitris quadrivalvis from Mount

Atlas, being the only recent species in the Northern hemisphere.

The author is entitled to great praise in undertaking the illustra-

tion of one of the most difficult and important departments of fossil

botany ; and we trust that he may be encouraged to continue his re-

searches in a subject so replete with interest, and in the prosecution

of which he has already displayed so much zeal and ability.

British Entomology ; being Illustrations and Descriptions of the Ge-

nera 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., Hon. M.A.S. Oxf., Acad. Imp. Georg.

Florent. Soc., Acad. Sc. Philad. Corresp. In 16 vols. Royal 8vo.

In recording the completion of a beautiful and valuable work

which is the fruit of sixteen years’ unremitting labour, devoted to it

by one who has combined accurate scientific research with consum-

mate skill as an artist, and has at the same time borne for that long

period all the anxiety, risk, confinement, and labour of regular pub-

lication, it is impossible not to enter with cordial interest into the

feelings of the author, in his retrospect of what he has endeavoured,

with the most laudable perseverance, to accomplish for natural his-

tory.

Mr. Curtis reminds us in the Preface which accompanies the final

day, 1824, and he felicitates himself in having been enabled to com-

plete it in the time which he then anticipated. His original design

Bibliographical Notices. 413

had been an JIlustrated ‘“‘ Genera of Insects ;”’ but the vast increase

of materials induced him, on commencing his work, to limit it to the

Genera of British Insects. His views of the utility of such an un-

dertaking are thus expressed :—

“That the investigation of genera must be of the first importance cannot

be denied, for without a knowledge of such groups, it is impossible for any

one to gain a correct knowledge of species; as well might a person expect

to be able to write before he had learned the first rudiments of a language,

or to solve a problem, being ignorant of the principles of mathematics. If

this be admitted, it is unnecessary to dwell much upon the importance of

having genera correctly investigated and described. ‘This has been at-

tempted in the present undertaking, and although I have selected the works

of my lamented friend Latreille as a model, Nature has been my guide ; for

with the exception of some of the caterpillars, living examples of which it

was impossible to obtain, and a very few of the dissections, every figure has

been drawn from the life or from preserved specimens, and the descriptions

have been taken from actual investigations of the various parts of the

animals.”’

As to system and arrangement, Mr. Curtis differs from those who

have founded them solely upon one set of characters, employed al-

most to the exclusion of all others ; alleging that, although in dif-

ferent Orders their value essentially varies, “‘a truly philosophic

system must be based on all that are available, and which conse-

quently must be derived from various sources.”’

With regard to the scope of his work, Mr. Curtis adds,

«‘ T have studied to give one or more examples, sometimes amounting to

forty of each family, never losing sight of the Linnean and Fabrician genera,

all of which, I believe, as far as native groups are concerned, have been

illustrated, and also a very large portion of the genera of other eminent

authors, especially of Latreille, Olivier, Schonherr, Leach, Dejean, Graven-

horst, Kirby, Jurine, Hibner, Treitschke, Germar, Fallen, Meigen, and

most of the new and remarkable types that have been discovered during the

last twenty years.”

Mr. Curtis has called in the aid of Botany in order to give ad-

ditional interest to his Plates, each of which contains, along with the

insect which is the subject of it, the representation of a British plant,

—often that upon which the insect is found.

“‘ The value also of correct figures of wild specimens of our native plants

to the entomologist, as well as the beauty which they must always give to

a drawing, have made me very desirous to render this department as inter-

esting and useful as [ could; and through the generous contributions of nu-

merous friends and my own exertions, I am happy to find that this portion

of the work is not viewed with indifference, even by botanists.”

414 Bibliographical Notices.

“It was not from choice but necessity that the work was not pub-

lished in Systematic order,” as it would have been impossible “ to »

command the requisite materials, so that the work should appear

with strict regularity ;’”’ Mr. Curtis, however, observes, that

“one great advantage undoubtedly attended the miscellaneous plan

adopted, namely, that a variety of orders was monthly presented to the

public, which led to their immediate attention, and thus families became

the favourites of entomologists, which frequently had been up to that pe-

riod totally neglected.”

The work, however, being now completed, the requisites for a

Systematical arrangement have been carefully supplied in the con-

cluding Number, with which are given general systematical and

alphabetical indexes both of the insects and plants; and eight sepa-

rate indexes, of the same kind, together with as many new Title-

pages, in order that the work may be bound in eight instead of six-

teen volumes. It is unnecessary for us to remark how much the

utility and interest of the work will be increased when thus arranged.

Mr. Curtis makes the following remarks upon the progress and

execution of his labours :—

‘* Notwithstanding all difficulties, and they have neither been few nor

trifling, I have devoted myself most assiduously to my task during its pro-

gress, that no delay might take place in the accomplishment of an object

which I considered would be for the benefit of science; and for sixteen

years my cabinets and library have been open to my friends and scientific

men one day in each week, in the hope that my favourite pursuit would be

thereby advanced ; and if they have gained information or derived advan-

tage from this arrangement, I am well satisfied. This, however, caused so

great a diminution of my time, that it would have taken upwards of twenty

years to complete this work, without allowing any periods for relaxation, if

I had not called in the aid of artists to assist me in the engravings; I wish

it, however, to be understood that the plates of several of the early volumes

were for the greater part, and those of the last and a considerable por-

tion of the fifteenth were entirely, my own engraving, and all the others

were corrected and finished by myself; the drawings also are the efforts of

my pencil, and the articles and descriptions are my own writing; for any

errors, therefore, I alone am accountable. That my labours have been well

received by those who are impartial judges, I need only refer to the notices

of Latreille, Burmeister, and many of my own countrymen.

Before taking leave of those who have been interested in my undertaking

for so many years, I would remark, that without the support of the influ-

ential and wealthy, no illustrated work with numerous highly-finished en-

gravings can, in this branch of natural history, leave any reward for the

labours of the author, which are of course greatly increased when he com-

bines the part of the artist with his more legitimate duty; and if in the

Microscopical Society. 415

present instance I had been compelled to pay for the drawings and all the

copper-plate engravings, it would have caused an additional expense of at

least twenty shillings per volume to the purchaser.”

“‘ If experience alone can teach us wisdom in the common affairs of life,

with which we are familiar, how much more probable is it, that in the pro-

gress of enterprises and speculations with which we are totally unacquainted,

we should meet with disappointments, and often be taught a lesson we little

expected! such has been my fortune.—I had little idea of the large sum of

money that would be required to carry on an illustrated publication, con-

taining several hundreds of highly-finished coloured engravings ; of the in-

cessant labour and anxiety which a periodical would entail upon me; of

numerous minor difficulties to which an author is exposed in the different

stages of his work, and the little encouragement given to expensive works

of art ;—these have rendered the British Entomology a heavy tax for many

years, and I have only been encouraged in my progress, by a desire to fulfill

my promise to the Subscribers, and with the prospect of making it generally

useful to those who are engaged in scientific pursuits. I now trust that the

attention which has been paid to every department will recommend this

work to those who have withheld from purchasing it, from their avowed and

just objection to taking publications in numbers; and as it will, I trust, be-

come the basis for a well-grounded knowledge of insects, I may anticipate

some remuneration from other sources. It is also most earnestly hoped

that those Subscribers who have discontinued taking the work, will now do

me the justice to complete their copies, without which I must be subjected

to great loss, and their own volumes will be of no value after a short pe-

riod, as the stock is in the course of being perfected by reprinting the defi-

cient parts.”

We sincerely hope that the work, having been now brought to its

completion, in a style of uniform and first-rate excellence as to its

illustrations, and of the highest utility as regards the plan and exe-

cution of the descriptive and scientific part, may ultimately be found

not wholly to disappoint the just expectations of the author.

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.

At a meeting of the Microscopical Society on ‘Tuesday the 20th

of May, Mr. Dalrymple read a paper upon the family of Closterine,

which have been classed by Ehrenberg* amongst the polygastric

Infusoria, and by Meyen amongst Conferve or aquatic vegetables.

The author, after detailing the history of Closterium from its

discovery by Coste in 1774 down to the present time, entered into

a detail of its appearance and general structure; he described

* See Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. ii. p.121.

416 Microscopical Society.

it as consisting of a green gelatinous and granular body, invested

by a highly elastic and contractile membrane, which is attached

by variable points to a hard siliceous shell, which was afterwards

stated by Mr. C. Varley to resist even the action of boiling nitric

acid. ‘The form of Closterium is spindle-shaped, or crescentic—

the shell consisting of two horns, tapering off more or less to the

extremities, and united at the central transverse line—constituting

a perfectly symmetrical exterior. At the extremity of each horn is

an opening in the shell, which, however, is closed within by the mem-

branous envelope, wanting, however, in some specimens. Within

the shell, and at the extremity of the green body, is a transpa-

rent chamber, containing a variable number of active molecules,

measuring from the 20,000th to the 40,000th of an inch; these

molecules, or transparent spheroids, occasionally escape from this

chamber, and circulate vaguely and irregularly between the peri-

phery of the gelatinous body and the shell; further, the parietes

of this chamber have a contractile power. The author denied the

existence of any papille or proboscides at this part, as well as the

supposition of Ehrenberg that these moving molecules constitute

the basis of such papillez. He also denied the statement of the

same distinguished observer, that if colouring matter was mixed

with the water in which the Closterium resides, any motion was

communicated to the particles of such colouring matter by the sup-

posed papille, or by the active molecules within the terminal cells.

A circulation of the fluids within the shell was observed, independent

of the vague movements of the active molecules; this was regu-

lar, passing in two opposite currents, one along the side of the

shell, and the other along the periphery of the gelatinous body.

When the shell and body of the Clostertum was broken by pressure,

the green gelatinous matter was forcibly ejected by the contraction

of the membranous envelope.

The action of iodine upon the specimens was very remarkable ;

1st, it did not, as reported by Meyen, stain the green body violet

or purple, but orange-brown ; 2nd, it produced violent contraction

of the investing membrane of the body, whereby the green matter

was often forcibly expelled from the shell at the transverse division ;

it instantly annihilated the motion of the molecules in the terminal

sacs, and the sacs themselves became so distended with fluid as to

burst, and allow the molecules to escape.

The mode of reproduction was stated to take place, 1st, by spon-

taneous transverse division ; 2nd, by ova; 3rd, by interbudding, or

the conjugation of two Closteria.

Zoological Society. 417

The author, after balancing the arguments of the two theories

respecting the classification of this body, gave as his reasons for

retaining them on the side of the animal kingdom, the following

summary :—

Ist. That while Closterium has a circulation of molecules greatly

resembling that of plants, it has also a definite organ, unknown in

the vegetable world, in which the active moiecules appear to enjoy

an independent motion, and the parietes of which appear capable of

contracting upon its contents.

2nd. That the green gelatinous body is contained in a membra-

nous envelope, which, while it is elastic, contracts also upon the

action of certain re-agents, whose effects cannot be considered

purely chemical.

3rd. The comparison of the supposed ova with cytoblasts and

cells of plants, precludes the possibility of our considering them as

the latter, while the appearance of a vitelline nucleus, transparent

but molecular fluid, a chorion or shell, determines them as animal

ova. It was shown to be impossible that these eggs had been de-

posited in the empty shell by other infusoria, or that they were the

produce of some entozoon. .

4th. That while it was impossible to determine whether the

vague motions of Closterium were voluntary or not, yet the idea the

author had formed of a suctorial apparatus, forbad his classing them

with plants.

Lastly, in no instance had the action of iodine produced its ordi-

nary effects upon starch or vegetable matter, by colouring it violet

or blue, although Meyen asserts it did in his trials.

The author therefore concluded that Closterium must still be

retained as an Infusory Animal, although it is more than doubtful

whether it ought to rank with the polygastric families.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

November 26, 1839.—William H. Lloyd, Esq., in the Chair.

An extensive collection of shells, sponges, &¢., presented by J. B.

Harvey, Esq., Corr. Memb. Zool. Soc., was exhibited. The specimens

contained in this collection are from South Australia, and were prin-

cipally collected in Kangaroo Island.

Prof. Rymer Jones called the attention of the Meeting to certain

specimens contained in this collection, and to the sponges in par-

ticular, and, having made some observations upon their structure and

mode of reproduction, he entered into the question relating to their

animal or vegetable nature.

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 5. No. 33. Aug. 1840. 2G

418 Loological Focely.

Mr."Waterhouse laid before. the Meeting the following tabular

view, of the distribution of the Fodentia :—

South. America

7 sif5a SAT to game India and Is-| ,PO%%y

Europe Ps North) wovth America, Africa. pam and caate ndian

) Si uu goles as a oe ve

3 5. Sciurus, 20. Sciurus. 5. Sciurus. 25, Sciurus, 6, Sciurus,,

AS 1. Pteromys. 3. Pteromys. 9) Pteromys. ‘Ss

= 1, Tamias. 5. Tamias. 3. Xerus.

‘S 3. Spermophilus. |10. Spermophilus.

& | | 2. Arctomys, 8. Arctomys. |

1, Aplodontia.

2. Graphiurus.

( { 3. Myoxus. 3. Myoxus.

< { 2. Meriones.

Zi 8. Dipus. 4, Dipus.

a S 16. Mus. ys fede 10. Mus. (12. Mus. 30. f Mus.

s 15 Hesperomys. | 2, Dendromys. \ Hesperomys.

= 6. Gerbillus. 2. Gerbillus. | 3. Reithrodon.

1. Psammomys.! 1. Phloeomys.

1. Sigmodon. 3. Euryotis. 2. Rhizomys. |

6..Cricetus. 2, Neotoma.

1, Castor.

1. Ondatra.

8. Arvicola.

4, Lemmus.

10. Geomys.

1, Castor.

20. Arvicola.

4. Lemmus,

2. Spalax.

Arvico-

lide

eS ES | ES | SS | pS

. Cercolabes.

2. Abrocoma,

‘: § 1. Hystrix. 1. Erethison. 1, Hystrix. 1. Hystrix., | 3

Bs { eVas case the deccupbevuvescoelea Pe ieeseeee advias ast cued dectaceseees ree) 1. Atherura. | 2. Synetheres.

x 1. Aulacodus. 3. Capromys.

1. Oryeterus. | 1. Myopotamus.

4, Bathyergus. | 10. Echimys.

1, Petromys. |_| | 6. Nelomys. —

1. Cercomys.

a 2. Dasyprocta.

7, | 1. Ceelegenys.

2 2. Ctenomys.

ioe ' 1. Poephagomys.

Et ~ eeeveveee CORO EEO OSE O OE OE gage cess eDOSEe EPS ESE EE TOSS Cases eRe EES eee FerESCe Ee CHES ESS SES ESE EFE 1. Octodon.

bh | S

s>}

2. Lagotis.

1, Lagostomus.

Chin-

Caviida. chillide. dontide.”

6. Cavia.

2. Kerodon.:

1. Dolichotis,

1. Hydrocheerus.

eerecesee POOR ET OEE TLE THOS Cee H RES REE TERE TOT OEE EDs So se EEE EHE SET EDS SES REED CEEEER EFS SEES acne

pit a

aa)

een

1. Chinchilla

[Bott

15. Lepus. 6. Lepus. 4, Lepus, 1,, Lepus...> #

1, Lagomys. ; 1, Lagomys. BSSraT A

5. Lepus.

3. Lagomys.

LEPO.

RINA.

Leporide.

silts

8l spe. 16 gen.

99 spe. 19 gen. 53 spe. 16 gen. |58 spe. 10gen.|89 spe. 25 gen.

_ Mr. Waterhouse stated, that in the construction of this. table he

_ had endeavoured to display the geographical distribution of the sec-

tions of the, order Rodentia, and that to accomplish this, it of course

hecame necessary to combine some system of classification, with, an

arrangement of the genera according to the countries in which they

were found. The table is divided into five columns, one column

being devoted to each of the following portions of the globe: Ist,

Zoological Society. 419

Europe and North Asia; 2nd, North America; 3rd, Africa; 4th,

India and the Indian Islands; 5th, South Hage ecules and the West In-

dian Islands.

Tn these columns the names of the genera found in each province

are inserted, and the number of known species belonging to each

genus (as nearly as can be ascertained) is also indicated. Horizon-

tal lines separate the genera according to the sections to which they

are supposed to belong.

“The few Rodents found in Australia all belong to the family

Muride. About six species are known, and these appertain to the

genera Mus, Hapalotis, Licht. (which is the Conilurus of Mr.

Ogilby), Hydromys and Pseudomys.

“The first thing that strikes the attention,” observed Mr. Water-

house, “is, that the great mass of South American Rodents belong to

a different section from those of the northern portions of the globe,

and that they are of a lower grade of organization, as is also the case

with respect to the Old and New World Monkeys.”

The next point to which Mr. Waterhouse drew attention was the

relative number of species found in warm and in temperate climates.

“If the number of species found in the two provinces, Europe (in-

cluding North Asia) and North America, be added together, the

total is 180 species, whilst in all the rest of the world, taken together,

the amount is only 206; and if from this last number those species

which inhabit the temperate portions of South America and Austra-

lia (amounting to about 30) be deducted, and added to the first

amount, it would appear that the Rodents are most abundant in tem-

perate regions. In the Mammals of large size the case is reversed.

“The total number of species inhabiting each of the provinces

pointed out in the table varies less than perhaps might be expected.

The European province, North America, and South America, are

nearly equal as to the number of species they contain; India and

Africa are also nearly equal, but they contain fewer species than

either of the other provinces.

“The Squirrels, Rats, Porcupines, and Hares (constituting the

genera Sciurus, Mus, Hystrix, and Lepus), are the only groups which

are found in all the provinces.

“The Sciuride abound most in North America and India, and

are least abundant in Africa and South America. In the latter

country they appear to be chiefly confined to the northern portions,

and are totally wanting in the southern. :

“The Muride are about equally abundant in Europe, Africa, and

2G2

420 Zovlogical Society.

South America; in North America and India they are much less

numerous,

“ The Arvicolide appear to be confined to North America and the

European province. In South America they are apparently replaced

by the Octodontide, Chinchillide, and Caviide.

“ The family Leporide is but feebly represented in each of the

provinces above-mentioned, excepting in North America, where the

number of species already discovered is almost equal to all those

found in other portions of the globe taken together. In earlier pe-

riods, these Rodents, which are very low in the scale, appear to have

been much more numerous, judging from the fossil remains which

have been found,—-at least in the European province.

“The remaining families of Rodents are almost entirely confined

to South America. The genus Aulacodus of Western Africa, the

genera Petromys, an inhabitant of the Cape of Good Hope, and

Bathyergus, found both at the Cape and north-east portions of —

Africa, possess certain characters in which they approach the South

American forms. _Petromys analogically appears to represent the

Octodons of South America, and Bathyergus may be compared to

the genera Poephagomys and Ctenomys; whilst in Aulacodus we

possess a representative of the Capromys of the West Indies.”

Mr. Waterhouse observed “that he had not yet been able to satisfy

himself as to the precise situation, in a systematic. classification, of

the genera Ctenodaetylus and, Helamys, the former from North, and

the latter from, South Africa....Four other genera are omitted in the

above table for the.same reason ; they are, Otomys* of Dr. Smith, a

genus found at the Cape of Good Hope ; Akodon, Meyen, which in-

habits Peru; Heteromys, Desmarest, founded on the Mus anomalus

of Thompson, an animal found in the island of Trinidad ; and lastly,

Saccomys of F. Cuvier, which is supposed to be from North Ame-

rica. These four genera in all probability belong to the —_

Muride.

“The genus Aplodontia is placed with the Seturide, but it must

be observed that it differs much from the typical species of that

group, there being no post-orbital process to the skull, and the molar

teeth being rootless.

«“ The remains of Rodents found in a fossil state indicate that the

different. provinces were formerly inhabited by the same forms as

those which are now found in them.” |

* This is a different genus to the Otomys of Cuvier, which is Lemoine

Frants. .

Miscellaneous. 421.

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

On the Patella Amena of Say, by Isaac Lea.—In this paper Mr.

Lea gives a Synonymy, showing that the Patella Amena of Say was

first described by Miiller, under the specific name of Testudinalis,

Zool. Dan. p. 237; and Mr. Couthouy, having lately given an ela-

borate description of the animal, in the Boston Journal of Natural

Science, showing that it belongs to the new genus Patelloida, re-

cently established by Quoy and Gaimard; Mr. Lea argues that it

should henceforth be called Patellowda Testudinalis.

Mr. Dunglison referred to a curious but not unique case, of a

worm in the eye of a horse now in Baltimore. The particulars were

contained in a letter to him from Dr. Joshua J. Cohen, of Baltimore.

This entozoon is a species of filaria (see Hilarig papillosa, Rudolphi,

Synops. p. 213.), probably from 34 to 4 inches in length, and situate

in the aqueous humour, in which it moves about with great activity,

but its motions are so constant, that it is difficult to appreciate its

exact length. The great size of the anterior chamber of the horse’s

eye affords it ample space; and through the. transparent cornea it

can be observed as well as if it were in a glass vessel. The horse

was sent up from Calvert county, Maryland.

Dr. Dunglison made some observations on the difficulty of ac-

counting for its presence in this shut sack, and alluded to the differ-

ent views of distinguished naturalists as to the generation ‘of many

of the lower tribes of the animal kingdom,—some™ presuming that

they may be formed spontaneously, whilst others consider that the

germs must always be received from without. The difficulty, he ob-

serves, applied to all the entozoa that infest the animal body; and

this case was certainly not more difficult of explanation than that of

entozoa found in the intestines of the foetus in utero.

MISCELLANEOUS.

ON THE FLOWER OR FRUIT OF FERNS.

Avr a recent meeting of the Royal Academy of Sciences of

Berlin (March 19, 1840), Prof. Link read a paper, in conti-

nuation of his previous memoirs on the structure of Ferns,

treating of the flower or fruit. The sorus is in general si-

tuated on a receptacle which, when roundish, consists entirely

of short spiral vessels, so called, vermicoid bodies, similar to

the thickened extremity of the leaf nerves, which might

422 Miscellaneous.

therefore be regarded as abortive receptacles. In the elon-

gated receptacle, straight spiral vessels are met with. A

spiral vessel never extends to the fruit. The parts which

Sprengel years ago, Blume and Presl at present consider to

be male organs of fructification and indistinctly figured, have

been more accurately examined by Prof. Link, and illustrated

by drawings, They are long hollow filaments, separated by

septa into articulations, generally simple, rarely ramified ; the

last articulation is thicker, and filled with a delicate granular

mass. It may also at times be observed that this mass is

exuded at the last articulation, and surrounds this as a crust.

These parts are frequently longer than the capsules, and are

easily distinguished from the young capsules. It is certainly

probable that they are the stamina of ferns, and Prof. Link

has indeed found them, after frequent search, in most of the

ferns which he subjected to microscopical examination. The

germination of ferns is simple; the shell of the seed bursts re-

gularly or irregularly, out of which the embryo grows forth

in a foliaceous expansion, which subsequently first forms a

bud, whence the plant proceeds in the form which it retains.

This mode of germination presents, therefore, a similarity to

that of monocotyledons, only that here the evolution of the

embryo is a state, and one of rapid transition.

POTAMOGETON PRZLONGUS,

This rare plant occurs plentifully in the river Waveney, which

divides Norfolk from Suffolk, in the neighbourhood of Harleston and

Bungay, where I gathered it in June last. The only other station,

to the south of the Tweed, is in ditches near Caversham Bridge near

Reading, where it was found by Mr. Borrer in May 1836.—CHaRrLes

C. BaBINnGTON.

THE COCOS DE MER.

The singular plant known by the above title was for many years a

source of inquiry, and gave rise to some most absurd and monstrous

conjectures. Its gigantic fruit was occasionally picked up floatmg

at sea, and sometimes carried by the currents to various shores of

the Indian ocean. Astonishing virtues were attributed to it, and

were supposed to be communicated to medicines drunk out of its

ing

Miscellaneous. 493

eapacious shell.« It is stated that as much as four hundred pounds

Sterling have actually been paid for a single nut.

The colonization of the Seychelles Archipelago by the French un-

der M. de la Bourdonnais, the talented and patriotic governor of

Mauritius, set the matter at rest. The Cocos de Mer was found

growing in the islands of Praslin and Curieuse, whose mountains

were abundantly covered with this stupendous plant.” It is a palm,

and like several other members of that family, the male and female

flowers are found on different individuals. Its stem rises to the

height of from 90 to 100 feet, and is crowned with the most’ suyerb

leaves that can be imagined, which form a kind of pent-house around

it as impervious to water as if covered by a roof.

The leaves exactly resemble in form those of the fan-palm, biit

their dimensions are vastly superior. ‘There are many of them that,

measured from the base of the stem, are 20 feet in length, and their

ample folds cover a width of from 10 to 12 feet. It is not till it has

attaimed the age of from 20 to 25 years that it begins to bear: The

enormous drupes, hanging in clusters of four or five, are so heavy,

that a plant of less strength would give way beneath a single bunch,

and they hang three or four years before they are ripe enough to

fall. ‘hus although only one fruit branch is put forth in the year,

the produce of three or four seasons burdens the stem at a time, the

aggregate weight of which is very considerable.

Description cannot do justice to the beauty of these forests, ner

convey an adequate idea of the singular fruit they furnish. ‘The

nuts are mostly double ; but triple, quadruple, and sometimes, though

very rarely, quintuple specimens are found. When green they con-

tain a sweetish jelly-like substance of a refreshing quality. But

when ripe the kernel is as hard as dry beach wood, quite white, and

of a somewhat silky grain. ‘They are left in a marshy spot to rot,

a process which requires six or eight months before the shell can be

emptied. ‘They are applied to various uses, being very strong and

light. Simply bored at the end they serve as very convenient buckets

and kegs, which are in general use among all the inhabitants of the

group of islands in which they are found; inany of them hold up-

wards of three gallons. Many thousands of the shells, sawed in half,

are sent to Mauritius and Bourbon, where they are universally em-

ployed by the blacks for holding food and water; they form also the

best vessels that can be devised for baling out boats... The leaves

are as good a covering for a house as shingles ; a roof well thatched

with them lasts ten years without any repair. ‘They are also em-

ployed, when young and white, for a great many purposes ; hats,

424 | Miscellaneous.

bonnets, baskets, fans, flowers and many other articles being manu-

factured from them.

It is a very remarkable fact that this plant will not flourish on

any of the surrounding islands. Many have been planted on other

islands, but they merely vegetate, and are widely different in ap-

pearance from the splendid plants of Praslin and Curieuse.

PROPAGATION BY HYBRIDS.

In the autumn of 1888, a male bird, the produce of a Goldfinch

and a hen Canary bird, escaped from my aviary, and was not seen

again until the following spring, when we were agreeably surprised

by the re-appearance of our lost favourite in company with a Gold-

finch, As the pair were inseparable, we at once suspected that they

had mated, and in a few days our suspicions were confirmed by see-

ing them feed each other and collect materials for building. By

watching their movements we soon discovered their nest in a cedar-

tree near the aviary. In due time four eggs were laid, which I care-

fully removed and placed under a Canary bird; they however all

proved abortive. In a few days after this disappointment a second

nest was built by them in the same tree, which we left undisturbed,

and the result was favourable ; five birds were hatched, which I took

from the nest when about ten days old and brought up by hand ; of

this number two cocks and two hens are still living.

I am aware that hybrids in a state of captivity and restraint have

not unfrequently proved prolific when brought to pair with a mate

of either of their parent stocks; but I do not remember that I ever

heard an instance of an animal of pure breed in a wild and unre-

strained condition by choice selecting an hybrid mate.

The following are the results of my experiments made during this

spring and summer.

Early in the spring I paired one of these young cock birds (which

I have described as being three parts Goldfinches to one part Canary

bird) with a hen Canary ; a nest was soon made and three eggs laid;

the cock bird, however, destroyed the nest, but I succeeded in saying

the eggs, and placed them under a Canary bird: of this number one

young bird was hatched, which is now full-fledged and in good

health. After this partial failure a second nest was built, which

shared the fate of the former one; I then removed the cock bird and

turned him into the aviary, when he almost immediately selected

another Canary bird as his mate. Upon my putting this pair into

a breeding-cage a nest was formed in less than a week, and four eggs

were laid; I had now taken the precaution to line the nest basket

Meteorological Observations. 425

with flannel, so that although the nest was pulled to pieces, as on

former occasions, the eggs escaped destruction, and upon them the

Canary bird is now sittmg. I again removed the cock bird, and

upon his return to the aviary he at once made up again to his former.

mate, and she has this morning laid an egg. In truth I never saw

a bird more ardent for propagation than this hybrid.

My second experiment has been made by pairing my other hy-

brid cock bird with an hybrid hen of the same nest; the result has

been three eggs, one of which was hatched yesterday morning by a

Canary bird.

Now as this second pair have proved prolific (which are three parts

Goldfinches to one part Canary bird), I do not see any reason why

I may not obtain next year an equally successful result, by putting

together a pair of birds (if I succeed in rearing a male and female),

the produce of my first’experiment ; and if so, a cross breed might be

perpetuated, which would be five parts Canary birds to three parts

Goldfinches.—Grorcr Cookson.

Sete

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR JUNE, 1840.

Chiswick.—June 1. Very hot and dry. 2. Thunder storm, with rain in heavy

showers. 3. Fine, 4. Overcast. 5. Drizzly. 6. Cloudless and hot: heavy

rain at night. 7—11. Very fine. 12. Overcast and fine. 13—15. Very fine.

16. Hotand dry. 17. Fine: showery. 18. Showery in the morning: windy.

19. Slight rain. 20—24. Very fine. 25—29, Cloudy and fine. 30. Hazy :

rain.

The mean temperature was within a fraction of the average for this month,

The quantity of rain was moderate. Westerly winds were unusually prevalent.

Qn the whole the weather may be considered as having been favourable.

Boston.—June 1, Fine: Therm. 78° one o’eleck. 2. Cloudy: Therm. at noon

53°: rainr.m. 3, 4. Cloudy: rainr.m. 5,6. Cloudy. 7. Fine: rain early

aM. 8. Fine. 9. Cloudy: rain p.m. 10,11. Fine. 12. Cloudy: rain p.m.

13,14. Fine. 15. Cloudy. 16. Fine. 17. Fine: rain early a.m. 18- Cloudy.

19. Rain. 20. Fine. 21. Cloudy: rainr.m. 22. Fine: rain early a.m.: rain

pM. 23. Fine: rain p.m. 24. Fine. 25. Cloudy: rain a.m. and p.m. 26.

Fine. 27, 28, 29. Cloudy. 30. Fine.

Applegarth Manse, Dum/fries-shire—June 1, 2. Mild with occasional showers.

3. Fine day: bright sunshine. 4. Cloudy but dry. 5. Rain in the evening.

6. Rain in the morning. 7, 8. Very fineday. 9. Showery all day. 10. Fine

day: rain early, 11. ‘The same, but fair. 12. Wet all day. 13. Very fine day.

14. Wet greater part of the day: thunder. 15. Wet afternoon. 16, 17. Stormy

and wet afternoon. 18. Showery, but calm. 19. Wet a.m.: cleared up p.m.

20. Showery a.m. : cleared and fine. 21. Showeryall day. 22. Rain a.m. 23.

The same: cleared and was fine. 24. Fair all day and cold. 25. Showery.

26. Drizzling all day. 27. Showery. 28, 29. Beautiful summer day. 30. Wet

morning.

Sun shone out 27 days. Rain fell 21 days. Thunder 1 day. Calm 10 days.

Moderate 7 days. Brisk 9 days. Stormy breeze 1 day. Boisterous 3 days.

Wind north 1 day. North-east 2 days. South 25days. South-west 10 days,

West-south-west 1 day. West 84 days. West-north-west 1 day. North-west 2

days. West by north 2 days.

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INDEX TO VOL. V.

ACALEPHA of Ireland, 248.

Acanthacez, on the existence of spiral

cells in the seed of, 135.

Actinia, description of a new species of,

182.

Actiniadz, on the British, 189.

Adamsia, description of the new genus,

183.

Enictus, description of the genus, 266.

Agrilus, description of a new species of,

365.

Alga, account of an, which colours Bally-

drain Lake, 75.

American Philosophical Society, 421.

Amphipeplea glutinosa, notice respect~

ing, 147.

Anabaina, new species of, 81.

Anas, new species of, 61.

Animal and vegetable life, effects produced

on by the winter of 1838, 334.

Animalcules, occurrence of in red snow,

223; in the antheridia of Polytrichum,

291; notice respecting, 363.

Annelides, Irish, contributions towards a

_ history of, 168, 505.

Anolius, remarks on the genus, 110.

Anomma, description of the new genus,

326.

Anser ferus, notice respecting, 7.

Aphanizomenon recurvum, description of,

82.

Aphrodita Hystrix, description of, 395,

Argulus foliaceus, notice respecting, 221.

Aristotle’s history of animals, remarks on,

358.

Armadillos of Guiana, on the habits of

the, 32.

Arundinaria Schomburgkii, description of,

46.

Aspidium lobatum, notes on, 356,

Australia, notes on the zoology of, 116.

Babinton, Charles C., on Teucrium re-

gium, 375. |

Babington, C. C., on Ulex, 300.

Bacillariz, on the structure and affinities

of the, 139.

Balanus, on a new species of, 333.

Ball, Mr., on a new species of Loligo, 68.

Bartria Odontites, note on the occurrence

of, 357.

Bauer, F., observations on Ergot, 47.

Beania, new genus of Zoophyte, 272.

Bennett, J. J., description of Arundinaria

Schomburgkii, 46,

Bentham, Mr., on a new pitcher-plant

from British Guiana, 47.

Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, Transac-

tions of the, noticed, 129.

Bird, on the bone of an unknown Stru-

thious, i166.

Birds, notices respecting some Irish, 6,

364; new species of, from Malaya, 51 ;

new species of, from Luzon, 60; notices

respecting some, from South America,

62; from South Australia, 61; de-

scriptions of several new Australian,

143; a list of the genera of, noticed,

214; catalogue of, from the neighbour-

hood of Erzeroom, 215, 350.

Bolina Hibernica, description of, 67.

Botanical Society of London, proceedings

of the, 356.

Botanical travellers, information respect-

ing, 29, 116, 205, 282, 340.

Bottle-nosed Whale, notice respecting,

361.

Bowerbank’s fossil fruits and seeds, 410.

Brachytria, new species of, 16.

Brongniart, A., on the hairs on the stigma

of Campanulez, 389.

Burmanniacez, on some new Plants of

the order, 152.

Callidium, new species of, 18.

Camaridium, new species of, 116.

Carnivora, on certain distinctive charac-

ters in the crania and dentition of the,

25.

Cedar, on a crystalline matter found on

the recently cut wood of, 1381.

Cephalopoda, descriptions of new genera

of, 69.

Cerambycidz, descriptions of several new

genera and species of, 14.

Chelonia Caouana, occurrence of on the

British coast, 8.

Clausilia, remarks on the structure of the

clausium of, 243.

Closterinz, structure of, 415.

Cocos de Mer, 422.

Coptoma, new species of, 18.

Corymorpha nutans, observations on, 309,

428

Craitaionyx, description of the new genus,

54,

Crustacez of Ireland, 255.

Cuckoo, East Indian, 406.

Curtis, J., descriptions of some rare or

interesting indigenous insects, 274.

Curtis’s British Entomology, 412.

Cycadez, on the structure of the tissues

of the, 48.

Cyclopterus coronatus, notice respecting,

Cylindrella, description of the new genus,

241.

Cymbocarpa, description of the genus,

133.

Dalrymple on Closterium, 415.

Datisca cannabina, notice respecting, 69.

Delphinus melas, occurrence of, in Ire-

land, 6.

Denny, H., natural history of the neigh-

bourhood of Leeds, 382.

Dickie, G., on some viviparous plants, 297.

Dickson and Ross, on a collection of birds

from Erzeroom, 350.

Dictyostega, characters of some new spe-

cies of, 133.

Didymocantha, description of the genus,

20.

Dolphin, on a new fossil species of, 150.

Dominica, on five new orchidaceous plants

from, 115.

Don, Prof. D., on the structure of the tis-

sues of the Cycadee, 48.

Doris, new species of, 85; new British

species of, 103.

Dorylide, monograph of the, 188, 258,

315, 396.

Dorylus, descriptions of several new spe-~

cies of, 268, 315.

Dorx, characters of the genus, 15.

Duck, new species of, 61.

Dysodil; the production of Infusoria, 150.

Echinodermata of Ireland, with descrip-

tions of several new species, 99, 245.

Ehrenberg, Prof., on Dysodil, as the pro-

duct from the shells of Infusoria, 150.

Embryo, formation of the, views of Schlei-

den and Wydler, 226; of Mirbel and

Spach, 228; of Meyen, 235.

Embryology, Vegetable, on the recent

doctrines of, 225.

Entozoa, strength of the vital principle

in, 379.

Eolidia, new species of, 90.

Ergot, observations on, 47.

Erichson’s, Dr., Genera et Species Staphy-

linorum, ravickooil: 127.

Eschricht, M., on a new genus of Cepha-

lopoda, 69.

Euplocamus, notice respecting the genus,

91.

INDEX.

Eyton, T. C., on some new epecies of

Birds from Malaya, 51.

Farnesia, characters of the genus, 43.

Fauna of part of Herefordshire, 184. H

Fern, description of a new species of, 130.

Ferns, History of the British, reviewed,

36; flower or fruit of, 421.

Fishes, Irish, notices respecting some, 9.

Flannel composed of Conferve and Infu-

soria, notice respecting, 69.

Flustra, new species of, 101.

Forbes and Goodsir, on the Corymorpha

nutans, 309.

Forbes, E., on some new and rare British

Mollusca, 102; on the British Actini-

adz, 180; note respecting animalcules,

363.

Frazer, Mr., on two new species of Birds,

60.

Fresenius, Dr., on Datisca cannabina, 69.

Fruits, fossil, Bowerbank on, 410.

Fungi of the North of [reland, catalogue

of the, 3.

Galictis Allamandi, on the habits of, 31.

Gasparini, Sig., on a new genus of Legu-

minose, 43; on the germination of

Grammitis, 43.

Gasterosteus spinachia, on the nests of,

148.

Germar’s, Prof., petrified insects of Solen-

hofen, noticed, 128.

Giraud, H., on the recent doctrines of

vegetable embryology, 225.

Goeppert, Prof., on Pinus Pumilio, 147.

Goniodoris, description of the new Bemis,

104.

Goodsir and Forbes, on Corymorpha nu-

tans, 309.

Goodsir, J., on the anatomy of Linnzus

involutus, 22.

Gould, J., account of his expedition to ex-

amine the Zoology of Australia, 116 ;

on several new Australian birds, 143.

Grammitis, on the germination of, 43.

Grasses, notice respecting two Abyssinian

species of, 70.

Gray’s, G. R., List of the Genera of Birds,

noticed, 214.

Gray, J. E., catalogue of the species of

Reptiles collected in Cuba by W. S.

MacLeay, 108; on a new marsupial

animal, 150; on the clausium of Clau-

silia, 243; on the freshwater carriers

of Mr. Swainson, 257; manual of land

and freshwater shells of the British

islands reviewed, 288.

Griffith’s, W., account of an expedition

into Bootan, 119, 205, 405.

Guiana, account of Mr. Schomburgk’s ex-

pedition into, 282.

Gulliver, G., on the blood corpuscles of

INDEX.

Mmammiferous animals, 125; on the

muscular fibres in the cesophagus and

heart of some Mammalia, 349.

Gulo barbarus, on the habits of, 30.

Hairs, retractile, of the stigma of Campa-

> mule, 380.

Hare, on a remarkable change of habit in

the, 362.

Heliamphora nutans, description of, 47,

Helicida, observations on the family of

the, 238, 243.

Heliomanes, new species of, 17.

Hepatic, on the structure of the cellular

membrane in, 73.

Hincks, Rev. W., on a new species of Ba-

Janus, 333; notice respecting Gray’s

edition of Turton’s manual of land and

freshwater shells, 366.

Hirundo purpurea shot in Britain, 146.

Hodgson, B. H., on four new species of

Otter, 27.

Holothuria, on some new species of, 100.

Humming-birds, on the food and structure

of the, 290.

Hybrids, propagation by, 424.

Iluanthos, a new genus of Zoophyte, 184.

Impregnation in plants, notice respecting,

69.

Infusorial animalcules in red snow, 223.

Insects, descriptions of some rare or in-

teresting indigenous, 2743 petrified, of

Solenhofen, noticed, 128.

Intestinal worms, their tenacity of life,

377.

Invertebrata, descriptions of some new

_ Species of, 84.

Treland, fungi of the north of, 3; on the

fauna, of, 6; on the mollusca nudi-

branchia and tunicata of, 84; contribu-

tions towards a history of the Annelides

of, 168; additions to the fauna of, 245.

Ischnotes, new species of, 18.

Jabiru (Mycteria Americana), 399.

Johnston, Dr. G., on the Irish Annelides,

168, 305; on a new genus of British

Zoophyte, 272.

Johnson, H., on the occurrence of the

bottle-nosed whale, 361.

Juniperus Virginiana, on a certain cry-

stalline matter found in, 131.

Kippist, R., on the existence of spiral cells

in the seeds of Acanthacez, 135.

Knobs, woody, 373.

Labidus, on the females of, 192; descrip-

_tions of several new species of, 196, 258.

Lankester, Dr, E., on the origin of wood,

369.

Leeds, natural history of its vicinity, 382.

Leguminose, new genus of, 43,

Leighton, W. A., Excerpta Botanica, 380.

Lestris Richardsonii, notice on, 6,

429

Limneus involutus, description and ana-

tomy of, 22.

Lindley, Prof., characters of five new Or-

chidaceous plants, 115 ; on animalcules

in the antheridia of Polytrichum, 291.

Lingwood, R. M., on the Fauna of Here-

fordshire, 184.

Link, Prof., on the flower or fruit of ferns,

421.

Linnean Society, proceedings of, 44, 130.

Loligo, new species of, 68.

Lophotus, remarks on the genus, and de-

scription of a new species of, 329.

Lutra, descriptions of four new species of,

27.

MacLeay, W. S., notes on the habits of

Cuban reptiles, 108.

Malacopteron, description of the new ge-

nus, 53.

Mallodon, new species of, 15.

Mammalia, on the muscular fibres in the

cesophagus and heart of some, 349.

Mammiferous animals, observations on the

blood corpuscles of, 125.

Megalorhynchus, description of the new

genus, 56.

Membrane, cellular, on the structure of,

73.

Meteorological observations, 7J, 151, 223,

295, 367, 425.

Meyen, Prof. F., on the organs of secre-

tion in plants, 40; Report on the pro-

gress of Vegetable Physiology, noticed,

211.

Microscopes, on the application of, in de-

termining fossils, 65.

Microscopical Society, proceedings of, 64,

139, 291, 415.

Miers, J., on some new Brazilian Plants,

132.

Miram, Dr. C. E., on the tenacity of life

of intestinal worms, 377.

Mirbel, M. de, on the development of the

embryo in Zea Mays, 231.

Miscellanea Zoologica, 169, 272, 305.

Mollusca, of Ireland, 10, 245; nudibran-

chia, new species of, 84; tunicata, new

species of, 93; on some new and rare

British, 102; on the geographical dis-

tribution of,in Great Britain, 366.

Montagua, new species of, 106.

Mosses, on the structure of the cellular

membrane in, 73.

Mycteria Americana, on the habits of, 346.

Myliobatis aquila, notice respecting, 146.

Narcissus, on two new species of, 39.

Nautilus, new species of, 99.

Necydalis, new species of, 16.

Nereis, descriptions of several new species

of, 170.

Newman, E., nonnullorum Cerambycitum

430

novorum characteres, 14; History of

British Ferns, reviewed, 316,

Ogilby, Mr., characters of a new Squiriel,

62.

Olfers, M. von, on a new.species of fossil

Dolphin, 150.

Ophivcoma, new species of, 99.

Opossums, notes on the habits of, 343,

Orchidacez, characters of some new spe-

cies of, 115.

Orkney Natural History Society, proceed-

ings of, 137, 360.

Osborne, J., on Aristotle’s History of

Animals, 358.

Otter, descriptions of four new species of,

27.

Otters of Guiana, on the habits of the, 282.

Owen, Prof., on the application of the mi-

croscope to the determination of fossil

remains, 653; on the bone of an un-

known Struthious bird, of large size,

from New Zealand, 166.

Papilionacez, on the irregular form of the

flowers of, 153.

Patella, new species of, 108.

Patterson, R., on the Bolina Hibernica, 67.

Peccari, 401.

Pelexia, new species of, 116. .

Perameles, new species of, 150.

Periderzea, characters of the new genus,

39.

Pfeiffer, Dr. L., on the family Helicide,

and description of a new genus, 238.

Phloeomys, new species of, 58.

Phlyctenodes, characters of the genus, 20.

Phoracantha, remarks on the genus, 19.

Pinus Pumilio, observations on, 147.

Pithanotes, new species of, 15.

Planaria vittata, description of, 248.

Plants, collected in Southern Spain and

Portugal, synopsis of the, reviewed, 38 ;

on the organs of secretion of, 49; on the

development of the vascular tissue of,

66; descriptions of some new Brazilian,

132; on the structure of the ovule in,

162; on the sexes of, 226; notes on

some viviparous, 297.

Pleurothallis, new species of, 115.

Pleurotoma, new species of, 107.

Polycera, new species of, 92.

Polygastrica, Mr. Forbes on, 364.

Polygonum viviparum, mode of reproduc-

tion in, 298.

Polynoe scolopendrina, description of, 307.

Polype, on a remarkable Hydroid, 309.

Potamogeton Prelongus, 422.

Potos caudivolvulus, on the habits of, 29.

Pteroglossus, new species of, 59.

Quekett, E. J., on the development of the

vascular tissue of plants, 66; on a cer-

tain crystalline matter found on the

INDEX.

recently cut wood of the Red Cedar,

131.

Ranunculaceez, on the structure of the —

ovule in the, 165. tT

Reptiles, Cuban, on the habits of the, —

108.

Rhagiomorpha, new species of, 21.

Rhogmus, description of the new genus,

323.

Rissoa, new species of, 97, 107.

Rodent, on a new species of, 57.

Rodentia, Waterhouse on, 418.

Rodriguezia, new species of, 116.

Ross and Dickson, on a collection of birds

from Erzeroom, 350.

Royal [rish Academy, proceedings of, 67,

358.

Rylands, T. G. R., on Aspidium lobatum,

356.

Sceleocantha, new species of, 14.

Schleiden, Prof. M. J., on the structure

of the cellular membrane in Mosses and

Hepatice, 73; on the structure of the -

ovule in plants, 162.

Saxifraga cernuosa, mode of reproduction

in, 298.

Schomburgk, R., account of his expedition

into Guiana, 29, 282, 343, 399 ; on the

Curata, of the culm of which the Indians

form their blow-pipe, 46; on the Snake-

nut tree of Guiana, 202.

Schuckard, W. E., monograph of the Do-

rylide, 188, 258, 315, 396.

Scrophularia aquatica, remarks on, 1.

Shells, a Manual of the British Land and

Freshwater, review of, 288.

Selby, P. J., on the effects produced upon

animal and vegetable life by the winter

of 1838, 334.

Snake-nut, notice respecting the, 70; de-

scription of the tree, 202.

Society, Microscopical, 415.

Spiral cells, occurrence of in the seeds of

Acanthacez, 135.

Squirrels, on two new species of, 62.

Staphylinorum, Genera et Species, auct.

G. F. Erichson, reviewed, 127.

Stelis, new species of, 115.

Stemoptera, characters of the new genus,

134.

Stenoderus, new species of, 21.

Stevens, C. A., on Scrophularia aquatica,

Stickleback, on the nests of the fifteen-

spined, 148.

Taylor, T., on the Fungi of the North of

Ireland, 3.

Tessaromma, descriptions of some new spe-

cies of, 20.

Templeton, J., catalogue of the species of

Fungi of the North of Ireland, 3.

INDEX.

Teucrium regium, found in Monmouth-

shire, 375.

Thelidomus, notice respecting, 257.

Thompson, W., on the Fauna of Ireland,

6,245; observations on Limneus in-

volutus, 22; on a minute Alga which

colours Ballydrain Lake, 75; on the

Mollusca: nudibranchia and tunicata of

Treland, 84; on Argulus foliaceus, 221;

on a torpedo taken on the Irish coast,

292; notes on Irish birds, 364.

Thouars, du Petit, theory of the origin of

wood, 869,

Torpedo, notice of a, taken on the coast

of Ireland, 292. .

Toucan, on a new species of, 59.

Toxeutes, new species of, 15.

Trail, Prof., on the food and structure of

the Humming-birds, 290.

Travellers, Botanical, information respect-

ing, 29, 116, 205, 252, 340, 405.

Tritonia, new species of, 88.

Tropidurus, new species of, 110.

Troschel, Dr., on Amphipeplea glutinosa,

147.

Tschudy, M., his travels in Peru, 398.

Tweedside Physical and Antiquarian So-

ciety, proceedings of, 136.

Typhlopone, description of the genus, and

several new species of, 262; descrip-

tions of two new species of, 3263 note

on the habits of, 328.

Unio Itineraria, notice respecting the,

219.

Ulex, observations on, 300.

431

Vegetable and animal life, effects produced

on by the winter of 1888, 334.

Vegetable Embryology, on the recent doc-

trines of, 225.

Vegetable Physiology, Meyen’s Report on

the progress of, noticed, 211.

Vermes of Ireland, 247.

Vespertilio edilis, notice respecting, 149.

Walpers, H., on the irregular form of the

flowers of the Papilionacee, 153.

Walton Park, wild animals in, 394.

Waterhouse, G. R., on certain characters

in the crania and dentition of the Car-

nivora, 25; on a new species of Squir-

rel, 63; on a new species of Rodent,

573; on anew species of Toucan, 59;

on a new species of Lophotus, 329; on

the Rodentia, 418.

Webb’s, P. B., Iter Hispaniense and Otia

Hispanica, reviewed, 38.

Wernerian Natural History Society, pro-

ceedings of, 290.

Westcott, Mr., on a new species of Fern,

130.

Wood, origin of, 369.

Xystrocera, new species of, 19.

Zea Mays, on the development of the

embryo in, 231.

Zoological Society, proceedings of, 51,

139, 215, 343, 417.

Zoological Travellers, information respect-

ing, 29, 116, 282, 340, 398.

Zoophyta, on some new Irish species of,

101, 249; new British genus of, 272.

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W. Horton Lloyd, Esq., 1, Park Square,

Regent’s Park.

William Lonsdale, Esq., F.G.S.

G. Lowe, Esq., F.R.S., Finsbury Circus.

J. W. Lubbock, Esq., V.P.R.S., Eaton-pl.

Mr. Lucas, Sheffield.

Prof. MacCullagh, Trin. Coll. Dublin.

Rev. J. W. MacGauley, Dublin.

The Rev. A. McLuren, Academy, Dundee.

Rev. James Martineau, Liverpool.

Mr. B. Maund, F.L.S., Bromsgrove.

J. Milne, Esq., F.L.S.

Hamilton K. G. Morgan, Esq., Johnstown

Castle, Wexford.

R. 1. Murchison, Esq., F.R.S., F.G.S

William Newman, Esq., York.

Prof. O’Shaughnessy, Med.Coll.Calcutta.

J. Pearsall, Esq., Hull.

Professor Penny, Andersonian University,

Glasgow.

Professor Phillips, F.R.S., F.G.S., York.

G.R., Porter, Esq., F.R.S., Board of Trade.

John Provis, Esq., Chippenham.

Rev. T. Rackett, M.A., F.R.S., Upper

Gower Street.

Rev.J.B.Reade, M.A., F.R.S., Peckham.

The Real del Monte Company.

Dr. Reynolds, Liverpool.

Lieut. Riddle, R.A., Montreal.

Professor Rigaud, F.R.S., Oxford.

I. D. Roberton, Esq., Royal Society.

— Robertson, Esq., Inverugie.

P. M. Roget, M.D., Sec. R.S., F.G.S.

Capt. J. C. Ross, R.N., F.R.S.

Andrew Ross & Co., 33, Regent Street.

Prof. Royle, M.D., King’s Coll. London.

J. S. Russell, Esq., F.R.S.E., Edinburgh.

Dr. Rutter, Liverpool.

Major Edward Sabine, R.A., F.R.S.

Alexander Smith, Esq., Trin. Coll. Camb.

Dr. Stanger, Wisbech.

William Stark, Esq., Norwich.

John Stenhouse, Esq., Glasgow.

R. H. Solly, Esq., F.R.S., Gt. Ormond St.

Sir James South, F.R.SS.L. & E.

T. Swanwick, M.D., Macclesfield.

Prof. J. J. Sylvester, Univ. Coll. London.

Rev. Edw. Tagart, F.G.S., Bayswater.

H. F. Talbot, Esq., F.R.S., Sackville St.

Prof. Thomson, M.D., F.R.S., Glasgow.

James Thomson, Esq., F.R.S., Primrose,

Clitheroe.

Thomas Starkie Thomson, F.G.S., Prim-

rose, Clitheroe.

John Tovey, Esq., Littlemoor, Clitheroe.

R.Travers, A.M., M.B., Trin.Coll. Dublin.

Rev. William Turner, Halifax.

Mr. Voelker, St. Domingo House, Everton.

Sir Richard Vyvyan, Bart., F.R.S.

F. O. Ward, Esq., King’s Coll. London.

N.B.Ward, Esq., F.L.S., Wellclose Square.

John Waterhouse, Esq., F.R.S., Halifax.

F, Watkins, Esq., 5, Charing Cross.

T. Webster, Esq., M.A., Trin. Coll. Camb.

Prof. Wheatstone, F.R.S., K. Coll. Lond.

Rev. W. Whewell, F.R.S.,Trin.Coll. Camb.

Rev. D. Williams, Bleadon, Somersetsh.

Lieut. Wilmot, R.A., Cape of Good Hope.

W. S. B. Woolhouse, Esq.

Professor Young, Belfast.

Robert Younge, Esq., Sheffield. ~

REMARKS

ON SOME PASSAGES IN THE REVIEW

“Principles of General and Comparative Physiology,”

IN THE

EDINBURGH MEDICAL & SURGICAL JOURNAL,

JANUARY, 1840.

By WILLIAM B. CARPENTER, M.D., M.R.C.S., &.

IT is with much pain that I feel compelled to request the attention

of the readers of this journal to the following remarks. My object

in putting them forth to the world is solely to defend myself from

injurious imputations. I have no underhand purpose to serve. I

write more in sorrow than in anger. But the mode in which I

have been attacked leaves me, in the opinion of my friends as

well as in my own, no choice but to reply.

When I sent forth my volume into the world, it was with the

confident expectation that, whatever reception it might experience,

it would be judged of by its merits alone. Few persons were less

disposed to over-estimate these than myself. I was well aware of

its many imperfections. I prepared myself, therefore, to expect

unfayourable criticism; and I determined to allow no feeling of

pride, or of vexation at the mode in which the correction might be

administered, to interfere with my profiting by it. Until the pub-

lication of the last number of the Hdinburgh Medical and Surgical

Journal, however, I have had little occasion for such an exercise

of self-control. The general opinions expressed of my work, both

by the public press, and by individuals well qualified to estimate

it, haye been far more favourable than I had dared to anticipate ;

and I have had the unexpected gratification of receiving the highest

approbation from quarters in which no personal regard could have

exerted any influence.

Had the review, on which I now feel called on to remark, been

executed with good faith, I should have remained silent, however

depreciating its tone might have been. But I have been held up

to public reprobation for entertaining opinions against which I have

most positively expressed myself ; and I have been condemned, on

this false ground, as altogether unfit for the duties of a Public

Instructor—a post of which it is my highest ambition to be deemed

worthy. Such statements, from an authority so respectable as the

Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, must, if I allow them

to remain unrefuted, exert a prejudicial influence over the whole of

my subsequent career; and the reply which I therefore feel it

necessary to make, is not dictated by animosity towards the con-

ductors of that publication, but is solely destined to show that

some of my opinions have been misrepresented, and that others

have been undeseryedly condemned.

It is in the Chapter on the “ Nature and Causes of Vital

Actions,” that all the more important passages occur, which are

spoken of with reprobation, as containing doctrines of an injurious

tendency. This Chapter is but an amplification, in a more popular

form, of an Essay “On the Laws regulating Vital and Physical

Phenomena,” to which the SrupEents’ Prize was awarded two

years since by the Professors of the University of Edinburgh ; and

the greater part of which was published in the Edinburgh New

Philosophical Journal (April, 1838), edited by Professor Jameson.

There is not a single principle in the Chapter just referred to,

which is not contained, and emphatically stated, in that Essay.

The Professors of the University of Edinburgh are virtually charged,

therefore, by the Reviewer of my Principles of Physiology, with

haying sanctioned opinions which are “detrimental to the best

interests of mankind,” and which prevent my work (whatever may

be its value in other respects) from being ‘held up as a safe guide

in the study of those sciences, the principles of which it professes

to place before the reader.” —( Review, p 228). It is very probable

that all these gentlemen may not agree in the opinions I have

expressed ; but it is not to be conceived that they should haye

selected for the Prize, out of the many Essays sent in for compe-

tition, one which advocated doctrines of so dangerous a tendency as

those imputed to me by the Reviewer.

The chief misrepresentation of which I have to complain, is the

imputation to me of the opinion “that all the visible creation was

at first made so perfect, that the machine of nature runs its allotted

course, without requiring the continued superintendence of the

Creator” (Review, p. 219) ;—an opinion which, if really expressed

by me, would certainly imply my disbelief in Revelation. No

passage is guoted by the Reviewer in support of this imputation ;

but the concluding paragraph in my volume is referred to as justi-

fying it. This paragraph, which formed the conclusion of my

Kssay when sent in for competition, I shall give in full, that my

readers may judge for themselves :—

“Tf, then, we can conceive that the same Almighty fiat which created

matter out of nothing, impressed upon it one simple law which should

regulate the association of its masses into systems of almost illimitable

extent, controlling their movements, fixing the times of the commence-

ment and cessation of each world, and balancing against each other

the perturbing influences to which its own actions give rise,—should

be the cause, not only of the general uniformity, but of the particular

variety of their conditions, governing the changes in the form and structure

of each individual globe protracted through an existence of countless

centuries, and adjusting the alternation of ‘seasons and times, and months

and years,’—should people all these worlds with living beings of endless

diversity of nature, providing for their support, their happiness, their

mutual reliance, ordaining their constant decay and succession, not merely

as individuals but as races, and adapting them in every minute particular

to the conditions of their dwelling,—and should harmonise and blend

together all the innumerable multitude of these actions, making their very

perturbations sources of new powers ;—when our knowledge is sufficiently

adyanced to comprehend these things, then shall we be led to a far higher

and nobler conception of the Divine Mind than we have at present the

means of forming. But, even then, how infinitely short of the reality will

be any view that our limited comprehension can attain, seeing, as we ever

must in this life, ‘as through a glass, darkly ;;-—how much will remain to

be revealed to us in that glorious future, when the Light of Truth shall

burst upon us in unclouded lustre, but when our mortal vision shall be

purified and strengthened so as to sustain its dazzling brilliancy.”

The import of this, and of several other passages in my work,

will depend upon the meaning assigned to the term Lavo of Nature.

That the readers of it might not misconceive my views, I have

taken care to explain, very early in the volume, the meaning which

I attach to it. A whole paragraph is employed on the subject in

the Chapter to which I have already referred, which is the first in

the “‘ General Physiology”; and, as this Chapter has received the

especial notice of the Reviewer, it is scarcely to be supposed that he

could accidentally overlook the passage. Moreover, this paragraph

is referred to in the Glossarial Index, as containing the explanation

of the term “Law of Nature.” The last portion of it stands as

follows :—

“To imagine that the plan of the Universe, once established with a

definite end, could require alteration, during the continuance of its exist-

ence, is at once to deny the perfection of the Divine attributes; whilst,

on the other hand, to suppose, as some have done, that the properties first

impressed upon matter would of themselves continue its actions, is to deny

all that Revelation teaches us regarding our continued dependence on the

Creator. Let it be borne in mind, then, that when a law of Physics

or of Vitality is mentioned, nothing more is really implied than a simple

expression of the mode in which the Creator is constantly operating on

inorganic matter, or on organised structures.”

What shall be said of the good faith of a Reviewer who can im-

pute to me opinions diametrically opposite to those which I have

so broadly expressed, without quoting a single passage in support of

his assumption ?

This portion of the charge against me, although the most import-

ant in itself, is not that on which the Reviewer dwells the longest.

The greater part of his animadversions are bestowed upon my

opinions on Life or Vital Action, which are spoken of as “ leading

to dangerous conclusions” (p. 215),—as “ highly exceptionable and.

totally destitute of foundation” (p. 219),—as “‘ tending to lead the

mind to the doctrines of materialism” (p. 219),—and as having

“* been repeatedly refuted” (p. 217). These dangerous, often-refuted,

and baseless opinions may be briefly expressed in the two following

propositions:—1. That Vital Phenomena are the result of the

properties of organised tissues, called into action (according to

regular laws) by the requisite conditions being afforded to the bodies

which possess them. 2. That these vital properties are not, as it is

commonly expressed, superadded to matter in the process of

organisation ; but that this act calls out or developes the properties

which previously existed in the material particles subjected to it,

but which are not manifested except under the peculiar circumstan-

ces which this new disposition of them produces. This act of

organisation always requires a pre-existing organism for its per-

formance.

The first of these doctrines is held by almost every physiologist

of the present day ; and it is plainly stated by Dr. Alison in his

highly-philosophic “ Outlines of Physiology” (3rd. Ed. pp. 7, 8).

It must be the second, therefore, which incurs the reprobation of the

Reviewer. Now it would scarcely be supposed, from the language

which has just been quoted, that, in favour of this opinion, Dr.

Priciarp (to whose reputation my humble tribute can add nothing),

the late Dr. FiercHer (whom few have surpassed in acuteness of

reasoning), Mr. Roperron of Manchester, and many other writers,

have expressly contended; and that to none of their arguments

has any formal reply been made. In the “ Essay on the Doctrine

of a Vital Principle” by Dr. Prichard, there is a long digression, in

which the two questions—as to the distinctness of Mind and Mat-

ter,—and the separate existence of a Vital Principle, are clearly

shown to have none but a remotely analogical relation. The same

is stated by Dr. Alison. Our notion of the nature of Vitality, he

remarks (p. 3) “has no connection whatever with the notion of

Mind as distinguished from Matter.” This testimony from Dr. A.

is the more valuable for my present object, since he does not accord

with the second proposition. What, then, are we to think of the

qualifications of a Reviewer who could thus mix up what writers of

the first authority have separated, and denounce opinions as danger-

ous that have no tendency whatever to the “ materialism” which

he regards with so much horror ?

But, fortunately for myself, I can produce an unasked testi-

mony in behalf of my real views, from an individual whose name

should silence any imputations of this kind from an anonymous

Reviewer. Inthe Treatise on Physiology contributed by Dr. Roger

to the Encyclopzdia Britannica, the substance of my Essay already

alluded to, with its conclusions, is embodied; and the original is

thus referred to :—‘‘ However the laws which regulate the vital

phenomena may appear, on a superficial view, to differ from those

by which physical changes taking place in inorganic matter are

governed, still a more profound investigation of their real character

will shew that, when viewed abstractly from the consideration of

final causes, there is really no essential difference between them,

either as to their comprehensiveness, their uniformity of action, or

the mode in which they are to be established by the generalization

of particular facts.*” I shall not, therefore, occupy further space in

defending myself from charges so groundless; since it will be easy

for me, should they ever be repeated, to bring forward a body of

testimony, which, with those unaccustomed to enquiries of this kind,

will weigh more than argument.

I should not think it worth while to notice the remainder of the

Critique, were it not that in some parts of it the bad faith and

ignorance of the Reviewer are manifested in a way which may

confirm, if confirmation be needed, what has been already stated.

I shall take for illustration, from among many of which the fallacy

could be as easily exposed, two of the remarks upon my Chapter

on Respiration.

The Reviewer commences by asserting that, “with a strange

want of consistency, the author attributes the changes effected on

the nutritious fluid in plants by the air to a vital process, whilst in

animals, he avers that the aeration of their nutritious fluid is ‘a

change dependent on physical laws.’ ”—(Review, p. 223). So far

is this from being true, that the whole discussion of the physical

character of the true Respiratory process, including the phrase

‘“(# See an Essay by Mr. Carpenter on the difference of the Laws regulating Vital

and Physical Phenomena,”

quoted by the Reviewer, occurs in the Section entitled ‘ General

Considerations ;” and the principle is expressly applied to Plants as

well as to Animals. In the Section on Respiration in Plants, a dis-

tinction is made between their true respiration (which is shown to

be analogous to that of Animals), and the fixation of carbon from

the atmosphere, which is characterised as a process of a different

nature, independent, so far as is known, of mere physical laws.

The Reviewer then finds fault with the principle itself; being

evidently ignorant that it has been recognised by most of the recent

physiological writers. Professor Miiller, for example, thus expresses

himself :—‘‘ The interchange of the carbonic acid and oxygen in the

lungs is wholly in accordance with the physical laws of the absorp-

tion of gases.”"—(Translation by Baly, vol. 1, p. 340). A little

afterwards the Reviewer states as a fact “ that the oxygen consumed

is, as nearly as can be estimated, in the exact ratio of the carbonic

acid thrown out.” This might have passed very well twenty years

ago; but every student now knows that the Reviewer's position has

been long since overthrown ; the independent experiments of Ber-

thollet, Despretz, Dulong, Edwards, Collard de Martigny, Miiller,

and others, having united in proving that much more oxygen dis-

appears than is contained in the carbonic acid of the expired air.

EKyen Allen and Pepys, the only experimenters whose results can be

opposed to these, noticed a considerable disappearance of oxygen in

some of their experiments ; but they set it down as accidental.

I trust that I have now sufficiently vindicated myself from the

principal charges which the Reviewer has brought against me ; and

that I have proved his incompetency to pronounce an opinion upon

the merits of my work. More than this it is not my desire to urge.

And I shall.conclude with again expressing my regret, at the neces-

character of a Journal, which has rendered great services to Medical

Science, and to which the Profession has been accustomed to look

up with respect.

In justice to myself, I think it right to add the following con-

firmatory testimony from individuals whose authority on Theological

questions, and in General Science, will give additional weight to

my own statements. To all of these gentlemen the above Remarks

have been submitted ; and my only reason for not printing their

replies in full, is that I am anxious to present them to the reader

in the narrowest possible compass.

From the Rey. J. Pye Smitru, D.D., Theological Tutor at Homerton

Academy, to Lant Carpenter, LL.D.

** As soon as I saw an account in the Atheneum of Dr. William Car-

penter’s Principles of Physiology, I ordered it of my bookseller. Had I

not been, for more than five months, and were I not still, under the

pressure of proximate duties, heavily augmented by the unexpected re-

signation of my theological colleague, I should have applied myself to the

study of the work: I may say, I should have assiduously devoted myself

to it, so far as necessary engagements would have permitted. I saw it to

be such a book as I had long wished to see, and for many years had en-

deavoured to supply for myself, in a sort of composite manner, by adding

book to book, and combining what I could learn from each in my own

imperfect way of mental association. ‘The plan of this volume at once

attracted me; and I expected to find it the long-sought desideratum.

It would be absurd for me to set myself up as qualified to sit in judgment

upon a consummate work of science, such as this is; but I am an humble

votary of Natural History, not wholly a stranger to some portions of its

domain, and yypdoKw dei parOavdpevoc. All, however, that I have been

able as yet to do, has been to read particular parts, to which I may have

been directed by the rising of some subject of inquiry in my mind, or the

casual occurrence of some topic to be pursued. But, when I have begun,

I have found it difficult to lay down the book. The admirable distribu-

tion of its almost infinite mass of materials, the lucidness of its order,

both as a whole and in its subordinate parts, its rich fullness yet close

comprehensiyeness, the care and success in laying down and maintaining

clear conceptions of each object presented to the mind, its severely

logical character in the determination of premises and the induction of

conclusions, and its remarkably happy adjustment of mutual references in

all the sections,—are qualities which give it a very high place in my

ony and make a strong demand of gratitude to its accomplished

author.

“ Last night, after the foregoing lines were written, I became acquainted

with the objections, which, in the last published number of the Edinburgh

Medical and Surgical Journal, have been brought against the work of your

talented son. ‘his is a circumstance which exceedingly surprises and

grieves me. You may well suppose it to be so, when I tell you that the

very chapter upon which most of the animadversions are founded, is one

of those which I had read with peculiar approbation and delight. It does

appear a most extraordinary instance of careless observation or of de-

signed perversion, to charge with being of an impious tendency a course

of reasonings which, to my conyiction, goes exceedingly to exalt our con-

ceptions of the All-Perfect Deity. Dr. Wm. Carpenter has often directed

our minds, in terms expressive of devout admiration, to the proofs and

exemplifications of the Divine Attributes, as they arise out of instances of

concatenated arrangement by him so well expounded ; and I recollect one

or two passages, though I cannot now turn to them, in which he acknow-

ledges the invaluable blessing of a positive revelation of truths and pros-

pects which our own unassisted minds could never haye discovered. Our

‘ most deeply investigated views of the Divine Government lead to the

conviction that it is exercised in the way of order, or what we usually call

law. God reigns according to immutable principles, that is by law, in

every part of his kingdom—the mechanical, the intellectual, and the

moral ; and it appears to be most clearly a position arising out of that

fact, that a comprehensive germ which shall necessarily evolve all future

developments, down to the minutest atomic movement, is a more suitable

attribution to the Deity, than the idea of a necessity for irregular inter-

ferences.

‘There are other parts of the animadversions in the Journal referred

to, which rest upon such egregious inattention, to use a mild term, or

sheer ignorance, that, when put into a proper light, they refute themselves.

It is scarcely possible to suppose that any one of the eminent physicians

or physiologists who, I believe, conduct that work, can have written the

article. I would beg my young friend to make himself perfectly easy

upon the case. The excellence and value of his work will only be dis-

played the more fully by this unjust attack.”

From the Rry. W. D. Conypnars, F.R.S., &c., §e., Vicar of Axminster,

to Dr. Witt1am B. CARPENTER.

“To witness an aggression of such a nature as the attack on you in

the Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, must ever be painful to

every liberal mind; but it is so utterly destitute of foundation that I

think it cannot possibly be injurious to anything except the character of

the journal in which it appears. With every word in your concluding

paragraph I entirely concur. I have myself repeatedly expressed the

same opinions, but never half so well or eloquently. The possibility of

misapprehending your sentiments might have been removed by the

t inal paragraph is so very clear to my mind, that. I cannot con-

ceive it to stand in need of one syllable of further explanation.

_ “With regard to the distinctive nature of the Vital Principle as it is

called, I cannot see anything of a dangerous tendency in any of the

opinions you haye advanced. ‘The whole question is one obviously of

Physiology, not of Psychology ; for the Vital Principle under discussion

is common to vegetable and animal natures, and therefore belongs to

beings confessedly destitute, not only of spiritual, but even of any mental

principle whatsoever.”

arded explanation you have given of the term ‘ Law of Nature’; but

)

From the Rey. Bapren Powe tr, F.R.S., &c., Savilian Professor of

Mathematics in the University of Oxford.

“The attack made upon you does certainly appear to me most shame-

ful; and so manifestly unfair as to carry its own refutation along with it

to any candid person who has read your work.

“The particular parts now adverted to claimed my attention from the

first ; and as far as my opinion of the philosophical or logical character of

the reasoning goes, I am most happy to give it. Having lately re-perused

these chapters with great attention, I can most truly say that I remain

fully impressed with a conviction, not only that no inference of any dan-

gerous tendency can be fairly made from these, but that the subject is so

illustrated as in my opinion to afford the firmest ground for establishing

those higher conclusions to which you more especially advert in the last

chapter.

“In particular, the meaning of the term ‘ Law of Nature,’ the notion

of the permanence and uniform action of the great mechanism of the

universe down to its minutest parts, appears to me most perfectly to

accord as well with the soundest philosophy as with the most elevated

notions of the Divine Attributes. It appears to me, that the more the

great questions connected with Natural Theology are dispassionately

studied, the more will it be seen that such views as these are the real

foundation on which its sublime conclusions rest.”

From the Rev. Wii11am Crarx, M.D., Professor of Anatomy in the

University of Cambridge.

**T much regret that you have reason to complain of the opinion which

is published in the Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal of your

Comparative Physiology; for I read your work, when it first appeared,

with much delight, as that in which the greatest number of interesting

facts, most ably digested, has yet been brought together in our language ;

and certainly with the impression that it strongly enforces upon the

student the conviction of an omnipresent presiding First Cause—the

benevolent Creator and Preserver of all things. In consequence of your

letter, I have read the principal chapters over again, and still hold the

same impressions regarding it.. Consequently I am greatly surprised that

charges should have been advanced against the religious tendency of your

work ; and cannot doubt that any candid person will, on even a cursory

examination, find such charges to be altogether unfounded.”

From the Rry. J. 8. Henstow, Professor of Botany in the University

of Cambridge.

“TY can see nothing in your account of the mode in which the Omni-

scient Creator may be supposed to interfere with the destiny of his

creatures, that can be considered, in the smallest degree, as militating

against the truths we derive from revelation. I can only suppose that the

close and narrow-minded views with which some persons are apt to look

upon the wonderful discoveries of modern times, prevent them from un-

derstanding how possible it is fora man to be duly impressed with the

truths of revelation, though he is equally satisfied that they were never

intended to interfere with the freedom of his researches into those great

natural laws by which God frames and goyerns the Universe and all that

it contains.” ‘ '

From Six Joun F. W. Herscuen, F.R.S., &c., &e.

“It would appear to me very difficult to find wherewithal to accuse

you of advancing an opinion that ‘the visible creation was at first made

so perfect that the machine of nature runs its allotted course without

requiring the superintendence of the Creator’—an opinion which no

man of common reason, or who is accustomed to assign meanings to the

words he strings together, can for one moment entertain. As you re-

quire my opinion on this point, I am happy to afford it—not as a question

of science, but as one of common sense, and logical interpretation of

words.” he

From Dr. Roger, Secretary to the Royal Society, &c., &¢.

‘‘T have no hesitation in saying that nothing that I have met with in your

work in any respect warrants the imputation of its doctrines having a

dangerous tendency—an imputation, as it appears to me, ridiculous and

wholly unfounded.”

From Dr, Pricuarp, F.R.S., §c., Bristol.

“TI think you have fully vindicated yourself from a most unfounded

accusation, which proves folly and ignorance, and even something worse,

on the part of your anonymous assailant. You ought, in justice to your-

self, to give all the publicity you can to the defence.”

From Dr. W. P. Auison, F.R.S.E., Professor of Physiology in the

University of Edinburgh.

‘“‘T have never seen the slightest reason for changing the opinion which

I stated in my Outlines, that no hypothesis which can be framed, as to

the> manner in which vital properties are communicated to organised

beings, affects the conclusions in Natural Theology to which the study of

these beings leads; because these conclusions rest upon principles alto-

gether independent of any such hypotheses—on the principles that all

change implies a cause, and that all adaptation of means to ends implies

an intelligent cause.

‘“‘T can perfectly understand, therefore, and fully believe, that you, and

others who hold similar language to yours, as to the connection of Life

with Organisation, are equally impressed with the evidence of the great

truths of Natural Religion, drawn from the study of Physiology, as those

who use the language on the subject which seems to me more correct.”

From Dr. Hoxirann, Physician Extraordinary to the Queen, &c., &c.

“In reading your volume on the Principles of Physiology, I was struck,

besides its other excellencies, with the tone of religious feeling which

pervades the whole. The last chapter, on the proofs of design, im-

pressed me strongly in this light. And in treating on the difficult and

disputed questions regarding a vital principle, the laws of vital action,

and the relations of the latter to physical laws commonly so termed—it

seems to me that you have never exceeded the authorized bounds of

physical research, as pursued by the most eminent physiologists.

“‘] will further add my general impression, that, whatever the differ-

ences of opinion on these particular topics, you have been careful, and

have succeeded, in keeping them all in subjection to that First Great

Cause, from which laws as well as phenomena are equally and solely

derived.”

_—e

Philp and Evans, Printers, Clare-Street, Bristol.