ate

—

aan

someone

eee

4s ath -«

a mr aie

-< o4 ero

Se eee

ant

Cor

Bos

ad ;

. Ce eel *

on Sa Ay

WP St Nhe

o ‘7

Bevan he

r ja ee

i 46 deg id od

rh: AE eres fk

PORT: bt NT

Cee ae te

eoted ® B Fe

hha eadapa

Behe 4

Some

phe S cameras

esestie:

rag

A} its

2a4

Fei ow

aaah ad

;

Fs:

eke aS

“ ce Plow 4

orn lh > hd = ll

ies

ane

Noy

Ned v4 2.

: Fe hae at ait ‘e

be fe mt Ue =

4 rtiatt -

af .

ate 8

‘

i Zz

se.

* ‘

me)

fans

=, ee

isese

be tak

a ‘ek me

os ~

cor

i a

apis :

Sstetete

—s

rae

<8:

4. oe

i s4 raf ae

fits ats

by es

‘

“ts

: tebe

a -

‘ oral

PPR

so or, a ade

4A2 by

S86 shh

vhs an

Donte

c~}

eee pe ee en

4 es .

gers i

. on)

“

Pro

ney

Parry tg

Cierh De)

pale.

“

MSMalo yi ted tee

pa dls eer) oe oe

Suet ty ita re

iat

Te,

; oe zp

i raats as

“hi

— = ba

PISS

i4 avi " $

Pete

ses

=o ely

Jy Fag

= Cx

a *.

4 ahica

iz re

aoe ae

teats z,

4a,

oe ios

eee

‘Se sha .

to “atetat

ay i3 Sed

ee Dp ' aa’ gle

be oi) aN e2 ee LJ wa iit

" P

Pit beh)

fe,

ae -

vateehwahes’

Sapte S ees

arian a

~ aa

_%4

le bni a eek

=o tage nk,

it hk ake

a re “,

hes

hy,

Fond

ee ie

meu

Ag ee

tad)

THE ANNALS

AND

MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY,

INCLUDING

ZOOLOGY, BOTANY, ann GEOLOGY.

(BEING A CONTINUATION OF THE ‘ MAGAZINE OF BOTANY AND ZOOLOGY,’ AND OF

LOUDON AND CHARLESWORTH’S ‘MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY.’)

CONDUCTED BY

Srr W. JARDINE, Barr., F.L.S.—P. J. SELBY, Esq., F.L.S.,

GEORGE JOHNSTON, M.D., :

CHARLES C. BABINGTON, Esa., M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S.,

J. H. BALFOUR, M.D., Prof. Bot. Edinburgh,

AND

RICHARD TAYLOR, F.L.S., F.G.S.

LONDON:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY R. AND J. E. TAYLOR.

SOLD BY S. HIGHLEY; SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL; SHERWOOD AND CO.; W. WOOD,

TAVISTOCK STREET ; BAILLIERE, REGENT STREET, AND PARIS:

LIZARS, AND MACLACHLAN AND STEWART, EDINBURGH :

CURRY, DUBLIN: AND ASHER, BERLIN.

1847.

**Omnes res create sunt divine sapientie et potentie testes, divitie felicitatis

humane :—ex harum usu bonitas Creatoris; ex pulchritudine sapientia Domini;

ex ceconomia in conservatione, proportione, renovatione, potentia majestatis elucet.

Earum itaque indagatio ab hominibus sibi relictis semper estimata; a veré eruditis

et sapientibus semper exculta; malé doctis et barbaris semper inimica fuit.”—

LINNZUS.

oe eee 6 6 «© © © « the sylvan powers

Qbey our summons ; from their deepest delis

The Dryads come, and throw their garlands wild

And odorous branches at our feet ; the Nymphs

That press with nimble step the mountain thyme |

And purple heath-fiower come not empty-handed,

But scatter round ten thousand forms minute

Of velvet moss or lichen, torn from rock

Or rifted oak or cavern deep: the Najads teo

Quit their loved native stream, from whose smooth face

They crop the lily, and each sedge and rush

That drinks the rippling tide; the frozen poles,

Where peril waits the bold adventurer’s tread,

The burning sands of Borneo and Cayenne,

All, all to us unlock their secret stores

And pay their cheerful tribute.

J. Tayior, Norwich, 1818.

CONTENTS OF VOL. XX.

NUMBER CXXX.

I. Biological Contributions. By Groréz J. Atma, M.B.,

F.R.C.S.1., M.R.I.A., Professor of Botany in Trinity College, Dublin,

late Demonstrator of Anatomy and Conservator of the Anatomical

Museum, T.C.D. (With tw Platess) csciccsscscsssssssstccretoscsasavecees

II. On Conjugation in the Diatomacee. By G. H. K. Tuwaites,

Lecturer on Botany and Vegetable Physiology at the Bristol Medical

School: (With a Plate.) vssssssscvscascscacscvsces ddsansetes scdeccvsccencvsess

III. Notice of Plants colleéted in the line of the Rideau Canal,

Canada West. By Puinire Wuiresipe Macuacan, M.D.,; Royal Cana-

dian Rifle Regiment ....cc..cesessescccesees Sol casevessosensadeus sosetases doses

IV. Description of two few species of Carabus from Asia. “By

T: Tatum, Esq: eee eeeeECECe SI Piere eer re irri sii terri reri tire titi

V. Additional Notices of British Shells. By J. Gwyn Jerrreys,

ANS i os. ae ye ste sbecwaseauss CSevcccccccccccesedsecccsbescesecscoessbersese

VI. Characters of undescribed Chalcidites collected in North Ame-

rica by E. Doubleday, Esq., and now in the British Museum. By

Bnd hath WACKER, F LiBe ls isunnsasees cin deers csp seadguecscvcteseqbuavaceqae

VII. List of Plants gathered during a short visit to Iceland in 1846.

By Cuartes ©. Basineton, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S. & 0. sessccccsscceeenes

VIII, . the Power of the Living Plant to restrain the Evaporation

of the Cell-Sap. By Huo v. Mouhsesssscsssccstussetsvcctscsescccsdvcunesen

IX. On the relative Duration of the Power to Germinate, in Seeds

belonging to different Families. By M..Atru. DeCanDoLLE ssissiese

X. Biological Contributions. By Grorce J. Atiman, M.B.,

F.R.C.S.L, M.R.I.A., Professor of Botany in Trinity College, Dublin,

late Demonstrator of Anatomy and Conservator of the Anatomical

Museum, T.C.D. (With two Plates.) iiisssesccscssssessssscsocdacccsecscsee

New Books Manual of British Botany, containing the Flowering

Plants and Ferns arranged according to the Natural Orders, by

Charles Cardale Babington, M.A., F.L.S. &.—The Elements of

Botany, Structural and Physiological, by Join Lindley, Ph.D.,

Page

iv CONTENTS.

Page

F.R.S. &c.—Illustrations of British Mycology, by Mrs. T. I. Hus-

sey Seeeeseeteeesesees Seeeeocesesesevese SOCHHHSEOEES “CORES EEE Ede TEE HEE HOTELS 52—55

Proceedings of the Zoological Society .......ssssseeseeesesceseeeereeee O70

Researches to determine the Number of Species and the Mode of

Development of the British Triton, by J. Higginbottom, Esq.,

F.R.C.S. &c.; Meteorological Observations and Table ...... 70—72

NUMBER CXXXI.

XI. On the Veniriculide of the Chalk; including the description

of peculiar Characters of Structure observed in their Tissues. By

J. Toutmin Smitu, Esq. (With two Plates.) ..scccccccssccssescereees bo 740

XII, On the Geographical Distribution and Classification of Zoo-

phytea,.:::By.d aus: Di Dawa sassneinsss «divans svckeonscates ice scceheetvesscenres 98

XIII. On the Circulation in Insects. By Emire Brancuarp ...... 112

XIV. The Microscopical Siliceous Polycystina of Barbados, and their

relation to existing Animals, as described in a Lecture by Professor

Enurenserc of Berlin, delivered before the Royal Academy of Sciences

on the 11th February 1847. By Sir Ropert H.Scuomsurcx. (With

two Plates.),. : inosecdsesedesds caressoqetdocosssntsone discon es dedeeove bo soskpecheeade, AS

New Book :—A Treatise on the Esculent Funguses of England, by

C. D. Bapuam, M.D. ooe..e0e0es sananapiis SE OTT Ee! OSE y

Proceedings of the Literary and Philosophical Society of St. Andrews ;

Zoological Society... s.ssseecacesseees aviis's daniwesid ieshesnen eseeee L29-—135

Notice of the capture of Sylvia Turdoides (Meyer) in Britain, by John

Hancock, Esq.; On the Habits of Cicada septendecim, by S. P.

Hildreth, M.D.; Food of the Mastodon, by Prof. A. Gray ; On the

Moose and Carabou, and on the American Raven, by L. Agassiz ;

Pygorhynchus Gouldii, a new Echinus from the Millstone Grit of

Georgia, by M. Bouvé; Pyranga roseo-gularis, a new species

from. Yucatan, by Dr. Cabot; Meteorological Observations and

TAINS. nck ecswctebadebic alee shty sobbvagedoccodeusavoerdeuvers sesvesees 135—144

NUMBER CXXXIlI.

XV. On the Fossil Botany and Zoology of the Rocks associated

with the Coal of Australia. By Frepericx M‘Coy, M.G.S. & N.H.S.D.

&e. _ (With nine Plates.) sassscsosgcrcsowocanereseees yehotecasheaune svendpeasiies 145

XVI. Note on the Teredo norvegica (T. navalis, Turton, not Linn.),

Xylophaga dorsalis, Limnoria terebrans and Chelura terebrans, com-

bined in destroying the submerged wood-work at the harbour of Ar-

CONTENTS. v

Page

drossan on the coast of Ayrshire. By Witu1am Txomrson, Esq., Pres.

Nat. Hist. and Phil. Society Of Belfast ......csesesoscseeceseeesseserncace weve 157

XVII. On the Pliocene Deposits of the ‘Valley of the Thames at

Ilford. By Ricnuarp Payne Coron, M.D. ..cssceceeesreeeereeeneeneeenees 164

XVIII. Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. By Witt1am Tuomr-

son, Esq., Pres. Nat. Hist. and Phil. Society of Belfast.,..see.ss+seee0e 169

XIX. On the Ventriculide of the Chalk. By J. Tourmin Smityg,

Esq. (With two Plates.) ..ssscssccscsesesceccescesseeeeveerreseeeees ssdeneine 276

Proceedings of the Zoological Society ......sceseereseesees sosescsceene 192——208

Note on the Hop-fly, by Francis Walker, Esq. ; On the Parasitical Na-

ture of the Rhinanthacee, by J. Decaisne ; On the situation of the

Olfactory Sense in the terrestrial tribe of the Gasteropodous Mol-

lusea, by Joseph Leidy, M.D.; A new species of Procellaria from

Florida, by G. N. Lawrence ; Description of a new Lizard dis-

covered by Mr. Dyson in Venezuela, by J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S.,

F.Z.S.; Swarm of Ladybirds; Description of a new species of

Anser, by George N. Lawrence ; Account of a Black and White

Mottled Swan, on the water in the demesne of the Earl of Shannon,

Castle Martyr, County Cork, by Maurice Glencon ; Meteorological

Observations and Table .secssscesecseereceees sesecsecescceveessers 2U9—216

NUMBER CXXXIil.

XX. Description of the Atlas, Axis, and Subvertebral Wedge Bones

in the Plesiosaurus, with remarks on the ieee of those bones.

By Prof. Owen, F.R.S. sdonenp avd apehgibedh bu tedebie senberaihe oeaeseeve 217

XXI. On the Fossil Riliny and Zonkigy of the Rocks associated

with the Coal of Australia. By Freperick M‘Coy, M.G.S. &

N.H.S.D. &c. (With nine Plates.)............ os dubVasbaccibee ieocvdcesocesse BOO

XXII. Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. By Witit1am Tuompson,

Esq., Pres. Nat. Hist. and Phil. Society of Belfast. ...... <eapdedubedvusness 237

XXIII. Descriptions of some species of Brachiopoda. By Mr. T.

Davipson, Mem. Geol. Soc. France, and Mr. J. Morris, F.G.S. (With

£wo PISWOECY sicsasevacdecessvestssnissvacerspnags eben obarteeabacetenesieeber erie seecee: 200

XXIV. Descriptions of new species of Butterflies. By Witu1am

C. Hewitson. (With two Plates..) ...... chic gaweou nates’ 00b665 ve bite Sandijen’s 257

XXV. Remarks on some Cetoniade, with the description of a new

Australian species. By Anam Wuirs, F.L.S., M.E.S. Stettin, and As-

sistant in the Zoological Department British Museum......... Ceeseseecves 264

XX VI. The Classification of the British Mollusca. By W. E. Leacu,

M.D. COOTER OOH ETOH ETE TE OOOH eS eee eeeeeeeeee @eeeetersees COC Cee eeeeeeeesese 267

Proceedings of the Royal Society ; Zoological Society

Eggs of the Moa or Dinornis of New Zealand ; Fossil Tree; Description

of a new species of Antelope from West Africa, by J. E. Gray,

vl CONTENTS.

Page

Esq., F.R.S. ; New Orang-Outang; A Popular Introduction to the

Study and Classification of Spiders and Mites, by Adam White,

F.L.S.; Meteorological Observations and Tableiissii.ssss.s, 285-288

NUMBER CXXXIV.

XXVII. Notes on the Habits of certain Exotic Spiders. By Ar-

tHuR Apams, late Assistant Surgeon of H.M.S. Samarang......iss..:65. 289

XXVIII. On the Fossil Botany and Zoology of the Rocks asso-

ciated with the Coal of Australia. By Frepericx M‘Coy, M.G.S. &

N.H.S.D. &c. (With nine Plates.) .........cccccsscseeees bageeadeiveneckons 298

XXIX. Critical Remarks upon Mr. J. E. Gray’s published Gaialogue

of the specimens of Mammalia and Birds presented by B. H. Hodgson,

Esq., to the British Museum. By Ep. Buytn, Curator to the Museum |

of the Asiatic Society, Calcutta, &. .c.csccccsccctesseetesseeeedsestiecivaae OLS

XXX. Note on Dr. Meigs’s Memoir on the Reproduction of the

Opossum. By Prof. OWEN, F.R.S. seissssdeeseessesssvecssesccusseesseaesis O24

XXXI. Hore Zoologice :—Ornithology of the Island of Tobago.

By Sir Wixtiam Jarvine, Bart., F.R.S.E. & F.LAS. .c...ccdesstecsesss 328

XXXII. On the different Beds of the White Chalk, and on the

Faults and Dislocations which they vicina By J. Toutmin Situ,

BOURE OSS. Via hs ATUTE OORT IRA SRED LEO PEN RUAN LL Cebus Sickert veuctscescesse 334

XXXIII. Description of Clinteria Hoffmeisteri, a new species of the

family Cetoniade, from North India. By Apam Wuirz, F.LS.,

Assistant Zool. Dep. British Museum wis.gsecsscccscsossecssssevesssscenesss OFL

XXXIV. OnConjugation in the Diatomacee. By G.H.K.Tuwaires,

Lecturer on Botany and Vegetable Physiology at the Bristol Medical

School. (With a Plate.) CO ee eee e esse eee beech EE bese ee bee HE ebeseetesisieccee’ 343

New Books :—Monographia Heliceorum Viventium, Auctore Ludovico

Pfeiffer, Dr.— Fauna littoralis Norvegize, oder Beschreibung und

Abbildungen neuer oder wenig bekannten Seethiere, nebst Beo-

bachtungen iiber die Organisation, Lebensweise u. Entwickelung

derselben von M. Sars, Doctor der Philosophie, &c. ......15. 345—348

Proceedings of the Zoological SoCiety .......ccsscesccsseesesecscescescees woe 349

Description of a new rapacious Bird in the Museum of the Academy of

Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, by John Cassin; On the Deve-

lopment of the Echinide, by Dr. Dufossé; On the Range of thé

Beaver in the United States, by S. B. Buckley; Enemies to

Science among the Nobles; Meteorological Observations and

TABLE 5 arses senesseien.- espsteeeayit Sevasensesennes steveeessssssesensses, BOO—360

NUMBER CXXXV.

XXXY. Observations on the Structure of the Fruit of the Crucifere.

By L. C. TREVIRANUS. sess teeee PP RP PER SEP RE OSE ER SPECI SSEE ER RSSS EERE ERE E EE 361

CONTENTS. vil

Page

XXXVI. Hore Zoologicz :—Ornithology of the Island of Tobago.

By Sir Witu1am Jarpine, Bart., F.R.S.E. & F.LS... cc cceeeeeee ees coceee 310

XXXVII. Description of two new Mosses from Jamaica. 6G Wi-

LIAM WILBON, Esq. — cccoscescoccvcdssccccescoes coscvceceses sevovcesvocccossssess OF

XXXVIII. Diagnostic Chisels of five new species oe Crypto

gamic Plants from Jamaica. By Tuomas Taytor, M.D. . seceeve O19

XXXIX. A few Critical Remarks on M. Carl J. Sundevall’s Paper

on the Birds of Calcutta, as republished by H. E. Strickland, Esq. By

Ep. Biytu, Curator to the Museum of the Asiatic Society, Calcutta, &c. 382

XL. Description of a new species of Hymenopterous Insect belong-

ing to the family Sphegide. By Frepericx Smita. (With a Plate,)... 394

XLI. Description of some Grasses and Sedges from the East Coast

of Demerara, with Remarks on the Geographical Distribution of the

Species. By Sir Rosert Scnomsurcx, Ph.D., Member of the Impe-

rial Academy Nat. Curios. &. ....sccecccreccscscscsccccccscccccccsccepepegers SIO

XLII. Note on Petasida ephippigera, a Grasshopper found in the

interior of the Northern part of Australia by Mr. Dring and Dr. Leich-

hardt. By Apam Wuirs, F.L.S., Assist. Zool. Dep. British Museum, 409

XLIII. On the Indian Archipelago ...,... bpekssisshedestoansanrs Vaneapeee 41 1

New Book :—The Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern

Asia.— Singapore COO CH ORO HOEHH SHEE EEE ETE HEDH OS eRe SOOO SEEHOEEEOEEE EBLE LESS 422

Proceedings of the Zoological Society ..... net eesti baked Gam ape ee

NUMBER CXXXVI. SUPPLEMENT,

Proceedings of the Zoological Society ....sscssesesecsecscsseereevress 400437

The Rose Caddice Saw-fly; On the Organogeny of the Irregular Co-

rollas, by F. Barnéoud; Chamea, a new genus of Birds allied to

Parus, by William Gambel ; Meteorological Observations and

Table SOKEOHSHSHREHSHHOSSHHEHEHESEHEEHSSESHH EKER EES ETHESHHEH ESE eee SHEESH EHB Eee ese 437—443

Index POKES SIFHHHSHSHEHESHHSHHHHSHTEHSHHHSHEHHFOKHOSLeeHESHEEHeHeEAETeEseReeseeceesesessee 444

Puate I.

IT.

[II.

IV.

VII.

VIII.

IX.)

XVIII.

XIX.

PLATES IN VOL. XX.

Notodelphys ascidicola.

Notodelphys ascidicola.—Halarachne Halicheri.

ilardihiss Halicheri.

Conjugation in the Diatomacee.

Hy } Polycystina of Barbados

* L Ventriculide of the Chalk.

Fossil Plants and Animals from the Rocks associated with the

i j Coal of Australia,

} New species of Brachiopoda.

ey |New species of Butterflies.

XXII.

XXIII.

Conjugation in the Diatomacee.

Stethorectus ingens,

ERRATA IN VOL. XIX.

Page 380, line 16 from the top, for obsitis read obsito.

for mesosternum, wherever the word occurs, read postpectus,

THE ANNALS

MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY.

SS eccasecesecseees per litora spargite muscum,

Naiades, et circim vitreos considite fontes :

Pollice virgineo teneros hic carpite flores :

Floribus et pictum, dive, replete canistrum.

At vos, o Nymphe Craterides, ite sub undas ;

Ite, recuryato variata corallia trunco

Vellite mt.scosis e rupibus, et mihi conchas

Ferte, Dez pelagi, et pingui conchylia succo.” .

‘N. Parthenii Giannettasii Ecl. 1.

No. 130. JULY 1847.

I.—Biological Contributions. By Grorcr J. Atitman, M.B.,

F.R.C.S.1., M.R.1.A., Professor of Botany in Trinity College,

Dublin, late Demonstrator of Anatomy and Conservator of the

Anatomical Museum, T.C.D. }

[ With two Plates. ]

{Continued from vol. xix. p. 370.]

No. III. Description of anew Genus and Species of Entomostraca*.

THE interesting little Crustacean which forms the subject of the

present notice, though apparently extensively distributed, would

seem to have hitherto received but little attention. The first re-

corded notice of its existence will be found in the ‘ Athenzeum ’

report of the Thirteenth Meeting of the British Association for

1843, from which it will be seen that at that meeting, Mr. Patterson

of Belfast mentioned the occurrence of a minute crustacean in

the branchial sac of Ascidia communis. The fact then noticed by

Mr. Patterson was at the time familiar to me, having previously

obtained the crustacean in Ascidie dredged in the harbour of

Glandore, county Cork, though I had not till a later period paid

any attention to its structure.

In letters since received from Mr. Thompson of Belfast, to

whom the little animal was well known, and from Mr. Patterson,

I have obtained full information relative to the existence of the

* Read before the Royal Irish Academy, April 12, 1847.

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 1

2 Prof. Allman on a new genus and species of Entomostraca.

crustacean on the coast of the north of Ireland. The latter gen-

tleman informs me that he procured it m great abundance in July

1840, while dredging off the coast of Bangor, county Down; he

thinks that nine or ten Ascidie out of every twelve dredged up

were inhabited by the parasite, the number im each varying from

two to six or seven.

In March 1846 I again obtained specimens of the little crus-

tacean in the branchial chamber of individuals of Ascidia com-

munis cast upon the shore of Dublin Bay. A careful examination

now convinced me that it had not yet obtained a name or place

in our systems, and that it was generically distinct from all

hitherto described forms, a fact which the more surprised me

when I reflected on its apparently extensive distribution, and the

circumstance that M. Edwards, our great authority on the Crus-

tacea, had made certain forms of the Ascidie the subject of

scarcely less elaborate and beautiful research. The following cha-

racters were accordingly at once drawn out, though their publi-

cation has been deferred up to the present time.

NoTropELPHYS*.

Gren. Cuar. Body elongated. Head scutiform and bearing in

front a solitary median eye. Antenne two, filiform, multiar-

ticulate. Mouth with a pair of mandibles, and surrounded by

five additional pairs of appendages, of which the anterior as

well as the last two pairs are prehensile. Thorax having but

two rings distinct, the anterior one being confounded with the

head. Female with a large dorsal ovigerous receptacle imme-

diately behind the last distinct thoracic rmg. Locomotive feet

four pairs, biramous natatory. Abdomen of about five rings,

the last of which is terminated by two setigerous appendages.

Species unica, N. ascidicola. PI. I., IT.

Hab. Swimming freely in the branchial sac of Ascidia commu-

nis. Belfast Bay, Wm. Thompson and G. C. Hyndman, Esqrs. ;

Bangor, co. Down, R. Patterson, Esq.; “found in Ascidie dredged

' from a muddy bottom at a depth of from fifteen to twenty fathoms

in Strangford Lough, co. Down,” Wm. Thompson and G. C. Hynd-

man, Esqrs.; in Ascidie dredged in Killery Bay, co. Galway, in

1840, R. Ball and W. Thompson, Esqrs. ; Glandore Harbour, co.

Cork, Dublin Bay, and Southampton water, G. J. A.

Notodelphys ascidicola, of which I have as yet found only

females, measures somewhat less than a line in length and bears

a considerable general resemblance to Cyclops. The cephalic

~ segment is slightly prolonged anteriorly into a kind of beak,

immediately below which is a pair of multiarticulate setigerous

* From véros, lergum, and dedgis, matrix.

Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. Vol.20. Pl.

IDC. Sowerby sr.

et del.

; ae

‘ . ~ ’

Atay SA, oa Aifet ang

}

Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist, Vol. 20. PLM.

A \

Larva cl Halarachne Halichaert

ADCS owerdy ve.

Prof. Allman on a new genus and species of Entomostraca. 3

antennze followed by a pair of appendages (fig. 3) composed of

four joints, the terminal joint presenting itself under the form

of a hooked prehensile claw, and the basal bearing at its distal

extremity a double plumose seta.

Situated at a short interval behind the last-mentioned pair of

appendages and occupying a position near the centre of the un-

der surface of the cephalic segment is the mouth, covered by a

largely developed upper lip (fig. 4), and guarded on each side by

a strong toothed mandible (fig. 5). External to the mandibles

are the first and second pairs of maxille. Those of the first

pair (fig.6) consist each of a flattened peduncle bearing two jointed

rami which are furnished with numerous plumose sete ; upon the

external ramus, one of these sete is very large, assuming the ap-

pearance of a flagelliform appendage, and a similar, though smaller

one, springs from the internal edge of the peduncle. The second

pair of maxille (fig. 7) does not differ essentially from the first,

but is smaller and not furnished with such greatly developed

flagelliform setée.

The maxillz are succeeded by two pairs of prehensile appen-

dages (figs. 8 and 9): each consists of a large basal joint with a

terminal articulate stem ; stiff setee are carried upon the internal

side of both peduncle and stem, and on the stem one or more of

these becomes developed into a prehensile spine.

Behind the last-described apperidages, the cephalic segment

bears a pair of natatory feet resembling those which are borne

upon the succeeding segments of the body.

There are altogether four pairs of natatory feet. The first of

these, as just mentioned, is borne on the cephalic segment; the

second and third are supported respectively on the two distinct

rings which immediately follow ; while the fourth is placed below

the anterior end of the ovigerous region. Each of these natatory

feet (fig. 10) consists of a basal lamina composed of two joints,

and bearing on its distal edge two rami formed each of three flat-

tened articulations which are copiously furnished upon their inner

edge with plumose setze ; the sete borne by the external edge are

shorter and not plumose. The proximate joint of the basal lamina

carries upon its inner edge a plumose spine, and it is connected

with its fellow of the opposite side by an intermediate plate which

renders it necessary that the motions of the basal joints of each

pair of feet should be strictly in concert. .

The abdomen is somewhat cylindrical, and composed of about

five rings, the most posterior of which is prolonged, as in Cyclops,

by two diverging cylindrical appendages, each of which carries

upon its distal extremity four plumose sete.

The external receptacle for the ova consists of a large dorsal

sessile sac, situated between the last distinct thoracic ring and

4 Prof. Allman on a new genus and species of Entomostraca.

the abdomen ; it is slightly lobed posteriorly, and filled with ova

of a deep olive-green colour, and in the angle between it and the

upper surface of the abdomen is an aperture through which the

ova escape at maturity (fig. 11). As will hereafter be seen, it must

be viewed as formed by the confluence along the mesial line of

two pieces originally distinct. The large size of this organ and

the deep colour of the contained ova render it one of the most

striking features in the physiognomy of the little animal, and the

contrast which it presents with the surrounding lighter tissties

of the Ascidian makes the detection of the parasite a matter of

no difficulty.

In company with N. ascidicola and differing in several import-

ant particulars from the latter as just described, I have not un-

frequently met with two little Crustaceans which deserve here

some attention. My belief is that they are not specifically di-

stinct from the subject of the present notice, but must rather be

viewed as immature states of this animal. In one of them (fig. 12)

the antenne (fig. 13) are geniculated, and consist of a thick pe-

duncle, from which the terminal portion, which is subulate, mul-

tiarticulate and setigerous, passes off abruptly at an angle. The

cephalic segment carries no proper feet, and the thorax presents

three distinct rmgs with a pair of natatory feet attached to each ;

the fourth pair is borne as in the adult, beneath the anterior ex-

tremity of the ovigerous sac, and at a short distance behind these

last is a pair of small stiliform organs terminated by sete. The

last rmg of the abdomen is bilobed, and is prolonged by a pair

of cylindrical appendages. The ovigerous sac is disproportionately

large, and the habits of the animal are peculiarly sluggish.

The other (figs. 14 and 15) differs still more from the adult

than does that just described. The antenne are short and thick,

and not geniculated. The cephalic segment, as in the last, sup-

ports no locomotive feet, while four distinct rings may be demon-

strated in the thorax, each bearing a pair of biramous natatory

feet, and the abdomen would appear to be composed of five seg-

ments, the last terminated as usual by a pair of cylindrical ap-

pendages. The external receptacle for the ova presents itself in

this little animal as two hollow organs perfectly distinct from one

another except at their origin. They appear to arise immediately

behind the fourth thoracic rmg, and are thence continued back-

wards, embracing the sides of the abdomen.

The mouth is provided with a very large labrum (fig. 16), which

is prolonged anteriorly by means ofa conical projection between

the bases of the antenne. The labrum conceals two strong den-

ticulated mandibles (fig. 17), and the oral apparatus is completed

by two pairs of maxille and three additional pairs of appendages

(figs. 18—20) as in the adult; of these last, that which im-

Prof. Allman on a new genus and species of Entomostraca. 5

mediately succeeds the maxillz (fig. 19) is well-developed and

didactyle, the next (fig. 20) is rudimentary.

The proper feet (fig. 21) carry two slightly developed rami, the

external of which bears some short stiff spines, and the imternal

is furnished with two or three remarkably long sete not plumose,

with a few short ones at their base.

The internal ovaries may be traced throughout the whole of the

thoracic and a considerable portion of the abdominal region, and

may already be seen forming a kind of hernia into each of the

external receptacles (fig. 15).

While engaged in the examination of the first of the forms just

described as immature conditions of Notodelphys ascidicola, |

happened to witness the escape from the ovigerous receptacle of

ova which were expelled through the opening already mentioned

as existing in the postero-inferior part of this organ. Through

the delicate transparent covering of the expelled ova, the form

and motions of the embryo could be seen within, and indeed it

required in many cases but a few minutes to elapse between the

expulsion of the egg and the rupture of its shell by the struggles

of the imprisoned embryo. The little larva (fig. 22) thus set free

presented itself under the form of an exceedingly active, natatory,

arachnoid animalcule with six biramous feet furnished with a

pencil of sete at the extremity of each ramus; the eye-mass,

which was of a bright ruby colour, was well-developed, and had

the appearance of being formed by the confluence of four distinct

ocelli, and the little creature presented altogether a close resem-

blance to the young of Cyclops.

If I am correct in my opinion as to the nature of the different

forms now described, we have, during the progress of develop-

ment of N. ascidicola from the first rupture of the egg, four di-

stinct phases; that a greater number exist there can be little

doubt, but at least four well-defined forms can with certainty be

demonstrated.

The first (fig. 22) is characterized by an absence of distinct

segmental division ; only three pairs of feet have as yet appeared ;

these exhibit no appearance of the lamellar character, so striking

in the more advanced phases; and the intermediate plate not

being yet developed, there would seem to be no mechanical ob-

stacle to the feet of opposite sides acting independently of each

other. The eyes are well-developed and already confluent, there

is no trace of antenne, and we have altogether a form which

strongly suggests the acaridan type of the Arachnida.

Between this first stage of the larva and the next in pot

of development which I have had an opportunity of witnessing,

a most striking progress has taken place. It is however almost

certain that there are intermediate stages which I have not yet

6 Prof. Allman on a new genus and species of Entomostraca.

succeeded in detecting. Be this as it may, the creature has now

(figs. 1421) assumed the essential form of the adult, the division

of the body into segments is complete, the antenne have appeared,

the mouth with its lip, mandibles, maxille and accessory append-

ages, have acquired nearly their mature condition, and four pairs

of true feet are present, the head is quite distinct from the tho-

rax, which presents four distinct rings, and the abdomen exhibits

five rings and the terminal appendages. The internal ovaries

are developed, and the external receptacles are present, but as yet

distinct, showing no tendency to coalescence except at their

origin. The true feet have assumed a lamellar condition, the

rami however are but slightly developed, and the pencil of long

bristles with which the internal ramus is furnished suggest to

us the feet of certain annelides. As the intercoxal plates have

begun to develope themselves, the legs of opposite sides must

now act simultaneously. The habits of the animal are remark-

ably sluggish, and all its motions, as well imdeed as its general

physiognomy, remind us strongly of an annelidan.

In the next stage (figs. 12, 13), the progress of consolidation

has become manifest, thus presenting us in this respect with a

retrocession towards the early condition of the larva. The head

continues distinct from the thorax, but the fourth thoracic rmg

is confounded with the posterior region of the body. The ovi-

gerous receptacles have now become united along the mesial

line, and are loaded with ova. The motions are still sluggish.

In the final stage (figs. 1—11) the progress of consolidation

has still further advanced, the head has become inseparably

united with the first thoracic ring, so that but two segments are

now distinct in the thorax. The creature is natatory, and emi-

nently active.

The high development of the reproductive system in the second

and third of the phases just described may appear opposed to

the opimion here expressed, that these are animals in an imma-

ture condition. The objection however will lose all its validity

when we recollect that innumerable recent observations go to

prove that the exercise of the generative function is by no means

necessarily confined to the adult state. Whether however we do

or do not admit the specific identity of all the forms now de-

scribed, it is certain that they present us with a series of phases

m progressive development; and the light thus thrown upon the

morphology of Notodelphys ascidicola is almost entirely the same,

whether we view them as different ages of a single species, or as

permanent or transitory conditions of several species.

General Considerations.

As to the exact zoological position of our little crustacean, it

Prof. Allman on a new genus and species of Entomostraca. 7

is manifest that it possesses very marked affinities with Cyclops,

while the dorsal situation of the receptacle for the ova presents

an analogy not to be overlooked with the other entomostracan

forms of Daphnia, Cypris and their allies. Its parasitical habits,

and the form of the appendages which immediately succeed to

the antennz, as well as its general conformation, would seem to

approximate it to Nordman’s genus Ergasilius. From this suc-

torial parasite, however, the structure of its mouth will widely

separate it. Indeed it is perhaps hardly just to consider N. as-

cidicola as truly a parasite ; its habits in this respect would seem

to bear to those of other Entomostraca the same relation which

is found to subsist between the habits of Pinnotheres and those

of the generality of Decapods.

The condition of the external receptacle for the ova I believe

to be one of the most remarkable peculiarities of the present

genus, and to be much more interesting than it may at first

sight appear. ‘To this conclusion I have arrived from the con-

viction, that the organ in question is of a totally different nature

from the external egg-bearing pouches in Cyclops and its kin-

dred forms; that while such pouches are only a portion of the

membrane of the true ovaries pushed outwards by the ova in the

act of extrusion, and finally allowing the escape of these by rup-

ture, the ovigerous receptacle in Notodelphys is the result of a

certain development of the superior arch of one or more of the

posterior thoracic rigs expanded posteriorly and laterally so as

to form a kind of carapace destined for the protection of the

eggs. I believe it to be in every respect the representative of

the singular elytroid dorsal appendages to the thorax in Antho-

soma, Cecrops, and certain other suctorial crustacea. In one of

the early stages of our Entomostracan, indeed, we may see at

each side the true ovarian pouches (the real representatives of

these appendages in Cyclops) projecting under cover of the

organ we are now considering; the pouches then either continue

to crease by gradual protrusion till they fill the entire chamber

prepared for their reception, or else, becoming soon ruptured,

discharge their contained ova into the surrounding space, from

which, after having undergone there during a limited period a

certain incubatory action, these ova finally escape through the

definite opening already mentioned, without in any degree neces-

sitating the rupture of the walls of the ovigerous chamber,

such as must unavoidably occur in the closed pouches of Cy-

clops, &e.

It is not easy to determine with certainty the exact elements

which enter into the composition of the ovigerous receptacle,

whether the whole of the dorsal arch is to be found in it or only

a part. From an examination however of what I look upon as the

corresponding organs in the suctorial Crustacea, I am of opinion

8 Prof. Allman on a new genus and species of Entomostraca.

that it is composed exclusively of the epimers, which in conse-

quence of the non-development of the tergum become confluent

in the mesial line of the back, presenting in one of the early

phases, as we have already seen, their original distinctness.

The genus Notodelphys thus presents us with a most interest-

ing transitional form between the true Entomostraca and the

suctorial Crustacea. Its perfect mandibulate mouth will at once

place it with the former, a position indeed which its highly de-

veloped natatory feet and active habits as well as its general phy-

siognomy would in the first instance suggest. The form, on the

other hand, of the accessory oral organs or maxillary feet, which

are here constructed so as to constitute organs of attachment, as

well as the singular development of the dorsal arch of the poste-

rior thoracic ring, and the connection of the feet of opposite sides

through the intervention of a large intercoxal plate—a striking

feature in the greater number of the suctorial Crustacea and not

found in the Entomostraca—unite with the semiparasitical habits

of Notodelphys i indicating an affinity not to be mistaken with

the true suctorial tribes.

In the whole of the description now given it has been thought

most convenient to adhere to the terminology in ordinary use,

though the researches of Erichson (Entomographien) have in

many particulars altogether disproved its correctness. The tho-

rax, for instance, according to the philosophic views of this na-

turalist, consist throughout the three classes of Insecta, Arach-

nida and Crustacea, invariably of three segments and no more,

but these often so consolidated with one another and with the

neighbouring segments, as to render it necessary to have recourse

to indirect indications in order to determine the real composition

of the part. Erichson has moreover shown that the true abdo-

men among the Crustacea includes several segments, hitherto

incorrectly supposed to belong to the thorax, and that it is for

the most part divisible into two very distinct regions, an anterior

and a posterior. To reduce the Entomostraca to the type of In-

secta is believed by Erichson to be one of the most difficult

problems in zoology. In attempting its solution he maintains

the consolidation of the head with the thorax, and adopts the

singular though apparently correct opinion, that the anterior

pair of thoracic legs is invariably placed before the mouth.

In applying these original and philosophic views to the deter-

mination of the true import of the various parts in the Entomo-

stracan which forms the subject of the present paper, we will

have the first pair of thoracic legs represented by the prehensile

appendages which immediately succeed the antenne ; behind

these is the mouth with its mandibles and first and second pair

of maxille, and then come two pairs of prehensile appendages,

which are the second and third pairs of thoracic legs; all the

Pm wees

tae

Tied

Ann. Maa. Nat. Hist, Vol.20. PLIV. —

Ts)

7 =

DEQ

———

ry PED

[

Nie

ee ge ce Te ee =

thi 4a

AS Nek Go -Ghe

ast Ne Sok:

8 Nees CeO rOets

Peer

MS Yt Th ae

jh noe | EXOUE 4h i)

ae IIS DX Owe

p wie’ Aa ANC a( Cana

bet it A : ar w/) \

. |

| / |

eet | .

. oa p |

\ ‘a oF SO Be 6. ies iY) eo™ ODS

| . iunan (igOt os: Sony

\ \ SITTTP

ea ; a

ABDC. S. se.

GHET: del’

Mr. G. H. K. Thwaites on Conjugation in the-Diatomaceer. 9

three thoracic segments therefore are here blended with the head,

but we likewise find the cephalic region supporting a pair of true

locomotive feet, which are the first pair of abdominal appendages ;

the first abdominal ring therefore is also in the present instance

inseparably united with the head. The next two distinct rings

are the second and third of the abdomen, each with its pair

of natatory feet ; the fourth abdominal ring carries also a pair of

natatory feet, but becomes indistinct at its posterior margin.

Here commences the great ovarian chamber, behind which is the

posterior region of the abdomen with its five distinct rings and

terminal setigerous appendages.

EXPLANATION OF PLATES L., II.

Puate I.

NoToDELPHYS ASCIDICOLA.

fig. 1. Notodelphys ascidicola magnified and viewed from above.

fig. 2. The same viewed in profile.

Fig. 3. Accessory oral appendage of the first pair.

Fig. 4. Labrum.

Fig. 5. Mandible.

fig. 6. Accessory oral appendage of the second pair (mazilla of the first

pair).

Fig. 7. Accessory oral appendage of the third pair (mawilla of the second

air).

Fig. 8. WY seve sa oral appendage of the fourth pair.

Fig. 9. Accessory oral appendage of the fifth pair.

Fig. 10. One of the natatory feet.

Fig. 11. Ovigerous chamber viewed from below in order to show the aper-

ture for the escape of the ova.

Fig. 12. One of the immature phases of N. ascidicola.

Fig. 13. Antenna of this phase.

‘tg. 14. NV. ascidicola in a still earlier stage of development.

Puate II,

Fig. 15. The same_viewed from above.

Fig. 16. Its labrum.

fig. 17. One of its mandibles.

fig. 18. One of the appendages immediately succeeding the antennz.

Fig. 19. One of the penultimate pair of accessory oral appendages.

fig. 20. One of the last pair of accessory oral appendages.

Fig. 21. A pair of true feet in this stage.

Fig. 22. Larva as it appears on escaping from the ova of fig. 12.

II.—On Conjugation in the Diatomacee. By G. H. K. Tuwarrtss,

Lecturer on Botany and Vegetable Physiology at the Bristol

Medical School.

[With a Plate. ]

To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History.

GENTLEMEN, 2 Kingsdown Parade, Bristol, May 11th, 1847,

Ir gives me great pleasure to be able to announce through the

medium of your valuable journal the very interesting discovery

10 Mr.G. H. K. Thwaites on Conjugation in the Diatomacee.

I have just had the good fortune to make, of Hunotia turgida,

Ehrh., a species belonging to the natural family Diatomacee, in

a state of conjugation,—a discovery which is valuable as proving

that a relationship of affinity, as well as of analogy, exists between

the Diatomacee and the Desmidiee and Conjugatee, and which

will help to settle the question as to whether the former are to

be referred to the animal or the vegetable kingdom.

The Lunotia turgida is not very uncommon in ditches, and is

generally attached by its concave surface to the filaments of va-

rious freshwater Alge. Plate IV. fig. 1 is a magnified view of

this surface, and fig. 2 represents the side-view of a frustule. The

process of conjugation in this, as in the species of the natural

family Desmidiee, consists in the union of the endochrome of two

approximated fronds, this mixed endochrome developing around

itself a proper membrane, and thus becoming converted into the

sporangium. In a very early stage of the process the conjugated

frustules of the Eunotia have their concave surfaces in nearly close

apposition (fig. 3), and it may be observed, that from each of these

surfaces two protuberances arise which meet two similar ones in

the opposite frustule: these protuberances indicate the future

channels of communication by which the endochrome of the two

frustules becomes united, as well as the spot where is subse-

quently developed the double sporangium, or rather the two

sporangia. A front view of the conjugated frustules at the same

period (fig. 4) shows each of these to have divided longitudinally

into two halves, which, though some distance apart, are still held

together by a very delicate membrane, that however soon dis-

appears.

The mixed endochrome occurs at first as two irregular masses

between the connected frustules, but these masses shortly become

covered each with a smooth cylindrical membrane—the young

sporangia (figs. 5 & 6)—which gradually increase in length, re-

taining nearly a cylindrical form, until they far exceed in dimen-

sion the parent frustules (fig. 7), and at length when mature be-

come, like these, transversely striated upon the surface (fig. 8).

Around the whole structure.a considerable quantity of mucus has

during this time been developed by which the empty frustules are

held attached to the sporangia.

I may add, that in a species of Gomphonema, allied to G. di-

chotomum, I have observed the first appearance of conjugation,

which I hope to be able to trace to the perfect development of

the sporangia.

Iam, Gentlemen, your very obedient servant,

Gzo. H. K. Tuwarrss.

June 12, 1847. Since my last communication on the sub-

On Plants collected in the line of the Rideau Canal. 11

ject of the Diatomacee, I have succeeded in detecting the mature

sporangia of the Gomphonema therein mentioned, as well as those

of Gomphonema minutissimum, Ag., and Cocconema lanceolatum,

Ehrh. In these three species each conjugated pair of frustules

gives origin to two subcylindrical, somewhat fusiform, trans-

versely striated sporangia, which lie in a direction parallel to the

empty frustules instead of across them, as in Hunotia turgida.

Around each conjugated pair of frustules is at first developed

a considerable quantity of firm mucus or gelatine, which however

gradually disappears as the sporangia become mature. The pre-

sence of this mucus affords the readiest means of detecting the

conjugated state of Gomphonema and Cocconema, which is hkely

to escape observation owing to the great resemblance of their

sporangia to frustules, especially to those of Cocconema: this re-

semblance is so striking in Cocconema lanceolatam, that the prin-

cipal apparent difference between the sporangia and the frustules

of this species consists in the far larger size of the former.

II1.—Notice of Plants collected in the line of the Rideau Canal,

Canada West. By Puitie Wuiresipe Maciacan, M.D.,

Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment *.

Tue plants were collected in May 1843 on the line of the Rideau

Canal. This great work, which commences at Bytown on the

Ottawa and terminates near Kingston on Lake Ontario, was con-

structed several years ago by the Royal Engineers in order to

obviate the disadvantages of the frontier route from Upper to

Lower Canada. Its length is 137 miles, but like our own Cale-

donian Canal its course is naturally marked out by a string of

lakes and rivers, so that the extent of actual canal is very small,

but there is a very extensive series of large locks and dams for

rendering the shallow streams connecting the lakes navigable.

The summit level of the canal is 290 feet above Bytown, so that

there is not sufficient elevation to affect the character of the ve-

getation ; but in other respects there is sufficient variety in soil

and situation to produce a good deal of diversity in the botany of

the different stations on the line. As I happened to be passenger

in a very slow steamer which occupied nearly four days in the

transit, I had. an opportunity of examining a good deal of the

country, and on several occasions, by walking on from one lock

to the next, collected a good many plants before the vessel came

up. The points which I examined most minutely were—Smith’s

Falls, about half-way between Bytown and Kingston ; the Isth-

mus and Davies’s Locks some miles further on; Jones’s Falls,

* Read before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, May 13, 1847.

12 Dr. Maclagan on Plants collected in the

thirty miles north of Kingston ; and Kingston Mills, within five

miles of the latter town. At Bytown itself, although the banks

of the Ottawa appear very promising, I could do little in the way

of collecting. Cupressus thyoides was then new to me, and the

common Juniper is abundant, but except these and one or two

Carices, nothing of interest occurred. The prevailing rock here

is a compact limestone with numerous large granite boulders on

the surface.

For the first fifty or sixty miles from Bytown the line of

canal is extremely uninteresting, passing through what is called

drowned land, where the original forest has been killed by the

damming up of the Rideau river. Nothing can be conceived

more melancholy than the aspect of these extensive tracts of dead

trees still erect, but devoid of bark and leaves. I do not know

that the cause of death in these so-called drowned lands is well-

ascertained, for one would hardly @ priori anticipate that the

immersion of a tree in water to a depth of three or four feet

would prove fatal. The process of decay too, so far as I have

seen, appears to be unusually rapid, especially as compared with

what takes place after a tree has been killed by burning or gird-

ling, 7. e. removing a ring of bark near the ground. It was gra-

tifying after passing two days of this dismal country to be allowed

two or three hours’ collecting among the woods near Smith’s Falls

—a large village in the Bathurst district. In a damp and rich

wood there was a profusion of Dentaria diphylla, Panazx trifolium,

Mitella diphylla, and Erythronium americanum. Mitella nuda,

a small delicate species, occurred on a mossy rock ; and in drier

portions of the bush, Phlox divaricata, Pedicularis canadensis,

Trillium erectum, Trientalis americana and Waldsteimia, fraga-

riotdes occurred in plenty. The form of Trillium erectum which

I found was constantly the dark purple variety, nor have I ob-

served any other in Canada. ‘Trientalis americana is hardly to

be distinguished from the European species except by the more

acute form of both the leaves and petals; though it is possible

that discriminating characters might be found on a more minute

comparison of the two plants than I have been able to institute.

Waldsteinia fragarioides appears to be rather a local species. I

have never seen it either in Upper or Lower Canada except in

the Kingston district. Convallaria racemosa and pubescens were

found sparingly near Smith’s Falls; Asarum canadense in its

favourite habitat, the darkest recesses of the wood, among rich

black mould; and <Acte@a alba and Leontice thalictroides in

broken ground about the margin of the bush. Both these last

species are popularly known under the name of Cohoosh—the

former white and the latter blue. Blue cohoosh is in some parts

of the province a popular remedy in acute rheumatism. The

line of the Rideau Canal, Canada West. 13

season was too early for collecting aquatic plants. Menyanthes

trifoliata and Caltha palustris were sparingly in flower. Viola

cucullata and Viola blanda, both frequenting moist ground, were

abundant everywhere, and there is likewise a pubescent variety

of the former species on dry ground, the V. congener of some

authors. Four other violets were picked in various situations

around the village—V. rostrata, V. pubescens, V. canadensis and

V. Mullenbergii,the latter nearly allied to V. canina. A few stunted

trees of prickly ash, Zanthoxylon americanum, were observed

just coming into flower, and this with the Antennaria plantagi-

nifolia and Aspidium marginale nearly completes the list of my

evening’s gatherings. The rock at Smith’s Falls appears to be-

long to the same series as thatat Bytown—a member of the Silurian

group. But a few miles further on, the primary rocks, granite,

&c., appear, and at the Rideau and Indian lakes give quite a new

character to the landscape. Several new plants likewise appear

at the “ Isthmus” and at Davies’s Locks which serve to unite two

of the lakes. Corydalis glauca, both here and at Kingston Mills,

seems to confine itself entirely to the granite, but the other spe-

cies here observed, e. g. Saxifraga virginiensis, Aquilegia cana-

densis, and the beautiful little Polygala paucifolia, are not so

particular. Here too I picked a species of Turritis which appears

to come nearest to patula, though not entirely accordant with the

character of that species. The silique when I gathered it were

rather depending than patulous, but after being confined in the

vasculum for some hours they became nearly erect. It appears

to me quite possible that some of the species of this section, whose

characters depend very much on the direction of the seed-vessel,

may ultimately prove to be not really distinct.

At Jones’s Falls, where I remained upwards of an hour, the

most striking plant was Clematis verticillaris, a handsome

flowered species ascending the trees and rocks to a height of

twenty or thirty feet. On a bare clay bank I observed a violet not

elsewhere seen by me in Canada, which appears to be V. ovata

of DeCandolle, which Torrey and Gray make a variety of V. sa-

gittata. It presented a character unnoticed by these authors,

viz. having the peduncles (previously erect) closely prostrate after

flowering. A small variety of Cardamine hirsuta also grew there

which is the C. virginiana of some authors, and may perhaps be

a distinct species. Hippophaé canadensis appears to have a

marked liking for the neighbourhood of waterfalls, this being the

third or fourth such situation in which I have seen it, and here

it grows in profusion along with Ribes Cynosbati and floridum,

a species nearly allied to our common black currant. One of

the few grasses in flower at this early season, Urachne asperifolia,

‘is rather a rare one, and the only other which I procured was

14 Mr. T. Tatum on two new species of Carabus from Asia.

Milium pungens of Torrey. Asplenium melanocaulon closely re-

sembling our A. ¢richomanes occurred here, and at several other

places in crevices of the rocks.

Kingston Mills, the last station on the canal to which I re-

ferred, was not examined at all at this time, but as during a

subsequent residence at Kingston in 1845-6, I had frequent

opportunities of collecting in that neighbourhood, I mention the

more interesting results here to render the account of the district

more complete. At Kingston Mills the canal is carried through

a deep glen, surrounded by rounded hills of granite protruding

through the limestone strata, and then unites with the Cataragui

river, a broad, sluggish stream with extensive marshy banks which

bear a profusion of Acorus Calamus.

On one of the southern declivities of the granite with a very

scanty covering of soil, the Corydalis glauca reappears in great

profusion and beauty, accompanied by Silene antirrhina, Aspi-

dium rufidulum and Polygonum cilinode, a remarkable species

sending long runners to a distance of ten or twelve feet over the

rocks. Arabis hirsuta, Lepidium ruderale and Turritis stricta

were found more sparingly in the same situation. In the damp

valley itself, among the under brush composed of Lonicer@e and

Ribes prostratum, Cornus canadensis with Anoplon biflorum made

their appearance. The latter, the Orobanche uniflora of older

authors, occurs very sparingly; and of another uncommon spe-

cies, the Ranunculus fascicularis, I only observed one small

atch.

‘ From this catalogue it will be observed that the vegetation of

this district (which lies in about 76° W. longitude and between

44° and 45° N. lat.) resembles much more that of the lower or

eastern than of the upper section of the province ; and the rarity

as well as the poor appearance of the Podophyllum peltatum and

Zanthoxylon americanum, when they do occur—species abundant

in Western Canada—show that they nearly reach their northern

and eastern limit at the Rideau Canal.

IV.—Description of two new species of Carabus from Asia.

By T. Tatum, Esq.

CARABUS LITHARIOPHORUS.

ENTIRELY of a bright jet-black. Head rather large and smooth,

with two deep indentations between the antenne. Padpi with the

extreme joints strongly securiform. Antenne long and tapering,

the last seven joints of a rusty brown colour. Thorax broad,

rather flat and smooth except near the lateral and posterior mar-

Mr. T. Tatum on two new species of Carabus from Asia, 15

gins, where it is thickly marked with punctures ; the median fur-

row strongly defined ; the edges slightly elevated ; anterior and

posterior margins square ; sides convex before, concave behind,

giving a somewhat heart-shape to the thorax ; anterior angles

rounded ; posterior acute and slightly produced outwards as well

as backwards, giving considerable width to the posterior part of

the thorax. lytra oval, convex, tapering towards the base as

well as the extremity ; on each, three longitudinal rows of ele-

vated oval tubercles ; occasionally two or three run into one

another, producing a continuous ridge; the rows of tubercles

are separated from each other, from the suture and from the ex-

ternal margin, by treble rows of small elevations or granules of

various sizes. Length 1 inch 5 lines.

Hab. Mussoorie in the Himalayas. In coll. of Brit. Mus. and

T..Tatum. :-

The general aspect of this Carabus is like a Procrustes: the

sculpture on the elytra resembles that of the Carabus Lafosset

described by the Baron Feisthamel in the ‘ Ann. Soc. Ent. France,’

2nd series, p. 103. t.2. f. 1 & 2.

CARABUS MONILIFER

somewhat resembles the preceding species in size, form and

sculpture of the elytra. The head is smaller and studded with

minute punctures. Thorax much smaller, its anterior and pos-

terior margins slightly concave; sides less sinuous, and posterior

angles less produced ; margins slightly elevated ; the surface like

the head finely punctured, convex ; median furrow obsolete, and

on either side of this lme, and near to posterior margin, a

slightly elevated tubercle. Form of elytra as in the preceding

species: the three rows of tubercles smaller, flatter, and more

regular in size and form; between each row, and also near the

suture and external margin, a single row of smaller tubercles,

also more regular than in the former insect, and the entire spaces

between the tubercles studded with punctures, giving a fine gra-

nulated appearance to those parts. The colour is a less decided

black than C. lithariophorus, with slight tints of bronze, both on

the thorax and on the margins of the elytra. Length 1 inch

33 lines.

It was found by A. Adams, Esq., during the voyage of H.M.S.

Samarang in the Eastern Seas, in the Corean Archipelago. In

coll. of Brit. Mus.

16 Mr. J. G. Jeffreys on some British Shells.

V.—Additional Notices of British Shells.

By J. Gwyn Jerrreys, F.R. & LS.

Srnce the publication in the ‘ Annals’ for May of my notices of

shells new to Great Britain or interesting by reason of their

locality, the following species and memoranda have occurred to

me.

The Orbis foliaceus appears not to belong to the Mollusca,

but to the Foraminifera, although the shell is not concamerated.

Peracle (Forbes) Flemingit. Fusus retroversus, Flem. Wern.

Mem. iv. 498. pl. 15. f. 2. Peracle physoides, Forbes, Report

on Aigean Invertebrata, Brit. Assoc. Rep. 1843, p. 182? A

single specimen occurred to Mr. Barlee and myself while dredging

this month off Skye in about fifty fathoms water.

Bulla strigella. Cylichna strigella, Lov. Ind. Moll. Scand.

p- 10. A broken specimen was received by Mr. Barlee from

Loch Fyne. The markings and form are very characteristic,

and distinguish it from any other species.

The Bulla truncatula of Philippi appears to be the Cylichna

nitidula of Lovén.

Rissoa labiosa, var. Helix labiosa, Mont. p. 400. t. 13. f. 7.

Rissoa elata, Phil. vol. u. p. 124. t. 23. f.8? Loch Fyne (a

single specimen), and also at Tenby.

|. Rissoa soluta. Melania(?) soluta, Phil. vol. i. p. 121. t.24.

’ f. 1. Loch Fyne; a single specimen.

Rissoa striatula, no. s.

Testa subcylindrica, scalariformis, teres, alba, nitidula, subpellucida,

striis exaratis confertis transversim cincta. Anfractus 5, obli-

qui, rotundati, ultimus reliquam teste exsuperans, sutura pro-

funda divisi. Apex obtusus. Apertura ovalis, fere tertiam par-

tem teste subzequans, superne subangulata, ad basim rotundata et

subeffusa. Peristoma simplex, continuum, columelle adnatum.

Umbilicus vix ullus, angustissimus. Long. 4, lat. 34, unc.

Rissoa pulchra, Forbes, Brit. Assoc. Rep. 1843, p. 189? Cork

Harbour and other parts of the Inish coast. It somewhat resembles

in appearance the A. vitrea (with which Mr. Alder has identified

it in the ‘ Annals’ for 1840, p. 328), but it is distinguishable by

its more slender form, the volutions not being so ventricose, nor

the suture so deep, and the aperture not being so rounded, but

above all by the elegant close-set strize which encircle each volu-

tion.

Odostomia eulimoides, n. 8.

Testa ovato-oblonga, solidula, nitida, longitudinaliter sub lente stri-

atula, alba. Anfractus 7, planiusculi, sensim increscentes ; ultimus

reliquam teste aliquantulum exsuperans et in medio subcarinatus,

sutura distincta sed non profunda. Apex obtusus. Apertura

Mr. J. G. Jeffreys on some British Shells. 17

subovalis, superne et infra subangulata. Peristoma simplex. Ex-

terius labrum intus transversim striatum; interius in columellam

reflexum, postice incrassatum et umbilicum angustum obtegens.

Plica columellaris acuta, in medio aperture posita. Operculum

ut in aliis Odostomiis. Long. 4, lat. = unc.

A few specimens of this shell were dredged by Mr. Barlee

ae myself during this month in about fifty fathoms water off

ye.

This appears to be the O. unidentata of Thorpe’s ‘ British Ma-

rine Conchology,’ p. xxxv, but not of Montagu, Turton, Fleming

or Macgillivray. It differs from that shell in the volutions more

gradually tapering, and in wanting its subconic form; the volu-

tions also being rather flattened instead of rounded; the apex

being more obtuse ; the suture not being so deep ; and especially

in its being slightly striated longitudinally instead of having the

delicate but faint spiral strie perceptible under a magnifying

glass in the other species, and having the interior of the outer

hp striated transversely. It has much the appearance of an

Eulima (Eulimella, Forbes), to which genus the Odostomie seem

to be closely allied. |

I suspect my Eulimella gracilis is the Eulima affinis of Phi-

lippi, vol. ii. p. 135. t. 24. f. 7.

Eulimella clavula. Turbonilla clavula, Lov. p. 18. Several

specimens of this distinct species were received by Mr. Barlee

from Loch Fyne. In many of them the first whorls are more or

less eroded. me:

Many other species of Rissoa, and what are called Odostomia

and Kulimella, besides those which are described in works on

British Conchology, and by Messrs. Thompson and Alder in the

‘Annals,’ have been found by Mr. Barlee and myself on the coasts

of Devonshire and South Wales; and a great deal remains to be

done in elucidating the species which compose this group of

Pectinibranchous Gasteropoda.

Margarita pusilla, n. 8.

Testa subglobosa, nitida, subopaca, glabra, alba. Anfractus 4, con-

vexiusculi, ultimus valde reliquos exsuperans, sutura distincta di-

visi. Apertura subrotunda, peristomate simplici et columelle

adnato. Umbilicus angustus, canaliculatus. Long. 35, lat. g unc.

Found by Mr. Barlee last year in deep water off the Isle of

Skye, and by myself previously in the Shetland Isles and Loch

Carron.

It differs from the young of M. vulgaris in its more globose

form and consequently more contracted umbilicus, as well as in

the absence of strive on the base.

Varieties of Natica Alderi (Nerita glaucina var. B. of Turton’s

Conchological Dictionary) and of N. rufa, in each case having

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx.

18 Mr. J. G. Jeffreys on some British Shells.

the whorls more produced, occurred to Mr. Barlee and myself

while dredging off the coast of Skye.

’ ~ Isuspect that the “ young specimen of Buccinum ovum,” stated

by Mr. King in the ‘Annals’ for May, to have been procured

by him from the Northumberland coast, is the Buccinum Hum-

phreysianum, which in its young state it somewhat resembles. —

Having the opportunity of comparing a young specimen of each

of those shells, I venture to make this suggestion. The Halia

Flemingiana of Maegillivray (p. 189) is a young shell of the Buc-

| einum ovum. |

Mr. Barlee has informed me that he got Velutina flewilis in

Loch Fyne and not at Skye, and Hmarginula crassa at Oban

(where I believe Mr. Alder had previously found it), as well as in

the other localities mentioned in my last paper. :

A few valves of Terebratula seminulum (?) lately occurred to

Mr. Barlee and myself by dredging off Skye.

Tellina pygmea (Phil.), Lovén, p. 42. In deep water from

several parts of the western coast of Scotland as well as from

Cornwall.

Tellina prozima, Wern. Mem. vii. p. 105. pl. 1. f. 21; Macg.

p- 3840. <A single but fresh valve, having the epidermis on it,

was found by Mr. Barlee and myself in dredging off Skye from

about fifty fathoms water.

Crausina*, n. g.

Testa pygmea, orbicularis aut longitudinaliter rotundato-ovata, glo-

bosa, subeequilateralis, equivalvis, utrinque clausa, plerumque te-

gumine ferruginoso vestita. Cardo in utraque valyula tuberculo

et lamella laterali munitus. Apices subcentrales. Lunula nulla,

Ligamentum externum. Musculares impressiones ut in Cyprina,

Profundum maris incolit. ;

This genus differs from Kellia and Poronia in having only

one cardinal tooth in each valve, and the ligament being external

instead of internal. 3

Sp. 1. Clausina ferruginosa. Kellia ferruginosa, Forbes, Brit.

Assoc, Rep. 1848, p. 192. Artemis ferruginosa, Jeffr, in Ann.

of Nat. Hist.

Sp. 2. Cl. abyssicola. Kellia abyssicola, Forbes in loc. cit. A

few specimens (mostly single valves) were found by Mr. Barlee

and myself with the last, by dredging in fifty fathoms water off

Skye.

it-differs from the first-named species in the greater convexity

of the shell, the beaks being much more prominent, having a

slight sinus on the front margin, and its chalky white colour.

One specimen was partly covered with the ferruginous crust.

* One of the names of Venus,

Mr. F. Walker on some North American Chalcidites. 19

Sp. 3. Cl. Croulinensis, n. s.

Testa longitudinaliter rotundato-ovata, convexiuscula, tenuis, pel-

lucida, nitida, glabra, alba, ad apicem purpurascens, lateribus fer-

ruginosis, antice subangulata, postice rotundata. Umbones pro-

minuli, recti, fere contigui. Denticulus cardinalis obtusus et valde

indistinctus. Long. 9/5, lat. o+ une.

Croulin Island, between Skye and the mainland of Ross-

shire towards Applecross, where six specimens were found by

Mr. Barlee and myself with the other species.

Abra (Leach) profundissima. Ligula profundissima, Forbes,

Brit. Assoc. Rep. 1843, p.191. Two young specimens occurred

to us with the last.

Lepton nitidum, Turton, Br. Biv. p. 63. A single valve was

found by us in dredging off Skye ; but it is questionable whether

_ this species is not the fry of LZ. sguamosum.

The Corbula granulata of Nyst is I believe the Poromya ana-

tinoides of Forbes’s Report on the Aigean Invertebrata.

_ Neera costellata (Corbula, Desh.), Forbes, Lovén, p. 48. Mr.

Barlee procured a specimen of this exquisite shell from Loch Fyne,

and kindly placed it in my cabinet,

The Neera abbreviata of Forbes is the N. vitrea_of Lovén,

p. 48.

Norton near Swansea, June 21, 1847.

VI.—Characters of undescribed Chalcidites collected in North

America by HK. Doubleday, Esq., and now in the British Mu-

seum. By Francis Watxer, F.LS.

(Continued from vol. xix. p. 398.]

17. Eupelmus Fonteia, fem. Cupreus, antenne nigra, pedes fulvi,

Semora piceo cincta, tarsi flavi, ale sublimpide.

Corpus angustum, lineare, convexum, cupreum, nitens, scitissime

squameum, parce hirtum : caput transversum, breve, thorace paullo

latius ; vertex latus; frons impressa, abrupte declivis : oculi picei,

mediocres, non extantes: antenne nigre, clavate, 11-articulate,

thorace vix longiores ; articulus 1"§ longus, gracilis ; 2"8 longicyathi-

formis ; 3“8 minutus; 4¥5 et sequentes mediocres, usque ad 10¥™ cur-

tantes et latescentes; clava longiconica, compressa, articulo 10°

duplo longior: thorax sublinearis: prothorax transversus, brevis,

antice angustus, utrinque viridivarius: mesothoracis scutum exca-

vatum, latitudine longius ; parapsidum suturee sat bene determinate,

postice non approximate ; paraptera et epimera magna; scutellum

obconicum ; mesothoracis sternum maximum, cyaneo-viridivarium ;

metathorax sat magnus, subquadratus, declivis : petiolus brevissimus :

abdomen fusiforme, supra depressum, subtus carinatum, thoracis lon-

gitudine et latitudine; segmentum 1%™ magnum, 2" et sequentia

20 Mr. F. Walker on some North American Chalcidites.

breviora, subzequalia : oviductus subexsertus ; vagine nigra: pedes

fulvi; coxze cupree ; femora piceo cincta ; mesotarsi et metatarsi flavi,

apice fusci; mesopedum tibie apice spina magna armatee, tarsi lati

basi ciliati : alee sublimpide, anguste ; squamule fulvee ; nervi fulvi ;

nervus ulnaris humerali vix brevior radiali plus duplo longior, cubi-

talis subincurvus radiali paullo brevior; stigma minutum. (Corp.

long. lin. 1}; alar. lin. 24.)

Var. @. Femora omnino fulva.

Allied to Eup. urozonus, Dalman.

18. Eupelmus Lamachus, fem. Cupreus, abdomen rubro micans,

antenne nigre, pedes flavi, ale limpide.

Corpus sublineare, convexum, cupreum, nitens, scitissime squa-

meum, parce hirtum: caput transversum, breve, cyaneum, thoracis

latitudine ; vertex viridi-cupreus, sat latus ; frons impressa, abrupte

declivis: oculi picei, mediocres, non extantes: antenne nigre, cla-

vate, 11-articulate, fronte inserte, thorace vix longiores; articulus

1" longus, gracilis ; 2° longicyathiformis ; 3%% minutus; 4"8 et se-

quentes mediocres, usque ad 10" curtantes et latescentes ; clava

longiconica, compressa, articulo 10° duplo longior: thorax sub-

ovatus, viridi et rubro varius: prothorax transversus, brevis, antice

angustus: mesothoracis scutum excavatum, latitudine longius ;

parapsidum suture sat bene determinate, postice non approximate ;

paraptera et epimera magna; scutellum obconicum; sternum maxi-

mum : metathorax sat magnus, subquadratus, declivis : petiolus bre-

vissimus: abdomen ovatum, leve, supra rubro-cupreum, depressum,

subtus carinatum, thoracis longitudine et latitudine : oviductus sub-

exsertus, flavus, apice fuscus : pedes leete flavi; tarsi apice fusci; me-

sopedum tibiz apice spinis armatze, tarsi lati basi subtus ciliati: ale

limpide ; squamulz fulvee; nervi flavi; nervus ulnaris humerali vix

brevior radiali plus duplo longior, cubitalis subincurvus radiali non

brevior; stigma minutum. (Corp. long. lin. 14; alar. lin. 2.)

19. Eupelmus Epicaste, fem. <Apterus, nigro-cyaneus piceo varius,

pedes picet, tarsi flavi.

“ FE. vesiculari affinis,’ Hal. MSS. Corpus apterum, angustum,

sublineare, convexum, nitens, piceo- et nigro-cyaneum, subtilissime

squameum, parce hirtum: caput transversum, breve, thorace paullo

latius ; vertex latus ; frons impressa, abrupte declivis : oculi rufi, sat

magni, non extantes : antenne nigre, clavate, 11-articulatz, thorace

non breviores ; articulus 1"° fulvus, longus, gracilis ; 24° longicyathi-

formis ; 3S minutus ; 4%% et sequentes mediocres, usque ad 10"™ cur-

tantes et latescentes ; clava longiconica, compressa, articulo 10° duplo

longior: thorax longiovatus : prothorax transversus, sat magnus, an-

tice angustus : mesothoracis scutum excavatum, latitudine longius ;

parapsidum suture non bene determinate; scutellum obconicum :

metathorax magnus, subquadratus, declivis: petiolus brevissimus :

abdomen subfusiforme, leve, subcompressum, supra depressum, sub-

tus carinatum, thorace paullo angustius non longius: oviductus ex-

sertus, flavus; vaginee flavee, basi et apice nigra, abdominis dimidio

Mr. F. Walker on some North American Chalcidites. 21

longiores : pedes picei; trochanteres fulvi; genua fulva; tarsi flavi,

apice fusci; metatibize fulve ; mesopedum tibiz apice spinis armatee,

tarsi lati subtus ciliati. (Corp. long. lin. 14.)

Allied to Hup. Degeeri, Dalman.

20. Encyrtus (Cerchysius) Flaccus, fem. Nigro-viridis, abdomen

nigrum, antenne nigre, pedes nigro-picet, tarsi flavi, proale nigro-

Jusce basi et apice limpide.

Corpus angustum, sublineare, convexum, nigro-viride, nitens, leve,

parce hirtum: caput piceum, transversum, breve, thoracis longitudine ;

vertex sat latus; frons abrupte declivis, non impressa: oculi rufi,

mediocres, non extantes: antenne nigre, subclavate, thorace lon-

giores; articulus 1"* longus, gracilis ; 2"* longicyathiformis ; 3"° mi-

nutus ; 4"§ et sequentes usque ad 11"™ transversi, lati; clava conica,

articulo 11° longior: thorax longiovatus: prothorax transversus,

brevis, antice angustior: mesothoracis scutum magnum, longitudine

paullo latius ; parapsidum suture non conspicue ; scutellum obco-

nicum, parvum, apice ferrugineum, metathorax brevis, postice an-

gustus: petiolus nullus: abdomen fusiforme, nigrum, supra depres-

sum, apice acuminatum, thorace paullo angustius vix longius: ovi-

ductus fulvus, subexsertus: pedes nigri; femora picea; tarsi flavi,

apice fusci ; protarsi fulvi ; mesotarsi lati: ale angustz ; proale nigro-

fusce, basi et apice limpidee ; squamulz nigre ; nervi picei. (Corp.

long. lin. 1; alar. lin. 13.)

21. Encyrtus Gastron, fem. dineus, abdomen cupreum, pedes flavi,

ale limpide.

Corpus angustum, sublineare, eneum, convexum, nitens, leve,

parce hirtum: caput transversum, breve, thorace paullo latius ; ver-

tex sat latus; frons abrupte declivis’: oculi picei, mediocres, non ex-

tantes : thorax ovatus : prothorax brevissimus, supra vix conspicuus:

mesothoracis scutum magnum, transversum ; parapsidum suture non

conspicue ; scutellum parvum, obconicum : metathorax brevis, trans-

versus : petiolus nullus : abdomen cupreum, ovatum, depressum, basi

viridi-eneum, thorace paullo longius et latius: pedes flavi; coxe

eenez ; mesopedum tibie apice spinis armate, tarsi lati: ale anguste,

limpide ; squamule fulve; nervi flavi. (Corp. long. lin. 3; alar.

lin. 14.)

Allied to Enc. subcupratus, Dalman.

22. Encyrtus Vectius, mas. Viridis, abdomen purpureo-cupreum,

antenne fusce, pedes flavi, ale sublimpide.

Corpus breve, robustum, convexum, nitens, punctatum, viride,

parce hirtum : caput transversum, breve, thoracis latitudine ; vertex

sat latus ; frons abrupte declivis: oculi rufi, mediocres, non extantes :

antenne fuscz, hirte, filiformes, corpore non breviores, ad os in-

serte ; articulus 1"° longifusiformis ; 2"° cyathiformis ; 3°° minutus ;

44s et sequentes longi, subeequales ; clava longipisiformis, articulo 9°

paullo longior: thorax breviovatus: prothorax transversus, brevis-

simus: mesothoracis scutum magnum, longitudine latius ; parapsi-

22 Mr. F. Walker on some North American Chalcidites.

dum suture non conspicue; scutellum magnum, obconicum, seri-

ceum, parum nitens: metathorax*brevissimus : petiolus nullus : ab-

domen obconicum, leve, depressum, purpureo-cupreum, basi cyaneo«

viride, thorace brevius: pedes flavi, graciles ; mesopedes longi, tibice

apice spinis armatze, tarsi lati fulvi: ale sublimpide, apice fusce ;

squamule picez ; nervi fusci; nervus humeralis longissimus, radialis

et ulnaris brevissimi, cubitalis brevis ; stigma minutum. (Corp. long.

lin. 2; alar. lin. 12.

Allied to Enc. Batillus, Ent. Mag. iv. 442.

23. Encyrtus Reate, mas. Piceus, subtus ferrugineus, abdomen basi

cupreum, antenne nigre, pedes fulvi piceo et flavo varit, proale

nigro-fusce basi limpide.

Corpus angustum, sublineare, fere planum, piceum, obscurum,

subtilissime punctatum, parce hirtum, subtus ferrugineum leve ni-

tens : caput transversum, breve, thoracis latitudine; vertex sat latus ;

frons abrupte declivis: palpi picei: oculi rufi, mediocres, non ex-

tantes: antenne graciles, filiformes, nigree, dense pubescentes, cor-

pore paullo longiores ; articulus 1"§ longus, sublinearis, fulvus ; 2"

cyathiformis; 3" minutus; 4° et sequentes longi, lineares, sub-

eequales ; clava linearis, articulo 9° paullo longior: thorax ovatus:

prothorax transversus, brevissimus : mesothoracis scutum magnum,

longitudine latius, parapsidum suture non conspicue; paraptera

magna fulva; scutellum obconicum, mediocre: metathorax brevis,

transversus, postice angustus: petiolus brevissimus : abdomen ova-

tum, nitens, leve, depressum, basi cupreum, thorace brevius: pedes

fulvi, longi, graciles, subtus pallide flavi, supra fusco vittati; meso-

pedum tibiz apice spinis armate, tarsi lati flavi apice fusci; meta-

pedum femora fusca basi fulva, tibize picez, tarsi flavi apice fusci :

ale anguste ; proale nigro-fusce, basi limpide; squamule pices ;

nervi fusci. (Corp. long. lin. —1; alar. lin, 1—13.)

Allied to Enc. Lindus, Ent. Mag. iv. 451.

24. Closterocerus Damastes, fem. Cyaneo-viridis, abdomen pur-

pureum, antenne nigre, pedes albidi, proale fusco fasciate.

Corpus sat latum, sublineare, leeve, depressum, cyaneo-viride, pa-

rum nitens, scitissime squameum, parce hirtum : caput transversum,

brevissimum, viride, antice impressum, thoracis latitudine ; vertex

sat latus; frons abrupte declivis: oculi rufi, mediocres, extantes ;

antenne nigre, pubescentes, subsetacee, thorace vix longiores ; arti-

culus 1" fusiformis, gracilis ; 24° cyathiformis ; 3°° et sequentes me-

diocres, quisque precedente angustior ; ultimus setiger : thorax ova-

tus: prothorax brevissimus, supra vix conspicuus : mesothoracis scu-

tum magnum, longitudine latius; parapsidum suture non bene

determinate ; scutellum magnum, brevi-obconicum: metathorax

transversus, minimus; petiolus brevissimus: abdomen ovatum, ni-

tens, leeve, basi cyaneo et cupreo-varium, thorace vix longius; discus

purpureus: pedes albidi, graciles, simplices, subeequales ; coxee virides :

ale limpide; proalz late, apud stigma fusco fasciate ; squamule

picez ; nervi fusci; nervus ulnaris humerali multo longior, radialis et

Mr. F. Walker on some North American Chalcidites. 23

cubitalis brevissimi; stigma minutum. (Corp. long. lin. ?; alar.

lin. 14.)

25. Entedon Imbrasus, fem. Cyaneo-viride, abdomen cyaneum,

discus purpureus, pedes albidi, ale limpide.

Corpus sublineare, convexum, nitens, leve, fere glabrum: caput

transversum, breve, thorace paullo latius ; vertex latus; frons abrupte

declivis : oculi rufi, mediocfes, non extantes : thorax ovatus; dorsum

fere planum : prothorax transversus, brevissimus : mesothoracis scu-

tum longitudine latius; parapsidum suture sat bene determinate ;

scutellum magnum, obconicum: metathorax transversus, brevis :

petiolus brevissimus : abdomen ovatum, depressum, cyaneum, thorace

non longius; discus purpureus ;: pedes albidi, simplices, subzquales ;

coxe virides ; tarsi apice fusci: alee limpide ; squamule fusce ; nervi

fulvi; nervus ulnaris humerali multo longior, radialis et cubitalis

brevissimi; stigma minutum. (Corp. long. lin. 2; alar. lin. 1.)

Allied to Ent. Latreillit, Curtis.

26, Entedon (Horismenus) Sardus, fem. Atrum, antenne nigre,

basi flave, pedes flavi, ale limpide.

Corpus atrum, zeneo et viridi varium, convexum, validum, nitens,

leve, parce hirtum: caput transversum, breve, thorace non latius ;

vertex sat latus; frons abrupte declivis: oculi picei, mediocres, non

extantes : antenne nigra, clavate, moniliformes, thorace breviores ;

articulus 1" flavus, longus, gracilis ; 2"° cyathiformis ; 348, 4° et 55

subzequales, discreti ; clava conica, articulo 5° multo latior et longior :

thorax longiovatus : prothorax transversus, brevissimus: mesotho-

racis scutum longitudine latius; parapsidum suture bene determi-

nate, postice approximate; scutellum magnum, brevi-obconicum,

unisulcatum : metathorax magnus, obconicus, declivis : petiolus bre-

vissimus : abdomen longiovatum, apice acuminatum, thoracis fere

longitudine et latitudine ; segmentum 1"™ magnum ; 2" et sequentia

breviora, subeequalia : pedes flavi, simplices, subeequales ; coxe nigre ;

tarsis articuli 1° ad 3% longitudine decrescentes, 4"° 3° paullo lon-

gior; ungues et pulvilli minuti, fusci : ale limpide ; squamule picee ;

nervi fusci; neryus ulnaris humerali multo longior, radialis nullus,

cubitalis brevissimus ; stigma minutum. (Corp. long. lin. 2; alar.

lin. 14.)

27. Entedon (Euderus) Herillus, fem. Nigro-cyaneum, antenne

nigre, pedes nigro-cyanet, tarsi albidi, ale albo limpide.

Corpus sublineare, convexum, nigro-cyaneum, parum nitens, sci-

tissime squameum, parce hirtum, subtus purpureum: caput trans-

versum, brevissimum, thoracis latitudine ; vertex latus; frons im-

pressa, abrupte declivis: oculi rufi, mediocres, non extantes: an-

tenn nigre, subclavate, thorace non breviores ; articulus 1" longus,

gracilis ; 2"° cyathiformis ; 3"° et sequentes mediocres, usque ad cla-

vam latescentes; clava ovata, articulo precedente duplo longior:

thorax longiovatus: prothorax transversus, brevissimus, supra vix

conspicuus: mesothoracis scutum longitudine, non latius ; parapsidum

24 Mr. F. Walker on some North American Chalcidites.

suture optime determinate, postice approximate ; scutellum obco-

nicum, magnum : metathorax mediocris, declivis, obconicus: petiolus

brevissimus : abdomen longifusiforme, nitens, leve, supra depressum,

subtus carinatum, apice attenuatum et acuminatum, thorace angustius

et multo longius : pedes nigro-cyanei, simplices, subzequales ; protarsi

fusci; mesotarsi et metatarsi albidi, apice fusci: ale albo-limpide ;

squamulee picee ; nervi pallide flavi; nervus ulnaris humerali multo

longior, radialis et cubitalis brevissimi ; stigma minutum. (Corp.long.

lin. 2; alar. lin. 23.)

28. Eulophus Calavius, mas et fem. Viridis cupreo varius, abdo-

men mari flavo maculatum, pedes mari flavi, fem. fulvi, proale

Susco maculate.

Mas.—Corpus longum, gracile, sublineare, convexum, nitens, vi-

ride, scitissime squameum, parce hirtum: caput transversum, breve,

thorace paullo latius ; vertex latus; frons impressa, abrupte declivis :

oculi rufi, mediocres, non extantes: ocelli vertice triangulum fin-

gentes: antenne filiformes, nigra, triramosz, thorace paullo lon-

giores ; articulus 1"S longus, sublinearis; 2"°° cyathiformis; 3"5, 4S

et 5¥° ramulos basi emittentes graciles hirtos; 65 et 7" longi,

lineares ; clava fusiformis, articulo 7° longior: thorax fusiformis :

prothorax sat magnus, angustus, conicus, latitudine longior: meso-

thoracis scutum parvum, longitudine latius ; parapsidum suture bene

determinate, postice approximate ; scntellum mediocre, subconicum :

metathorax magnus, obconicus, striatus, declivis: petiolus brevis-

simus: abdomen ovatum, leve, depressum, thorace multo brevius

non angustius, basi flavo maculatum ; discus purpureus : pedes flavi,

graciles, simplices, subeequales ; coxe virides ; tarsi apice fusci ; pro-

tarsi fulvi: ale limpide, anguste; squamule pice; nervi fusci ;

nervus humeralis ulnari paullo longior, ulnaris radiali plus duplo

longior, cubitalis brevis; stigma minutum; proale cuique apud dis-

cum macula fere obsoleta fusca. (Corp. long. lin. 1—14; alar. lin.

Var. (3. Proale apice obsolete fusco nebulose : antennis articulus

1% basi flavus.

Var. y. Corpus cyaneo et neo varium.

Fem. Corpus eneum, viridi varium: antenne nigre, subclavate,

9-articulate, thorace non longiores; articulus 1¥° longus, gracilis,

fulvus, apice niger; 2"8 cyathiformis ; 3° et sequentes longi usque ad

6"™ curtantes et latescentes; clava conica, acuminata, articulo 6°

longior : abdomen longiovatum, purpureo-cupreum, basi viride, sub-

tus carinatum, apice acuminatum, thorace non brevius; segmenta

subeequalia: pedes fulvi; coxe virides; mesotarsi et metatarsi flavi,

apice fusci : alee limpide ; proalze apice obsolete fusco nebulose, ma-

cula cuique in disco magna distincta fusca. (Corp. long. lin. 1{—14;

alar. Jin. 1¢—24.)

Var. (3. Thoracis discus cupreus.

Var. y. Femora fusco cincta.

Var. 6. Proalis macule vix conspicue.

Var. e. Var. 3. et 6. similis: antennis articulus 1"° niger, basi

fulvus ; tibize flavee.

Mr. F. Walker on some North American Chalcidites. 25

29. Eulophus Iphinoé, mas. Nigro-viridis, abdomen cupreum, an-

tenne picee, pedes flavi, femora fulva, metafemora fusca, ale lim-

pide.

Corpus nigro-viride, breve, convexum, nitens, scitissime squameum,

parce hirtum ; caput transversum, breve, thorace latius ; vertex latus ;

frons impressa, abrupte declivis : oculi picei, mediocres, non extantes :

antenne pice, longe, graciles, filiformes, triramose, corpore vix

breviores ; articulus 1"S longus, linearis; 2"S cyathiformis ; 3", 45 et

5"5 ramulos basi emittentes graciles hirtos ; 6"% et 75 longi, lineares ;

clava sublinearis, acuminata: thorax ovatus: prothorax transversus,

brevis, antice angustus: mesothoracis scutum longitudine latius ;

parapsidum suture non bene determinate ; scutellum obconicum :

metathorax sat magnus, obconicus, declivis : petiolus brevis: abdo-

men ovatum, leve, cupreum, depressum, thorace multo brevius : pedes

flavi, longi, graciles, simplices, subeequales; coxze virides; femora

fulva ; tarsi apice fusci; metafemora fusca: ale limpide ; squamule

fuscee ; nervi flavi; nervus humeralis ulnari vix longior, radialis ulnari

brevior, cubitalis sat longus ; stigma minutum. (Corp. long. lin. 2;

alar. lin. 1.)

30. Eulophus Cyriades, mas. Nigro-viridis, abdomen cupreum

basi flavum, antenne nigre, pedes fulvi piceo varit, ale limpide.

Corpus breve, robustum, convexum, nigro-viride, nitens, scitissime

squameum, parce hirtum, subtus cyaneo et purpureo varium: caput

transversum, breve, thorace paullo latius; vertex latus; frons im-

pressa, abrupte declivis: oculi picei, mediocres, non extantes: an-

tenne triramose, nigre, longe, graciles, filiformes; articulus 1"S

longus, linearis, nigro-cupreus ; 2"° cyathifurmis; 3", 4"5 et 5" ra-

mulos basi emittentes graciles hirtos: thorax ovatus: prothorax

transversus, brevis: mesothoracis scutum longitudine latius; para-

psidum suture non bene determinate ; scutellum brevi-obconicum :

metathorax sat magnus, obconicus, declivis: petiolus brevis: abdo-

men sublineare, leve, depressum, cupreum, basi flavum, thorace bre-

vius : pedes fulvi, simplices, subeequales ; coxe basi nigro-cyanee ;

femora piceo vittata; tarsi apice fusci; metatibiz apice fusce: ale

limpidee ; squamule pices; nervi fusci; nervus humeralis ulnari vix

longior, radialis ulnari brevior, cubitalis sat longus ; stigma minutum.

(Corp. long. lin. 2; alar. lin. 14.)

31. Eulophus Minio, fem. Aineo-viridis, abdomen nigro-cupreum,

antenne picee, pedes fulvi, ale limpide.

Corpus neo-viride, convexum, nitens, scitissime squameum, parce

hirtum: caput transversum, breve, thorace non latius; vertex sat

latus; frons impressa, abrupte declivis: oculi rufi, mediocres, non

extantes: antennz pice, submoniliformes, extrorsum crassiores,

thorace paullo longiores; articulus 1"° longus, gracilis; 2"° cyathi-

formis ; 3"S et sequentes longi, usque ad 6"™ curtantes et latescentes ;

clava conica, acuminata, articulo 6° longior: thorax longiovatus :

prothorax magnus, conicus: mesothoracis scutum transversum,

breve ; parapsidum suture bene determinate, postice approximate ;

26 Mr. F. Walker on some North American Chalcidites.

scutellum subconicum: metathorax magnus, obconicus, declivis :

petiolus brevis: abdomen nigro-cupreum, ovatum, leve, depressum,

subtus carinatum, apice acuminatum, thorace paullo brevius et latius :

pedes fulvi, simplices, subzequales ; tarsi apice fusci: ale limpide ;

squamule pices; nervi fulvi; nervus humeralis ulnari vix longior,

radialis ulnari brevior, cubitalis sat longus ; stigma minutum. (Corp.

long. lin. 1; alar. lin. 14.)

32. Eulophus Gobryas, mas. Avneus, caput nigrum, abdomen nigro-

cupreum, antenne nigr@, pedes flavi, femora nigro-enea, ale lim-

pide.

Corpus breve, latum, convexum, parce hirtum : caput transversum,

breve, nigrum, nitens, scitissime squameum, thoracis latitudine ; ver-

tex sat latus ; frons impressa, abrupte declivis : oculi rufi, mediocres,

non extantes: antenne nigre, clavate, thorace breviores ; articulus

1"S fulvus, longus, linearis ; 2"8 cyathiformis; 4"* 3° brevior 5° lon-

gior ; clava longiconica, acuminata, articulo 5° multo longior : thorax

ovatus, altus, zeneus, scite squameus, parum nitens: prothorax trans-

versus, sat magnus, antice angustus: mesothoracis scutum breve,

longitudine latius ; parapsidum suture remote, bene determinate,

postice approximate; scutellum subovatum: metathorax magnus,

obconicus, declivis : petiolus brevis : abdomen ovatum, nitens, leve,

depressum, nigro-purpureum, basi viridi et cupreo micans, thorace

brevius : pedes flavi, simplices, subeequales ; coxe nigro-znez; tro-

chanteres picei; femora nigro-znea, apice flava; tarsi apice fusci,

articulus 2"° 1° brevior 3° longior, 4¥° 3° paullo longior : ale limpide,

sat late; squamule picez ; nervi fulvi; nervus humeralis ulnari vix

longior, radialis ulnari multo brevior, cubitalis sat longus; stigma

minutum. (Corp. long. lin. 1}; alar. lin. 2.)

Allied to Hulophus ramicornis, Geoffroy.

33. Eulophus Minyas, fem. Cupreus cyaneo-viridi varius, antenne

picee, pedes fulvi, femora nigro-viridia, proale fusco maculate.

Corpus cupreum, sublineare, convexum, nitens, scitissime squa-

meum, parce hirtum, utrinque cyaneo-viridi varium,, subtus cyaneo-

viride: caput transversum, breve, thoracis latitudine; vertex sat

latus ; frons impressa, abrupte declivis: oculi rufi, sat magni, non

extantes: antenne pice, clavate, thorace breviores; articulus 1"

longus, gracilis, fulvus ; 2"8 cyathiformis ; 4%° 3° brevior 5° longior ;

clava ovata, acuminata, articulo 5° paullo longior: thorax ovatus :

prothorax transversus, brevissimus: mesothoracis scutum magnum,

longitudine latius; parapsidum suture bene determinatze, postice

approximate ; scutellum magnum, subconicum: metathorax brevis,

declivis : petiolus brevissimus: abdomen ovatum, leeve, basi cyaneo-

viride, supra depressum, subtus carinatum, apice acuminatum, thorace

non longius; discus nigro-purpureus: pedes fulvi, simplices, sub-

eequales; coxe nigro-virides; trochanteres picei; femora nigro-

viridia, apice fulva; tarsi apice fusci: proale subfusce; macula

cuique apud nervum ulnarem magna fusca; squamule pice; nervi

basi fulvi apice fusci; nervus humeralis ulnari non longior, radialis

Mr. F, Walker on some North American Chalcidites. 27

ulnari multo brevior, cubitalis longus in alee discum abrupte declivis ;

stigma minutum. (Corp. long. lin. 1; alar. lin. 1}.)

Allied to Kul. gallarum, Nees d’Essenbeck. i

34. Elachestus Levana, fem. Afer, abdominis discus fulvus, an-

tenne fusce, pedes flavi fusco cincti, ale limpide.

Corpus atrum, convexum, punctatum, parum nitens, parce hirtum :

caput transversum, breve, thoracis latitudine; vertex latus; frons

impressa, abrupte declivis : oculi picei, mediocres, non extantes : an-

tennee fuscee, subclavatee, moniliformes, thorace breviores; articulus

1"s fulvus, longus, gracilis ; 2"° cyathiformis; 3"° et sequentes me-

divcres, discreti, usque ad 5" curtantes et latescentes ; clava conica,

acuminata, articulo 5° longior: thorax longiovatus : prothorax trans-

versus, brevis, antice angustus: mesothoracis scutum longitudine

latius ; parapsidum suture non bene determinate ; scutellum nitens,

leve, subconicum : metathorax magnus, obconicus, declivis: petiolus

longissimus, abdomine paullo brevior : abdomen subrotundum, nitens,

leve, depressum, thoracis dimidio non longius ; discus fulvus ; seg-

mentum 1"" magnum, 2"™ et sequentia brevia: pedes flavi, simplices,

subeequales ; coxee pices ; ungues et pulvilli fusci; mesotibie apice

spinis longis validis armate ; metapedum femora apice fusca, tibize

fuscee basi flavee : alee limpide ; squamulee fulvee ; nervi flavi ; nervus

humeralis ulnari non longior, radialis ulnari multo brevior, cubitalis

sat longus; stigma minutum. (Corp. long. lin. 1—14; alar. lin.

13—13.)

Var. 3. Metatibize flavee, apice fusce.

Allied to Hlachestus dimidiatus, Nees d’Ess.

35. Cirrospilus Eunapius, fem. Nigro-purpureus, abdomen basi

flavum, antenne fusce, pedes flavi piceo cincti, proale fusco

fasciate.

Corpus angustum, sublineare, convexum, nigro-purpureum, sci-

tissime squameum, parum nitens, parce hirtum: caput transversum,

breve, thoracis latitudine; vertex sat latus ; frons impressa, abrupte

declivis: oculi picei, mediocres, non extantes : antennee breves, fuscze,

clavate, thorace breviores ; articulus 1"* longus, gracilis ; 25 cyathi-

formis ; 3"° et sequentes mediocres, usque ad 5" curtantes et lates-

centes ; clava conica, acuminata, articulo 5° longior et latior: tho-

rax ovatus: prothorax magnus, conicus: mesothoracis scutum lete

flavum, breve, transversum; parapsidum suture non bene deter-

minatee ; scutellum nitens, leve, obconicum : metathorax mediocris,

obconicus, declivis: petiolus brevissimus : abdomen ovatum, nitens,

leve, basi flavum, supra depressum, subtus carinatum, apice acumi-

natum, thorace non longius: pedes flavi, graciles, simplices, sub-

equales ; coxe pices; femora picea, apice flava; tibiz fusce, basi

flavee ; tarsi apice fusci : ale limpide, anguste ; proale cuique medio

fascia lata fusca bene determinata; squamule fulvee; nervi flavi;

nervus ulnaris humerali paullo longior, radialis ulnari multo brevior ;

cubitalis sat longus; stigma minutum. (Corp. long. lin. 3; alar.

lin, 1.)

28 Mr. F. Walker on some North American Chalcidites.

Var. 6. Femora nigro-picea ; tibie picex.

Allied to Cirr. flavo-varius, Nees d’Ess.

36. Tetrastichus Gala, fem. Fulvus, abdomen piceum, antenne

nigre, pedes flavi, ale limpide.

Corpus breve, latum, convexum, nitens, leeve, fulvum, parce hirtum:

caput piceum, transversum, brevissimum, impressum, thorace non

latius ; vertex sat latus; frons abrupte declivis : oculi rufi, mediocres,

non extantes : antennz nigre, subclavate, thorace paullo longiores ;

articulus 1"5 longus, linearis; 2"° cyathiformis; 3", 4% et 5"S me-

diocres, subzequales ; clava longiconica, acuminata, articulo 5° paullo

longior et latior: thorax ovatus: prothorax brevissimus, supra vix

conspicuus: mesothoracis scutum magnum, longitudine vix latius ;

parapsidum suture remote, bene determinate, postice approximate ;

scutellum magnum, subrotundum, bisuleatum: metathorax medio-

cris, transversus, postice angustus: petiolus brevissimus : abdomen

piceum, ovatum, basi fulvum, supra depressum, subtus carinatum,

apice acuminatum, thorace paullo latius non longius: pedes flavi,

simplices, subeequales; tarsi apice fusci: ale limpide, late; squa-

mulee fulvee ; nervi fulvi; nervus ulnaris humerali paullo longior, ra-

dialis vix ullus, cubitalis sat longus; stigma minutum. (Corp. long.

lin. #; alar. lin. 14.)

Allied to Tetrastichus Armeus, Ann. Nat. Hist. xi. 200; and to

T. Metra, A. N. H. xi. 201.

37. Tetrastichus Hemon, fem. Aéer, antenne nigre, pedes picei,

tibie apice albide, tarsi flavi, ale sublimpide.

Corpus breve, validum, convexum, atrum, parum nitens, subtilis-

sime punctatum, parce hirtum: caput transversum, impressum, bre-

vissimum, thoracis latitudine ; vertex latus; frons abrupte declivis :

oculi picei, mediocres, non extantes: antenne nigre; articulus 1"

longus, gracilis ; 2"° cyathiformis ; 3"8 et sequentes mediocres, usque

ad 5¥%™ curtantes et latescentes ; clava conica, acuminata, articulo 5°

longior: thorax ovatus : prothorax transversus, brevis, mesothoracis

scutum magnum, longitudine latius; parapsidum suture bene deter-

minate, postice approximate; scutellum obconicum, bisulcatum :

metathorax declivis, mediocris, postice angustus : petiolus brevissi-

mus: abdomen longiovatum, parum nitens, supra convexum, subtus

carinatum, apice acuminatum, thorace paullo longius; segmenta 1°

ad 4" subzequalia, 5" paullo longius, 6" et 7° minora: pedes

picei, simplices, subzequales ; coxze nigre ; genua fulva; tibie fusce ;

mesopedum et metapedum tibiz apice albide, tarsi flavi, apice fusci ;

protarsi fulvi: ale sublimpide; squamulz picez ; nervi fusci ; nervus

ulnaris humerali multo longior, radialis nullus, cubitalis sat longus ;

stigma minutum. (Corp. long. lin. 1; alar. lin. 14.)

Allied to Tetrastichus Paralus, Mon. Chal. i. 296.

38. Tetrastichus Epidius, fem. After, antenne nigre, pedes fulvi,

Semora picea, tibie apice albide, tarsi flavi, ale sublimpide.

Corpus longum, angustum, convexum, atrum, parum nitens, sub-

Mr. F. Walker on some North American Chaleidites. 29

tilissime punctatum, parce hirtum: caput transversum, breve, tho-

racis latitudine ; vertex latus ; frons impressa, abrupte declivis: oculi

picei, mediocres, non extantes: antennz nigra, subclavate, thorace

longiores; articulus 1"8 piceus, longus, gracilis; 2" longicyathi-

formis; 3% et sequentes longi; 4%* 3° brevior et latior 5° longior et

angustior ; clava longiconica, acuminata, articulo 5° multo longior :

thorax ovatus: prothorax transversus, mediocris, antice angustior :

mesothoracis scutum magnum longitudine paullo latius ; parapsidum

suture remote bene determinate, postice approximate ; scutellum

obconicum, bisulcatum: metathorax mediocris, declivis, postice an-

gustior: petiolus brevissimus : abdomen longifusiforme, supra con-

vexum, subtus carinatum, apice attenuatum et acuminatum, thorace

duplo longius ; segmenta 1" ad 3" brevia ; 4" et 5°™ longiora ; 6™™

et 7% subcylindrica: pedes fulvi, simplices, subequales; coxe

nigree ; femora picea, apice fulva; mesopedum et metapedum tibiz

apice albidee, tarsi flavi apice fusci: alee sublimpide, abdominis api-

cem dum quietem agunt non attingentes ; squamulz picez; nervi

fulvi; nervus ulnaris humerali multo longior, radialis nullus, cubitalis

sat longus; stigma minutum. (Corp. long. lin. 1}—14; alar. lin.

13—2.)

Allied to Tetrastichus Adalia, Aun. Nat. Hist. xi. 351.

39. Acrias (n. g.) Nileus, fem. Purpureus, antenne nigre, pedes

nigri, tarsi flavi, proale fusco maculate.

Corpus gracile, convexum, purpureum, nitens, scitissime squa-

meum, parce hirtum, cyaneo varium: caput transversum, brevis-

simum, impressum, thoracis latitudine; vertex sat latus; frons ab-

rupte declivis : oculi rufi, mediocres, non extantes: antennz late,

compresse, subfusiformes, nigree, thorace non longiores; articulus

1"° longus, apice latior; 2Y§ cyathiformis ; 3"°, 4¥° et 5"° mediocres,

subzequales ; clava longiconica, acuminata, articulo 5° multo longior :

thorax longiovatus : prothorax conicus, mediocris : mesothoracis scu-

tum longitudine latius; parapsidum suture bene determinate, pos-

tice approximate; scutellum obconicum: metathorax transversus,

brevis : petiolus brevissimus : abdomen teliforme, compressum, supra

depressum, subtus carinatum, apice attenuatum et acuminatum, tho-

race multo longius et angustius : pedes nigri, simplices, subeequales ;

trochanteres picei; genua picea; tarsi flavi, apice fusci; protarsi

fulvi: ale limpide; squamule pice; nervi fusci; proale cuique

macula in disco magna indistincta fusca et ad marginem macule

6 minores obscuriores ; nervus ulnaris humerali longior, radialis ulnari

brevior, cubitalis brevis ; stigma minutum. (Corp. long. lin. 3; alar.

lin. 1.)

I have an undescribed British insect that belongs to this new

genus.

30 Mr. C, C. Babington’s List of Plants gathered

VII.— List of Plants gathered during a short visit to Iceland in

1846, By Cuartes C. Basrneton, M.A,, F.L.S,, F.G.S, &c.*

Ir may perhaps be said that the following list‘of Icelandic

plants is scarcely deserving of the space which it occupies, con-

taining as it does so very few additions even to Hooker’s ‘ Ice-

landic Flora’ contained in his ‘ Tour in Iceland,’ and still fewer

to Vahl’s ‘ Liste des Plantes’ published in Gaimard’s ‘ Voyage en

Islande’ (Min. et Géol. p. 871). That fact however is itself

deserving of notice, from its proving that those parts of the island

to which the researches of most botanists have been necessarily

confined were very carefully examined, and that therefore M.

Vahl’s ‘ Liste’ of 432 flowering plants is not a very imperfect

catalogue of the Icelandic flora,

Circumstances over which I had no control restricted the

time which I could devote to collecting plants in Iceland within

very narrow limits,—far narrower than I had promised myself

when leaving England. We landed at Reikiavic on June 29,

1846, and sailed from that port on July 13, after which day a

continuance of stormy weather detained us so long off the Ice-

landic coast as effectually to prevent a visit which we had planned

to some of the Fiords in the eastern part of the island. My

collections were therefore confined to that small south-western

district which was examined by several former visitants. The

barren character of the country surrounding Reikiavic renders it

very unpropitious to the botanist, and the long journey on horse-

back to and from the Geysers is not favourable to collecting.

The neighbourhood of Reikiavie consists of low hills, the sur-

face of which is fully half covered with lumps of rock and large

stones, between which the soil, although fertile in appearance and

probably in reality, is often nearly devoid of vegetation ; scattered

plants of Dryas octopetala, Lychnis alpina, Cerastium latifolium,

Arenaria norvegica and a few other species were observed. The

lower grounds are very boggy, but far from rich in plants ; a very

few species of Carex and Scirpus occupying nearly the whole

surface,

The above description will apply to a considerable portion of

the country which we visited, but occasionally a small hollow

occurred covered by a beautiful turf (Festuca ovina and Poa pra-

tensis chiefly), amongst which grew rather numerous specimens

of Geranium sylvaticum, Orchis latifolia, Habenaria viridis and

Hi. hyperborea. Such spots were mostly very small. Near Thing-

valla (a place of great note in Icelandic history), which is situated

upon an ancient lava-current and is at a considerable distance from

the sea, there is rather an extensive district of cavernous lava full

* Read before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, 10th June 1847,

during a short visit to Iceland in 1846. 31

of deep hollows and cracks upon which a much more luxuriant

vegetation occurs. ‘This is called a “ forest ” by the Icelanders,

being well-covered with low bushes, the highest not exceeding

six feet, of Betula glutinosa, B. intermedia, B. nana (remarkably

large), and beautiful but dwarf willows, especially Salix lanata

and 8. phylicifolia. The neighbourhood of the Geysers does not

appear to be rich in plants, nor does the hot water, which issues

from the ground in a state of active ebullition, seem to hasten

their growth. I could not perceive that individuals growing in

the warm mud by the side of steaming currents were at all more

forward than others at a distance from the heated spots, It is

stated that vegetation continues on this peculiar tract throughout

the year, but that the want of sun-light will not allow the plants

so situated to benefit by their exemption from the frost and snow

to which their neighbours are subject.

During a visit of one day to the head of Hval Fiord, a deep

inlet bounded by mountains situated about forty miles towards

the north from Reikiavic, I had an opportunity of examining

the damp ledges on the face of a mountain of moderate elevation

(estimated by us at 2500 feet), and thus learned something of

the alpine vegetation. It may be observed that the slopes of the

mountains are usually quite dry and therefore perfectly barren,

and that it is only in the few cases where the lava is more solid

or the rocks basaltic that wet spots occur. The following plants

may be mentioned as inhabiting the steep and moist slope of

this mountain, named Reinevalla-hals: Draba rupestris, Arabis

alpina, Silene acaulis, Stellaria cerastoides, Saxifraga rivularis,

S. Hirculus (also not unfrequent in the bogs), S. nivalis and

Veronica alpina. On its exposed and nearly dry but peaty

summit there were Viola palustris, Sibbaldia procumbens, Alche-

milla alpina, Andromeda hypnoides and a few others.

There is great reason to think that a rich and almost unex-

plored field for botanical research exists in the northern part of

Iceland. All the accounts of that part of the island describe it as

by far the most fertile portion of the country. It is also believed

that the eastern districts would well repay examination,

The wet climate of Iceland and its short and cloudy summer

render it very unfavourable to vegetation. We could not learn

from the Governor and other intelligent gentlemen that any arable

land exists in the country, (unless the cultivation of potatoes in

the northern district may be considered as an exception,) and at-

tempts to grow vegetables in what may in courtesy be denomi-

nated gardens, do not seem to be often made by any of the in-

habitants except those of Danish origin. On the 3rd of July the

people of Reikiayic were planting out turnips in their little plots

of garden ground, and potatoes were just coming up in a few

32 Mr. C. C. Babington’s List of Plants gathered

places. In the Governor’s garden there were also some very fine

radishes. I saw no other culinary plants except mustard and

cress, unless archangel may be so considered. The cultivation

of flowers does not seem to be attempted in the open ground,

but a very few are preserved in pots in some of the Danish

houses. In one house I noticed a carnation, a scarlet Chinese

rose, mignionette, and a small fuchsia ; all of them showing con-

spicuously that they were with difficulty preserved alive.

Hooker in his ‘ Tour,’ and also in ‘ Mackenzie’s Travels in Ice-

land, gave as complete a list of Icelandic plants as he was able

to prepare, and in the recent French work upon Iceland by M.

Gaimard will be found a similar list of species compiled by M.

Vahl. In the following list of the plants collected by me, the

names of those few species are printed in italics which are not

included in M. Vahl’s list. I have also added the localities of a

few of the more interesting plants. JI am deeply indebted to

Dr. Boott for examining and naming my specimens of Carez,

with which difficult genus he is known to be peculiarly well

acquainted, and his long-promised Monograph upon which is

anxiously expected.

List of species of Plants gathered in Iceland between June 29

and July 13, 1846.

Silene acaulis.

Lychnis alpina.

Sagina procumbens.

S. nodosa, H. Mey.

Ranunculacee.

Thalictrum alpinum.

Ranunculus aquatilis.

Batrachium heterophyllum, Fries.

R. hyperboreus. Spergula arvensis.

R. acris. Alsine peploides.

R. repens. A. rubella. Near Reikiavic and on

Caltha palustris. Reinevalla-hals.

tones Arenaria norvegica.

och rucifere. A. ciliata, Hook. Icel. Fl.

Arabis alpina, Stellaria cerastoides.

ee cote ._, §. media.

Cardamine hirsuta. The terminal (,.astinm triviale

leaflet of thelowerleavesisrounder @ alpinum.

and less angular than in the Bri-

tish plant.

C. pratensis.

Draba rupestris.

D. incana.

D. incana f. hebecarpa, Koch.

D. verna.

Capsella Bursa-pastoris.

Cakile maritima.

Reinevalla-hals.

Violacee.

Viola canina.

V. palustris.

Caryophyllee.

Silene maritima.

Geraniacee.

Geranium sylvaticum,

Rosacee.

Spireea Ulmaria.

Dryas octopetala.

Geum rivale.

Rubus saxatilis.

Fragaria vesca.

F. collina, Vahl, Liste?

Potentilla Comarum.

P. anserina,

P. alpestris.

P. aurea, Hook.

P. maculata, Vahl?

during a short visit to Iceland in 1846.

Sibbaldia procumbens. Summit of

Reinevalla-hals.

Alchemilla vulgaris.

A. alpina.

Onagrariacee.

Epilobium montanum y. humile, Bab.

E. palustre.

E. virgatum.

E. alpinum.

Haloragee.

Myriophyllum spicatum.

Hippuris vulgaris.

Portulacee.

Montia fontana.

Crassulacee.

Sedum villosum.

S. Rhodiola.

Saxifragacee.

Saxifraga stellaris.

S. Hirculus.

S. czespitosa.

S. hypnoides. Reinevalla-hals.

8. nivalis. Descending to the sea

level.

S. rivularis. Reinevalla-hals.

S. oppositifolia.

Parnassia palustris,

Umbellifere.

Carum Carui. Thingvalla (natu-

~ ralized).

[ Angelica Archangelica. I have no

specimen of this, and only saw it

in patches of cultivated ground. |

Rubiacee.

Galium boreale.

G. verum.

G. pusillum.

Composite.

Erigeron alpinus.

Gnaphalium uliginosum.

Oporinia autumnalis,

O. autumualis 8. Taraxaci.

Taraxacum officinale.

Hieracium alpinum.

H. cesium, Fries.

H. Lawsoni.

Pyrethrum inodorum.,

Ericacee.

Vaccinium uliginosum.

Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi.

Andromeda hypnoides.

Relneridla: bbl.

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx.

Summit of

Calluna vulgaris.

Pyrola minor,

Gentianacee.

Menyanthes trifoliata,

Gentiana campestris.

G. nivalis,

Boraginee.

Steenhammera maritima.

Myposotis versicolor.

M. intermedia, Link.

Rhinanthacee.

Rhinanthus minor.

Bartsia alpina.

Veronica serpillifolia.

V.alpina. Reinevalla-hals.

V. saxatilis. Near Reikiavic.

Labiate.

Thymus Serpillum, Linn., Fries, not

Sm.

Prunella vulgaris.

Galeopsis Tetrahit.

Lenitibularee.

Pinguicula vulgaris.

Plumbaginee.

Armeria maritima.

Plantaginee.

Plantago maritima.

P. major.

Chenopodiacee.

Atriplex patula ?

Polygoniacee.

Polygonum viviparum.

P. aviculare.

Rumex domesticus. Only observed

near the houses of Reikiavic.

R. acetosella.

R. acetosa.

Oxyria reniformis.

Keenigia islandica.

Empetree.

Empetrum nigrum.

Urticacee.

Urtica urens. Plentiful about the

houses of Reikiavic. Believed to

be an introduction; confined to one

garden at the time of Hooker's

visit.

Amentacee.

Betula glutinosa.

B. alba, Vahl? Thingvalla.

34.

Betula intermedia, Thom.

B. fruticulosa, Vahl?

valla,

B. nana. Thingvalla.

Salix glauca, Linn., not Sm, Reine-

valla-hals.

S. phylicifolia.

S. lanata.

S. pyrenaica var. norvegica, Fries.

Reinevalla-hals.

S. herbacea.

Thing-

Thingvalla.

Orchidaceae.

Orchis latifolia. °

Habenaria viridis.

H. hyperborea.

Melanthacee.

Tofieldia palustris, Huds.

Juncacee.

Juncus balticus. Is this the J. effu-

sus of Hooker’s FI., or J. arcticus

of Vahl’s List ?

J. supinus.

J. bufonius.

J. trifidus.

J. triglumis.

Luzula spicata.

L. multiflora,

Alismacee.

Triglochin palustre,

Aroidee.

Sparganium natans.

Potamogetonee.

Potamogeton lanceolatus, Sm.

P. nigrescens, Fries.

P. filiformis. Maria Havn, Hval

Fiord.

Zostera angustifolia, Reich.

Cyperaceeé.

Scirpus czespitosus.

Eleocharis uniglumis.

Eriophorum capitatum.

E. polystachion y. elatius, Koch.

Elyna spicata.

M. Mohl on the Power of the Living Plant

Carex dioica.

C. chordorhiza. Maria Havn, Hval

Fiord.

C. incurva.

C. curta.

C. atrata.

C. capillaris.

C. vaginata.

C, rariflora. °

C. cryptocarpa, Meyer.

C. filipendula, Drej.

C. vulgaris, Fries.

C. hyperborea, Drej.

C. rigida.

Graminee.

Anthoxanthum odoratum.

Alopecurus geniculatus.

Phleum commutatum.

Agrostis alba.

Arundo stricta. Near the Geysers

and at Maria Havn, Hval Fiord.

Sesleria czerulea.

Aira alpina.

Trisetum subspicatum 8, ciliatum.

Poa annua. ,

P. pratensis.

P. alpina.

P. Balfourii, Parn.

P. cesia.

P. cesia B. glauca.

Festuca ovina,

F. rubra y. arenaria.

Equisetacee. |

Equisetum umbrosum. Thingvalla,

E. palustre.

Filices.

Polypodium Dryopteris.

P. Phegopteris.

Woodsia ilvensis.

Athyrium Filix-foemina.

Cystopteris fragilis a.

C. fragilis 6. dentata.

Botrychium Lunaria.

Lycopodiacee.

Lycopodium selaginoides.

VIII.—On the Power of the Living Plant to restrain the Eva-

poration of the Cell-Sap.

By Hueco v. Mout*.

Ir is a known fact, attested by numerous weighings, that the

living plant, when exposed to light (even diffused daylight,

* Botanische Zeitung, May 7, 1847. Translated by Arthur Henfrey.

to restrain the Evaporation of the Cell-Sap. 35

which is not capable of increasing the production of vapour

from a dead substance permeable by water), gives off a greater

quantity of watery vapour to the atmosphere than it does in

the dark. The fundamental cause of this phenomenon, the alte-

rations which are brought about in the plant by light, and

which condition this increased separation of water, are unknown

- tous*, The said phenomenon however leads, and I believe in

strict correctness, to the assumption, that the evolution of watery

vapour from plants is to be referred to two causes; in the first

place, to the universal physical law of vaporization, in obedience

to which every moist substance gives off water until the at-

mosphere around is perfectly saturated; and secondly, to a pro-

cess the more recondite conditions of which are as yet altogether

unknown to us, dependent on the vital action of the plant. If I

have correctly gathered the views which are advanced in physio-«

logical works, the generally received opinion is this :—1st, that

the said physical production of watery vapour is regarded as to a

certain extent understood; and it is assumed that this is only

more or less interfered with by the more or less perfect condition

of the cuticle, which is not readily permeable by water or watery

vapour ; 2ndly, that the said second cause is considered to account

for a more abundant separation of water than the physical cause

alone would be capable of producing. :

A series of facts now appear to me to stand in opposition to

this view; I will only mention the well-known phenomenon,

that those plants which are most difficult and tedious to dry, as

for instance the bulbous plants, the genus Sedum, &c., dry very

quickly if previously killed by immersion in boiling water.

Moreover, it is well known how quickly plants dry which have

been killed by poison, frost, &. From these circumstances it

undoubtedly follows that a dead plant, in what way soever it

may have been killed, dries quicker than a living plant of the

same species, notwithstanding that the evaporation, occurring

peculiarly in the living plant under the influence of light, is

wanting, and only a true physical separation of water takes place.

I did not remember to have found special researches into this

circumstance brought forward in physiological writings ; it ap-

* As far as my knowledge goes, no positive observations have been

brought forward to show that this separation of water takes place in sub-

merged plants, which would prove the nature of the fact to be not an exha-

lation of vapour, but a secretion of drops of watery fluid; yet this is in the

highest degree probable, since it would be inexplicable how water-plants

could accumulate in their interior large quantities of such substances as are

contained in so small proportion in water, as for instance the iodine com-

pounds in the plants of sea-water, if they did not in the course of time ab-

sorb a considerable quantity of water, and again give it off after depriving

it of particular salts,

36 - M.Mohl on the Power of the Living Plant

peared to me therefore not to be altogether without interest to

undertake a series of weighings, by which the said facts might

be more accurately determined. I selected for this purpose

some hot-house plants with thick leaves, since I had reason to

hope that, on account of the relatively weaker evaporation in

these,-the results would be more distinct than in thin-leaved

plants: that they might die quickly without the subtraction or

addition of water, I let them he in the open air for twenty-four

hours, at a temperature of between — 3° and — 9° R., in which

time they of course were not merely frozen through and through,

but also completely killed. I then weighed the plants, and let

them lie for fifteen days in a heated room, and compared their

loss of weight with that of cut living specimens of as nearly the

same size as possible, which had laid beside the frozen specimens.

I consider it superfluous to publish the whole series of weighings,

and confine myself to the statement of those made at mtervals

of five days, the results of which are contained in the following

table. The numbers express the loss of weight in per-centage

of the original weight of the plants :—

Living Plants.

Ist-5th | 6th-10th |11th—15th) 1st-15th

day. day. day. day.

Polypodium crassifolium. Leaf.| 35-9 17-0 7:4 60:3

Ficus elastica. Leaf.............++ 114 71 14:3 32°8

Vanilla planifolia. Leaf.......... 4:9 11°5 16:4 32°8

Sanseviera guineensis. Leaf. ... 2:7 Se 1. Le 6°7

Epiphyllum truncatum. Stem... 79 73 6:1 21:3

Stapelia hirsuta. Stem..........0. 4:6 5°8 6°3 16:7

Average....cessseee 11-4 8-5 8:6 28-4

Frozen Plants.

Polypodium crassifolium ......... 39'8 18°3 8:9 63:0

Pied Clastion so.0i6. csi wv cesds ‘seoe| 32D 13°3 17°3 62°6

Vanilla planifolia ............ce000 19-1 14°5 10°9 44:5

Sanseviera guineensis .......ss00 8:3 6:6 5'8 20°7

Epiphyllum truncatum .........+6+ 16°5 9°9 12:2 38°6

Stapelia hirsuta s...sccceccvecsssones 8°9 19°5 3°0 31:4

AVOTEZC...ccsensorn 20°1 13°7 9°7 43°5

I continued the weighings no further, although none of the

plants mentioned had lost all their water on the fifteenth day,

because the results appeared to me to be sufficiently distinct*.

* I cannot forbear to remark, that the slight loss of weight, which is

shown by the weighing of Stapelia hirsuta (in the frozen specimen) on the

to restrain the Evaporation of the Cell-Sap. 37

In the figures of this table lies undoubtedly the proof, that in

a dead plant evaporation goes on more actively than in a living

one, and that this is the more active the thicker their leaves are.

If I am asked what power limits the production of vapour in the

living plant, I openly confess that I am unable to answer this

question. ‘Those even who believe in the existence of a peculiar

vital force, will be little inclined to assume that this force can

act in direct opposition to the physical production of vapour ;

there are indeed only two possible ways of explaining the phzeno-

menon. LEither it must be assumed, that in consequence of the

death an alteration takes place in the solid parts of the plant,

in the cell-membranes, which makes them less dense, more

readily penetrable by water or aqueous vapour, than they are in

the living plant; or we must assume that chemical changes

occur in the cell-contents of the dead plant ; that compounds,

which by reason of their hygroscopic peculiarity retain water

with a certain power in the living plant, are decomposed, or are

separated from the cell-fluid and rendered inactive. Our present

knowledge of the structure and of the nature of the chemical

conditions of plants scarcely place us in the position to decide

whether one or other, or both, of these circumstances occur,

An alteration in the membrane of the elementary organs, which

indeed many may be inclined at first to reject, does not appear

to me to be so totally improbable, since in a dead plant the ten-

sion which the parts of a living plant exhibit is immediately lost

in so great a degree, as to render it impossible to ascribe this to

the slight loss of water occurring in the earliest period, and the

mere mechanical collapsing of the cells arising from this loss of

water, and one is compelled to think of the removal of a tension

connected with life. That the loss of this tension renders the

cell-membrane more readily permeable by water and aqueous

vapour is at least conceivable, and to me at least so much the

more probable that I believe that I have often observed foreign

substances, such as iodine, penetrate the membrane of a cell

which though dead was still full of water, much faster than that

of a living cell. I am well-aware that this view will meet with

little sympathy at a time when the universal endeavour is to

refer the functions of living plants to purely physical and che-

mical processes,—when in absorption and excretion of fluids the

phenomena of endosmose are singly and solely regarded: I must

be content, yet entreat a consideration of how little service are

these purely physical explanations in reference to the study of

the absorption or excretion of sap through the cells of plants ;

fifteenth day, raives a suspicion in my mind that I have made a mistake in

writing down the weight. This of course I cannot now ascertain ; but, at

the same time, it does not essentially prejudice the general result.

388 M.DeCandolle on the relative Duration of the Power

how this reference of the whole phenomenon to endosmose leaves

totally unexplained a series of such pheenomena as the swelling up

of a particular region of cells in consequence of irritation in sen-

sitive plants. It may be also from the influence of the pheno-

menon in question, that in many plants the primordial utricle

separates from the cell-wall in the dead plant, and in this way

the cell-sap comes into direct contact with the cell-wall. How-

ever, it appears to me, as I have already remarked, that it is

rash at present to talk either about this or other possibilities,

since facts, on which a solid theory can be built, time has yet to

furnish us with.

IX.—On the relative Duration of the Power to germinate, in Seeds

belonging to different Families: By M. Aurpu. DeCANDOLLE *.

(First experiment.)

Tue relative permanence of the faculty of germination in dif-

ferent species of seeds has never been examined with the precision

that the present condition of science demands. The “ practice”

of gardens has taught in a vague and superficial manner, that

certain seeds soon lose their power of germination, others but

slowly; that the collecting of seeds, the manner in which they

are preserved, transported, and lastly, sown, influence greatly the

result of the sowings. It is well known that by a suitable degree

of humidity and heat, may be obtained the germination of seeds

which otherwise would remain inert or be spoilt. Facts of this

kind have resulted from the observation of every horticulturist,

and it would be useless to seek to contest them, because the con-

ditions of the sowings vary and are scarcely ever comparative. On

the other hand, physiologists have directed attention in their

works to the germination of some very old seeds}, but these are

isolated cases, perhaps exceptional, and which cannot be compared

with each other, since the seeds have been submitted to different

conditions.

It appeared to me to be of some interest to ascertain the

faculty of germination, after a given lapse of time, in seeds, be-

longing to different families, but collected simultaneously in the

same garden, transported and preserved in the same manner,

finally, sown in equal number in similar conditions of soil, hu-

midity and temperature. Well-observed physiological facts have

* From the Ann. des Sc. Nat., Dec, 1846. Translated by Arthur Hen-

frey, F.L.S. &c.

+ DeC. Physiol. Végét. p. 618 e¢ seg. Desmoulins, Documents relatifs

ala faculté germinative conservée par quelques graines antiques. Pamphlet

in 8vo. Ed.2. July 1846.

to germinate, in Seeds belonging to different Families. 89

always value in themselves. 1 foresee moreover, in the present

case, certain applications to geographical botany. Thus the du-

ration of the faculty of germination, be it absolute or relative,

may have an influence on the frequency of the individuals of each

species, on their appearance in new localities the nature of which

has changed, and, when the seeds have been deposited a long

time, on the effect of transportation from one country to another,

and in general on the geographical extension of species.

The idea of ascertaining facts of this kind occurred to me in

1832, when I made the observations which are contained in the

‘ Physiologie Botanique’ of my father*, on the relative rapidity

with which germination takes place in the different families of

plants. I then preserved packets of seeds in order to sow them

after a certain number of years, and as in the summer of 1846,

the students who were attending the higher course of botany

showed themselves disposed to aid me in some researches or ex-

periments, I recollected my store of old seeds and arranged to

sow them at once.

The principal collection which I chose for the experiment had

been sent in 1882 from the Botanical Garden at Florence. The

seeds had therefore been collected in 18381, and when I sowed

them on the 14th of May 1846, they were all nearly fifteen years

old. During this long space of time they had been preserved in

a dark cabinet, out of the influence of humidity or extreme vari-

ations of temperature. There were several hundreds of them, but

I was satisfied with taking, at random, 368 species belonging to

a large number of different genera and families. That the com-

parison might be exact, it was necessary to sow an equal number

of the seeds of each species. I fixed upon the number 20.

It was a long and tedious operation to pick and count them,

throwing away such as appeared spoilt. In most instances it

was necessary to use a lens. Seeing how many thousands of

seeds were included in the sowing of certain species, I could not

help thinking that the small seeds germinate less frequently than

the large, and I suspected that the contrary opinion held by gar-

deners resulted from the enormous inequality of the number in

the sowings of small and large seeds. The result of our experi-

ment should confirm one or other of these two opinions. The

seeds were sown in pots, in peat mould, in order to avoid weeds,

of which in fact there were but a very small number. The seeds

were watered from time to time. The mean temperature of the

month of June, the period when several species sprung up, was

19° Centig. (about 66° Fahr.) ; that of July 18°:5 Cent., according

to observations at nine in the morning and nine at night, pub-

* Physiol. Bot. p. 639 e¢ seq.

40 M.DeCandolle on the relative Duration of the Power

lished in the ‘ Bibliothéque Universelle de Genéve.’?. The maximum

several times reached 30° and even 31° Cent. (about 86° Fahr.).

The pots were kept under examination till the autumn, but

scarcely any seeds sprung up after the end of June.

The following are the species submitted to experiment. Those

which did not come up are in the ordinary type ; those of which

a few came up, the number being less than half the twenty seeds

sown, are in italics ; lastly, the single species of which more than

half came up, is in small capitals :—

Asclepiadee.

Asclepias amcena.

Silene antirrhina.

noctiflora.

Lychnis Githago.

Amyridee. Gypsophila scorzonereefolia.

Amyris polygama. Arenaria marina.

media.

Amaranthacee. Gypsophila vaccaria.

Amaranthus prostratus. Chenopodee.

caudatus. Atriplex tatarica.

giganteus. resin

ae $a t hortensis.

2 cr vifoliog. Basella alba.

sidétoibe Blitum virgatum.

Cudicais cowed a pt nye Beta maritima.

pe Lee Chenopodium maritimum.

: Emex spinosus.

Balsaminee. Cistinee.

Impatiens Balsamina, fl. pl. Cistus villosus.

monspeliensis.

Boraginee.

Echinospermum Lappula.

Lithospermum officinale.

Asperugo procumbens.

Anchusa ovata.

Campanulacee. Geropogon australis.

Campanula sibirica. Onopordon illyricum.

dali Calendula suffruticosa.

pyramidalis, ;

cael. Melananthera deltoidea.

? Artemisia vallesiaca.

Capparidee. Pyrethrum corymbosum.

Cleome viscosa. Flaveria contrayerva.

triphylla. Chrysanthemum coronarium.

Centaurea atropurpurea.

Caryophyllee. Artemisia ain ‘

Silene apetala. Barkhausia graveolens.

conoidea. Artemisia Abrotanum.

gallica. Pyrethrum daucifolium.

cerastioides. Zinnia multiflora fl. luteo.

vespertina. Artemisia camphorata.

fruticosa. Verbesina serrata.

quinquevulnera. Eclipta erecta.

conica. Beebera chrysanthemoides.

tricuspidata, Flaveria repanda.

Helianthemum salicifolium.

Composite.

Gnaphalium sylvaticum.

Crepis aspera,

Parthenium hysterophorum.

to germinate, in Seeds belonging to different Families. 41

Cirsium eriophorum.

Eupatorium cannabinum.

Elephantopus scaber.

Onopordon tauricum.

Madia sativa viscosa.

Serratula alata.

Cacalia sonchifolia.

Calendula pluvialis.

Centaurea dealbata.

Silphium trifoliatum.

Pyrethrum tenuifolium.

Centaurea sempervirens.

Helianthus pubescens.

Urospermum Dalechampii.

Stevia ovata.

Osteospermum czeruleum.

Ampherephis aristata.

Conyza iveefolia,

Helianthus annuus.

Calendula officinalis.

Bidens cernua,

Eupatorium sessilifolium.

Picris hieracioides.

Conifere.

Cupressus pyramidalis,

Convolvulacee.

Convolvulus sepium.

Cruciferae.

Camelina sativa.

Brassica incana.

Sisymbrium persicum.

Alyssum micropetalum.

Iberis pinnata crenata,

Brassica Eruca.

Matthiola incana.

Barbarea vulgaris.

Erysimum perfoliatum.

Camelina dentata.

Neslia paniculata.

Arabis sagittata.

Lunaria biennis.

Alyssum rostratum.

saxatile.

Matthiola annua.

Sinapis nigra torulosa.

Thlaspi alpestre.

Sisymbrium hirsutum.

Sinapis alba flexuosa.

Malcolmia maritima.

Sinapis dissecta.

Thlaspi perfoliatum.

Erysimum strictum.

Crambe hispanica.

Nasturtium indicum.

Biscutella Apula.

Brassica Napus.

Cochlearia glastifolia.

Bunias orientalis.

Erysimum cuspidatum.

Thlaspi arvense.

Arabis auriculata,

Sisymbrium acutangulum.

Cucurbitacee.

Cucumis serotinus.

Dudaim.

Dipsacee.

Succisa rigida.

Dipsacus Fullonum.

Succisa pratensis,

Euphorbiacee.

Euphorbia chamesycea.

terracina.

hypericifolia.

Phyllanthus Niruri.

Frankeniacee.

Frankenia pulverulenta.

Gentianacee.

Gentiana asclepiadea,

Geraniacee.

Erodium pimpinelloides.

pulverulentum.

melanostigma.

Graminee.

Bromus racemosus.

stenophyllus,

Lappago racemosa.

Andropogon laguroides.

Phalaris bulbosa.

canariensis.

paradoxa.

Panicum miliaceum nigrum.

eruceeforme.

avenaceum.

miliaceum album.

capillare.

Setaria scrobiculata.

italica.

macrostachya.

macrocheeta.

Saccharum strictum.

Poa littoralis.

pilosa.

verticillata.

Festuca delicatula.

Agrostis monandra.

Hordeum nepalense.

42 M.DeCandolle on the relative Duration of the Power

Oryza latifolia.

Paspalum scrobiculatum

Lolium tenue. ;

temulentum.

Digitaria humifusa.

ciliaris.

Triticum imbricatum.

Oryza sativa monstrosa.

Eleusine coracana.

Hydrophyllacee.

Ellisia nyctelzea.

Hypericinee,

Hypericum elatum.

perforatum,

Tridee.

Iris dichotoma.

Xiphium.

Tigridia Pavonia.

Ixia ramiflora.

Trichonema neglecta.

Labiate.

Salvia lanceolata.

ZEthiopis.

tingitana.

verticillata.

viscosa.

indica.

hispanica.

sclarea.

verticillata napiifolia.

hirsuta.

Ocymum basilicum.

Stachys annua.

Ajuga pyramidalis.

Leucas martinicensis.

Satureia hortensis.

Nepeta lanceolata.

Nepeta botryoides.

Ocymum basilicum maxim.

minimum nigrum.

Galeopsis versicolor.

Teucrium hircanicum,

orientale.

Plectranthus fruticosus.

scutellerioides.

parvifolius.

Lumnitzera tenuiflora.

Hyssopus officinalis.

Lavandula multifida.

Hyptis radiata.

Marrubium astrakanicum.

Leguminose.

Dolichos abyssinicus.

Dolichos niloticus.

Vicia biflora.

Vicia sordida.

DoLicHos UNGUICULATUS.

Dolichos brasiliensis.

Coronilla valentina.

Trifolium spumosum.

Trifolium expansum.

Trifolium Gussoni.

melacanthum.

reflexum.

aristatum.

Trifolium subterraneum.

Trifolium pratense.

alexandrinum.

rubens.

arvense.

maritimum.

Acacia farnesiana.

glandulosa.

Lathyrus cicera.

Amorpha fruticosa.

Melilotus cretica.

officinalis.

messaniensis.

officinalis fl. albo.

ceeruleus.

Medicago denticulata.

Ervum longifolium.

Ervilia.

tetraspermum.

Coronilla Emerus.

juncea,

Cytisus laburnum.

Baptisia australis.

Lablab vulgaris sem. nigro.

Anthyllis vulneraria.

Sesbania aculeata.

Mimosa Julibrissin.

Ononis hispida.

Phaseolus Cafer.

Phaca alpina.

Trigonella spinosa.

Lotus Jacobzeus.

Liliacee.

Allium spherocephalum.

cepa, egyptiacum.

gracile.

Linee.

Linum usitatissimum humile.

Lythrariee.

Ammania latifolia.

Cupheea viscosissima.

Ammania diffusa.

to germinate, in Seeds belonging to different Families.

Malvacee.

Malva limensis.

Malva caroliniana.

lactea.

Lavatera arborea.

cretica.

Urena lobata.

Kitaibelia vitifolia.

Sida hastata.

mollissima.

/JEthza narbonensis.

Myrtacee.

Psidium aromaticuin.

Onagrariee.

(£nothera biennis.

Epilobium hirsutum.

Q£nothera sinuata,

mutabilis.

Papaveracee.

Papaver Argemone.

Rheeas.

hybridum.

orientale.

Argemone mexicana alba.

Chelidonium majus.

Paronychiee.

Corrigiola littoralis.

Herniaria vulgaris,

Mollia diffusa.

Phytolaccea,

Phytolacca decandra.

Rivina brasiliensis. *

Plantaginee.

Plantago lanceolata.

maxima,

vaginata.

Cynops,

media.

Plumbaginee.

Statice spathulata.

Polygonee.

Polygonum orientale.

tataricum.

Rumex Lunaria.

Hydrolapathum.

littoralis,

Portulacacee,

Portulaca pilosa.

Primulacee.

Cyclamen persicum.

Anagallis carnea.

latifolia,

Lysimachia vulgaris.

Androsace maxima.

Ranunculacee.

Nigella Damascena fl. pl.

Thalictrum aquilegifolium,

flavum.

densiflorum.

Ranunculus parviflorus.

muricatus.

bulbosus.

Aquilegia canadensis.

Nigella Damascena.

Resedacee.

Reseda odorata.

Rhamnee.

Rhus lucidus.

Ceanothus americanus.

Rosacea.

Sanguisorba canadensis.

Rubiaceae.

Bigelowia verticillata.

Asperula arvensis.

cynanchica.

Crucianella latifolia.

Galium spurium.

Spermacoce rubra.

Sapindacee.

Cardiospermum Corindum.

Scrophulariacee.

Bartsia Odontites.

Verbascum phlomoides.

lattaria.

Thapsus.

floccosum.

Digitalis orientalis.

lanata.

intermedia.

purpurea.

Scrophularia aquatica.

Solanacee.

Nicotiana glutinosa.

rustica, asiatica,.

Solanum Zuccagnianum.

ciliatum.

tomentosum.,

Datura Tatula.

Hyoscyamus Senecionis.

44, M. DeCandolle on the relative Duration of the Power

Tiliacee. Urticacee.

Corchorus olitorius. Datisea cannabina.

Triumfetta triclada. Urtica pilulifera.

Visbelliloce. Valerianee.

Ligusticum apioides. Centranthus ruber.

Hasselquistia cordata. Verbenacee.

Bupleurum semicompositum. Lantana involucrata.

(Enanthe Phellandrium. Verbena urticefolia.

Bupleurum junceum. officinalis.

Anthriscus vulgaris. Priva mexicana,

Selinum lineare. Vitex Agnus-castus.

Conium maculatum. Stachytarpheta angustifolia.

Biforis flosculosa. aristata.

Eryngium asperum. Lippia rubra.

One is struck, at the first glance, at the very small number of

species which germinated. By counting, we find seventeen out

of 886. Moreover the germinative power was much weakened in

those which did come up. In fact, out of the seventeen species

which came up, Dolichos unguiculatus is the only one that yielded

more than half the seeds sown (fifteen out of twenty). The others

had, for the most part, one, two or three germinations in twenty

seeds. Lavatera cretica approached nearest to Dolichos, but

there were only six seeds which germinated out of twenty.

The different natural families may be classed as follows ; com-

mencing with those where the largest proportion of species pre-

served the power of germinating, and ending with those where,

more than ten species having been sown, none came up.

Malvacee, of which came up 5 out of 10 species sown, or 0°50

Leguminose, 5 — 0°20

Labiatz, oe 1 — 30 — 0:03

Scrophulariaceze, ——~ 0 — 10 — 0:00

Umbellifere, cae 0 — 10 —. 0-00

Caryophyllacee, —— 0 — 16 —. 0:00

Graminacee, — OO — 32 —- 0:00

Crucifere, — 0 — 34 —- 0:00

Composite, —— 0 — 45 — 0:00

No conclusion can be drawn from the fact, that none came up

out of nine Amaranthacez, nine Ranunculacez, eight Chenopo-

diacese, eight Verbenacez, seven Solanacee, six Papaveraces,

six Rubiacee, &c., nor from that, for example, the single Balsa-

minaceous plant sown came up, for the numbers are too small,

and the result perhaps depends on the selection of the seeds

sown representing these families. That which comes out in a

very evident manner is the superiority of the Malvacez and Le-

euminose as to the duration of the faculty of germination, and

the inferiority of the Composit, Cruciferee and Graminaceze.

In this comparison of the families, we are obliged to leave on

one side a large number of species. This is not the case when

to germinate, in Seeds belonging to different Families. 45

we compare the annual, biennial, perennial and ligneous plants.

There were in the experiment 357 species, the duration of which

is known from botanical books, and 11 of which this is doubt-

ful, either in itself or on account of some doubt as to the specific

name. The 357 species which may be taken into account class

themselves thus :—

Number of Out of

Total those which 100 species

Species. number. came up. came up.

ADNUAINS vi. 5 ocd sodsscccesborcrees 180 9 5:0

BCRP IRIR c: iysssy ones do cenoene 28 0 0:0

POPPWGIOIE os sarsceconcrscenenss 105 4 3°8

SAMTEORS 05s s90s0ccsnee cdateds 44 3 6°7

TDotabsscovasee 357 16 4°4

Or,

Monocarpons,..cccocscseeesere 208 9 4:3

Polycarpons ..coccosecsesssers 149 7 4°7

Patel. ssi sons 357 16 ; 4:4

These figures seem to prove that the woody species preserve the

power to germinate longer than the others, while the biennials

would be at the opposite extreme. However, we must observe

the small number of species in these two categories, from which

it will be concluded that with regard to them the experiment

was insufficient. As to the perennial plants compared with the

annuals, it seems probable that their faculty of germination is

lost rather more quickly.

Do the large seeds preserve the faculty of germination better

than the small ones? Our experiment can answer this question

but imperfectly. In fact, we did not sow very large seeds, like

those of the Cocoa for instance ; nor even large seeds, like those

of many Palms, certain Leguminose, Sapotaceze or Coniferze.

The seeds in the collection were of a mean size, like the Haricots,

the seeds of Iris, of Convolvulaceze, &c.; or small seeds, like

those of Composite, Graminacez, Geraniacese, &c.; or lastly,

very small seeds, such as those of the Poppies, Plantago, Ama-

ranthacee, &c. It would be difficult to class all the seeds sown

in the different degrees of magnitude; only we may remark

among the species which came up a rather large proportion of

the mean or small (Doliehos, Malvaceze, Balsam, Acacia, Vicia),

while the very small seeds did not come up. We have thus a

confirmation of the idea conceived at the time of sowing, namely,

that the reproduction of the species with very small seeds is

assured by their number rather than by the duration of the ger-

minative power. This is not surprising, since the very small

seeds have a much larger surface in proportion to their volume,

and are consequently more readily penetrated by the variations

of temperature or humidity which affect the organs. It is pro-

bable also that a much larger proportion of the very small seeds

46 On the Power to germinate in Seeds of different Families.

are. sterile. This our experience does not allow of our stating as

ascertained; but we are led to presume it by the difficulty of

getting to germinate the fresh seeds of the Orchidacez, the Oro-

banchaceze, and some other families with extremely small seeds.

The Leguminosz and Malvacez, which preserve the germina-

_ tive faculty so well, are seeds possessing little or no albumen,

especially the Leguminose ; but the Cruciferee and the Compo-

sitee, which are at the opposite extreme, have still less than they.

The Graminacee and Umbelliferee, which have large albumens,

did not preserve their powers. Thus the circumstance of the

presence or the absence of albumen appears in general indifferent;

although doubtless certain albumens, like those of the Coffees,

the Umbellifere, &c., are bad to preserve on account of special

chemical conditions. In other points of view, the structure of

the seed and fruit appears equally unimportant. It might per-

haps have been thought, for example, that the seeds of the Com-

posite, being covered by the pericarp and the calyx, would be

better preserved than others. Experience has shown, on the

contrary, that they lose their vital powers in the highest degree.

Finally, there is some interest in comparing the present expe-

riment with those which I made in 1882, on the relative_rapidity

of germination in the different families* ; it will there be seen

that the Amaranthacee, the Crucifere, the Caryophyllacez,

which germinate very quickly, lose their power of germination

in a few years; that the Malvacez germinate rapidly, and lose

their properties slowly ; that the Leguminose, on the contrary,

germinate slowly enough, and lose their power still more slowly ;

lastly, that the Umbelliferee and Scrophulariaceee germinate

slowly, and lose their vitality in a few years. It appears, from

these results, that the duration of the faculty of germination is

most frequently in an inverse proportion to the power of germina-

ting quickly, though without doubt there are numerous excep-

tions. Thus the very small seeds, which are seen to germinate

quickly, are also affected sooner; while the seeds rather larger

or of a mean size germinate slowly or endure long.

Such are the conclusions which result from this first experi-

ment. They show the necessity of others, in order to compare

a greater number of families and to verify certain probable specu-

lations. ‘The seeds which I have kept in reserve allow me to

return to the subject. In the meantime, as these observations

have been made with all suitable precautions, and as they form,

with my experiments of 1832 and with those which I project, a

general examination of germination considered in a physiological

point of view, it seemed to me that it would be of use to publish

them.

* Physiol. Végét. p. 648.

Tedd

‘4

Ann.&: Mag. Nat. Hist. Vol.20. PLZZ.

GLA. del. ADC. Sowerby se. |

Prof. Allman on new Tracheary Arachnidans. A7

X.—Biological Contributions. By Guorer J. Atuman, M.D.,

F.R.C.8.1., M.R.1.A., Professor of Botany in Trinity College,

Dublin, late Demonstrator of Anatomy and Conservator of the

Anatomical Museum, T.C.D.

[ With two Plates. ]

[Continued from p. 9.]

No. IV. Description of a new Genus and Species of Tracheary

Arachnidans *,

We are indebted to Dr. O’Brien Bellingham of Dublin for the

discovery of an Acaroid Arachnidan which he found in consider-

able numbers in the posterior nares of a seal (Halichwrus Gry-

phus) in July 1837, and which has on examination proved to

belong to a form not hitherto described.

At the Fourteenth Meeting of the British Association held at

York in 1844, I noticed Dr. Bellingham’s arachnidan as a new

genus and species under the name of Halarachne Halicheri, and

under the same designation Mr. Thompson of Belfast has re-

corded it in his Report of the Invertebrate Fauna of Ireland. The

description there given had been drawn up from specimens not in

the best state of preservation, and was necessarily imperfect, but

within the last few weeks I have been fortunate enough to obtain,

in company with Messrs. Ball and Thompson, fresh examples of the

Arachnidan from a specimen of Halicherus Gryphus taken off the

Dublin coast. In the posterior nares of this animal they existed

in great.abundance*with a species of Ascaris, and thus afforded

an opportunity of drawing up a more detailed description of the

new genus, to which the following characters may be assigned :—

HALARACHNET.

Gen. Cuar. Palps free, ‘filiform; mandibles didactyle ; sternal

lip bifid. Legs with the last jot terminated by two hooks

and an intermediate three-lobed caruncle. Body entire, elon-

gated, subcylindrical, furnished anteriorly with a dorsal plate.

Eiyes none.

Species unica, H. Halicheri. PI. II., ITI.

Hab. Infesting the posterior nares of Halicherus Gryphus,

Dublin coast, Dr. Bellingham.

Halarachne Halicheri measures about, an eighth of an inch in

length. The abdomen, which presents no trace of distinction

from the cephalothorax, is of a somewhat cylindrical form,

* Read before the Royal Irish Academy, April 12,1847. .

+ From dads, the sea, and dpaxyn, @ spider.

48 Prof. Allman on a new genus and species

rounded at its posterior end, of a white colour, and causing the

animal at first sight to suggest the idea of a small grain of rice.

The oral apparatus is in the form of a proboscis situated on the

under surface of the anterior end of the cephalothorax, and is

composed of a pair of didactyle mandibles ensheathed by an upper

and lower lip. The mandibles (fig. 2 a & fig. 3) are composed of

two elongated articulations, with a minute terminal one which is -

opposable to a prolongation of the external side of the articula-

tion which precedes it, so as to constitute a small prehensile for-

ceps. The lower lip (fig. 2 0) is very large; it is deeply divided

in the centre, conceals the bases of the mandibles, and supports

at each side a filiform palp (fig. 2 c) with four free articulations.

The upper lip is arched in front, and presents upon its external

surface the appearance of two subulate organs converging towards

the mesial line of the lip (fig. 4).

The oral organs are immediately succeeded by four pairs of six-

jointed legs. Of these the anterior pair is a little longer and

more slender than the second and third, and is directed forwards

on each side of the proboscis so as to resemble a pair of antenne.

The fourth pair is also slightly more slender than the two which

precede it and is directed backwards. The first three pairs arise

close to one another ; the fourth is separated from the third by a

disproportionate interval. All the legs support, upon the distal

extremity of their last articulation, a pair of strong recurved hooks

with an intermediate three-lobed caruncle (fig. 5).

Upon the under surface of the cephalothorax may be observed,

with the assistance of a low magnifying power, four small brown

puncta ; these, as will be presently seen, are the lateral lobes of the

great central nervous mass appearing through the integument.

On the dorsal aspect of the cephalothorax and extending for

some distance behind the origin of the. posterior pair of legs is a

corneous shield of a somewhat oval shape with sinuous margins

(fig. 6), and on the ventral aspect a sternal plate may also be

demonstrated, though this can scarcely be distinguished from the

surrounding soft integument. If however the floor of the ce-

phalothorax be separated and then viewed under compression by

transmitted light, a distimct plastron (fig. 7) may be easily seen,

having its posterior margin produced into two long processes

which pass backwards, and its anterior into two shorter ones which

are directed forwards. To the four processes the muscles are at-

tached which move the legs. The muscular fibre is marked with

very evident transverse striz.

The alimentary canal at its commencement seems to be an

exceedingly narrow tube, but it would afterwards appear to un-

dergo enlargement, and even to be furnished with extensive cecal

prolongations. Appearances would lead one to suspect that ceeca

of Tracheary Arachnidans. — 49

are sent off into each of the eight legs, but upon this point I am

unable to come to any decided conclusion, and indeed the course

of the alimentary tract has eluded all my attempts to demonstrate

it with satisfaction. Just before its termination in the anus

however, which occupies the posterior extremity of the abdomen

(fig. 2d), the rectum would appear to receive two long cecal tubes

(fig.22); these contain a white opake substance, and may be traced

forwards one on either side of the body till they terminate by

entering the first joint of the anterior pair of legs. They must, I

conceive, be referred to a biliary, or perhaps more correctly to a

urinary system.

Respiration is effected by means of a system of trachez

(fig. 2 e, e, e) which originate at each side in a minute spiracular

orifice (fig. 2) occupying a latero-dorsal position at the anterior

extremity of the abdomen. From the spiracles the trachez pass

off, some forwards into the cephalothorax and others backwards

into the abdomen ; the former sending branches to the legs and

oral apparatus, and to the other organs in the anterior part of

the body, while the latter are distributed to the organs of the

abdomen.

One great transverse trunk (fig. 2 g) passes across the posterior

part of the cephalothorax, uniting the tracheary systems of op-

posite sides.

The structure of the tracheze (fig. 8) is very similar to that of

the same organs in insects; the spiral fibre however demands a

much higher power in order to be rendered visible than is required

for this purpose in the generality of true insects.

There is no part of the internal anatomy of Halarachne more

easily demonstrated than the great central nervous mass. This

(fig. 2h) occupies a position near the middle of the cephalo-

thorax, and would seem to lie beneath the alimentary canal. It

is of a somewhat stellate figure, the margins being prolonged

on each side into two pyriform lobes giving off from their apices

nervous cords which run to the intervals between the first and

second, and second and third pairs of legs. The lateral lobes differ

in structure and colour from the rest of the nervous mass, and

are visible through the integument without any dissection. No

special organs of sense can be detected*.

The generative system is very obscure. Extending transversely

* The only other view which it is possible to take of the organ here de-

scribed as a central nervous mass, is that which would represent it as a ven-

tricular cavity with lateral prolongations. Such view however I belicve a

careful examination will prove to be untenable, and convince us that it is

really to be referred to the nervous system, and results from the confluence

of two or more pairs of ganglia.

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 4,

50 Prof. Allman on a new genus and species

beneath the integument from a point close to the spiracular orifice,

to within a short distance of the mesial line of the under surface

of the abdomen, may be observed a dark-coloured and very evident

line (fig. 2.4). This line, which I believe we would be right in

interpreting as a tube, terminates at its end nearest the spiracle

in a pyriform cul de sae (fig. 21 & fig. 9), and at the other in a

conical or infundibulate expansion (fig. 2 m), through which it

would seem that the tube opens externally into a remarkable

pouch which extends across the anterior part of the under sur-

face of the abdomen from the conical termination of one tube to

that of the other, and easily admits the introduction of the point —

of a needle (fig. 10). The cul de sae of the tube contains a some-

what pyriform curved organ marked with circular or spiral striz

(fig. 9 a), and a careful examination will detect certain filiform

organs extendimg from the tube in the greater part of its length

backwards till lost among the contents of the abdomen. Whether

however these filaments are cecal appendages opening into the

tube or muscular fibres, or something quite different from both,

is far from evident. ‘This portion of the organization of Hal-

arachne J have preferred describing as referable to the generative

system, though its exact function must still be viewed as hypo-

thetical. Among the numerous specimens I have examined I

could detect no traces of distinction of sex; all appeared to pos-

sess precisely the same structure and all to be reproductive. Hal-

arachne would seem to be viviparous, for the rupture of the walls

of the abdomen would frequently berate the young furnished as

yet with only six legs, and the abdomen scarcely visible, but in

other respects the embryo to all appearance im rather an advanced

stage of development. In what special organ these embryos are

confined previously to parturition, or through what opening they

naturally escape from their parent, | am unable to form any satis-

factory opinion.

Small six-legged mites (fig. 11), most probably the larve of

Halarachne, and apparently differmg but little in form from the

embryo condition just alluded to, may be found in considerable

abundance along with the adult animal.

In these the abdomen is but little developed. The legs scarcely

differ from those of the adult except in number and in being

proportionably longer ; they are all furnished with the double

claw and intermediate caruncle. The oral organs seem also to

approximate nearly to the condition already described. Neither

dorsal plate nor plastron of the cephalothorax is evident.

The internal anatomy may in some respects be studied with

greater facility than in the adult. The alimentary canal com-

mences in a straight and delicate tube, which after passing above

of Tracheary Arachnidans. 51

the great central ganglion expands on either side into two pouches,

from each of which a large cecal prolongation would seem to pass

backwards, running along the sides of the body to its posterior

extremity. Between these two ceca the canal is continued, ex-

periencing in its course two other dilatations, and finally ter-

minates by a straight rectum which opens at the posterior end

of the body between three long bristles. Just before its termi-

nation the rectum receives the two long cecal tubes which we

have already described in the adult, and which here also contain

an opake fluid, and may be traced forwards into.the first pair of

legs. The alimentary canal through its whole length is sur-

rounded by a large quantity of the so-called adipose matter.

The central nervous mass is here also very easily demonstrated.

It presents anteriorly two lobes, which are not however very pro-

minent, and the lateral prolongation so conspicuous in the adult

cannot here be detected. A filament would seem to be traceable

from each of the anterior lobes to the organs of the mouth, but

I have been unable to make any satisfactory observation with

reference to the connection of other filaments with the central

mass.

I have in vain sought for traces of a respiratory system.

Though but three pairs of legs are visible externally, yet the

fourth or posterior pair which becomes developed in the adult

exists in the larva in a rudimental condition. It may with some

care be detected, confined as yet beneath the integument, and

presenting the appearance of a pair of conical organs diverging

at first as they pass backwards and then turning forwards and

inwards. The muscular fasciculi may already be seen with their

fibres assuming a spiral arrangement in the interior of the rudi-

mental limb. The larve are all much more active than the adults,

but not natatory.

In the structure of the oral organs as well as in other points

of its external anatomy, Halarachne possesses very close affinity

with Gamasus. From the latter genus indeed, the principal

zoological differences will be found im the remarkably elongated

cylindroid body of Halarachne, which contrasts so strongly with

the flattened, more or less orbicular body of Gamasus. The habits

of the two genera, though in both cases parasitical, are in all other

respects totally dissimilar; Halarachne not only presenting us

with a marine habitat, but being absolutely entozoal.

EXPLANATION OF PLATES II., III.

Fig. 1. Halarachne Halicheri magnified.

Fig. 2. Ditto, opened from below to show certain details of internal ana

tomy: a, mandibles; b, lower lip; c, palp; d, anus; eee, tracher;

52 Bibliographical Notices.

J, spiracle ; g, transverse tracheary trunk ; h, central nervous mass ;

i, lateral ceeca; &, J, m, nm, unknown organ probably referable to

the reproductive system.

3. Mandible.

4. Upper lip.

5. One of the feet with its terminal claw.

Fig. 6. Dorsal shield.

7. Ventral shield.

8. Portion of a tracheary tube showing its structure.

9. Cul-de-sac probably connected with the reproductive system, and

containing a pyriform striated body.

Fig. 10. Pouch existing on the under surface of the abdomen.

Fig. 11. Anatomy of the larva.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

Manual of British Botany, containing the Flowering Plants and Ferns

arranged according to the Natural Orders. By Cnarues CaARDALE

Bazrneton, M.A., F.L.S. &c. 2nd edit. 12mo, pp. 428. Van

Voorst, London, 1847.

In studying the species of British plants, it is of great importance to

have a book which contains short and at the same time accurate dis-

criminating descriptions, and one which can be easily taken to the

fields for the purpose of consultation. Mr. Babington’s ‘ Manual’

combines these requirements. ‘The work is portable, the characters

of the species are given with great care from personal observation,

and the names have been revised so as to make the nomenclature

correspond as much as possible with that adopted by the best bota-

nists in Europe. ‘‘ It has been the author’s wish to adopt in all cases

those names which have the claim of priority, unless good cause

could be shown for a contrary proceeding ; and with this object he

has carefully examined nearly all the best European Floras, com-

paring our plants with the descriptions contained in them, and in

very many cases with foreign specimens of undoubted authenticity.

In the adoption of genera and species an endeavour has been made,

by the examination of the plants themselves, to determine what are

to be considered as truly distinct ; thus, it is hoped, taking nature

as a guide, and not depending upon the authority of any name how-

ever distinguished.”

The work is founded in some measure on the model of Koch’s

‘ Synopsis Flore Germanice,’ and undoubtedly is the best Manual

of British Botany which we possess. It isnot a compilation, but an

original work embracing the results of the author’s examination of

the species in most cases in their native localities. In giving the

characters, the essential and distinguishing points are put in italics,

thus calling the attention of the student at a single glance to the

marked differences of the species. ‘The natural system of DeCan-

dolle is adopted with some modifications, and the Linnzean system is

used as a key to the genera. In this way the work may be said to

Bibliographical Notices. 53

combine the artificial and natural methods of classification. The

analysis of the Linnean classes and orders, with the synopsis of the

genera at the commencement of the work, render it valuable for

beginners.

In the present edition several important additions have heen made.

There is an excellent analysis of the natural orders of British plants,

and there is also an index of popular English names. Some of the more

difficult genera, as Rubus and Hieracium, have been carefully revised.

The species which are doubtfully native have been noticed, and all

the recent additions to the Flora have been introduced. Many of

these additions have already been described by Mr. Babington in the

‘Supplement to English Botany,’ a work which is now published

regularly by Mr. Sowerby, and which well deserves the support of

all British botanists.

We have no hesitation in recommending Mr. Babington’s ‘ Ma-

nual’ as the best guide to the student of practical botany in this

country.

The Elements of Botany, Structural and Physiological. By Joun

Linptry, Ph.D., F.R.S. &c. 5th edit. 8vo, pp. 238. London,

Bradbury and Evans.

Dr. Lindley led the way in this country in the publication of ele-

mentary works on botany, embracing a philosophical view of the sci-

ence. His works have long and deservedly held the first place in our

universities and schools. We have now a fifth edition of his ‘ Out-

line of the First Principles of Botany.’ ‘‘ The author has taken ad-

vantage of the opportunity thus afforded him of bringing the work

completely up to the present state of botanical knowledge, without

however interfering with its original plan, by the introduction of

doubtful or merely speculative matter, or of questions which do not

interest a student. It was in the outset a book for learners ; its pur-

pose was to state plainly and concisely the great facts of the science,

and to separate them from the ulterior questions to which they lead ;

and however much the work may have become extended by the ad-

dition of explanatory notes, the latter have never been permitted to

appear in a form likely to divert attention from the main points.

On the contrary, they have been printed in a different type, which

renders them immediately distinguishable, and enables the reader to

go through the principal propositions without, in the first instance,

occupying his thoughts with their detailed explanation.”

It is an admirable synopsis of the important principles of the sci-

ence, and it is illustrated with excellent woodcuts. The addition of

a glossary of technical terms, arranged alphabetically, enhances its

value much, and is a great boon to the student. This edition differs

from previous ones in not giving an account of the natural systems,

nor a detailed description of the natural orders. For these the learner

is referred to the author’s ‘School Botany’ and his ‘ Vegetable

Kingdom.’ For one who wishes to have a short and comprehensive

view of the great facts of the science of botany as regards structure,

54 Bibliographical Notices.

physiology and classification, we look upon this edition of the Ele-

ments, combined with School Botany, as among the best works which

he can procure.

Illustrations of British Mycology. By Mrs. T, I. Hussry.

Reeve, Brothers. 4to. Parts 1 & 2.

There is perhaps no country in which so little use is made of the

various esculent fungi which abound everywhere in early autumn, as

Great Britain. There is no doubt that we have some fifty or sixty

species which would afford wholesome and agreeable food, and yet

scarcely more than a tenth of this number are ever admitted to our

tables. This perhaps is in some measure owing to the circumstance

that no British work on esculent fungi, as far as we are aware of,

has ever appeared, except the little treatise entitled the ‘ Mushroom

and Champignon ’ illustrated, which is confined to a very few spe-

cies. This desideratum is now supplied by the more general work

of Dr. Badham, and by the ‘ Illustrations of British Mycology’ now in

progress, which bids fair to be one of the most important that has

ever appeared on useful and noxious fungi. The illustrations are

preceded by a general sketch of fungi founded on the concluding

volume of the ‘ English Flora.’ Since its publication the real struc-

ture of the hymenium has been ascertained, and consequently some

improvements and alterations are requisite ; a sketch of these has

been given by the author of that volume in Dr. Lindley’s ‘ Vegetable

Kingdom,’ and since its publication a long article has appeared on

the subject in Orbigny’s ‘ Dictionnaire d’ Histoire Naturelle’ from the

pen of M. Léveillé, agreeing in all essential points with Mr. Berke-

ley’s arrangement, and this has been applied by Dr. Mougeot to an

extensive series of fungi published in the statistical account of the

Department des Vosges. It has been objected to both, perhaps

with some justice, that they are founded solely on the fructification,

without paying sufficient attention to morphology; it is however

certain that the real affinities of the genera are more truly indicated

than in any former arrangement, and we shall be rejoiced if the

forthcoming morphological arrangement by Professor Fries in the

‘Summa Vegetabilium Scandinavie’ remedies acknowledged de-

fects without creating new difficulties. We do not blame Mrs. Hus-

sey therefore for adopting the arrangement of the ‘ English Flora’ in

preference to that in the ‘ Vegetable Kingdom,’ in which indeed

there are some manifest errors, her object being to refer students to

the most readily available source of information.

Some excellent observations follow on collecting and examining

fungi, which will be read with interest even by practised students ;

and the same may be said of the general accounts of the species

illustrated, in which there is always something worth notice, either

from its intrinsic value, or from being placed in a novel point of

view. It is not indeed to be expected as regards a subject of such

immense extent, and requiring access to a multitude of rare and ex-

pensive books, in various languages, that in a work whose merits rest

Zoological Society. 55

expressly on faithfulness of execution and personal observation,

there should not be here and there some little matter for criticism,

but it will be found that with that nicety of tact which is so charac-

teristic of her sex, Mrs. Hussey has avoided in general such diffi-

culties.

Of the original drawings of Mrs. Hussey and her sister it is impos-

sible to speak too highly ; many of them are so exquisite as to be

positively fit for public exhibition, and so characteristic that it is im-

possible not at once to recognise the species. These are reproduced.

faithfully by the lithographer, but there is a certain want of force

about the lithographs which does not do justice to the originals. This

and some other points connected with the editorial department will

we doubt not be improved in the course of publication. Meanwhile

we recommend the work most cordially to our readers, who will find

accurate and beautiful illustration combined with much practical

and interesting matter, especially as regards the culinary use of these

neglected but by no means despicable objects.

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

April 13, 1847.—Wm. Yarrell, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.

Novres ON SOME RARE Brirps or NEw ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA. By

Mr. F. STRANGE, IN A LETTER TO JoHN GoUuLp, Esa., F.R.S. etc.

‘‘Srricops HABRopTILus, G. R. Gray.—The Ka-ka-po, or Night

Parrot of the New Zealanders, is an inhabitant of the western side of

the Middle island, and like the Kiwi-kiwi or Apteryzx is strictly noc-

turnal in its habits, and never leaves its retreat during the dey; its

usual place of resort consists of burrows, formed by itself, beneath

the roots of large trees or under immense pieces of rock, whence they

cannot, even by the natives, be easily dug out. Its food consists of

fern-roots, which it digs up with its bill, and the outer covering of

the leaves of flax, which it obtains by drawing the leaves between the

mandibles and leaving the flax behind. They are not gregarious,

more than two never being found together, except a pair of young

ones, which appear to stop with the old birds until they have attained

the size of their parents. ‘This is one of the birds the natives set

great store by, the head being cut off, strung by the nostrils, and

worn in the ears on their grand feast-days. It is known to the sealers

by the name of the Green Bird of New Zealand.

“‘ ApTERYX AusTRALIS.—Kiwi-kiwi of the New Zealanders. I am

told that a second species of Apterya is to be found on the Middle

island, that it stands about three feet high; it is called by the sealers

the Fireman. Aware, from your figures and description, that the

sexes differ considerably in size, I pointed this out to my informant ;

but he still persisted that there are two species, in confirmation of

which opinion he added, that he had taken the eggs of the two birds,

56 Zoological Society.

and found those of one species to be much larger than those of the

_other. ‘The larger kind are nearly the size of the Emu’s; they are

somewhat long in form and blunt at the ends ; their colour isa dirty

white. They are deposited in a burrow on a nest formed of roots

and sticks, and a few of the bird’s own feathers.

““Scyrurors Nova Hoxianprxz.—I send you the egg of this

species, and also the female bird out of which it was taken, after she

had received two shots.”

April 27—William Yarrell, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.

The following communications were read to the Meeting :—

1. Descriprions oF THE EGGs OF SOME OF THE Birps oF CHILE.

By Wiii1am YarRRELL, Esa., F.L.S.

From my earliest acquaintance with the eggs of our British Birds,

I was led to consider that this department of natural history had not

been studied with the attention these beautiful objects deserve; and

the examination of collections of eggs made in India, Australia, North

America, and more recently in Chile, have served to confirm my first

impression. .

The history of a plant would be incomplete if it did not include a

description of the leaf, the flower, and the fruit, as these appear in

succession.

Mr. MacLeay has told us in his ‘ Hore Entom.,’ p. 448, that “as

the knowledge of the whole life of an insect must make us better

acquainted with its nature than a mere description of one of its forms,

in the same proportion ought metamorphosis to outweigh every other

principle of arrangement.”

Of two naturalists who studied the Lepidoptera of Europe, it has

been stated, that ‘‘ not satisfied with an acquaintance with the insect

in its perfect state, they examined it also in the early stages of its

existence ; they compared the various caterpillars with the butterflies

which are produced from them, traced with indefatigable industry

the plan of nature in these animals, and discovered the resemblance

which was invariably preserved in the structure of species related to

each other in affinity, in the different stages of their existence.”

With these examples in view, I have been induced to consider the

egg of a bird as one stage or condition in the life of the animal :

That the colour and markings we find deposited on the external

surface of the shell afford indications by which classification may be

assisted :

That the eggs of congeneric species will resemble each other in

colour and markings, whatever may he the geographical locality in

which such species are found.

Mr. Hewitson, in the introduction to his work containing excellent

delineations of the eggs of British birds, observes, that ‘‘ much useful

and highly interesting information might be gained towards the clas-

sification of birds, by paying some attention to their eggs; and it is

gratifying to find, in thus regarding them, that, with the exception

Zoological Society. 57

of a few instances, were we to take the eggs of our British birds as

our only guide, we should arrive at the best and most approved ar-

rangement of the different genera.’

I am aware that exceptions and discrepancies may be pointed out.

The colour deposited on the egg-shells is an animal matter, depend-

ent on the health of the bird. Fear or confinement acting consti-

tutionally upon the organs of secretion are known to affect this

colouring-matter.

The greatest amount of variation is found to occur among the

Laride.

With these preliminary remarks, I proceed to the description of a

collection of eggs of some of the birds of Chile, obtained by Mr.

Bridges, and exhibited here by Mr. Cuming.

Cathartes Iota of Mobay; Chilian name rae —The egg of this

Vulture measures 2 in. ;§ in length, and 1 in. ;% in breadth: the

shape is rather peculiar, Wine broadest at the centre and tapering

gradually in both directions, so as to become pointed at both ends.

The ground colour is white, slightly tinged with red; blotched with

pale red; spotted and speckled with dark brownish red.

Haliaétus aguia, Temminck ; Aquila of the Spanish ; Calquin of the

Indians.—The egg is 2 in. 41 in length by 2 in. 54, in breadth ;

elliptic ; white, with a few spots of dark red and numerous spots and

speckles of pale red.

Polyborus Brasiliensis, yong ay Chilian name Traro and Taro.

—The egg of this bird is 2 in. 54, in length by 2 in. in breadth;

blotched, spotted and speckled with dark red, on a ground of reddish .

white. This egg, in its colour and markings, resembles those of our

British Osprey.

Milvago pezoporos, sre Chilian name Tuique.—The egg mea-

sures 1 in. 58 by 1 in. 345; white, tinged with red; blotched, spot-

ted and speckled with dark brownish red.

Strix pratincola, Bonap.; Strix flammea of Wilson; Strix Ameri-

cana of Audubon. Screech Owl.—The egg is pure white, and mea-

sures 1 in. +4 in length and 1 in. 54, in breadth.

Turdus Falklandicus of Quoy and Gaim.; Chilian name Torzal._—

This egg closely resembles those of our British Missel Thrush. The

ground colour pale bluish white, spotted and speckled with pale red.

The length 1 in. 5, the breadth three-quarters of an inch.

Geositta canicularia of Vieillot; Chilian name Caminante.—The

egg is pure white, and measures ,% of an inch in length by 55 of an

inch in breadth.

Cyanotis Omnnnrer, Swains.; Chilian name Pajaro.—This small

egg measures only 13 of an inch in length by half an inch in breadth ;

of a pure and spotless white, but some specimens of the eggs are

tinged with pale buff-colour.

Crithagra brevirostris, Gould; Chilian name Chirique.—The egg

is white, tinged with green, speckled with brownish red, and mea-

sres 54, of an inch in length by half an inch and 5), in breadth.

58 Zoological Society.

Fringilla Diuca, Mol. ‘The Chilian name is Thiuca or Diuca.—

The egg of this bird measures 1 inch in length by ,%, of an inch in

breadth: the ground colour white, tinged with green, more or less

mottled all over with two shades of greenish brown.

Phytotoma rara, Mol. Called Rara by the natives.—The egg

measures 1 inch in length by 54 of an inch in breadth, and is of a

delicate bluish green, with a few specks of dark reddish brown at the

larger end.

Sturnella Loica, Mol. iaae Chilian name is Loica.—The egg of

this bird measures 1 in. 5}, in length by ;8, of an inch in breadth:

the ground colour white, ‘scabed and speckled with pale red, dark

brownish red, and purple grey.

Icterus Thilius, Mol. The Chilian name Thili or Trili.—This egg

measures 1 inch in length by +4, of an inch in breadth: the ground

colour white, sometimes tinged with buff, with a few spots and

streaks of dark reddish brown deposited over the larger end.

Zenaida aurita, Temm.; Chilian name Tortola.—The egg of this

species, which is the most CORnOR of the Columbide found in

Chile, is white, and measures 1 in. ,3, in length by ;%, of an inch in

breadth.

Columbina strepitans, Spix ; Tortolita cyana of the Chilians.—The

egg of this pretty little species of Dove is also of a pure white, smooth

and shining; the length 5% of an inch, the breadth 54.

Nothura perdicaria, G. R. Gray; Perdiz of the Chilians.—This

beautiful egg, of a uniform rich purple-chocolate brown, the sur-

face smooth and polished, measures 1 in. ;® in length and 1 in. 45

in breadth.

Two other unnamed eggs in this collection, of the same character

and colour as that of the Nothura last-described, and probably be-

longing to two species of the genus Tinochorus found in Chile, may

be here referred to; the larger one 2 in. ;4, in length by 13 in. in

breadth; the other 1] in. j8 in length and 1j in. in breadth. EI-

liptic in shape, of a rich and uniform purple-chocolate brown; the

surface highly polished.

Another egg in this collection, not named, but apparently belong-

ing to some species of Tinamou, may be mentioned on account of its

beauty. It measures | in. ;3; in length, and 1 in. 3, in breadth;

the shape is elliptic, and the colour a uniform delicate siskin-green.

Rhea Darwini, Gould, ‘ Voyage of the Beagle,’ Birds, page 123,

plate 47.—The egg of this fine species measures 43 in. in length

and 34 in. in breadth: elliptic in form; the colour whitish, but

tinged with very pale asparagus-green. This egg is figured by Dr.

Thienemann in his new work now in course of publication on the

incubation of birds in general, part 1. page 4. tab. 2. fig. 2, with the

additional name of Rhea pennata D’ Orbignit.

Scolopax Paraguaie, Vieill. Called by the Chilians Avecasina and

Porrotero.—The egg is 14 in. long and 1+ in. broad; olive-brown,

blotched and spotted with dark reddish brown and pale brown. This

Zoological Society. 59

egg, in colour and markings, exactly resembles the egg of our most

common British Snipe.

Vanellus Chiliensis—The egg thus marked measures 1 in. ;% in

length and 1 in. 9; in breadth: olive-brown, spotted with black and

greyish brown; closely resembling the eggs of our British Vanellus.

Rallus sanguinolentus, Swains. ; Chilian name Piden.—This egg is

1 in, 58; long and 11 in. in breadth: the ground colour white, tinged

with red, partially spotted with yellowish red. In its ground colour

and markings very similar to the egg of our British Rallus.

Gallinula crassirostris, J. E. Gray. Called by the Chilians Taguita.

—The egg reddish white, spotted with two shades of reddish brown ;

the length 1 in. 58 by 1 in. {3 in breadth.

Fulica galeaia, G. R. Gray.—This egg, closely resembling that of

our Common Coot in its colours and markings, measures 2 in. ;}; in

length, and 14 in. in breadth: pale brownish white, or stone-colour,

speckled over with nutmeg-brown.

Cygnus nigricollis, Gmelin. Cisne is the Chilian name for this

Black-necked Swan. The egg is near 4 in. in length by 2¢ in. in

breadth ; white, tinged with pale buff.

Rhynchaspis maculatus. The Chilian name of this bird is Pato

Abaston.—The egg measures 2 in. ;8, in length and 14 in. in breadth;

dull, greyish white, tinged with green.

Querquedula cerulata, Eyton. ‘The Chilian name of this little Duck

(the Anas Rafflesit of Vigors) is Pato colorado.—The egg is 2 in. in

length and 1 in. ;4, in breadth: the colour a uniform pale buffy

white.

Anas Bahamensis? Linn., called Pato Jergon grande by the Chi-

lians, produces an egg =!, of an inch larger in both its dimensions

than the egg of the Pato colorado last- described, and of a richer and

more decided buff-colour.

Podiceps Chilensis, Garnot. Called by the Chilians Guala and

Gualon.—This large species of Grebe produces an egg of 2 in. 53, in

length by 14 in. in breadth, of a dull white, stained with earthy

brown.

Podiceps Kalipareus, Quoy and Gaim. The Chilian name Gualita

de la Mar.—The egg of this Grebe measures 1 in. 8 by 14 in., of a

dull white, some of them more or less stained with dirty brown, de-

pending on the number of days they may have been deposited in the

nest.

The egg of a third species of Podiceps, bearing the Chilian name

Gargari, is yet a little smaller than the egg of the Gualita last de-

scribed, measuring only 1 in. ;8 in length and 1 in. {5 in breadth;

the colour as usual in the eggs of all the Grebes.

2. DESCRIPTION OF A NEw Genus oF Emyp2. By J. E. Gray, Esa.,

F.R.S., F.Z.S. Erc.

In the museum of the Zoological Society is a fine specimen of a

60 Zoological Society.

large freshwater Tortoise, presented by Lieut. Mawe, R.N., who

found it in South America in the year 1833.

It is marked by Mr. Fraser ‘‘ Emys Mawii, Bibron, original of M.

B.’s description, No. 6899,’ but I can find no such species described

in M. Bibron’s work, nor is it an Emys as defined by that author. .

It differs from all the known Emyde in being covered with very

thin membranaceous scales, and in having a broad sternum with a

series of four large distinctly defined plates placed over the sterno-

costal suture. The gular plates are very small, and there are no

axillary or inguinal plates.

My genus Platystemon has the same kind of sterno-costal plates,

but quite a differently formed shell. The head is very large and the

tail elongate.

DERMATEMYS, 0. g.

Ch. gen.—Testa ovalis, gibba, acarinata, in lateribus rotundata, mar-

gine posteriore expanso, pauld reflexo, scutellis membranaceis

tenuissimis defenso. Scutelle marginales posteriores late. Ster.

num planum anterius rotundatum posterius emarginatum. Sguame

gulares parve, triangulares, teste superiori per longum symphysin

affixe. Sutura sterno-costalis squamis magnis quatuor defensa,

postremis duabus maximis squamis, minima anteriore. Scutelle

axillares et inguinales nulle. Testa vix ad aperturam contracta.

Head ? Toes webbed? Claws ?

Shell oblong, convex, not keeled; sides rounded, hinder edge ex-

panded, slightly reflexed, covered with very thin membranaceous

shields. The hinder marginal shields broad. Sternum flat, rounded

in front, notched behind: the gular plates small, triangular, united

to the upper shell by a long symphysis; the sterno-costal suture

covered with four large distinctly defined plates ; the anterior smaller,

the two hinder largest. The axillary and inguinal plates none. The

cavity of the shell is scarcely contracted at the opening.

Hab. South America.

Dermatemys Mawii, n. s.—Vertebral plates: Ist broad, seven-

sided ; 2nd, 3rd and 4th longer than broad. Colour pale brown; the

upper surface covered with small, close, irregular depressions of a

darker brown colour ; the shields pale, nearly transparent, very brittle

when dry; the under surface uniform pale yellowish white, with

slightly sunken grooves.

Length of upper shell 17 inches; width 11 inches; length of ster-

num 123 inches.

Remarks.—The specimen appears to be not quite full-grown. It

has much of the external appearance of Phrynops Geoffroyii, and the

general thinness of the scales of Chelydide; but there is no appear-

ance of any scar on the inner surface of the sternum for the attach-

ment of the pelvis; and though the gular scale is worn and nearly

obliterated, yet it is sufficiently distinct to show that it has no inter-

gular plate.

Zoological Society. 61

8. DEscRIPTIONS OF NEW CRUSTACEA FROM THE EASTERN SEAS.

By Apam Waitt, F.L.S.

Family Inacuipa,

Genus Doctrea, Leach.

Doctea catcrrRaPa, White, n. s., List of Specimens of Crust. in

Brit. Mus. p. 4.

Carapace with seventeen large spines on the back and sides, and

sixteen smaller tubercles on the upper surface; seven of the large

spines down the middle of carapace, six of them erect, the sixth

springing from the base of the much-elongated horizontal terminal

spine; the last of the spines of the side much longer than the other

three. The whole surface seems to have been covered with hairs.

The four hind pairs of legs are very long and slender.

Breadth of carapace 1 inch 4 lines; length 1 inch 10 lines.

A species distinguishable at first sight from the four species hitherto

described, of all of which there are specimens in the Museum Col-

lection.

Hab. Philippine Islands (Zebu): Brit. Museum. From Mr. Cu-

ming’s collection.

Family Marana.

Hyastrenvs, White.

Carapace rather oblong, rounded on the sides behind, before and

behind the eyes straight; a slight transverse groove in upper orbit ;

front with two horns as long as the carapace, at first parallel and then

diverging and directed slightly downwards; outer antennz with all

the joints cylindrical; the insertion of the basal joint concealed by

the frontal horn.

Fore-legs slender ; second pair of legs the longest and very slender ;

terminal joint with the edge spined.

A genus allied to Hyas and Chorinus, the only species of which

was long ago figured in the large work of Seba.

Hyasrenus Szesz, White, List of Specimens of Crust. in Brit. Mus.

p. 6.

Upper surface somewhat roughish, and covered with a delicate

down.

Cancer araneus cornutus alter, Seba, Thes. iii. 45. t. 18. f. 12.

Hab, Philippine Islands. From the collection of Mr. Cuming.

Also found by Capt. Sir Edward Belcher, C.B.

Family ParTHENOoPID2.

Crratocarcinus, Adams & White.

Form of the carapace somewhat pentagonal; the sides, over the

insertion of the first pair of legs, produced into a large spine directed

slightly forwards ; front wide and prominent, projecting on each side

in the form of-conical horns, widely separate from each other. Eyes

rather small, peduncles short, the eye fitting into a groove on the side

62 Zoological Society.

of the beak. Outer antennz considerably developed, the terminal

appendages at least half the length of the whole antenne, and* pro-

jecting beyond the horns of the beak.

First pair of legs much-elongated; the sides nearly parallel; the

wrist somewhat pear-shaped, without spines on the inside, the edges

of the pincers meeting and serrated. ‘The second pair of legs longer,

more slender than the last three pairs; the tarsal joint slender and

elongated ; fourth and fifth pairs of equal length; the fifth pair, as in

Eumedonus, placed so high as nearly to conceal the insertion of the

fourth pair; the tarsal joints of these legs thick; the claw at the end

translucent. Abdomen of male as in Humedonus; the female un-

known.

This genus is closely allied to Humedonus of Prof. Milne Edwards

(Crust. i. 349), and, like it, comes from the Eastern Seas.

CERATOCARCINUS LONGIMANUS, n. 8., List of Specimens of Crust. in

Brit. Mus. p. 125.

Two pointed transverse tubercles, tufted with hair at the end, on

the back of the carapace, behind the eyes; the first pair of legs

covered with minute warts and with several deep longitudinal grooves;

the pincers blackish brown, except at the base.

Hab. North coast of Borneo (Balambangan): British Museum.

Presented by Capt. Sir Edward Belcher, C.B., R.N.

When alive, according to the observations of Arthur Adams, Esq.,

who found it, the colour of this species is blood-red, with five light

bands across the carapace. :

Gonatonotus, Adams & White.

Carapace pentagonal, depressed, the latera] angles very sharp;

the front very wide, lamelliform, dilated, rounded, slightly notched

at the end. Eyes large, prominent; peduncles short, inserted in a

deepish notch on the side. Outer antenne with the terminal appen-

dage elongated.

First pair of legs thickish; the wrist rounded and spined on the

inside, the claws serrated on the edge; third and fourth pairs of

legs rather longer than the second and fifth; the tarsal joints of the

second, third, fourth and fifth pairs of equal size and thickness; the

fifth pair of legs inserted above the fourth pair.

Abdomen of female seven-jointed ; three or four of the basal joints

seen from above. Male unknown.

This genus is allied to Humedonus.

GonATONOTUS PENTAGONUS, n. S., List of Specimens of Crust. in

Brit. Mus. p. 125.

Carapace above closely verrucose, the warts depressed; a strong-

ish ridge across the back, extending from one lateral angle to the

other, with two tubercles in the middle; the front grooved down the

middle; the centre of the back with two longitudinal impressions ;

terminal joint of abdomen in female verrucose.

First pair of legs verrucose; the pincers grooved.

Mr. Adams found this species on the coast of Borneo. When

Zoological Society. 63

alive it is of a brick-red colour, with the chele crimson ; under sur-

face rufous.

LAMBRUS LAMELLIGER, White, List of Specimens of Crust. in Brit.

Mus. p. 12.

Front depressed, flat, thin; upper surface of carapace with three

largish protuberances behind, one in the middle and one on each side ;

carapace longer than wide; sides about the middle crenated ; fore-

legs very long.

Breadth of carapace 44 lines; length 54 lines.

Hab. Philippine Islands. From Mr. Cuming’s collection.

LAmBRUs TURRIGER, White, List of Specimens of Crust. in Brit.

Mus. p. 12.

Carapace longer than wide; front small, depressed and consider-

ably grooved in the middle, the side with a small tooth on each side ;

back of carapace with four elevated spines, thickened and blunt at

the end, the first about midway between front and back; behind it

another much higher, and one on each side of this; on the hind

margin of carapace, in the middle, are two spines.

Arms very long, verrucose; legs very slender and smooth.

Breadth of carapace about 4 lines; length about 44 lines.

Hab. Philippine Islands: British Museum. From Mr. Cuming’s

collection.

Also brought by Capt. Sir Edward Belcher, C.B., R.N.

4, On SOME UNDESCRIBED SPECIES OF LEPIDOPTERA IN THE SOCIETY’S

Cotuiection. By Epwarp Dovus.iepay, Esa., F.L.S. &c. &c.

Genus Pizris.

Pieris Puaoxa. Pi. alis omnibus supra albis, anticarum margine

externo late nigro, posticarum punctis sex nigris notato, subtis

pallide flavescentibus, basi flavis, marginibus externis. nigro-pune-

tatis. Exp. alar. 24 unc. vel 57 millim.

Hab. Fernando Po.

Above, all the wings white, very slightly tinted with yellowish

at the base; anterior wings with the costa narrowly black; the outer

margin with a broad black border, dentate internally, broadest at the

apex. Posterior wings with a series of seven round black dots on

the margin.

Below, pale cream-colour or white, slightly tinged with yellow;

palest on the disc of the anterior wings; the base and costa of the

anterior and the costa of posterior wings yellow; apex and outer

margin of anterior wings with a series of nine black dots, of which

the first to the sixth are minute, the seventh larger and double, the

eighth and ninth larger than any except the seventh. Posterior wings

with a marginal series of seven black dots: the first, second and

third very minute, fourth, fifth and sixth progressively larger, seventh

small,

Head, thorax and abdomen black, sprinkled especially below with

white scales. Antenne black, annulated with white.

In the collection of the Zoological Society.

64 Zoological Society.

This species is closely allied to P. Hudowia, but differs in wanting

the bright orange patch at the base of the anterior wings, and in the

form and number of the dots on the posterior wings, as well as in

the colour of the under surface, which is pure white with a silvery

lustre in the males of that species.

Pieris Matvura. Pi. alis omnibus supra albis, apice anticarum nigro ;

margine posticarum nigro punctato ; subtis albidis basi anticarum

costaque posticarum luteis. Exp. alar. 23 unc. vel 63 millim..

Hab. Fernando Po.

Wings above white, the anterior with the apex and outer. margin

as far as the third median nervule irregularly black; a black spot

on the margin above the first and second median nervule. Posterior

wings with a slender cuneiform dot at the extremity of each nervule.

Below, anterior white, the costa itself very narrowly black, the base

marked with a broad luteous patch. Posterior wings very pale

cream-colour, with slight pearly reflections, the costa at the base

luteous. Extremities of the nervules slightly fuscous. Head and

thorax black, clothed with white hairs. Abdomen black, covered

with white scales. Antenne black, annulated with white.

Genus ATERICA.

AtericA Barce. At. alis omnibus supra @neo-nigris, marginibus

externis fuscis, subtis ochraceis, fascia communi transversa, plaga

discoidali anticarum, strigis undatis maculisque brunneis. Exp.

alar. 2 unc. vel 55 mill.

Hab. Sierra Leone.

Above, all the wings zeneo-fuscous, with green and bluish reflec-

tions; the outer margin of the anterior broadly fuscous at the apex,

less so at the anal angle; a slight fuscous cloud at the end of the

ceil and another much larger beyond it. Posterior wings with the

costal and abdominal margins and the outer angle broadly fuscous ;

outer margin, except at the angle, narrowly so. Abdominal fold

thickly lined with long hairs. Cilia fuscous, spotted with whitish.

Below ochrey brown, the anterior wings with a minute dark brown

spot in the cell close to the base; a large, irregular, subtriangular,

dark brown patch before the middle, divided in ‘the cell by a spot of

the ground colour. Beyond the middle is a much-waved abbreviated

brown striga, and a similar one extends along the whole outer mar-

gin. Between these two strige is a transverse band of a vinous

brown, commencing at the apex and extending to the middle of the

inner margin, narrow at its commencement, broad at its termination,

where it occupies nearly the whole space from the middle of the

wings to the anal angle, and is divided by a faint ochrey cloud.

Posterior wings with a broad reddish brown band across the middle,

divided by a pale ochreous spot near the costa, beyond which is a

paler brown cloud. Near the margin is a much-waved brown striga,

and the outer angle is brown. Near the base is a somewhat reni-

form brown spot, » paler i in the centre, and below it a ring of the same

colours.

Zoological Society. 65

Head, thorax and abdomen fuscous above, rufescent below. An-

tenne very long, black.

In the collection of the Zoological Society.

Genus CHARAXES. |

Cuaraxes Poraortes. Ch. alis omnibus supra fulvis, nigro lim-

batis maculatisque, anticis serie marginali punctorum, posticis

lunularum fulvarum ; subtis saturate fulvis, fascia media alteraque

submarginali argenteis, maculis plurimis, vittisque numerosis ni-

gris argenteo cinctis, Exp. alar. 44 unc. vel 116 mill.

Hab. Madagascar.

Above, all the wings fulvous, with a broad black border exter-

nally, broadest on the posterior wings, marked on the outer margin

of the anterior with a series of fulvous dots between the nervules,

and on the posterior just within the margin with a series of lunules

also placed between the nervules; this border is irregularly dentate

within on the anterior wings, and divided near the apex by a row of

four fulvous dots ; not dentate internally on the posterior wings, but

less defined, being slightly shaded into the fulvous. ‘The base both

of the anterior and posterior wings is slightly shaded with fuscous,

and the anterior are marked, in the cell, with two rounded spots, an

elongate subquadrate one on the disco-cellular nervules, a sub-

quadrate one immediately beyond the cell above the third median

nervule, a longer one immediately below this, and another broadly

lunate between the first and second median nervule, all black. Be-

tween these spots and the black margin is a short submacular band

extending from the costa to the second disco-cellular nervule. Outer

margin of anterior wings sinuate, dentate, of posterior dentate, cau-

date.

Below, the anterior wings are bright deep fulvous at the base and

along the costa beyond the middle of the wings; marked as above

with black spots and a short marginal black band, but all these mark-

ings are broadly margined with silvery white; and there are, in ad-

dition to the spots of the upper surface, a small round spot in the

cell close to the base, and an oval one above the first median ner-

vule near its origin, both black with a silvery border. Beyond the

middle is a silvery white irregular band, narrowed on the costa, where

it is marked by four black dots, the third and fourth indistinct,

broadest on the inner margin, where it becomes of a pearly hue.

Between this band and the margin the prevailing colour is a pale

fulvous. A band composed of a series of silvery grey lunules com-

mences on the costa and terminates on the submedian nervure.

These lunules have their points directed inwards, and are margined

internally with black, those nearest the costa less broadly than the

others. The terminations of the nervules are bordered with silvery

grey, and beyond this with black, and the cilia are spotted with the

same colours. The posterior wings are bright deep fulvous, paler

towards the outer margin, traversed beyond the middle by a flexuous

silvery band. At the base, before the precostal nervule, is an oval

black spot bordered with silvery white; beyond this is a macular

Ann, & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 5

66 Zoological Society.

band composed of four black transverse vitte bordered with silvery

white, extending from the costa to the abdominal fold; the inner

vitta transverse only at its origin, extending down the abdominal to

unite with a similar fold which traverses the cell and descends ob-

liquely between the first median nervule and the submedian nervure.

The inner margin of the silvery band is marked with a series of black

spots and vittz, and the abdominal fold is beautifully marked with

alternate silvery, bright fulvous and black vitte. Near the outer

margin is a broad silvery white band sprinkled with grey and ful-

vous scales, and clouded with these colours, bordered externally with

black. On the outer margin itself is a narrow black border, mar-

gined internally with white. Cilia, except on the tail, white.

Head fulvous. Thorax fulvous above, streaked below with fulvous

and white. Legs white.

In the collection of the Zoological Society

This beautiful insect is closely allied to Ch. Castor, but may at once

be known by the silvery markings below.

5. DescripTion oF StRicorps HABROPTILUS. By G. R. Gray, Esa.,

F.L.S. &c.

With reference to the interesting particulars about Strigops habro-

ptilus, communicated by Mr. Gould (supra p.55), I am induced to

remark that this singular bird was first noticed under the native name

of Kakapo in the Appendix to Dr. Dieffenbach’s Travels in New

Zealand, where it was suggested to belong to the family of Cuculide,

from the supposed similarity of the few feathers brought by that

gentleman to those of the genus Centropus. This idea was at once

dispelled by the arrival of the perfect specimen now in the British

Museum, from which a figure was made by my friend Mr. Mitchell,

end published as pl. 105 in the ‘ Genera of Birds.’ The singular ap-

pearance of the feathers of the head, and especially their arrange-

ment about the bill, gives it much of the expression of the family

Strigide. It was this resemblance that induced me to give it the

above generic name. Dr. Dieffenbach states that its native name

implies that its habits are nocturnal: the natives catch the bird by

torchlight. He further informs us that it chiefly inhabits the South

island of New Zealand, but is very rare even in that locality, which

is in some degree the result of the destruction it meets with from the

attack of cats and dogs, to which its habit of frequenting the lower

branches only of trees the more readily exposes it. :

As I have never published a specific character, I subjoin the fol-

lowing :—

Srricops HaBropritus, G. R. Gray. Sir. olivaceo-viridis viridi-

griseo tinctus, plumis singulis strigd mediand flavd nigro-marginatd

extus irregulariter transverse nigro-fasciatis, tectricum majorum

remigum secundariorumque pogoniis exterioribus cauddque totd

pallide umbrinis transverse luteo-fasciatis fasciis irregulariter

nigro-marginatis ; subtis pallidior luteo tinctus plumis singulis

strigd mediand luted piceo-marginatd extus irregulariter transverse

Zoological Society. 67

piceo fasciatis ; fronte, genis, regionibus auricularibus plumisque

ad rostri basin prominentibus pallidé umbrinis medio luteo-notatis ;

rostro albo, pedibus plumbeis.

Upper surface sap-green, with a verdigris tinge on the wings ;

each feather marked in the middle with yellow, which is margined

on the sides with black, from which spring irregular transverse bands

of the same colour; the outer webs of the greater wing-coverts,

quills, secondaries and the entire tail, brownish buff, irregularly

banded transversely with black; between every alternate set lemon-

yellow; the inner webs of quills and secondaries black, more or less

transversely banded with lemon-yellow. Under surface pale green-

ish yellow, tinged with lemon-yellow, more or less marked along the

shaft with pale yellow, which is narrowly margined with brownish

black; some of the feathers have transverse bands of the same

colour.

The top of the head brownish black, margined outerly with sap-

green, tinged in some places with verdigris, and marked in the middle

with pale yellow; the front, cheeks, ear-coverts and the projecting

feathers of the face pale umber, marked in the middle with yellowish

white. Bill white; feet plumbeous black.

Length, 2 feet 4 inches; bill, 1 inch 8 lines; wings, 114 inches;

tail, 94 inches ; tarsi, 14 inch.

* May 11.—William Spence, Esq., F.R.S., in the Chair.

The following paper was communicated to the Meeting :—

On tHe GenerRA oF THE Famity Curronipz. By J. E. Gray,

Esa., F.R.S., F.Z.S. ere.

. This family now contains so many species, offering such varied

modifications of form and structure, that it becomes necessary to

separate it into several genera, for the purpose of more accurately

_ determining the species and showing their relations to each other.

Most authors have regarded the family as a single genus, and even

M. De Blainville, who formed the family into a class under the name

of Polyplakiphora, so regarded them. He forms of this class and his

Nematopodes or Barnacles a subtype of the animal kingdom, which

he called Malentozoaria or Molluscarticulata; but there is no suf-

ficient character to’ separate the Chitons from the other Mollusca,

and the Nematopodes are now known to be Crustacea, so that this

division or subtype of the animal kingdom has been erased from the

system by most succeeding authors.

Dr. Leach in his MSS. proposed to divide this family into genera,

according to the form of the appendages which cover the upper sur-

face of the mantle; and Risso, who was in constant correspondence

with Dr. Leach, has in his work published two of Dr. Leach’s genera.

Mr. Guilding has formed some genera on the same principles in the

Zoological Journal, and I have added two others in the Synopsis of

the British Museum for 1841.

I may remark that these appendages of the mantle form exceeding

good characters for the more minute division of the groups, but the

68 Zoological Society.

scales so gradually pass into spines or tubercles on the one side, and on

the other they so gradually diminish in thickness to furfuraceous

scales, which are easily deciduous that it is difficult to define when they

are quite absent ; therefore they do not afford characters of sufficient

importance to use them as Leach, Risso and Guilding have done, for

the primary divisions of the family.

Lamarck divided the family into two genera, Chiton and Chitonellus,

but he left in the former genus several species which are more natu-

rally allied to the latter.

M. De Blainville in 1825 published a monograph of the family,

under the article ‘ Oscasrion’ in the Dict. Sci. Nat. xxxvi., in which

he introduced some new characters for the division of the species into

sections. He observes: ‘‘ Les organes sur lesquels nous appellerons

successivement l’attention pour le distinction des espéces sont les

suivants :—

«<1. L’existence ou l’absence des paires de pinceau de soies dis-

posés bien reguliérement de chaque céte du limbe, qu’ ‘il soit revétu

ou non d’écailles, d’épines, ou méme de poils.

**2. La disposition des branches commencant plus ou moins en

arriére et se terminant plus ou moins en avant.

‘««3. La forme de valves de la coquille, considérée spécialement

dans l’existence plus ou moins marqué des aires latérales.

_ ‘4, La grandeur proportionnelle de ces valves et leur dégré

d’occlusion.

‘*5. La forme des lames d’insertion et le nombre de leur échan-

crures ou dents.

‘¢6. Enfin la disposition des couleurs de la coquille.”—D. S. N.

XxXvl. 536.

Certainly this was a great improvement to what had been pre-

viously done, but unfortunately M. De Blainville appears to have had

the opportunity of observing only a limited number of species, and

has placed the others in the sections to which, from their external

appearance, they appeared to belong, though on examination they

have not the characters assigned to the division in which they were

placed: thus Chiton amiculatus, p. 546, is said to have the front and

hinder valves lobed and pectinated; C. niger, p. 541, the teeth of

insertion pectinated ; C. echinatus, p. 550, the anterior and posterior

valve toothed ; and C. gigas, the lobes not pectinated.

From repeated examination and comparison I am inclined to con-

sider the following as the best characters for the distinction of the

genera and species, arranged according to their permanence and im-

portance .—

1. The presence or absence of the pores, furnished with a bundle

of spicula on each side of the mantle.

2. The comparative length and position of the gills.

3. The form and modification of the plate of insertion of the valves,

especially of the posterior valve.

4. The size and form of the exposed part of the valve, and the

kind of sculpture on its surface.

5. The absence or presence of appendages on the mantle, and the

Zoological Society. 69

form, sculpture on the surface, disposition, and equality or inequality

of size of these appendages.

6. The colour of the valves and appendages of the mantle.

It has been objected, that the character derived from the form of

the plates of insertion can only be seen by the destruction of the

specimens, as they are generally kept in the cabinets: this is not

always the case, for they can generally be seen from the under-side

or through the substance of the mantle; but when this is not the

case, the form of the plates of insertion can be easily discovered by

carefully paring away the under part of the mantle, so as to show part

of the edge of the valve without any injury to the specimen. And

it should be recollected too, that the separate valves are the only part

of the molluscous animals which are usually kept in cabinets.

The number of lobes into which the edge of the margin of inser-

tion is divided may be also easily seen by the porous lines which are

to be observed on the inner surface of the valves, diverging from the

apex to the margin, each of these lines going to the bottom of the

notch which separates the lobes on the inner processes of insertion.

Various authors, as Spengler, Chemnitz, De Blainville, Sowerby,

Barnes and Reeves, have described and figured many species of the

genus.

Synopsis oF THE GENERA.

I. Mantle simple, without any pores or tuft of spines on the sides.

A. The plate of insertion of the anterior and posterior valve divided

into several lobes, and of the central valves into two lobes.

a. The valves exposed, broad, with regular, equal, well-defined mar-

gin for insertion, divided into lobes more or less denticulated. The

hinder valve with the apex superior, subcenitral.

1. Curron. The posterior valve entire; margin covered with

regularly-disposed imbricate scales.

2. Tonicra. Posterior valve entire; margin naked.

3. ACANTHOPLEURA. Posterior valve entire ; margin spinose, spi-

nulose or bristly.

4. Scuizocuiton. Posterior valve with a deep notch on its cen-

tral hinder margin; mantle slit behind.

b. The valves exposed, broad ; the hinder valve with a slightly raised,

smooth or slightly crenated plate of insertion (not divided into lobes

on the sides), and with the apex subterminal.

5. Corepuium. The hinder valve with a rather raised apex, and

the plate of insertion crenulated, with one small central slit.

6. PuaxirpHora. The hinder valve with a produced posterior

apex, and the plate of insertion entire, smooth, rounded ; valves thin ;

mantle with tufts of bristles.

7. OnirHocuiton. The hinder valve with a produced terminal

apex ; plate of insertion entire, rounded ; valves thick ; mantle covered

with spines, bristles, or chaff-like scales.

8. Enorntocuiton. The hinder valve with a produced terminal

70 Miscellaneous.

apex; plate of insertion entire, rounded; valves thick; mantle

covered with oblong, unequal, elongated, oblong scales.

B. The plate of insertion of all the valves with only a single notch on

each side. The valves more or less covered; the hinder valve with

expanded plates of insertion (as in the central valves), with only a

single notch on each side, and a concave sinuosity below.

9. Moraura. Valves, exposed part broad, transverse; plates of

insertion moderate; mantle spinulese; front edge sometimes ex-

panded.

10. Karuartna. Valves, exposed part small, cordate, as long as

broad; mantle smooth.

11. Cryprocniton. Valves entirely hidden ; mantle covered with

tufts of spicula.

Il. Manile with a series of pores (each furnished with a tuft of spines)

on each side. The plates of insertion of all the valves with only a

_single-notch on each side, which is sometimes rudimentary.

12. Cryproconcuus. Exposed part of valves very small, linear,

much longer than broad ; mantle smooth.

13..Amicuta. Exposed part of valves small, subcordate, as broad

as long; mantle bristly.

14. AcantHocuites. Exposed part of valves moderate, broad,

cordate, as long as broad; mantle spinulose.

15. Curronetius. Exposed part of valves linear-lanceolate, elon-

gate; body vermiform; mantle spinulose.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Researches to determine the Number of Species and the Mode of

Development of the British Triton. By J. Hiccinsorrom, Esq.,

F.R.C.S.

The observations of the author, of which he gives a detailed ac-

count in the present memoir, have led him to the following con-

clusions :—

Two species only of the genus Triton are met with in England ;

namely, the Triton verrucosus and the Lisso-triton punctatus. It is

three years before the animal is capable of propagating its species,

and four years before it attains its full growth. In its tadpole state,

it remains in the water till its legs acquire sufficient strength to

qualify it for progressive motion on land. While a land animal, it

is in an active state during the summer, and passes the winter in a

state of hybernation ; but does not then, as has been erroneously

supposed, remain at the bottom of pools. Very dry, or very wet

situations are incompatible with the preservation of life during the

period of hybernation. At the expiration of the third year, the

triton revisits the water, in the spring season, for the purposes of

reproduction, and again leaves it at the commencement of autumn.

Meteorological Observations. 71

Impregnation is accomplished through the medium of water, and

not by actual contact. The growth and development of the triton

are materially influenced by temperature, and but little by the action

of light. The triton possesses the power of reproducing its lost

limbs, provided the temperature be within the limits of 58° and 75°

Fahrenheit; but at lower temperatures, and during the winter, it

has no such power.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR MAY 1847.

Chiswick.—May 1. Very fine. 2. Cloudy. 3. Rain. 4, Cloudy. 5. Cloudy

and fine. 6. Slight fog: fine. 7. Overcast: showery. 8. Rain. 9. Fine:

cloudy : densely overcast: rain. 10. Very fine: slight showers, 11. Cloudy.

12. Very fine. 13, Cloudy and fine: showers, 14. Showery. 15. Fine: rain

at night. 16. Rain: cloudy: rain at night. 17. Cloudy. 18. Fine: rain.

19, 20. Cloudy and fine. 21,22. Very fine. 23. Very hot and sultry, 24.

Cloudy and fine. 25—27. Very fine. 28. Slight haze: sultry. 29. Cloudy:

thunder and heavy rain, 30. Clear and fine. 31. Cloudless: exceedingly fine.

Mean temperature of the month ..,....... adicteederbshtects’ COT OS

Mean temperature of May 1846 cc... .ssecseesccscceenes so 56 °16

Mean temperature of May for the last twenty years ... 55 ‘01

Average amount of rainin May ......... So eneissrcvere 1°84 inch.

Boston.—May 1. Fine. 2. Cloudy: rain early a.m.: raine.m. 3. Cloudy:

rain a.M.and p.m. 4, Cloudy. 5. Fine: rainr.m. 6. Cloudy, 7. Fine: rain

p.m. 8. Cloudy: rainr.m. 9. Cloudy. 10. Cloudy:rainearly a.m. 11. Rain.

12. Fine: rain, with thunder p.m. 13. Fine: rainp.m. 14,15. Fine: rain

early a.m. 16. Rain: rain, with thunder p.m. 17. Cloudy. 18. Cloudy:

raine.M. 19,20, Cloudy. 21—24. Fine. 25. Windy. 26,27. Fine. 28.

Fine: 1 o’clock p.m. thermometer 82°, 29. Rain: 4 o’clock a.m. thunder, hail

and rain: rain all night. 30. Fine: rain early a.m. $1. Fine.

Sandwick Manse, Orkney.—May 1. Bright: clear. 2. Bright: drops. 3.

Bright: clear. 4. Bright: damp. 5. Fine. 6,7. Cloudy: damp. 8, 9. Drizzle:

fog. 10. Clear: fine. 11. Cloudy: rain. 12, Rain: cloudy. 13. Cloudy.

14. Rain: fog. 15. Damp: rain: fog. 16. Bright: cloudy. 17, 18. Cloudy:

clear. 19. Showers: drizzle. 20. Fog: cloudy. 21. Bright: rain. 22. Showers,

23. Clear. 24. Fine. 25. Bright: cloudy. 26. Bright: showers. 27. Fine:

clear. 28. Fine: cloudy: fine, 29, Rain: thunder: cloudy: fine. 30. Clear:

fine. 31. Cloudy: fine.

Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire—May 1. Fine summer day. 2. Mild:

showers. 3. Cloudy: keen. 4. Spring, butkeen. 5. Cold: wet p.m. 6. Grow-

ing: wet p.m. 7. Dull: showers. 8, Dull: wet p.m. 9. Mild: dull: wet p.m.

10. Fine growing day. 11—14. Dull: showers, 15. Fine summer day. 16.

Stormy: wet all day. 17. Wet andcold. 18. Wet and stormy. 19. Dull:

wet, 20. Sunshine: fine. 21. Dry: cloudy. 22. Cloudy: showers. 23. Warm:

thunder: rain. 24. Fine: clear: wet p.m. 25, Highwind: clear, 26, Fine:

clear: light: cloudy. 27. Fine: clear: thunder. 28. Fine: wetr.m. 29. Fine:

heavy rain r.m. 30. Fine: warm. $1. Remarkably fine.

Mean temperature of the month .,.....,.+sesescessesseeceeees 5191

Mean temperature of May 1846 ........cccscoscescscsessseoes 52 ‘6

Mean temperature of May for twenty-five years ............ 61.1

Mean rain in May for twenty years .......cccecee sescereecees 1°69 inch,

—

| ™ a: bs a ita m india os c ee, sip

8B-% 0-2 | 1-S|6S-1 OL-OV |19.67 9-0 G-LS Oe 19-VV 90-69 |LZg-6z |€08-62 0€L-62 10.62 6£-62 ZE8-62 976.62 | “ueayy

eS. See HOC yi t eerpeonces wea | +s wyeo ‘ou cc Sn Ee ae Sd S-g9 OV 08 | LV-0€ | S€-0£| 17-0£| 6€-08 | $6-6% |6EP-0€ |1ZP-0€| “1€

QS |""""""| 80- | O- | vas | sms | urea| “ms | SS] GG)" | "| Fol br | LL |0€-0€ | 60-0€| 0£-0€ | Lo.0€ | 18-62 |1S€-0€ o1F-0€ | “ofO

GQ. reer GLeTe | om | cm | mw | ts | OS | ZG] | | gol Sh | LL | £8.62 | g-62| 18-62 | 99-62 | PE-62 |9PL-6z [LS1-08 | “6z

Ce oa hea tt 8 ta) eee €G.| Gg | ** | f%L! GL} 6S | 16 | €6-6% | 26-6) €8-6z| £8-62z | 9b-6% |098.6z 2£6.62 "8%

G0. rrr asa | tm | cass | a | 0S | SG | OF) 69) 99] OS | 18 |G0-0€ | G0-0€ | 06-62 | 00-08 | 29-62 [896.62 FR0.0€ | *Lz

eres sys | cms | cms | cms | $19] 2g | 0f| "| 19] 9€ | SL | £662 | 18-62} 86-62 | £6-6z | 61-62 £01-08 |Zh-08 | “9%

eeoeres ahah horas eeeces *s "M "A "MM ZS 1S OV eee 09 cc 69 LL-6Z Qv-6z £6.66 01-62% 05-62% IO11-08 '0f%-0£ "Co

eGpep es] cas | tm | om fms] 1g | ZG | 1g) 09! €9| Ph | IZ | 1¥-62 | 09-62! 8F-6z| 99-62 | 9€-6z |198-62 $98.62! “bz

Po. Mase eeeees *aS ‘OS *MS "MS LV 6P OV c9 ¢.¢9 6S 68 89-62% V38-6z 89-62 08-62% 05-62% O8L-6% 0L0-0€ “Cz,

6B. ire cm | ms | tm | ms. | oF | $Z4b | gh] 19| €9| of | LL | 146% | 19-6z| 28-62| $L-6z | 09-62 [700.08 gh0.0€ | “zz

Peeeee tet eee seeeeelersoes

“MS |*MSM | CM | AA gv | of | 97| €9; 09) SV | 69 |0L-62 | FL-6z| 06-62% | 88-62% | LS-6% PI1-0€ PE1-0€| 1%

usenet asa) ta | em | cms | LP | 667 | 67) PS) 09} Bb | LO | 99-62% | 69-62! 08-62 | SS-6z | 0£-6@ |1P§-6% gh0.08 | ‘0%

CO. f°" VG. |") “asa | mss) sms | “ms | Ch | FH | OF} OF 19] 6h | 99 | L9-6z | EL-6z) 69-62) 89-62 | LE-6z |Lzg-6% 206-60) “61

ee Et iled °O8 ‘a /|*aua | °s ,ov LV | th! 0G! €¢9| SP | OL | 00.0€ | 90.08 | 31-62 | 88-62 | 7S-6% S8Z-6% 686-62! “SI

jorrereseres gg, jereeee| cau | sau | -msm | tas 16€ icy | 1¥| 09 G-69| SPV | 69 | 10-CE | hg.6z | €8-62! LS-6% | ZE-6% |1L8-6% 100-08 | “LI

¥0- \0€-0 gl. 60. | “® | ‘au | vas | ‘ms | TIP | OF | gh! OG! S| 6h | 890 | 18-62 | 16-62| LP-6z| 05-62 | 02-68 196-62 1£2-62| “OL

wenn" Or | G1. | °F | ms | ms | “ms | FP | Ch! 6! 09) 69] 19 | Lo | 06-64% | £2.62 | £L-6% | OL-62 | EV-6% |698.6% €Z%1-0£| °S1

90: |""*"*"| Fo. | go- |. °? ‘s | ms | ‘as | fob) Lp | 0S) 69) 6S| 9F | SQ | F9.6z | 99.62] 09-64 | 99-62 | LE-62 SPg.6z 268.62! ‘F1@

LO- |""*"""| Z% |ZO. | “@ | °s ‘s | ‘ms | Top | FLb | 6b) €9 gS! Ih | go | L9.6z | $9.62} LS-6% | LS-6z | SE-6 128.6% FE8.60| “EI

SB. |" gg. | 10. | *@ | ‘a8 | tas | “ms | fo | of | oh) 29) 09] Sh.| S9 | 99.6z | 99.62 | 0G-62 | £5.62 | $z-66 |P1L-62 691-62 | “aI

weemmsyeeee’ Es [reeeet| 9 | OS | caua |) "MS | Qh | SG | OF! 19; OS| OF | SO | 12.6% | gL.6z |. $S-62 | 09-6 | 03-62 |169.62 |189-6%| “IT

Oly """" BT- | PO. | “8S | “ass juneo | “ms | Lp | Go| Lb) So) gi} PS | GL | 28-66 | 08-62 | OL-62 | €L-62 | 66-60 921-62 £18-62| °O1

"06-0 89- | PO. | “8 | *m | «ms | “mS | OF | LE | OP fES) SS| PR | SO | 99.6% | €9-6z| 09-62 | 8-62 | 92-62 \LSL.6Z |0£8-62) °6

oe Rebate te ee! esr. e Ly | Lb | SV\ TES) €S) Bh | 09 | 19.6% | ZL-6z| SE-6% | 8F-62 | £0-6% |PEE.6% 119-67! *8

“eeeayeeseetiecees"| DT. | “889 | asa | *s | "8S | PH | gh | Zh} 09 GS-69) Of | SQ | 08-62 | LL-6z| LS-6%| 49-62 | 0£-62 |699-62|€g9-62| *L )D

co tee ee es ee ee Oe) a8 “SS ev | 6h | 17| OS) 19} OF | ZO | 08-6% | 98.64 | GS-62 | £9-6z | ZE-6% 012-62 |PPL-6Z| °9

Tenme eee stineeceaieeeseet “| a | cou | “as | GY | 61S | IP} GG| 1G] TE | 09 |00-0€ | G0-.0€ | 62-62 | LL-62 | OF-6% |1ZL-62 |6SL-62 | °S

ah ey EGEe 1 OO | “OS “ak | 8 8 SV | ov | 17| €S| 0S! 9F | 8S | 96-62 | 66-62 | 08-62} GL-6z | ZS-6% |8S8.6z|898-6z | “T

a4c "Sse EOF Glo | "8G | SMP ta eae ihe | {1h | 6€| 2S} 9F| Ob | £9 | 66-62 | $6-6z| 12-62] £L-62 | LE.6z |ggl-6z |\9zg-62| *€

poretyereers DE. 1 EO. | “eum | “Ms | 8 ‘'s | {0h | for | oF| 6h) 6h] OF | 69 | 98-62 | 9L.6z| 89-62| $S-6z | 22-62 |LL9.62 |EhL-64| %

ae gare Co. | wea} “mM | “mw MS | UIP | LP | 66E| S| 6F| HH | 8S |SL-6% | 0L-6%| LS-6z| 09-62 | OF-62 |699-62 |PP8-6%| “I

eoliy fe S CO} Pole? z\|s =| 2 | curd | cure | curd | cure : “Av

Eaed/ ef) Gel ed] y jebp Pelee) PUB hep) BLE | WL TLS | ep) mm ome

=o oF S = toe an S ay % f a ;

. i

“Urey “PUL "JO, 9ULOULIOY J, “1ojaWOIeg a 2

“AANYU(C) ‘asunpy yonpung yo ‘uoysnojD °C ‘Ady 2y7 Ag puy SaulHs-saruswag ‘asunpy yzuvSarddp yo ‘requug * AA ‘A0y 247 49 SNoLsog

70 ‘yea, “AYN 49 fuopuorT avau ‘xOIMSIHD yo Ajav0g [panqnay4ozy ay2 fo uapavy) ayz yo uosdwoyy “Aj, 49 apowm suoyvasasg”: jooFopouoajapy

: Ann.&Mag Wat Hist Vol.20PLVU.

S. De. C. Sowerby. Sef

ee eee ee

us ata

eet <a ae

> nel oe

. wt

-¢*

rent t

“hb

: st

x Th

Arn Mag, Nat Hist. Vol.20. FLTD

fest

Pats “Sf

ae:

ashe 35,

e3 in

- ADe.C. Sowerby. fecit.

THE ANNALS

MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY.

No, 131. AUGUST 1847.

XI.—On the Ventriculide of the Chalk ; including the description

of peculiar Characters of Structure observed in their Tissues.

By J. Toutmin Situ, Esq.

[ With two Plates.]

Atmost one hundred years have now elapsed since Guettard

drew attention to “some fossil bodies little known,” the eluci-

dation of which he attempted in an elaborate paper*. Of the

two classes of bodies described by him it is clear that the

Choanites are one. The figures and descriptions appear con-

clusive on this point, and the true affinities are very shrewdly

pointed out by the writer, while the prevailing notion of the

bodies described being petrified figs and other fruits is com-

pletely disposed of. It may not perhaps be quite so clear that

the other class of fossil bodies described by Guettard comprises

some of the forms of the Ventriculide. The true characters of

the Ventriculidz will be presently seen to be in almost all cases so

obscured from the general observer, and even, without careful at-

tention to the mode of observation, from the experienced palzon-

tologist, that we cannot expect to find in either the figures or de-

scription of a century ago positive evidence of identity. Still I

think those of Guettard warrant the conclusion that objects of

this class were before him.

It was not till Dr. Mantell in 1814 figured and described in

the ‘ Linnean Transactions,’ vol. x1. p. 401, “a fossil Aleyonium

from near Lewes,” that any particular attention appears to have

been given in this country, or, since the time of Guettard, in any

other, to these bodies. That paper was but one among the many

* Mém. de |’Acad. Royale de Sciences for 1751. The paper is erro-

neously cited by Parkinson under the year 1757. I have found no other

direct notice of it. Michelin, in his ‘ Iconographie Zoophytologique,’ p. 121,

cites M. Guettard’s ‘ Mémoires Académiques.’ I have been unable to ob-

tain that work, but conceive it to be merely a reprint of M, Guettard’s va-

rious scientific papers, including the one above named.

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 6

74 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculide

results of the indefatigable labours of its author in a field then

little trodden and by few feet. The views expressed in it seem

to have undergone little modification since ; for though, appa-

rently rather in deference to the opinions of others than from

any conviction of his own, changes of opinion on some points

have been expressed by Dr. Mantell in later works, they are ex-

pressed without any grounds being stated whereon they were

adopted*. It can be no reflection on the Discoverer of the

Wealden and First Investigator of the Chalk to show that, amid

the multitude of objects which engaged his attention, one was

not followed out exhaustively. It is sufficient at present to say

that, whatever Dr. Mantell may have left undone in reference to

the Ventriculidz, has been hitherto filled up by no other hand.

The different members of the large family of Zoophytes have

done so much towards the actual formation of the solid crust of

the earth, that anything which relates to any branch of it must

be interesting and important ; and it is certainly remarkable that,

amid the great attention given within recent years by so many

eminent observers to this family, no one has entered on an in-

vestigation of the Ventriculide. And yet the wide development

of these forms and their great elegance and variety cannot but

have attracted the attention of all who have ever glanced at the

contents of any good and extensive series of chalk fossils ;—an

elegance and variety which the most untutored eye cannot fail

to notice and admire. .

I doubt not that the difficulty of the investigation affords the

real explanation of the neglect to which these bodies have been

subject. To investigate the living structure and affinities of an

entirely soft-bodied animal whose only remains have come down

to us encased either in intractable flint or in friable chalk will be

at once felt to be a task of no ordinary difficulty. . Such a task

is very different from the examination of any living forms, to

whatever class they may belong, or even from that of any of the

more solid fossil forms, which latter themselves however call into

activity the greatest patience and skill of the ablest observers.

Space will not permit me to examine in detail all the notices

which have incidentally been taken of different forms of the

Ventriculide. I must confine myself to a brief glance at the

different works in which any direct allusion to these bodies may

be found, leaving it to the full details hereafter to be given of

* J allude particularly to the separation of ‘‘ Ocellaria” in the ‘ Medals

of Creation,’ p.279; to the stating Ventriculites to be a composite instead

of single animal in note to p. 272 of the same work; and to the still more

remarkable entire separation of ‘‘ V. quadrangularis” (p. 283 ib.) and

placing it among Plustre.

of the Chalk. ? 75

the results of my own investigations to show wherein the figures

and descriptions in which such allusions consist have erred or

fallen short.

To the paper of Guettard I have already alluded. It is suffi-

cient further to say, that he was not content with that mere

superficial glance which most later observers have given. He

expressly says* that, though at first he regarded these bodies as

related to the sponges, he was obliged to abandon that idea when

he had given a more careful attention to the examination of

them; and he concluded that their nearest affinity was to the

Madrepores.

In ‘ Edvardi Luidii Ichnographia’ (1760), tab. 2. fig. 176, is

figured a Ventriculite, which he describes (p. 10) as “ Astroite

congener Radularia cretacea.”

Parkinson, in his ‘ Organic Remains of a former World? (1807),

alludes to the paper of Guettard, and gives descriptions and figures

of several fossils which he considers as allied to Alcyonia, but

whose differences from which he yet felt to be marked. Plate 9.

(of vol. ii.) figs. 2, 6, 9 and 10; pl. 10. figs. 12, 14, 15 and 16;

and pl. 12. fig. 9 I consider to be certainly forms of Ventriculide ;

and [ think it probable that pl. 11. figs. 1 and 6, and pl. 12.

fig. 8, are so alsot.

In Mr. Parkinson’s later ‘Outlines’ (8vo, 1822) he makes

some sound observations on the necessity for separating from

the Alcyonia the various bodies figured and described in his

former work, but he gives no additional details of importance.

On p. 54 of the ‘ Outlines,’ Mr. Parkinson, alluding to what

are undoubtedly true Ventriculide, describes them by characters

which are purely external, and treats as generic characters those

which are merely accidental and non-essential.

The ‘Organic Remains’ of Parkinson did not in the least

degree forestall the labours of Dr. Mantell, whose figures and

descriptions (1814) convey far more information on the subject

than all else that has even yet been published. It is but justice

therefore to extract at some length the description given by him

of these bodies.

The generic characters assigned by Dr. Mantell, as corrected in

his very valuable work on ‘The Fossils of the South Downs’ (1822),

p-168, are :—“ Body inversely conical, concave, (1) capable of con-

traction and expansion: original substance spongeous? or gela-

* Mém. p. 259.

+ The frontispiece to the second volume, which is mentioned by Mr. Rose

(citation below, p. 339) as “so beautifully delineating ” the structure of the

Ventriculite, is no Ventriculite at all, but an exceedingly different fossil in

all respects, viz. a Wiltshire sponge.

76 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculidee

tinous?*: (2) external surface reticulated +: (2) internal surface

covered with openings or perforated papilla: base imperforate,

(1) prolonged into a stirps, and (1) attached to other bodies.”

Of the characters thus described as generic I shall hereafter

show that all those which I have put in italics are erroneous ;

those marked (1) being altogether in opposition to the fact ;

those marked (2) being characters. which are merely accidental

and non-essential.

In describing these bodies in the above-cited paper Dr. Man-

tell says :—‘‘ The specimens which occur at Lewes, though gene-

rally considered as Alcyonia, do not entirely conform to the cha-

racters of that genus as given by modern writers ; yet they are

evidently very nearly allied to it. It is certain that the recent

animal possessed great powers of contraction and expansion which

enabled it to assume various dissimilar forms. In a quiescent

state it was more or less funnel-like ; when partly expanded cya-

thiform ; and when completely dilated it presented the figure

of a broad circular disc. To this versatility of shape is to be at-

tributed the great diversity of appearance observable in its reli-

quiz, whose forms must have been derived from the contracted

or expanded state of the original at the period of its introduction

into the mineral kingdom. That. the animal enjoyed the power

of contraction and expansion above ascribed to it, will appear

evident. from an investigation of its structure. The epidermis or

external coat is composed. of fascicult of muscular fibres, which,

arising from the pedicle, proceed in a radiated manner toward the

circumference, and, by frequently anastomosing, constitute a reti-

form plexus capable of dilating, lengthening and contracting,

according to the impressions it received}. The fasciculi are further

connected by lateral processes§$, which increase the firmness and

coherence of the external integument. From the inner surface

* This language and query show that the author had found no specimen

which enabled him to ascertain the actual internal structure.

t The ‘‘ reticulation” here meant was merely that of the ‘‘ anastomosing

tubuli’’ named by Parkinson (8vo, p. 54), and has no reference whatever

to the beautiful reticulated fibrous structure hereafter to be described, and

which appears never to have come under Dr. Mantell’s notice. If proof of

this remark were wanted, it is found as well in the extract which follows

from the paper in the ‘ Linnzan Transactions’ as in the specific description

given by him in the same page (South Downs, p. 168), where he speaks

of the “external integument composed of cylindrical, anustomosing fibres,

radiating from the centre to the circumference.”

{ Mr. Parkinson had already expressed a similar opinion as to some of

the fossils above named as figured by him. See ‘ Organic Remains,’ vol. ii.

p. 145.

§ These lateral processes are in reality the fibres going off to the polyp-

skin hereafter described.

of the Chalk. 77

of the muscular envelopment arise innumerable tubuli, which

pass direct to the ventricular cavity, and terminate in openings

on its surface. In some specimens a substance of a sponge-like

appearance fills up the interstices between the tubuli, and pro-

bably is the remains of a membrane which served in the recent

animal to connect. the tubes and assist in strengthening and

uniting the whole mass. The sides of the ventricular cavity are

generally about one-third of an inch in thickness. From the

bases or pedicle proceed fibres by which the animal was attached

to its appropriate habitation.”

The portions of the structure here described as internal, and

considered by Dr. Mantell to be absorbents, are in the ‘ Wonders’

and ‘ Medals’ of Dr. Mantell considered as polyp cells, and the

animal described as a composite and not a single one. I shall

show that each appropriation of those so-called tubuli is erro-

neous.

The paper in the ‘ Linnzan Transactions’ is accompanied, as

is the description in the ‘ South Downs, by many figures, the

truthfulness of which, as conveying the general characters of

outward form, has: never been even approached by any later

writer.

M. Ramond in his ‘ Voyage au Mont Perdu’ (before 1815 ; but

this is the only case in which I have been unable to obtain ac-

cess to the original work) figured the silicified remains of one

species and the cast of the same under the two names of Ocel-

laria inclusa and Ocellaria nuda, assigning to them characters

which a very little study of the nature of flint and of the process

of fossilization would have prevented.

In the first edition of Lamarck’s ‘ Animaux sans Vertébres,’

(1816, vol. ii. p. 187), the bodies thus figured and described by

Ramond are included. In the second edition of that work (1836)

Milne-Edwards expresses doubts (p. 291) of the correctness of the

description which had been given of the Ocellaria, but without

affording any fresh insight into the real structure of the fossils.

In the same edition are included (p. 459) three species of what

Goldfuss had previously named Coscinopora, and which is a form

of the Ventriculide.

William Smith, the “ Father of Geology,” in his ‘ Strata Iden-

tified ? (1816), figures two Ventriculide in flint (tab. 3. figs. 1

and 2), of which the first is avery characteristic figure. He calls

them Alcyonia.

In the ‘ Icones Fossilium Sectiles’ of Konig (1820), Ramond’s

figures are copied (pl. 8. figs. 98 and 99), but without any

description.

In the ‘ Exposition Méthodique des Genres de lordre des Po-

lypiers’? of Lamouroux (1821) the so-called Ocellarie are also

78 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculide

figured and described, p. 45. pl. 72. figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, but with

no fresh information. ,

The Ventriculidee were justly considered by Conybeare and

Phillips so interesting and remarkable that a larger proportionate

space is devoted to their description in the well-known ‘ Outlines

of Geology’ (1822) than to any other fossil, and they are the

only fossils figured throughout their volume (p. 76). They only

however abridge the description given in Dr. Mantell’s paper,

suggesting, however, that they were composite instead of single

animals as described by the latter. |

In Goldfuss’s ‘ Petrefacta’ (1826) there are given, under still

new names, figures which appear to represent some of the Ven-

triculide. I think it quite clear however that the two forms

which alone are referred to in Mr. Morris’s ‘ Catalogue’ as figured

by Goldfuss (quadratus and radiatus, pl. 38. fig. 1, and 65.

fig. 7) are not figures of any of the family of Ventriculide.

Goldfuss himself (p. 243) refers the genus Ventriculites to his

genus Scyphia, though it is clear one of his Coscinopore is a Ven-

triculite also.

It appears to me that the following figures in Goldfuss repre-

sent forms of Ventriculide ; but there is nothing in the descrip-

tions which enables us to identify them: tab. 2. figs. 8, 9, 10, 11,

12, and perhaps 15 and 16 ; tab. 3. figs. 1 and 5; tab. 30. fig. 10;

and perhaps tab. 32. figs. 3and8. It is to be observed however

with respect to all these figures, that they are too imperfect to

enable me to speak with absolute confidence of any one. It is

certain that he has no figure of any one of the most characteristic

forms of Ventriculide. And this is not the less the case though

he professes to give magnified views of some of the structure ;

those magnified views themselves exhibiting, without exception,

want of accurate observation, and so being calculated to mislead

rather than aid the inquirer.

Mr. Rose published in vol. i. of the ‘ Mag. of Nat. Hist.’ (1829)

a paper “On the Anatomy of the Ventriculites of Mantell,”’ in

which he professes to detail the intimate anatomical structure of

those fossils, and accompanies his descriptions with figures. The

figures however, which are in wood, are not such as to convey

any correct or clear idea of the originals, while the whole paper

certainly does not elucidate the structure further than had been

done by Dr. Mantell*. The writer considers them single animals

like the <tcinia.

* Thad proposed briefly pointing out the cause of the essential errors into

which Mr. Rose has fallen, but my limits prevent (see note ante, p.75). ‘The

course which I subsequently show to be absolutely necessary to the investi-

gation of these bodies is the best explanation of the imperfect and erroneous

notions hitherto prevailing in regard to them.

of the Chalk. 79

- In Miss Bennett’s ‘ Catalogue of Wiltshire Organic Remains’

. (1831) are given, but again without any description, the best

figures yet published of one form of the Ventriculide, which is

there called Choanites subrotundus (tab. 16. figs. 1 and 2: figs. 3,

4 and 5 are bad).

In Woodward’s ‘ Geology of Norfolk ’ (1833) two figures are

given (tab. 4. figs. 20, 21) of what the author calls Ventriculites

infundibuliformis, but unaccompanied by any description, and the

figures are too indefinite to afford any information: the author

includes V. radiatus in his list (p. 46)...

Blainville, in his ‘Manuel d’Actinologie’ (1834), figures on

pl. 76. figs. 4 and 4:.a@ the Ocellarie of Ramond, and on pl. 60.

fig. 5 the Coscinopora of Goldfuss ; but in his description of each,

pp. 386, 430, he intimates doubts as to their real nature. He

describes each, however, as having a stony polypidom !

Phillips, in his ‘ Illustrations of the Geology of Yorkshire ’

(1835), vol. i. p. 118, gives several figures, unaccompanied how-

ever by any description, and which figures are so very imperfect

that it is impossible to make out from them any character at all.

It would indeed be impossible to know that any of them repre-

sented Ventriculide, did not the heading of the list of figures

state such an intention. This imperfection of these plates is the

more to be regretted, and the absence of all description the more

_ surprising, inasmuch as the able author himself remarks (p. 121),

that “the remains of the [so-called] Spongie* are nowhere so

well-developed as in England, and perhaps nowhere in England so

well asin Yorkshire. On the shore near Bridlington they lie expo-

sed in the cliffs and scars, and; being seldom inclosed in flint, allow

their organization to be studied with the greatest advantage.”

Bronn, in his ‘ Lethza Geognostica,’ (1835-7) allows a place

to two of the Ventriculide under that name, and figures another

under Goldfuss’s name of Coscinopora (tab. 29. fig. 1). He

figures Goldfuss’s Scyphia Oeynhausii as V. radiatus (tab. 27.

fig. 18), in which he is clearly mistaken. Neither the figure of

natural size nor magnified has any resemblance to any of the

Ventriculidee.

In ‘ Die Verstemerungen des Norddeutschen Kreidegebirges ’

of Roemer (1840) are figured, with very meagre descriptions,

some forms which seem intended to represent some of the Ven-—

triculide. They are however too indefinite to enable me to fix

* Though thus called “ Spongie”’ by this author, and though some other

writers have so called them also, it is really needless to expend one line in

showing the total absence in them of all resemblance to sponges. No two

classes of objects in natural history can be more different, and the affixing

of such a name can only arise from an entire want of opportunity for the

examination of specimens.

80 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculidze

with confidence on particular figures. All are described under

the name of Scyphia. The nearest forms are perhaps tab. 3.

figs. 2,9, 11, and tab. 4. fig. 1, but others are probably intended

for these objects.

In Portlock’s ‘ Report on the Geology of Londonderry ’ (1843)

are contained descriptions, but no figures, of Ventriculites radiatus

of Mantell, and Scyphia alternans of Roemer (tab. 3. fig. 9), and

also of the one figured by Goldfuss (pl. 30. fig. 10) as Coscino-

pora infundibuliformis ; but this writer does no more in effect

than repeat the descriptions given by former authors.

Michelin, in his ‘ Iconographie Zoophytologique’ (1843-7), has

figured (pl. 30.) and described (p. 121) under the name of Guet-

tardia, a variety of the Ventriculite already figured by Dr. Man-

tell (South Downs, tab. 15. fig. 6) under the far more character-

istic name of V. qguadrangularis. ;

On pl. 38. fig. 3 of the same work is a very imperfect figure*

of Ventriculites Bennettia. On pl. 41. fig. 3 is a far better figure

than had before been given of the so-called “ Ocellaria nuda ;”

while on pl. 40. figs. 3a and 3d are figures of what he calls Ocel-

laria grandipora, being really a very different species of Ventri-

culite from the other so-called Ocellaria. These figures admirably

represent the original as it appears when first broken out of the

flint. The description (p. 145) contains however, in this as

in other cases, nothing new. On pl. 40. fig. 4a, 45, is also re-

presented, under the name of Retepora crassa, another form of

Ventriculite.

In ‘ Die Verstemerungen der Bohmischen Kreideformation ’

of Reuss (1846) no new details are given, while the figures

(tab. 17. fig. 14, and tab. 18. fig. 11) are remarkable, in a work

marked by the general beauty and correctness of its figures, for

the want of any character or truthfulness whatever.

Such are the notices of this very mteresting class of bodies

which I have met with. Doubtless others may exist in works

which have not fallen into my hands. The above will satisfy

every reader that all that has been done by recent paleontologists

has been to copy from one another. It is important to observe

that in none of the figures or descriptions which I have cited

does there exist the slightest indication of what I shall show to

be the actual structure of these remarkable bodies, and without

an insight into which all attempts at classifying them and deter-

mining their affinities must necessarily be uncertain and unsa-

tisfactory and a true knowledge of their natural history impos-

sible. Dr. Mantell is, indeed, the only author who has presented

* Probably a mere copy,—for Michelin’s plates are usually very good and

characteristic.

of the Chalk. 81

us with an extensive series of figures and descriptions. And

although, as he himself properly remarks*, “ some respectable

writers have amused themselves with either giving them new

names or arranging them as Spongie, Alcyonia,’ &c., those

writers have assuredly done nothing more ; and thereby, instead

of advancing the knowledge of these fossils, they have introduced

all the confusion and uncertainty which it has been possible to

do as to even their identity.

Dr. Johnston, in his ‘ British Zoophytes’ (2nd ed. 1847, p.180),

merely takes a passing notice of the Ventriculide ; but his work

does not profess to include fossil species.

Finally, Mr. Morris, whose wand has in many instances re-

stored order where numberless writers had “ amused themselves

with giving new names,” while he properly readmits the Ventri-

culide to their position as a separate genus, has placed them

among the Amorphozoa. It is needless to dwell on the impro-

priety of that position, as Mr. Morris is now fully satisfied, from

an inspection of my collection, that they deserve a very different

place. And if constancy and elegance of form, delicacy of struc-

ture, and a high state of organization are to be taken as tests,

the Ventriculide will assuredly have hereafter to be ranged in a

very different group from that of the Amorphozoa.

Having thus shown what has been already done in the field

upon which I have entered, it is necessary, in order that the

reader may have any confidence in the results and observations

which will be presented to his notice here, to state the course

which I have myself pursued in these investigations.

The first specimen of the Ventriculidz which came under my

notice strongly attracted my attention from its great elegance of

form and the peculiarities I observed in it. I was disappointed

in finding any satisfactory information on its nature, and soon

perceived that every one of the characters described in the books

had reference to some superficial characters only, and not to the

intimate structure of the animal. Being fully satisfied that “ it

is only by a strict investigation of the intimate structure of the

various forms of these animals,” as an accurate observer has well

remarked}, “that any permanent arrangement that shall indi-

cate their true and natural affinities may be hoped for,” I set

about that task myself: this has now engaged my attention for

upwards of two years ; and in now publishing the results of my

careful observations, I feel that I may add with even more truth

than could be done by that writer, that the task I have under-

taken “ is a task of no little difficulty in the accomplishment,

* Geology S.-E. England, p. 97.

+ Farre on the Ciliobrachiata, Phil. Trans, 1837, p. 387.

82 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculide

and one that may fairly entitle him who enters upon it to expect

to meet with indulgence,”—an indulgence, however, which those

best qualified to judge of the value of such observations will,

happily, be also most able and willing to yield*.

My first step was to obtain as large and varied a series as

possible. I have in truth examined and compared with laborious

care several thousand specimens, of which certainly upwards of

one thousand are at this time in my own collection. These spe-'

cimens are in all conditions and from various localities.

But I soon felt a new difficulty. These bodies exist both in

the chalk and in the flint, substances about as different as well

may be. I saw that much error and inconsistency had arisen

from not comparing and regarding the differing conditions in

which these fossils exist in such different substances. Hence

a preliminary step seemed to be, an examination of the nature

and mode of formation of the flints themselves. The conclusions

resulting from that examination have, toa great extent, been com-

municated in two papers in the ‘ Ann. and Mag. of. Nat. Hist.’ for

January and May of the present year. |

The exposition given by Dr. Turner} of the origin of the sili-

ceous fluid,—in the solution of silex consequent on the disinte-

gration of the felspar of igneous rocks, at which moment of dis-

integration the silex is liable to free solution in water,—was con-

sistent and satisfactory. But no consistent or satisfactory view

could be discovered explanatory of the modes and forms in which

the flint is actually found. I endeavoured in the above-cited

papers to show that those modes and forms are owing to the very

rapid solidification of the siliceous fluid—induced by special cir- —

cumstances—combined with the activity of molecular attraction :

that those special circumstances were generally the presence of

an organic body which acted as a nucleus,—the softer bodies

being more operative in this respect than the harder : that some-

* One of the most pleasing duties of the student of natural history is to

acknowledge and reciprocate the assistance received from, and always so

ready to be rendered by, other naturalists. I take this opportunity of

acknowledging my obligations to Professor Owen for, among other things,

affording me the opportunity of fully examining several recent specimens

of the highest interest, some of which I shall have occasion -particularly to

mention hereafter ; to Mr. Morris, the well-known author of the ‘ Catalogue

of British Fossils,’ for assistance rendered in more ways than it would be

easy for me to enumerate; to Mr. Tennant of the Strand, and Mr. Harris

of Charing in Kent, who have each placed at my disposal several valuable

specimens with the liberal permission to make any sections I desired; and

to Miss Emma Naylor of Wakefield for the donation of many fine specimens

of recent British Polypifers collected by herself. To many others my

acknowledgements are also due, for the loan of specimens, both fossil and

recent, for examination and comparison.

+ Lond. and Ed. Phil. Mag. vol. iii. p. 25.

of the Chalk. 83

times mere mechanical action was sufficient to induce solidifica-

tion. I further showed* that from these facts certain very re-

markable and hitherto unnoticed results had followed ; namely,

that when a mass of the siliceous fluid had solidified thus sud-

denly round a soft body, a Ventriculite for example, in which the

soft parts were existing at the time of its envelopment, it neces-

sarily formed a solid mould round the nucleus: that when the

soft body decayed, its gases and softer components having escaped

through or been absorbed by the surrounding and hardening

chalk, a more or less complete hollow was necessarily left in the

solid flint in the place formerly filled by the animal body: that

the firmer fibre of such bodies remaining after the softer parts

had thus passed away would afford and did afford centres of

crystallization for any silex slowly permeating the stratum ‘in a

liquid or gaseous form after that stratum had acquired consistency:

that according to the greater or less quantity of such permeating

silex would be the result in either wholly or only partially filling

up the hollows whose origin I thus explained. I showed the ac-

cordance of these views with the known laws of the development

of crystals. 3

The most important results follow from these observations ;

and I immediately saw that that which had been generally de-

scribed as the remains of the body itself was in truth the incrus-

tation of a crystallized foreign substance round such remains. It

will be obvious how erroneous must be all descriptions founded

upon the former notion.

It remained to adopt a mode of examination of the Ventricu-

lidee in chalk and in flint which should realize the living animal in

the same form from an inspection of its remains in either matrix.

To effect this I made many sections of chalk specimens in every

direction, for examination both as opake and transparent objects,

—an attempt which I believe was novel. Aware that it is by

* Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. xix. p. 306.

+ The mode of crystallization most commonly exhibited in these cases is

the acicular. Silex is known to crystallize in this way from sublimation. In

the 2nd vol. of the ‘Transactions of the Geol. Soc.’ p. 274, is a paper by

Dr. MacCulloch on an instance observed by him of the actual formation of

such crystals, which he there describes aptly as “ filamentous crystals cross-

ing each other in all directions.” It seems to me, from careful observa-

tion, that it was in cases where an almost or altogether entire hollow was

left, all the fibre having decayed as well as the soft parts, that the geometric

crystals were more disposed to form within the flints, The centres were

fewer, the space larger. A botryoidal form is frequently assumed under such

circumstances by the aggregation of acicular crystals; and traces of its former

existence are visible in many now solidly filled spaces, The greater or less

degree of slowness of the deposit no doubt had an important influence in

determining the silex to assume the geometric form of so-called quartz or

the botryoidal form of so-called calcedony ; the quartz being the result of a

still slower deposit than the calcedony.

84. Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculidee

careful personal manipulation only that results can be obtained

which may be relied on, I further procured the necessary ma-

chinery and made a large number of sections, in every possible

direction, of numerous entire flints*. The results have far sur-

passed my most sanguine expectations. I have not only dis-

covered, beyond possibility of question, the intimate structure of

the Ventriculide,—and in so doing have discovered an entirely

new and most remarkable form of animal tissue,—but I shall be

able to show the cause and character of all the modifications of

form under which the Ventriculidz are found ; and I further hope

to afford indications (I wish to express myself here as cautiously

as possible) of the natural affinities and habits of the living bodies

to which these very interesting fossils owe their origin.

It should be remarked, that the difficulties in the way of obser-

vation of structure m chalk specimens is no less, in reality, than

of those in flint. The very friable nature of the chalk, coupled

with the almost invariable presence of oxide of iron, would be

sufficient to obscure and practically to obliterate a structure far

less delicate than that of these bodies. Hence the coarser su-

perficial characters which have been seized upon by all authors

as characteristic of genus are all that is usually visible. It was

not without much difficulty and care that I succeeded in exami-

ning satisfactorily the intimate structure of these bodies as ac-

tually preserved in that matrix.

It will clearly be only by thus gaining an insight into the true

comparative values, if I may so speak, of the facts exhibited by

remains preserved in both chalk and flint, that the inquirer can

be in a position usefully to commence his researches with the

hope of reaching any definite and satisfactory results.

We find specimens of the Ventriculide preserved in flint in

one of three ways: the place of the body either wholly solid, the

crystallized silex having entirely filled up the original hollow :

partially solid, and that is generally towards the central parts of

the flint,—the marginal parts, and especially the roots, remaining

the last to be solidly silicified: or, lastly, the whole occupied by

an open network only. Each case may be examined with great

instruction, the key to what it teaches having first become

thoroughly understood upon the principles above indicated, to the

deduction of which principles instances like these were steps, and

of which they do but afford illustrations.

It follows from those principles that, where the calcedony Tt,

whether solid or open, began by crystallization round some re-

* The sections of flints usually examined by microscopists are of mere

chips and fragments. They can be of no value in an investigation of this

nature.

+ See note Ann. and Mag. for May last, p. 307.

of the Chalk. 85

maining fibres of the body as centres, the fibre itself, when by

this process hermetically sealed up, would remain there to this

day in much the same condition as it then was, usually more

or less charged with sulphuret of iron; and that, where not so

hermetically sealed, it would, on its subsequent decay, either

leave the incrusting caleedony in the condition of a series of hol-

low tubes, or such hollow tubes would, still subsequently, be again

filled up by a continuation of the process of siliceous crystalliza-

tion. I have many specimens of the Ventriculide in each of these

conditions. It will further be obvious, that where, as occasion-

ally might happen,—but comparatively rarely, because dead fibre

would have less attraction for the siliceous fluid than soft animal

matter,—the fibrous skeleton of an animal of which the soft parts

had already decayed away was enveloped in the siliceous fluid, no

hollow would ever be formed, but that fibrous skeleton would be

preserved hermetically sealed. I have instances of this latter

mode of preservation also.

The flint specimens are, in the vast majority of cases, found

with flint on both sides ; a fact resulting, there can be little doubt,

from the operation of some cause connected with electricity,

which, though there is in no part any communication between

the two surfaces, determined an attraction and affinity between

equivalent masses of siliceous fluid on the two opposite sides, just

as we see the needle follow the magnet though a solid plate in-

tervene. Cases are however not very uncommon in which the

flint exists in a mass only on one side, there being on the other

merely narrow filamentous threads of flint. When the mass is

thus found on one side only, that side is, in almost all cases,

the inside. Now the Ventriculites being funnel-shaped, there

would necessarily be a much greater attraction for the siliceous

fluid on the inner side of the body than.on the outer side, in pre-

cisely the proportionate difference that there is between a single

exposed plane surface and.a surface closed in on all sides by op-

posite surfaces. If a mass of siliceous fluid were not great in a

particular spot, the greater part of it would thus be drawn to the

inside, the electric attraction before hinted at operating however

generally to attract a small portion to the outer corresponding

surface, where it would spread in what now appear as filamentous

threads between the foldings of the outer surface of the animal,

in which spots the greatest attraction on the outside would of

course be, in consequence of the opposite surfaces there present*.

Occasionally a similar appearance is found both on the external

and internal surface; but that is usually towards the margin of

a flint which is otherwise encased on both sides, as in the. speci-

men fig. 2 of my paper of January, and betokens an exhaustion

* See and cf. p. 9 and note to p. 301 of the two articles before referred to.

The threads of flint are there found though the body was not encased.

86 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculide

of material. It would sometimes happen that a very small mass

of the fluid would approach the outside only of a large Ventri-

culite. In such case none could reach the inside, and we should

find, and do, that it is external only.

It may at first sight be thought that there would be hollows

in chalk specimens similar to those in flint, and that these would

be as subject as the latter to have any inclosed fibre incrusted

with calcedony. A little reflection will however satisfy the careful

reader that this could not be the case. The mould of the indi-

viduals inclosed in flint was perfectly solid. Though sulphuretted

hydrogen were evolved, which it necessarily would be, from the —

degomposing body, the encasement in that solid matrix would

generally prevent the so free deposit of sulphuret of iron as would

take place in the open chalk. Consequently the remaining fibre

would offer more affinity for the gaseous silex than would such

fibre remaining in the open chalk and more highiy charged with

sulphuret of iron. And the fact is, that specimens preserved in

the chalk exhibit a much larger proportion of sulphuret of iron

than those preserved in flint,—frequently so much that the spe-

cimen, after a short exposure to the air, becomes a mere mass of

oxide of iron, and all structure is undistinguishable. In other

cases it is less so, and I have in fact found, in several chalk spe-

cimens in which the presence of iron is the least marked, that the

deposit of crystallized calcedony**—pure and without the presence

of a particle of flint on either external or internal surface—has

taken place to a small extent, but m a most exquisite manner.

It is clear however that, in general, when any part of the soft

substance of a body encased in chalk decomposed, its place was

soon filled up with particles of chalk, which in its then scarcely

hardened state were readily carried in. The firmer fibre would,

thus inclosed, endure for a much longer period, probably indeed

until the chalk had become comparatively dry, on which event

its absorption, where little sulphuret of iron was present, would

follow and the space be left vacant. The instances of caleedonized

fibre in chalk specimens are then quite as frequent, and to just

such an amount in individual cases, as might be anticipated, while

the frequent excellent preservation of the forms of the Ventri-

culide in the chalk is also explained.

A piece of dead fibrous skeleton in the chalk would evolve but

little sulphuretted hydrogen, consequently would induce the de-

posit of little sulphuret of iron. It follows that, when buried in

the chalk mud, it would be at once closely encased. The hard-

ened chalk would, on the absorption of all the components of the

fibre, also leave the places of those fibres vacant. On cutting open

these, as well as on cutting open specimens encased with their

soft parts and whose phenomena it is above attempted to ex-

* Not flint :—it is important to remember this,

of the Chalk. 87

plain, we should find the places of the fibres indicated by hollow

tubes disposed through the mass. Of course the presence of

great pressure, or the percolation of water or other causes, will

have frequently destroyed every trace of the animal, or partially

destroyed it, leaving perhaps a mere iron-mould to mark its

place ; if the fibre were dead, not even that. I am fortunate in

having some very beautiful specimens of the dead fibre tubes in

my possession,—specimens which naturally escape ordinary at-

tention, there being no colour to attract the eye, and the aid of

the microscope being necessary to detect the facts.

In my notes I find several other points examined, but the

space to which I am necessarily restricted prevents my entering

into further detail here, and I think that I may rely on the can-

dour of every competent observer, that, having thus far touched

on material points, others which may occur to him have not

escaped my attention. Proceed we now to the results of these

observations. :

I propose to point out, first, some of the general and most im-

portant characters connected with the external form of the body

of the living animal; second, the same of the roots; third, to

show what is the intimate structure of both; and lastly, to en-

deavour to indicate the natural affinities of the whole group.

And though it is impossible for me to do otherwise than pain-

fully feel that the attempt is vain to convey, by a few words and

figures, that certainty of conclusion which I have derived from

such very extended observation, I will hope to impart some con-

sciousness of a reality.

Every reader familiar with the human brain is aware that it

consists of a very extensive surface folded up in numerous con-

volutions in order to pack it in the small compass of the skull,

just as for convenience the pocket-handkerchief is doubled up

to put it in the pocket. The re-

markable resemblance between the

annexed section of a Ventriculite

(in flint) in my possession, and

any cross section of the cerebellum

cannot fail to strike every reader,—

a resemblance arising from the

simple circumstance that both

are examples of a similar mode

adopted by nature for packing an extensive surface in a small

space*. But no one will pretend to assert that those ridges, of

which the outline is seen in the section of the cerebellum, are

cylindrical fibres ;” nor will any one infer a power of expansion

* Plates 63 B, 64, 64 A, and 64 B of Prof. Owen’s ‘ Odontography ’ afford

striking illustrations of the application of the same contrivance to the hard-

est, as in the brain it is applied to one of the softest, of organic tissues.

88 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculide

and contraction to reside in these bundles, as Parkinson* and

Dr. Mantell have done, from a similar appearance, in respect to

the Ventriculide.

A glance at the following figure will satisfy any one that a

simple and plain membrane may be folded up in the most intri-

Fig.

cate way without in fact destroying its simplicity, and having the

only effect of packing a larger surface into a smaller compass.

The mode of folding may be either longitudinal, in which case

we shall have the “ cylindrical fibres radiating from the basis to

the circumference” of Dr. Mantell ; or it may be transverse; or

it may be more or less intermediate between the two, thus

causing those longitudinal ridges to appear to anastomose ; or it

may be so regularly intermediate as to give to the surface a

mammillated appearance. The appearance of the body may even

differ on the external and internal surfaces, inasmuch as the folds

may assume a different direction as they reach the respective

surfaces, as we see familiarly in a rhubarb leaf just burst from its

sheath. But none of this can alter the nature of the membrane

itself, or serve to establish a generic character. It is further

evident that if the folding assume the mammillated character,—

that is, if a membrane of some thickness be folded in and out in

regular figures,—a section across any part will, according as its

direction shall be, represent a series of apparent tubules or of

reticulations regularly disposed, as seen in Pl. VII. figs. 1 to 4;

and again, that if any foreign substance fill up any of the super-

ficial depressions on this mammillated surface, that surface will

appear to be regularly perforated by tubules. Hence the figures

of Goldfuss and Roemer, which profess to give magnified views

of the exteriors of Ventriculide. The following figure will illus-

trate this : a, a, is the membrane, which is folded in and out with

Fig.

the exactest regularity, each fold being of equal breadth and

* Organic Remains, ii. p. 145.

of the Chalk. 89

length, thus making each depression and elevation regularly

round. It is evident that a section made in any part from 6 to

b, in the plane of the surface, would be more or less of the cha-

racter of P]. VII. fig. 3, while a section made in any part perpen-

dicular to that plane would resemble the upper part of fig. 4, or

fig. C (p. 87).

A very careful examination and comparison of innumerable

entire specimens and sections, both in chalk and flint, of every

form and variety of Ventriculidze, early satisfied me that, though

contrary to every figure and description that has been published,

the above was the true explanation of their forms. Every sub-

sequent observation has confirmed this conclusion. Let the

reader examine PI. VII. figs. 1 and 2, and fig. C (p. 87), and he

will see three out of many of the modes in which transverse sec-

tions of Ventriculide in my possession show that the membrane

is folded. Let him, again, examine PI. VII. figs. 1 and 2, and he

will see in fig. 1 a surface perfectly plain and smooth, except so far

as the fibrous structure marks it ; while in figure 2 he will see the

lower part of the surface smooth like fig. 1, but the upper part

gradually passing into the mammillated character. These varie~

ties (never before figured) are both in my possession, and I have

every shade and variety from the perfectly plam to the most con-

voluted form of fig. A above. It will easily be conceived what

a variety of markings in the chalk and flint,—at first sight wholly

inexplicable and unconnected,—will be presented on longitudinal

and transverse sections of such complicated convolutions.

Nor does such variation in external form indicate in the least

degree a habit or power of contractility, I have shown, by

analogy, that it does not necessarily do so. I will show by ac-

tual facts that the Ventriculide were not contractile. Not only

is it an important fact that we find deeply convoluted specimens

as wide-open-spreading as any, while we find specimens of the

perfectly plain varieties as narrowly funnel-shaped as any, but we

find, fixed on the surfaces of specimens of every variety, Ostree,

Dianchore and other shells which are in the habit of attaching

themselves by peculiar processes to other bodies. In every such

case the shape of the attached shell departs from its ordinary form,

and is precisely adapted to, moulded on, that of the Ventriculite—

proving that it grew thereon, and thus testifying at once to the

firmness of the texture of the body and to its noncontractility, as

well as to its durability. Further, we sometimes find delicate

Flustree spread over parts of Ventriculites—always, as before,

without trace of distortion or disturbance. But there is, if pos-

sible, yet. stronger evidence in the fact that an entire and very

large group of the Ventriculide, and those, too, the very ones

which are pointed out as exhibiting the most “ contracted state,”

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx, 7

90 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculide

have distinct heads—which heads are perfectly smooth and re-

gular in general form, and with no deep anfractuosities, instead of

being, as the contractile theory requires, most of all convoluted.

Finally, I shall presently show that there was a special and most

beautiful provision in the intimate structure of these animals

against contractility either voluntary or by ordinary accident.

Nor is there any want of examples of the presence of similar

convolutions without contractility in what I hope to show to be

kindred zoophytes of the present day. The Eschara foliacea is

familiar to every one. But I am imdebted to the kindness of

Professor Owen for a still more striking illustration of this ar-

rangement in a recent zoophyte. That gentleman a short time

ago placed in my hands, with the liberal permission to examine

it in any mode I chose, a specimen of Meandrina recently brought

from the Indian Ocean, and which had been treated with mu-

riatic acid. All the calcareous parts being thus dissolved, there

‘remained only the soft animal parts. I observed with much

gratification that these consisted, im fact, of a single membrane

folded up almost exactly after the manner of some of the more

irregular of the Ventriculites—very much indeed hke the Ventri-

eulites radiatus described by Mantell and others as having an

“integument formed of cylindrical fibres anastomosing,” &c.

However much differmg in the complexity and mode of the

convolution of its membrane, the body of every member of the

family of Ventriculide appears to have had an opening at its

upper part, and that body approached more or less to the form of

an inverted cone. They usually grew single. In one or two

species they are grouped, and there are occasional imstances, but

very rare, of double specimens of those whose usual habit is single

—Jjust as we occasionally find a double Aetinia.

Having thus shown the general character and habit of the body

of these animals, I next proceed to show the nature of the root.

The attention of Ellis was particularly attracted, in describing

his Corallines, to one variety, the Corallina astaci corniculorum

emula as he calls it, or Lobster’s Horn coralline, as having roots

very different from those of ordinary corallines, ‘which rise up

from an irregular mass matted together to form the stem*.” The

roots of this zoophyte, on the contrary, “ regularly enter in in

whirls round the joints ;” the body of the animal, according to his

figure, tapering off to a point in the midst of these root fibres.

Something after such a type was the habit of the roots of the

Ventriculide. They were not, as described by Dr. Mantell, de-

* Ellis’s Corallines, p. 16 and pl. 9. B.

+ This peculiarity is not marked either in the description (p. 86, 2nd ed.)

or figure (pl. 19).of Dr. Johnston; but the figures and descriptions of Ellis

are seldom unworthy of dependence,

of the Chalk. 91

rived from the base of the body “ prolonged mto a stirps and

attached to other bodies.”” The body of the Ventriculite tapers

off regularly to a point at the bottom. At about an inch from

its base,—the distance varies according to size,—fibres of a very

different aspect from those composing the membrane of the body

begin to be attached to the external part of that body. They do

not begin all round at exactly the same distance from the base,

nor, as they increase in mass, is that mass of the same thickness

on all sides. They are at first very few and thinly disposed. As

the base narrows they increase rapidly in number and mass, till,

immediately below the base, they form a bundle of considerable

size, which is continued, thus united, for some distance, from one

to three inches according to circumstances, when it divides into

several radicles, sometimes more, sometimes less : I have counted

as many as forty in one specimen. These sometimes extend very

far and always terminate in very delicate extremities.

The root-mass is never itself convoluted like the body, evenin -

its upper parts, and where it forms a thin membrane only. It

necessarily follows the form of any convolution, usually slight,

which exists at the lower part of the body. The mass of the root

is not regularly cylindrical, but irregular on the different sides

(see Pl. VII. fig.6). Occasionally it assumes a tubular aspect in

places, but this is quite accidental and in nowise characteristic

of genus or species.

Pl. VII. fig. 5 gives a longitudinal section in which the differ-

ence between the body and root is very clearly seen: fig. 6 is a

transverse section of the same specimen. These two will realize

to the observer how admirably the body was lodged in ‘this root-

ease as in a sheath or socket. They remind one of a balloon to

which the car is attached by a network of rope gathered in on all

sides round the narrow base. PI. VII. fig. 7 is the external appear-

ance of another specimen, showing the root-fibres commencing

round the body and spreading at the root.

The substance of the root was different, as the fibres were dif-

ferently arranged from those of the body. This is proved by

the fact that the root exists generally in a very different condi-

tion, both in chalk and flint, to that in which the body is found

in the same specimen. In flint its place is much less often

solidly filled with caleedony than is that of the body. In the

chalk it is the rare exception to find the substance of the root in

sound condition. It generally falls away to dust the moment

the specimen is opened, while the body of the Ventriculite re-

mains entire and perfect down to its very point, having all around

it a hollow space where the root was.

The Ventriculites were never “ affixed to-other bodies.” It is

possible that the animal was locomotive like the Actinia, and that,

92 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculide

like the Pennatulide, it fixed itself during pleasure in the soft mud.

Among all the thousands of specimens which I have examined, I

have never seen one attached to a shell or to any other solid

body. Shells are indeed sometimes found growing onto the upper

part of the root, where it was of course immoveable, as they do

on the body. The most delicate terminations of the roots may

be always traced by their impression in the chalk. If the ani-

mals were locomotive, it was by aid of the lower radicles that

they progressed.

Occasionally, but it is the rare exception, a small bundle of

root fibres is given off from the side of the animal. This is

similar in character to the true root, but slighter, and it is

merely affixed by apposition of its thick extremity, without any

of the encasement. Such imstances appear as if some circum-

stance rendered an additional support necessary in the particular

instance. There are instances among our native zoophytes of

upright habit, in which a similar circumstance is not uncommon

—much more common than among the Ventriculide.

I have one example in which there is no encasing root-sheath.

And in that specimen, as if to make up for want of it, the root-

lets begin to arise about an inch from the base, being already of

considerable strength : they spread out immediately on each side,

and so support the body just as a tent is supported by the stay-

ing ropes on all sides. I have another example having two com-

plete roots, and of course a divided base to the body. Each root

is however smaller than usual. These examples only show that

the world was under the same laws in the days of the chalk for-

mation as it now is: that then, as now, monstrosities would some-

times appear, which, however, only themselves serve to show the

permanence of Law and Unity, inasmuch as in these very mon-

strosities there is always present. some compensating phzeno-

menon which it is interesting and instructive to observe.

I have already stated that my investigations into the inti-

mate structure of the Ventriculide have rewarded me by the dis-

covery of an entirely new kind of animal structure.

In 1841 Professor Owen read before the Zoological Society a

paper* on a remarkable production from the Philippine Islands,

of which he says, “in the exquisite beauty and regularity of the

texture of the walls of the Cone, the species surpasses any of the

allied productions that I have, as yet, seen or found described,”

and he gives to it the very appropriate name of Huplectella.

While the Euplectella is the only object which approaches the

Ventriculide m the beauty and regularity of its texture, the

latter far surpass it not only in possessing a much higher degree

* Zoological Transactions, vol. iii. p. 203; and Ann. and Mag, Nat. Hist.

vol, viil, p. 222,

of the Chalk. 93

of that very beauty and regularity, but in the exquisite delicacy

of a further texture, of which the Euplectella does not possess a

trace, and which, so far as I can learn from the best authorities,

has never been hitherto observed in any object, animal or vege-

table, recent or fossil.

Through the kindness of Professor Owen and the liberality of

the proprietor of the specimen, Mr. Broderip, I have had an op-

portunity of carefully examining the Euplectella. While I am

thus enabled to speak to the fidelity of Prof. Owen’s description,

I can also speak with more assured certainty as to points to

which, having the structure of the Ventriculide before my eye,

my attention was more particularly directed.

The Euplectella is composed of an arrangement of fasciculi of

fibres, one course over the other, not anastomosing together : its

principal substance consists of two layers, a longitudinal and a

transverse one, of which the former is external to the latter.

These, thus crossing at regular intervals, form the regular tex-

ture which excites Prof. Owen’s just admiration,—an arrange-

ment in which they are held by the interlacement of other and

more delicate fibres tied by the same fairy fingers which Dr. John-

ston describes as knitting the plexus of one of his delicate zoo-

phytes. The squares thus formed are about the eighth of an inch

in size,—gigantic in comparison with the squares fillmg the

membrane of the Ventriculide. |

The membrane of the Ventriculide is composed of very de-

licate fibres arranged in squares, of which the larger ones measure,

on an average, considerably less than the 100th of an inch on each

of their sides*. The fibres of the Ventriculide are not arranged in

fasciculi, nor in layers the one overlying the other concentrically or

otherwise. Neither are they at their points of crossing wrapped

together by other interlacing fibres. The substance of the Ventri-

culites simplex (see Pl. VIII. fig. 1), which is the true type of the

whole family, is not quite one line in thickness (about the sixteenth

of an inch). It consists of five thicknesses of the squares 1 have

mentioned. Consequently the substance of the body of the ani-

mal consists of a membrane composed of an exceedingly delicate

fibre anastomosing in every direction, so as to form both in the

plane of its surface and of its thickness regular squares (see

Plate VII. fig. 8). As the body increases in size from the base to

the upper margin the fibres increase in number, and this takes

place, not, as in the Euplectella, by the “ convergence and inter-

blending of contiguous fibres,” but by the addition of a fresh fibre,

generally at the middle of the outward boundary fibre of a

* The sizes are pretty constant in different species. There is some va-

riation however. Those described are the largest. The relative dimensions

appear constant.

94. Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculidee

square,—thus causing less disturbance to the regularity of the

squares than happens in the Huplectella (see fig. 14). But this

is not all the beauty and delicacy of the intimate structure of

the Ventriculide. A structure remains to be described, to which

the expressions of Prof. Owen in describing the Huplectella may

well justify me in saying that no language can do justice, and

which no one can contemplate without delight, wonder, and

exquisite admiration.

If the reader’s attention has ever been attracted by the roofs

of the large railway stations, he will have perceived that they are

held together by the mutually counteracting and balancing effects

of thin rods obliquely placed—any one of which would singly

be very inefficient for any substantial purpose. To give a barred

gate strength, or to keep a loose door or window-frame to its

true square, we see the carpenter fix a bar obliquely subtending

the right angle, which will hold the more securely the nearer it

is fixed to each side at equal distances from the angle. The prin-

ciple of the bracket which supports a shelf or bust is but the same.

But there is nothing new under the sun. Ages before rail-

ways or carpenters existed, nature had adopted this very plan, to

give strength and stability to the deep ocean forms of the whole

family of Ventriculidz ; only, as she ever does, adopting a method

far more delicate, complete and beautiful than it were possible for

the hand of man to execute.

I have said that the fibre is arranged in a tissue of regular

squares, which are formed by the anastomosing, at each angle,

of that fibre. But, besides these fibres, of which there necessa-

rily occur at each angle three entire ones crossing each other, or

six looking at them as radiating from the angle asa centre, these

crossing and anastomosing fibres are strengthened and secured by

twelve still finer oblique fibres, each about one-fourth of the length

of any one square itself.. Hach of these fibres subtends one of the

angles formed by two of the primary crossing fibres, and of which

angles there are of course at each crossing twelve. Each of them

anastomoses with one pair of the primary fibres in each position

in which they meet to form a right angle. This anastomosis

takes place at an equal distance on each primary fibre from the

angle itself, namely, at a distance of about one-fifth of the length

of one side of the square. Thus it will be seen that at each

place of crossing there are twelve subtending fibres and six pri-

mary fibres, in all eighteen fibres. Now, taking a Ventriculite

of very moderate size, say three inches in height and plain, we

shall have a membrane containing at least 750,000 squares, and

at least nine million of these delicate subtending fibres, each

faultless. What a marvellous piece of workmanship is this !

It will be perceived that by this most admirable contrivance a

of the Chalk. 95

regular octahedron is formed round about the point of union of

every four squares throughout the whole body of the Ventri-

culite, thus forming, of course, as many octahedrons as there

are squares. See Plate VII. fig. 8, and more clearly fig. 10, as

seen in flint, and fig. 9 as seen in chalk*.

It is needless to point out the strength given to the whole

membrane by this arrangement, and the obvious design of it to

prevent any injury of the animals to which it belonged arising

from any yielding or distortion to which it might otherwise be

liable from the operation of ordinary causes present in the ocean

where they dwelt. They generally suffered fracture rather than

yield to such impulse.

As the texture reaches the surface, both external and internal,

it assumes a different appearance in order to attach to it the

more securely what I shall crave permission to call, for the pre-

sent, the polyp-skin. The regular squares and their octahedral

junctions are still present, but under a different aspect ; their size

haan contracted to about the 300th of an inch. This appears

to be effected by the addition of finer fibres crossing each other

within each square, so.as to make at least four squares equivalent

to each of the larger ones. This membrane presents a solid

series of these squares ; that is, they extend, in a single layer, as

well in the plane of its thickness as of its superficies. The

membrane spreads over every convolution and descends every

anfractuosity of the body. Plate VII. fig. 11 shows this membrane

in calcedony, where several of the actual fibres are preserved and

the crystallization round them is very visible.

External to the whole, the polyp-skin itself,—spread over

both external and internal surface and depressed also into each

of the anfractuosities,—stretches over the delicate membrane last

described, with which it is closely united (see Plate VII. figs. 12

and 13, and Pl. VIII. fig. 6). In specimens both in flint and chalk,

prepared with care and in a high state of preservation, an equi-

distant row of apparent denticles seems to extend from the inner

substance to the external-encasing wall. This is caused by the

transverse fibres (in the flint, incrusted with calcedony ; in the

* It is obviously impossible to find individual specimens which shall

fully show those states. of fact which have been only ascertained by careful

examination of many hundred specimens. Again, the least obliquity in

any section will cause an apparent elongation of some and a cutting off of

parts of other squares; while the slightest variation in focus will cause fibres

in different planes to appear on the same plane. Hence, oftentimes, an ap-

parent irregularity which does not really exist, but which may easily deceive

an unpractised eye either in the object itself or in the engraving. Figs. 8, 11,

13 and 14 illustrate this. It should be added, that the octahedral structure

could not be given with any clearness in figs. 8, 9 and 14, without some-

what exaggerating its relative size, No engraving can do justice to the

exquisite delicacy of the original.

96 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculide

chalk, the place of the fibre left hollow and the intervals filled with

ehalk) of the delicate membrane which underlies the polyp-skin.

The polyp-skin itself is of extreme tenuity, and differs alto-

gether in structure from the internal parts. It is not fibrous, but

of a uniformly close texture which yields to the highest powers

of the microscope no other than a minutely granular appearance.

It is only im very rare cases that the polyp-skin is found in

any degree of perfection. Careful observation and comparison

of an immense number of specimens, with their casts, led me to

infer the existence of this polyp-skin, as matter of unevadable con-

clusion, long before I was fortunate enough to find, as I have

since done, specimens in which it was so preserved as to be found

on the body of the fossil itself. In such cases as the latter, the

internal structure is always clearly seen where any parts of the

polyp-skin are ruptured. See Pl. VII. fig..12.

I shall presently enter on the consideration of the polyps

themselves and the accompanying phenomena.

It will of course be understood that the membranes I have de-

scribed must, during the life of the animal, have been filled with

soft parts, which, with whatever minutely ramifying vessels they

contained, rapidly decomposed, and of which therefore I have as

yet discovered no trace.

There existed no spicule, siliceous or calcareous, in any of the

Ventriculide ; some spiculz in the adjoining chalk or flint may

sometimes deceive an inexperienced observer.

The structure of the root differs much from that of the body.

Annexed to the body by short fibres clearly seen on a good sec-

tion, it is, like the body, arranged in squares, but those squares

have not all that regularity which those of the body have. They

are, in general, smaller in their average size than those of the

body, and have throughout a tendency to elongation in their

longitudinal direction, whence they are often narrowed on one

or both of their lateral planes. The fibres of the root are also

thicker in their longitudinal direction than in their transverse.

It is particularly important to observe that there is no trace

in the roots of the octahedral structure, a fact precisely in ac-

cordance with the functions of those roots. The safety of the

animal would be more secured by the latter yielding to every

impulse, and waving their so delicate load from side to side, than

by an unbending stiffness. The octahedral structure had there-

fore no place in the roots.

The integument of the root was also very different from that of

the body. It is impossible for a moment to confound the two. Its

longitudinal fibres were much thicker than the transverse ones ;

and, there being no octahedral structure to secure an unyielding

exactness, it appears as if disposed in long, narrow, and not very

regular meshes. When éncrusted with calcedony it appears not

of the Chalk. - 97

unlike some vegetable tissues (see fig. 7. Pl. VIII.). The decep-

tiveness of appearances thus caused has been already fully

pointed out. ‘This integument was very possibly muscular.

The fibres of the roots, like those of the body, all anastomose

together. They do not overlie nor entwine.

When it is remembered that sulphuret of iron, is deposited

more or less on every fibre that has been actually preserved, it

will be obvious that it is impossible to ascertain the exact size of

the recent fibre. 1 have however frequently observed the better-

preserved fibre to be less than the 4000th of an inch in diameter

in its present condition ; much appears about the 2000th of an

inch ; and the coarser and less perfectly preserved rarely exceeds

the thousandth of an inch in its present condition. The fibre is

single and solid (never fistular). It is generally found both in

flint and chalk reduced, more or less, to its ultimate granular tex-

ture, in which case it resembles the granular texture of other

animal fibre. This granular texture is finer, even in its present

condition, than that of the recent Actinia.

The description of another most interesting point which I have

discovered in connexion with these animals—the ovarian cells—

will more properly come under the next division of the subject,

when the natural affinities of the animal are considered. I con-

tent myself for the present with stating the fact of the discovery

and clear establishment of these ovarian cells, a fact which cannot

but be felt by every naturalist to be of the very highest import-

ance, both in relation to the individual beings themselves and as

an aid in determining their natural affinities (see Pl. VIII. fig. 3).

And now, having thus too imperfectly described the intimate

structure of these animals, so elegant and graceful even in their

external forms, I hope that I shall be felt not to have expressed

a too strong sense of the exquisite beauty of that structure. I

have searched in vain amid zoophytic forms for any structure

that may compare with that of the Ventriculide in delicacy,

beauty, and obvious adaptation. The pride of man may call all

those beings who differ most from him in structure the “lower

animals ;”” but I would ask, Where can be found an organization.

more complex or more exquisitely delicate, or where adaptation

more perfect, than is displayed in the structure of the Ventri-

culidee? Where can we find a structure affording more conclu-

sive evidence of the all-prevalence of those laws of Unity and

Design which it is the grateful task of the naturalist to de-

velope, and of which his inquiries, the further they extend, do

but unfold a wider field of illustrations for man to study and

admire ?

[To be continued. |

98 Mr. J. D, Dana on Zoophytes.

XII.—On the Geoyraphical Distribution and Classification. of

Zoophytes*. By Jamus D. Dana.

Heat, light, pressure, and means of subsistence, influence more

or less the distribution of all animals; and to these causes should

be added, for water species, the nature or condition of the water,

whether fresh or marine, pure or impure, still or agitated. Next

to the character of the water, heat is the most prominent limit-

ing agent for marine animals, especially as regards latitudinal

extent, while light and hydraulic pressure have much influence

in determining their limits in depth.

Although these causes fix bounds to species and families, they

do not necessarily confine tribes of species to as small limits.

This is sometimes the case, and it is nearly true of a large group

of zoophytes; yet other tribes and orders include species whose

united range comprises all the zones, from the equator to the

polar ices, and every depth, to the lowest which man has explored,

affording traces of life.

Order Hydroidea—The Hydroidea are met with in all seas

and at great depths, as well as at the surface. The tropics and

the cold waters of the frigid zone have their peculiar species, and

a few are found in fresh waters. The rocks and common marine

plants of the sea-coast, the dead or living shell, or the floating

fucus of the ocean, are often covered with these feathery corals ;

and, about reefs, they occasionally implant themselves upon the

dead zoophyte, forming a mossy covering, taking the place of the

faded coral blossom.

The species are most abundant, however, in the waters of the

temperate zone, and are common upon some portions of our own

coast.

Order Actinoidea.—The Actinoidea are marine zoophytes.

All oceans have their species, yet in the torrid zone they more

especially abound, and display most variedly their colours and

singular forms.

The soft Actinide and the Alcyonaria have the widest range,

occurring both among the coral reefs of the equatorial regions,

and, to the north and south, beyond the temperate zone. The

Mediterranean affords species of Gorgonia, Corallium and Alcy-

onium, besides numerous Actinie. The coasts of Britain have

also their Alcyonia and Actinie, and from far in the northern

seas, come the Umbellularia, and some other species of the Pen-

natula family.

Among the coral-making Actinaria, the Madrepore and Astrea

tribes are almost exclusively confined to the coral-reef seas,—a

* From Silliman’s American Journal for March and May 1847.

Mr. J. D. Dana on Zoophytes. 99

region included mostly between the parallels of 28° north and

south of the equator,—while the Caryophylia family are spread

as widely as the species of Actinia. Several species of Caryo-

phyllide occur in the Mediterranean, and others in the high

northern seas, and they are met with at depths of several hundred

feet. They are also common among the coral reefs of the tropics.

The Madreporacea and Astrzacea, with the Gemmiporida, are

the principal constituents of coral reefs. The temperature limit-

ing their geographical range is 66° or 68° F., this being the

winter temperature of the ocean on the outskirts of the reef-

growing seas. The waters may sometimes sink to 64°, but this

appears to be a temperature which they can endure, and not that

in which they germinate. The extremes which they will survive

prove only thew powers of endurance, and do not affect the above

statement ; for their geographical distribution will be determined

by the temperature which limits their powers of germination.

The temperature of the ocean in the warmest parts of the Pa-

cific varies from 80° to 85°, and here Astreas, Meandrinas, Ma-

drepores, &c. are developed with peculiar luxuriance, along with

thousands of other strange and beautiful forms of tropical life. A

range from the above temperature to 72° does not appear to be

too great for the most fastidious species. At the Sandwich Islands,

which are near the northern limits of the coral seas, Porites and

Pocillopore prevail, and there are very few species of the genera

Astrea, Mussa* and Meandrina, which are common nearer the

equator.

The range of these reef-forming corals in depth is singularly

small. Twenty or perhaps sixteen fathoms will include very

nearly all the species of the Madrepore and Astrea tribest. Tem-

perature has little or no influence in occasioning this limit, as

68° F. will not be found under the equator short of a depth of

100 fathoms. Light and pressure, the latter affecting the amount

of air for aération, are probably the principal causes. The waves,

moreover, seldom reaching to a greater depth than thirty fathoms,

cannot aid in renewing the expended air below as they do at the

surface.

In recapitulation we state that the Astreacea, Madreporacea,

and the Gemmiporide among the Caryophyllacea, are, with few

exceptions, confined to the coral-reef seas}, and to within twenty

fathoms of the surface. The Caryophyllide§ extend from the

* Lobophyllia of Blainville, Mussa of Oken.

' M e he evidences on this point will be presented in the Report on Coral

siands.

{ The exceptions belong mostly to the genus Ewphyllia, which includes

the genus Flabellum, some Turbinalie and the Lobophyllia, having entire

lamella.

§ The Caryophyllie of Blainville, with the Dendrophyllie, Oculine, &c.

100 Mr. J. D. Dana on Zoophytes.

equator to the frigid zone, and some species occur at a depth of

200 fathoms or more. The Alcyonaria have an equally wide

range with the Caryophyllide, and probably reach still farther

towards the poles. ‘The Hydroidea range from the equator to

the polar regions, but are most abundant in the waters of the

temperate zone.

Besides the above-mentioned limiting causes, there are others

of importance, one of which may be alluded to in this place ;

the remaining, belonging more properly to the Geological Report

on Coral Reefs and Islands, will be particularly considered in the

forthcoming volume by the author. The cause referred to, is that

proceeding from original sites or centres of distribution. There is

sufficient evidence that such centres of distribution, as regards

zoophytes, are to be recognized. The species of corals in the

West Indies are in many respects peculiar, and not one can with

certainty be identified with any of the East Indies. The central

parts of the Pacific Ocean appear to be almost as peculiar in the

corals they afford; but few from the Feejees have been found

to be identical with those of the Indian Ocean. A more com-

plete acquaintance with the corals of these different seas will

undoubtedly multiply the number of identical species ; but ob-

servations, thus far made, seem sufficient to establish as a fact,

that a large part of zoophytes are confined to a small longitudinal

range. This will be seen from the following table, exhibiting in

a general manner, as far as known, their geographical distri-

bution. Each column gives the number peculiar to the region

specified at top.

-o ¢ an 2 5 res

oS $ 2 “33 a) =

252) 6 3s | Feo] Ble] 4

sae | 2 | 3 |eed|2| 2] 2

as MM x3) = us) =I ee] Q

ms 3 a S gas Es

Tribe AsTR4&ACEA.

Fam. Astreeide ............ 37 50 29 4 3 | 1611389

Fungide .......+. seo 14 29 6 6 0 | 10] 65

Tribe CarYoPHYLLACEA.

Fam. Caryophyllide ...... 13 7 9 2.1381 67 49

Gemmiporide ...... 4 5 1? 2 ial Ae

Tribe Mapreporacea,.

Fam. Madreporide ...... 30 42 4 8 |< eer sa ie

Favositidee *......... 14 15 5 3 0 4} 41

Poritidd f' ..ccccece 5 14 6 2 0 L428

117 "| 162 | 60 27 1171 45 | 428

* The Pocillopore, Sideropore, Millepore, Favosites, and other genera of

Madreporacea, in which the cells are internally divided by horizontal septa.

+ Part of the Porites of authors, the species having shallow cells closed

Mr. J.D. Dana on Zoophytes. 101

From this table, it appears that only twenty-seven species out

of 306 are known to be common to the East Indies and Pacific

Ocean. With regard to those common to the East and West

Indies, for which no column is assigned, there are but two,—the

Meandrina labyrinthica and Astrea galaxea,—about which much

doubt remains.

‘We have no authority for accrediting to the West Indies any

species of the genera Fungia, Pavonia, Herpetolithus, Merulina,

Monticularia, Gemmipora, Anthophyllum*, Pocillopora, Sidero-

pora or Seriatopora, all of which are common in the opposite

hemisphere. The Agaricie, with the exception of two osculant

species, are confined to the subgenus Mycedia, exclusively West

Indian, which contains very firm compact corals, often with an

Astrea-like character. The Millepores are the only known Fa-

vositide, and but half a dozen Madrepores have yet been distin-

guished. ‘The Manicine, Caryophyllie and Oculine are more

numerous in the West Indies than elsewhere, and the Cteno-

phyllie (Meandrine with stout entire lamelle) have been found

only in the West Indies. The genus Porites contains several

species, but they are uniformly more fragile and more porous

species than those I have seen from the Pacific and Indian

Oceans ; and the polyps, as figured by Lesueur, are more exser-

tile, approaching in this particular the Goniopore.

General Remarks on Classification —It has often been justly

said, that there can be but one strictly natural classification in

either of the organic kingdoms. Yet if we look upon any system

presented in the usual order on paper, as correctly and completely

the natural system, we greatly mistake nature; for the various

affinities cannot be fully expressed on a plane surface. The lines

are so many, and so interlaced, that to be understood, they must

be conceived of as ramifying in space. The mind, proceeding

properly to its work, determines first upon those qualities which

are physiologically of the most fundamental importance: it fol-

lows out the variations of structure under the grand divisions

thus ascertained, fixing its attention successively upon qualities

of a less and less general character ; it traces the species through

the various modifications in these several particulars, marking out

the lines of gradation in affinities,—observing, some it may be,

at bottom (Porites clavaria and the allied). The other Porites, with a few

exceptions, belong to the genus Manopora of the author, and are true Madre-~

pores in their cells, but with imperfect calicles or none: the P. spumosa of

Lamarck, and the allied, are here included, besides the Montipora of Blain-

ville.

* Sarcinula in part of Blainville, Caryophyllia in part of Lamarck ; An-

thophyllum of Schweigger, who introduces the name, but not of writers on

fossil corals.

102 Mr. J. D. Dana on Zoophytes.

partly isolated and terminating abruptly, others graduating into

the different series by frequent blendings or anastomosings, and

often between different lines detecting a serial parallelism : im this

way the network is finally completed to the mind’s eye.

When the relations are fully understood, we are ready to divide

off into classes, orders, and the smaller subdivisions, cutting the

threads here and there, as shall best exhibit the general character

of the whole, remembering to make the corresponding divisions of

equivalent importance and character. The institution of these va-

rious groups is not properly classifymg; for the classification is

completed when the branchings and imterlinkings of affinities are

made out. Subdivisions with appropriate names are however ne-

cessary, to aid the memory and convey this knowledge in words.

Genera are convenient artificial sections, based on natural affini-

ties; and very commonly they shade almost imperceptibly into

one another. Whoever has attempted to lay out classes and their

families and genera, has perceived the interlinkings, and felt the

perplexity they produced. It may often have seemed vexatious to

the systematist to have had a well-characterized family or genus

spoiled in its characteristic, and exceptions introduced, by the dis-

covery of new species which blend it with another group, before

considered quite distinct. But such perplexities will not be per-

ceived, if we follow nature with docility, and make it our aim

to bring out prominently the various shadings between subdivi-

sions. The true object of classification is not to dissect the

departments of life mto as many distinct parts as possible for

display like anatomical preparations; but to illustrate the system

of nature in its unity, and exhibit the myriad parts blended in

one concordant whole.

The modifications of structure in living beings evidently pro-

ceed, to a great extent, from the nature of the world we inhabit,

and the general laws and necessities of life. There are air, earth,

and water, and these have their varieties of condition. Plants

and animals offer other sites for livmg beings. The same cir-

cumstances may be said to call for the variety of size which

exists in nature, for otherwise there would be possible conditions

for existence unoccupied. The general nature of life and its

modes of exhibition, with the primary systems of structure, being

determined upon in infinite wisdom, we need attribute no other

plan to creative power than that of the simple adaptation of life,

as thus constituted, to the conditions the world affords. Circles

and numerical relations may amuse the imagination ; but we

have no evidence that the Hand which made was confined by

such prescribed courses. We cannot fail to see, however, that in

the primary plan of structure in living beings, certain organs or

their parts, through extended groups, have been limited by fixed

Mr. J. D. Dana on Zoophytes. 103

numbers: and this is so distinct in some classes, that it becomes

an interesting study to trace out the sources of variations from

the typicalnumber*. We see the boundless resources:of nature’s

Author displayed with greater force, the fewer the types from

which an infinite variety might proceed; but not im any limiting

of the number of species constituting groups.

Among the organs upon which the range of characters im the

animal kingdom depends, the nervous system takes necessarily

the precedence, for, as has been said with much propriety, this

system is itself ¢he species; since upon its characters, in con-

nexion with the general laws of organic growth, depends in a

very great degree the nature of the individual. Next to this, come

those organs which are intimately connected with the sustaining

of life, primarily, those pertaining to respiration and circulation,

and secondarily, those adapted to the receiving and digesting of

food ; and next, or of parallel value with the last, the provision

for the continuation of the species. The means of locomotion

and the associated structure, constitute a characteristic intimately

connected with the causes just mentioned. Under the several

grand divisions to which we are led by the above considerations,

there are subordinate variations arising from the adaptation of life

to minor differences in the conditions of existence around us :—

such as minor differences of soil (if we may extend this word to

all those varieties of sites, afforded by the air, earth, water, vege-

table and animal structures, variously modified by temperature,

light and pressure) ; differences in the modes of taking prey or

food of whatever kind, and in some peculiarities of the organs of

digestion ; certain differences depending on the sexual relations,

and the means of preserving and developing the young, varying

with the modes of existence alluded to; modifications of the pro-

visions for self-preservation against enemies. These minor differ-

ences are exhibited in two ways: either particular organs retaining

the same functions, undergo modifications in form and structure ;

or with other modifications, they subserve the purposes of different

functions. When adaptations to different circumstances or pur-

* Milne Edwards has well illustrated the fact, that seven is a normal

number in Crustacea, the cephalic, thoracic and abdominal parts each con-

sisting normally of this number of segments, and variations taking place by

a union of two or more segments, or by subdivisions ; and this same law

extends even to the joints of the legs and antenna. The prevalence of

such a law through so large a class affords a sufficient ground for belief

that specific numbers have not been entirely disregarded in any branch of

nature, though the actual exhibition of them has been obscured in ways

not understood. We cannot disbelieve, therefore, that numerical relations

were involved in the plan of creation ; yet, while admitting them as regards

the nature of organic structures, we do not admit that the number of struc-

tures made on any particular type had reference to any similar ratio.

104 Mr. J. D. Dana on Zoophytes.

poses take place by variations in corresponding sets of organs

or parts of organs, the relations produced are termed homological ;

and the relations are analogical when they depend on a simi-

larity of function, however produced*.

As the several families or classes of animals are exposed, in

some respects more or less general, to the same circumstances,

they would naturally undergo, in many instances, either homo-

logical or analogical modifications, occasioning that serial paral-

lelism alluded to on a preceding page. And again, as the animals

of the same class may be fitted to many different circumstances

in nature, other parallelisms should exist, of a wider character.

The order in which the above sources of distinctions in the

animal kingdom are mentioned, may be in the main nearly that

of their relative importance. Yet it is well known that a set of

characters valuable in one group is worth nothing in another: aad

this holds true m some cases even with those characteristics that

are in general fundamental. It seems at first a violation of all

propriety, to arrange together animals having gills, and those that

have none; those that havea heart, and those that are destitute of

even a vestige of one beyond a distant valve or two in the circu-

lating system; those that have distinct arteries, and those whose

arteries are only the lacunal passages among the muscles and

other organs. Still this may be in accordance with a philo-

sophical classification. The class Crustacea actually illustrates

each of the three anomalies just stated. If the singular Am-

phioxus is truly a fish, as many ichthyologists affirm, we may

have a vertebrate animal without a brain, and without a sense to

* Prof. R. Owen, the eminent comparative anatomist of England, mentions

three kinds of homology, viz. ‘‘ general,” “serial,” and “special.” ‘‘ General

homology is the relation in which a part or series of parts stands to the ideal

or fundamental type; and thus, when the basilar process of the occipital

bone in Anthropotomy is said to be the ‘centrum’ or ‘body of the last cra-

nial vertebra,’ its general homology is enunciated. When it is said to

repeat, in its vertebra or natural segment of the skeleton, the body of the

sphenoid bone, the body of the atlas, and the succeeding vertebral bodies or

centrums, its serial homology is indicated. When the essential correspond-

ence of the basilar process of the occipital bone in Man with the distinct

bone called ‘ basi-occipital’ in a crocodile or a fish is shown, its special ho-

mology is determined.” —Phil. Mag. xxviii. 3rd ser. 526, June Supp. 1846,

We refer the reader also to a very excellent paper “on the Structural

Relations of Organized Beings,” by H. E. Strickland, I',G.S., Phil. Mag.

xxviii. 3rd ser. 854, in which the subject of affinities in organic beings is

presented in a clear and philosophical light. In addition to the terms

homology and analogy, Mr. Strickland proposes the word iconism, to ex-

press resemblance of form without a similarity of structure or function; for

example, the resemblance of the flower of the pea to a butterfly, or the shell

Haliotis to an ear; and it includes also resemblances between species arising

from accidental coincidence of colour; while analogy includes such resem-

blances as depend upon a similarity of function,

Mr. J. D. Dana on Zoophytes. 105

raise it aboye the Polyp. In such cases, the system of structure

typical of a group is ascertained by a general study of the spe-

cies, and then an acquaintance with this structure assists in

tracing out transitions, and determining how far one and another

organ may fail without requiring an entire separation of an in-

dividual from the group.

To classify requires therefore the widest possible range of

knowledge of organic beings, and the nicest balancing of affini-

ties: and we remark again, that it consists rather in expressing the

various chains of affinities or homologies direct and parallel, with

their shadings and. blendings, than in searching for certain in-

violable characteristics for distinguishing groups of species.

Classification of Zoophytes.—In view of the foregoing prin-

ciples, any classification of Zoophytes made out without refer-

ence to the structure of the animals must necessarily be faulty.

There have been several of this kind in the department of Corals ;

and as the subject has been little understood till within a few

years past, errors were to be expected. They subserved, for

the time, the purpose of systematizing the facts known, and

afforded a means of characterizing species: so far they were good.

But at the present day, to make out a classification based on the

corals alone and the easiest method of distinguishing them,

would partake of times of past ignorance: they can no more be

properly arranged without reference to their animals, than shells

without regard to their mollusks. The zoological relations of

the species should be first studied, and afterwards such characters

laid down for the corals as belong to the orders and families thus

deduced. |

The first classification of Zoophytes in which the animals

received attention was offered by Blainville*. Lamarck had led

the way with a discriminating study of the corals. Blainville

avatled himself of the observations of Quoy and Gaimard, besides

the few investigations of older authors, and with great acumen

made out an arrangement, which in its general features was

highly natural. He divided Zoophytes, including the Actinie,

into the groups Zoantharia, Polypiaria, and Zoophytaria; and

if we strike out from Polypiaria a few species that belong to

the first division, and others that are Bryozoa, we have the groups

Zoantharia and Zoophytaria corresponding to the groups Actinaria

and Alcyonaria of the classification by the writer, and Polypiaria

nearly to the Hydroidea. The only other change of importance

which the writer has proposed in these primary subdivisions is

-* Manuel d’Actinologie ou de Zoophytologie, par H. M. D. de Blain-

ville. 644 pp. 8vo, with an atlas of 100 plates. Paris, 1834, (‘The

printing began in 1830.)

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 8

106 Mr. J. D. Dana on Zoophytes.

the union of the Actinaria and Alcyonaria into a single group,

Actinoidea, equivalent in importance to Hydroidea. Blainville

was the first author who actually introduced coral zoophytes

fairly into the animal kingdom by his mode of describing and

arranging them. He did not call the department a branch of

zoology, and then describe corals as if they were porous, stelli-

gerous stones, which is even now in many instances the case*.

Still he speaks of the cells as containing the polyps, which is the

reverse of the fact.

_ Ehrenberg in 1834}, after a more thorough acquaintance with

coral animals obtained by investigations in the Red Sea, made

some important improvements in the minor subdivisions; but his

grand divisions were unfortunate. He separated in many cases

the attached from the unattached species, and again, the simple

from the compound, and thus broke up the natural assemblages

which Blainville had made out. Even the natural group Alcy-

onaria (Blainville’s Zoophytaria) is subdivided by him, and the

parts widely separated. His system, notwithstanding some ano-

malies, exhibits great reach of mind and searching investigation.

He removed correctly the Bryozoa from other Zoophytes, and

first suggested the relation of the Millepores and Favosites to

the Madreporacea. He pointed out the true nature of coral se-

cretions, and described the mode of reproduction by spontaneous

subdivision, which had not before been noticed. The modes of

growth were also to a considerable extent described by him, and

important use made of them, though not always correctly, in the

classification of Zoophytes.

Milne Edwards, whose acquaintance with Zoophytes had been

extended by a. personal examination of many species, and by a

thorough study of the labours of others, besides a comprehensive

knowledge of nature, proposed, in 1837, a brief outline of a

classification, which, as far as detailed, exceeded those preceding

it in philosophical character. The Hydroidea (“Sertulariens”),

the Actinaria (“ Zoanthaires”), and the Alcyonaria (“ Alcyo-

niens”), are laid down as the grand divisions, and without the

striking violations of affinities which appear in Blainville’s order

Polypiaria. We only observe that the Favosites are separated

from the Madreporacea, with which group they were placed by

Ehrenberg, and where they beyond doubt belong.

* In descriptions of corals (the internal or basal secretions of Zoophytes),

those characters which belong to the Zoophyte ought to be first stated, such

as the general form, mode of growth, &c.; and afterwards, separately, what-

ever, not already stated, may require mention with respect to the coral

itself.

+ Abhandl. der Konig]. Akad. der Wissensch. zu Berlin for 1832,

pp. 225-438.

Mr. J. D. Dana on Zoophytes. 107

These are the principal authors since Lamarck who have un-

dertaken a general arrangement of the class of Zoophytes. The

“ Stony Corals” have quite recently been arranged mostly from

the corals alone by Mr. J. E. Gray of London*. We may ex-

press the belief, without entering ito any criticisms on his clas-

sification, that with a more extended study of the animals and

their corals, he would not have separated the Millepore and He-

hiopore so widely from the Pocillopore; the Stylastride from

the Stderopore; the Montipore from a part of Lamarck’s Po-

rites; the Fungie from the Pavonie; nor united into a single

group the Pavonie and many Astree; nor the Fungie, Fla-

bella and Meandrine :—in the last case giving an unreal import-

ance to the oblong shape of the Flabella, and implying a relation

which is wholly without foundation between the oblong cell of

the Meandrine, Flabella and Fungie; for in the first, the form

arises from budding ; in the second, it is the shape of the polyp’s

disc ; and in the third, the cell is only a depression at the centre

of the disc, and the form has not even generic importance.

Before giving a general view of the classification of Zoophytes,

to which the writer has been led by the study of coral animalst,

the importance of different characters as a basis of classification

may be briefly considered.

Owing to the simplicity of polyps, there are few organs or

functions to afford distinctive characters. They are as follows:

I. The digestive system. II. The ovarian. III. The modes of

budding and growth. IV. The tentacles and general character

of the exterior. V. The secretion of coral and its nature.

I. The Digestive System.—In this system the stomach varies

(1) in length as compared with the internal or visceral cavity

below, and (2) in the character of the parts below and around it.

In the first particular, the difference is one of less general im-

portance than has been allowed; the relative length in the

Actinie and most Actinoid corals is between four-fifths and one-

third; in the Zoanthide it is between one-third and one-sixth ;

in the Alcyonaria, between one-third and one-twentieth; in the

Hydroidea the stomach is sometimes much shorter in proportion

than in many Alcyonaria, though often far longer. In the second

particular the difference is wide, the Actinoidea having the sto-

* “An Outline of an Arrangement of Stony Corals,” by J. E. Gray,

F.R.S. &c.: Annals and Magazine of Natural History, xix. 120, Feb. 1847.

+ As it may be of some importance to those interested in the department

of Zoophytes, the writer here states that the animals of more than sixty

species of coral animals, exclusive of Alcyonaria and Hydroidea, and per-

taining nearly to every genus, have been figured by him, from living spe-

cimens obtained in the Pacific and East Indies, and these figures will appear,

along with others of different corals whose animals were not obtained, in the

forthcoming Atlas to accompany the Report on Zoophytes.

108 Mr. J. D. Dana on Zoophytes.

mach suspended within the visceral cavity, and attached to the

sides of the polyp by a radiating series of vertical fleshy lamell,

which are wanting in the Hydroidea. The visceral cavity is a

simple tube in the latter, and is radiated with vertical lamellee in

the former; but these peculiarities are also connected with the

modes of reproduction. We omit other less obvious points of

difference. |

II. Ovarian System.—In this system, ranking in importance

with the digestive, the absence of special organs with spermatic

and. ovarian functions distinguishes the Hydroidea, and the ex-

istence of such organs the Actinoidea. No character can be of

higher value, or more marked in its attending peculiarities.

Among the Actinoidea, there is a great variation in the number

of genital lamelle, and in the relative position of the two kinds,

the spermatic and ovarian. In the Alcyonaria there are uni-

formly eight im all ; in the Actinaria, either six, twelve, or more*.

In many of the latter division, if not in all, the two kinds of la-

mellze (spermatic and ovarian) are distinct : in some of the former,

the same lamella is ovarian above and spermatic below, or two

are spermatic and the rest ovarian ; or perhaps other conditions

may exist. There is good reason for separating the Alcyonaria

from the Actinaria, but not for making each division equivalent

in rank to that of Hydroidea.

Ill. Process of Budding and Growth.—1. We find that the

fact of species budding or not budding, is not connected in Zoo-

phytes with any peculiarity of structure that can be detected, and

farther, the transitions are gradual and frequent. This character

therefore, as it indicates no difference of concentration in the ner-

vous system, is entitled to little consideration as a means of di-

stinction in the classification of these animals :—it is no more

important here than in botany, where a plant consisting of a

single individual bud may be placed alongside of one which

consists of several. It may sometimes however be used to distin-

guish genera: yet in the genus Fungia there are a few species

* A passage of the Actini@ into the Alcyonaria may perhaps be observed

in the Lucernaria, which have a four- or eight-lobed summit; and other

Actini@ approximate to this lobed character. These lobes bear a number

of tentacles, or correspond to a number; and hence analogy suggests that

possibly in the Alcyonaria each tentacle properly corresponds to two ten-

tacles or more, or to a lobe in the Actinie alluded to. This view is borne

out by finding in the larger Alcyonaria the tentacles having a size wholly

incompatible with the structure of the Actinaria; for the writer has shown

in another place that in the Actinaria there are limits to the relation be-

tween the number of tentacles, as well as the width of interval between the

genital lamellz, and the size of the animal. Whether the analogy holds or

not, the facts show striking differences between the Actinaria and Alcyo-

naria. See further, ‘Report on Zoophytes,’ pp. 54, 123.

Mr. J. D. Dana on Zoophytes. 109

that increase until they consist of two or three individuals; and

there is thence a passage to the Herpetolithi, Eschsch. (Hali-

glosse, Hhr.) and Polyphylliz, Q.and G. The simple and com-

pound Cyathophylla are other examples of the difficulty of this

separation.

2. But the modes of budding and growth are of higher cha-

racter ; especially the distinction of superior and inferior gemma-

tion, in the former the buds being terminal or at the summit, and

in the latter lateral or basal. It is of little importance whether the

summit-widening, which accompanies superior gemmation, takes

place in the dises, or just exterior to the discs. In either case,

the visceral lamellz are prolonged at top beneath the upper sur-

face by the process of growth, and hence such species have the

upper surface of the corallum lamello-striate.

3. In superior gemmation, when the dises widen and bud, they

sometimes subdivide as each new mouth opens, and sometimes

not till several mouths have opened. This difference (distin-

guishing the genera Astrea and Meandrina) is of small import-

ance. There are Astree in which the discs become 2- or 3-com-

pound before they subdivide ; and thus the two genera graduate

into one another. There are simple and meandrine Mussa, Oken

(Lobophylliz, B/.), between which no line of separation can be

drawn, and they have been always retained in the same genus.

The Monticularig, in the same manner, are related to the Mean-

drine*.

4. There is a group of species having superior gemmation, in

which the discs have no proper limits ; and in the compound spe-

cies the surface is a single dise with many mouths and scattered

tentacles (the latter often obsolescent). The Fungie are examples

of simple species of this kind ; and the Polyphyilie, Pavonia, &c.

(including the Astrea siderea) are compound species. The co-

ralla of compound species are characterized by the continuation

of the lamellee of the stars from centre to centre, without inter-

ruption along a medial line; and they have no cells except it

arise from a prominence of the intervals between the polyp-

mouths. They thus differ from the Astree; for the cells in the

Astree correspond to the visceral cavities of the polyps.

5. Growing free or attached is a character of minor import-

ance. It is sometimes a convenient generic distinction, as with

the Fungide, but in other cases cannot be appealed to. All spe-

cies, as 1s well-known, are attached in the young state ; and the

time of becoming free varies with the species, some earlier and

some later. The Flabella thus pass so gradually to attached

species, and the animals in the two cases are so completely iden-

* See on this subject Report on Zoophytes, pp. 76, 77.

110 Mr. J.D. Dana on Zoophytes.

tical, that the separation can be sustained only on the ground of

convenience in a distribution. We add, that in this last-men~

tioned case the simple species pass as gradually into the com-

pound, and they are closely connected with the group Euphyllia,

D. (a part of Lobophyllia, Bl., having entire lamellz).

6. Growing massive, or calicularly branched (aggregate or

segregate), is sometimes a good generic distinction. But polyps

in contact grow together so readily that it can be of importance

only when supported by other characters. In the group Mani-

cina no line can be drawn between the segregate and coalescing

species; and the Cyathophylla are other examples. Difficulties

in the way of characterizing groups thus arise, which must be

fairly met and not denied nor overlooked.

7. The forms of growth, whether branching, massive or ex-

planate, afford good distinctions for species, but seldom generic

characters. We find explanate and massive Gemmipore and

Porites ; explanate, massive and branching Porites and Mano-

pore ; and explanate and branching Meruline and Echinopore.

No more unfortunate generic character can be laid down than one

drawn from this source: it may, however, be occasionally used

when sustained by other characters. The genus Ezplanaria of

Lamarck is an agglomerate of species of several genera.

_ We have elsewhere shown that the sizes of branches, the fre-

quency of branching, and the width of intervals in groups be-

tween branches, are good trivial characters within certain limits,

But in all cases in instituting species, the specimens examined

should be good and full-grown, and not fragments.

8. Growth by budding from an apical polyp, or from serial

budding, are pomts that may afford good generic distinctions.

IV. Tentacles and General Character of the Exterior.—In

many genera the tentacles are too short to take any part in the

prehension of food, and apparently subserve only the purpose of

aération. As the whole body takes part in this function, the size

of the tentacles must necessarily be unimportant as a family

character. Hence we find, even in the same genus (Fungia,

Porites), species with comparatively long tentacles, and others in

which they are almost obsolete. The species of the genus Ac-

tinia are almost as various in the sizes of the tentacles. Among

the Astrea, one species was observed by the writer in which the

place of tentacles was supplied by numerous spine-like processes

over the surface between the dises ; and the same is true of the

Echinopore, or at least partly so, for the writer observed no ten-

tacles in the two species he examined. The same reason shows

that the moss-like subdivision of tentacles, observed in some Ac-

tinide, is a character only of generic importance, for it takes place

generally in such species as live more or less buried in the sand

Mr. J. D. Dana on Zoophytes. 111

or mud, which fact seems to require an extension of the aérating

surface, such as this delicate branching affords.

The number of tentacles appears to have a relation to two di-

stinct series ; in one the number is six, twelve, or more, with the

alternate usually unequal when exceeding six (and always so

when over twelve) ; in the other, eight simply, and all equal.

The character of the tentacles is different in the two series: the

former (the Actinaria) having them naked, the latter (Aleyonaria)

having them fringed with perforate papille. A large number of

species of Actinaria are characterized by twelve tentacles, and

have been separated to form the group Madreporacea ; but not-

withstanding this point of resemblance, the several genera are as

closely related to species having a greater number of tentacles.

The occurrence of suctorial vesicles on the lateral surface or

disc is a character of only generic importance.

Colour is seldom of much importance, even for trivial distinc-

tions; yet the mode of arrangement of colours may be charac-

teristic of species. A mutual dependence or relation of certain

colours may possibly be hereafter ascertained, by which a know-

ledge of one will determine the others that may be possible in a

‘species ; and in such a case, the character may have a value which

cannot now be allowed it. 3

V. Secretion of Coral.—1. The secretion or non-secretion of

coral internally is at the best no more than a family distinction ;

and among the Alcyonaria it is only generic. This is an admitted

truth with regard to calcareous secretions among Mollusks ; and

Olivi and Blainville long since acknowledged it with reference to

zoophytes. |

2. The secretion of coral at base, distinct from internal secre-

tions, is a characteristic of much value ; it produces the structure

of the Gorgonie and allied zoophytes, and also of the Antipathi.

8. The nature of coral secretions sometimes affords generic

distinctions, and with other characters, in some instances, distin-

guishes the higher divisions of zoophytes. The Hydroidea, as

far as known, never form any but membranous or horny coralla.

The Astreeacea, Caryophyllacea and Madreporacea secrete only

calcareous coralla, excepting a few marine Actinide (Actinecte)

which form a cellular membranous float at base to keep them at

the surface. The Antipathi form only basal horny secretions,

and therefore have a horny axis. The Alcyonaria are more va-

rious in this character, the different genera having their pecu-

liarities : the internal secretions are always calcareous and in grains

or spicule, and in this last particular they differ from the calca-

reous of the Actinaria; these grains are sometimes so abundant

as to unite into solid tubes (Tubipore). The basal secretions

are either horny (Gorgonine), calcareous (Corallium), or siliceous

112 M. Blasichinnd on the Circulation in Insects.

(Hyalonema) ; and im some instances, from a mixture of membra-

nous tissue with the earthy matter, they resemble cork.

4. Among the calcareous corals the texture or density of the

coral is often of little importance, as it may vary in different parts

of the same specimen, according to their full exposure to the free

ocean waters or not. | :

In species with stellate cells there is always a definite number —

of rays to the adult cell, excepting among those that bud in the

discs, and this number is some multiple of four or six, and usually

of both. The characters of the cells—whether immersed or occu-

pying a prominent calicle; and, internally, deep and open at

bottom, or transversely septate, or spongy cellular or solid,—are

important ; also the peculiarities of the lamellae, whether entire

or not, equal or irregular, exsert or included.

In transverse sections of the stellate cells, the number of rays

(when adult), the diameter, and the character of the centre and

of the interstices, are generally good characteristics for species.

The corals of Aleyonaria never have rays to their cells or tubes ;

the Madreporacea have never more than éwelve rays ; the Caryo-

phyllacea and Astreacea have always more than twelve ; and the

last order is distinguished by having the interval between the

cells lamello-striate (see p. 109, III. 2) internally, with few ex-

ceptions, as well as externally.

This brief review of the characteristics of zoophytes has pre-

pared the way for an exposition of the classification into which

the species naturally fall.

[To be continued. }

XIII.—On the Circulation in Insects. By Emite Buancuarp*.

Tue celebrated author of the ‘ Anatomie Comparée,’ finding no

other vessels in insects than the dorsal one, believed that no true

- circulation existed in these articulated animals. According to

Cuvier, the trachee ramifying throughout the entire body of the

animal, the air in them must proceed in search of the blood, just

as, in animals having a pulmonary or bronchial respiration, the

blood is conveyed to the air.

Since his time, many anatomists have studied the circulation

in insects. They have usually selected transparent larvee which

have allowed them to distinguish, through the tegumentary en-

velope by the aid of the microscope, currents of liquid blood. In

this manner Carus observed a circulatory movement in the larvee

of the Ephemeride and Agrions. Wagner, Bowerbank, Newport,

and others have verified these facts. According to these observers,

* Translated from the Comptes Rendus for May 17, 1847.

M. Blanchard on the Circulation in Insects. 113

the entire circulation in insects.is reduced to this: the blood,

urged forwards by the dorsal vessel, bathes the organs by being

poured into the cavities of the body, where a retrograde move-

ment causes it to return ito the dorsal vessel by orifices at its pos-

terior part. Léon Dufour, who has contributed so much to our

knowledge of the organization of insects, denies, with Cuvier, the

existence of any circulation whatever in these animals. According

to that anatomist, the dorsal vessel is only a simple cord, without

an internal cavity. Its movement, he says, is only the result of

the simple contractility of its tissue, a kind of fibrillar vibration

common to many living tissues. :

Such are the various opinions regarding the circulation in in-

sects. What might perhaps have caused surprise, was that, in

accordance with the ordinary explanation, the circulatory and

respiratory apparatus were to a certain extent independent, the

tracheze, according to the general opinion, not coming into con-

tact with the nutritive liquid except by currents traversing the

lacunee between the organs. However, this did not attract atten-

tion. Their study by the aid of their transparency, not allowing

of accurate details being distinguished, the question has always

remained much in the same state.

A very simple means, however, of tracing the whole course of

the circulation in insects would have been to inject coloured

liquids. Recourse has not been had to this proceeding ; or if so,

no benefit has been derived from it. Nevertheless, among the

invertebrate animals, there are few in which this means of inves-

tigation so easily yields a good result. Whether we inject by the

dorsal vessel or the lacunz, the entire circulatory system is im-

mediately filled. Nothing is more remarkable and elegant than

an insect properly injected: all the trachee, which ramify

throughout the organs in such delicate branches, are coloured by

the injection; however, not even the smallest drop of liquid

penetrates their interior. |

The tracheze of insects, as well known, are composed of two

membranes between which there is a thread spirally coiled. The

sanguincous fluid penetrates between the two membranes. Every

part of it thus comes mto contact with the air contained in the

tracheal tubes, and the re-organization of the blood is effected as

in animals furnished with lungs, although the anatomical dispo-

sition is so different. This observation explains the structure of

the tracheze. The spiral thread not only serves to give them a

certain solidity, it has also the purpose of keeping the two sheaths

of which they are composed apart, and of keeping them open

near the respiratory orifices so as to give passage to the nutritive

fluid. When the trachez are vesicular the spiral thread disap-

pears, and then the very numerous and excessively fine canals

114 M. Blanchard on the Circulation in Insects.

traverse them in all directions. If we inject an insect by the

dorsal vessel, the liquid, after having traversed it in its whole

extent, is soon poured into the lacune of the head and thorax,

and is diffused into the abdominal lacune. It then penetrates

between the two tracheal membranes by lacune which surround

the respiratory orifices ; finally it is returned to the dorsal vessel

by lateral afferent canals, which extend over the dorsal parts as

far as the origin of the tracheal bundles. Thus these afferent

canals are equal in number to the stigmata of the abdomen ; it is

the same with the number of segments of the dorsal vessel, which

also varies according to the types.

_ The tracheal tubes, therefore, which convey the air into all

parts of the body also carry the re-oxygenated blood to all the

organs: the space existing between the two sheaths of the respi-

ratory organs appears to perform the office of nutritive vessels.

The circulation in insects is effected therefore in the same man-

ner as in many invertebrate animals which have a partly lacunar

circulation. But there is a very peculiar anatomical disposition :

the activity of the circulatory movement here as elsewhere is in

relation with the activity of the respiration. )

I have investigated the circulation in a tolerably large number

of genera of insects, so as to be assured that there is no essential

difference between the different types of the entire group. I am

convinced that the anatomical modifications are very trifling, even

between the representatives of the different orders of this large

class of animals.

My observations have been made, in the order Coleoptera,

principally upon species of Meloé, Dytiscus, Hydrophilus, Geo-

trupes, &c.; in the Orthoptera, especially upon Blatta; m the

Hymenoptera, upon the Humble Bees, Wasps, and especially on

the Bee ; in the Hemiptera, upon Nepa and Ranatra; several on

Lepidoptera and different Caterpillars, and on some Diptera both

in the larval and perfect state.

Throughout I observed the same facts, and I have proved that

the larvee and the adult insects do not differ in any but unim-

portant relations.

The facts I have detailed may very soon be verified by merely

injecting a coloured liquid through a simple aperture in the

abdomen of an insect : in this way all the lacunze are immediately

filled, as also the vascular portion of the trachez, and ultimately

the dorsal vessel itself.

Pn,

tu? a +f

‘i

land

<hr

fee

Berl

sate

5 se

tis,

™

=O Nore es G

2D VRS, tcAt

Cum, tReti

a Wa0.o8

‘ 2

Po ae

pe aoe ’

;

—t-

. erie —— S.

Teer ae

Ehrenberg dad JS De C Sowerd

On the Microscopical Siliceous Polycystina of Barbados. 115

XIV.—The Microscopical Siliceous Polycystina of Barbados, and

their relation to existing Animals, as described in a Lecture

by Professor Eurensere of Berlin, delivered before the Royal

Academy of Sciences on the 11th February 1847. By Sir

Rosert H. SchomsBureK.

[ With two Plates. ]

Proressor ExRENBERG’S examination of the different specimens

of rock which I transmitted to him from Barbados, proved to

him that the geological structure of the district called Scotland

in that island owed its origin to submarine organic life, a for-

mation which Ehrenberg designated by the term halibiolithic.

These forms of minute organic life were so interesting and sur-

prising, that Professor Ehrenberg gave a preliminary abstract of

the discovery in December 1846 to the Royal Academy of Sci-

ences in Berlin, when he described above a hundred species pre-

viously quite unknown, and exhibited drawings of eighty species.

In the monthly report of the Academy he described 140 new

species, divided into twenty-six new and five known genera.

Professor Ehrenberg observed at the same time, that the short

period which had elapsed since he had commenced the investi-

gation of the rocks of Barbados, rendered it improbable that the

prolific source of the new organic forms was exhausted. This

multiplicity of new forms was unparalleled in the science of natural

history ; and he considered it more than probable, that further

investigations would make him acquainted with double the num-

ber of new forms which he then described. He observed also,

that it appeared to him unlikely that the island of Barbados

should only contain these peculiar microscopical animals ; and he

expected that this would prove to be a new page in the book of

science ; but he scarcely could at that time have supposed that

in the space of two months he should be able to announce to the

Academy that the number of new forms he had examined so far

surpassed his expectation, as to lead him to consider this disco-

very an intimation that our globe still contains a greater abun-

dance of forms than we had previously any idea of.

Professor Ehrenberg described in 1839, under the name of

Polycystina (Zellenthierchen, ‘ minute cellular animals’), a section

of organic forms which belong to the order of Polygastric ani-

malcules with siliceous shields, containing the genera Cornutella,

Flustrella, Haliomma and Lithocampe*. They had been found

hitherto in the chalks and marls of Sicily, in Oran in Africa,

and in Greece, and were ascribed to the tertiary period of geolo-

gists. At a later period the genus Lithobotrys was added,

which Ehrenberg discovered in the Tripoli of Richmond in Vir-

ginia, and in Bermuda, The number of genera and species de-

* See Taylor’s Scientific Memoirs, Parts X. and XI.

116 On the Microscopical Siliceous Polycystina of Barbados,

seribed previous to Ehrenbery’s examination of the Barbados

rocks consisted of thirty-nine species, including five genera,

which were partly found in a fossil state in rocks of different ages,

and partly existed in living forms in the North Sea, and at the

bottom of the sea near the South Pole. The discovery of so

many additional forms has enabled him to class the Polycystina

under fifteen genera, all of which occur in the rocks of Barbados

in numerous species. The

named as follows :—

Cornutella Cassis

clathrata

Lithocainpe

obtusa

Flustrella bilobata (Lagena)

concentrica

limbata

pretexta

spiralis

Lithobotrys cribrosa

denticulata

Galea

quadriloba

triloba

Lithosambe antarctica

aculeata

acuminata

aurita

Auricula

australis

Hirundo

lineata

punctata

Radicula

solitaria

stiligera

Haliomma Amphisiphon

JE quorea

(cornutum

crenatum

didymum

dixiphos

(Lagena [Flustrella]

Medusa

nobile

oblongum

ovatum

radians

(radiatum)

radicatum

Sol

As long as a few forms

Species previously known are now

= Cornutella Cassis.

= clathrata.

= Eucyrtidium Lithocampe.

= Lophophzena? obtusa.

= Rhopalastrum lagenosum.

= Flustrella concentrica.

= Perichlamydium limbatum.

a preetextum.

= Flustrella spiralis.

= Lithobotrys cribrosa & triloba.

= Lithopera denticulata.

= Lithocorythium Galea.

Lithobotrys quadriloba.

triloba.

Eucyrtidium antarcticum.

Pterocanium aculeatum.

Eucyrtidium acuminatum.

auritum.

auritum ?

australe.

Lithornithium ? Hirundo.

Eucyrtidium lineatum.

punctatum.

Lithocampe Radicula.

= Carpocanium solitarium.

= Eucyrtidium ? stiligerum.

= Astromma? Entomocora.

= Haliomma A‘quorea.

= Caryolithis crenata).

= Haliomma crenatum.

== Astromma Entomocora?

= Haliomma dixiphos.

= Rhopalastrum lagenosuin).

Haliomma Medusa.

nobile.

oblongum.

ovatum.

radians.

Ceratospyris radicata.

Haliomma Sol.

only of this peculiar group were

known, it was not difficult to assign to them a place in our ex-

isting classifieation: it is however different at present, when

Ehrenberg describes nearly 300 species—a larger number of spe-

and their relation to existing Animals, — 117

cific forms than is contained in some classes of animals. “ It

would be almost impossible,” continues Khrenberg, “ to bring

280 different and distinct forms under a general view, were I not

to avail myself of a physiological systematical arrangement.”

The minute and elegant shells of the Polycystina undergo no

change upon being immersed and boiled in hydrochloric acid ;

on the contrary, they are separated from all adherent foreign

matter and become as transparent as crystal.

In 1838 Ehrenberg classed provisionally the few fossil forms

of Polycystina then known, under a separate division of Poly-

gastrica with siliceous shells or shields, in expectation that the

examination of living forms would point out their true place.

But the very distinct and beautiful forms recently discovered,

amounting to several hundreds, admit no longer of such an ar-

rangement. The formation of these animalcules is very peculiar,

and differs from Bacillaria not only in their external form, but

also in their internal structure. The reasons which have led

Ehrenberg to such a consideration are the following :—

“If it were possible, in a philosophical point of view, to imagine

the existence of Mollusca with siliceous shells among such as possess

shells of a calcareous structure, or to ascribe to nearly related ani-

mals, to some a transudation of siliceous matter, to others a calca-

reous nature, such a supposition would be liable to great objections.

The laws intimately connected with the principles of life prescribe the

transudation of phosphate of lime from the bones of man and verte-

brated animals, and carbonate of lime from the shells of Mollusca

and skeletons of Polypi. A human being, or a vertebrate animal

with siliceous bones, appears possible if considered in a logical point

of view; but reflections based upon the laws of natural history de-

nounce it as inconsistent, if not illogical. Similar in effect would be

the idea of a mollusk with a siliceous shell, or a Polythalamia of such a

structure—similar to a sickly or anomalous individual of that divi-

sion ; it might indeed be compared to a stone of leather or a medal

of wood.

‘« If we except the Polygastrica, such a physiological law separates

the Polycystina with siliceous shells from all classes of crustaceous

and vertebrated animals. It would be impossible to ‘assimilate these

constant and well-defined forms to individuals of a sickly organiza-

tion, as we do not possess forms of a similar structure that might be

considered as existing in a perfect and healthy state, to serve as a

standard for comparison.

“It remains now to investigate, whether these minute normal

bodies of organic nature are of an independent organization, or whe-

ther they are merely parts of organic forms ; whether their structure

is of vegetable or animal origin, or whether they are forms of crystals.

«‘ As we are already acquainted with several instances of living forms

of that structure which possess intestines, although their examination

has not been quite perfect, the idea of crystallization is rejected as

118 On the Microscopical Siliceous Polycystina of Barbados,

distinctly as we reject such a supposition in fossil shells and in fossil

bones of mammalia ; though their cruciform structure (Kreuzformen)

might primd facie afford some shadow of ground for such a suppo-

sition. With regard to the possibility of their being of a vegetable

nature, although Phytolitharia, chiefly Spongia and Tethya, might

afford some analogical points of comparison, the author (Prof. Ehren-

berg) rejected such a conjecture as early as the year 1838, since

his numerous examinations of sponges from all seas and all geolo-

gical formations where they had hitherto occurred, made him ac-

quainted with hundreds of forms doubtless of a regular structure and

easy of recognition, but never with such forms as indicated develop-

ment of organization. The great number of Polycystina also fur-

nishes arguments opposed to such a supposition in the structure of

their shields or shells ; and as there are recent specimens existing in

the mud at the bottom of the sea, and which possess distinct parts

of organization, we are authorized at coming to a similar conclusion

with regard to the origin of those in a fossil state. The regular

apertures and articulation of the minute shells distinctly bespeak an

independent animal structure and development. The large aper-

tures at the extremity of the body possess no analogy among plants,

but occur very commonly among animals.”

With respect to the affinities which these minute forms of ani-

mals bear to the known classes of animal life, Professor Ehrenberg

has again assumed that fundamental principle which he adopted

in 1835, when he brought before the Royal Academy his clas-

sification of the animal kingdom*, namely ‘“‘a development every-

where equally perfect +.” Several circumstances at that time

alluded to have since been determined more in detail, but the

principal groups and characteristic features have remained un-

changed. Accordingly the siliceous-loricated organic forms from

the rocks in Barbados differ alike from Polygastrica and Poly-

thalamia, but develope an important relation to these two groups,

which Professor Ehrenberg considers, not upon conjecture, but

from actual investigation, to form two separate types of forma-

tion. The siliceous shell connects them with the Polygastrica,

the intestinal structure of which has a radiated form; but the

transverse articulation, and the cellular arrangement of their

structure, point to a connexion with those which have not a

radiated but a tubular formation of the intestinal canal, and

the shields of which are always calcareous, and not siliceous. As

the intestinal structure of a living form of Polycystina has not

as yet been examined, Professor Ehrenberg infers, from the

physiological formation alone of the whole numerous group, a

close analogy to the Moss-animalcules (Bryozoa) and chiefly to

* Die Akalephen des rothen Meeres und der Organismus der Medusen

der Ostsee. (The Acalephe of the Red Sea, and the Meduse of the

Baltic.)

+ Das Princip einer “ iiberall gleich vollendeter Entwicklung.”

and their relation to existing Animals. 119

Polythalamia, which contain in the subdivision Nodosarina forms

very similar to Polycystina solitaria, and in Sorita, Pavonina,

Melonia, a striking similarity to Polycystina composita, Haliom-

matina and Lithocyclidina. The cruciform and radiated struc-

ture of Siderolina and Siderospira is likewise present ; nay, even

the structure of recent oceanic forms may be traced in some.

Nevertheless the minute shells of the Polycystina possess phy-

siological characters, which, independent of their being siliceous,

separate them entirely from Polythalamia ; such characters namely

as the absence of real cavities, the presence of which contributes _

to a different structure in the Polythalamia, and from which

peculiarity their name has been derived. It is likewise evident

in the greater number of instances, that the articulation of the

body does not increase in number with age, as is the case in Nodo-

saria and Rotalia, but is individually definite, which is a very

important character. Otherwise, the more easily-closed trans-

verse articulation of the Polycystina is a character entirely want-

ing in the Bacillaria, which possess a longitudinal structure in

their skeleton and development.

These considerations have determined Professor Ehrenberg to

relinquish his former opinion that the Polycystina constitute a fa-

mily of Polygastric animalcules, or that they belong to Arcellina of

compound structure, and he arrives at the conclusion, that they

form like Bryozoa a subdivision of Tubulata, but in this instance

with siliceous shields and individual organized forms. They ap-

proach most nearly in systematic arrangement to Polythalamia,

and would occupy a separate group among animals possessed of

vessels but without a heart and pulsation, and provided with a

simple tubular intestinal canal. The forms developed in the

highest degree in that division would be Holothurieg and Echi-

noidea.

Professor Ehrenberg, in his former paper on Polycystina, de-

scribed five species ; two of which belong to the genus Haliomma,

and are found near Cuxhaven in the North Sea (they are other-

wise widely distributed in the ocean): three species also, two of

which belong to the genus Hucyrtidium, and one to the genus

Lithopera, have been found at the bottom of the sea near the

South Pole. These are—Haliomma ovatum, H. radians, Litho-

pera denticulata, Eucyrtidium antarcticum, E. australe. The two

first forms, which he himself examined, belong to the Polycystina

composita, but im consequence of their soft nature their structure

remained doubtful. The cells appear to be filled with an olive-

brown substance. The other three forms, of which only the

empty shells were examined, were found in large numbers among

living infusoria at the Antarctic Pole; hence Ehrenberg con-

cludes that they belong to the organic beings of the present

period.

120 On the Microscopical Siliceous Polycystina of Barbados,

The fossil species have been found partly in the calcareous

marls (Kreidemergel) from Sicily, partly in the Tripoli forma-

tion of Oran, Engia, Zante, from different localities in Virginia

and the Bermuda Isles. These different localities belong, ac-

cording to the prevailing opinion of geologists, to two different

periods ; and it is consequently important to separate the differ-

ent species of Polycystina which have been found in them.

In the monthly report of the Royal Academy, Ehrenberg de-

scribed in 1844 eighteen species of Polycystina which had been

found in the chalk-marls of Caltanisetta. The remainder, with

the exception of the five recent forms, would belong to the ter-

tiary formation.

In possession of the materials above indicated, to which may

be added a few recent observations that increase the number of

fossil species of the tertiary period, Professor Ehrenberg now

compares the numerous forms which he found in the rocks from

Barbados, Ist, with the recent forms; 2ndly, with those of

the tertiary rocks; and 38rdly, with the forms from the chalk

or secondary period. The result of the comparison is—that of

the 282 species minus 15 which form the rocks in Barbados, only

one species (namely Haliomma ovatum) can be said with certainty

to occur among recent species. Of the eighteen species formerly

described as belonging to the chalk formation are eight among

the 282 fossil species from Barbados, and a new revision of the

Sicilian marls rewarded Professor Ehrenberg with the discovery

of six additional species ; consequently altogether fourteen which

do not differ from those in Barbados specifically, but may be

perhaps slight varieties. They are—

Cornutella clathrata. Haliomma Medusa.

Lithobotrys acuta. nobile.

Lophophzena obtusa. Entactinia.

Eucyrtidium Eruca. Dictyospyris tristoma.

lineatum ? Ceratospyris radicata.

Cycladophora spatiosa. FJustrella concentrica.

Haliomma Dixiphos. Astromma Entomocora ?

Ten of the forms discovered on a former occasion in the

chalks of Sicily were not observable in the rocks from Barbados,

and one species, Eucyrtidium lineatum, which is most abundant

in Sicily, and which occurs likewise in the so-called tertiary

rocks, is not only very scarce in Barbados, but its identity is like-

wise doubtful; however, forms nearly related to it are so very

numerous in Barbados that they compose whole masses of rocks.

The so-called tertiary Tripoli and tertiary marl, or halibiolithic

rocks, from Oran, Engia, Zante, Virginia, Bermuda, contain only

a few Polycystina interspersed here and there: their masses are

formed of polygastric shells. According to the former commu-

nications of Professor Ehrenberg, they contained twenty-one

and their relation to existing Animals. 121

forms which agreed in their structure : a few have been added by

him more recently. Of those twenty-one, only ten have been

found in Barbados; and of the additions recently made, only a

part are to be found in the rocky masses of Barbados. These

results lead to the conclusion, “that the Polycystina of Barbados,

as far as they have been examined, resemble only in a few in-

stances forms now living, and come nearer in structure to those

which are contained in the rocks of the secondary period than in

those of the tertiary formation.” |

Of other siliceous forms which constitute the rocky masses of

Barbados, Professor Ehrenberg mentions, besides the Polycystina,

three other groups :—

1. Some of the specimens of rocks contain shells of Polygastric

Infusoria ; in others they are entirely absent. Of eighteen spe-

cies with siliceous shields found in Barbados, only one agrees

with the chalk formation of Sicily, and only two with those found

in the tertiary rocks of Oran, Engia, Zante, Virginia and Ber-

muda. It is very remarkable that many of the Barbados forms

of animalcules are quite peculiar, and do not occur in any other

locality on the globe as far as hitherto known to Professor Khren-

berg. A number of these new and peculiar forms constitute three,

or perhaps four new genera, which Professor Ehrenberg calls Acti-

nogonium, Dictyolampra, and Liostephania. Biddulphia cirrhus, a

new species, is very abundant, and the new genus Liostephania

with its varied forms apparently constitutes three new species.

2. The Phytolitharia consist of fragments of Spongilla and

Tethya, of which only a few are peculiar. Professor Ehrenberg

described twenty-seven species. The most remarkable form ap-

pears to be Spongophyllium cribrum, which is likewise found in the

rocks of Caltanisetta, but it is much more frequent in the marls

of Zante, where it occurs almost in masses. -Amphidiscus annu-

latus and Spongolithis annulata are especially distinguished in

their structure. The Spongophyllia are so remarkable that Ehren-

berg considers them the commencement of a new series of forms

hitherto unknown, belonging neither to Tethya nor to Spongia.

Phytolitharia derived from freshwater or terrestrial plants do not

occur in any of the rocks.

3. The third group of siliceous fragments in the Barbados

marl consists of perfectly new and very peculiar forms, which

are called Geolithia by Ehrenberg. They are regularly formed

and consequently easily recognizable, and considered as sili-

ceous fragments of animals, they may prove as useful for geo-

logical purposes as Phytolitharia are with respect to plants, and

Zoolitharia in calcareous fragments as regards animals. They are

neither fragments of Spongia nor of Tethya; but occasionally

parts of Polycystina are recognized. Ehrenberg frequently ob-

served the beaks and heads of Eucyrtidia, or the nuclei of Ha-

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 9

122 On the Microscopical Siliceous Polycystina of Barbados,

liommatina; likewise the posterior apertures of the shields or

shells of several forms which appear in elegantly-shaped denti-

culated rings ; or the lateral rays, spines and feet occur in a free

spinulate form ; and the broken trellis-like portions of their bodies

might be compared to siliceous nets. In some of the specimens

of rock where the forms are well-preserved, the origin of the

fragments is easily recognized ; this is unfortunately seldom the

case ; and Ehrenberg observes, that under such circumstances it

is requisite to draw a conclusion from such fragments as are re-

cognizable, in a similar manner as in a geological point of view

sharks’ teeth must serve to determine the species from which

they came. Hence Professor Ehrenberg has divided the Geolithia

into the following groups, which for the sake of analogy he terms

only provisionally genera : —

Stelliform siliceous fragments ...ccscscrereeeecesesescere Actinolithis.

Net-like ¥ Oa eae 2 Ae Westt cuavea .... Dictyolithis.

Annular - bgblis So RERUN s piRe Cade dnb haben Stephanolithis.

Tabular Rf ob 2S ebe eeadeenebendentese wiikayess Placolithis.

Staff-like PP Mi Wee Rye Sones ERAT AER SMe Rhabdolithis.

Nuciform cellular fragments (Polycystine nuclei) ... Caryolithis,

Cephalotic and rostrate fragments (Polycystine beaks) Cephalolithis.

In some instances the whole geological specimen from Barba-

dos is composed of such fragments, in which case it becomes dif-

ficult to determine the true species ; the genera however are easily

defined. In the atmospheric dust borne along by the storm, and

in the dust from the craters of volcanos, it will henceforth be

easier to recognise the siliceous forms of Geolithia, and to com-

pare and determine them with as much certainty for the purpose

of geological deductions as the spines of Kchini, the teeth of

fishes, scales and bones of various kinds.

Ehrenberg has determined twenty-seven species of Geolithia,

several of which bear no relation to any of the 282 species of

Polycystina from Barbados, but possess nevertheless well-defined

characteristic forms. If any of these fragments should hereafter

be discovered in atmospheric dust, we should be authorized to

consider Barbados as its source, The remarkable genera Actinoli-

this and Placolithis are quite unknown with respect to their origin,

“ If an unknown net-like or reticulated fragment is hereafter

named a Dictyolithis of such a form and size, it will be a more

appropriate and. shorter description, and less subject to error,

than if described as Podocyrtidis or Spongie, or Eucyrtidii frag-

mentum, or by any other name. Where it is not requisite to notice

mere fragments, no person would reasonably enumerate them.”

Professor Ehrenberg has next directed his attention to the

partly organic, partly morpholithic calcareous ingredients, which,

besides the siliceous, are contained in the Barbados marl. The

organic parts consist of a small number of Polythalamia: the

and their relation to existing Animals. 123

morpholithic, which have the appearance of a secondary forma-

tion, differ in some respects from the chalk Morpholithes (Kreide-

Morpholithen), being sometimes stelliform, sometimes elliptical

with a nucleus. )

The rocks in general containing these forms, which are some-

times scarcely discernible, at other times little changed, and

occasionally surprisingly well preserved, are partly Tripoli, very

friable and whitish im appearance, partly compact calcareous

sandstone, and become marly by a combination with a consider-

able quantity of calcareous earth.

In some localities the strata of marl contain semi-opal, and oc-

casionally veins of a carboniferous appearance. Burnthill, which

has been considered by some of the inhabitants to be of volcanic

origin, does not show any traces of having been on fire on the

summit; the rocks have received the blackish appearance from

the admixture of bitumen, which they lose when subjected to fire.

They contain Polycystina in good preservation*. ,

The semi-opal is a very remarkable character of the Barbados

formation, which has hitherto not occurred in calcareous marls,

while on the other hand flints, which are so numerous in the Eu-

ropean chalk formation, are entirely wanting in Barbados. Semi-

opal occurs sometimes in Europe in the tertiary biolithic Tripoli.

Another remarkable peculiarity of the Barbados marls is the

large admixture of pumice, which would almost authorize the de-

nomination of a volcanic tufa. One of the geological specimens,

from Skeete’s Bay (No. 58), consists of a pure volcanic tufa.

Professor Ehrenberg does not recollect having previously met

with a similar combination of voleanic dust or ashes, chalk and

marl ; and it is his opinion “ that these rocks, which consist of vol-

canic ashes and organic remains, formerly constituted a submarine

bottom which was subsequently raised, and hence these rocks belong

to a much older period than the coralline rocks which rest upon the

former and constitute the largest portion of the superficial area

of the island.” The whole formation of the island possesses a

uniformity of character which is only modified by different com-

binations, changes and transformations.

The minute forms of organic life in the rocks of Barbados, as

far as investigated by Professor Ehrenberg in February 1847,

consist of the following groups :—

Species.

Polycystina: ... scesssstvasssesseseseccacs 282

Polygastrica —sssncesveperdsccssorccesncee 18

Phytolitharia .......s000. Sihacisiseiesse 27

SPOOEAA 5 Ab iseca cc cistacsndsvaeseccesess 27

PONPUBAIAI IA: Sees ce cescrecccstveiecses ae

361

Of these more than three hundred are new forms.

* There is a tradition in existence that this hill was burning for the space

of five years, the bitumen having been set accidentally on fire.

124 On the Microscopical Siliceous Polycystina of Barbados,

The following tabular survey of Ehrenberg’s description of the

Barbados animalcules exhibits the large new group of Polycys-

tina, which, as will be observed, now consists of 282 species, sub-

divided into seven families and forty-four genera. The nature of

the limitation of the individual animals, and in the individuals,

the apertures in the shield, of which the anterior aperture is ge-

nerally lattice-like or fenestrate, and the posterior one open, have

been used in a physiological point of view to furnish the import-

ant and necessary characters for the greater divisions, subdivi-

sions, and generic differences of the group.

A short Systematic Arrangement of the Families of Cellular

Animals.

Polycystinorum Familie.

I.—PoLYCYSTINA SOLITARIA.

Teste siliceee spatio mterno ample pervio aut passim levius transverse

constricto.

( Spatium internum liberum

(articuli, dissepimenta, Gen. Sp.

Testeeapertura {stricture nulla) ...... I. Halicalyptrina. 1. 13

unica (simplex Sesaitnin ant trict

nubpansellatal |: be ee

i is articulatim contrac-

SOM Ge ms tas eae Il. Lithochytrina. VII. 31

Teste apertura duplex, anterior seepius can-

cellata, posterior tota aperta.......... III. Eucyrtidina. XV. 149

II.—PoLycysTINA COMPOSITA.

Testze siliceze spatio interno celluloso aut strictura longitudinali constricto.

( Cellulee bine clathratz nu-

cis forma ample, stric-

tura longitudinali levius

Teste nucleo MSOPOUIE 65s akeas oh IV. Spyridina. Va 06

destitute (as-

< Cellule numerose parvee,

sociatee et coa- . ° :

, ordine concentrico, spi-

IN ccen ee . .

rali aut nullo (spongiose)

in orbes consociatze, in-

_terdum radiate ...... V. Calodictya. ME 46

Simplices, subglobosz aut 7

lenticulares, interdum

margine simpliciter ele-

gantissime radiate .... VI. Haliommatina. IV. 30

Teste nuclea- | Parte media nucleata (ocel-

te (involute) lata) margine subconcen-

trice, celluloso aut spon-

gioso (forma complanata

orbiculari interdum ele-

ganter lobata et stellata

aut margine radiata) .. VII. Lithocyclidina. IV. 8

XLIV. 282

125

a aaa

and their relation to existing Animals.

ar)

eo.

Uf) mt OS

SO SPDR OO SH OOD SH

seredg

UOpoI0La1g

* wnypodohjaugy

"++ sppahooqn9

* nsoydopnjahy

wnuvz0jndoyry

** WNLUDI0LAY J

*** “sauhoopog

** supuhoosshy J,

"* unypyshongy

wniuprouyahry

** sushooyjup

‘+ puwydoydory

** nsosdopdhsy

snuaydohjoug

**wnunsoding

"* seughyooyvy

* UNVY PLULOY IVT

wnry i h.ov0yqvT

** adwnooyjvyT

os shsjoqoyvT

** pssyauUoyVT

"*** pLradoyT

"* seusoydyopy

** psdhynoynyy

"***pagnusog

"ee" syonpord “reqsur uMnIeye “oTMatjze Opundas B snqriorpuodde

"eters sss sstsopny[aa styyonpoad outsreut outerysod @ snqtorpuadde | ++ **** oxeyor8 UOM

ee ee "rss OVI] OUTSIeU OULIIys0d symu suqrorpuedde { 279 owa14s0d st10d.100

Co oe ee ec cee es O1SOJUL OUISIVUA OWaI3s0d f ”: oe vnc 09 taming

opin opar cpures » psu stmexsod ‘spam snqiorpusdde -I8 SLINJOLYS aasnq

rien Ieee ENS Cs st][Nu spout ‘stsomds srmaxysod snqrorpuedde & Pris fe “tnd snqenp ¥3soy,

osopnutds oafnoe siyu0yy euy onboryn stsodioo |

DiS 8 aS cinco s torduats

que O[[MU OITNoe styMOI,

(vyeuL0 oast][oorpod ‘snqrumzoyMs snqrorpuodde odes) vyoryst0o vmyszode Tutor3sod Tno1418 }

ed T[BUIULIO} BUOI

-09 WhIeUIUIe, ye uNeUIds

“***+* Brmu vutaysod enor

-o9 wmeuids (oxe}st10 odes)

eeee

st[{uu onbsipeu stute1ysod snqrorpucdde J

0J9IOSIP VUI9}X9

Banqounys opnzidea ( “sts * aU |)

PBIOLI}SUOD [OULOS VISIT,

soyusosourds 4800

“VNIGILIYAONT

** OFVUIO BUOIOD WNIOITNOV yne OFVQO] OTRIVIe OWeIys0d

steeeeeees epaere stipoul snqtorpusdde

"'** Byeroouvs vinqziode O1S9ZUI OTNOTWAV OUI.TysOd

Vteeeeees onduns vamyode } ST][MU strpour snqtorpuedde J

Fae bs oFeqQo] (Z) opngidea

see ere eer eee ree eevee

sommjd wmyoLys 2489],

Ce Le SO OOO CSS SSO SFOS OE D6 60 B88 66 6.0610 © 66 bre 6 © 6 6 6 Oe 8 ©

oeoeeee eee eee ere eee eee eeee

oo ere serene eee esos ee Byers stuids vi194zV]

BOIUN BINJOLYS VSIJ,

Ws 6:6 2 6 € 0 €: 4 S89 O'S B76. 8:4 9-04-02 @ 6 C0 66 66 6 6 6 8 SIMU wWnA93"] snqrorpusdde

oyeQO] vUY OIJNOT

“VNIULAHOOHLIT

"*** (vsoqopsqns BuLi0J) vyeyfoouvs ne ByoLysUO0D BINyOdy

seseess (eyemuedures vurioj) vpdue oz1qns

el sii fake (voruoo vut1of) corjdure untsuas

SS TRIES OK 6 OTRO FL OTR DS OO. 6.9) C0 we @: S108 6 le 6.6.0 0.8 8 8.06 6 0 0 Oo '8

re CS SO 6 SO 6.6 E'S 2:08 F OO 6 1026S HO 6 6 6 4.6 6 ee 6 0.0 6 6

eeeeree ee een ese eee eeereneseeeenes eee eeee

} eqdure suojed vinqiody

“VNIULMATVOITVH

‘VIUVLITIOS VNILSAOATOd—'I

‘plauay unsouryshohjog

‘sjounup umnyag fo viauar ay2 fo

la an

juawabunwipy synuagshy loys 7

126 On the Microscopical Siliceous Polycystina of Barbados,

Cl rs joo OO

** OSOTN][0 oULsIvUL

yeopnu oyred vip

-oU UI LOSIp UNIB{saJ,

"+++ puUMOYDET OyeIpet JOR OT[NU 24894 oulsieut (yaeexe Bex.qns peexa) soqumoxa oxjudo o sommyd MpUr |... . snyzerper sno[o

- prmydsobuodg ** wsorsuods tordiyjaut ottos Ut *[[99 "FXO waysop | "TTT TT ++ *1tsoddo aput -NU ‘Rsoqo[sqns 2489 J,

+ puwydsopigg °° *** B[Os atoysodns url w[N{jIo BUO}xo 4S} J O.1}UOD B yonpoid sayusosourds onp ped

+++ pumousp ** (snqiyusosoutds odees oorde) stroqry stsopny[oo spe 078q0] (LrBTJOIS) OFVIPBI Je 0FVQO

=<» pohooehge. 2°22 °° 88 88 20° snquusosourds rzojorduns siiped oyeqoy WOU .

‘wnspspruawhpy styouN(x0d IsBq B BSOTNT[I9 VUBIQUIOUL STSOTNI[S9 STIPE OFEQOT

eevee 6.66.8, 6010000 816 0:8 oyeIpel 20 “TIVTNITQIO o1d9qUL

“+ pyohaoywvy] ee Ce ee ek

9+ purmopyg ** WBN OUTTAIOSozUI OULSIeUL

‘"VNILVAWOITVH

wnigsounydazg syountaos soide “1eySur 13.108 “OsOTnT[90 OTMOUIA SIIPBA

* wmagsoysyy o°ttt sryjounfaoo

IsBq BSOTNT[Oo BUBIqUIOUL sisorsuods (xeqsUI WNIET[OIg) YBIPV ye YeqOT] . oqo umes

wnusopodoyy ******** SipLsmny st1oqq] sired] BUpss ogjonu 49 leaplie

2 ohyopojiyg “***"**"** SNQTULLOFITYS qoyrorj duns -uods snqut UINIVISO J,

unuphunpyort J pe Fe ves : . i eet et SS 5 MU Oostp \ (1v4sUl WNIeySN{J) YVIpel UOT

ess pmaugsnys seen tees eeeeoteeeeresees — QTMU OGUIT] TOSTP L (781

‘VALOIGOTVO

F gahdeowg surtiiheswissrscsster etree eee a }WOTOUIA UeMyedB BUOIOD UINAVUTU]

-+ souhdsopny) Seno eas ene oF sens ot Leste sheesecaumme «see pees > + SOUL Ae

sgabdsoppuay ctr ecsserieetseceaseenecescceserseseceerss? srg DICUMS sisoutds snqrorpuadde oh ae le

‘+ sthdsoune,g rr rere ere ree a eee Oe OCT ee A eh eh a sien prance Mpmnnaee my nu snqrrpusdde 5

6 se guahdookgony coititcc stmt essere V+ ses erpour Byerygepa Bingzode TT] a

se i ‘VNIGIUAdS

‘VIISOdNOOD VNILSAOATOd— TI .

and their relation to existing Animals. 127

A short Diagnosis of the three new Polygastric Genera.

1. Actinogonium.

Animalculum e Polygastricorum Bacillariis Naviculaceis prismaticis non

concatenatis, testee suborbicularis angulis 7 (aut pluribus ?).

A. septenarium. ;

2. Dictyolampra.

Animalculum e Polygastricorum Bacillariis Naviculaceis orbicularibus

non concatenatis, teste bivalvis disco aperturis non perforato, dissepi-

mentis internis nullis, valvulis paribus in solo medio disco cellulosis,

in levi margine radiatis.

D. Stella.

3. Liostephania.

Animalculum e Polygastricorum Bacillariis Naviculaceis orbicularibus

non concatenatis, teste bivalvis disco aperturis non perforato, disse-

pimentis internis nullis valvulis paribus (?) in medio disco et in mar-

gine leevibus, radiorum, seepe validorum, corona centrum leve cingente.

L. Rotula, radiis (6—14) simplicibus.

LL. comta, radiis (6—13) supra punctorum corona conjunctis.

L magnifica, radiis (12), infra radiolis binis, supra punctis interpositis.

EXPLANATION OF PLATES V. anv VI.

The figures contained in these plates represent a few of the numerous

elegant forms of the cellular animalcules of Barbados, magnified from 200

to 100 times in diameter *.

The figures i to 7 are solitary animalcules, and belong consequently to

the first division of Polycystina.

The figures 8, 9, 10 are forms of compound animalcules (Polypenstécke)

belonging to the second division of Polycystina, and are of a similar relation

as Peneroplis and Pavonina among Polythalamia.

PuatE V.

Fig. 1. Eucyrtidium Ampulla, front view.

Fig. 2. seen from below.

Fig. 3. 53 = seen from above.

Fig. 4. Rhopalocanium ornatum,

Fig. 5. Podocyrtis Schomburgkii.

Priate VI.

” ?

Fig. 6. Anthocyrtis Mespilus.

Fig. 7. Lychnocanium Lucerna.

Fig. 8. Haliomma Humboldtii.

Fig. 9. Astromma Aristotelis.

Fig. 10. Stephanastrum Rhombus.

It has been considered preferable to omit some of the minor figures of

the original plate, and to substitute his interesting Kucyrtidium Ampulla as

seen in different positions, a drawing of which was obligingly furnished for

that purpose by Professor Ehrenberg.

* Professor Ehrenberg observes, that these illustrations are magnified

about a third Jess than his figures of Polygastrica, which are uniformly mag-

nified 300 times.

128 Bibliographical Notices.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

A Treatise on the Esculent Funguses of England. By C. D. Bap-

HAM, M.D. 8vo. Reeve, Brothers, 1847.

Tuts is the work of a person of considerable tact and powers of

observation, and has the singular merit of containing much that is

new and interesting on a subject which has been treated again and

again by persons of as various merit as the books they have pub-

lished. ‘The prospectus was peculiarly well drawn up, and was cal-

culated to make a very favourable impression. The work itself forms

a handsome octavo volume; the illustrations are for the most part

admirable, and faithfully represent the species with which they

profess to make the unlearned reader familiar, and the culinary

** indications ”’ such as will satisfy the most fastidious.

Dr. Badham does not pretend to be a learned mycologist, but du-

ring a long residence abroad he had collected a mass of information

on the subject, to which much has been added since his return, and

which he has laid before the public with that ability for which he

was remarkable during his earlier course, and which he has displayed

in his publication on Insect Life. It would be easy indeed to point

out minor errors which a more familiar acquaintance with the works

of some of the leading mycologists of the day would have enabled

him to avoid, but these are of little importance, and do not at all

detract from the general merit of the work, which is professedly of a

popular character, its very aim being the diffusion of useful know-

ledge on a subject too much neglected in this country.

The mode of cultivation of the common mushroom is familiar to

almost every one, though it is not carried in this country to an ex-

tent at all proportionate to that which prevails in Paris, where the

markets are entirely supplied with mushrooms obtained artificially,

millions being produced weekly in the catacombs. In Italy several

species are obtained by the most simple processes. At Naples an

Agaric is abundantly produced from spent coffee grounds simply by

depositing the marc in cellars of a proper temperature. A Polyporus

is raised from stony masses impregnated with mycelium by trans-

ferring them to the garden with a portion of the original mould and

watering them daily. Specimens were some years ago raised by

Messrs. Lee of Hammersmith in this way which are preserved in the

British Museum. ‘Two other fungi are produced in a very simple

manner which we do not recollect to have seen noticed before.

Dr. Badham shall however speak for himself.

«« A third fungus which we have the means of producing ad libi.

tum is that which spreuts from the pollard head of the black poplar ;

these heads it is usual to remove at the latter end of autumn as soon

as the vintage is over and their marriage with the vine is annulled ;

hundreds of such heads are then cut and transported to different

parts ; they are abundantly watered during the first month, and ina

short time produce that truly delicious fungus Agaricus caudicinus,

the Pioppini, which during the autumn of the year make the greatest

Literary and Philosophical Society of St. Andrews. 129

show in many of the Italian market-places. These pollard blocks con-

tinue to bear from twelve to fourteen years; I saw a row of them

in the Botanical Garden at Naples which after this period were still

productive, though less frequently and of fewer Agarics at a crop.

The practice of rearing funguses from the poplar is not modern:

Dioscorides knew, for he tells us, that if we bark the white or black

poplar, cutting the bark into pieces and covering it with horse-dung,

an excellent kind of fungus will spring up and continue tu bear

throughout the year. By way of comment to which passage, Mat-

thiolus adds, that a little leaven will produce an abundant crop in

four days. Another fungus which I have myself reared (Polyporus

avellanus) is to be procured by singeing over a handful of straw a

block of the cobnut tree which is then to be watered and put by. In

about a month the funguses make their appearance, which are quite

white, of from two to three inches in diameter, and excellent to eat,

while their profusion is sometimes so great as entirely to hide the

wood from which they spring. All blocks of this nut wood do not

bear. Professor Sanguinetti informs me that the peasants in the

Abruzzi, who bring in these logs, know perfectly which will succeed

and which will not; a knowledge, he adds, to which the closest at-

tention during all the years that I have been employed by the Papal

Government as superintendent of the fungus market has not enabled

me to attain.”

Many other passages of general interest will be found dispersed

through the work, and those who look for especial information will

not often be disappointed. The truffles alone, though one of the

most interesting groups of fungi, whether regarded as objects of

commerce or on account of their curious and multifarious structure,

form an exception.

We cordially recommend this work in connexion with the larger

one of Mrs. Hussey to the attentive notice of our readers. We do

not indeed exactly understand why Dr. Badham’s obligations to that

lady are not more particularly noticed. Her name does not appear

on the plates, though far the greater part of the figures are due to

her pencil. Other obligations of a minor character from another

quarter ought also we think to have been acknowledged, but we

would rather suppose that in either case there has been some acci-

dental omission.

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF ST. ANDREWS.

April 5, 1847.—Dr. Reid gave an account of observations on the

development of the Medusa, and exhibited the animals to the

Society. 7

He recalled to the attention of the Society the account which he

gave of the structure and habits of the larve of the Meduse ona

former occasion. In the remarks already printed in the Society’s

‘Transactions,’ it was stated by Dr. Reid, that he had kept these

animals alive at home from September 1845 to the end of July 1846,

180 = Literary and Philosophical Society of St. Andrews.

without their dividing into young Meduse. Towards the end of

July the larve ceased for a short time to reproduce themselves by

buds and stolons, but by the beginning of August they were again

propagating themselves in this manner, though less actively than in

April and May. On the 10th of February last, the upper part of

some of the larvee had become elongated, cylindrical, of considerably

diminished diameter, with transverse rings commencing at the top.

Each of these transverse rings developed itself, in the manner that

Sars has described, into a young Medusa, having eight bifid processes

projecting from the margin of the disc. In many of the larve, while

the upper part of the body was of a reddish brown colour, and was

splitting itself into as many as thirty or forty young Meduse, the

lower part was of its usual white colour, and was reproducing new

larvee by means of buds. In no case in which the process of splitting

was watched, did the whole of the larva break itself up into young

Meduse, but a portion, often very small, at its attached extremity,

continued to live as a larva, and threw out new tentacula before the

last of the young Medusz, into which the rest of the body had split,

had been detached. Dr. Reid then gave a detailed description of

these young Meduse, and explained their structure as seen under

the microscope. Among other things, he stated that the appear-

ances described by Steenstrup as vessels in the young Medusa, at

the period of its separation from the larva, are merely ridges on its

lower surface. Cilia were observed on the inner surface of the

mouth, stomach, and on the surface of four remarkable double pro-

cesses adhering to the inner surface of the stomach. The ocellus,

as it is termed, placed in the cleft of each of the eight processes pro-

jecting from the margin of the disc, is chiefly made up of several

cylindrical crystals, presenting several interesting appearances not

hitherto described.

Dr. Reid also stated, that since his last communication on this sub-

ject to the Society, he had made additional observations on the loco-

motive powers of the larvee. ‘The young larve developed from buds

generally move to some little distance, sometimes a considerable di-

stance, from the older larva which formed these buds, even after they

have been fairly detached from their parents. This locomotion is

slow, and is effected by a kind of sliding motion of the attached end

over the substance to which it is fixed. Dr. Reid had also observed

very minute cilia on the external surface of the bodies of some

larvee*.

* A delay in the publication of the Abstracts of the ‘ Transactions’ of the

Society enables Dr. Reid to add, that the larve ceased to split into young

Medusz about the end of the first week in May; that the surface of the

stones are as thickly covered with them at present (30th May) as before they

began to split, so that he has now kept this colony of larve above 203 months,

and it was not until they had been 173 months in his possession that some

of these larvee began to split into young Medusze, while many of them have

not yet done so at all. These observations of Dr. Reid confirm some of

those made by Sir John Dalzell on the larvee of the Medusa, under similar

circumstances (vide Jamieson’s Philosophical Journal for 1836), and differ

very considerably from some of those made by Sars and Steenstrup upon

these animals, placed under different conditions.

Zoological Society. 131

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

May 11, 1847.—William Spence, Esq., F.R.S., in the Chair.

On tue Genera oF THE Famity Curronip@ (continued).

By J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S., F.Z.S. erc.

1. Curron, Linn. (part), Guilding, Z. J. v.27; Swainson; Gray, Syn.

Lepidopleurus, ‘‘ Leach MSS.,” Risso, Eur. Merid. 267. Chiton,

sect. A. 1. Blainv. Lepas spec., “Adanson. Corephium, Brown. Lo-

phurus, Poli. Gymnoplax, Gray. :

* Scales of the margin moderate, smooth, polished ; valves thickish.

Ch. striatus, Barnes. Ch. olivaceus, Frembly, Sow. C. Til. £. 3, 41.

Chiloe.

Ch. Cumingii, Frembly, Sow. C. Ill. f. 32, 51. Chili.

Ch. albolineatus, Sow. C. Ili. f.39. Mexico.

Ch. squamosus, Linn. Ch. bistriatus, Wood. Ch. obscurus, Sow.

West Indies. ;

_ Ch. sulcatus, Wood, Sow. C. Ill. £. 12.

Ch. granosus, Frembly. Chili.

Ch. Barnesii, Gray. _Coquimbo.

Ch. glaucus, Gray, Spic. Zool.=Ch. viridis, Quoy.

Ch. granulosus, Frembly. Conception.

Ch. Siculus, Gray. Ch. Polii, Desh. Sicily.

Ch. lyratus, Sow. C. Jl. f. 126.

Ch. foveolatus, Sow. C. Jil. f. 60.

Ch. excavatus, Gray, Sow, C. Jil. f. 131.

Ch. fasciatus, Wood, Sow. C. Jil. f. 153.

Ch. australis, Sow. C. Lil. f. 46.

Ch. Stokesii, Brod., Sow. C. Jil. £. 24.

Ch. virgulatus, Sow. C. Ill. f. 132.

Ch. patulus, Sow. C. Jil. f. 134,

Ch. marmoratus, Gmelin, Sow. C. Ill. f. 148... West Indies.

Ch. evanidus, Sow. C. Jil. £. 139.

Ch. articulatus, Sow. C, Ill. f.18. California.

Ch. levigatus, Sow. C. Lil. f.18*. California.

Ch. Goodallii, Sow. C. Jil. £.50. Galapagos.

| ** Scales of the mantle small, smooth, polished.

Ch. Bowenii, King, Sow. C. Jil. f.37. Magellan Str.

EE Scales of the margin transversely grooved; valve rounded, not

keeled, thin.

This section forms a very natural group.

Ch. textilis, Gray, Spic. Zool.=Ch. longicymba, Blainv., Quoy.

Ch. Indicus, Sow. C. Jil. f. 55. Ch. Solea, Sow. C. Ill. f. 61. Cape

of Good Hope.

Ch. Magdaliensis, Hinds.

| #8 Scales of the margin lanceolate, elongate, erect, closely pressed.

Ch. levis, Mont.=Ch. corallinus, Risso.

1382 Zoological Society.

2. Tonicia, Gray, Syn. Chiton, Risso, HE. M. 267.

* Valves broad, transverse.

T. atrata. Ch. atratus, Sow. C. Illust. f.57,58. Falkland Islands.

T. elegans. Ch. elegans, Frembly, Sow. C. Illust. f. 73, 74. Ch.

Chiloensis, Sow. Ch. lineolatus, Frembly. Ch. graniferus, Sow. Ch.

Sparius, Sow. Conception Bay.

T. rubra. Ch. ruber, Linn. Ch. marmoreus, O. Fab. Ch. latus,

Lowe. Ch. fulminatus, Couth. :

T. fulva. Ch. fulvus, Wood, Sow. C. Jil. f£.53. Cadiz.

T. lineata. Ch. lineatus, Wood, Sow. C. Ill. f. 77.

T. Swainsoni, Sow. C. Jil. f.5. Peru.

T. cerasina.

T. levigata. Ch. levigatus, Flem.

T. lyrata.

T. Grayii. Ch. Grayii, Sow. C. Illust. f. 8—16. Peru.

T. castanea. Ch. castaneus, Wood, Sow. C. Illust. f. 114, 115,

116. Cape of Good Hope.

T. fastigiata. Ch. fastigiatus, Gray, Sow. C. Illust. f.11. Cali-

fornia.

** Valves moderate, subcordate, rounded, and far apart on the sides ;

lobes of insertion wide ; mantle broad.

T. disjuncta. Ch. disjunctus, Frembly, Zool. Journ. t. 77. f. 5,

forms the passage to the Chitons, which have only a small part of the

valves exposed.

3. ACANTHOPLEURA, Guild. Z. J. v.27; Gray, Syn.

Canthapleura, Swains.

This genus gradually passes to Onithochiton.

* The plate of insertion of the hinder valve well-developed, regular ;

valves thin; lateral area distinct ; margin bristly.

A. Peruviana. Ch. Peruvianus, Lam., Sow. C. Ill. f.44. Peru.

A. bicolor. Ch. bicolor, Addams. West Indies.

A. Hennahi. Ch. Hennahi, Gray, Sow. C. Ill. f. 1 & 33.

A. Watsonii. Ch. Watsonii, Sow. C. Ill. f. 81, 82, 130 = Ch. cas-

taneus, Quoy.

** The plate of insertion of the hinder valve narrow, rather irregular.

t+ Margin bristly ; lateral area distinct.

A. nobilis, Gray. New Zealand.

+t Margin spinose or spinulose ; lateral area indistinct.

. picea. Ch. piceus, Sow. C. il. f.147. West Indies.

. spinigera. Ch. spinigerus, Sow. Conch. Jil. f.68. Peru.

. Owenii, Gray. West coast of Africa.

. spinosa. Ch. spinosus, Brug., Sow. C. Illust. f. 151. Australia.

. brevispinosa. Ch. brevispinosus, Sow. C. [/lust. f. 1386. Island

of Johanna.

A. magnifica. Ch. magnificus, Gray, Sow. C. Iilust. f. 52.

> > >> >

Zoological Society. 133

ttt Margin smooth ? ; lateral area very distinct.

A.? gigas. Ch. gigas, Gmel. Cape of Good Hope.

A.? truncata. Philippines.

4. ScuHiIzocuH1IToN.

Valves elongate, subcordate, narrow ; lateral area short, distinctly

defined; the hinder valves large, with a subposterior superior apex

and a deep notch on its hinder lower edges, and the plate of insertion

small, with a few oblique notches, scarcely pectinated. Mantle

broad, covered above with small chaff-like scales, deeply notched

behind.

Schizochiton incisus. Chiton incisus, Sow. Philippines.

5. CorEePHIUM.

Valves broad; wing of insertion of the anterior valve lobed and

pectinated ; the hinder valve oblong, with a subcentral, subposterior,

not produced apex; the edge of insertion distinct, not lobed on the

sides, with a single nick behind, and slightly denticulated; mantle

spinose.

C. echinatus. Chiton echinatus, Barnes. C. tuberculiferus, Sow.

Ch. spiniferus, Frembly ; Sow. C. Iilust. f. 47, young.

6. PLAXIPHORA.

P. Carmichaelis. Chiton Carmichaelis, Gray, Spic. Zool. Ch.

albidus, Blainv. 547. Ch. raripilosus, Blainv. 547. Ch. costatus,

Blainv. 547. Ch. biramosus, Quoy, Voy. Astrol. t. 74. f. 12, 16.

Ch. setiger, King, Z. J. v. 338; Sow. Conch. Ill. f.17. Ch. Frem-

blii, Brod. P. Z. S. 1832, 28; Sow. Conch. Ill. f.2. Ch. setosus,

Sow., Beechey Voy. Terra del Fuego.

See also Ch. setosus, Sow. C. Jil. f.19?

7. ONITHOCHITON,

O. Gaimardi. Chiton Gaimardi, Blainv. 546.

O. hirtosus. Chiton hirtosus, Blainv. 546.

O. undulatus. Ch. undulatus: Van Diemen’s Land.

8. ENoPLOCHITON.

E. niger. Ch. niger, Barnes. Ch. Coquimbensis, Frembly. Co-

quimbo.

The valves become very much eroded.

9. Mopatia.

Valves broad, transverse, depressed ; margin of insertion moderate ;

the hinder valve with a rounded lobe on the hinder edge; mantle

moderately broad, bristly above, narrow behind.

* Margin moderately wide in front.

M. Hindsii. Ch. Hindsii. West coast of America.

M. Simpsonii. Ch. Simpsonii, Gray. Brit. Mus.

134 Zoological Society.

** Margin very wide in front.

M. Blainvillii. Ch. Blainvillii, Sow. C. Zi. f. 6. Inner Lobos

Island.

10. KaTHARINA.

K. tunicata, Chiton tunicatus, Wood, Conch. ii. t. 2. f.1; Cat.

t.1. f.10. Wood’s specimen is now in the British Museum.

K. Douglasiz. Ch. tunicatus, Sow. C, Iilust. f.152. California.

11. Cryprocuiron.

The gill only occupies the hinder part of the sides.

C. amiculatus. Ch. amiculatus, Pallas, Nov, Comm. Petrop. ii. 241.

t. 7. f. 26,30; Sow. Tank. Cat. (spec. Brit. Mus.) ; Wood, Cat. t. 1.

f, 12, inner side of shell; Sow. Conch. Jilust. f. 80, half-grown. Chi-

ton Sitkensis, Reeve’s Conch. Icon. f.55, adult. Kurile Islands.

12, Cryrroconcuus, ‘ Blainv.,” Swainson; Gray, Syn.

Body oblong, rather convex ; back flattish or concave in the centre,

with the tuft of spines on the upper part of the sides of the back.

The gills extend about half the length of the sides.

Cryptoconchus porosus, “ Blainv.,”’ Burrows, Hlem. Conch. 190

(1815), spec. Brit. Mus. Chiton porosus, Burrows, E. C. t. 28;

Wood, Cat. t.1. f. 39. Ch. Leachii, Blainv. D. S. N. 554, spec. Brit.

Mus. Ch. monticularis, Quoy, Voy. Astrol. t. 73. f. 30, 34, 36, and

lower fig. 7; Sow. Conch. Illust. f. 129, valves. New Zealand.

13. Amicuta, Gray, Syn. 1840.

Body ovate, convex; back convex; mantle bristly.

Amicula vestita. Chiton vestitus, Sow. Zool. Journ. iv. 368; Sow.

Conch. Illust. f.128. Ch. Emersonii, Couthoy. Atlantic Ocean.

14. Acantuocuites, Leach, B.M.; Gray, Syn.

Acanthochites, ‘‘ Leach.” Acanthochitus, Risso. Phakellopleura,

Guild., Swainson. Chitonellus (part.), Guild. Acanthochiton, Herrm.

Body oblong, elongate, rather depressed; mantle spinulose; tuft

of spines generally large ; gill extending about two-thirds the length

of the sides.

M. De Blainville says, the valves of this genus are always without

any trace of lateral area (D. S. N. xxxvi. 537), but this must have

arisen from his only having examined worn specimens.

A. fascicularis. Ch. fasc., Linn. C, echinites, Blainv., Sow. Conch.

Til. £. 87—938.

A. Garnoti. Ch. Garnoti, Blainv. D. S. N. 552?; Quoy, Voy.

Astrol. t. 73. £.9,14. Asc. Zelandica, Quoy, Voy. Astrol. t. 73. f. 5.

A. Hookeri, Gray, Dieffenbach, 262.

A. polychetus. Ch. polychetus, Blainv. 553.

A. roseus. Ch. roseus, Blainv. 553.

A. Lesueurii. Ch. Lesueurii, Blainv. 553.

A. scaber. Ch. scaber, Blainv. 553.

Miscellaneous. 135

A. violaceus. Ch. violaceus, Quoy, Voy. Astrol. 73. £.13,16, 17, 20;

not Sow. Jil. f, 1338.

A. hastatus. Ch. hastatus, Sow. C. Jil. f. 127.

A. hirundiniformis. Ch. hirundiniformis, Sow. C. Ill. f. 148.

A. strigatus. Chitonellus latus, Guild. Z. Journ. v.28. Chitonellus

strigatus, Sow. C. Jil.

15. Curronetyius, Lam.

Chitonella, Desh. Cryptoconchus, ‘‘ Blainv.,” Burrows. Crypto-

plax, Blainv. Chitoniscus, Herrm.

Body elongate, compressed, conyex above; mantle covered with

crowded spines; the exposed part of the front valves oblong, square,

broad, often worn; of the hinder ones narrow, lanceolate ; the plates

of insertion large, produced in front, and scarcely notched on either

side. ‘The gills occupy the hinder third of the sides.

M. De Blainville inserts Lamarck’s species of Chitonelli with the

spiny Chitons in section D., and in section EH, he redescribes them,

from specimens in spirits in the British Museum.

Chitonellus levis, Lam. Chiton vermiformis, Blainv. D. S. N.

xxxvi. 553. Oscab. fascie, Quoy, Voy. Astrol. t. 73. f. 21, 29.

Cryptoconchus larveeformis, “ Blainv.,” Burrows, Elem. Conch. 190.

t. 28. f.2,4; Wood, Cat. t.1.f.40. Philippines.

Chitonellus striatus, Lam.; Sow. Conch. Illust. f. 62? Oscab.

ocule, Quoy, Voy. Astrol. t. 73. f..37,38. Australia.

The fossil Chitons of the older strata described by Munster, more

lately by Ryckholt, Bull. Acad. Bruzx. 1845, xii. 36. t. 1—4, appear

to belong to a peculiar genus, which may be called Gryphochiton,

most nearly allied to Chitonellus.

I have described some peculiarities in the development, disposition

and structure of the valves of the Chitons in a paper which will be

read at the Royal Society on the 16th of June next.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Notice of the capture of Sylvia Turdoides (Meyer) in Britain.

By Joun Hancock, Esq.

A MALE specimen of this fine Warbler was shot, three or four miles

west of Newcastle, near to the village of Swalwell, by Mr. Thomas

Robson of that place, on the 28th of last May. The attention of

this gentleman, who is perfectly familiar with the song of all our

summer visitants, was arrested by a note which he had not before

heard ; and after some search he succeeded in getting a sight of the

bird. It was concealed in the thickest part of a garden hedge close

to an extensive mill-dam, which is bordered with willows, reeds and

other aquatic plants. It would scarcely leave its retreat, and when

it did so never flew far, and always kept close to the herbage. Its

habits resembled those of the Reed Fauvette, being continually in

motion, occasionally hanging with the body downwards or clinging

to the branches and stretching forwards to take its prey.

136 Miscellaneous.

Its song was powerful, and resembled that of the Black Ougel,

but was occasionally interrupted with the harsh craking note com-

mon to many of the Warblers, and at intervals it uttered a single

shrill cry.

The specimen was very fat, and when opened the testicles were

found to be much enlarged ; the stomach contained small beetles and

flies.

From the nature of the locality, from the time when captured, and

from the enlarged state of the testicles, there can be little doubt that

this bird was breeding in the neighbourhood: and I have some rea-

son for believing that the nidification of this species has occurred in

another part of England. I have had in my possession for nearly

two years an egg taken by a friend of mine in Northamptonshire,

which agrees in every respect with Thienemann’s figure and descrip-

tion of the egg of Sylvia Turdoides ; and now, since the capture of

the bird in Britain, it is impossible to doubt that this egg belongs to

that species. It would therefore appear probable that this delightful

songster, the largest of the European Warblers, may be a regular

summer visitant to our island. Notwithstanding its large size it

might easily pass unnoticed, skulking as it does in the low herbage,

and seldom exposing itself to view. Its song, too, by most would

be taken for that of the Black Ougel ; and even now it might have

escaped detection had not the accurate ear and experienced eye of

Mr. Robson been engaged in the pursuit.

Newcastle-on-Tyne, 15th July 1847.

On the habits of Cicada septendecim. ByS. P. Hitpreru, M.D.

It is now seventeen years since, in 1829, this curious insect ap-

peared in this.portion of Ohio. Its exit from the earth, where it had

remained excluded from the light of day for so long a time, was

looked for with considerable interest. They were first seen to come

out of the ground on the 14th of May, 1846, ascend some bush, fence,

or tree, cast off their exuviz, and become a flying insect. They had

been observed, near the surface, since the beginning of April, and

were turned up by the plough, and dug out of the earth by hogs,

which were very fond of them, as were also birds, domestic fowls and

cats. At abrick-yard in Marietta, where the clay was dug from the

side of a hill, under the remains of an old orchard of apple.trees, the

workmen observed the cells of this insect in 1838, in the large masses

of earth broken off from the side of the bank. In 1840 I visited

the spot, collected several of the Cicad@ and preserved them in spirit.

Their cells at that time were measured, and found to be a third less

than in the seventeenth year. The cells are oval and very smooth

within ; they are two and a quarter inches long and three-fourths of

an inch in diameter, being sufficiently large for the single Cicada,

which inhabits it, to move and turn round. Thus they dwell for

sixteen years and ten months secluded in a grotto of their own con-

struction.

After the eggs of the female are deposited in the tender branches

* From Silliman’s American Journal for March 1847.

Miscellaneous. 137

of trees, they remain two months or sixty days in the pith of the

wood before they are hatched and ready to seek their home in the

earth; and as they invariably ascend in May, soon after which the

eggs are deposited, it makes their actual residence in the earth two

months short of seventeen years. ‘The perfect insect lives ahout

thirty days, and then perishes. In 1840 the cells were found to be

from two and a half to four feet below the surface, and without any

tube communicating with the top of the ground. The cells are pro-

bably water-proof, as the flood of 1832 covered the surface to the

depth of six or eight feet in my garden. In 1846 a large number of

these insects emerged from the earth under an apple-tree, in the

branches of which the parent Cicada had deposited her eggs in 1829.

If the water at that time, when only in their third year, had had

access to their cells, they must have perished, for it remained over

them five or six days. In their cells no appearance of excremen-

titious matter was noticed. When their period of entombment is

completed, in the seventeenth year, or perhaps earlier, they com-

mence working out a smooth cylindrical tube towards the surface,

taking care not to approach within reach of frosts, and where examined

for the purpose, the tubes have been found to be usually about four feet

in length. For constructing their cells and excavating these tubes,

their fore-feet are admirably adapted, being much larger and stronger

than those for locomotion, and formed with stout claws like the craw-

fish. Each pupa is armed with a stout proboscis, one-fourth of an

inch long, which usually lies between the fore-legs on a line with

the body. A remarkable example of instinct was observed in some

which came to the surface under a pile of boards, raised by timbers

five or six inches above the earth. The ground was wet, and to en-

able themselves to reach the dry boards they continued their cylin-

ders up to them, forming thus towers of damp clay in the centre of

which they were concealed. ‘These towers were five or six inches

high and about an inch in diameter ; they were constructed of lumps

of wet earth compacted together in a firm but rough manner. A

large number of these towers was found when the boards were re-

moved; some had the top closed, and from these the Cicada had not

departed. When they had reached the boards, they crawled along on

the under side and came to the open air, where, fixing on a spot

favourable to their purpose, they remained attached, until a rupture

was made in the cuticle on the back of the thorax, and the perfect

insects then with great effort extricated themselves from the armour

that had so long protected them in the earth. As there was no

further use for the stout claws of the fore-legs after they became

denizens of the air, these legs were replaced by two that were small

and delicate like the other four. In a few days after leaving the

earth they had chosen their mates, and the female soon commenced

depositing her eggs in the under sides of the tender branches of trees,

by means of an ovipositor resembling an awl or punch, and con-

tinued at this for several days. The preceding year’s growth of

the branches of apple-trees is a favourite wood with them ;—but in

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 10

138 Miscellaneous.

the forest, the tender branches of almost any variety of wood are used

for this purpose. In a few days the leaves on the twig dry up, and

the punctured parts, in many instances, break with the wind and fall

to the ground.

By the 21st of May they had increased rapidly, and the woods on

the side hills were vocal with their music. The male is the songster,

and has vibrating air-cells at the back of and under the wings. Where

they are abundant their noise is deafening in the sunny and hot por-

tion of the day, but they are nearly silent at night. About the 6th

and 7th of June the weather was quite cold, which retarded their

progress very much, and during a long and continued rain many of

them died. They delight in heat er J sunshine, moving about with

great briskness. By the last of June they had nearly all perished ; and,

as in 1829, numbers were seen flying short distances, after the ab-

domen had wasted away, and separated from the wings and thorax.

By the middle of August, or about sixty days after the eggs are de-

posited, they are hatched, and the young Cicadas are ready to enter

into the earth. They prevailed over the woody region on the north

of the Ohio river, from the Alleghany mountains to the Mississippi ;

and were full as numerous as in 1829, but will probably diminish as

the forests are cut away.

Marietta, January 5th, 1847.

In continuation of this subject, which is one of general interest,

we cite the following paragraphs from the very valuable work of T.

W. Harris, M.D., on the Insects of Massachusetts injurious to Ve-

getation (pp. 171-175), referring to the work itself for a more com-

plete history of the Cicada*.

In those parts of Massachusetts which are subject to the visitation

of this Cicada, it may be seen in forests of oak about the middle of

June. Here such immense numbers are sometimes congregated as

to bend and even break down the limbs of the trees by their weight,

and the woods resound with the din of their discordant drums from

morning to evening. After pairing, the females proceed to prepare

a nest for the reception of their eggs. They select, for this purpose,

branches of a moderate size, which they clasp on both sides with

their legs, and then bending down the piercer at an angle of about

forty-five degrees, they repeatedly thrust it obliquely into the bark

and wood in the direction of the fibres, at the same time putting in

motion the lateral saws; in this way they detach little splinters of

the wood at one end, so as to form a kind of fibrous lid or cover to the

perforation. The whole is bored obliquely to the pith, and is gra-

dually enlarged by a repetition of the same operation, till a longitu-

dinal fissure is formed of sufficient extent to receive from ten to

twenty eggs. The side-pieces of the piercer serve as a groove to

convey the eggs into the nest, where they are deposited in pairs, side

by side, but separated from each other by a portion of woody fibre,

* Report on the Insects of Massachusetts injurious to Vegetation, by

Thaddeus William Harris, M.D. 460 pp., 8vo. Cambridge, 1841.

Miscellaneous. 139

and they are implanted into the limb somewhat obliquely, so that

one end points upwards. When two eggs have been thus placed,

the insect withdraws the piercer for a moment, and then inserts it

again and drops two more eggs in a line with the first, and repeats

the operation till she has filled the fissure from one end to the other,

upon which she removes to a little distance, and begins to make

another nest to contain two more rows of eggs. She is about fifteen

minutes in preparing a single nest and filling it with eggs; but it is

not unusual for her to make fifteen or twenty fissures in the same

limb ; and one observer counted fifty nests extending along ina line,

each containing fifteen or twenty eggs in two rows, and all of them

apparently the work of one insect. After one limb is thus suffi-

ciently stocked, the Cicada goes to another, and passes from limb to

limb and from tree to tree, till her store, which consists of four or

five hundred eggs, is exhausted. At length she becomes so weak

by her incessant labours to provide for a succession of her kind, as to

falter and fall in attempting to fly, and soon dies.

Although the Cicadas abound most upon the oak, they resort occa-

sionally to other forest trees and even to shrubs when impelled by the

necessity for depositing their eggs, and not unfrequently commit

them to fruit-trees when the latter are in their vicinity. Indeed there

seem to be no trees or shrubs that are exempted from their attacks,

except those of the pine and fir tribes, and of these even the white

cedar is sometimes invaded by them. The punctured limbs languish

and die soon after the eggs which were placed in them are hatched ;

they are broken by the winds or by their own weight, and either

remain hanging by the bark alone, or fall with their withered foliage

to the ground. In this way orchards have suffered severely in conse-

quence of the injurious punctures of these insects.

The eggs are one-twelfth of an inch long, and one-sixteenth of an

inch through the middle, but taper at each end to an obtuse point,

and are of a pearl-white colour. The shell is so thin and delicate

that the form of the included insect can be seen before the egg is

hatched, which occurs, according to Dr. Potter, in fifty-two days after

it is laid, but other persons say in fourteen days.

The young insect when it bursts the shell is one-sixteenth of an

inch long, and is of a yellowish white colour, except the eyes and the

claws of the fore-legs, which are reddish, and it is covered with little

hairs. In form it is somewhat grub-like, being longer in proportion

than the parent insect, and is furnished with six legs, the first

pair of which are very large, shaped almost like lobster-claws, and

armed with strong spines beneath. On the shoulders are little pro-

minences in the place of wings, and under the breast is a long beak

for suction. These little creatures when liberated from the shell

are very lively, and their movements are nearly as quick as those of

ants. After a few moments their instincts prompt them to get to

the ground, but in order to reach it they do not descend the body of

the tree, neither do they cast off themselves precipitately, but run-

ning to the side of the limb, they deliberately loosen their hold and

fall to the earth. It seems, then, that they are not borne to the

10*

140 Miscellaneous.

ground in the egg state by the limbs in which their nests are con-

tained, but spontaneously make the perilous descent immediately

after they are hatched, without any clue, like that of the canker-worm,

to carry them in safety through the air and break the force of their

fall. ‘The instinct which impels them thus fearlessly to precipitate

themselves from the trees, from heights of which they can have formed

no conception, without any experience or knowledge of the result of

their adventurous leap, is still more remarkable than that which car-

ries the gosling to the water as soon as it is hatched. In those ac-

tions that are the result of foresight, of memory, or of experience,

animals are controlled by their own reason; as in those to which

they are led by the use of their ordinary senses or by the indulgence of

their common appetites, they may be said to be governed by the laws

of their organization; but in such as arise from special and extra-

ordinary instincts, we see the most striking proofs of that creative

wisdom which has implanted in them an unerring guide, where rea-

son, the senses and the appetites would fail to direct them. The

manner of the young Cicadas’ descent, so different from that of other

insects, and seeming to require a special instinct to this end, would

be considered incredible perhaps, if it had not been ascertained and

repeatedly confirmed by persons who have witnessed the proceeding.

On reaching the ground the insects immediately bury themselves in

the soil, burrowing by means of their broad and strong fore-feet,

which, like those of the mole, are admirably adapted for digging. In

their descent into the earth they seem to follow the roots of plants,

and are subsequently found attached to those which are most tender

and succulent, perforating them with their beaks, and thus imbibing

the vegetable juices which constitute their sole nourishment.

They do not appear ordinarily to descend very deeply into the

ground, but remain where roots are most abundant; and it is pro-

bable that the accounts of their having been discovered ten or twelve

feet from the top of the ground have been founded on some mistake,

or the occurrence of the insects at such a depth may have been the

result of accident, The only alteration to which the insects are subject,

during the long period of their subterranean confinement, is an in-

crease of size, and the more complete development of the four small

scale-like prominences on their backs, which represent and actually

contain their future wings.

As the time of their transformation approaches, they gradually as-

cend towards the surface, making in their progress cylindrical pas-

sages, oftentimes very circuitous, and seldom exactly perpendicular,

the sides of which,.according to Dr. Potter, are firmly cemented and

varnished so as to be water-proof. ‘These burrows are about five-

eighths of an inch in diameter, are filled below with earthy matter

removed by the insect in its progress, and can be traced by the colour

and compactness of their contents to the depth of from one to two

feet, according to the nature of the soil; but the upper portion to

the extent of six or eight inches is empty, and serves as a habitation

for the insect till the period for its exit arrives. Here it remains

during several days, ascending to the top of the hole in fine weather

Miscellaneous. 141

for the benefit of the warmth and the air, and occasionally peeping

forth apparently to reconnoitre, but descending again on the occur-

rence of cold or wet weather.

During their temporary residence in these burrows near the surface,

the Cicada grubs, or more properly pup, (for such they are to be

considered at this period, though they still retain something of a

grub-like form,) acquire strength for further efforts by exposure to

the light and air, and seem then to wait for only a favourable mo-

ment to issue from their subterranean retreats. When at length this

arrives, they issue from the ground in great numbers in the night,

and crawl up the trunks of trees, or upon any other object in their

vicinity to which they can fasten themselves securely by their claws.

After having rested awhile they prepare to cast off their skins, which

in the meantime have become dry and of an amber colour. By re-

peated exertions a longitudinal rent is made in the skin of the back,

and through this the included Cicada pushes its head and body, and

withdraws its wings and limbs from their separate cases, and, crawl-

ing to a little distance, it leaves its empty pupa-skin, apparently

entire, still fastened to the tree. At first the wing-covers and wings

are very small and opake, but, being perfectly soft and flexible, they

soon stretch out to their full dimensions, and in the course of a few

hours the superfluous moisture of the body evaporates, and the i in-

sect becomes strong enough to fly.

During several successive nights the pupz continue to issue from

the earth ; above fifteen hundred have been found to arise beneath a

single apple-tree, and in some places the whole surface of the soil,

by their successive operations, has appeared as full of holes as a

honeycomb. In Alabama the species under consideration leaves the

ground in February and March, in Maryland and Pennsylvania in

May, but in Massachusetts it does not come forth till near the mid-

dle of June. Within about a fortnight after their final transforma-

tion they begin to lay their eggs, and in the mare of six weeks the

whole generation becomes extinct.

Fortunately these insects are appointed to return only at periods

so distant that vegetation often has time to recover from the injury

they inflict ; were they to appear at shorter intervals, our forest and

fruit trees would soon be entirely destroyed by their ravages. They

are moreover subject to many accidents, and have many enemies,

which contribute to diminish their numbers. Their eggs are eaten

by birds ; the young, when they first issue from the shell, are preyed

upon by ants, which mount the trees to feed upon them, or destroy

them when they are about to enter the ground. Blackbirds eat

them when turned up by the plough in fields. Hogs are also ex-

cessively fond of them, and, when suffered to go at large in the

woods, root them up, and devour immense numbers just before the

arrival of the period of their final transformation, when they are

lodged immediately under the surface of the soil. It is stated that

many perish in the egg state, by the rapid growth of the bark and

wood, which closes the perforations and buries the eggs before they

have hatched ; and many, without doubt, are killed by their perilous

descent from the trees.

142 Miscellaneous.

Food of the Mastodon. By Prof. A. Gray.

Prof. Gray stated that there had been recently placed in his hands

specimens of earthy matter, filled with finely-broken fragments of

branches of trees, which were said to have been found occupying the

place of the stomach in the skeleton of the Mastodon exhumed on

Schooley’s Mountain, N. J., and lately exhibited in Boston. As

similar observations are said to have been made in several instances,

Prof. Gray was induced to examine the substance brought to him.

The wood evidently consisted of branchlets of one, two and three

years old, broken, quite uniformly, into bits of half an inch or so in

length, with only now and then traces of the bark remaining on the

wood. ‘The wood was not at all fossilized, and was but slightly

decayed. From the appearance of the branchlets examined, Prof.

Gray inferred that they belonged to some coniferous tree or shrub,

and probably to a kind of spruce or fir, rather than to a true pine.

This inference was borne out by the examination of thin slices of the

wood by the microscope. The woody fibre was very beautifully and

distinctly marked with the circular discs that are characteristic of all

coniferous wood. ‘The structure agreed perfectly with that in similar

branchlets of the common hemlock spruce.—Silliman’s Journal for

May 1847, p. 436.

On the Moose and Carabou, and on the American Raven.

By L. Agassiz.

These species differ from the European species, according to Prof.

Agassiz, who consequently has named them anew, designating the

Moose (Cervus alces) the C. lobatus; the Carabou (C. tarandus) the

C: hastalis; the American Raven, C. lugubris.—Ibid.

Pygorhynchus Gouldii, a new Echinus from the Millstone Grit of

. Georgia. By M. Bovuveé.

Above conico-convex, a little more sloping posteriorly than an-

teriorly. Margin somewhat rounded, except near and under the anus,

where, by an excavation or depression, it becomes acute. Inferior

surface subcircular. Mouth situated about one-third of longitudinal

diameter from the anterior margin. Apex subcentral, a little anterior,

but not so much so as the mouth. Ambulacra radiating at unequal

angles, the interambulacral spaces dividing the three anterior from

the two posterior, being wider than the rest. The pores of each

diverge considerably from the apex, becoming quite dilated a short

distance from it, then converge as they descend, until about two-

thirds the distance from the summit to the margin, where they are

very limited in width, and where the double rows become single. On

the margin they again slightly dilate, and are readily traceable to

their termination about the mouth, where they are prominent. The

anterior ambulacrum is much narrower than the rest. Anus trans-

verse, and situated at about one-fifth the distance from the posterior

margin to the apex. Whole length, as shown by three indivi-

duals examined, 14 inch; greatest width 12 inch; height 1 inch.

Locality, Baker County, Georgia.

I have named this beautiful species after my respected friend,

Dr. Augustus A. Gould.—Jbid, p. 437.

Meteorological Observations. 143

Pyranga roseo-gularis, a new species from Yucatan. By Dr. Cazor.

Male :—top of head, outer edge of primaries and secondaries, and

surface of greater and lesser wing-coverts, the tail and its upper

coverts, bright brownish red. Under side of tail and its under co-

verts, throat and flexures of wings, bright rose-colour. Back and

posterior part of cheeks dark brownish ash-colour; anterior part of

cheeks, breast and belly bright ash-coloured. Twelve tail-feathers.

Bill strongly toothed, horn-colour at top, lighter beneath. Legs and

feet horn-coloured. Total length 64 inches; of bill $ inch; along

the ridge £; along the gape 5, inch; across at base 2 through

from above down. ‘Tooth situated at + inch from point of bill.

Tarsus rather more than ? inch in length. Tail 2% inches long.

Wings from flexure 3} inches.—Jbid. p. 436.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR JUNE 1847.

Chiswick. —June 1—3. Clear and very fine. 4. Light clouds and fine. 5.

Cloudy. 6. Light clouds: clear. 7. Clear: cloudy. 8. Rain; thunder-showers.

9. Clear and fine. 10. Rain: cloudy: clear. 11, 12. Clear and very fine.

13. Rain: cloudy. 14. Densely clouded : showery. 15. Rain: thunder and

heavy showers. 16. Cloudy: rain. 17,18. Rain 19. Cloudy and fine. 20,

Cloudy: slight showers. 21. Cloudy: fine. 22. Very fine. 2%. Very fine:

heavy showers, with thunder. 24. Cloudy and fine. 25. Rain: cloudy and

fine. 26. Very fine. 27. Drizzly : cloudy and fine. 28. Fine. 29. Very fine.

30. Light clouds: very fine: overcast.

Mean temperature of the Month ,.....seeeeseeeees ceecccseserece . 58°46

Mean temperature of June 1846 .....scscecsscesesscveecceesecces 66 °63

Mean temperature of June for the last twenty OATS sesseeees 66 °90

Average amount of rain in June ......... eecvsvesheenutpecegacdas 1-88 inch.

Boston.—June 1—4, Fine. 5,6. Cloudy. 7. Fine. 8. Fine: rain early a.m.

9. Fine. 10. Cloudy: rain early a.m.: showery all day. 11,12. Fine. 15,

Cloudy: rain early a.m. 14. Cloudy: rain early a.m.: rainr.M. 15, Fine:

raine.M., 16. Fine: raina.m.ande.m. 17. Fine. 18. Cloudy: rain early

AM.: pet rain p.M. 19. Cloudy: rain early a.m. 20. Cloudy: rain a.m. and

P.M. - Cloudy: rain r.m. 22,23, Fine: rainr.m. 24. Rain: rain p.m.

25. Fine, raine.M. 26. Fine. 27. Cloudy. 28. Fine. 29, 30. Cloudy.—

This month has been the coldest since 1843, and the wettest since June 1841.

Sandwick Manse, Orkney.—June 1, 2. Clear: fine. 3. Cloudy: fog. 4. Bright:

cloudy. 5. Showers: cloudy. 6. Bright : cloudy. 7. heres 8. Bright:

drops. 9. Cloudy: rain. 10. Showers: sleet-showers. Bright: cloudy.

12. Cloudy. 13. Cloudy: rain. 14. Rain: damp. 15. Cloudy rain : cloudy,

16. Cloudy: fine. 17, 18. Bright: fine. 19. Clear: fine. 20. Bright: rain.

21. Showers: clear, 22. Bright: showers: fine. 23. Bright: showers, 24.

Bright : thunder: drops. 25. Bright: thunder. 26. Clear: fine. 27. Damp.

28. Cloudy. 29. Fog: cloudy. 30. Damp: fog.

Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire-—June 1—8. Very fine. 4. Warm, but

overcast. 5. Fair a.m.: showers P.M. 6. Faira.m. 7. Threatening: rain p.m,

8. Slight shower. 9. Fair: thunder: rain, 10. Fair: clear. 11. Fair, but cool.

12, Cloudy: rainr.m. 13, Rain, 14, Fine: thunder: rain. 15, Drizzly;

thunder. 16. Bright a.m.: rain. 17. Drizzly. 18. Fair and fine. 19, Fine:

a few drops, 20. Rain r.m. 21. Wet a,m.: cleared. 22. Showery. 23. Fine,

very: slight shower. 24. Showery: thunder. 25. Showersa.m.: thunder. 26,

Slight shower p.m. 27. Shower a.M.: fair. 28—30. Very fine.

Mean temperature of the month ..... secccecccccoecccees 55°°2

Mean temperature of June 1846 —....ssceseeeeeveeeeeeses 63 °2

Mean temperature of June for 25 years —....ssseseeeees 56 +10

Mean rain in June for 20 years... ssscessssseee eattenenens 2°32 inches.

| . Ea r mao

OLB |ZE-% $80 89-1 18-19 '99.¢5 o.gp ly.z9 se EL-LV 02-69 |098-62 |998-6% |118-6% 1£8-6z | LP-6% |F68-62 |666.62 | ‘ueaypy

meer" GO Pre" see" iemuam| cou | ean | cau | 19 | 99 | ZG] EL) vo] HS | zl | 6E-0€| OF-0€| 62-08 | O£-0€ | 08-62 |hzz-0€ Io/z-08| ‘of

eeeeeycommeyreesssieeeees! emu | casa | upeo| ‘au | $99 | gS |¥g9] PL) 19| SG | SL | ob-OF| 6€-0€} O£-0€| 6z-0€ | 08-62 |z6z-0F L9Z-0€ | *6z

veer aa | tm | ma} aa | 99 | fog |F89| €L) Go} PS | OL | HEOE} HZ-0F| 8z-0F | $z-08 | 6L-6z \ghz-0€ |Soz-0€ | *gzO

“eee 102 | sm | tas | peo] sms | FOS | 19 | €9) Lo) 29] €S | OL | LL-O€| LO-0€| g1-0€| 60-08 | ZL-6% ofZ-0€ [09z-0£ | *Lz

meee") OTe | 10+ | teerre | sms | oreo] sms | F090 | f9¢ | HH} €9) Go| oS | IZ | 10-0€} g8-6z| 66-62 | 29-62 | 67-62 |P10-0€ |z6T-0€ | “oz

mereeeee"""1VO- | QO- | sree |sanrmlsm-ms| ms | SS) PS $09) F19 29) Bh | OL | 29.6z| 0S-6z| 29-64| ZP-6z | 02-62 EFO-6z S£R.6z “Sz

GO. **""""| O1- | ZO | tas | sms | wyeo| ‘ms | $09 | FHS | LV) $69!) 19] ZS | go | Bh-6z! EV-6a/ ZE.6z) LE-6z | P1-6z 085-62 €29-6%| “VG

SI> OV-0/OI- 9€- | -as | *s |-msm| cms | GG | PG | SP} 19 9] gb | Lo | 05.62! gf-62! 1h.6z| OF-6z | 81-62 ££9-6% 969-62 | *€%

meeeeeissee"1 Be jrreeel coveee | sms |emsm} cms | 3S | 96] 67) LSS.€0| 16 | OL | VE-6a| £F-60! 6-62! sb-6z | I-62 LE9.6% LIL-6%| “Zs

LE. |! 19. crn) sae | ts | ms | mus | OF | #79 | 09) 69 19) OF | Lo | 6F-6z| OF-62| 05-62 | 6F-6z | ZE-6z OPL-6% 008.6% | “1%

ssereriseeeee) HQ. | 10. | casa | “ms | «m | ms | 0G | $1¢ | OS! 19) 6S Z§ | Lo | 99-6z| 92-62! 96.62! SL.6z | PP-6z GL8-6% VS6.68| “0% <

“eretiseeees| BQ. | 10+ [eters | emo | om | ma | GG | f9¢ | gh) So gS] LP | ZZ | 68-6z| £6-62| 08-62| 92-6z | 9f.62 \6L8-62 S06.6z 61

serveciooeror| TP. 160. | creess |*mun}] «a | ou oS | 9S | 0S| $29 S-69| gv | Fo | 06.6%! 98-62) ZL-6z%! S9-6z | £z-6z 819-62 262-62 | “81

“ereerisereo" VT. €0- | cu | ‘au |uryeo| «ms | ¥€G | €¢ | OG GS; 99; 19 | OL | 18-60} €2-62| 86-62 | SP-6z | 61-6% 9LS-66 069.6% “LI

OL. ****""| 80. OT | s**t" as—s | unpea | «ms | PS | €¢9 | sh ¥09 €0| SF | 09 | 99-64] 09-62! 06-62! 0S-6z | ZE-6% 90S-6z 8SZ.6z ‘OY

SI- 09-T| TI §I- | ‘as | ‘ms | -m | «ms | 46h | $29 | OF} ZS 09| HF | zo | Sh.6z| PP-6z! LP.6z| Sz.6z | 90.62 605-62 | FGL-6 | “$1

QS: |"**"""| €0. | HS- | cass | ms | -m | ms | 19} Of | 6 69) 19| LE | Lo | €P-6z! LE-Gz| ZE-6z | 0€-62 | Z1-6 606-62 890-0€ | “FI

€0- “**"""| Ll. | €0- | casa jsmsm| *s | ms 19) 0G | 19] 9G, 09] HF | Fo | FE-6z| 06-64} VE.6z | 09-62 | 64-68 £6-62 SZL-62) “f1@

“tertiseceesieseee DG. | cass | *mS |upea} ms | 19 | 9G | OF, BS ZO} ZS | PL | 09-62! 08-62! 19-62 | 08-62 | FS-62 S860 116-62 “ZI

60- |""""""| SP. | €0. | «wm | *m | mu | sm | 6b | 29 | Zh) ¥o9S.G¢| 1h | Lo | Lg.6z| 28-62| 98-62 | 79-62 | 0S-62 |096-62 [L10-08 | “IT

Of. "ET. BO. | mu | ma | cm [emu OF | 6F /ELP) gS FS) ob | 09 | GL.6z| £0.62) 61-62 | 99.62 | Fz-62 919-62 FSg.6z} ‘OI

CO. [rerrrris"*" Go. | as | sms | mu | a | gh | $09 | LE! 09| SS! gh | bo | 69-62} 98-62 | L9-6z| 08-62 | EF-62 LOL-6z 'S98-62| °6

9I- O1-0/0Z- 90. | *u | ‘mu juyeo|/ smu gh | 6h | th, 69) S| 6€ | €o | €8-6z| ZL-6z| 1-62 | 29.62 | PE.6z EPL.6z SE9-6z| °g

VO. ***"\"*"*** ZO. | sms | smu |emuu| tou | Lp} 6h | | | LS| 6F | OL | 69.62! €8-62| 08-62 | 66-62 | 99-62 686-62 01-08 | *Z

A Uiw otis save) cps onsteeees Sis mers Teen tee | ong ‘u gv | LP | | “| 69) 9€ | FO | HOOF | BI-0€ | 00-0€ | 60-0€ | 29-64 OF0-0€ '€Z0-0€ | ‘og D

Gl. perstereer TO. | ca. | sma | vom | cou | $Lh-). gh | * |] 19] SF | SO | 81-08} 81-0€ | 60-08 | Pz-0€ | 82-62% |gS1-0€ lobz-0€ | °S

TT Teeeieeecesleneresiecrrrriomum! “@ | ‘au | ‘ou | Of | €¢ | “| "| €9! OG | LL | ZE.cE| OF-0€ | 62-08 | O€-0€ | LL-6z |2zz-0€ \Phz-08 | “F

“rteeferesesteseeesieseseet gam fourm} ta | cou | ZG | LG | st | + G69 19 | LL | g€0€} g€-08 | 92-08 | PE-0E | 28-62 |gfz-08 |6PE-0£ | “€

"seeeelecceeelenseesicerees! os tema] ca | am] GG} PG | | G.69| Sh | SL | PPE! SP-0E| gb-0€! OF-0€ | $6.62 166€-0€ I6SP-08 | °s

Tenmeapeeeeeeeeecesireceee] om | cms} “3 | tau | €¢ | 6G} sto | 69] @ | 6L | SP.O€| QP-0€| OF-0€| ZP-0€ | 96.6z- |6VP-0€ ISLP-0F | “E

0 - Fe curd | eure curd. | “ure i : ‘oune

EB Sele |e |e] en| |oe| Fe lbe| PLR lee) FL Fe We Le] S| ep] ef om laser

aeis2|8 1/2143 | 32) 5 | 52] es 3S

Be : e °° ¥ a a . Pe bite tg sdorgeaticy BS | -youstyo Thao raatys-saryjumq | * "OIMsty =D

“Uyey “PULA *1OJIUIOWIIOY J, *oJoULOLE oo

“KANYUQ) ‘asunpy yoimpung pv ‘uoysnoy[Q °C ‘aay 247 Aq pup §aurHs

70 “189 A “AIM 49 fuopuoT «van

“saluaWag ‘asunyy yzuvsaddp yo ‘aequag * AA ‘Ady 247 49 {NoLSog

“HOIMSIHD) 70 Ajavo0g joanynaysoyy ay fo uapsvyy ayz qo uosdwoyy, ‘aj 49 apuu suoiwauasg” poorFoj0.109}2 yr

Vol:20 Pl

Ann: & Mag Not

nomen

SST

eee

one

eae aeemerinnia ea ites

Seriet owas

Huilmandel & Waltons new Procefs.

W.Wing hth

Coy del

Frederick M

Ann. & Mag: Nat. Hist: Vol: 20 PLY

Fullmandel & Walten's new Proceds.

& Vol. 20 PL

Ann: & Mag: Vat

ton’s new Procefs.

via

hth

+ elt W Win

RPO

T]eT'

LAL.

}

Fst: Vi

46 6,

ag. JA

dyn. &M

“

Tre mene tee ee

” te eid age 5

toe

in serene see

Procefs.

¢ Walton's new

andes, &

aGteehoa'

puaspenest

ty! Bis i vee ea Se

. \OV GEL. wing 2iT2.

Frederick M° Coy deié WWing lth.

inn. & Mag: Nat. ftist Vol.

Huilrnandel & Walton's new Procefs.

eee

VE ee

Halinanidel & Vlaltons new Procefs.

* , :

y y

‘ =a tel ty =

b 7 ga ni

“ * = ge

' yee ty

Perth ae

ar ae

: yt

. rs

5s i 6 ut

ta pal

ob PLT,

ust: V

ve Lf

€

I. WV

dni: &

care

sahmendei & Vaiton's new moc

aye Cov de) LW. Wang

FEACPICN sbi:

—

ocd

——— ow oe ee

Preoess

ons new

St ar hi)

BRGE. wah

won eweredy

Bis CON

“as axn

Valton's new Proce

0 Vol:20. FLAVIL

‘

renan tel &

Ann: & Maw Nat-He

Ying iat

jee Coy det.

Bi Pie

bOK

THE ANNALS

AND

MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY.

No. 132, SEPTEMBER 1847,

—

—-

XV.—On the Fossil Botany and Zoology of the Rocks associated

with the Coal of Australia. By Frepericx M‘Coy, M.G.S,

& N.HLS.D. &e.

[ With nine Plates. ]

Tue following paper has been drawn up from an examination of

specimens collected by the Rev. W. B. Clark and sent to the

Rey. Prof. Sedgwick, who kindly allowed the writer to make this

use of them.

The species will be first noticed, and the new forms described,

after which some observations will be offered on the relative ages

of the Australian coal-fields, from a comparison of their organic

remains with each other, and with those of other countries ; pre-

mising that the extent of our materials enables this to be at-

tempted in a more extended and precise manner than heretofore,

and that several of the new forms described are calculated to throw

much light on the fossils of our own country.

In this first part of my paper I wish to express my obligations

to the Rev. Prof. Henslow and Mr. Babington for the kindness

with which they allowed me the use of their herbaria on all oc-

easions when I found it necessary to work out for myself points

of structure in recent plants, neglected by botanists and omitted

in their works, but which are of the highest importance in the

investigation of fossil plants. To the facilities afforded by the

former for my examination of the New Holland plants growing

in the houses of the Cambridge Botanic Garden, I am mainly

indebted for the maturing my views of the affinities of the genus

Phyllotheca. SF

PLANT.

Class Acrocrens. (Al, Lycopodales.)

Ord. MarstLeace (?),

Vertebraria (Royle).

This genus has been proposed by Prof. Royle in his ‘ Illustra-

tions of the Botany of the Himalaya Mountains’ for two species

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 1]

146 =Mr.F. MCoy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

of fossil plants from the supposed oolitic coal-field of Burdwan,

but without any description or definition. Similar bodies are not

uncommon in the shales and clays of the Australian coal-fields ;

but although the genus is noticed by Unger in his ‘ Conspectus

Flore Primordialis,’ and Mr. Morris has noticed its occurrence

in this district, no botanist has as yet given any descriptive ac-

count either of the genus or species ; and so obscure are the rela-

tions to other forms, that doubts have even arisen as to what

part of the plant the radiated cylindrical fossils might be sup-

posed to represent, and how its parts should be named. A

distinguished botanist has suggested to me that the cylindrical

fossil might be considered a stem, the axis being the pith, the

radiating divisional lines the medullary rays, and the intervening

cuneiform masses the wedges of wood. I have carefully consi-

dered this opinion, but find it impossible to adopt it, from the

ease with which the transverse fractures take place, and the per-

fection of the surfaces produced, as it is obvious that such nume-

rous and perfect divisional planes, as we observe at right angles

to the axis, would be incompatible with the above view. On the

whole, after a careful study of the specimens at my disposal, I feel

disposed to view the genus as closely allied to Sphenophyllum, m

which we have a jointed stem surrounded by verticillate whorls of

from six to twelve wedge-shaped leaves with dichotomous veins ;

and in this light Vertebraria becomes intelligible, for I have

clearly ascertained the existence of the dichotomous neuration

on each of the wedge-shaped divisions of the transverse planes,

which will, according to this view, represent the surface of a

whorl of verticillate leaves, and we may consider therefore the

main difference between Sphenophyllum and Vertebraria to con-

sist in the greater approximation of the whorls of leaves in the

latter, the internodes being so very short that the whorls of leaves

are brought in contact, or nearly so. I might therefore provi-

sionally characterize the genus as follows :—

Gen. Char. Stem slender, surrounded by densely aggregated

whorls of verticillate, cuneiform leaves, having a dichotomous

neuration.

To the above we might add, that the number of leaves in a

whorl depends on the species, and that from the whorls being so

close as nearly to touch each other, the fossils have the appear-

ance of lengthened cylinders, breaking readily in a horizontal and

vertical direction—the former coinciding with the surfaces of the

leaves, the latter coinciding with the vertical prolongations of the

lines separating the leaves of each whorl—the former producible

in indefinite number at distances of about a line from each

other, the latter having only a small definite number depending

of the Rocks associated with the Coal of Australia. 147

on the number of leaves in a whorl. The leaves themselves are

flat, rather thick, dilated at the tip in such proportion that there

is no space left between the edges of the adjacent leaves.

It is very possible that together with Sphenophyllum these may

have been freshwater aquatic plants allied to the recent Marsilea,

in which we see a quaternary arrangement of cuneiform leaves

with dichotomous veins, but the affinity is not very strong. The

Australian species seems distinct from either of those occurring

in the Indian beds by the smaller number of leaves in the whorl,

which is perfectly constant in all the examples I have seen. I

would propose to name and characterize our species as follows :—

Vertebraria australis (M‘Coy). Pl. IX. fig. 1.

Sp. Char. Leaves constantly eight in each whorl.

The fragments are of various lengths, but with a pretty uni-

form diameter of about seven lines. The radiating dichotomous

veins are never strongly marked, apparently from the original

softness of the texture of the leaf; in many cases we observe be-

tween them an obsolete concentric plication, probably from the

same cause, and which may explain the nature of certain vertical

strie visible on the perpendicular fracture, crossing the hori-

zontal lines which mark the edges of the leaves.

This species is abundant in the whitish shales and clays of

Mulubimba, N.S. Wales.

(Al. Filices.)

Ord. GLEICHENIACER.

Gleichenites odontopteroides (Mor.) sp.

Syn. Pecopteris odontopteroides (Mor.) in Strzelecki’s N. S. Wales.

Having obtained a finely preserved frond of this plant distinctly

forked in the manner of Gleichenia, 1 have removed it from Pe-

copteris, in which it was placed by Mr. Morris, and transferred

it to the order Gleicheniacee without hesitation ; and taking the

verbal characters of G6ppert’s genus Gleichenites—“ Frons di-

chotoma pinnata. Fructificatio hucusque ignota,’—I think there

can be no objection to placing it in that genus, although very

distinct from his two species G. artemisiefolius and G. critmi-

folius. I might also suggest its relation to the Lias and Keuper

genus Heptacarpus, with some of the German species of which it

generically coincides.

In the sandstone of Clark’s Hill, N. S. Wales.

Ord. NevuroprreRIDEs.

Odontopteris microphylla (M‘Coy). Not figured.

Sp. Char. Bipinnate; pinne alternate, oblique, narrow, about

11*

148 Mr. F. M‘Coy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

three lines wide and two inches long ; pinnules alternate, ob-

lique, slightly connate at the base, obtusely elliptical, their

length only equalling the width of their base ; no midrib,

secondary neuration indistinct.

The only Odontopteris approaching this elegant species by its

alternate pinne and very short connected pinnules is the O.

Schlotheimii (Br.), from which it is distinguished by the smaller

size, much narrower and more oblique pinne, and by the pin-

nules being proportionally smaller and elliptical instead of broadly

rounded, The latter character also separates it from the so-called

Pecopteris Desnoyersii (Br.) of the ‘ Qolithe 4 Fougéres’ of Ma-

mers, Sarthe. ‘4

Common in the fine sandstone of Clark’s Hill, N.S. Wales.

Otopteris, Lind. and Hut.

With Messrs. Lindley and Hutton I use this term for those

pinnated plants, the leaves of which agree with Cyclopteris in

their neuration. Some of these forms were originally described

by Lindley and Hutton (Fossil Flora) as Cyclopteris, under the

impression that the rachis was a rhizoma; Brongniart (Prodrome

and Hist. des Végétaux Foss.) gives several of them as Neu-

ropteris, apparently neglecting the important character of want

of midrib. Géppert confounds both the simple and compound

fronds in his Adtantites (Syst. Fil. Foss. in Nova Acta Acad. Ces.

Leop. Cur. Nat.), and Unger does the same under the head Cy-

clopteris (Chloris Protogeea). I have however thought it desirable

to use the term for the pinnate species for which it was proposed,

and thus retain Cyclopteris for the simple, entire fronds, in

accordance with the original view of Brongniart.

Otopteris ovata (M‘Coy). Pl. IX. fig. 2.

Sp. Char. Frond pinnate ; rachis very thick, slightly flexuous ;

leaflets little longer than wide, ovate, poimted ; upper lobe of

the base nearly twice the size of the under, the contracted,

thickened base set obliquely on the rachis ; veins fine, divari-

cating, very frequently dichotomizing, nearly equal, but fasci-

culated at the base.

The fasciculation of the nerves at the base resembles that of

the Cyclopteris flabellata. The regular, short, semi-elliptical form

of the leaflets distinguishes this from the other species of the

genus. The average length of the leaflets in the examples I have

seen is about 8 lines, width 7 lines, width of rachis 13 line.

Occurs in the hard siliceous flags of Arowa, N.S. Wales.

Cyclopteris angustifolia (M‘Coy). Pl. IX. fig. 3 & 3 a.

Sp. Char. Leaf linear, lanceolate, eight or nine times longer than

of the Rocks associated with the Coal of Australia. 149

wide ; sides straight, nearly parallel, pointed above, contracted

to a lengthened petiole below ; nerves equal, those of the mid-

dle third of the frond nearly parallel, straight, rather closer

than those of the sides, which gradually divaricate towards the

margin at a very acute angle; all the nerves dichotomise at

irregular intervals, and those of the sides occasionally anasto-

mose and are connected by a few transverse bars.

In this curious plant we have, as it were, a connecting link

between the genera Cyclopteris and Glossopteris, for although the

specimen I have drawn only exhibits the middle portion of the

frond, yet I have ascertained that the form is precisely that of a

narrow Glossopteris, being elliptical or pointed at the apex, and

tapering gradually to a lengthened petiole at the base, and still

further agreeing in the occasional anastomosing of the lateral

veins, and their being connected, though rarely, by transverse

bars ; yet it is impossible to refer it to that genus from the want

of the strong, characteristic midrib, the place of which is occu-

pied by numerous. dichotomous nerves of nearly the same thick-

ness as those of the sides ; I am therefore obliged to refer it to

Cyclopteris from a consideration of its more important characters,

although differmg remarkably in form from the other species of

the genus as above restricted. The portion figured, of the middle

of a frond, measuring 3} inches in length, and 9 lines wide at the

base, only tapers 2 lines.

This species seems common in the gray shale of Guntawang,

Mudgee, N.S. Wales.

Ord. SPHENOPTERIDES.

Sphenopteris lobifolia (Mor.).

Common in dark brown shale, Mulubimba, N.S. Wales.

Sphenopteris alata (Br.) sp.

Of large size in the fine gray sandstone of Mulubimba, N.S.W.

Sphenopteris hastata (M‘Coy). Pl. X. figs. 1 & 1 a.

Sp. Char. Bipinnate; pinne long, acutely lanceolate, with a

broad alate margin ; pinnules elliptical, obscurely undulato-

dentate, having three obsolete lobes on each side ; nerves bi-

pinnate, two branches reaching each lobe of the margin.

The lengthened oval form, slightly indented margin, and simple

neuration of the pinnules fully distinguish this from any pub-

lished species of the genus. The average length of the pmnz is

about 14 inch, width 4 lines, average length of leaflets 3 lines.

Not uncommon in the shale of Mulubimba, N.S. Wales.

150 Mr.F.MCoy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

Sphenopteris germanus (M‘Coy). Pl. X. figs. 2 & 2a.

Sp. Char. Bipinnate ; pinne oblique, alternate elongate, ovate,

with a narrow membranous margin ; pinnules oval, deeply pin-

natifid ; lobes very oblique, elliptical, generally three on each

side, and the apex of the pimnules three-lobed ; nerves bipin-

nate, three branches reaching the margin of each lobe.

It is extremely difficult to distinguish this species from the

Pecopteris Murrayana of the Yorkshire oolitic coal-fields, with

which it is nearly identical in form and neuration. The oval

outline of the pinnules is the most obvious character, contrasting

with the trigonal, wide-based leaflets of the English plant; this,

together with their more oblique setting ‘on the rachis, more ob-

lique, narrow and deeply-cleft lobes, and the decurrent, narrow,

alate margin to the straight rachis, will I think be sufficient to

distinguish the species.

In the shale of Mulubimba, N.S. Wales.

Sphenopteris plumosa (M‘Coy). Pl. X. figs. 3 & 3a.

Sp. Char. Bipinnate ; pinne curved, elongate, narrow, plumose,

with a scarcely alate margin to the rachis ; pinnules close, ob-

lique, ovate, poimted, deeply cleft into about four oblique mu-

cronate lobes on each side, exclusive of the largely trilobed

apex ; nerves strong, much-branched, so that about six branches

reach the margin of each of the lobes of the lower side, and

seven to each of those of the upper margin.

The number of lobes of the leaflets and complexity of the neu-

ration will readily distinguish this species. The average length

of the leaflets 5 lines.

Rare in the shale of Mulubimba, N.S. Wales.

Sphenopteris flexuosa (M‘Coy). Pl. IX. figs. 4 & 4a.

Sp. Char. Bipinnate ; pinne very long, with a strongly flexuous

naked. rachis; pinnules large, moderately oblique, unequal,

ovate, sides cut into two very large obtusely rounded lobes on

each side; apex trilobed ; nerves strong, much-branched, seven

branches reaching the margin of each lateral lobe, and three

going into each of the three lobes of the apex.

This strongly-marked species is not sufficiently allied to any

published form to render a comparison necessary. The average

length of the leaflets is about 8 lines, width 4 lines.

In a brown bed of clay, Mulubimba, N.S. Wales.

Ord. PEcOPTERIDES.

Glossopteris Browniana (Br.).

I think I recognise both the Indian and Australian forms of

of the Rocks associated with the Coal of Australia. 151

this species (vars. a. and 8. of Brongniart) in nearly equal abun-

dance among the specimens examined, and some of the fronds

are of a size far exceeding any hitherto published, some of them

being six inches wide, which m the proportion of the small, per-

fect examples would indicate a frond of more than two feet in

length. I believe I have ascertained the rhizoma of this species,

which is furnished with ovate, clasping (or at least very convex)

subcarinate scales, having a divaricating reticulated neuration,

resembling that of the perfect frond, but much less strongly

marked ; these scales are of large size, some of them being nearly

an inch in length, and terminating at the apex in a long flat

linear appendage, about one line in width, which occasionally

gives off small, lateral, flat, membranous branches nearly at right

angles ; the whole perfectly resembling (except in size) the rhi-

zomal scales of <Acrostichium, Laromanes and Hymenodium, as

figured by M. A. Fée in his beautiful ‘ Mémoire sur la Fam. des

Fougéres,’ and when combined with the great similarity in form,

habit and neuration, would warrant us in presuming a strong

affinity to exist between these genera.

Abundant in the soft reddish shales of Jerry’s Plains, and also

in the black shales and white clay beds of Mulubimba, N.S. W.

Glossopteris linearis (M‘Coy). Pl. IX. figs. 5 & 5a.

Sp. Char. Leaves very long, narrow, with nearly parallel sides ;

midrib very large ; secondary veins fine, forming an angle of

about 50° with the midrib, anastomosing occasionally from the

midrib to the margin.

It is only with the Glossopteris angustifolia (Br.) from the

Indian coal-fields of Rana-Gunge, near Rajemahl, that this long,

parallel-sided frond could be confounded, and it is distinguished

easily from that species by the fineness of the neuration, which

is as remarkably delicate as that of the other is coarse ; the neu-

ration of the G. angustifolia is also distinguished by its great

obliquity, forming an angle of about 30° with the midrib, while

the nerving of the present species is not more oblique than that

of the G. Browniana or G. Nilsoniana. In this species also, from

the anastomosing being continued up to the margin, it results

that the nerves are little closer at the margin than at the middle

of the leaf, while in the G. angustifolia the anastomosing is con-

fined to the central portion, and the dichotomising goes on to

the margin, where in consequence the neuration is finer and

closer than towards the midrib. None of the specimens are per-

fect at the extremities, the largest being three inches long and

seven lines wide at the basal fracture, and diminishing about two

lines in that length towards the distal end, being about eight lines

152 Mr. F. M‘Coy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

wide in the middle. Disconnected fragments show that the base

diminishes insensibly to a lengthened petiole, as in the G. Brown-

tana, and that the apex is elliptical and pointed.

Very abundant in the gray shale of Wollongong ; not uncom-

mon in the hard siliceous schists of Arowa, N. 8. Wales.

Pecopteris ? tenuifolia (M‘Coy). Pl. IX. fig. 6.

Sp. Char. Bipinnatifid (?) ; pinnules and rachis very slender,

~ each about half a line wide; pinnules very long, oblique,

linear, apparently simply united to the rachis by their entire

base, one very strong midrib running throughout ; eS eORE

nerves unknown.

_ If this be truly a Pecopteris, it is distinct from all others by

its very narrow, linear leaflets. The only plant I have seen at

all resembling it is the Zamites obtusifolius from the shale of the

oolitic coal-fields of Blackheath, Richmond, United States, exhi-

bited some weeks since by Mr. Lyell to the Geological Society.

The specimens alluded to of this latter plant seem imperfectly

preserved, but still show, on some portions of the pinnules, a

neuration running parallel with a strong midrib. This great

midrib’ seems to me incompatible with Zamites, so that although

I point to the resemblance between the American and Australian

plants, I prefer placing the latter provisionally in Pecopteris, as

I have seen no trace in my imperfectly preserved specimens of a

parallel neuration ; and even if it should hereafter be found to

exist, I conceive it ‘would be necessary to form a new genus, in-

termediate in form, neuration, and (I think) mode of attachment

of the pmnules to the rachis, between Zamites and Pecopteris, for

the reception of those two plants.

One specimen has occurred in the fine sandstone of Clark’s

Hill, N.S. Wales.

Class Enpocens. (Al. Palmales.)

Ord. PatmMacea.

Zeugophyllites elongatus (Mor.).

Common in the shales of Mulubimba, N.S. Wales.

Class Exocrns. (Al. Amentales.)

Ord. CasuaRINAceE& (?).

Phyllotheca (Br.).

M. Brongniart, in his ‘ Prodrome,’ founds this genus for a

single species, the P. australis, of which he mentions having a

large number of well-preserved specimens, which he describes as

“des tiges simples, droites, articulées, entourées de distance

of the Rocks associated with the Coal of Australia. 158

en distance par des gaines appliquées contre cette tige, comme

dans les Equisetum, mais terminées par de longues feuilles

linéaires, qui remplacent les dents courtes des gaines des Préles.

Ces feuilles sont, ou dressées, ou plus souvent étalées, et méme

réfléchies ; elles sont linéaires, aigués, sans nervure distincte, au

moins deux fois plus longues que la gzaine. Les gaines elles-

mémes présentent de légers sillons longitudinaux, qui disparais-

sent vérs la base, et qui semblent correspondre a l’intervalle des

feuilles, comme les sillons des gaines des Eguisetum corre-

spondent & Vintervalle des dents. La tige, dans l’espace qui sé-

pare les gaines, paroit lisse; mais sur des fragmens de tiges un peu

plus grosses, qui appartiennent probablement a des individus plus

agés, de la méme plante, on voit des stries réguliéres, presque

comme sur les Calamites.” While, on the other hand, Messrs.

Lindley and Hutton in their ‘ Fossil Flora’ (article Hippurites

gigantea) state, that having examined specimens communicated

by Dr. Buckland (from whom also Brongniart received his), they

found Brongniart’s description inaccurate, and that the leaves,

instead of springing from the edge of the sheath, arise immediately

from the stem, and having in addition to the whorl of distinct

leaves “a sheath originating within them and closely embracing

the stem, to which it gives the appearance of the barren shoots

of an Equisetum, with its whorls of slender branches on the out-

side of a toothed sheath.’ Unger, in his ‘ Chloris Protogza,’

referring both to Brongniart and Lindley and Hutton, defines

the plant as ‘ Caulis simplex, rectus, articulatus vaginatusque,

Folia yerticillata linearia, enervia contracta v. expansa, vaginas

articulorum strictas circumdantia.” Mr. Morris, I believe the

latest writer on this plant, closely follows Brongniart in his ob-

servations on its structure.

I have now stated what I believe to be all the published infor-

mation regarding this very interesting form, and as it has not

been hitherto figured, and the published accounts are contradic-

tory among themselves, and none of them as I find strictly ap-

plicable to the plant, it may be interesting to detail some of the

observations I have been enabled to make on those specimens

which have come under my notice.

I find in the whitish clay beds of Mulubimba a profusion of

plants having cylindrical jomted stems, the joints surrounded by

sheaths, and the free edge of each sheath terminating in a whorl

of long, linear leaves. Here we have all the essential characters of

Phyllotheca, but beyond this there is no agreement with the de-

scriptions of those few botanists who have seen the plant. And

here I may be permitted to state, that from the number of speci-

mens which I have examined with great care, there remains not a

doubt on my mind of the accuracy of M. Brongniart’s view of

154 Mr. F. M‘Coy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

the relation of the whorls of leaves to the sheaths : I have traced

them distinctly in every instance as arising from the free edge of

the sheath, and lying either straight, inclining obliquely out-

wards, or, as is most commonly the case, completely reflexed, as

I have represented in the drawing Pl. XI. fig. 2: and their oc-

currence in this position may have deceived Messrs. Lindley and

Hutton as to their real connexion with the sheaths; for when

the long slender leaves are completely reflexed and pressed in a

reversed position against the sheaths, broken specimens may easily

have their inferior mistaken for their superior extremities ; and if

when in this position the leaves be supposed to point upwards,

they will really have the appearance of originating as an inde-

pendent whorl of leaves outside of the base of the sheath, as de-

scribed in the ‘ Fossil Flora.’ This double arrangement would

be so anomalous, that it is the more important to have the means

of ascertaining the true relation of those parts in accordance with

Brongniart’s original view.

Brongniart describes the stem as smooth, and I find the spe-

cimens before me apparently divisible into two groups, one

having the stem smooth, the other having it coarsely sulcated

longitudinally, as in Calamites. All the botanists alluded to

agree in describing the stem of Phyllotheca australis as simple ;—

all the sulcated stems I have seen are simple, but a number of the

smooth or slightly striated stems are distinctly branched, and in

a manner quite distinct from Eguisetum. In Equisetum, if we view

with most botanists the sheaths as produced by the mere lateral

union of the leaves, and thus representing the foliage of other

plants, we have the extraordinary character of the branches arising,

not as axillary buds originating immediately above and within the

base of the leaves, but originating below the joints and external to

the sheaths. This is not the case with the fossil before us, in which

the branches originate directly over the joints, and are therefore

within and axillary to the sheaths,. which may thus, with their

appendages, be considered as true leaves, and having the same

relation to the branches as in ordinary plants. This character

is of such importance, that the resemblance of Phyllotheca to

Equisetum is proved by it to be of the most trifling nature, and

that there can be no real affinity between them. On the other

hand, when compared with Casuarina, the affinity seems to me

to be exceedingly strong, although botanists have not, I believe,

hitherto so considered it. The Casuarine are exogenous weeping

trees, with slender cylindrical branches, their shoots regularly

jointed, longitudinally sulcated, and surrounded at the joints with

toothed sheaths as in Eqguisetum; while the branches originate

either in a verticillate or irregular manner immediately above the

joints and within the sheaths, showing a perfect agreement with

of the Rocks associated with the Coal of Australia. 155

the above-mentioned Phyllotheca. But a still more interesting

and important proof of the relation of those plants to Casuarina,

and removing them still farther from Hquisetum, is to be found

in their mode of inflorescence, of which I have fortunately noticed

a fragment among the specimens at my disposal. The specimen

alluded to is a portion of a branch (see Pl. XI. fig. 1) with the

jomts more approximate than on other parts of the plant, their

length bemg scarcely equal to their diameter; the sheaths are

the exact length of the internodes, and fringed on their upper

margin with a dense little whorl of (I think two-celled) anthers,

agreeing very closely with the male flowers of Casuarina stricta

and allied species, with which (being in flower at this time in the

houses of the Cambridge Botanic Garden) I have been enabled

to compare it as advantageously as the state of preservation of the

fossil would allow. The fructification of Kquisetum is entirely

different, forming a dilated, club-shaped mass at the end of the

branches or at the extremity of a particular stem. The Phyllo-

theca australis is described as having the sheaths closely applied

to the stem, the leafy appendages twice the length of the sheaths,

without midribs, and having the naked portion of the stem be-

tween the sheaths smooth. Of the two species which I have

seen this would best agree with the branched one, which however

has a midrib, although not a very prominent one. The species

which agrees with the definition in being simple-stemmed, differs

in having the sheaths very loose or infundibuliform, and so long

as to extend the entire way from one joint to the next, so as to

leave no bare space of the stem visible ; the leaves are very long

and have a strong prominent midrib, and the stem when deprived

of the sheaths is seen to be always coarsely sulcated. Under

these circumstances the obvious course seems to be to modify the

definition of the genus so as to include the two species under

consideration, and to characterize them as distinct species. If

the supposed affinity with Equisetum were borne out, I should

probably have considered the loose-sheathed, simple-stemmed

plant as the fertile shoot, and the branched stems with small

tight sheaths as the barren shoots, following the analogy of some

of our best-known recent species of Hquisetum; but having seen

that they are constructed in an essentially different manner, we

cannot do better than as I have proposed. I may then briefly

characterize the genus and species as follows :—

Phyllotheca.

Gen. Char. Stem slender, jointed, simple or branched ; branches

springing from above the joints, not arranged in the same

plane ; surface smooth or longitudinally sulcated ; articulations

surrounded by sheaths, the free edge of which terminates

156 On the Fossil Botany and Zoology of Australia.

in long narrow leaves, having a more or less distinct midrib.

Inflorescence arranged in whorls near the extremity of certain

branches.

I have only to add to the above characters, that the ridges of

the sulcated stems do not alternate at the joints in the regular

manner of Calamites, nor is there any trace of the peculiar tu-

bercles so generally seen in that genus (an additional proof, if

such were wanting, that Brongniart’s original explanation of

those tubercles being connected with the vascular system of the

sheath is not the correct one, for here we have enormously de-

veloped sheaths and no tubercles). The verticillate whorls of

leaves, whenever I have seen them perfectly expanded, seemed

always elliptical as in Annularia, the leaves of two opposite points

of the circumference being considerably longer than the rest.

The genus is distinct from Annularia by the great development

of the sheath or connected base of the leaves, and by the branches

being inconstant, and when present, not being arranged in pairs

in the same plane.

Phyllotheca australis (Br.).

Sp. Char. Stem simple, smooth or slightly striated; sheaths

tight, shorter than the internodes, terminated by narrow

leaves, double the length of the sheaths, without distinct mid-

rib. (Condensed from Br.)

Phyllotheca ramosa (M‘Coy). Pl. XI. figs. 2 & 3.

Sp. Char. Stem branched, smooth or slightly striated ; sheaths

half the length of the mternodes; leaves thin, linear, flat,

twice to three times the length of the sheath, with a very fine

indistinct midrib.

This beautiful plant has the branches weeping or hanging

downwards as in Casuarina, about half the diameter of the stem ;

they do not arise from every jomt, but they do nearly; I am

uncertain whether more than one spring from any one joint.

Most of the stems are perfectly smooth, being striated only at

the articulation (see Pl. XI. fig. 3), while others have a delicate

lineation down the internodes ; the first I imagine to. be stript of

their bark, and the latter to retain it; and here again we have

another proof of the stronger affinity of our fossil to Casuarina

than to Equisetum, for I find by examining the living Casuarine

that the lineation of the surface goes no deeper than the bark,

while the elevated lines on the surface of Equisetum are only the

edges of strong septa going towards the central hollow, and the

flat spaces between those lines are only the superficial coverings

of tubular hollow spaces between the aforesaid septa, so that. de-

Mr. W. Thompson on Teredo norvegica, &c. 157

stroy the surface of Casuarina and you render the stem smooth—

destroy the surface of Hquisetum and you only increase the

coarseness and strength of the sulcation. I may also add (in

accordance with this view) that age or size has no connexion with

this lineation of the surface, as is suggested by M. Brongniart

in the last few lines of the quotation from his work at the head

of this subject, for I find some of the largest stems perfectly

smooth and the smallest occasionally striated. The sheaths are

rather coarsely striated, and terminate in thin, flattened leaves,

the midrib of which is scarcely discernible. In the weeping or

downward curved branches the leaves are completely reflexed so

as to point upwards, and according to the position of the stem,

are either reflexed, expanded, or lying straight up against the

stem. The stems vary from 3 to 7 lines in diameter,

Common in the white soft shale of Mulubimba, N.S. Wales.

Phyllotheca Hookert (M‘Coy). Pl. XI. figs. 4, 5, 6, 7.

Sp. Char. Stem simple, coarsely sulcated and ridged longitudi-

nally; sheaths very large, loose, subinfundibuliform, each

sheath extending from one articulation to the next, so as to

conceal the stem ; leaves about twice the length of the sheaths,

thick, narrow, and with a strong, prominent midrib.

This species is easily known from the two former by its great

loose sac-like sheath, completely concealing the stem (see Pl. XI.

figs. 4 & 5), its long, thick, strongly ribbed leaves (see Pl. XI.

fig. 6), and by its stem when stripped of its sheath being coarsely

and regularly sulcated, precisely as in the Calamites Cistit (see

Pl. XI. fig. 7). Although abundant, I have never seen a trace

of a branch. Some of the flattened stems attain a width of two

inches.

Common in the sandstone of Clark’s Hill, in the siliceous

schists of Arowa, and in the shales at Mulubimba, N.S. Wales.

[To be continued. }

XVI.—Note on the Teredo norvegica (T. navalis, Turton, not

Linn.), Xylophaga dorsalis, Limnoria terebrans and Chelura

terebrans, combined in destroying the submerged wood-work at

the harbour of Ardrossan on the coast of Ayrshire. By Wi1-

LIAM THompson, Esq., Pres. Nat. Hist. and Phil. Society of

Belfast *.

In the Edinburglr‘ Philosophical Journal’ for January 1835, I

published a memoir entitled, “On the Teredo navalis and Lim-

* Read at the Meeting of the British Association at Oxford in June last.

158 Mr. W. Thompson on Teredo norvegica, &c.

noria terebrans as at present existing on certain parts of the coasts

of the British Islands.” The chief localities commented on, were

Portpatrick, on the coast of Scotland, and Donaghadee on that

of Ireland, in both of which places, floating timber as well as

the wood-work of the piers was destroyed to a most serious extent,

the Limnoria being by far the more destructive of the two spe-

cies. The Teredo was in that communication further mentioned

as having attacked the wood-work of a sluice at Youghal, on the

coast of Cork, and as having committed great havoc at the har-

bour of Dunmore, on the coast of Waterford—at the former

locality the Limnoria was also met with. This species alone—

without the addition of the Teredo—was noticed as destroying in

1834 the jetty at Kingstown harbour, in Dublin bay. }

T am not aware of the two destructive agents—Molluscan and

Crustacean—being commented on as conjoined in their evil

labours, previous to the publication of that paper; nor do I

remember having seen any notice of three species of these borers

—and certaimly not of four—having been at work in any one

locality *.

’~~ Karly in the month of May last, Major Martin of Ardrossan,

in Ayrshire—a gentleman well-known as a lover of natural

history, and as a successful collector of objects of zoological and

botanical interest—sent me a piece of wood bored by the Xylo-

phaga dorsalis, and labelled as from the dock-gates, Ardrossan.

. Not having before heard of this animal attacking the fixed timber

of our harbours—it has been found in drift wood or portions of

vessels cast ashore—I made immediate inquiry respecting it,

suggesting at the same time that the Teredo should be looked

for, and also, that the outside of the timber should be examined

for very minute borings :—if such were observed, I requested to

be informed whether they were of more than one size. Speci-

mens of wood excavated by the Limnoria and Chelura were for-

warded by post for my friend’s guidance.

I shall here give his replies to queries on the subject gene-

rally.

The piece of wood sent was a portion of the dock-gates. The

Xylophaga has been known to be consuming them since the

docks were opened in March 1844. It has been known for a

very considerable time along this coast, where there is no fresh

watert. It attacks timber of all kinds: for instance, the wooden

pier (the supporters of which are nearly destroyed) and other

timbers that are under water about the quays, and have been

* Philippi, writing in 1839, mentions the Teredo navalis, Linn., being in

the same timber with the Chelura at Trieste.

+ It is perhaps twelve years since specimens from that locality were sent

to me, but I imagined that they had been found in drift timber,

Mr. W. Thompson on Xylophaga dorsalis. 159

placed there without any preservative coating. It appears to

prefer black birch to any other timber, but does not like African

or American oak. The only successful preventive made use of

for preserving the dock-gates against the Teredo, Xylophaga, &c.

is Muntz’s patent yellow metal sheathing, which is put on to the

height of thirteen feet ; it lasts for ten or twelve years. The

timber that is perforated is always covered by water. The depth

of water in the docks is from sixteen to eighteen feet. Red pine

is the favourite timber of the Crustaceans.

On inspecting the pier, Major Martin could not observe that

the Xylophaga had committed any destruction, but saw that the

Teredo had been at work in some places. He cut off a piece of

the wood from the outside and sent it to me. It contained in

addition to the furrows of the Teredo, living specimens of both

Limnoria and Chelura. This pier has been about eight years

erected. I was also sent a portion of one of the dock-gates, con-

sisting of a piece of pine two inches in thickness, and within the

space of a few square inches containing the excavations of the

whole four species. It may give some idea of the frequency of

the Xylophaga’s perforations in the different pieces of wood, to

mention, that on an average at least one-half is occupied by its

burrows. The Xylophaga has never, like the Teredo, been ob-

served by my correspondent to form a testaceous tube or linin

to its cell. .

Xylophaga dorsalis,

Turton seems to have been the first to notice, and under the

name of Teredo dorsalis it appears in his ‘ Conchological Dic-

tionary,’ p. 185, and in his ‘ British Bivalves,’ p. 16 ; but in the

‘ Addenda,’ p. 253, to the latter work, he constituted the genus

Xylophaga for its reception. His first specimens are noticed as

“from a piece of wood in Torbay.” He subsequently obtained

“ magnificent specimens of the Teredo navalis and this shell in

their most perfect state” from “ fragments of a wreck known to

have been buried im the ocean for nearly half a century, near

Berry Head, at the entrance of Torbay.” This author remarks,

that “ like the Teredo, it inhabits the interior of the wood which

has been some time under salt water, penetrating to the depth of

from half an inch to an inch, forming for itself an oval receptacle

or cavity, and having a very small and single external orifice,”

p- 254. He observes, that “its habitation in wood naturally se-

parates it from the Pholas.” But in this remark he forgot that

at p. 11 of the same work he had noticed Pholas striatus as

“taken from an old yard-arm on Brixham pier, and which had

been drifted in from the bay.” Very little would seem to be

known of the Xylophaga. Deshayes, in the second edition of

160 Mr. W. Thompson on Chelura terebrans.

Lamarck, t. vi. p. 47 (1835), quotes only Turton and Sowerby’s

‘Genera of Shells’ (no. 29. tab. 101):—he calls it Pholas xylo-

phaga. Broderip too in the ‘ Penny Cyclopedia’ brings it under

the genus Pholas, figures it in the wood, and also represents the

valves separately and joined. It is there noticed as “found in

cylindrical cavities eaten? in wood,” but certainly there is no

doubt, as there indicated, of its being the real excavator of the

burrows it inhabits. Philippi does not include this species in

either of his volumes on the Mollusca of the Two Sicilies; but

it appears in the very lately published ‘Index Molluscorum

Scandinavie ’ of Lovén :—this author refers only to Turton and

Deshayes for it: he notices it simply as found in Norway.

' This species differs from Teredo navalis, Turt., by boring

against the grain of the wood (all of which is pine), in a diagonal

manner.

Within a few square inches of this wood, the perforations of

both these species may be seen: they labour harmoniously to-

gether in the work of destruction, the one destroying the timber

by boring it in a longitudinal direction, the other by its opera-

tions being directed against the grain. They both work within

the outer surface of the wood, but this again is destroyed from

without inwards by the Limnoria and Chelura. Many of the

chambers of the Xylophaga before me are 12 inch in length, .

thus exceeding by one half the longest noticed by Turton. The

shells of my largest specimens are 53 lines in length: the two

valves joined at the hinge occupy a space of 53 lines in diameter.

Specimens obtained in rotten timber in 1828 at Ringsend,

Dublin bay, by W. H. Harvey, Esq., have been given to me by

that gentleman, and when in Dublin in March last I saw in

Mr. Warren’s collection a piece of wood (sound) filled with the

perforations and valves of this species, of which latter I was

kindly permitted to take specimens. The wood was found by

Mr. Warren on the Dublin coast, where I have little doubt that

the species is committing some injury, although such may not yet

have been noticed.

Chelura terebrans, Philippi*.

All that has been published on this species has already ap-

peared in the ‘Annals ;? Philippi’s paper, in which it was first

described, having been translated and republished in the fourth

volume ; and Professor Allman’s, introducing it as an inhabitant

of the British seas, having a place in the Number for the month

* Professor Allman points out certain trivial differences between the spe-

cimens described by Philippi and those from Dublin bay. The latter are

similar to those from Ardrossan, except in size.

Mr. W. Thompson on Chelura terebrans. 161

of June last*. I have therefore only to offer a few remarks

bearing on the species as found at Ardrossan.

Limnoria and Chelura are both present in a piece of wood from

Kingstown pier, Dublin bay, given me in 1842 by Mr. R. Ball,

as well as in the wood from Ardrossan.

Both species bore in the direction of the grain of the wood,

and their cells are quite alike in character: I perceive no mark

of distinction when the animals are of equal breadth. The first

piece of wood pierced by the Chelura which I had an opportunity

of examining—that from Kingstown—contained the excavations

of large adult individuals, The borings of these were so con-

siderably larger than those of the Limnoria which had come

under my notice, as to lead me to believe that the difference in

the size of the aperture would at once distinguish the working

of either species. The piece of wood from Ardrossan, however,

not only proved that this was no criterion, but—from the circum-

stance of the Chelure being small, and less in breadth than the

Lnmnorie—that theirs were rather the smaller cells.

Both the Crustaceans, like the Teredo and Xylophaga, labour

harmoniously together in the work of destruction, and are min-

gled in the wood as if they were all of one species.

They can be readily distinguished from each other either when.

alive or dead, the Chelura being of a reddish, the Limnoria of a

pale grayish yellow hue resembling that of light-coloured pine or

fir. As they retain their colours after death, we may even years

afterwards distinguish the two species in the excavations which

they had formed in timber subjected to their ravages. From this

circumstance, added to that of their burrows being formed in the

closest contiguity, and many of the creatures dying in them after

the timber has been removed from the sea, we may in our museums

display whole catacombs of them as closely packed as ever were

mummies in the best-tenanted tombs of Egypt. And the Crus-

taceans have this advantage, that

‘¢ Each in his narrow cell for ever Jaid ”

remains perfect as in life, without the aid of any preservative.

On first learning from my friend Professor Allman that the

two species were found associated together, I re-examined—for

the purpose of ascertaining whether the Chelura might not have

* The species (regarding Philippi’s as not distinct) was however known

to and named by Dr. Leach. British specimens (but from what locality

is unknown) belonging to his collection are in the British Museum, and are

labelled Nemertes neseoides, Leach. Under this name they appear in the

very carefully and elaborately compiled “ List of the specimens of Crustacea

in the collection of the British Museum ” published this year, the work of

Mr. Adam White. The name is I believe unpublished; at any rate, both

Nemertes and Chelura are preoccupied as generic terms.

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 12

162 Mr. W. Thompson on Chelura terebrans.

been overlooked—all the wood that I had preserved on account of

Limnoria borings, but in none of it was the former species to be

detected. This wood was all pine, and from Portpatrick, Do-

naghadee, and Belfast bay: from the first-named places obtained

in 1834, and from the last in the present year. In the more

marine parts of this bay I was not surprised to find that the

Limnoria existed. I had however hoped, that where the admix-

ture of fresh with sea-water (if such take place) should be very

great even at full-tide, and where at low-water the former only

prevails, wood-work would be free from its attacks, but such I re-

gret to state is not the case. For the purpose of testing this, I

requested my friend Edmund Getty, Esq.—who is officially con-

nected with the harbour—to have all the beacons or “ perches ”

marking the channel of the river (which they do for about two

miles at the upper part of the estuary) examined, and if they

proved to be injured, to favour me with specimens of the damaged

wood. All this he kindly had done in the month of May last,

when the beacons proved to have been all attacked, and those

most under the influence of the fresh-water to have suffered

equally with those nearest to the open sea. The ship-carpenter

who cut the damaged portions off that were sent me, stated to

my friend that some old mooring-buoys so high up as the Old

Long Bridge were found on removal injured in the same man-

ner. The Limnoria was the only borer of any kind found in the

beacons alluded to.

It must be mentioned, that judging from the superior size of

the Chelura borings to those of the Limnoria in Dublin bay, I had

from that circumstance noted down the perforations in pieces of

oak and black birch washed ashore at Belfast as the work of the

Limnoria; but perceiving, on examination of the wood from

Ardrossan, that the borings of the two species may not only be of

equal size, but that those of the latter species may be the larger,

I was taught that the presence of the Excavator himself must be

essential to settle the point, and that circumstantial evidence is.

insufficient. The wood in question had been so long tossed about

in the sea that the animals were all washed out :—both pieces

had also been bored by the Teredo norvegica (T. navalis, Turt.).

In reference to the length of time that the Chelura will live

after being removed from its native element, the following note

was made. A few specimens taken from the sea on Monday

morning and received by me in the afternoon of that day were

alive on Thursday morning, or seventy-two hours afterwards,

when, leaving home for England, I took the piece of wood con-

taining them with me, and on examining it next day found them

dead; they had probably lived out of their native element about

ninety hours. A number had lived in the same wood for about

Mr. W. Thompson on Chelura terebrans, &c. 163

sixty-five hours; they were alive on Wednesday night at 12

o’clock and dead on the next morning at 7 o’clock. The wood

in which they were, was a small piece about six inches in length

and an inch in thickness ; it was not wetted since being received

on Monday, and was kept in a warm room (about 65° Fahrenheit)

all the time. The apparently simple fact of the species thus

living so long out of water has a very important bearing, for it

suggests to us that this species could, like the Limnoria, commit

its devastations in wood left dry by the ebbing of every tide.

Dr. Coldstream informs us that the latter species “ often effects

a lodgment in piles very near high-water mark, where it is left

dry by the receding tide during the greater part of every

twenty-four hours *,?’ and I have very little doubt that the

Chelura could play a similar part. I have not heard that the

extent of the damage done at Ardrossan by the destructive ani-

mals noticed in this communication has yet been estimated, but

on lately writing to my obliging friend and correspondent there,

requesting him to procure if possible perfect specimens of the

Xylophaga for dissection—the testaceous portions only had be-

fore been sent—he replied that the opportunity for so doing was

now past, “as the damaged portions of the dock-gates had been

replaced by sound timber.”

This may not be an inappropriate place to add the following

note on Teredo navalis.

A copy of Lovén’s ‘ Index Molluscorum Scandinavice ’ lately

published, having been kindly sent me by the author, I was in-

duced, in consequence of the Teredo navalis, Linn., being there

considered distinct from that so called by other authors, to re-ex-

amine the shells bearing that name in my cabinet from different

parts of the British coasts. The result is that they are all the 7.

norvegica, Spglr. (T. navalis, Turt. Brit. Biv.) as distinguished from

TL. navalis, Linn. The localities from which they were obtained

are Portpatrick (Scotland) and Donaghadee (co. Down), in both

of which the animal was found alive—Miltown Malbay (co. Clare),

in drift timber—Belfast, in the bottom of a vessel arrived from

the tropics in 1846: Teredo malleolus, Turt., was much more

numerous in this vessel—Belfast, also in blue clay (subfossil) : the

valves of these last are very large, being equal in size to those

described in my former paper as obtained at Portpatrick. I

allude here to specimens procured since that communication was

published, a portion of the bough of an oak-tree a few inches in

diameter, found during the excavation of a deep sewer, having

* Edin. Phil. Journ. 1834.

12*

164. Dr. R. P. Cotton on the Pliocene Deposits

been kindly sent me by Edmund Getty, Esq. The wood itself

is perfectly sound, but the tree is split and rived in the direction

of the grain in some places almost into shreds by the boring

powers of the Teredo.

XVII.—On the Pliocene Deposits of the Valley of the Thames at

Ilford. By Ricuarp Payne Corton, M.D.

Tue tertiary deposits bordering on the Thames appear to be

composed of materials of the same general characters, variously

arranged, but formed under the same physical circumstances.

The formation may be well seen at Brentford, Ilford, Grays and

Erith, where beds of gravel will be found resting upon sands of

various colours, sandy loam and clays, abounding in remains of

mammalia and freshwater shells*. The following description re-

fers to two cuttings in brick-fields at Ilford, one on the north of

the London road, belonging to Mr. Curtis, another on the south

of the same road, and the west of the Barking lane, the property

of Mr. Kilverton. In the former we observe—

feet.

Vegetable soil with gravel ......s.ssseecereseoeees es Teneh ie ghigbis Jotes oop 2

COarSe: QTAVGE ii ices shvencuadins cavacecnntatagas son aseg Rena racecuneeddoete 2

Coarse yellow sand, stratified .........seecseesesssecseeneeessseteeeneeees 4

Brick earth of various shades of brown, regularly stratified with 5

nodules of carbonate of lime (race) and a few bones ............

Light brown brick earth, interstratified with layers of sand, and 3

fill of DOMER 22 .cciciainns comes ncacdsdhghapvececeyheadedapayeryher eed voy

Thin veins of fine sand of shades of yellow and brown irregularly 9

WAVE ans kaccsncpedepsisde atone? cclvoncieppacsvapesssnsqpatcscsonsswecsste \

Coarse gravel and sand. i

In the latter the arrangement is as follows :—

feet

Vegetable.soil with. gravel ,°...00<crcraderccccnerccreesineveseddsoncde etonse 2

Coarse STAVE! ANA SANE BETSUICT...,...0-ccvverscoscppecossercscunecescess 3

Brick earth of shades of brown, stratified .........ccsccceccccscceees ae |

Brick earth of a light brown with wavy veins of sand, calcareous 9

nodules (rate) an debones :¢ iiiiidi se oddcionspeseneedésawcensenpodelcte sa

Layers of brown and yellow sand, waved, containing in its upper 4

part an Abyndance: of bones s,..1...0010sccneceesespHeronesedeces ens \

Fine yellow-and white sand, with freshwater shells -.......cseee 2

Coarse gravel with water. —

The stratification of the clays is generally regular and_hori-

zontal, the layers however frequently thin out or expand, but the

veins of sand are irregular and waved, so that the surface of the

cutting, from the changing thickness of the strata, varies extremely

* A list of the shells occurring in these mammaliferous deposits has been

given by Mr. J. Moris i in the ‘ Magazine of Natural History,’ vol. ii, p.544.

—Eb.

of the Valley of the Thames. 165

within the distance of a few feet, although the general character

is the same; in some places the sands and clay pass into each

other, but they are more usually distinct. In the latter section,

the upper layer of brick earth in apposition with the gravel is

regular and horizontal, but in the former the same part is hol-

lowed into basins, from which fissures extend downwards, both

filled by the sand from above ; the usual width of the basins is

from two to five feet, and their depth from one to four feet,

whilst the fissures vary from one to five feet in length, and mea-

sure several inches at their widest part. I have not been able to

ascertain the thickness of these deposits, as the cutting is seldom

made lower than eighteen or twenty feet, below which the brick

earth is either of an inferior quality or altogether absent ; but in

a well lately dug in the neighbourhood, sand and gravel with

irregular layers of clay were met with to a depth of fifty feet.

Throughout the valley of the Thames bones of mammalia and

shells are generally found, but at no place so abundantly as at

Ilford. The two genera of shells, of which hundreds may often

be obtained at one visit, are Heliw and Cyrena, but Unio and

Planorbis are not uncommon, and Ancylus, Succinea, Valvata,

Limneus, Cyclas and Paludina have been discovered. The Helix

cannot be distinguished from the existing H. nemoralis, and in

many specimens the colouring matter is preserved : the Cyrena is

stated to be identical with one now living im the Nile: of the

other genera it is almost impossible to determine the species,

owing to their imperfect condition ; they are chiefly seen in the

layers of sand upon which the brick earth reposes, and beneath

the bones, but are sometimes intermixed with them, and have

been found even within their cavities; they appear to be partial

in their distribution, and are not met with in the former cutting.

The bones occur both in the clays and sands, but their most

common position is the point of union of the two, or the upper

layers of sand: those from clay are in excellent preservation, but

all from the sand fragile and difficult to remove entire ; they ap-

pear to have undergone no other change than a slight impreg-

nation with iron and the loss of their animal matter, and for

their restoration I have found gelatine answer admirably. I have

obtained very perfect remains of the followmg animals: Ursus,

Elephas primigenius, Rhinoceros leptorhinus, Equus, Bos prim-

genius, Bison priscus, Cervus Elaphus, Castor europeus, Mega-

ceros hibernicus, Sheep, Pig, and a bird of flight of the size of a

crow. Of these, the remains of the Mammoth, Ox and Khino-

ceros are most common, the Aurochs, Horse and Stag less so, and

the rest comparatively rare. They bear no marks of attrition,

and are always placed horizontally, and in most cases the skele-

tons appear nearly entire ; a perfeet Elephant was gradually dis-

covered by the labourers a few months back, but from the greater

166 Dr. R. P. Cotton on the Pliocene Deposits

number of the bones being in sand, a humerus, tibia, portions of

femur and tusks, some bones of the carpus, one metacarpal bone,

a patella, and the teeth could only be preserved, and these are in

my possession. I have obtained several bones of the Bos primi-

genius, including the head and horns, from what appeared to be

the entire skeleton, and the lower and part of the upper jaw of a

Rhinoceros ; several teeth of the young Elephant, one of which

had only just cut the gum, are in my collection, besides a canine

tooth and metacarpal bone of a Bear, the lower jaw and several

teeth of the Beaver, and portions of three lower jaws of the Irish

Elk. The following table shows the size of three bones of the

Mammoth, and a comparison with those of the Mastodon and

recent Elephant :—

Mammoth. Elephant. Mastodon.

ft. in, ft. in. ft. in.

BiGOBUE Sicsnscivencaeceseaaenss 3 6 3 0 3 63

Humerus : Width of condyles ..........+ ee | 0 11 Brat

Diameter of head ............ 0 10 Qed. 0 10

Teh Circumference of head ...... 1 10 B58 1 11

‘** | Length of outer condyle 0 10 0 8 0 104

Raongth sinupicc lies Adda di0 0 6 0 53 0 7

Fratello 4 Wirsathy iv, isis soceandvdvucaskovons fk as BE eB

The large Elephant in the collection at the College of Surgeons,

and the Mastodon in the British Museum, were selected for com-

parison. It is seen from the above how much larger was the

Ilford Elephant than its modern representative, and how little

inferior in size to the gigantic Mastodon, which it probably even

sometimes exceeded, as I have seen fragments from bones appa-

rently much larger than those in my collection. From a similar

comparison of the bones of the Bos primigenius with the recent

Ox, I have ascertained that those in my possession belonged to

an animal more than one-half as large again as the largest living

species [ could measure. The Rhinoceros leptorhinus appears to

have been a small animal, not larger than the living one from

Sumatra, and much inferior in size to the Indian, with both of

which I have compared several fossil specimens ; the R. tichorhinus

has not yet been found at Ilford, and seems almost limited to

the caves. The absence of carnivora, as the Tiger, Lion and

Hyeena, in these deposits is remarkable: amongst the hundreds

of bones already examined, not one belonging to these animals

has yet been discovered ; it is possible that they may not then

have existed in such numbers, or borne the same proportion to

the herbivora, as at present, or were generally able to avoid being

submerged with their less active contemporaries by escaping to the

hills, where their remains might soon become decomposed, or de-

stroyed by other carnivora, or within fissures and caves, which are

known to have often served them both as dwellings and tombs.

The nodules termed by the brickmakers “ race ” are of various

of the. Valley of the Thames. 167

sizes, from that of a marble to an orange, and occasionally very

much larger, of a light brown colour, soft to the touch, smooth,

and either compact or made up of concentric laminz, in outward

appearance resembling Websterite, for which I had always taken

them until very recently ; but a careful analysis has shown that

they are composed almost entirely of carbonate of lime, with a

slight addition of phosphate and sulphate of lime, a little phos-

phate of alumina, silica, and peroxide of iron ; they are chiefly in

the upper layers of clay and not intermixed with the bones.

Vegetable remains are scarce, but a large bed of lignite was dis-

covered in the brick earth some time back. Dr. Lindley has

kindly examined its structure, and reports that all he can assert

is, it is not coniferous, that it contains some dotted tissue resem-

bling that seen in elm, but presents no character by which its

affinity can be determined.

The circumstances under which the bones are discovered lead

to the conclusion that the animals lived and died near the spot

which incloses their remains ; the skeletons are frequently entire,

and have not suffered by attrition, and the presence of teeth of the

young Elephant is opposed to the view that they may have migrated

here upon some general geological change and have been subse-

quently destroyed. The strata were evidently quietly deposited,

the shells are in general well preserved, and the stratification of

the sands indicates the long continuance of causes alternating

with one another and uninterrupted by violence. The freshwater

origin is decided by the characters of the shells, all being of this

class with the exception of the Hel, which, like the recent spe-

cies with which it is probably identical, may have lived upon the

banks of rivers and been buried with its aquatic neighbours.

The arrangement of the strata does not differ from that seen in

the bed of modern freshwater lakes and rivers, especially in those

subject to occasional inundations ; giving great probability to the

idea that they were formed during the elevation of older strata,

when large quantities of solid materials were washed away from

the rising mass, and deposited in hollows and valleys by the

agency of water.

It is not impossible that the thick layers of gravel beneath the

brick earth were the result of a breaking-up of a portion of the

chalk originally covering the Wealden, and that the clays and

sands were supplied by the partial destruction of the Wealden

itself; the similarity in the materials of the two formations is

very conspicuous, and the frequent occurrence of calcareous

masses adds great weight to such an hypothesis, especially as

many of the nodules appear to be merely rolled pieces of chalk,

with some earthy additions which may have been supplied by the

clay in which they are found, and those more distinctly laminated

168 On the Pliocene Deposits of the Valley of the Thames.

may have been formed by a gradual separation of calcareous

matter in suspension, by homogeneous attraction. If the ori-

ginal surface of the Wealden were irregular, or the uplifting of

the strata unequal, chalk, clays and sands might simultaneously

or alternately be exposed to the action of the waters, which would

produce the frequently repeated layers observed in the tertiary

strata. ~

On the growing hills and rising valleys of the Pliocene period

a gigantic race of mammalia flourished, which in its turn was

swept away and entombed, just as we now find bones of the pre-

sent creation in beds of rivers and lakes: I have seen several bones

of Ox and Sheep inclosed in mud from the bed of the Thames,

which when hardened might be easily mistaken for those from

Ilford. . For the support of so large a number of immense her-

bivora, a luxuriant vegetation must have existed ; without it the

Elephant and Trish Elk could not have thrived, or the Beaver

made a dwelling ; but indications of such are scarce, and I believe

have not been found at Ilford, with the single exception to which

I have alluded: this may be due to the larger trees having been

drifted away by the waters, or a condition of soil unfavourable

to their preservation. The presence of basins and fissures in the

upper layers of clay shows the interference of time, and marks out

an interesting series of events. After a long period of tranquil

deposition the strata had reached the surface, from the waters

having retired, or an elevation of the valley, and land sueceeded

water ; streams and currents then hollowed out the surface into

basins and disappeared ; an exposure to the sun’s rays followed,

by which the clays became hardened and fissures formed ; sub-

sequently the whole was again submerged and rapidly covered by

sand, which filled up the fissures and basins; and at last gravel

was washed over the whole, and it became the resting-place of

Man. The association of the remains of the Beaver, Megaceros

and Red Deer with those of Mammoth and Rhinoceros is inter-

esting, as it would show, that whatever the physical conditions

were under which these animals were destroyed, they could not

have been violent or universally destructive—that no grand con-

vulsion occurred by which all were alike overwhelmed ; but that

during a regular and uninterrupted course of events, certain ani-

mals became extinct from some combination of circumstances

unfavourable to their propagation, whilst others of different

habits and necessities remained for ages later, to be destroyed

only by the enterprise of Man ;—the bones of the first-mentioned

three are found in situations showing their existence down to a

very late period, and that a race of animals once the associates

of the Mammoth, Bear and Rhinoceros, have probably been the

contemporaries of our race,

Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 169

The strata of Ilford, although comparatively of a recent date,

and the monument of but a small geological period, show that all

things were not made in a moment, but were progressive, and as-

sociate the inorganic with the organic creation, in the common

principle of growth and development, however differently each

may be carried out ; proving that the Mammoth and the Earth

went on increasing gradually—both had an infancy, and both

required time for their maturity.

But the operations of the Infinite are based upon benevolence,

and seem to have had one great and creative act in view—to

which all preceding were to be in some way subservient :—for

ages did a large creation enjoy the undisturbed possession of the

lands, but at length the Mammoth, Bear and Rhinoceros became

extinct, whilst the Stag, Beaver, Sheep and Pig were preserved—

valleys and irregularities were filled wp and levelled by an accu-

mulation of valuable materials—the action of natural laws was

gradually reduced in degree—that at last Man might become

the Earth’s happy occupant.

4 Bolton Street, Piccadilly, June 1847.

XVIIL.—Additions to the Fauna of Ireland*. By Wit11aM

Tuompson, Esq., Pres. Nat. Hist. and Phil. Society of Belfast.

[Continued from vol. xviii. p. 397.]

Birps.

Baillon’s Crake, Crex Bailloni, Vieill. (sp.).

By letter from Dr. Harvey of Cork, dated January 13, 1847, I was

kindly informed that he had at that time in his possession—temporarily

—a specimen of this bird, which was taken in a bog at Clay Castle,

near Youghal, on October 30, 1845. It was also remarked that the

Spotted Crake, Crex porzana, was obtained in the same locality in

October 1843. Dr. Harvey subsequently, at my request, favoured

me with a description of the specimen of C. Baitloni as to dimensions

and colour. On applying the description to specimens in the Bri-

tish Museum. and in Mr. Yarrell’s collection, there was a perfect

agreement, except in one particular, the white markings being in

* This title is used for brevity. Species are included under it that do not

belong to the fauna proper of the country, but in the making out of a ge-

neral catalogue of the species obtained in Ireland, a separation will be made

of the indigenous from the others.

The present communication (excepting the note on Tadorna rutila) was

read at the Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of

Science at Oxford in June last.

170 Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland.

some parts of the plumage of the few specimens examined disposed

in the form of streaks, which they were said not to be in any part

of the individual obtained in Ireland. The specimen belongs to

Mr. Samuel Moss of Youghal.

The Crex Baillont has occurred at various seasons in different

parts of England, and is said to breed in some of the northern pro-

vinces of France, hence we should expect its occasional appearance

in Ireland.

The Whiskered Tern, Sterna leucopareia, Natterer ; Temm. Ma-

nuel, &c. p. 746 (1820).

When in Dublin in the month of March last, I saw in the collec-

tion of T. W. Warren, Esq., an adult specimen of this very rare

Tern, which was shot in September 1839 “on the river Liffey, be-

tween Ringsend and the Pigeon House fort, Dublin bay,” by John

Hill, Esq. This gentleman, from shooting much at one period in

that bay and being much interested in scarce birds, obtained some

species of the greatest rarity.

The S. leucopareia was discovered by M. Natterer of Vienna in

the south of Hungary, and inhabits chiefly the eastern portion of the

south of Europe. It has very rarely occurred in the more western

countries of the continent. Temminck, when first publishing the

species (1820), mentioned that M. de la Motte of Abbeville had on

one occasion seen several individuals, and killed three of them in a

marsh on the coast of Picardy in France. But one individual—

killed at the end of August 1836 at Lyme in Dorsetshire—is noticed

in Yarrell’s ‘ British Birds’ as having been obtained in England.

Specimens of this bird in the British Museum are labelled ‘‘ Hy-

drochelidon* hybrida, India? Hardwicke bequest,’”’ and ‘‘ Cape Seas,

Dr. Andrew Smith’s collection.” If, as quoted by Schlegel (Revue

Crit. Ois. d’Eur. cxxxi.), this be St. hybrida of Pallas, that name has

the advantage of priority.

Sterna velox, Ruppell.

In March last I had the opportunity of examining in Mr. R. Ball’s

possession in Dublin, a specimen of a Tern, the species of which I

did not know. It was left at my friend’s house early in the month of

January, and evidently had been but recently skinned. Mr. Watters,

jun., to whom the specimen now belongs—and who has commenced

forming a collection of native birds, which comprises some of the

rarest species—assured me, that he saw it in a fresh state, and that

it was killed near Sutton—a place on the road between Dublin and

Howth—at the end of December 1846: two others of the same spe-

cies were stated by the shooter to have been in company withit. As

the bird was unknown to me, I noted down the following particulars

of it, which are here given that others may have an opportunity of

forming their judgment upon the species : —

* Boie.

Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 171

Length, total (stuffed), to end of longest tail-feathers ...... 20 3

of bill above from forehead to point.,...........+0.4. 2 6

—— of bill from rictus to pOint..........ccecereeceveeeeerecs 3.4

——— of wing from Carpus .....s.scseccecseccscecereeceeeeees 13 9

———— of tarsus about ......cccccccsccccccccecsccccvscvccsccoecs 1 0

— of middle toe to base of nail ............ccecsseoeseeees 0 ll

of nail itself measured in a straight line about ... 0 4

Wing and longest tail-feathers about of equal length; outer or

longest tail-feathers exceed the middle by three inches. Bill wholly

yellowish horn-colour ; legs and toes wholly black. Colour of en-

tire plumage the same as that of the common Tern (S. hirundo), but

the back is rather of a darker shade than that of the latter when

adult. The black of the head does not reach within one-third of an

inch of the bill; space between the termination of the black plumage

and the bill, pure white. The specimen is evidently adult.

On visiting the collection of birds in the British Museum—where

the utmost facility for reference and comparison has always been

most kindly afforded me by George R. Gray, Esq.—I saw the same

Tern labelled ‘‘ Sterna velox, Ruppell, Red Sea.” It was from this

locality that Ruppell had the species, which is figured in his ‘ Atlas,’

pl. 13 (1826). To Prince Bonaparte it is not known to have occurred

farther west in the Mediterranean than Sicily, and so far, only acci-

dentally. The Sterna cristata described by Swainson in his ‘ Birds

of Western Africa,’ p. 247. pl. 30, agrees in all details with my notes

of S. velow, except in the colour of the back, which is said to be almost

as white as the under parts.

Ruddy Shieldrake, Tadorna rutila, Pallas (sp.).

I learn by letter from T. W. Warren, Esq., of Dublin, that he has

lately added to his fine collection of rare birds obtained in Ireland,

an example of this species. The bird on the second day after being

killed was presented to Mr. Glennon, bird-preserver, by Mr. John

P. Prendergast, whose letter respecting it was kindly sent for my

perusal. It was there stated that the bird was shot on the Murrogh of

Wicklow* on the 7th July 1847, by Mr. John Moreton of that town.

The abode of this species in Europe is in the more southern portion

of the eastern countries; the individuals met with in the western

parts are considered only accidental visitants: three have been ob-

tained in England.

FIsHEs.

Argentine.

Scopelus borealis, Nilsson.

Argentina spyrena, Penn.

A specimen of this extremely beautiful little fish was found in a

dying state on the beach at Killiney bay, near Dublin, by Professor

* This is an extensive sandy tract bordering the sea near the town of

Wicklow; such a locality as is resorted to by the common Shieldrake

(T. vulpanser) for the purpose of breeding.

172 Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland.

Oldham on the 11th of March 1847. It was shown to me on the

following morning in Dublin by that gentleman, who subsequently

deposited it in the Museum of Trinity College.

This specimen is 24 inches in total length, and so fully agrees

with that described and figured by Dr. W. B. Clarke in the 2nd

volume of Charlesworth’s ‘ Magazine of Natural History ’ (1838) as

to render any description unnecessary. It having been dried up be-

fore being transferred to spirits, a positive enumeration of the rays in

the fins is impracticable, but they are in all the fins about the num-

ber given by Dr. Clarke: the anal fin however extends considerably

farther along the body (for 4} lines) than represented in his figure,

although it there appears as extending to twice the length that it

‘does in Pennant’s fish. It commences in the specimen under exami-

nation as Dr. Clarke and Mr. Yarrell (B. F. vol. ii. p. 164, 2nd edit.)

figure it, in a line with the last gutta of the upper row, but extends

as far as the first gutta on the ventral line beyond the vacant space.

‘The gutt@ in all the series are— what I did not anticipate—precisely in

number as in Dr. Clarke’s specimen, and even where he remarks that

one “‘ appears to have been obliterated ” in the row of the smallest

gutte extending from the commencement of the anal to that of the

caudal fin, it is wanting on both sides of the specimen under exami-

tion. See Dr. Clarke’s paper, p. 23, and Yarrell, p. 164, for a de-

‘tailed notice of these gutte. Some writers on the Argentine—as

Dr. Clarke at p. 23, and Mr. Yarrell at p. 25 of the same volume, in

his remarks on that gentleman’s communication—seem inclined to

believe that among the very few examples of this fish obtained on

the British coasts, two species have been taken. The anal fin cer-

tainly is very short in Pennant’s figure, but the author himself is

silent respecting the fin and its number of rays, so that we have

only the engraving on which to form a judgment. By making fair

allowance for the injury that may have occurred to the very delicate

and fragile fins of this species, and for a due want of critical accu-

racy in the draughtsman and engraver, there is not in my opinion

sufficient reason for believing that the Argentines hitherto noticed

as taken in the British seas were of more than one species, nor,

judging from Nilsson’s description of the specimen taken on the

‘coast of Norway, do I see reason for considering it as distinct. This

author refers Pennant’s fish to his Scopelus borealis.

Nores.

Isinglass Sturgeon, Acipenser huso, Linn.

A notice of the occurrence of this species on the coast of Cork in

July 1845 was communicated to the ‘ Annals’ (vol. xvi. p. 213) by

Mr. John Humphreys of the city of that name. This gentleman—

as well as Dr. Harvey of Cork, who subsequently examined the spe-

cimen—assures me that it. was 4. huso as represented in Shaw’s

‘ Zoology,’ vol. v. pl.159. Mr. Humphreys has informed me of the

capture of another specimen which was taken in the second week of

April 1847 “ at Carrigeen, near Curriglass, on the river Bride, not

Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 173

far from its junction with the Blackwater. It measured 7 feet

8 inches in length, and weighed nearly 2 cwt.”

In a “ Note on the Irish species of Cephaloptera (Pterocephala),

by Frederick M‘Coy, M.G.S. and N.H.S.D. &c.,’’ published in the

‘ Annals’ for March last (vol. xix. p. 176), the writer seems to con-

sider that it is not the Ceph. Giorna, Risso, and recommends that

the genus Pterocephala, into which it would come, should be adopted.

He remarks that :—‘‘ On examining this very interesting specimen,

I found that although obviously a Pterocephala, yet it presented

most important differences from the C. Giorna, both in outline, pro-

portions, shape of the fins, and form of the wing-like appendages to

‘the head * * *; [it] seems referable to that described many years

ago * * * and figured by Lacepéde under the name of Raja Fabro-

niana.””

The writer then proceeds to point out in detail the various differ-

ences between Cephaloptera Giorna and Raia Fabroniana.

Before publishing a notice of the Irish Cephaloptera in 1835 I re-

ferred to the R. Fabroniana of Lacepéde, and considered the speci-

men as having about much the same resemblance to it as to the

C. Giorna, but preferred adopting the latter name. Méiiller and

Henle in their great work on the “ Plagiostomen,” the highest au-

thority extant on the subject (published in 1841), brought the two

names together as representing but one species, and adopted for it

Risso’s term, Cephaloptera Giorna. The Prince Bonaparte has done

the same in his ‘ Catalogo Metodico dei Pesci Europei,’ published at

Naples in 1846. If therefore I have been the means of the specimen

being ‘‘ erronevuusly referred to in most works on British Zoology,”

I err in company with the two best authorities in Europe ; and if I be

correct, I am indebted to the writer of the ‘“‘ Note, &c.”’ under con-

sideration for providing by his description and figure better means

than I had myself done of proving the correctness of my opinion

respecting the species in question.

The specimen was so imperfect, and in addition, so distorted by

the preserver, that, although in possession of an accurate drawing

of it previous to publishing the note in 1835, I was unwilling to have

it engraved. ‘The relative dimensions being, for the same reasons,

necessarily inaccurate, I abstained also from giving them.

} Mo ttuvsca.

Lacuna Montacuti, Turt. Zool. Journ. vol. iii. p. 191. Helix

lacuna, Mont. Test. Brit. p. 428. t. 13. f. 6.

A specimen was obtained near Portaferry, Strangford Lough, in

August 1837, by Mr. Hyndman and myself.

Rissoa inconspicua, Alder, Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. xiii.

One specimen found at Portmarnock, 18388, W. T.; one at Bun-

doran, 1840, Mrs. Hancock.

174 Mr, W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland.

Rissoa proxima, Alder MSS. (R. vitrea of my Report).

Mr. Alder having lately obtained what he considers the true

R. vitrea, Mont., separates this species from it by the name quoted.

I leave to him the description of R. prozima. ‘The shell is found at

Magilligan (W. T.) ; Portmarnock (W. T); Bundoran (Mrs. Han-

cock) ; Bantry bay.

Pleurotoma coarctata, Forbes, Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. v. p. 107.

pl. 2. f. 15.

Several specimens were dredged on the south-west coast about

Bantry bay in 1846 by Mr. M‘Andrew.

Nucula decussata, Sowerby.

Specimens of this large but not very distinctly marked Nucula

from the Dublin coast, have been for some time in my possession,

through the kindness of Mr. Warren and Dr. Farren—the latter

gentleman noted them as from the deep sea, Howth.

Notes.

The two following species, though hitherto unnoticed in the Irish

Catalogue, are separated from the preceding, which are strictly

indigenous, in consequence of the one being introduced, and the other

perhaps not found living in our seas.

Testacellus Mauget, Ferussac.

Professor Allman informs me that he has found several of this

species in a garden at Bandon (co. Cork), and has obtained it in one

of the greenhouses at the College Botanic Garden, Dublin :—in the

open ground here, it has been met with by Mr. Bain, foreman. It

has doubtless been introduced to both localities along with plants.

Teredo malleolus, Turton, Brit. Bival. p. 255. pl. 2. f. 19.

I found numbers of this comparatively small species together with

a few of 7. navalis, Turt., in the timbers of a ship on her return to

Belfast from a foreign voyage in 1846. Portions of the timbers were

quite honeycomhed by 7’. malleolus, so that the vessel had in con-

sequence to undergo great repair. Turton described the species from

specimens found in drifted timber at Torbay *.

* He describes the shell as one-fourth of an inch in diameter. My spe-

cimens are only one-sixth of an inch, or 2 lines, and the largest borings

very little exceed that in diameter. In length, they extend to 23 inches,

and are both straight and diagonal. They generally exhibit only a very

thin whitish coating of testaceous matter, but in a few instances this is so

thick as to form a tube. The borings are as close together as possible in the

piece of plank (black birch?) under examination, which is 24 inches in

thickness. They are formed like those of the Xylophaga, against the grain

of the wood. ‘The outer perforation is round or roundish, instead of being

‘rather elongated,” as described by Turton.

Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 175

ANNELIDA.

Tristoma coccineum, Cuv.

Several individuals of this species (as I learn from Mr. John D.

Humphreys) were found on a sun-fish, Orthagoriscus mola, taken in

Cork harbour in Sept. 1846. To Dr. Harvey of Cork, to whom they

- were given, I am indebted for one of the specimens.

FoRAMINIFERA.

Having learned that Mr. Searles V. Wood had been giving some

attention to the Foraminifera in connexion with his species from the

Crag formation, and was desirous of seeing recent forms, I on a late

visit to England took for his inspection as many from the Irish coast

as could be obtained. That gentleman was much gratified on find-

ing some of these identical in species with those from the Crag. I

am indebted to him for naming some of the following which had

not been examined by myself: he agreed with me in opinion re-

specting the species that I had named. As I have not attended

much to the synonymy of the species, it is possible that some of the

following may have before appeared under other names.

“ Rotalina communis, D’Orb.

— subconica, Soldani, syn. ?,”’ Wood.

Bundoran, Mrs. Hancock, 1840; Mr. Warren, 1844.

Rotala crassula, Mont. (sp.) ; Brown, Illust.

With last, Mrs. H.; Mr. W.

Guttulina communis, D’Orb.*

With last, Mrs. H.; Mr. W.

Quinqueloculina semilunaris, D’Orb.

Bundoran, Mr. W.

* Quinqueloculina cora, D’Orb.

semilunaris, var. ?” +, Wood.

Portmarnock, 1835, W. T.

Triloculina minuta, Brown (sp.) ?

Magilligan, 1833, W. T.

Globulina gibba, D’Orb.

Bundoran, Mrs. H.

Spirolina subarcuatula, Mont. (sp.), Test. Bric, t. 19. f. 1.

Bundoran, Mr. W.

* Guttulina Plancii, D’Orb. (his specimens were from Patagonia). Le-

noidea oblonga, Brown, Illust. pl. 1. f.16, 17, already recorded by meas Irish

(Bundoran, Mrs. H.), apparently identical with G. Plancii.

+ See D’Orbigny, Foram. l’Amér. Mérid. p. 76—his Q. cora is a South

American form ; Q. semilunaris is Mediterranean.

176 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculide

Arethusa lactea, Mont. (sp.).

Roundstone, co. Galway, Mr. Barlee, by whom I have been

favoured with a specimen thence*.

EcHINODERMATA.

Thyone raphanus, Duben and Korenft.

A specimen was dredged from between fifteen to thirty fathoms

about Bantry bay by Mr. McAndrew in 1846.

ZooPpuytTa.

Alecto granulata, Kdw.; Johnst. Brit. Zooph. 2nd edit. p. 280.

pl. 49. f.1, 2.

Found attached to stones and shells brought up from deep water

in Belfast bay, &c.

[To be continued. ]

XIX.—On the Ventriculide of the Chalk. By J. Tovutmin

SmirH, Esq.

[Continued from p. 97.]

Tue structure which has hitherto engaged our attention is,

strictly, that of the polypidom only. It remains to seek the na-

tural affinities of the group the polypidom of which is marked

by these high characters of structure. -

The difficulty of this task will be readily appreciated when it is

considered that it involves an inquiry into the nature, in respect

to fossil bodies, of the parts most perishable and most difficult of

observation even in recent species, and that it becomes necessary

first to remove preconceived notions, and afterwards to begin de

novo to find out the true relations. Further than this, in the

structure which I have already described, the combined process

* Mr. Wood, on looking over some species dredged at Lamlash (S.W.

Scotland) from a depth of about fifteen fathoms (coralline bottom) by the

Rev, D. Landsborough and Major Martin, who favoured me with them,

named the following :—

Quinqueloculina semilunaris, D’Orb.

Quinqueloculina ?

Spiroloculina depressa, D’Orb.

Triloculina trigonula, D’Orb.

Biloculina umbonata, Wood MSS. I have English specimens from Mr.

Barlee also. :

Guttulina communis, D’Orb.

———. Plancii, D’Orb.

Rotalina becearii, Mont. (sp.).

+ In a memoir entitled ‘‘ Skandinaviens Echinodermer ” (p. 311. t. 11,

f. 58, 59), for a copy of which I am indebted to the kindness of Professor

Lovén.

of the Chalk. 177

of induction and direct observation has enabled us to arrive at

conclusions which, after the work has once been carefully done,

are definite and positive and incapable of being disputed with any

show of reason. The present inquiry must depend more entirely

upon the process of induction alone, and I cannot but be con-

scious that conclusions thus arrived at, however satisfactory to

some, will be always more open to dispute.

Late writers on zoophytes have been in the habit of treating

slightingly a reference to the polypidom in determination of ge-

nus and species, and of alleging that little or no reliance can be

placed upon anything but observation of the polyps themselves.

I apprehend, however, that this originates in some misconception.

The Mastodon and the Mylodon are creatures which are well

realized to the mind, though no part of the softer tissues of either

has been ever seen by their describers. In the ‘ British Fossil

Mammals’ are vivified before us hosts of animals, hardly one of

which has ever been touched by the hand or seen by the eye of

man in other than its harder parts. How is this? We owe it

to the ever-present and strong-felt conviction of the all-prevalence

of the Law of Unity, whence their describer would as soon doubt

the evidence of his senses as the important truth that there are

always present certain constant relations between certain parts.

Now either the Law of Unity and the whole principles upon

which the British Fossil Mammals have thus been vivified are

mere empty words and baseless, or the same principles must apply

to every part of the animal kingdom. It would be as reasonable

to deny the value of comparative anatomy as applied to fossil

mammals because they who first found mammoth bones imme-

diately saw in them glorious evidence of the reality of “those

days ” in which “there were giants on the earth,” as it is to treat

as of slight value the forms and structure of the polypidoms of

zoophytes because Lamouroux and others may have erred in

their application of what they saw or thought they saw in them.

The cause of the false deductions (they have not been real in-

ductions) drawn from observation of polypidoms appears to me

very simple. Keeping now to fossil forms and turning over the

pages of Goldfuss and others, no one having any knowledge of

the subject can fail to perceive that, in the hurry to name and

figure as many objects as possible, the merest superficial charac-

ters of external form have been alone observed, without the least

examination of the true characters of those forms or their true

texture and habit. I have so fully shown already the necessary

consequences of this course in treating of the folding up of the

membrane of the Ventriculide that it is unnecessary to enlarge

upon it here. The result has been that, in Goldfuss for example,

we have heaped together, without order or method, under the

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 13

178 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculide

name of Scyphia (for instance), an immense number of objects

differing totally from one another in every character, and many

of them having no one essential character in common with the

definitions of the genus. From the same hurry in jumping to

conclusions, and eagerness, at all risks, to name and figure, has re-

sulted the disposition in our own country to call everything which

it is found difficult to understand and troublesome to investigate

either a sponge or a coprolite. We have seen that the Ventri-

culide have, like many other as widely different things, been

thrown into the former category, and I have little doubt that,

by others, they have been thrown, with equal correctness, into

the latter.

Observation then of mere external superficial form, as it is pre-

sented in recent specimens, still more as it always must be pre-

sented in fossil bodies, whether preserved in a hard or soft matrix,

can never lead to other results than we have seen to have been

arrived at by the numerous band of writers already named. By

such a course we can only again have, as we have had already, a

soft-bodied animal gravely described and figured by even such

an author as Blainville as having a central stony axis with deep.

tubular cells—the so-called axis being the chalk or flint which

had filled the central cavity, and the so-called tubular cells being

simply the folds of the membrane forming the polypidom. The

" game care is necessary to investigate the true structure, character

and habit of the polypidom as those of the polyps. Without the.

nicest manipulation and observation neither can be known or

understood. And as without the aid of every artificial means the

very existence and nature of the whole class of recent Polyzoa

could have been never known, so the polypidom’s of fossil zoo-

phytes can never be known or understood unless we go to work

—to vary the words of Van Beneden applied to a kindred sub-.

ject—with the hand upon the slitting-wheel and the eye upon the

microscope. It is important too to remember, that even those

means are vain unless we have first made ourselves masters of the

nature and origin of the matrix itself in which the fossils are pre-

served. Without-that preliminary, nothing but confusion and

contradiction will appear in the observations. Without it, it will

be sufficiently evident that the important and satisfactory results.

already arrived at as to the structure of the polypidom of the

Ventriculidz never could have been attained, and without it they

never can be verified.

I cannot give a more conclusive or satisfactory illustration of

what may be done-towards attaining a correct knowledge and

just classification of the polyps themselves by a careful inves-

tigation of the true nature and structure of. polypidoms super-

ficially very different, than by reference to the labours of Milne

of the Chalk. 179

Edwards in respect to the Tubulipores*. That writer was enabled,

chiefly by this means, to correct the errors of numerous former

writers, and to show the true affinities of objects theretofore

grouped in most widely different relations.

If these observations are well-founded, it will follow that at-

tention to the nature and structure of polypidoms in general is a

matter of much higher importance in determining the true cha-

racter and affinities of zoophytes than is generally admitted, and

it will appear that a true and careful examination of the combined

characters [not any individual points] of structure of polypidoms

will afford as safe and important guides in determining the affi-

nities, and thereby leading to a just classification, of zoophytes

as is afforded by fossil bones to the comparative anatomist in his

attempt to vivify the long-departed forms of mammals. No one

imbued with the true idea of the Law of Unity, without which

science is a mere name, can doubt but that in the one case as in

the other, constant relations must exist between one part and

another of the entire organization of the recent animalt.

Nor can this reasoning be in the least degree affected by any

theory as to the mode of formation of the polypidom. This will

be too obvious to need more than bare allusion.

The importance of the application of these principles in the

investigation of a class of objects like the zoophytes, of which

the polyps themselves are so perishable, will be sufficiently evi-

dent to the student either of the recent or fossil forms of this

most interesting family.

To apply these principles in the present. case. In the poly-

pidom of the Ventriculidz, to some of the principal and more

striking features in the structure of which our attention has pur-

posely been hitherto alone directed, many remarkable characters

have been found which distinguish it at once from the polypidom

of any zoophyte, recent or fossil, hitherto described. At the very

first step of our inquiry into affinities we seem then, at first sight,

to be put at fault. And this is true in so far as that it becomes

obvious that we can range these bodies among those of no recent

genus or even family. But that point alone is something defi-

nite. And further, the character of a difference is oftentimes a

guide where points of analogy fail. In what respect does the

* Ann. des Sciences Naturelles, April 1838, p. 193.

+ Thus the “ affinity’ named by Dr. Johnston as existing between the

polypidoms of Alcyonium and Alcyonidium is only “ apparent,” being of the

merest superficial character. Hence it is that I use, below, Dr. Farre’s

name of Halodactylus instead of that of Alcyonidium ; not because | like the

prevailing taste for Greek names, but because the two names Alcyonium and

Alcyonidium are so nearly alike as almost necessarily to engender erroneous

ideas of an affinity between the animals to which they have been applied.

13*

180 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculide

structure of the polypidom of the Ventriculide differ from that

of all other known fossil and from all known recent forms? It

differs in the much higher character, the much greater complexity

and delicacy of its organization ; in the peculiar adaptation in it

to the nature and purposes of polyzoic life. It has been seen that

the polypidom of the Ventriculide exhibits, in the most marked

and exquisite manner, s¢ructure,—in the true sense of that word

and as opposed to that mere mechanical arrangement which is ex-

hibited by most vegetable and many animal tissues, and which

results from the forms taken, more or less regularly according to

circumstances, by the mere close compression against each other

of circular cells, which causes them to assume a hexagonal, square

or uregularly angular form. The octahedral structure of the

Ventriculide on the contrary must take rank with the highest

forms of animal structure, as one of the most striking as well as

the most elegant and delicate of the evidences which the animal

kingdom can afford of design and adaptation.

The first conclusion then which must be drawn, if the prin-

ciples above indicated be sound, is that the being for whose sup-

port this so delicate framework was organized must have be-

longed to a very high order; to a higher order than any known

zoophyte recent or fossil.

With an indication of this kind before us, the next legitimate

step in the inquiry seems to be to ask, are there any individual

characters which distinguish any among the higher orders of

zoophytes of which any traces can be found to have been preserved

to us in the fossil forms of the Ventriculide ?

And by a different process we are brought pretty nearly to the

same pomt. It will be useful, as a confirmation of the value of

the test above applied, briefly to allude to this. When it is

found that the so-called (at one time) polyp-cells and (at another)

absorbents are neither the one nor the other, the inquirer has

lost hold of any hint or suggestion from any previous inquirer as

to the true character and affinities of these bodies. He asks first,

on entering on the inquiry for himself, whether there be no cha-

racters in common between these bodies and the single and simple

zoophytes of the present day or the more simple of the compo-

site zoophytes. But he finds nothing which can connect them

with any of either the Hydrozoa or Anthozoa of Owen (Anthozoa

of Johnston). The structure of the polypidom of the Alcyonium,

which it is desirable specially to mention as these bodies have

been so often referred to that affinity, is found to be essentially

different. If he refer to the excellent figure and description

given on p. 176 of Johnston’s ‘ Zoophytes*,’ or, still more conclu-

* Second ed. 1847. It is proper further to rernark, that the characters

assigned by Dr. Johnston (p. 174) as generic coincide with this figure and

of the Chalk, 181

sively, if he examine the two admirable preparations by Mr.

Goadby in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, and

which exhibit sections, transverse and longitudinal, of the same

Alcyonium, he will perceive an arrangement of canals or tubes

bound together by an irregular network, and will at once perceive

that in no one pot does this resemble the structure of the Ven-

triculide, in which there are no tubes whatever*. He is thus

necessarily led to the same point, to which, by another means, we

have already arrived, though with less suggestiveness of the true

position of the objects before him,

Starting then from that point, it must be always remembered

how much has been already determined as being essential in con-

tradistinction to any accidental or specific characters of these

objectst. It has been shown that they formed,—though soft-

bodied as distinguished from stony or from a toughly flexible

sponge-like mass,—a firm and enduring body, not contractile f,

and with a peculiar structure for maintaining its normal shape.

The variety of actual form under which they are found being

very great, it must be particularly remembered also that any

essential character dependent on any apparent tubules, external

or internal, is most distinctly and unequivocally negatived. Were

description. It must be presumed that those generic characters have not

been assigned without a sufficiently extended observation, not confined alone

to British species.

* I would refer to note, p. 186, for another marked and characteristic dif-

ference between the polypidom of the Ventriculide and any of the Anthozoa.

t+ Some, even shrewd observers, appear to find the greatest difficulty in

divesting themselves of the influence of ideas arising from mere general

external shape. This is extraordinary when there is no one branch of com-

parative anatomy, not to say natural history, in which its little importance

is not evidenced, and errors arising from it being daily exposed. The

point to the cupshaped sponges as so very like the Ventriculide. I admit

a partial superficial likeness to some forms of Ventriculidz, but that is all.

And it may be a relief to such objectors to remind them of the external

form of seyeral Polyzoa, e, g, Tubulipora patina, which is described by

Johnston, p. 267, as having a “ polypidom like a little saucer :—it varies a

good deal in the deepness of its centre, for sometimes it is properly described

as being cupped, at other times it is so shallow that a saucer or plate becomes

the best object of comparison,” There is a real analogy here to the external

form and habit of the Ventriculide ; and see the forms of 7’. truncata, 7’, peni-

cillata, &c., allmuch more like some Ventriculidz than any sponges are ; and

Milne Edwards points out a development of roots (ué ante, p. 211) which

forcibly recalls the Ventriculitic root. In the Museum of the College of

Surgeons there has been deposited, within the last few weeks, a most

superb coral from the Indian Archipelago which precisely resembles in its

general external form some of the more usual forms of the Ventriculide.

t In addition to the points before named, it seems obvious that the con-

tractile theory requires that the animal should be strictly a single and nota

composite one. It cannot be conceived that a polypiferous animal should

have its polypiferous surface contractile over itself.

182 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculide

other proofs wanting, this point is established by the fact that

such apparent tubules are found in some few special forms only,

while in the greater number of the forms of Ventriculidee—all

marked, in common with those last-mentioned, by those cha-

racters of structure above described,—and which therefore must

necessarily constitute the essential and generic characters of the

whole group—all trace of such tubules is absent. Some charac-

ters must therefore be found common to all these forms,—or

common to many different forms, and the apparent absence of

which, if undetected in others, can be explained,—before we can

hope to have got any hint pointing to the affinity of these bodies

with any recent forms.

Having already investigated with every care the structure of

the central polypidom, while we know that in the actual integu-

ment of recent zoophytes very peculiar characters generally re-

side, it seems most proper to come back, for the purpose just:

indicated, to the more careful examination of that which has

been hitherto only cursorily mentioned,—namely, what I have

called the polyp-skin. But I have already stated how rarely

this exists in any degree of perfection: hence this investigation

is attended with great difficulties. And in truth the task is one

so difficult that I have frequently been on the point of relinquish-

ing all hope of being able to effect it,—when the observation

of some character which had theretofore escaped attention has

renewed my hopes. But for the slitting-wheel and the micro-

scope, coupled with a careful study of the matrix, “those cha-

racters must ever have escaped me.

It will be convenient, and not in strict language incorrect, if we

distinguish the parts of which we have now principally to treat,

as the epidermis, cuticle, or polyp-skin already mentioned, and the

dermis, cutis, or under-skin, being the delicate membrane already

described as immediately underlying the polyp-skin.

It will be remembered that, in the vast majority of specimens,

both in chalk and flint, the central framework of the polypidom

is alone preserved*. Both polyp-skin and under-skin, owing to

their delicacy and the difficulty of extraction, are usually wanting

or very imperfect. But it is these latter that must now be scruti-

nized.

A careful examination makes it clear that the Ventriculide

cannot be considered, as Milne Edwards describes the Berenicea

diluvianat, as self-enveloping polyps,—one series overlying a

range of the empty cells of another. Else we should find speci-

* As Tubulipora patina would be, stripped of its cells, and as it is actually

described by Mr. Thompson. See Johnston’s Zoophytes, p. 268.

t+ Mémoire sur les Crisies, &c., Ann. des Sciences Nat. 1838, p. 228.

of the Chalk. 183

mens of the same species having different degrees of thickness,

and there would be no distinct under-skin such as I have de-

scribed. It is quite clear that these polypidoms are true polypi-

doms, the living skeletons of living polyp-masses, and not the

remains of dead polyps piled one tier above another.

The careful examination of a suite of the best-preserved speci-

mens in my possession at length revealed to me a character

which I immediately felt must prove of the utmost importance

in the present question. I observed, in casts of some of the

most perfectly preserved specimens, minute perforations extend-

ing from the surface which had been in apposition with the

fossils inwards into the matrix of the cast. Further observation

satisfied me that this was no accidental appearance, but that it

owed its existence to the original of the fossil itself. I found

traces of the same appearance also in the casts of specimens

preserved in a fine state in flint in those cases in which the

remains of the Ventriculite were found in the condition of an

open network only, the phenomena of which have been above

explained.

In order to arrive at any just conclusion from these ob-

servations, it was necessary to apply here again all the consider-

ations which have been already noticed, as to the nature of the

two very different matrices in which the Ventriculide are found.

Those considerations showed it to have been a necessary con-

dition that the substance, whatever it was, which gave ori-

gin to these perforations, was neither of the merely soft and

readily decomposable nature of the substance which filled the

central tissue of the polypidom, nor yet either composed of a mi-

nutely fibrous membrane like the fibrous parts of that polypidom,

or being a single projecting fibre overspread with soft or mucila-

ginous matter, like a sponge. Were it the former, its place

would be most usually filled up, in chalk specimens, by chalk,

as the intermediate spaces of the squares have become filled up.

Were it either of the latter, we should sometimes find in the flint

traces of the fibres hermetically sealed, and in flint and chalk we

should find the tubular incrustments and other conditions

already stated as marking the former presence of the central

fibre. But none of such conditions has been ever found. It follows

that a substance differing from either formerly filled these minute

perforations, a substance little if at all less durable than the

skeleton fibre, far more durable than the mere soft intermediate

substance. Such a substance precisely answers to the terms

under which a true epidermis is properly described, which is not

fibrous in texture but pretty nearly homogeneous, and so strong

as to have been described by a well-known modern author as

184 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculide

“resisting suppuration, maceration, and other modes of destruc-

tion, for a great length of time*.”

I have already stated that I had previously satisfied myself of

the existence of a distinct polyp-skin or epidermis. A peculiar

appearance of corrugation, very difficult to describe but always

present in good casts, and with a vacant space between it and the

actual fossil, left this beyond a doubt, though at that time no spe-

cimen had been found showing the remains of the epidermis

itself preserved on the actual fossil. In specimens since found

with remains of epidermis preserved, there is, of course, no such

vacant space. Attached to this epidermis and of a similar nature,

and at least as durable} as itself, there evidently existed during

the life of the animal hair-like processes scattered over a large

part of its surface.

Plate VIII. figs. 4 and 5 show examples of the appearances of

casts of two very different species of Ventriculide, in each of which

these perforations are present. It will be seen that a different

arrangement of them exists in the two cases.

It would be only tedious to the reader to carry him through

the whole process of induction, by which, not through any hasty

eonclusion, but as the result of careful and very cautious inves-

tigation, the reality seemed to force itself upon me that the

sources of these perforations corresponded to those curious move-

able processes which exist on the surface of some few of the

higher zoophytes, and which have been well described by Prof.

Reid{. The determination may seem obvious enough on its an-

ica thus in a few words, but it was not so easy to be

made.

After I had satisfied myself as far as I was thus able upon this

point, I determined, if possible, to test the correctness of the

conclusion. ‘Taking, therefore, a very fine specimen of Membra-

nipora pilosa§, in which the processes, exhibiting every character

* Elliotson’s ‘ Physiology,’ 5th ed. p. 270; and see Todd and Bowman’s

‘Anatomy and Physiology,’ vol. i. p. 414. The appearance of the polyp-

skin, as preserved by the deposit in it of sulphuret of iron, and examined

under the microscope, has been recognized by some of my friends wholly

unfamiliar with these or other fossils as bearing a striking resemblance to

the human epidermis examined in the same way.

+. I have found by actual experiment that, at least in some species, the

hair-like processes of recent polypifers are, though hollow, less easily de-

structible by maceration in lig. potasse than are the other parts of the epi-

dermis. And I cannot avoid noticing here, that on such maceration a gra-

nular appearance was assumed very similar to that of the Ventriculide. It

is unnecessary to dwell on this effect of the potash contained in the same

felspar rocks to whose disintegration the siliceous fluid has been ascribed.

' }~ Ann.and Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. xvi. p. 385, &c.

§ In this specimen there are all the parts described by Prof. Reid as ap-

of the Chalk. 185

described by Prof. Reid, were well-preserved, | immersed its face

in very finely prepared plaster of paris. On removing it after

the plaster had hardened, I found, under the microscope, an

appearance identical, as to the perforations, with that presented

by the casts of the Ventriculide.

The reader who may search for these remains of the moveable

processes on the Ventriculide, and, as many will, may not find

them, and who may therefore too hastily doubt the accuracy of

my observations, will do well to refer to p. 332-3 of Johnston’s

‘ Zoophytes,’ where he will find that, m even recent specimens,

“they are not present in every specimen of any of these species,

and indeed are very rarely to be seen on some of them, and when

present it is only upon some of the cells.” If this is the case in

recent specimens how much more is it to be expected in fossil

specimens that the traces of the former existence of these pro-

cesses will be sometimes few, sometimes altogether absent! The

universal friableness of the chalk and the general solidification

of the flint often almost or totally obscure them. Doubtless,

moreover, the originals of many of the specimens which remain

both in chalk and flint were dead when enveloped,—for the views

already stated require only that the soft parts should have been:

yet undecomposed, not that the animal should have been alive.

I am enabled, by some specimens in an extraordinary state of

preservation with which frequent personal excursions into the

field have rewarded my careful search, to add some description of

these processes as existing in the living Ventriculide and derived

from other observation than that of mere casts only. When the

places of all are preserved, which is very rarely the case, they are

disposed not without some regularity: it would appear that one was

appropriated to each polyp, whose cell’s mouth it doubtless swept

in the living state as the mouths of the polyp-cells of the Cellu-

larie described by Prof. Reid are swept by the processes existing

in those species. As in those cases, the process was affixed to a

slight projection of the polypidom on the outer edge of each

polyp-cell. As in those cases also the processes tapered off gra-

dually to a point in the Ventriculide, though the base of the

process was rather proportionally broader in the latter than im

the former.

Any special peculiarities in these processes exhibited by any

species will be noticed in the descriptions hereafter to be given

of each separate species.

The discovery of these moveable processes was certainly an im-

portant and very interesting point in the anatomy, as it was an

purtenant to these processes, though Dr. Johnston does not describe the spe-

cies as exhibiting them.

186 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculide

essential aid towards determining the proper position and true

affinities, of the animal to which they belonged. It will be ob-

served that these processes are affixed to the strict polypidom, not

to any distinct and separable external cell, thus adding another

to the many evidences afforded by the Ventriculide that the

whole of every polyzoic polyp-mass is a true entire animal, of

which the polypidom forms but one essential and inseparable

art.

‘ The last observation leads naturally to the inquiry—if the

moveable processes are not attached to any distinct and separable

external polyp-cells*, as in Membranipora, Eschara, &c., have

any traces of the existence and position of the polyps been dis-

covered ? Now it is undoubtedly the fact that the surface of the

vast majority of these fossils exhibits no trace of polyp-cells.

And remembering that many of the most highly organized of

the recent Polyzoat present very faint external traces of cells

when dead, I had little hope of ever finding absolute evidence of

the presence of those cells in the Ventriculide. Even in the

Escharide they are often obliterated, while in the Halodactylus

diaphanus it is rarely that they can be traced in specimens pre-

served in spirits. Even in the recent animal they can only be

* The separateness, externally, of the polyp-cells is a matter more appa-

rent than real. The Ventriculite cells were quite as individually separate,

the independence of each other, therefore, of their inhabiting polyps at least as

great, as in Eschara, Flustra, &c.; indeed more so, there being in the former

a distinct extent of the under-skin between each. In the Halodactylus dia-

phanus the cellsmerely assume a hexagonal form “ from their pressure upon

each other.” This is very inferior to the Ventriculide: see Farre’s paper

above-cited, p. 409, and above, p. 180. Space forbids me to enter so fully into

this subject as I could wish, and as its importance might render desirable

were it not that the line of argument would be thereby interrupted. 1 will

do no more now than recall the reader’s attention to the fact of the organized

external integument common to the compound Ascidians, which the under-

skin of the Ventriculidz certainly resembles more than does the connecting

medium of the Eschara; and to two quotations from Dr. Johnston (Zoo-

phytes, p. 255—257) bearing directly on the point. ‘The cell,” he says,

‘‘is in fact the outer tunic of the polyp analogous to the envelope of the

compound mollusca, * * in organic connexion with the interior parts, and

liable to organic changes ;” and in distinguishing by a marked character the

Polyzoa from the Anthozoa, he says, ‘In the /atter the polyps are simply

developments of the common central fleshy mass, identical with it in struc-

ture and texture; in the former each individual is a distinct organism, and

’ the medium which binds them together, whether vascular or ligamentous,

has its own peculiar character.” If this is correct, there can be no doubt

that the Ventriculide answer to the second description and not to the

first, and that indeed in a much more marked manner than do Eschara,

Flustra, &c.

+ I use the term Polyzoa in preference to Bryoxoa, first, as having a prior

title, second, as having some significance, which Bryozoa has not. It is quite

enough to perpetuate error by calling an order animal plants, without in-

creasing it by calling one class of that order ‘‘ moss-animals”’!

of the Chalk. 187

detected by aid of the microscope. I was then fully prepared to

find this part of my researches unsuccessful.

A very minute examination, however, of my most delicately

preserved specimens at length threw some light even on this

point. I found that, in all the most marked varieties of form of

the Ventriculide, in that membrane which I have described as

lying external to the central part of the polypidom and imme-

diately underneath the epidermis, and which membrane is above

distinguished as the under-skin, there were numerous spots, scat-

tered over the surface, which that membrane did not fill. The

size of these, though varying, as was to be expected, in different

species, does not do so very greatly, and may be stated as ranging

between the 100th and the 200th of an inch. These are arranged

im some species with more, in others with less regularity. A very

rigorous examination of such specimens, tested by sections, led

me, after a length of time, to the conclusion, that these vacuities

are the true polyp-cells*. I may observe, first, that they are

found m the most different species, imcluding the so-called

Ocellarie ; secondly, that they correspond in mode of position

and character to the polyp-cells of many of the Polyzoa and espe-

cially of the Halodactylus diaphanus, differing only from the latter

in being circular, because implanted in a more strongly developed

and highly organized connecting medium or tunic which is found

regularly separating each one from its neighbours+,—a fact con-

sistent with the higher degree of organization of these animals,

and seeming again to point to the singleness of the entirety of the

whole polypiferous mass; thirdly, but not least importantly, that I

have since found specimens in which the polyp-skin is, through

the deposit of sulphuret of iron as already explained, well-pre-

served, in which specimens these cells are seen marked with full

as much distinctness in that polyp-skin as in any specimen of

Halodactylus diaphanus or of many other recent polypifers. On

Plate VIII. fig. 6 is a figure of this polyp-skin in a species in

which there is considerable regularity in the arrangement of the

polyps.

The polyp-cells are lodged in the substance of the under-skin,

extending in the plane of its thickness the whole depth. They

he at distances from one another about equal, or rather more, to

their own diameter. In the V. simplex their figure of arrange-

* It is important to observe, as again showing the absence of any analogy

with the Aleyonium, that not in these polyp-cells or on any part of the sur-

face of any of the Ventriculide is there any trace of those stellate figures

which distinguish the surface of the Alcyonide, and indeed of all the Aste-

roida, and traces of which would necessarily have been preserved had they

or their related objects ever existed.

{+ See note, p. 186.

188 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculidze

ment has a degree of regularity partaking of the quincuncial, a

figure so characteristic of the Polyzoa. In the convoluted varie-

ties it is (perhaps apparently only) less generally regular.

What gave a vastly greater importance to and safety in reliance

on the facts thus observed, both as to the polyp-cells and the

moveable processes, was this: that I found that each of them was

only present in certain cases, always absent in others; and that

those places where both were always absent were constant*.

Neither polyp-cell nor process is ever found on any part of the

root ; nor in those varieties characterized by a head,—to which I

have already alluded,—is either ever found on any part of that

heady. It will be felt to be necessarily consistent with the

character which I have shown to mark the roots of the Ventri-

culide that neither polyps nor processes should be found there.

I consider it to be the characteristic of the head-bearing Ven-

triculidee that those heads are apolypous. The polyp-skin and

under-skin are perfect on those heads,—exactly the same in all re-

spects, excepting in the entire absence of polyp-cells and processes,

as the polyp-skin and under-skin covering the rest of the body.

The examination of those heads serves therefore as an important

test.

Every fact observed in less perfect specimens is consistent with

the important results thus obtained.

By a section most happily made, I have obtained (Pl, VII.

fig. 13) a transverse view of a few polyp-cells in flintt. The

section is somewhat oblique, which it is almost impossible in such

minute structure to avoid, and hence the fibres appear irregular

owing to those which le in really different planes striking the eye

in the same focus. A slight variation of the focus shows that

the under-skin is closely attached to the polyp-skin,—rising

where it rises, depressed where it is depressed, but without any

distortion. The same variation shows, in perspective, other ele-

yations than those most forward, lying beyond them, as faintly

indicated in the engraving.

I conceive that the processes which I have mentioned, and

which had been lost in this specimen before its envelopment, had

* I have sometimes thought that I could detect obscure traces of cells under

the upper part of a root on the body of the Ventriculite. This would be

quite consistent with well-known phenomena, and I will only refer to Milne

Edwards’ paper, already cited, p. 211, for a very apt illustration of this

obliteration of cells and overgrowth of root-fibre,

+ The existence of this head-bearing group is another strong evidence of

the unity and entirety of the whele polypiferous mass.

{ This section was obtained long before I had satisfied myself of the ex-

istence and character of the polyp-cells ; and it was only when I had satisfied

myself of those facts by other means that I re-examined this specimen and

found its entire consistency with those inferences.

of the Chalk. 189

their places upon the more elevated parts seen in the figure. If

the reader will refer either to an actual specimen of Halodactylus

diaphanus or hirsutus, or to the figures of the former in Dr. Farre’s

paper, pl. 25. figs. 2 and 3, he will perceive that the actual place

of protrusion of the polyp itself is not more plainly seen in these

recent specimens than in the specimen which I am describing;

and the peculiar mode of drawing-in the body which charac-

terizes this class at once explains the reason of this apparent ob-

literation of the cell’s mouth. I apprehend that the preservation

of this fragment is owing to the circumstance of its having been

suddenly torn from a living animal, the portion of polypidom

attached to it having lost its soft contents in, or soon after, the

rupture, and the torn fragment having thus become hermetically

sealed up, according to the process already described, in solid

flmt. Such is the actual condition in which it is found, and in

no other condition or manner can | conceive it probable that any

of the polyp-skin itself would be preserved in flint *.

It will be understood from what has preceded, that in the

Ventriculide the entire exposed surface, external as well as in-

ternal, except the roots and the heads of the head-bearing species,

were covered with polyps.

Another point remains to be noticed in which the Ventriculidz

are found to agree with the Halodactylus hirsutus.

In describing the Aleyonidium hirsutum (Halodactylus hirsutus),

Dr. Johnston (p.361) characterizes it as “ marked with numerous

yellowish circular spots irregularly disposed ;” and informs us that

“these yellowish spots are produced by clusters of ova lying im-

bedded in the cellular texture.’ The ovarian cells of the Ventri-

culide might best be briefly described in exactly the same terms ;

and this mode of development of the ova is another illustration

of the singleness and entirety of the whole polyp-mass+. The

ovarian cells in the Ventriculide lie imbedded in the substance

of the polypidom, replacing, where they occur, the substance of

* It appears obvious that from the very nature of the epidermis it would

never be likely to be hermetically sealed up like an isolated fibre—since,

though inclosed, there would be communication between its parts, which,

over such a continued extent of surface, would not be likely to be entirely

destroyed. Hence, like fibre which preserved its connexion, it would in

time decay away, and either leave a hollow or be subsequently filled up by

ealcedony. See ante, p. 85. The epidermis would readily separate after

death, but any fragments of it in this state would form but an indistin-

guishable mass whether preserved in chalk or flint.

+ I had prepared an extensive series of notes illustrative of the general

analogy between the embryology of the Ventriculide and that of many

recent zoophytes, but I have not embodied them above, fearing that it

would tend to complicate the subject and distract attention from the con-

nected argument which I have endeavoured to set forth demonstrative of the

affinities of the Ventriculide.

190 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the Ventriculide

the central polypidom, but entirely inclosed, on each surface, by

the polyp-skin (Pl. VIII. fig. 3.) Their character is the same in all

varieties. No polyps or processes exist on that part of the polyp-

skin which overlies them. It is perhaps not unworthy to be

noticed that there are generally found, on specimens having no

ovarian cells, small patches, of the same shape and scattered in

the same way over the surface as the ovarian cells, in which there

are no polyp-cells. The suggestion naturally occurs, whether

these are the spots in which, at the proper season, ova would

be developed? The under-skin is entire in these places.

Sufficient it is hoped has been adduced to show that the Ven-

triculide must have been zoophytes of a very high order* ; that,

in point of fact, characters are found in them which belong only

to the higher among the Polyzoa or Ascidian polyps; and that

those characters belong to different groups among those Ascidian

polyps. It has been seen that the moveable processes found in

some recent Escharide and a few other forms were combined with

some important characters found principally marked in the recent

Halodactylus ; and it is not unimportant to remark, that the Halo-

dactylus is superior to most other recent Polyzoa in not being a

mere aggregation of distinct cells, but in having a distinct cen-

tral polypidom{, other than the membrane containing its imme-

diate polyp-cells, and other than the remains of dead polyp-cells..

The central polypidom of the Halodactylus is composed of

a network, very irregular however, which the polyps surround

on all sides. In this it approaches the Ventriculide, but the

latter far exceeded it in the perfection of all parts of that poly-

pidom, as they obviously did also in firmness { as well as in regu-

larity and elegance of form. They thus combined the characters

* I use the langnage here of those who include Eschara and Flustra

among zoophytes. If they were true Ascidians, the Ventriculidz were true

Ascidians also, only more highly developed.

+ This also marks Tubulipora patina very beautifully, whose general

likeness to many Ventriculide has been already noticed. I have found a

remarkably fine specimen in the London clay of a polypifer, folded up after

the manner of Eschara foliacea, but with a distinct and very regularly con-

structed central polypidom. The species (? genus) is undescribed. My spe-

cimen is five inches square and four inches in thickness.

t It will occur to the reader that the security of Escharu, Flustra, &c. was

ensured either by their parasitic growth or the calcareous nature of their

polypidom. The Ventriculite, having neither of those characters, had the

special provisions exhibited in its polypidom to secure, still more perfectly,

the same objects, while the separate and peculiar nature of its root gave to

its polypiferous surface a wider range and sphere than either Eschara or

Flustra enjoy—a not unimportant point. In these very facts the higher

rank of the Ventriculite seems indicated. In this case, as in those, the se-

curity of the polyps was the object of the polypidom. The more elaborate

the provision for securing any end, the higher that end must be conceived to

be, for nature never wastes or squanders her resources.

of the Chalk. 191

of different members of the highest orders of recent zoophytes

with the addition of other and very important characters present

in none of the latter. And those characters are peculiarly in-

teresting as leading perhaps to some settlement of the long-moot

question both as to the nature and mode of growth of polypi-

doms*, Let the beautiful and delicate tissue of the central po-

lypidom—its entire separation and distinctness both from the

substance and structure of the root—its investing under-skin still

again differing in structure—be considered, and it must be per-

fectly obvious that the polypidom of the Ventriculide was no

transudation or excretion from the body of the polyps; and it

will surely be no less evident that it owed its origin to no mere

vegetative principle. In addition to the peculiar character and

beautifully regular structure of the whole mass, pervaded as it is

with one aspect of admirable unity+, let the special adaptations

‘of each part, as already pointed out, to subserve the ends of the

preservation and safety of the whole and of each individual polyp

be considered ; and can the conclusion be resisted, that the entire

creature, the whole polypidom with its whole array of polyps,

formed one peculiar and highly organized animal, many-headed

or rather with many separate special organs of nutrition un-

doubtedly, but still a unity, an entire animal, of which the poly-

pidom was one constituent and essential part, which can no more

be properly considered without reference to its polyps, or its

polyps without reference to it, than can the bones of a mammal

be considered without reference to its soft parts, or the soft parts

without reference to the bones ?

* An apparent inconsistency is found on this point in Dr. Johnston’s

valuable work, the Asteroida being described in terms exactly opposite on

pp: 140 and 255.

+ In all the observations as to the unity and entirety of the polypiferous

mass, the whole groups of Eschara, Flustra, &c. are necessarily included.

It may be matter of discussion whether the individual polyps of these are not

separately true Ascidians. There can be no question, at any rate, that it is

a part of the necessity of their nature to exist always grouped thus, and in-

separably united by an organized medium. ‘That organized medium is

clearly therefore necessary for the safety and security and existence of each

polyp; and whether we look at the mass of an Eschara foliacea or of a

V. simplex, the argument is the same. That organized medium being thus

necessary for the safety, security, and existence of each individual polyp, or,

if you please, Ascidian, the more perfect the provision in it for that indivi-

dual safety and security—and therefore for the fulfilment of the ends of the

individual existence—the higher must be the rank of the creature, whether

looked at as one entirety or as an aggregation of individuals. What those

provisions are in the Ventriculide has been seen. ‘Lhe octahedral structure

is a special and elsewhere unapproached provision for the security of the

individual polyps (or Ascidians).

[To be continued. ]

192 Zoological Society.

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

May 25, 1847.—-Harpur Gamble, Esq., M.D., in the Chair.

The following communications were made to the Meeting :—

1. NoTg ON THE EARLY GENERATIVE POWER OF THE Goat. By JoHN

Davy, M.D., F.R.S., Inspecror-Generat or Army HospirTs.s.

In the young salmon, the par, we have the remarkable example,

now well-authenticated, of the precocious development of the testes

with functional activity. What I have witnessed in the young male

goat in this island (Barbadoes) as regards its generative power, is

hardly, it appears to me, less remarkable. I shall briefly notice the

few circumstances which have come to my knowledge illustrating it ;

such as I can state with certainty as facts.

On the 2nd of May, 1846, a goat which belongs to me gave birth

to two kids, a male anda female. When less than a month old, the

former exhibited strongly the sexual propensity. When about five

weeks old, the penis was protruded in his attempts to copulate. When

four months old the mother was in heat, and was then covered and

impregnated by hef offspring. Five months after, viz. on the 2nd of

February, 1847, she gave birth to four kids—three females, one male,

all of the usual size and vigorous. On the 10th of February I had

the male kid castrated: each testis was about the size of a French

bean. A little transparent fluid was obtained from the vas deferens,

which under the microscope, viewed with a high power, exhibited

some granules, a few fine fibres, and one that had the appearance of

a pretty well-formed spermatozoon. The fluid procured from the in-

cised substance of the testis contained many blood-corpuscles, some

dark granules and a few small spermatozoa; these were best seen

after having been dried on the glass support.

The young female received the male shortly after the mother, but

was not then impregnated.

It is said here that the goat breeds at six months old. It is also

said that both male and female are two years in attaining their full

size.

The goat of Barbadoes appears to resemble in every respect the

common goat of Europe, from whence it is supposed to have been

originally brought.

The precocity of the young male, as I have described it, and o

the effect of which in its generative power there can be no doubt, as

the female had access to no other male, is here not considered extra-

ordinary. Whether the same function at so early an age is exer-

cised in a cooler climate, I am ignorant. Should it be found to be

so exercised, it may perhaps be considered a provision of nature to

secure the preservation of the species, endangered by the localities

Zoological Society. 193

the animal in its wild state inhabits amongst precipitous rocks, sub-

ject to the attacks of birds and beasts of prey. In accordance with

this idea I may remark, that the young pair of kids when five weeks

old, when they began to eat grass freely, kept constantly together,

and were more frequently absent from than with the mother. The

colostrum and the milk of the goat, I may add, containing an un-

usual proportion of nutritive matter, as indicated by their specific

gravity, may also be considered in accordance with this idea. The

colostrum first drawn, I have found of the high specific gravity 1088 ;

it coagulated at about 170°. The milk drawn the following day was

of the specific gravity 1041 ; it formed a soft coagulum at about 182°,

and a firm one at about 190°. The milk drawn two days later

was of specific gravity 10343. After this it underwent very little

change ; some drawn a week after was of specific gravity 10333, and

some drawn three weeks later was of the same specific gravity.

Barbadoes, April 15th, 1847.

2. Descriprions oF soME New GENERA AND Species or ASTE-

riaDzZ. By Jonun Epwarp Gray, Esa., F.R.S. erc.

In the ‘ Annals and Magazine of Natural History ’ for November

1840 I published a monograph of the species of this group then

known to me, and divided them into five families and several genera ;

since that time the British Museum has received numerous speci-

mens further illustrative of those which we then possessed, and many

other specimens, several of which are the types of new genera. Some

of these I shall proceed to describe in the following communication,

intending on a future occasion to send the remainder.

I may remark, that for several years before the publication of that

paper, I had been engaged in the study of these animals, with the

intention of publishing an illustrated monograph of the order. The

preparation of the plates has occupied many years, but I hope it is

now in the course of fulfilment.

In the same year in which I published my paper, Professors J.

Miiller and D. Troschel read at the Berlin Academy a paper on the

same subject, and in 1842 they published a 4to work, with the de-

scription of various species.

M. Miller has there reduced the number of genera to eighteen,

and for these has most unnecessarily changed the generic names,

much to the confusion of the science. I do not know why the

Stellonia of Forbes is not to be used for Asterias glacialis and its

allies. If the generic name of Asterias is to be erased from the list,

I do not see in what respect Asterocanthion is preferable to either of

these names, or why he rejects Link’s name of Pentaceros for Ore-

aster (he says Cuvier has used Pentaceros for a genus of fish, but I

do not find this name in any of Cuvier’s works; and if it had been

so used, Link has the priority over Cuvier), or why Astrogonium is

preferable to Goniaster, or Asteropsis to Gymnasteria.

The Star-fish have generally been described as having no vent.

Colonel Sabine, in figuring Asterias polaris, represented a projecting

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx.

194 Zoological Society.

tube near the middle of the back, and Professor Miller in his ‘ Sy-

stem’ uses the presence or absence of this tube, which he regards

as a vent, as a character to separate the class into two divisions ; but

I think his table of genera shows that this division can scarcely be’

considered as natural, for he has been obliged to separate species of

Astropecten from their allies, and to place them, on this single cha-

racter, in another division of the family. Secondly, it is very diffi-

cult to observe the presence or absence of this part, especially in

Astropecten, on account of the paztlli, and some species, which are

said to be without it, may have it ; for it is to be observed, that Miiller

and Troschel place the genus in which Sabine first observed the

vent, in the family characterized as not having one.

I must consider their work as a retrograde movenient, after the

publication of my paper, which they quote; for though they might

not adopt the genera, yet it cannot but be allowed, that what I have

considered as genera are natural groups ; and it would have facilitated

the making out of the species they have described, if they had used

thein as sections; they have done so in a few instances (thus after

the publication of their paper they have divided the genus Goniaster

into two, adopting my sections as their genera; but as in the case of

Asterias, because they have divided it, they blot the names from the

system); thus their first section of Ophidiaster is the same as my

genus, and their second is my genus Linkia, and the second section

of Asterocanthion appears to be my Tonza.

It has always appeared to me, that the great advantage of dividing

the species into small groups (let us call them genera or sections,

as we may) is, that it enables one more accurately to determine and

neatly describe and distinguish the species, and prevents the neces-

sity in each description of repeating what has been given as the

character of the group, as is the case in the system of Star-fish. |

Lastly, I suspect that had M. Muller had the opportunity of

examining and comparing the number of specimens of this genus to

be found in English collections, he would have come to the same

conclusion as I have done with regard to the distinctness of several

species which in the work above referred to he has regarded as mere

synonyma of some well-known species. At the same time it is re-

markable that it should not occur to M. Miiller, that when the spe-

cimens on which a certain number of species have been established

are contained in a single collection, and divided into minute groups,

and arranged side by side, it is not so easy to make mistakes in this

particular as when the materials are to be collected from various

scattered museums; as the differences and the similarities are then

more easily to be seen, and any errors which may have been made,

more easily discovered.

Thus I am convinced, if he had seen the series of specimens of

Asterias Helianthus and Cumingii, and A. multiradiata, which have

passed through my hands, and the selection of them in the Museum

collection, it is quite impossible that he could have confounded them

into a single species. The same may be observed with regard to

Linkia Typus, L. Brownii, L. bifasciatus and L. unifasciatus ; with

Zoological Society. 195

Asterina gibbosa and A. Burtonii; with Pentaceros grandis, P. gibbus

and P. reticulatus; with P. turritus and P. Franklinii, &c. &c.

Curcira, Agassiz.

This genus chiefly differs from Randasia and Pentaceros in having

no upper series of marginal ossicules. It agrees with Randasia in the

back being nearly flat. . ps

Cuncita SCHMIDELIANA. f-- OG -

A. Schmideliana, Retz. Dis.; Schmidel’s Naturf. xvi. t. 1. good.

A. discoidea, Lam.

Body subcircular, flat above when dry (very convex subglobose

when alive). The back coriaceous, without any apparent reticula-

tions, covered with scattered, small, conical spines. ‘The oral sur-

face rather convex (when dry), closely and minutely granular, and

with larger conical tubercles; those near the ambulacra and oral

angles much Wee largest and ovate.

Inhab.

There are ‘etindt indications of the lower marginal ossicules in this

species, but they and the ossicules of the oral surface are not sufhi-

ciently large and close to force the dry specimen to assume the pen-

tangular form of the following species.

CULCITA PENTANGULARIS. t Ys

Body pentangular; back flat when dry, convex bench, taal

and closely granulated; back with obscure reticulations, the reticu-

lations armed with small conical tubercles; the interspaces closely

and minutely porous. ‘The oral surface protected with distinct well-

defined ossicules, defining the lower edge of the margin, covered with

close and minute granules and larger round-topped tubercles, those

near the ambulacra and the oral angles being largest and highest.

Inhab. Reef of Oomaga.

This species is very distinct from the former, and forms the pas-

sage to the genus Randasia, but there is a series of concave, minutely

porous spaces in place of the upper marginal plates.

Ranpasia, Gray.

Body pentagonal, depressed, minutely granular; back nearly flat,

minutely granular, reticulated ; reticulations rather tubercular, inter-

spaces sunken (when dry) and covered with very minute close per-

forations. Dorsal tubercles roundish, single, subcentral. Margins

furnished with an upper and lower series of oblong ossicules, the

upper one narrower internally, with a central series of tubercles, the

lower ones oblong, close together and convex. ‘The oral surface

protected by close, regular, squarish, convex ossicules, covered with

short crowded granules. ‘The ambulacral spines in rounded groups ;

the series of tubercles nearest the ambulacra larger, crowded, and

placed in groups of three or five, and those in the oral angles largest

and flat-topped.

This genus differs from Pentaceros in the back being flat, elevated,

14°*

196 Zoological Society.

and not angular; it is in several — intermediate between

Culcita and Pentaceros.

RANDASIA GRANULATA, 0. 8. é&- : f f

Body five-sided; back minutely granular, with roundish convex

subconical tubercles in the reticulations ; the marginal plates four-

teen on each side, the upper ones with a central series of tubercles.

Inhab. Reefs of Attagor, Torres Straits.

There are two specimens of this species in the British Museum,

one in a very bad state.

RANDASIA SPINULOSA, 0. 8.

Body five-sided; back and upper marginal plates covered with

numerous small, conical, acute spines, without any larger tubercles ;

the upper marginal plates indistinct.

Inhab.

This species is very like the former in shape, size and appearance,

but is very easily known from it by the numerous mobile acute spines

with which the back and upper part of the margin are covered, ap-

pearing to take the places of the small granulations, and by the

absence of the tubercles on the elevated ribs of the back.

ASTERODISCUS.

Body pentagonal, coriaceous, depressed, covered with numerous

close, flat-topped, unequal, small tubercles ; back convex ; dorsal wart

roundish, subcentral ; arms short, rounded, with a pair of large con-

vex kidney-shaped ossicules on each side of the tip above. Margin

simple, rounded, beneath concave; ambulacra with a series of short

linear spines, placed in groups of four or five, each group on a separate

ossicule, and with two series of larger, blunt, club-shaped spines on

the outside of the ambulacral spines. The young specimens have

indistinct inferior marginal ossicules.

ASTERODISCUS ELEGANS.

Pale brown when dry; tubercles of the back unequal, the larger

ones truncated, those nearest the mouth on the underside larger,

club-shaped, rather crowded.

Inhab. ? Brit. Mus.

PENTACEROS GRANULOSUS. a 4

Five-rayed; rays as long as the diameter of the disc, rounded at

the tip. Back rather convex. Ossicules convex, rounded, all covered

with close rounded granules, the two or three central ones on the

top of each ossicule being larger, those on the middle of the back

largest and subtubercular. The marginal ossicules convex, rounded.

Inhab. Western Australia.

Young? Arms more slender, and the lower marginal ossicules

near the tip of the arm each with a group of two or three spines,

the one nearest the tip largest.

The dorsal surface of this species is furnished with abundance of

pedicellaria, one arising from each hole between the ossicules.

Zoological Society. 197

Sre vvaster Ince. é- ie rs /

Purplish, minutely granular; back with scattered, conical, convex

tubercles, those down the centre of the arm largest. The lower

marginal plates are flattish.

Inhab. North Australia.

This species is very like Stellaster Childreni, ane Ann. and Mag. ¢

Nat. Hist. 1840, 278; Miiller, Aster. 62. 128. t. 4. f. 3; Asterias

equestris, Retzius, Diss. 12; but it is purplish when dry; the back

is tubercular; the whole surface is minutely granular; while the

Japanese species is always white, the back smooth, and the granules

of the surface are so minute and thin that they are very easily eroded,

and the lower marginal plates are more convex and the central ones

much larger than the others.

STELLASTER BELCHERI. & f

Back convex, with two or three large conical tub aay on the line

extending to the centre of the arms. Arms slender, tapering, rather

longer than the diameter of the disc.

Inhab. Amboina or New Guinea.

This species is intermediate between S. Childreni and S. Incei,

having the white colour and the slender arms of the former, and the

convex back and tubercles of the latter, but the tubercles are larger

and fewer, and the arms are more slender, having only a single

series of plates between the marginal ones.

There are two specimens in spirits and one dry, in the British

Museum collection.

CALLIDERMA.

Body flat, five-sided, rays rather elongated; attenuated end only

formed of the marginal plates. Ossicules all minutely granulated ;

the dorsal ossicules flat-tipped, six-sided, some with a larger, globular,

central tubercle-like granule. The marginal ossicules broad, gradually

becoming smaller near the tip, short-edged, minutely granular, those

of the upper and lower series alternating; the edge of the upper

ones with some indistinct spines on the margin, the lower ones with

scattered mobile spines on the oral surface. ‘The ossicules of the oral

surface three-, four-, or six-sided, granular, with one (rarely two)

central, compressed, acute, mobile spines. The ambulacral spines very

small, close, fourteen or sixteen on each ossicule, forming a rounder

group, with two or three series of large, scattered, mobile, acute

spines on the outer side.

This genus resembles Stellaster, but differs from it in the oral

surface being furnished with scattered spines.

There is a fossil species very like the one here described found in

the chalk, and figured in Mr. Dixon’s work on the fossils of Wor-

thing, which I propose to call Calliderma Dizxonii. ‘There are pro-

bably several other fossil species from the same locality; they have

been referred to the genus Tosia, but the ossicules are granular and

the oral surface spinose.

198 Zoological Society.

CALLIDERMA EMMa. TY

Flat, pentangular, the sides concave, the arms elongated, produced,

tapering to a fine point, about two-thirds the length of the diameter

of the disc. The dorsal ossicules six-sided, regular, flat-topped,

covered with minute roundish granules; the central granules of the

central ossicules and those down the centre of the arms larger,

globular, tubercular-like. The margin sharp-edged, concave in the

centre; the ossicules of the upper and lower series alternating, mi-

nutely granular, with one or two larger subspinose granules on the

middle of the upper margin. Marginal ossicules about fifty on each

surface on each side, the lower series with scattered, acute, com-

pressed spines on their oral side.

The ossicules of the oral side four- or six-sided, rather irregular,

minutely granular, each armed with a central, compressed, acute,

mobile spine.

Inhab.

This species most nearly resembles a fossil found in the chalk,

which has hitherto been referred to the genus Tosia, and figured in

Mr. Dixon’s forthcoming work on the fossils of Worthing.

I have named this fine species in compliment to my daughter

Mrs. J. P.G. Smith, who before her marriage commenced a series

of plates to illustrate a monograph of this genus.

ANTHENEA.

This genus may be divided into two sections, one having a very

large two-lipped pore on each ossiculus of the oral surface; the

back netted and chaffy, as in A. chinensis and the following new

species.

ANTHENEA TUBERCULOSA. ia hv’ ( {

Back obscurely netted, rather chaffy, with scattered, long, flat-

backed tubercles. Marginal ossicules with some moderate granules,

the upper ossicules with one or more large flat-topped tubercles on

their upper part.

Inhab. Port Essington.

This species is very like Anthenea chinensis, Gray (Asterias pen-

tagonula, Lam. ?), but differs from it in being more convex and netted

and more distinctly tubercular, and in the upper marginal tessera

being armed with tubercles.

Like the Chinese species, all the ossicules, both marginal and discal,

of the oral surface, are furnished with large, elongated, two-lipped

ores.

; The second section contains the following species, which have one

or more small two-lipped pores on some of the ossicules of the oral

surface ; the back subtubercular, and the ossicules all covered with

arge roundish granules.

, a

ANTHENEA GRANULIFERA, & SK 2

Both surfaces covered with small roundish granules, the back with

Zoological Society. 199

rather convex ossicules; the arms as long as the diameter of the

body; back with one or two scattered tubercles.

Var. Back with a blunt tubercle on the centre of each of the ossi-

cules of the middle of the back.

Inhab. —— ?

- This species is easily known from the former by the smaller gra-

nules on the surface, the length of the arms, and the small size of the

two-lipped pores ; those of the dorsal surface are very minute.

HosiIa SPINULOSA, £ A f e*

- Body flat, pentagonal, sides concave ; arms not half the length of

the diameter of the body; ossicules large, subequal, six-sided, very

minutely granular. Marginal ossicules +9 on each side, convex,

deeply separated from each other with a series of two or three small,

acute, spine-like tubercles in the centre of each. The ossicules of the

oral surface flat, minutely granular, with small two-lipped pores.

Inhab. Indian Ocean; Philippines.

This species nearly resembles the shape of Tosia australis, but is at

once known from that species by the granular ossicules, the spines on

the margin, and the two-lipped pores beneath ; it differs from Hosta

flavescens in its being five-sided instead of five-armed, and in having

no spines on the middle of the back.

AstTroGonium (restricted).

Body pentangular, flat above and below. Back and oral surface

protected by triangular ossicules, each covered with numerous erect,

cylindrical, truncated tubercles or granules, those of the oral surface

longest. Margin strengthened with regular, oblong, four-sided ossi-

cules, covered with small regular granules, except on the most con-

vex part of their centres, those of the upper and lower series opposite

each other. Dorsal wart single. Ambulacra with cylindrical trun-

cated spines, in groups of four on each ossiculus of equal size, not

forming a rounded group, and with a series of similar, rather larger

spines on their side, and a series of small ossicules with terminal

granules on their outer sides. Bilabiate slits are on either surface.

Messrs. Miller and Troschel have proposed a genus under this

name, which I have hererestricted to smaller limits, to more accurately

distinguish the species. I have described all we have in the Museum.

A. Body flat, five-sided; granules short; ossicules flat-topped, not

tubercled.

AsTROGONIUM GRANULARIS. Asterias granularis, Retz. Dis. ; } i A é

Miiller, Zool. Dan. t. 92. f. 1. #

Pentagonal, sides rather concave. Back bright crimson ; oral sur-

face yellowish; marginal ossicules oblong, +4 on each side, rather

convex, covered, except at the most convex part of the upper and

lower surface, with very minute granules. Dorsal ossicules hexa-

gonal, flat-topped, with short flat-topped granules ; ossicules of oral

surface similar, but granules longer.

Inhab. North Sea. British Museum.

200 Zoological Society.

This species is very like Tosia australis, but is at once’ known

from it by the granules covering the greater part of the surface of

the marginal ossicules.

ASTROGONIUM MILIARE. ik / (3

Flat, dark red, pentangular; rays rounded at the end, about one-

third the length of the diameter of the disc. Margin rounded, ossi-

cules 36 or 33 on each side, covered with uniform, close granules.

Dorsal ossicules rather convex, covered with uniform granules.

Inhab. New Zealand.

Like A. granularis in form, but the margin is round, and the mar-

ginal plates are. more numerous. ~—

ASTROGONIUM INEQUALE.

-Pentagonal, sides rather concave. Armsacute. Dorsal ossicules

rather qohses, covered with small roundish: granules... Marginal

ossicules £ on each side, the two central ones small, narrow; four

others large, convex, the two at the tip very small.

Inhab. New Guinea? or Amboina? Capt. Sir E. Belcher.

B. Back rather convex, the marginal and dorsal ossicules with a small

central convexity or rounded tubercle ; the granules of the oral

surface rather elongate, rounded.

ASTROGONIUM TUBERCULATUM. E { (2

Body pentangular, sides concave; arms rather produced, acute,

tapering ; the ossicules of the dorsal surface, of the upper and lower

marginal series, each furnished with a small, central, rounded tu-

bercle. Marginal ossicules 38 on each side, the dorsal tubercles

on the middle of the back and down the centre of each arm rather

larger.

Inhab. Port Natal.

C. Body flat ; ossicules of the dorsal, marginal and oral surface en-

tirely covered with rather elongated uniform granules ; marginal

ossicules small, erect, rounded above. 2

ASTROGONIUM PAXILLOSUM. t l {}

Blackish (perhaps discoloured). Pentagonal, flat. Arm nearly as

long as diameter of disc, rounded at the end. All the ossicules of

the back, edge, and oral surface, covered with regular, uniform,

rather long, erect granules, forming a level surface; granules of the

oral surface longest. The marginal ossicules narrow, erect, rounded

above. Ambulacral spines elongate.

Inhab. Port Essington.

This species, from the length of the granules, passes towards the

Astropectens, the elongated tubercles having much the appearance of

those which are called pawxilli in that genus. }

| PrenTaconasteR DiiBEnl. ay

Body flat, five-rayed; rays two-thirds the length of the diameter

Zoological- Society. 201

of the disc, rounded at the end; ossicules all convex, rounded. Mar-

ginal ossicules +2, large, round, those near the end of the arms largest

and most convex.

Inhab. W. Australia.

This species differs from P. pulchellus in the marginal ossicules

being more equal, and in the arms being much longer and more

slender. The ossicules of the dorsal disc are unequal in size and

rather irregularly formed ; those near the margin on the middle of the

sides are oblong and narrow, those of the oral surface are more re-

gular and not so convex, those near the angles of the mouth being

the largest and subtriangular.

I have named this beautiful species in memory (I regret to say) of

M. W. Von Diiben, who has lately published a very admirable paper

on the northern species of this family.

Tosia, Gray.

The granules between the ossicules are deficient in the dead and

washed specimens. It has been thought that the fossil species found

in the chalk belonged to this genus, but the surface of the ossicules

of most of the specimens I have seen show, from the scars with which

their surface is covered, that they were covered with granules, there-

fore they rather belong to the restricted genus Astrogonium.

In some species of this genus the ossicules of the oral disc are more

or less entirely covered with crowded, flat-topped granules.

TosIa GRANDIS. - BY }

Dorsal ossicules very unequal, flat-topped. Marginal ossicules

+4 or 1 on each side, rather convex ; the ossicules of the oral sur-

face are furnished with two or three rows of crowded granules, and

those near the ambulacra are most covered.

Inhab. Western Australia.

Link, under the name of P. regularis, t. 13. f. 22, 23, copied

(E. M. t. 96. and Seba, iii. t. 8. f. 4) a species like the above, but it

has only ten marginal plates. Miiller, who thought he examined

Link’s specimen at Leipsic, describes it as having seven upper and

five under marginal plates.

TosIA AURATA,

Golden yellow. Dorsal ossicules flat-topped, the fivein the centre,

between the central lines of the arms, largest, and round; the mar-

ginal ossicules 12, or 12, rather convex and nearly equal (that nearest

the top not being longer than the others) ; the ossicules of the oral

disc, all except a few an the middle of each area, entirely covered

with flat-topped granules.

Inhab. Australia. Brit. Mus., three spec.

In others, the ossicules of the oral surface are only edged with a

single series of granules, like those of the back.

TosIA TUBERCULARIS.

Yellow, edges reddish. The dorsal ossicules convex, subtubercular,

202 Zoological Society.

those of the centre of the arms highest, those between the arm in

the centre largest, nearly flat. The marginal ossicules § or $on

each side, convex, subtubercular, the one near the top of the arm

largest and oblong, longitudinal, convex. The ossicules of the oral

surface small, each surrounded with a single series of granules.

Var.? or young? The ossicules of the oral surface near the edges

covered with granules.

Inhab. Swan River.

There is a specimen in the British Museum with six marginal

ossicules very like the above, but differing from it in the dorsal

ossicules being only convex and rounded ; it has the same convex and

large marginal plate.

TosiA RUBRA.

Red brown. Dorsal ossicules rather convex, rounded. Marginal

ossicules 12 on each side, rather convex, equal, that at the tip of the

arms smaller, narrow. The ossicules of the oral surface flat- topper

with a single series of marginal granules.

Inhab. Australia.

Tosa AusTRALIS, Gray, Ann. Nat. Hist.

Yellowish or reddish. Dorsal ossicules rather convex, rounded.

Marginal ossicules $ on each side, rather convex, equal; the ossicules

of the oral surface flat-topped, with a single series of marginal gra-

nules.

Inhab. W. Australia, Swan River.

PETRICIA.

Body convex, five-rayed. Skin above and below varnished and

spineless. Back strengthened with numerous, sunken, moderate-

sized ossicules ; the margin with two series of larger oblong ossicules,

but spineless ; the oral surface with rather regularly disposed smaller

ossicules. Ambulacral spines subulate, placed in pairs, with a second

series of similar but rather larger spines on the outer side of them.

This genus is very like Porania, but the back does not appear to

be angular, the margin is edged with spines, and the ambulacral

spines are in pairs, and not single as in that genus. ‘The ossicules

of the back and oral surface are punctured, and one of them situated

near the edge of the back, in the middle space between the arms, is

furnished with a linear pore edged with convex lips.

PeTRICIA PUNCTATA. (-” 4 f }

Orange, when dry.

Inhab. the Reef of Attagor. J.B. Jukes, Esq.

There is a single species of this genus in the British Museum col-

lection.

I may here remark, that the specimen of Porania gibbosa, the Aste-

rias gibbosus of Leach, and Goniaster Templetoni of Forbes, in the

British Museum from Arran, are exactly like Asterias pulvillus of

Miller, received from Norway, in the same collection.

Zoological Society. 208

PATIRIA.

The upper side, between the angles of the arms, is covered with

small, roundish groups of spines.

This genus may be divided into three sections :

1. Body pentagonal ; the dorsal ossicules lunate, narrow ; the edge of the

arms acute.

PatrriA coccingEA, Gray.

Asteriscus coccineus, Miiller & Trosch. 43.

The roundish group of spines between the lunate ossicules are very

abundant. c

2. Body five-rayed ; rays thick, rounded; dorsal ossicules lunate, sub-

triangular ; arms convex above and rounded on the sides.

PATIRIA GRANIFERA.

? Asterias granifera, Lam. n. 24?; var. a petits grains, Oudart, t.

Brown. Back rather convex. The arms broad, rounded at the

end, nearly as long as the diameter of the disc, rounded above, flat

beneath; the lunate dorsal ossicules covered with short, crowded

spines, and with only a few small tufts of spines between them, the

ossicules of the oral surface each with a transverse line of six or eight

spines.

Inhab. ?

Variety, the arms more slender, about one-third longer than the

diameter of the disc.

Inhab. ? Brit. Mus.

The variety may be a distinct species, but the specimen is not in

sufficiently good preservation to determine this point with accuracy.

3. The body five-rayed, rays thick, rounded ; the dorsal ossicules, espe-

cially those at the end of the arms, broad, rounded, the back covered

with two or three beaked pedicellaria nearly hiding the tubercles.

PATIRIA OCELLIFERA.

Asterias ocellifera, Lam. 45 ; Oudart,t. . fig. .

Body five-rayed; arms thick, rounded, as long as the diameter of

the disc, bluntish at the end; the dorsal ossicules broad, oblong or

roundish, reddish, covered with short, crowded spines ; the oral sur-

face with transverse rows of three to five mobile spines.

Inhab. ?

This species much more nearly resembles Oudart’s figure than the

species I have described under the name of Nectria oculifera.

PATIRIA OBTUSA.

Brown, depressed, five- to six-rayed; rays depressed, rounded at

the end; dorsal surface with lunate ossicules crowded with short

spines; oral surface with circular groups of crowded spines in the

middle of each ossicule.

Inhab. Panama. Sandy mud, six to ten fathoms.

204 Zoological Society.

PATIRIA? CRASSA.

Pale yellow (dry), five-rayed; rays thick, rather tapering, about

half as long again as the diameter of the disc. Dorsal surface formed

of convex, subhemispherical ossicules, covered with crowded minute

spines. The oral surface with roundish groups of short, crowded

spines, like paxilli.

Inhab. W. Australia. Mr. Gould.

PTERASTER CAPENSIS.

Body subpentagonal, swollen, edge very thick, rounded; back

convex, reticulated, with rounded groups of very small ossicules at

the junction of the reticulations.

Inhab. Cape of Good Hope.

The spines of the ambulacra are like those of Pteraster militaris,

but they are longer, and the series of webbed ‘spines on their outer

margins are scarcely longer than those of the ambulacra, while in

the northern species they are much longer and thicker, and there is

no appearance of the two long glassy spines at the angle of the

mouth, so distinct and peculiar in that species.

GANERIA.

Body flat, five-rayed. Back coriaceous, strengthened with nume-

rous small, linear and curved series of very short cylindrical spines.

Margin perpendicular, with two series of narrow ossicules, each

armed with a central, erect, linear series of short cylindrical spines.

Oral surface covered with diverging spines, one being placed on each

ossicule. Ambulacra linear, with two series of tentacles, and edged

with subulate spines, two on each ossicule, and with a series of di-

verging spines at the angles near the mouth.

~GANERIA FALKLANDICA.

Body five-rayed; rays as long as the diameter of the disc, rather

blunt at the tip.

Inhab. Falkland Islands. Captain Sir James Ross.

3. DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF FuLGORA.

By Arruur Apams, Esa., R.N.

Fuicora (Horinus) Sutrana, Adams and White. Fulg. thorace

superiore et rostro sanguineis ; elytris ad basin nigro-fuscis lineis

ochreis venosis, ad apicem ochreo-fuscis ; alis ad basim intense?

carmineis, ad angulum analem roseis, ad apicem fuscum quatuor

vel quingue maculis rotundatis albis ornatis.

Rostrum and upper surface of thorax of a rich blood-red colour.

The form of the beak intermediate between that of H. clavatus of

Westwood and H. pyrorhynchus of Donovan. Elytra blackish brown

at the base, traversed by ochraceous veins, with the tip ochraceous

brown. The wings with the base of a deep carmine fading to pale

pink towards the anal angle, the tips brown, with four or five roundish

white spots. Body above straw-coloured.

Zoological Society. 205

Body covered, when alive, with a white mealy substance. Lantern

not luminous by day or night. Remains in a torpid state during the

heat of the day, and becomes more active in the evening.

Forest of Borneo near Tampasook.

4. Snort Descriprions OF SOME NEW SPECIES OF CRUSTACEA IN

THE CoLLECTION OF THE British Musztum. By Apam Wuire,

F.L.S.

Family ParrHEenoPip2.

CrYPTOPODIA DORSALIS, White and Adams, n.s.

Carapace narrower and wider than the same part in the Cryptopodia

fornicata, the greater part of the back covered with slight pustules; on

the posterior part of the carapace are two deep grooves placed longi-

tudinally and slightly bent, so as to have a lyre-shaped form; posterior

edge of the carapace with coarser and rounder crenations than in

C. fornicata; the ridges on the chelze with blunter tubercles.

This distinct and beautiful species of a singular genus was found

by Mr. Adams in the Sooloo Sea, where the bottom was stony.

When alive, it is of a dirty flesh-colour, with brown markings and

minute black specks; on each chela there is an orange linear spot :

under surface of a dead white, on the breast reddish.

Mr. Adams informs me that the species of this genus resemble

those of Calappa in their habit of simulating death when disturbed,

folding the chele close to the front of the carapace and concealing

their legs under the dilated sides of the carapace. They are always

found in deep water, while the Calappide are found on sandy flats,

sometimes buried under the sand.

Family Ocyropip2.

GeLasimus crassiPEs, White, Cat. Crust. in Brit. Mus. p. 36.

Carapace very much arched, suddenly narrowed behind ; four hind

pair of legs thicker and stronger than in other species; front with a

lobe, without narrow stalk.

Hab. Philippine Islands (Siquejor). From Mr. Cuming’s collec-

tion.

GELASIMUS BELLATOR, White, l.c.

Carapace with the fore-part just behind the insertion of eye-pedun-

cles sinuated, the front slightly dilated into a rounded lobe. Larger

hand with the fingers very long, the moveable with the sides nearly

parallel, two or three larger tubercles on the edge near the base; fixed

finger margined on the under side; the cutting edge with a very

wide shallow tubercular sinus at base ; at the end of sinus beyond the

middle a strong wide tooth, which gradually slopes down to the end,

which curves up.

Hab. Philippine Islands. From Mr. Cuming’s collection.

GELASIMUS CULTRIMANUS, White, l.c. p. 35.

Front between the eyes with a small dilated rounded lobe.. Edge

206 Zoological Society. .

of lower orbit very distinctly crenated; carapace with the upper

surface smooth; the lateral edges rounded, without any sharp keel

from the outer orbital angle. Larger hand with the fingers wide,

both at the end slightly curved outwards, the lower finger with a

very wide sinus in the middle; near the end a wide lobe serratu-

crenated on the edge; moveable finger with the lower edge nearly

quite straight.

Hab. Philippine Islands. From Mr. Cuming’s collection.

GELASIMUS PORCELLANUS, White, l.c. p. 36.

Eye-pedicels very long; the frontal portion of carapace not nar-

rowed at base; the hind part of carapace much longer than the

side. Lower finger thickened at the end, the inner margins of both -

fingers with four larger tubercles amongst the small crenules.

Hab. Borneo. Presented by the Lords of the Admiralty.

Family Marap#.

Tycue, Bell.

Tycue emareinata, White, l.c. p. 10.

Carapace with the dilated part behind, deeply notched in the mid-

dle ; the tubercles on the sides of the depressed part with hairs.

The genus Tyche was established by Professor Bell in the Zoolo-

gical Transactions for a species from Panama, which he has described

and figured under the name of T. lamellifrons. The specimen from

which the above brief description is taken is very much mutilated,

but is clearly distinct from Mr. Bell’s.

Hab. West Indies. British Museum.

Family THEeLpHusip2.

VALDIVIA, 0. g.

Outer jaw-feet with second joint wider than long; third joint

longer than wide, slightly notched at the end. Carapace depressed,

rather more rounded in the outline than in Thelphusa; the latero-

anterior edge with four sharp teeth directed forwards ; legs very long,

last joint very long, smooth.

This genus is closely allied to Trichodactylus.

VALDIVIA SERRATA, White, l.c. p. 31.

Front quite straight ; a strong distinct keel from last tooth on side

of carapace to hind part; the whole upper surface of carapace and

legs is covered with a brownish epidermis.

Hab. ? British Museum.

Family Grapsipz.

Urica, White, n. g.

Carapace somewhat eight-angled, tabular, the latero-anterior mar-

gin with three teeth; the latero-posterior part of the carapace ob-

lique ; carapace behind very straight; behind the middle there is a

Zoological Society. 207

very strong transverse ridge. Outer jaw-feet with the third joint

on the outside straight, not dilated. Fore-legs small; hind-legs

very long; tarsus not particularly dilated, somewhat elongated,

fringed with hairs, as is the preceding joint.

This genus, which is shortly characterized above, belongs to the

family Grapside, being nearly allied to Trichopus, De Haan, which is

synonymous with Varuna, M. Edwards.

Utica eraciiires, White, l. c. p. 43.

Front wide, fore-edge very straight; behind it, and extending to

the middle of the carapace, there is a considerable, wide, somewhat

three-sided elevation, separated from the transverse ridge by a deep

lunated depression, from the ends of which a slight impressed line

proceeds to the side of the ridge where it deepens ; legs very slender

and fringed with hair. :

This species is a native of the Philippine Islands, from which it

was first brought by Mr. Cuming. He found it in a freshwater

rivulet among the mountains of the island of Negros. Mr. Adams

found it also in the island of Mindanao, and from his journal has

given me the following description, taken from the crustacean when

alive :—

“‘Carapace dark liver-colour; legs reddish brown; under surface

dark brown, on the legs with a lighter tinge; abdomen also of a

lighter colour, with a yellowish line down the middle. 9. Frequents

the deep, still, muddy freshwater rivers of the island of Mindanao,

hiding under weeds and rotten wood. When caught this singular

crustacean feigns death, contracting its limbs and rendering them

rigid, as if it were in a catalepsy.”

5. DescripTIoNs OF SEVERAL New Species or Sponpytvus, By

G. B. Sowrrsy, Jun.

Sponpytus unicotor. Spond. testd solidd, oblique ovali, rubro-

violascente; costis 6 principalibus, squamis crassis, arcuatis ;

subtis concavis, paululim palmatis, prope marginem numerosis ;

costis interstitialibus spinis crassis, brevibus, arcuatis ornatis ;

inter costas sulcis nonnullis.

Hab. ? Mus. M. Gruner; G. B. Sowerby.

SponpyLus Cumineiu. Spond. testa liberd, regulari, subrotundatd,

subdepressd ; ared cardinali parvd ; costis principalibus 6 elevatis,

leavibus, squamis subelongatis, levibus, arcuatis, palmatis, ad

latera palmarum undulatim fimbriatis ; interstitiis imbricatim stri-

atis ; colore fusco rubescente.

A free-growing species, with short cardinal area, in some degree

resembling S. regius and S. imperialis, but most remarkable for the

beautiful manner in which the arched palmated scales are frilled and

fluted at the sides.

Hab. ? Mus. H. Cuming.

SrponpyLus timsBatus. Spond. testd ovali, crassd, vix costatd,

squamis depressis, levibus, palmatis, brevibus, irregularibus, ine-

208 Zoological Society.

qualibus, 9 ad 11 dispositis; interstitiis minutissime striatis, car-

dine magno; colore squamarum croceo, interstitiarum obscure

violaceo ; intus limbo purpureo. 1

Hab. Persian Gulf. Mus. Griiner. Brit. Mus.; G. B. Sowerby.

Sponpyuus sinensis. Spond. testd levi, elongato-ovali, ared car-

dinali plerumque elongatd ; costis 5 ad 6 principalibus, viz elevatis,

squamis levibus, depressis, palmatis ; interstitiis levibus, costis

inequalibus et squamis minoribus ; colore pallid? fulvo, vel roseo,

vel albo, prope umbonem fusco variegato.

Remarkable for the smooth, depressed, palmated, spoon-shaped

scales on the five or seven principal ribs, which are repeated in mi-

niature in the interstices.

From China.

SPONDYLUS LINGUA-FELIS. Spond. testd ovali, crassd, ared cardi-

nali et auriculis magnis; costis numerosis, via elevatis, spinis

brevibus, equalibus, numerosis armatis ; colore fusco, subtis croceo.

A much more solid shell than S. asperrimus, with the hinge large ;

the colour is a uniform dark brown, which is shown in the interior

by a well-defined border. The shell is covered by nearly equal ribs,

which are armed by short, thick, slightly curved prickles.

Hab, ? Mus. M. Griiner.

SronpyLuvs pieitatus. Spond. testd subrotundatd, tenui, costatd ;

costis 6 ad 9 principalibus, vie elevatis, squamis rectiusculis,

arcuatis, ad terminos palmatis, aculeatim divisis ; interstitiis spi-

nosis ; colore fusco, vel rubro, vel purpureo, ad umbones rubro

variegato.

The peculiarity of this species consists in the beautifully branched

and digitated palmations which terminate the erect and arched

scales. ,

Hab. Bermudas; Belcher. Mus. H. Cuming.

SPONDYLUS ASPERRIMUS. Spond. testd subrotundatd ; costis nume-

rosis vix elevatis, subequalibus, aculeis brevibus, erectis, creberri-

mis, subtis canaliculatis ; interstitiis scabriculis et spinosis, colore

valve superiori fusco, prope umbonem variegato ; valve inferiori

croceo.

Hab. ? Mus. H.-Cuming.

SPONDYLUS TENUISPINOSUS. Spond. testd ovali, tenui, costis prin-

cipalibus 8 spinis elongatis, tenuibus, erectis, numerosis, spinis in-

terstitialibus minutis ; interstitiis minuté imbricatis ; laminis valve

superioris elegantissime foliaceis ; colore pallidé cinereo, prope um-

bonem rubro variegato, valve inferioris albo, prope umbonem fla-

vido rubro radiato.

This species is distinguished by the thin, sharp, erect, white spines

which ornament the numerous ribs. ‘The upper valve is of a pale

ashy colour, variegated with red near the umbo, and the under

valve is white, with beautifully foliated lamine and a few graceful

spines.

Hab. Australia. Mus. Cuming.

Miscellaneous. 209

MISCELLANEOUS. |

Note on the Hop-fly. By Francis Watxer, Esq.

Tue alternate generation of Aphides, or the succession of winged to

wingless broods, is an interesting part of their history, and the more

so, for its consequence in many species is the migration and change

of food of the winged insects. Thus the Hop-fly (Aphis Humuli) is

hatched on the sloe, and the second generation passes thence to the

hop, which is much exhausted by the third and fourth broods, but

these decrease in number or disappear after awhile, and then the

Aphis returns to the sloe.

On the Parasitical Nature of the Rhinanthacee. By J. Decaisne.

Since DeCandolle established by ingenious observations and accre-

dited by the authority of his name the separation of parasitic plants

into two groups, physiologists have generally admitted it as a well-

established law. It is known in fact that the phanerogamous

plants which are parasitic upon the stems of other vegetables have

green leaves, while those upon roots do not possess true leaves, con-

tain no green colouring matter, but are generally of a whitish, yel-

lowish or violet colour: in other words, they appear blanched or

sickly when compared to other plants ; their leaves, or the scales with

which their stems are provided, are generally without epidermic

pores. The absolute character of the law advanced by DeCandolle

has however been recently modified by the observation of Mr. W.

Mitten of a plant (Thesium Linophyllum) parasitic upon roots and

nevertheless provided with green leaves.

The observation of Mr. Mitten immediately called to mind a fact

I had long noticed, that is, the impossibility of cultivating plants be-

longing to the group of the true Rhinanthacee. Wishing to intro-

duce into cultivation the purple cow-wheat (Melampyrum arvense), I

frequently sowed the seed, which however all perished a few days

after their germination without my being able to account for this want

of success. The same applies to species of Pedicularis and Euphrasia :

removed with care from the field and transferred with every possi-

ble caution into our gardens these plants soon dry up, in a few

hours they become black and so brittle that they appear to have been

scorched, Bearing in mind these facts, the question suggested itself,

whether the uncultivable Rhinanthacee might not be parasitic plants ;

in fact, their rapid death in our gardens and their injurious effects

upon the neighbouring plants, a fact well known to cultivators, led me

to suspect their parasitic nature. The observation which I have the

honour to bring before the Academy settles this question. The

species of Alectorolophus, Mcelampyrum and Odontites are true para-

sitic plants which fix themselves to the roots of grasses, shrubs or

even trees by numerous suckers. These suckers are arranged on the

branched and delicate rootlets of Melampyrum in the same manner

as on the filaments of Cuscuta; the parasitic rootlets are in close

contact with the young roots of the plants upon which they feed ;

the point of contact is indicated by a swelling.

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 15

210 Miscellaneous.

I regret that [ have not yet been able to verify the parasitic na-

ture upon other species than those which occur in our fields. If

propose however to examine whether what I have observed in the

plants of this neighbourhood will occur or not in analogous plants,

or whether this phenomenon is so modified in them as to afford an

explanation of the anomalies of structure I am about to point out.

In a memoir* presented to the Academy, M. Duchartre described

ina parasitic plant, Lathrea clandestina, a peculiar ligneous structure,

the most prominent character of which is the absence of medullary

rays: on the other hand, M. Elie Brogniart in noticing this fact in

his report on this paper wished to ascertain whether it did not occur

in other plants belonging to the same class as the Clandestine, and

he found it in Melampyrum : nevertheless in pointing out the anoma-

Jous structure in these vegetables, MM. Brogniart and Duchartre

did not connect it with the fact of parasitism, but merely saw in it a

relation of family. However, this peculiar organization appears to

me intimately connected with the parasitic nature of the plants,

judging from the uniformity of structure and the black colour

of the stems of Pedicularis, Custillegia, Cymbaria, Bartsia, Buchnera,

which are all destitute, according to my observations, of medullary

rays.

Tf parasitic plants assume a black tint mixed with blue on drying

— if the absence of medullary rays is one of their attributes—and if

these characters are connected with a special absorption of the nutri-

tive juices, I may observe that these occur without exception in a group

of plants which no one has hitherto suspected of being parasites, I

mean the Sundews, which are likewise uncultivable. But with re-

gard to the species of Drosera there is another anomaly far more

singular to be investigated, that of a dicotyledonous plant being

parasitical upon a moss, if, as I suspect, the Sphagnum is necessary to

the nutrition of the Drosera. There still remains to ascertain the

relation of causality between these characters of structure and para-

sitism.

With respect to the peculiar coloration of the blackening juices

which these parasitical vegetables contain, that is a question which

belongs to chemistry. In conclusion, the foregoing observations

upon Melampyrum, Odontites and Alectorolophus explain clearly why

it is impossible to cultivate these plants, which do not meet in the

artificial soil of our gardens with the roots of those vegetables at

whose expense they live; it also throws some light in my opinion

upon the fact observed by agriculturists, that the Rhinanthacee exert

an injurious effect upon the grasses and Cerealia.—Comptes Rendus,

July 12) 1847.

On the situation of the Olfactory Sense in the terrestrial tribe of the

Gasteropodous Mollusca. By Joszeru Leipy, M.D.

While no observer of the habits of the terrestrial Gasteropoda

doubts the existence of the sense of smell in them, but, on the con-

* A translation of this memoir appeared in the ‘ Annals’ for June 1845.

Miscellaneous. 2li

trary, asserts positively that it does exist, the anatomist has not

hitherto been able to point out its precise seat.

Swammerdam, in his ‘ Biblia Nature,’ speaks decidedly of the ex-

istence of this sense in Helix pomatia, but offers no conjecture as to

its situation. Blumenbach remarks, under the head of Vermes,

‘* Several animals of this class appear to have the sense of smelling,

as many land-snails (Helix pomatia, &c.),” and afterwards adds,

‘‘ But the organ of this sense is hitherto unknown; perhaps it may

be the stigma thoracicum.”’ Cuvier, in his ‘ Mémoire sur la Limace

et le Colimacon,’ after remarking on the delicacy of this sense,

thinks it probable it may reside ‘‘ dans la peau toute entiére, qui a

beaucoup de texture d’une membrane pituitaire.”

In investigating the anatomy of this tribe of Gasteropodous Mol-

lusca, I detected an organ which appeared to have been entirely

neglected, or has escaped the notice of those who have dissected

these animals. It is a depression or cul-de-sac, having its orifice

beneath the mouth, between the inferior lip and the anterior extre-

mity of the podal disc, and which in many species of different genera

is elongated backwards into a blind duct, more or less deep, occupy-

ing a situation just above the podal disc within the visceral cavity.

In Bulimus fasciatus it extends backwards as far as the tail, and is

several times folded upon itself; in Glandina truncata it extends the

length of the podal disc; in the various species of Heliz it is found

from a superficial depression to a sac the length of the podal disc ;

in Succinea obliqua it is of considerable length; in Limazr and Arion

it is a superficial depression ; in an undetermined species of Vaginula,

hereafter to be described, I found it half an inch in length, &c.

It is composed of two lamine ; a delicate lining mucous membrane

and an external layer, having a whitish or reddish glandular appear-

ance. A large nerve on each side, from the subcesophageal ganglia,

is distributed to its commencement, besides which it receives nume-

rous smaller branches along its course from the same ganglia. Its

arterial supply is derived from the cephalic branch of the aorta.

This organ, from its situation, relative size to the degree of per-

fection of the olfactory sense, as in the carnivorous Glandina truncata,

&c., its structure and nervous supply, I think, is the olfactory

organ *.—Silliman’s Journal for May 1847.

A new species of Procellaria from Florida. By G. N. Lawrence.

Procellaria brevirostris.—Above brownish black, beneath white.

Bill short ; upper tail-coverts white; lower white, tipt with ash, and

very long; tarsi pale yellow, marked with black at their ends for

two-thirds their length. Length 16 inches, extent 39 inches.—J6id.

* Since writing the above, 1 have had an opportunity, through the kind-

dess of Mr. Cassin, of examining a specimen of Helix pomatia from Europe,

in which I find the organ in question existing as a funnel-shape depression

beneath the mouth, and extending backwards along the podal disc for the

distance of three-fourths of an inch. This I consider particularly interesting,

as the same species has been minutely dissected and described by Swam-

merdam, Cuvier and others, without any reference whatever to this cul-de-

sac.

15*

PP Miscellaneous.

Description of a New Lizard discovered by Mr. Dyson in Venezuela.

By J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S., F.Z.S.

_ In the ‘ Annals and Magazine of Natural History’ I described a

lizard, from Columbia, which Mr. Brandt sent me under the name of

Argalia marmorata, and considered it as the type of a peculiar family.

In Mr. Dyson’s collection, just received at the Museum, there is a

‘second species of this genus from Venezuela, differing from the former

not only in the colouring, but in the size of the head and the com-

parative length of the tail.

This genus has much the appearance of the Barisie, but is at_

once known from them and other New World Zonuride by having

femoral pores, by the position of the nostrils, and by the scales on

the side of the body not being granular, though rather smaller than

those of the back.

ARGALIA OLIVACEA.

Olive-green ; beneath pale brown; sides of neck and body yellow

spotted ; tail rather longer than the body and head, thick at the base.

Palins of the feet bright yellow.

Inhab. Venezuela.

Mr. Dyson found a pair of these lizards on a tree in the moun-

tains, 8000 feet above the level of the sea, near the Colonia de Tova,

by a tree called Grand Cedro, the largest known in Venezuela, and

much larger than that described by Humboldt.

They now form part of the collection of the British Museum. The

sexes are quite alike in form and colour.—From the Proceedings of

the Zoological Society, June 22, 1847.

SWARM OF LADYBIRDS (COCCINELLZ&).

As several accounts of a swarm of ladybirds have appeared in the

daily papers and have excited some interest, I send you a few notes

made on this somewhat extraordinary phenomenon during a stay of

a few days on the Isle of Thanet. On Friday, August 8th, I was at

Broadstairs. The wind was in the north-east; anda good deal of

rain fell, after a drought in that district of six months’ duration. On

the Saturday it became fine, with a strong wind from the south-

west. Early in the morning, a few ladybirds made their appearance.

Their number kept increasing during the whole of Saturday, Sunday

and Monday, when the esplanade and cliffs on the west side of

the town were literally covered with them. They were evidently

borne upon the wind, and were most numerous at the edges of the

cliffs, as if they caught there as a last refuge before being carried

out to sea again. The stalks of the dried plants were literally

covered with these insects; and the stems of Dipsacus, Centaurea

and other plants looked as if they were borne down by a crop of red

berries. The white dresses of the ladies attracted them especially,

and gave no little annoyance to those who were afraid of them.

They are however perfectly harmless, and, excepting for their dis-

agreeable smell, need not be avoided. These creatures are carni-

vorous, and, of course, could not find food in such immense quan-

Miscellaneous. 213

tities ; and many of them I found were reduced to the sad extremity

of feeding on their departed friends, whose dead bodies were strewed

about the paths in all directions. They were preyed upon in great

numbers by a black beetle. ‘They were notall of one species. The

common one, with a yellow body and seven black spots, was most

abundant ; next to that came the species with two black spots; the

species with nine spots was scarcer still; and I took only a few spe-

cimens of one with a black body and orange spots. The intensity

of their colouring varied from a light yellow to a deep orange.

The ladybirds continued at Broadstairs till Thursday, August 12,

when a strong wind from the south setting in cleared the whole

district. ‘They however found a resting-place at Margate, where I

saw them in the same profusion in which they had appeared at

Broadstairs. In a line from the Fort to the railway terminus they

covered everything, and the air was filled with them. Up to this

time, none, or not an unusual number of these creatures, had been

seen at Ramsgate; but on Saturday, the wind having got into the

east on the previous evening, they began to appear there; and on that

evening they appeared to me to be as numerous at Ramsgate as at

Broadstairs and Margate. On the 17th and 18th of August I ob-

served a smaller swarm of these insects at Broadstairs, the wind

blowing in a north-westerly direction.

From several accounts in the Daily News of the 16th and 17th of

August, it appears that on Friday, August 13, the same insects were

observed at Southend; on the same day in great numbers in London;

and on the following Saturday and Sunday at Brighton.

Large flights of these creatures are not uncommon. Various

swarms of them have been recorded as occurring at Brighton, where

they have been supposed to have been carried from the neighbouring

hop-grounds, as the larva of the ladybird feeds on the aphides which

are so destructive of the hop-plant. On the present occasion, how-

ever, it appears that these insects must have been brought by the

south-west wind from the continent. That the direction of the wind

determined their appearance is evident from the fact that they disap-

peared at Broadstairs on the day they were seen at Margate, and

were not found at Margate after their appearance at Ramsgate. The

cause of the swarming of these insects is probably ascarcity of their

natural food during the prevalence of a strong wind, which, sweeping

over a large tract of the earth’s surface, carries along with it all who

are disposed to go. That this is the case seems confirmed by the

fact that at first these insects only appeared by degrees ;—a few

arriving and the number gradually increasing on a particular spot.

One of the correspondents of the Daily News states that they came

over in the form of a cloud in the direction of Calais and Ostend ;

but although I was on the spot at the time, I neither saw nor heard

anything of this cloud. I may add, as. a fact for your Folk-Lore,

that in the Isle of Thanet some of the common people regarded this

visitation as foreboding the death of a great personage. Such a flight

occurred just before the death of George the Third.— Atheneum for

Aug. 28, p. 912.

214 Miscellaneous.

Description of a new species of Anser. By Grorcr N. LAWRENCE.

Anser nigricans, Black-bellied Goose. Specific character :—A large

white patch on the middle of the neck in front, and extending on the

sides ; belly brownish black; bill higher than broad at the base.

Bill black; legs and toes black, tinged with flesh-colour ; iris dark

hazel; head black, tinged with brownish rufous adjoining the bill,

with a dirty white line under the eye; neck and fore-part of the

breast black ; a large white patch on the centre of the neck inter-

mixed with black, except at the lower part, where it forms a distinct

band of pure white; it is nearly two inches in width, rounding on

each side of the neck and almost meeting behind; belly brownish

black ; sides brownish ash, margined with white; back dark brown,

each feather margined with a lighter shade; rump-feathers black ;

axillars and lower wing-coverts grayish black ; tail black, consisting

of sixteen feathers ; upper and lower tail-coverts white ; wings black,

extending half an inch beyond the tail; second primary one line

longer than the first; third half an inch shorter; vent white.

Length 224 inches; alar extent 44; bill a little higher than broad ;

measures along the ridge 1,8, inch; from gape 13; lower man-

dible 11; tarsus 21; middle toe 2; outer 14; inner 14; weight three

pounds.

I have taken the above description and figure from an adult female

procured at Egg Harbour, N. J., in January. Since then two others

have been obtained at the same place, one of which I have in my

possession. On dissection it proves to be a male. It agrees in

markings with the female, but is evidently a younger bird, being

somewhat lighter in the colour of its plumage. From this I infer

they become darker by age. It is a little larger than the female, the

bill being also stouter, measuring 7 inch high at the base. When

on a shooting excursion some years since, at Egg Harbour, I noticed

a bird flying at some distance from us, which our gunner said was a

Black Brant. This was the first intimation I had of such a bird.

Upon further inquiry of him, he informed me he had seen them oc-

casionally, but they were not common. I have learned from Mr.

Philip Brasher, who has passed much time at that place, that speak-

ing to the gunners about them, they said they were well-known there

by the name of Black Brant, and one of them mentioned that he once

saw a flock of five or six together.

From these facts it appears to be known to gunners, but has here-

tofore escaped the notice of ornithologists. With all my inquiries

I have not been able to procure a specimen before this winter. I

think it a good and well-marked species.—Silliman’s Journal for

May 1847.

Account of a Black and White Mottled Swan, on the water in the demesne

of the Earl of Shannon, Castle Martyr, County Cork. By Mavuricx

Girncon, Gamekeeper to the Earl of Shannon.

In the year 1843 a male black swan paired with a white female

swan ; she laid six eggs, and hatched four cygnets. Before they got

Meteorological Observations. 215

to the age of six months, three of them met with untimely deaths.

This bird in 1845 paired with its father, and laid four eggs, which

came to nothing. It is very like the father about the head, but about

the body it resembles the white swan. It lives on the water with

others, black swans and white swans, and agrees with both.

The above statement may be relied on as authentic and correct,

because I have witnessed it from beginning to ending.

Upon the same island where this bird was born I have seen more

than eighty cormorants’ nests, on Scotch fir-trees not under sixty feet

in height, in which they hatched their young. This was fourteen

years ago.—From the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, June

22, 1847.

Castle Martyr, June 1847.

ee ee

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR JULY 1847.

Chiswick.—July 1. Light clouds: fine: overcast. 2. Slight drizzle: cloudy.

8. Overcast: clear. 4. Very fine: clear: cloudy. 5. Sultry. 6. Very fine.

7. Overcast: slight shower. 8. Rain: cloudy: clear. 9. Cloudy and fine.

10. Overcast: clear. 11, 12. Very fine. 13. Sultry. 14—16. Excessively hot.

17. Thunder, lightning and heavy rain all the morning: fine: cloudy. 18. Cloudy.

19. Slight showers. 20. Overcast and fine. 21. Very fine. 22. Heavy clouds :

clear at night. 23, 24. Very fine. 25. Overcast. 26. Clear and fine. 27, 28.

Very fine. 29. Sultry. 30,31. Very fine.

Mean temperature of the month ..........s.sesseseesceeesees 65°°84

Mean temperature of July 1846 ..........cssecesescscessceees 65 '46

Mean temperature of July for the last twenty years ...... 63 °08

Average amount of rain in July ........scsseeessseescseoseess 2°36 inches.

Boston.—July 1—8. Cloudy. 4, 5. Fine. 6, Fine: half-past 2 p.m. thermo-

meter 76°. 7, Fine: rain early this morning. 8. Cloudy : tremendous storm

of thunder, lightning and rain p.m. 9. Fine. 10,11. Cloudy. 12. Fine: 4 p.m.

thermometer 81°, 13. Fine. 14. Cloudy. 15. Cloudy: 3 p.m. thermometer 74°.

16, 17. Cloudy. 18—21. Fine. 22, Rain. 23. Cloudy. 24—927. Fine.

28, 29. Cloudy. 30, 31. Fine.

Sandwick Manse, Orkney.—July 1. Cloudy. 2,2. Fog: fine. 4. Damp:

cloudy. 5. Cloudy: fog. 6, Fog. 7. Drops. 8. Rain: clear. 9. Bright:

fine. 10. Fog: bright: fine. 11. Bright: fine. 12. Clear: fine. 13. Damp:

cloudy. 14, Bright: showers. 15. Clear: fine. 16. Bright: fine. 17. Cloudy.

18. Rain. 19, Drizzle: damp. 20. Drizzle: cloudy. 21. Drizzle: fog. 22.

Showers: rain. 23. Cloudy: showers. 24, Cloudy: fine. 25. Fine. 26. Bright:

drizzle. 27. Rain: cloudy. 28. Showers. 29, Showers: clear. 30. Bright:

showers. 31. Bright: rain.

Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire.—July 1. Very fine: thunder. 2—4, Very

fine. 5, Very fine: mackerel sky and sultry p.m. 6. Very fine. 7,8. Heavy

showers: thunder. 9, Cloudy and threatening. 10, Rain. 11. Rain: fog p.m.

12. Fine, but cloudy. 13. Very fine: fog earlya.m. 14, Heavy dew: very fine.

15. Very fine : shower and thunder. 16. Cool and breezy: thunder. 17. Very

fine: air elastic. 18. Very fine: drizzler.m. 19,20. Very fine. 21, Fine, but

cloudy: shower and thunder. 22. Showers: refreshing. 23. Fair and fine.

24. Fair and fine, but dull, 25. Shower early a.M.: fine. 26. Fine bracing air.

27. Cloudy: threatening: thunder. 28, Fair, but cloudy. 29—31. Fair, but

cloudy : unsettled.

Mean temperature of the month ,.........sesseeee wuavgheas tue 61°55

Mean temperature Of July 1846 .........ceccsccscceceveceeees 59 °20

Mean temperature of July for twenty-five years ............ 58 14

Average rain for twenty years .........cccccsssscesseccsccceces 3°91 inches,

96-3 E%1 98-0 164-0 -9S 06-LS 8. °69 ©: v6 . . 6 . . P 10-0€ | cE)

crys] ems | ems | pes) cms | LO | #249 | 29] So) 69) 8h | Hg | 99-62} SL.6z| €8-62 | 88-62 | HS-6Z j0S0.0€ |gSo.0€| “1€

meee CQO! ems [em | pea] cas | FPS | 19 | 99} Lo} oL| 8h | og | $9-6%| PL-62) 28-62 | 68-62 | 0S-6% |L66.6z |SE0.0£ | “Of

Gop ttt| ems [rma ues | tm | 99 | F99 | 99/469) go) VS | gg | 88-62} Lg-62| 86-6z| [6-62 | SS-6% |%G0-.0€ |9L0.0€ | *6z

Pr orn tel mwam | smu | peo} m | £PS | 89 /€ZG) So! Go| LS | LL | g-6a} 32-62| 98-60} Lg-6z | €S-6% |Sb0.0€ |gS0.0€ | “gz

GG. [rreeriseeeeyerretl ow | om lomo | cou | $79] S| 67) Zo Go| 0S | 1g | BL-6Z] 19-6%| 06-62 | 00-0€ | PS-6% |P90-0€ |SZ0.0€ | *LzO

eteveseneeelereeeeleneens! a tow | emu | ou c¢| 09 19| 149-9; Sh | GL | 06.6%) £6.62) 96-62 | 06-62 | 97-62 |626-62 8z0 OF) *9%

rertreceereciteerartieeree! sag lemum) ‘a | tau | LG) gS #19; OL; Lo} 9B | Lo | 20.0€| 90.C£ |: 16-62 | 16-62 | LV-6% |906-62'LF6-6z| “St:

go. cere | ttt] unpea.) cm | tm | tou | gS} 6S | OF; 99, Lo! ES | OL | 80-0€) g0.0€ | 86-62 | 80-0£ | Z9-6% 910.08 6F1-08| “HZ

ZY. OF-0 Sle || sm | cma | ma | “ma | S¢|.f9¢ of f€9 Go tH | PHL | B1-0£| Z0-0€| 11-08 | 60-08 | 0L-6% |€61-0€ 8zz-0£| “fz

stares ceceeeiterreriereeetlsmam! s | tm | ms | LG] 09 | 8S 19, PoO| SV | EL | 08-62) 89-62| 16-62) 89-62 | 9V-6Z [020.08 LoT-0€| *%

“ope saes tee jase t+ teeene! dogg: | ~ og ‘a | ‘m.| €¢) LG | HE foL go} 8S | 62 | 8L-62| 18.62) 1.6% | gL-6z | 18-62% |L98-6% 918-62) “1%

segreeitecceeiesererler-se+! uray | aua | ued} auc] ZG |} g¢ | #9g 69, 89 8S | OL | 96-62) 96-62 | €8-6%| Lg-6z | ZP-6% 998-67 018-62 “0% <

OT. ji") 10. | sma | tas | upea vou | GG | 9G | 9S) IL) LO) ZS | OL | 86-62) 16.6z| L8-62 | 26-62 | 0S-6% \£S8-6% 8£6-6z| “61

QT. jrevees|rreetiseret| os. Lemsm | wpe | a 9¢ | 9 |.sh .o4| co! 6F | IL | V6.6) Fo.0€ | 00-0€ | 00-0€ | 99-6% |LZ0-0€ 8£0.0€) *gI

resrerinenceeleeers"1QG. | sm | ca | ca | cou} ¥6¢) gG | of 469) 9; 8G | ZL | TI-0€|.Zt-0F | 00-0€ | $0-0€ | PS-6% 9F6-6z. 186.62) “LI

rerereseecssiseeeeelseeeee] unrey| sou | unjea| ‘au | fog | LG | 9G 769° OL! 89 | 28 | SI-0€| LI-0€ | €0.0€ | Z0-0€ | 99-62 [286-62 LVO.0€) “OI

1S 0@-0.)°°°°7"|""°"""| wyeo |u-ms! ‘a | ‘a Lg | gG fo¢ gL Sho) 8S | 98 } 08-0€} 1Z-0£ | €0-0€ O1-0£ | 19-62 |Z11-0€ OFT.0€, “SI

rttnesiserseeieeeelicrree! sw | sms uutwa| *m | LG | $69 |{PS| EL) OL| 6S | F€6 | 81-08} S1-08| ZI-0€ | $1-0€ | L9-6z |LEL-0€ £61.06) “FI

GO. [reeeeeittetetisseeee] vag | os | upea| *m | 6G] 29 | 69 99 G-9L| 69 | 06 | 61-0) 91-0€ | Z1-0€ | 11-0€ | L9-6% |PE1-0€ S61-0£| “EI

teteeneassee eosee/eeeees] uray] cm unfea| ‘wu | fog | 99 | 69 #89 GL) SS | 06 | 11-0€| 90-08 | 60.08 | Z0-0€ | Z9-6% |S91-0€ 0L1-0€| *71@

seesee seevesieceneelesceer! ome | ems | mu] “Ms | £9 | $79 | 69) 99 GEL) 9S | €8 | ZO-0€| £6.6Z| 00-0€ | £6-62 |.69-6% |ZE1-0€ 1S1-0€| “11

Treeeirecseeleeeees|eeeees] unig | ‘as | mpea) “ms | f19 | 6G |199| OL) 69) 19 | 62 | 66-62) £6-6%| £6-62 | 06-62 | 89-62 0Z1-0€ I€1-0€| ‘01

"tere seeses) 20, 1G. |uneo| ‘ms | “m | “ms | fog | zo | PS f99 $-g9| LS | LL | 88-62] 78.6% | $8-6z | 08-62 |.0$-6% |910-0€ S11-0€

6¢. ‘08-0 “+00, |ueo| sms | tu | *s | GG | g¢ |\f9S| g9| G9} LP | QL | 28-62} 08-62 | BL-6z | PL-6z | OF-6% |9$8-6% 626.62

srrsseeeeel ogy 1Zo- | casa} ‘s | *s | ms | So} go! S| g9| €£| 2S | SL | 92-62] 19.62} 99-62 | 99:62 | 08-62 |LEL-6z |SSg.6z

sereesieccceeieeoear] OQ, | asa | *s jumped) “ms | FG] OG | 69\ FIL) BL] 6S 88 | £8-6%| 98-6z | 92-62 | 08-62 | OF-6% |0Z8-6% 968-62z| °9

Gap eos" fee sta [Sse eael ragg’ |g *s ‘s | ipo | Sc} #S| €L| oL| £S | Lg | 06-62} £6.62 | 28-62 | €8-6z | 9F-6% 006-62 9976-62| “S )

Tttessleeseeelecrensteereee! sy | cag | sm | ‘as | #19 | 39 | 6h} 9£| GO| EF | €8 | 96-62} S0-.0€} $g-6%| [6-60 | 97-62 [676-63 110-08 | ‘PV

reereclssenceleoveecloereee! oma | emg |wupea| ‘au | PG | fPo | bP! PL 9.99) ES €L | €1-0F | V1-0€ | 00-0} Z1-0€ | ZL-6% \OP0-0F |LF1-0€ | “€

jT*eeesieceecererere-| TQ. | wed} “a | Wed} “ou 09 | §S¢ | #€¢/|%g9|:6¢9) 1¢ V9 | SZ-0£| VE-0€ | SI-0£ | 62-0€ | 08-6Z |681-0€ |692-0£ | “%

Trtreaieecereleceseeloeeeerl «mumr| 9 (uped} ‘au | €G] gG | foG| Fol} 6S} ES | ZL | SE-0€| gE-0€| gz-0F| 62-0€ | 18-62% |PLz-0€ |Pgz-0£| ‘I

+) » a | | z 4 ‘urd | ‘ur ‘urd | ‘ut ; : “Ayn

golaele (2 |¥e| 22| ¢ |-2] Belbe| Fl Flee] lB] wile [et] oe] ep | om] oe

5/755 12 [43 bap] § AB oe es ; ; 2 :

. <<

"Uley "PULA, *19}JIULOWIIY J, *19jVUIOIV o

"RANYUQG) ‘asunyy yornpuny yo Suoysno[y *d ‘Ady 247 4g puy SaUlHs-saruIMAcy ‘asunpyy yunSaddp yo ‘aequng * A, *AdY 247 Ag {NOLSOg .

#0 ‘189 A “AI 49 fuopuo’] avau ‘MOIMSIHD yo Ajavv0g Joanynoysozy ay3 fo uapavy) ay qo uosdwoyy, AJ 49 apou suorwasasgy yonFojoL0aja;y

THE ANNALS

~ AND

MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY.

No. 133. OCTOBER 1847.

—

XX.—Description of the Atlas, Axis, and Subvertebral Wedge

Bones in the Plesiosaurus, with remarks on the homologies of

those bones. By Prof. Owen, F.R.S.

In my ‘ Report on British Fossil Reptiles*’ two explanations are

offered of the special homologies of the subvertebral wedge-bones

discovered by Sir P. de M. Grey Egerton in the neck of differ-

ent species of Ichthyosaurus+,—the one as repetitions of the

‘odontoid process,’ the other as of the so-called ‘body of the

atlas’ in existing reptiles. Viewing the subvertebral wedge-bones

in their wider relations, I subsequently described them as “ de-

tached developments of bone in the lower part of the capsule of

the notochord ” (chorda dorsalis, auct.) ; illustrating that view by

reference to the condition of the corresponding part of the ver-

tebral column in a large Siluroid fish{. Subjoined is a figure

of that remarkable structure (fig. 1); in which co is the basi-

chex

Section of anchylosed cervical or anterior abdominal vertebrae of Bagrus

tachypomus, nat. size.

* Report of British Association, 8vo, 1839, pp. 100, 101.

+ Geological Transactions, 2nd ser. vol. v. p. 187. pl. 14, 1836.

} Report on Vertebrate Skeleton, Rep. Brit. Assoc. 1846, p. 260,

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 16

218 — Prof. Owen on the Atlas, Axis, and Subvertebral

occipital or centrum of the occipital vertebra; in its internal or

medullary structure ; e a its cortical compact portion : the arrest

of ossification in the posterior part of its medullary portion has left

the deep concavity turned towards the atlas, and which was filled

by the liquified remains of the gelatinous part of the notochord ;

but continuous ossification in the notochordal capsule has anchy-

losed the cortical part of the occipital centrum (e) with that (ca,ex)

of the centrum of the atlas. ca is the ossified medullary part of

the centrum of the atlas; 70 is the neural arch of the occipital

vertebra ; » a the neural arch of the atlas, separated from its

centrum ; ¢ 2, central part of the body of the axis; c x, e x, cortical

part of ditto; m #, neural arch of the axis perforated by the

motory and sensory roots of the nerves separately; ¢3, central

part of body of third vertebra; ¢3, ex, cortical part of ditto ;

n3, neural arch; c4, central part of body of fourth vertebra ;

c4, ex, cortical part of ditto ; n 4, neural arch of ditto; c 5, cen-

tral part of body of fifth vertebra; ¢5, ex, cortical part of ditto ;

n 5, neural arch of ditto. Here the vertebre begin to exchange

their elongated figure for the ordinary short one, which is exem-

plified in c 6, where they begin to be free.

In the fish-like batrachians, the Menopome for example, the

body and neural arch of the atlas have coalesced: the anterior

zygapophyses descend from the fore-part of the neural arch upon

the sides of the fore-part of the centrum which projects forwards

between them, like an odontoid process: the articular surfaces of

the zygapophyses (oblique or articular processes of human ana-

tomy) are subcircular, slightly concave, directed forwards and a

little upwards: they receive the convex zygapophyses or condyles

of the coalesced exoccipitals. The posterior zygapophyses of the

atlas have also large subcircular articulations directed downwards.

The body of the atlas appears to have been developed at the ex-

pense of the central part of the notochord, which forms the an-

terior convex part which articulates with the basi-occipital plate

at the bottom of the foramen magnum. <A deep concavity at the

back part of the atlas contains the unossified remnant of the

central or gelatinous part of the notochord.

In the extent, however, to which the centrum of the atlas is

ossified, the Menopome and other perennibranchians resemble

the fishes. If, indeed, the persistent portion of the notochord

which fills the anterior concavity of the atlas and the posterior

concavity of the basi-occipital in the Siluroid or other osseous fish

were ossified and anchylosed to the atlas, that vertebra would

closely resemble the atlas of the Menopome, and I regard the

singular modification of form which the atlas of the Menopome

presents, as compared with that of the osseous fish, to be due to

Wedge Bones in the Plesiosaurus. 219

the above-described ossification of the anterior end of the central

part of the notochord. If, on the other hand, such ossified part

of the notochord were to coalesce with the basi-occipital instead

of with the atlas, it would form a tubercle on the back part of

the occipital centrum which would fit into the concavity left on

the fore-part of the centrum of the atlas. Fig. 2.

Now this is precisely what has happened C3 ox ca

in those large extinct fish-like reptiles, the ;

Enaliosauria (fig. 2). That is to say, the

basi-occipital presents a convex condyle

(c 0) which is received into a cavity on the:

fore-part of the body of the atlas ca, com- Anterior cervical verte-

pleted below by the first ‘wedge-bone’ ca, _ bre, Ichthyosaurus.

ex. The main or central part of the body of the atlas, ca,

as Sir P. Egerton has shown, is early anchylosed to the body

of the axis, cv; and, in a specimen in which he succeeded in

separating the two vertebre, they were applied to one another

by flat and even surfaces. Into the lower part of this speedily

obliterated symphysis a second distinct ossicle (cx, e #) is wedged,

a similar but smaller ossicle (c 3, e z) being situated at the infe-

rior interspace between the axis and third vertebra.

The condition of the anterior vertebrae of the large Siluroid

fish (fig. 1), im which I found the central biconcave parts of the

bodies of the atlas, axis, and three succeeding vertebre established

by distinct ossification of the central part of the notochord, whilst

the whole were attached below to a continuous ossification in the

capsule of the notochord, will explain what is meant by the state-

ment that the subvertebral wedge-bones of the Ichthyosaurus are

derived from “ detached developments of bone in the lower part

of the capsule of the notochord,” at the inferior interspace be-

tween the occiput and atlas, and at the similar interspaces of the

two or three succeeding cervical vertebre ; but varying in num-

ber in different species.

A recent opportunity of examining the atlas and axis of the

Plesiosaurus, kindly afforded me by my friend Prof. Sedgwick, has

not only strengthened this view of the general nature of the ‘ sub-

vertebral wedge-bones,’ but has made me incline to the second

hypothesis of the special homology of the first or anterior of the

wedge-bones, which is proposed in my ‘ Report on British Fossil

Reptiles,’ viz. that it answered to the part described as the body

of the atlas in the existing Saurians and Chelonians; which there-

fore may be regarded, like the first subvertebral wedge-bone, as

the cortical part only of such vertebral body, like the plate of bone

beneath the biconcave central part of the body of the atlas in the

Siluroid fish,

16%

220 Prof. Owen on the Atlas, Axis, and Subvertebral

The atlas and axis in the Fig. 3.

Plestosaurus (fig.3) preserve A

the general proportions of

the other cervical vertebra,

and are consequently longer

than their homologues in

the Ichthyosaurus ; but they

are similarly anchylosed to-

gether, and measure 4.3 cen-

timeters (nearly 2 inches)

in length, 3 centimeters

across the anterior concave

surface of the atlas, and 33 centimeters across the less con-

cave posterior surface of the axis: the neural arch of each

vertebra has coalesced with its centrum; and a long obtuse pro-

cess is formed below by a similar coalescence of the first and

second ‘ wedge-bones’ with each other and with their respective

centrums. The limits of the anterior ‘ wedge-bone,’ ca, e x, are

traceable: it is proportionally larger than in the Ichthyosaurus

(fig. 2), in which it is likewise larger than the succeeding wedge-

bones. It forms in the Plesiosaurus the lower third part of the

atlantal cup for the occipital condyle B, ca, e x ; the anchylosed

bases of the neurapophyses (n a) form the upper border of the

cup, and the intermediate part or bottom of the cavity is formed

by the centrum of the atlas (ca), or rather by that part which,

like the biconcave centrum in the Siluroid fish, is developed from

the central portion of the notochord.

The smaller or second wedge-bone (ca, e x) is lodged in the

inferior interspace between the atlas and axis, but has coalesced

with both bones, as well as with the large anterior wedge-bone

or cortical part of the body of the atlas, ca, ez. This anterior

wedge-bone developes a thick but short rough tuberosity from

its under part, but there is no distinct second tuberosity from

the second wedge-bone : both, indeed, have so coalesced together

as to parallel the continuous ossification of the under part of the

notochordal capsule beneath the central parts of the bodies of

the atlas and axis in the Siluroid fish (fig. 1, ca ex, cx ex, &e.).

There is no transverse process from the centrum of the atlas of

the Plesiosaurus; but the fractured base of a depressed parapo-

physis, p (lower transverse process), or anchylosed rib, projects

from each side of the proper centrum of the axis.

In a large Iguanoid lizard (Amblyrhynchus) the part answering

to that described by Cuvier as the body of the atlas in the Mo-

nitor and Crocodile* has the form of a wedge (fig. 4, ca, e x)

Anchylosed atlas and axis, Plesiosaurus

pachyomus, reduced.

* Ossem. Foss. v. pt. 2. p. 96.

Wedge Bones in the Plesiosaurus. 221

like the first wedge-bone in the Plesiosaurus, and forms the lower

third part of the cup for the occipital condyle: it articulates be-

Fig. 4.

h Cervical vertebrae, Amblyrhynchus.

hind to a second similarly-shaped wedge-bone (c2, ez) ; above to

the part ¢ a, (indicated by the dotted outline on the neural arch

of the atlas which covers it,) which answers to the body of the atlas,

or rather the central part of the body of the atlas, in the Plesiosaurus

(ca, fig. 3); but which there also immediately supports the neural

arch (na), whilst in the recent Saurian the base of each neura-

pophysis (na, fig. 4) descends to rest upon the angles of the

base of the ‘ wedge-bone’ (ca, ez) which represents the inferior

peripheral part of the body of the atlas. The interspace between

the bases of the neurapophyses is occupied by the distinct ossicle

(ca) which adheres closely by a flat surface to the body of the

axis (cv), and forms the bottom of the articular concavity for the

occipital condyle: it is the part described by Cuvier as ‘ piéce

analogue a l’odontoide’ in the Monitor*, and it is plainly the

homologue of the part of the body of the atlas which is joined

by a flat surface, and early anchylosed, to the body of the axis in

the Plesiosaurus and Ichthyosaurus. In the existing Lacertians

the ‘ odontoide’ differs, however, from the anchylosed atlas of

the Enaliosauria by taking no share in the support of the neura-

pophyses of the atlas: the ossification of these has obviously ex-

tended deeper into the sides of the notochordal capsule, so that

they articulate directly with the wedge-bone (c a, e x) developed in

the inferior part of that capsule : and the central ossification (c a)

adapted to the lower half of such atlantal vertebral ring is pro-

portionally reduced. The first ‘ wedge-bone’ or cortical part of

the body of the atlas (fig. 4, ca, ex) is carmate below in the

Amblyrhynchus, and the keel is produced backwards into a short

spine. The second ‘wedge-bone,’ ca, ex, is similarly shaped,

but rather larger than the first. Its base articulates behind with

the body of the axis, c z, above with the odontoid piece, ¢ a, and

* Ossem. Foss. v. pt. 2. p. 283.

222 Prof. Owen on the Atlas, Axis, and Subvertebral

in front with the wedge-shaped cortical part of the body of the

atlas ca, ex. The lower part of the second wedge-bone is pro-

duced into a short spine.

There is a distinct cartilaginous rudiment of a rib ( pleura-

pophysis, pl, 1) attached to the diapophysis (transverse process

from the neural arch) of the atlas, and another from that of the

fourth vertebra (p/, 4). The first ossified pleurapophysis (pl, 5)

occurs on the fifth vertebra ; and beneath the diapophysis support-

ing this rib, there is a cartilaginous rudiment of a parapophysis

(p); the same is still more plainly seen in the sixth cervical verte-

bra, but the heads of the pleurapophyses are simple.

The odontoid piece (c a) is convex from side to side, concave

from above downwards ; is firmly attached to the fore-part of the

body of the axis and to the second wedge-bone, but with visible

traces of the suture remaining. The lower part of the body of

the axis is carinate, but not produced into a spine. A third sepa-

rate ossification in the capsule of the notochord (c 3, e x) is wedged

into the inferior interspace between the axis and third vertebra ;

and similar but successively smaller wedge-bones (¢ 4e 2, ¢ 5 ex)

are articulated between the fourth and fifth, fifth and sixth, and

also between the sixth and seventh vertebre in the Amblyrhyn-

chus. Ifthe odontoid process be interpreted as the homologue

of the anterior anchylosed body of the atlas in the Plesiosaurus,

the first wedge-bone will stand in the same relation to it as the

second wedge-bone does to the axis, the third to the third verte-

bra, the fourth to the fourth, and so on. These wedge-bones

are plainly the special homologues of the ‘ subvertebral wedge-

bones’ discovered by Sir P. Egerton in the Ichthyosaurus; but

their general homology is open to two interpretations. They

are, no doubt, autogenous ossifications in the under part of the

capsule of the notochord ; but, as such, may be interpreted either

as parts of the cortical layer of the centrum of their respective

vertebra, or as rudimentary hemapophyses and imperforate ho-

motypes in the neck of the hemal arches and spines in the tail*.

According to the latter view, what has usually been regarded as

the centrum or body of the atlas in Saurians, Chelonians, and the

higher Vertebrata would be the hemapophysis of that vertebra ;

and the odontoid process the true centrum. But against this

view militates the constant relation of the inferior wedge-shaped

bone of the atlas in Saurians, Chelonians and higher Vertebrates

to the neurapophyses, as immediately supporting them and com-

pleting with them the neural arch. The obvious serial homology,

also, of that lower part of the atlas (ca, e 2) with the basi-occipital

and basi-sphenoid leads me to conclude that, like them, it is the

* In the Bagrus, in fact, the corresponding ossification of the noto-

chordal capsule is actually perforated by the aorta.

Wedge Bones in the Plesiosaurus. 223

inferior cortical part of the body of its vertebra. In the cranial

vertebre this usually depressed and expanded cortical part, exem-

plified by the basi-occipital, basi-sphenoid, presphenoid and vomer,

is the sole representative of the centrum of such vertebre : in the

atlas the odontoid process would represent the central part also

of the body of the vertebra, but detached from the cortical part.

‘The following facts, however, appear to oppose themselves to

the determination of the ‘odontoid’ as the central part of the

body of the atlas.

In the great Australian Skink (Cyclodus gigas) the second

wedge-bone (fig. 5, od, e x), which is developed into a long spine

ks spat

and is anchylosed to the under part of the odontoid piece, is not

the only inferior or hemal spine of the axis vertebra; but a

second broader and longer spine (c 2, e x) is developed from the

under part of the proper body of the axis. And the fact of

the absence of any suture between this spine and the body of

the axis is not enough to support the conclusion that it is a mere

excess of development of the under part of the body of the axis

and no true homotype of the inferior spines or wedge-bones ; be-

cause, besides the anchylosis of the preceding spine (0 d, ez)

with the odontoid piece, the fourth spine (¢ 38, ea) is equally

anchylosed with or developed from the whole under part of the

third cervical vertebra of the Cyclodus ; and the fifth spine (c 4, ea)

is a similarly continuous process from the under part of the fourth

vertebra. As the odontoid piece and its spine are completely

anchylosed with the axis, this vertebra presents the anomalous

structure of one neural spine and two consecutive hemal spines.

The above-described structure of the anterior vertebre of the

224 Prof. Owen on the Atlas, Awis, and Subvertebral

neck of the Cyclodus gigas gives some colour to the view of the

odontoid as the rudiment of a vertebra distinct from both atlas

and axis, and which in the Cyclodus is represented by the cen-

trum and hemal spine, without the neural arch.

The structure of the atlas and axis in the Crocodile (fig. 6) gives

further colour to this view. The odontoid piece (ca) is wholly

Fig. 6,

interposed between the wedge-shaped

cortical part of the body of the atlas,

ca, ex, and the body of the axis, cz:

moreover the wedge-bone, ca, e #, not

only supports neurapophyses, n a, but

also. pleurapophyses, pia: and the

odontoid, ca, in like manner, besides

giving some support to the neurapo-

physes, 7 #, also supports, and that ex-

clusively, the pleurapophyses, p/ x, or Atlas and axis of the

second pair of cervical ribs. Sages

The true centrum of the axis cz supports no ribs, and ap-

pears like an enormous epiphysis to ¢ a, extended backwards to

aid in supporting the long neural arch nz. Neither the odontoid

ca, nor the wedge-shaped part of the atlas ca, ez, are produced

into inferior spines. If however, as the anatomy of the atlas

and axis in Lacertian Saurians has led me to conclude, the

odontoid c ais the homologue of the anterior (c a, figs. 2 & 3)

of the two anchylosed vertebral centrums described as atlas and

axis in the Enaliosaurs, the bifurcate pleurapophysis p/ in the

Crocodile should be the displaced homologue of that which is

articulated to the posterior of those vertebral centrums in the

Ichthyosaurus, and. the articular surface of which is shown at

p, ¢#, A, fig. 8, in the Plesiosaurus, and by Sir P. Egerton in

pl. 14. fig. 2. B d of his Memoir above-cited, in the Ichthyosaurus.

Whether the anterior vertebra ¢ a, fig. 2, may also have supported

by the surface p, a rib, homologous with that of the atlas of the

Crocodile p/ a, is uncertain ; but, if so, the atlantal rib in the

Crocodile would show, in like manner, a displacement forwards,

from the central part of the body ¢ a, represented by the odon-

toid piece in recent Saurians, to the first subvertebral wedge-

bone ¢a, ea, which represents the body of the atlas in such Sau-

rians, and takes a share in the support of the neural arch, which

its homologue does not do in the /ehthyosaurus and Plesiosaurus.

If, however, the hypothesis that c a, fig. 6, in the Crocodile is the

homologue of the anchylosed atlas ¢ a, figs. 2 & 3, of the Ena-

liosaurs, and that ca, ez, fig. 6, is the homologue of the first

wedge-bone, ca, ex, fig. 2, be saved by assuming an advanced

displacement of the pleurapophyses p/ # and p/ a, in the Croco-

dile, the numbers and relations of the inferior spines in the great

Wedge Bones in the Plesiosaurus. 225

Cyclodus do not lend themselves so readily to the same determi-

nation of the odontoid in that lizard, as a part or complement of

the body of the first vertebra.

The number of the inferior spines might be made to corre-

spond with that of the vertebre by supposing either od, e a, or

cx, ex, in fig. 5, to be an accessory exogenous process, and not

a true homotype of the other four spines; or the spine cz, ez,

may be held to belong properly to the third vertebra, and with

the succeeding spines to be abnormally advanced and anchylosed

to the vertebra anterior to the one to which it properly belongs.

Yet both these suppositions appear to be equally arbitrary. The

condition of the odontoid and axis in the Cyclodus is, neverthe-

less, an exceptional one in the Lacertia, and I no longer regard

the distinct inferior spine cz, ea, in fig. 5, as a proof that the

odontoid, like the atlas, is the homologue of one of the subverte-

bral wedge-bones. I still retain the opinion that it is not “the

peculiarly developed anterior articular epiphysis of the second

vertebra” *; but I return to my former idea of the special ho-

mology of the odontoid piece in Saurians, and consequently the

odontoid process in mammals, with the part called the anchy-

losed atlas in the Ichthyosaurus; and the subsequently ascer-

tained structure of the parts in the Plesiosaurus has confirmed

the conclusion that the first subvertebral wedge-bone in the

Ichthyosaurus and Plesiosaurus represents the part which has

been called ‘ body of the atlas’ in existing reptiles, but is reduced

to a still more atrophied condition than in them ft.

With respect to the general homology of these parts, the first

wedge-bone:is a detached part of the cortex of the body of the

atlas, and the so-called atlas in the Hnaliosauria or the odontoid

piece in existing Sauria is the central ossification of the same

vertebral element. The anchylosis of the atlas and axis is no

longer, therefore, a peculiarity of the Enaliosauria, but a struc-

ture essentially repeated in every higher vertebrate form up to

Man, in whom the anchylosed part of the atlas bears the anthro-

potomical name of ‘ odontoid process.’ It might be expected that

the segment immediately succeeding those of the skull would be ©

the seat of more extensive and remarkable modifications than the

succeeding vertebre of the trunk, and each modification will be

found, as the habits and mode of life of the different species be-

come better known, to be expressly adapted to such habits. But

such recognition of final causes by no means precludes the neces-

sity for every legitimate attempt to uplift the veil which hides

the type upon which all the adaptive modifications of the endo-

skeleton are based.

* Report on Archetype of Vertebral Skeleton, 1846, p. 261.

+ Report on British Fossil Reptiles, 1839, p. 101. .

226 Mr. F. M‘Coy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

XXI.—On the Fossil Botany and Zoology of the Rocks associated

with the Coal of Australia. By Frepericx M‘Coy, M.G.S.

& N.H.S.D. &e.

[Continued from p. 157.]

[ With nine Plates. ]

ZOOPHYTA.

Stenopora crinita (Lonsd.).

Very abundant, forming globose masses five inches in diameter,

with a mammillated surface like that. of the Ceriopora verrucosa

(Gold.). In the sandstone of Wollongong, N. S.Wales ; also in the

sandstone of Darlington ; more rare in calcareous beds at Black

Head, N. S. Wales.

Stenopora ovata (Lonsd.).

Common in Darlington sandstone, N.S. Wales.

Stenopora Tasmaniensis (Lonsd.).

Not uncommon in the sandstone of Darlington, N.S. Wales.

Fenestella ampla (Lonsd.).

Common in the sandstones of Muree, Bell’s Creek, and Lo-

der’s Creek, N. S. Wales.

Fenestella fossula (Lonsd.).

Common in the sandstone of Muree, N.S. Wales.

Fenestella internata (Lousd.).

Common in the sandstone of Bell’s Creek and Darlington,

N.S. Wales.

Fenestella undulata (Phil.).

Rare in the shale of Dunvegan, N. S. Wales.

Fenestella.

Two species closely resembling the F. antiqua (Lonsd.) (the

Devonian variety) and the F. plebeia (M‘Coy) of the British carb.

slate, but not determinable with certainty from their state of pre-

servation : common in the shale of Korinda, N. 8. Wales.

Glauconome.

A species most allied to the G. pluma (Phil.) of the British

carboniferous rocks, and perhaps identical with it, but not in

sufficiently good preservation to determine. Common in the

shale of Dunvegan, N.S. Wales.

of the Rocks associated with the Coal of Australia. 227

Cladochonus (M‘Coy), new genus.

(Etym. «Addos, a branch, and yovn, a funnel.)

Gen. Char. Polypidom of very thick, straight, slender, calca-

reous tubes, suddenly dilating at short regular distances into

large, oblique, cup-shaped terminal chambers, longitudinally

striated within; from the point where the dilatation commences,

a second slender tube similar to the first is given off at an

angle varying with the species, and terminating at the same

distance as the fornier in a similar cup, bent in nearly an op-

posite direction to the first, and giving rise at its base to a

- third slender tube as before. The whole polypidom erect,

attached by the base only, which embraces some foreign body.

These singular and beautiful corals have some relation to

Aulopora, but differ in their curious erect habit, regular, angular,

mode of branching, slender, equal, stem-like tubes and abruptly

dilated terminal cups bent in nearly opposite directions. The

Aulopores are attached for the most part by one side ; the tubes

gradually expand to the mouths, which all open nearly in one

direction ; they have no regular distance for branching and fre-

quently anastomose. The present corals have also much thicker

walls to the tubes, the central hollow being proportionally very

small. I formerly described some species of this group under

the genus Jania, being uncertain where to place them ; such are

the J. crassa and J. bacularia of the ‘ Synopsis of the Irish Carb.

Limestone Fossils,’ which should now be removed to this genus.

Cladochonus tenuicollis (M‘Coy). Pl. XI. fig. 8.

Distinguished by the slenderness of the stems. Common in

the Dunvegan shale.

Strombodes? Australis (M‘Coy). Pl. XI. fig. 9.

I have given the above name provisionally to a species of

Strombodes from the caleareous shale of Wagamee, N.S. Wales,

having the precise form of the Turbinolia fungites of British

writers. It is certainly without transverse chambers, having the

vertical lamellz twisted about the centre; the lamelle are about

thirty-six in number, all reaching the centre, though grouped

in irregular bundles as they approach it. The section is slightly

oval, the lamellz in the direction of the long axis being straight,

those of the sides much arched. The external surface is striated.

longitudinally, the strize being double the number of the lamelle.

Turbinolopsis bina (Lonsd.).

Agreeing minutely with Devonshire specimens. Rare in the

shale of Dunvegan, N.S. Wales.

228 Mr, F. M‘Coy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

Amplexus arundinaceus (Lonsd.).

Common in the gray limestone of Curradulla or Limestone

Creek, N.S. Wales.

| CRINOIDEA.

Tribrachyocrinus (M‘Coy), new genus.

Gen. Char. Cup globose ; pelvis (or dorso-central plate) large,

saucer-shaped, pentagonal, tripartite ; first costals (or first row

of perisomic plates) five, one pentagonal, three hexagonal and

one (?) heptagonal; one of the hexagonal costals is truncate

above and supports one pentagonal interscapular plate; between

these and the heptagonal costal is situated one large, round-

ish, pentagonal, intercostal plate; in the re-entering angle

between this latter and the summit of the heptagonal costal is

an obscurely hexagonal plate, analogous to a second costal.

Scapulz (or ray-bearing plates) three, rhomboidal or obscurely

pentagonal, upper margin rounded, lower margin pointed ;

two of those in the re-entering angles between the first costals

and one in the angle between the intercostal plate and the

second costal. Interscapular plates three, shield-shaped, pen-

tagonal ; upper margin broad, straight, truncate, with the two

upper lateral angles horizontally extended into short angular

processes.

The singular Crinoid for which I propose this genus is very

differently constructed from any other of the generic groups with

which I am acquainted. The cup is not symmetrical in form,

like that of other Crinoids, but is as it were humped on one side

by the interpolation of the large irregular intercostal (marked /

in the diagram) and the second costal (7). The only specimen

found is slightly crushed laterally, so as to render this inequality

of the sides very remarkable. The arm-bearing plates or scapule,

which are so generally five in the other genera, are only three in

the present animal, forming a strong peculiarity which it shares

only with the genus Triacrinus of Count Miinster (Beitrige zur

Petrefactenkunde), a little Crinoid of the Eifel differing in every

other respect from the Australian form. The general disposition

of the plates is most analogous to that of Poteriocrinus, from

which it differs in the number of the scapulz and every point of

detail. I am as yet only acquainted with one species of the ge-

nus, which it is not possible therefore to characterize specifically :

I have dedicated it to the Rev. W. B. Clark, to whose zeal we owe

the specimens described in this paper.

Tribrachyocrinus Clarkut (M‘Coy). Pl. XII. fig .2.

The surface is smooth, with the exception of a few irregular

radiating plice at the margin of some of the plates, which seem

of the Rocks associated with the Coal of Australia. 229

in some cases to overlap each other—an appearance however

which may be deceptive. Length of the cup 1 inch 7 lines,

width about 1} inch.

From the soft gray shale of Darlington, N.S. Wales.

Actinocrinus.

Fragments of pelvic plate of this genus occur in the Dunvegan

shale, and large columns apparently of Cyathocrinus are common

in the limestone of Wagamee, N.S. Wales, and also in the lime-

stone of Wollamhoola, N.S. Wales.

CRUSTACEA.

(Entomostraca.)

Bairdia curtus (M‘Coy), Synop. C. L. Foss. pl. 23. fig. 6.

This little creature is perfectly identical with those I have de-

scribed and figured, from the lower limestone of Kildare, in the

‘ Synopsis of the Carb. Limestone Fossils of Ireland.’ |

Mr. Morris, in Count Strzelecki’s work, has noticed a Bairdia

which he says is intermediate between my B. gracilis and B. cur-

tus, being more slender than the latter ; but his figure is greatly

more gibbose, so that I am uncertain whether his B. affinis be

really distinct or not. At any rate there can be no doubt with

regard to the present examples, which are from the shale of Dun-

vegan, N.S. Wales.

_ Cythere impressa (M‘Coy), Synop. C. L. Foss. pl. 23. fig. 16.

This is another species which I have described from the shales

at the base of the carboniferous series in Ireland, and from the

complexity of its form is, if possible, a still more positive iden-

tification than the last ; the agreement in outline, central hollow

and its little marginal tubercle, &c, being absolutely perfect, and

admitting of no doubt. It is certainly very curious to see those

two genera and species of minute Crustaceans occurring together

in the shales at thé Antipodes just as we see them in our own

lower carboniferous beds.

Occurs with the B. curtus in the shale of Dunvegan, N. S.

Wales.

(Trilobita.)

Brachymetopus (M‘Coy), new genus.

(Etym. Bpayvs, short, and yérwrrov, the forehead or glabella.)

Gen. Char. Cephalothorax truncato-orbicular ; limb narrow, pro-

duced backwards into flattened spines ; glabella smooth, cylin-

drical or ovate, about twice as long as wide, not reaching

within about its own diameter of the front margin ; one pair

of small, basal, cephalothoracic furrows, or none. Eyes reni-

230 Mr. F. M‘Coy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

form, in the midst of the cheeks (? smooth) ; eye-lines un-

known. Surface strongly granulated ; one tubercle on each

side of the anterior end of the glabella, the marginal row and

a circle round each eye being larger than the rest. Body-seg-

ments unknown. Pygidium nearly resembling the cephalo-

thorax in size and form, rather more pointed, strongly trilobed,

and with a thickened prominent margin ; axal lobe about as

wide as the lateral lobes, of about seventeen narrow segments ;

lateral segments about seven, divided from their origin, each

terminating in a large tubercle at the margin.

The minute Trilobites for which I propose the present genus

are very distinct in habit from those of other genera, and as two

or three species are now known, it seems desirable to place them

together under one name. They are the smallest perfect Trilobites

known, from two to three lines being the greatest width they have

been seen to attain. The Phillipsia Maccoyi of Capt. Portlock’s

Geol. Report on Londonderry, &c. certainly belongs to this genus,

and is at first sight difficult to distinguish specifically from the

Australian species. The Irish species alluded to was collected by

the writer from the lower carboniferous limestone of Kildare, and

sent to Capt. Portlock for his monograph of Irish Trilobites,

under the impression that it formed the type of a new genus

and species, but probably from there being but one specimen it

was placed provisionally by that author in his genus Phillipsia,

from which it differs in its small, short glabella, smooth eyes,

want of cephalothoracic furrows, &c. Having now examined

numerous specimens of the Australian species, there can be no

longer any doubt of the distinctness of the group from Phillipsia

from the characters of the cephalothorax, and the pygidium is

still more distinct. From those materials I have therefore drawn

up the above characters, which it is believed will distinguish them

easily from the other generic types. From the general similarity

in the structure of the pygidium, I am inclined to refer the fossil

which I have named Phillipsia (?) discors (Synopsis of the Carb.

Limestone Foss. of Ireland, pl. 4. fig. 7. p. 161) to the same

genus. ‘This is also a very small Trilobite, the length of the

pygidium being only three lines; and although referring it pro-

visionally to Phillipsia, I suggested in the above work that it

should when better known form the type of a distinct genus,

which however it was not possible to frame until now. I have

dedicated the present species to Count Strzelecki, whose fine

work on the physical features of New South Wales and Van

Diemen’s Land has so materially advanced our knowledge of that

country, and who has recorded the existence of minute Trilobites

(undetermined) in the limestone of Yass Plains, which probably

belong to this group if not to this species.

of the Rocks associated with the Coal of Australia. 231

Brachymetopus Strzeleckii (M‘Coy). Pl. XII. fig. 1.

Sp. Char. Glabella widest at the base, with one very minute

obscurely marked cephalothoracic furrow at the base on each

side; all the segments of the pygidium with an irregularly

tuberculated ridge along the middle ; lateral segments forming

large tubercles where they join the thickened limb, opposite

each of which is a short slender spine projecting from the

margin.

The greater size of the glabella and its being widest at the

base will distinguish the head from that of the P. Maccoyi

(Portk.), and the granulation extending entirely across the seg-

ments and the spinose margin will distinguish the pygidium

from that of the P. discors (M‘Coy).

Width one and a half line.

Common in the shale of Dunvegan, N. 8. Wales.

: Phillipsia.

A species closely resembling the P. gemmulifera (Phil. sp.),

but not distinctly preserved, occurs in the shale of Dunvegan,

N.S. Wales.

MOLLUSCA.

(Brachiopoda.)

Atrypa cymbeformis (Mor.).

Very common in the sandstone of Muree, N. 8. Wales, and in

the impure limestone of Black Head, N.S. Wales.

Atrypa biundata (M‘Coy). Pl. XIII. figs.9 & 9a.

Sp. Char. Longitudinally ovate, gibbose, smooth ; front narrow ;

margin raised in two rounded waves, from which two obsolete

rounded ridges extend a short way towards the beak on the

ventral valve, and one obscure rounded mesial ridge extends

nearly to the beak on the dorsal valve.

This species closely resembles the A. hastata (Sow.) of the Bri-

tish mountain limestone, and may have been confounded with it ;

it is however perfectly well distinguished by the character of the

front margin, which in A. hastata is straight and even, but is

elevated and bent into a double fold in the Australian species,

somewhat as in the less exaggerated varieties of the Terebratula

biplicata (Sow.) of the oolites (from which it is known by its

imperforate beak, &c.) ; also both valves of the A. hastata are

plano-concave towards the front margin, while the dorsal valve

of the present species presents an obtuse mesial convexity.

Length 1 inch 1 line, width 10 lines, thickness 7 lines.

Common in the dark limestone of Black Head, N, 8. Wales, in

232 Mr. F. M‘Coy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

the coarse conglomerate of Korinda, N.S. Wales, and in the gray

schists of Lewin’s Brook, N.S. Wales.

Atrypa Jukesii (M‘Coy). Pl. XIII. fig. 8.

Sp. Char. Transversely oval, length two-thirds the width; sides

with eight or nine large, acutely angular, simple plaits, ex-

tending from the beak to the margin, which they deeply in-

dent ; mesial elevation moderate, square, of five slightly angular

simple plaits, much smaller than those of the sides.

This species is closely allied to the A. pleurodon (Phil.) of the

_ carb. limestone of Britain, and the A. fallax (Sow.) of the upper

Devonian and lower carboniferous shales of England and Ireland,

but is distinguished by the dissimilarity in size and angulation

between the mesial and lateral plaits; the mesial plaits are if

anything a little larger than those of the sides in the British

forms alluded to. Length 44 lines, width 7 lines.

Common in the Dunvegan shale.

I have dedicated this species to my friend Mr. Jukes, who has

geologically examined a considerable portion of the country and

collected many fossils, which I have not as yet seen.

Spirifera (Reticularia) crebristria (Mor.).

This species has got a distinct cardinal area, and could not

therefore belong either to Terebratula or Athyris as suggested by

Mr. Morris; it is in fact a typical example of that little group of

Spirifers for which I have suggested the name Reticularia in the

‘Synop. Carb. Foss.’ &c., distinguished by their small size, area

and hinge-line as in Martinia (M‘Coy), (that is, the former

shorter than the width, and the latter moderately large,) in ad-

dition to a reticulated surface and parallel dental lamelle. Is

this really distinct from the Spirifera (Ret.) microgemma (Phil.)

of the Devonian and lower Irish carboniferous shales? On com-

parison I scarcely think it is.

Rather rare in the schists of Dunvegan, and in the fine sand-

stone forming the summit of a hill one mile south of Trevallyn,

N.S. Wales.

Spirifera vespertilio (Sow.).

Not uncommon in the impure limestone of Black Head, N.S.

Wales, and abundant in the dark calcareous schists of Eagle

Hawk’s-neck, Van Diemen’s Land.

Spirifera calearata (Sow.).

I cannot in the slightest particular distinguish examples from

the sandy shales of Dunvegan, N.S. Wales, from those so abun-

dant in Devonshire and in the lower carboniferous shales and

‘sandstones of Ireland.

of the Rocks associated with the Coal of Australia. 233

Spirifera avicula (Sow.).

Abundant in the sandstones of Korinda, also occasionally in

the limestone of Black Head, N. 8S. Wales.

Spirifera Darwinii (Mor.).

Common in the sandy schists of Loder’s Creek and Barraba ;

more rare in the arenaceous limestone of Black Head, N. S.

Wales.

Spirifera subradiata (Sow.).

Common in the sandstone of Muree, in the arenaceous lime-

stone of Black Head, in the schists of Wollongong, and in the

fine sandstones of Darlington, N.S. Wales.

Spirifera subradiata (? var. resembling S. glabra).

Common in the sandstone of Maitland, and in the arenaceous

limestone of Irrawang, N.S. Wales.

Spirifera attenuata (Sow.).

Specimens perfectly undistinguishable from the larger variety

so abundant in the lower carboniferous shales of Ireland (as at

Hook Point, co. Wexford), are common in the arenaceous shales

of Dunvegan, N.S. Wales.

Spirifera Tasmaniensis (Mor.). —

Common in the hardened schists of Lewin’s Brook, N. S. Wales.

Spirifera lata (M‘Coy). Pl. XIII. fig. 7.

Sp. Char. Transversely rhomboidal, moderately gibbose, width

four times the length ; sides flattened, regularly attenuating to

the very acute cardinal angles ; cardinal area broad, flat ; me-

sial fold wide, defined, angular, smooth; about sixteen to

eighteen slightly convex, simple, smooth ribs on each side of

the mesial fold, becoming indistinct as they approach the car-

dinal angles, so as to leave nearly a third of the length of the

skles smooth.

This differs from the widest varieties of the S. disjuncta (Sow.)

by. its defined and smooth mesial hollow, extent of the smooth

space at the end of the sides, and the smaller number and greater

width of the radiating ridges, which are also much less promi-

nent ; the smoothness of the mesial fold and width of the car-

dinal area separate it from the S. convoluta (Phil.) ; and from the

S. Reemerianus (Kon.) it is known by its size, greater width,

smooth cardinal extremities and flatter and wider lateral ridges.

Length 1 inch 1 line, width 4 inches.

From the hard schists of Lewin’s Brook, N. S. Wales.

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 17

234 Mr. F. M‘Coy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

Spirifera duodecimcostata (M‘Coy). Pl. XVII. figs.2 & 3.

Sp. Char. Transversely oval or subrhomboidal, gibbose ; sides

rounded ; hinge-line shorter than the width of the shell ; car-

dinal area wide, triangular, curved; mesial ridge prominent,

deeply divided by a mesial sulcus; mesial hollow wide, deep,

defined, and showing a mesial ridge corresponding to the me-

sial sulcus of the ridge of the ventral valve ; five or six strong,

subangular, simple ridges on each side of the mesial fold.

Length of dorsal valve 1 inch 8 lines, width 1 inch 9 lines. |

Not uncommon in the calcareous grit of Wollongong and in the

sandstone of Muree, N.S. Wales.

Spirifera oviformis (M‘Coy). Pl. XIII. figs. 5 & 6.

Sp. Char. Longitudinally ovate, longer than wide; hinge-line

much shorter than the width of the shell ; sides rounded, gib-

bose; mesial ridge large, rounded, divided by a deep furrow ;

mesial hollow very wide, flat, undefined; three or four large

rounded prominent ribs on each side of the mesial fold,

rendered obscurely nodulose by the obtuse concentric undu-

lations of growth.

This is one of the very few Spirifers in which the length ex-

ceeds the width, by which character it may be known from all

the varieties of the S. subradiata. The figures on the plate are

from two different specimens. Length 2 inches 6 lines, width

2 inches 3 lines.

Not uncommon in the sandstone of Barraba, N. 8S. Wales.

This species and the last belong to the subgenus Brachythyris

(M‘Coy).

Orthis striatula (Schlot.).

On the most careful comparison I find nothing to distinguish

the Australian specimens from those so common in the Eifel and

lower Irish carboniferous shales.

Abundant in the hard rock of Lewin’s Brook, N. 8. Wales.

Orthis Australis (M‘Coy). Pl. XIII. figs. 4 & 4a.

Sp. Char. Longitudinally obovate, very depressed, uniformly con-

vex, length nearly equalling the width ; width greatest towards

the front margin, narrowing towards the hinge-line, which

shghtly exceeds half the width of the shell; sides and front

margin nearly straight, slightly convex; surface with very

numerous, fine, nearly equal dichotomous striz radiating from

the beak.

This is closely allied to the upper Devonian and lower carbo-

niferous fossil to which Prof. Phillips restricts the name O. inter-

of the Rocks associated with the Coal of Australia. 235

hneata, and to the carboniferous O. Michelini (Lév.), (O. filiaria,

Phil.). From the former it is distinguished by its narrow, lon-

gitudinally obovate figure, and from the latter by its wider hinge-

line and much finer strie; and from both it differs in the form

of its muscular i impressions. Length 7 lines, width 7} lines.

Abundant in the shales of Lewin’s Brook, N.S. Wales.

Orthis spinigera (M‘Coy). Pl. XIII. fig. 3.

. Char. Longitudinally obovate, gently convex ; iciicth of ven-

tral valve two-thirds the width, width greatest near the front

margin, narrowing rapidly towards the hinge-line, the length

of which is little more than half the width towards the front ;

cardinal area triangular, flat, half as high as wide ; sides of the

shell much rounded ; front margin without sinus, ‘slightly con-

vex; surface with two or three strong distant imbrications of

growth, crossed by numerous small, strong, angular, radiating

ridges (about twenty-two at two lines from the beak) ; they are

nearly equal in thickness, but shorter ones are interpolated,

chiefly at the concentric imbrications of growth, between each

pair of the primary ones as they approach the margin, beyond

which, when well preserved, they are produced into slender

conical spines; they are about their own diameter apart, the

intervening flat spaces being coarsely striated across.

Somewhat allied to the Russian O. plana (Pand. sp.), but very

distinct by the character of the striation and by the short hinge-

line and comparative width of the front. Length of ventral valve

5 lines, width 7 lines; height of cardinal area 2 lines, width of

hinge-line 4 lines.

Rare in the shale of Dunvegan, N.S. Wales.

Productus antiquatus (Sow.).

Reticulated rostral portions well preserved and perfectly un-

distinguishable from the British carboniferous specimens.

Common in the hard schist of Lewin’s Brook, N.S. Wales.

Productus brachytherus (Sow.).

Very common in the calcareous grit of Loder’s Creek, and also

at Korinda, N.S. Wales.

Productus setosus (Phil.).

I find the Australian species undistinguishable when minutely

compared with our common British mountain limestone species

above-named. In the dark indurated schist of Lewin’s Brook,

N.S. Wales.

Productus scabriculus (Sow.).

In the calcareous flags and dark limestone of Hall’s quarry,

236 On the Fossil Botany and Zoology of Australia.

Hobart Town : associated with this there is abundance of a flatter

species, concentrically wrinkled and with more irregularly placed,

blunt, round spines, which may, or may not, be distinct from

the P. fragaria and P. caperata of the upper Devonian and lower

Trish carboniferous shales, but from the state of preservation I

cannot satisfy myself of the species.

Productus undulatus (M‘Coy). Pl. XIII. fig. 2.

Sp. Char. Subquadrangular, one-third wider than long, gibbose,

front slightly concave at the margin ; sides nearly rectangular,

obtusely rounded ; beak large, tumid ; surface with fine, close,

short, undulating transverse wrinkles ; a few obscure traces of

oblong spines towards the margin.

This species is slightly allied to the Leptena lepis of the Eifel,

and the L. membranacea and L. mesoloba (Phil. Pal. Foss.), but

is distinguished from the two first by its gibbose quadrangular

form, concave front and large tumid beak ; and from the latter

by its want of mesial ridge and spines, and by the fine transverse

plication of the surface. Length 7 lines, width 10 lines.

Rare in the sandstone of Loder’s Creek, N.S. Wales.

Leptena ?

A species closely resembling the L. Hardrensis (Phil.), but more

square in outline, not so wide, and more coarsely striated, is com-

mon in the shale of Dunvegan, N.S. Wales ; it also resembles the

Chonites Laguesianus of the Belgian carb. shale and the Chonites

Falklandica of the Falkland Islands, but as I have not examined

either of those latter species, I prefer leaving the determination

of the Australian form uncertain.

Orbicula affinis (M‘Coy). Pl. XIII. fig. 1.

Sp. Char, Longitudinally ovate, very much depressed ; margin

slightly undulated ; apex acute, excentric towards the right side,

one-third of the length from the anterior edge; surface with

fine, sharp, irregular concentric plice.

This is only to be distinguished from the Orbicula Davreuz-

tana (Kon.) of the Tournay carb. shale by the fine sharp con-

centric plication of the surface. Length 3 lines, width 23 lines,

height three-fourths of a line.

From the shale of Dunvegan, N.S. Wales.

[To be continued.]

Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 237

XXII.—Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. By Witttam

Tuompeson, Esq., Pres. Nat. Hist. and Phil. Society of Belfast*.

[Continued from p. 176.]

_ Crustacza.

Order Decapoda.

1. Stenorhynchus tenuirostris, Leach.

On examining some fine Stenorhynchi dredged in Belfast bay from a

depth of twenty to twenty-three fathoms (shelly sand) in Oct. 1846

by Mr. Hyndman, I found that like specimens obtained there, but

from a much less depth, some years before, had more characters in

common with this species than with S. phalangium. 'The rostrum,

though longer than in the latter—three lines in length in a specimen

whose carapace from its base to the hinder extremity is ten lines—

is not of the extreme length of that of S. tenuirostris :—instead of

being “ longer than the peduncle of the external antenne,”’ it is not

so long. But “the series of minute spines on the inner part of the

arm, the body altogether more elongated, and the spines more acute”’

than in S. phalangium, mark my specimens as S. tenuirostris.

The preceding notes were made on a comparison of these examples

with the descriptions of Leach and Bell. Having subsequently taken

specimens to London and compared them with those in the British

Museum described by Leach, the result was the same. I therefore

look upon S. tenuirostris and S. phalangium—although extreme forms

are very distinctly marked—to be in reality but one species. It may

be added, that in one of the two Irish examples of what I have called

S. tenuirostris taken to the British Museum, the wrist has the form

attributed to that species, and in the other, that attributed to S. pha-

langium. Both of these individuals were added to that collection.

The Sten. Egyptius, Edw., it need hardly be remarked, is quite dif-

ferent from those under consideration ; it is alluded to in consequence

of being the only other species of the genus.

* Teredo malleolus. 1 hasten to correct an error respecting the species

so called at p. 163 and p. 174. The opercula or pallets having since been

found, prove that it is not Z. malleolus. They are quite similar to those of

the 7’. bipalmulata of Delle Chiaje, Mem, iv. t. 54. f. 22 and 23, and ap-

proximate those of the species (7. palmulatus, Lam.) considered the same

by Philippi, in the first vol. of his ‘Enum. Moll. Sicilie,’ t. 1. f. 8; but if

the shells there figured represent perfect specimens, my species differs from

his. The genus Zeredo seems to require a rigid revision. Having sent ape

cimens to Professor E. Forbes and Mr. Hanley, who possess in London

much better means of working out the subject than I have, the positive iden-

tification of the species is left to them. ‘The genus Zeredo will I believe be

included in the Ist part of their ‘ History of British Mollusca,’ to appear

in November. Mine is at all events a form now noticed for the first time as

introduced by shipping to any port of the United Kingdom.

Erratum in note to p. 161.—Instead of ‘The name is | believe unpub-

lished,” it should be—The name was I believe left unpublished by Dr. Leach.

238 Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland.

The questions occur :—is the S. tenuirostris a deep-water, a local,

or a geographical variety? The following remarks, though all that

can be given, have not any very definite bearing on these points.

Leach mentions it as a very common inhabitant of all the deep water

off the coast of South Devon. Couch in his ‘ Cornish Fauna,’ part 1.

p. 64, states that it is ‘common at the depth of from two to twenty

fathoms *.” M. Edwards says of S. longirostrist, Fabr. (sp.), which

he makes synonymous with S. tenuirostris, Leach—but Mr. Bell

thinks that they may be distinct—that 2d inhabits the Manche and

the Mediterranean.

S. phalangium is noted by Leach as ‘‘ very common in the mouths

of rivers and in estuaries.” Couch has never met with it on the

coast of Cornwall. M. Edwards notes it as very common on the

coasts of the Manche and the Ocean.

2. Eurynome scutellata, Risso.

A specimen of Eurynome dredged on the same occasion as the

last species having exhibited the tubercles on the cardiac region—

the ten noticed by Bell, p. 47, as ranged round the central one—

massed together in the form of a shield or escutcheon, and the series

anterior to them on the central line (longitudinally) of the carapace

having presented a similar appearance, suggested the specimens

being the #. scutellata, Risso. This indeed was rather indicated by

the name of the species than by any particular definition in the

description of it :—‘‘ De petits écussons arrondis, rouge et jaune

pale, couvrent le test de ce joli crustacé}.” On examining other

specimens in my collection and finding great diversity as to the

isolation and approximation of the tubercles so as to form shields in

the different individuals, I became certain that the HE. aspera and E.

scutellata are but one species, the latter being a state of the former

_ with the tubercles drawn together so as to form shield-like patterns.

The shields in all the specimens examined, except the first-men-

tioned, show that they are formed by the junction of the tubercles :

in it however no trace of the separate tubercles is visible, but instead,

the five on either side the central one on the cardiac region are all

fused together. Those forming the smaller shield anterior to it are

likewise fused together so as to leave no trace of the number of

tubercles forming it.

Having understood that my friend Professor Bell had authentic

specimens of #. scutellata from the Mediterranean, I compared my

specimens with them, and found a perfect identity as to species. He

had considered the H. scutellata as distinct, but when my reasons

* S. phalangium proper is taken in the north of Ireland within this range

of depth.

+ The only character given for this species in M. Edw. ‘ Hist. Crust.’

vol. i. p. 280, is that the rostrum exceeds in length the peduncle of the ex-

ternal antenne.

t Risso, ‘Hist. Nat. del’Eur. Mérid.’ vol. v. p. 21. M. Edwards considered

the LZ. scutellata to be so unsatisfactorily described that he could make

nothing of it. (Hist. Crust. vol. i. p. 352.) The figure too is execrable.

Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 239

for considering E. aspera and it but as one species were explained,

he at once on examination of the specimens coincided in my opinion.

The reduction of these two supposed species to one, leaves E. aspera

the only representative of the genus Eurynome.

8. Gebia deltura, Leach, Malac. t. 31. f. 9,10; Bell, Brit. Crust.

p- 225 (part 5); Edw. vol. ui. p. 314.

In the stomach of a Haddock (Gadus Atglefinus) taken off New-

castle (co. Down) on the 6th March 1847, I was interested in find-

ing two perfect arms of this rare fossorial species, hitherto known

to have been obtained only on the coast of Devonshire*. ‘They are

just of the size represented by the authors quoted. The stomach of

the fish was with the exception of them filled with the remains of

Ophiura terturata. It was from the same locality that I obtained

the arms—and these only—of the two other fossorial genera Callia-

nassa and Calocaris in March 1839. The reason of these parts

alone of the animal being taken may perhaps be owing to their being

above the surface of the bank, ready to lay hold of any food within

their reach, while the body remains concealed, and the ground-feed-

ing fish seizing on them, the Crustacean sacrifices its exposed mem-

bers rather than give up its whole body to its assailant.

Professor Bell remarks :—‘‘ The difference of the depth which the

various species of this fossorial family inhabit is very remarkable ;

the present species [Gebia stellata] with Callianassa subterranea

being found in a sand-bank, when digging for Solenes, whilst Calo-

caris Macandree was dredged from the astonishing depth of 180

fathoms.” (Hist. Brit. Crust. p. 224.)

The difference here noticed is interesting insofar as the facts nar-

rated, but can scarcely be considered characteristic of the respective

species. My specimens of Callianassa and Calocaris, if not taken

from the stomach of the same individual fish, a Platessa pola, Cuv.,

were procured from two fishes of that species taken at the same ~

sweep of the trawl-net on the same bank at a depth of ten fathoms.

The Gebia was probably taken at a similar depth.

Norte.

? Alauna rostrata, Goodsir, Edin. New Phil. Journ. vol. xxxiv.

p- 180. pl. 4?

The occurrence of an individual of this species to me at Newcastle

(co. Down) in Aug. 1886 was noticed in the ‘ Annals,’ vol. xiii.

p- 435, accompanied by a mark of doubt as to the species. When

lately looking over some Crustacea dredged from five fathoms at the

Skerries on the Dublin coast, in the autumn of 1845, by Mr. R. Ball

and Professor Edw. Forbes, I was gratified to see several specimens

quite similar to the one that I had myself taken. They are about

* No observation of this kind is hazarded with respect to any species,

without reference having been made to the general ‘ Hist. des Crust.’ of

M. Edwards. It has supplied the data with respect to continental works,

on which all such remarks.are made in this communication.

240 Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland.

six lines in length, and agree in all respects with Goodsir’s descrip-

tion, but present at the same time a striking character which he has

not noticed—in the carapace being almost wholly covered by series of

minute granular spines (if such an expression may be used) with the

points directed forward, and hence my ‘“‘?” as to species. The

describer of Alauna obtained but the one specimen.

Order Stomapoda.

4. Cynthia ? Thomp. (J. V.), Zool. Res., Memoir 3, p. 55 ;

Edw. vol. 1. p. 462.

Among some of the more minute Crustacea taken at Strangford

lough in May 1840 by Mr. R. Patterson is a Cynthia, but hardly

sufficiently perfect to be determined. ‘The species on which the

genus was founded was taken between Madeira and Barbadoes.

Mr. H. Goodsir added the genus to the British fauna from examples

obtained on the east coast of Scotland.

5. Themisto* brevispinosa, Goodsir, Hdin. New Phil. Journ.

vol. xxxil. p. 177. pl. 2. f. 9.

In September 1835 I obtained an individual of this species in rock-

pools between tide-marks at Bangor, co. Down.

Nore.

Mysis chameleon, Thomp. (J. V.), Zool. Res., Memoir 2, pl. 2.

f. 1—10.

The first examples described under this name were obtained in the

harbour of Cork. Specimens from each side of the island have come

under my notice. At Bangor, within the entrance of Belfast bay ;

Ballywalter, on the open coast of Down (both strictly marine loca-

lities) ; in Dundrum bay, same county (in brackish water) ; and in the

tidal river Lagan at Belfast; I found them common in the summer

or autumn of 1835 and 1836. In the three first-named places

they were taken between tide-marks ; in rock-pools in the two first,

and in a sandy bay in the last. I have seen it among Crustacea

brought up in the dredge in water five fathoms deep off the Dublin

coast by Mr. R. Ball; have received it from the west coast of Cork

(Professor G. J. Allman), and have taken it myself along the shores

of Connaught. A detailed note of June 22, 1846, is as follows.

When in company with Mr. Hyndman today at Strangford lough, I

took a number of this species (which is admirably figured in the work

quoted) in brackish water at Ardmillan. They were in extraordinary

profusion, and viewed in the water were at first sight mistaken for

the fry of fisht+. They appeared to be all about the same size, and

* This was used as a generic name by Guérin previous to its publication

as such by Goodsir. Guérin’s genus belongs to the order Amphipoda and

family Hyperiade. Macromysis is substituted by Mr. Adam White for

Goodsir’s Zhemisto in the Catalogue of the Crustacea in the British Mu-

seum, p. 81.

+ I have generally remarked the ysis to be much more numerous where

fresh-water enters the sea than in pure sea-water.

Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 241

adult, as were the specimens taken, the largest exceeding 1} inch in

length from point of anterior scales to end of the caudal plates.

Mr. J. V. Thompson remarks that M. chameleon ‘ has never been

observed like the other species in any great numbers together, but

scattered and solitary, often associated with M. vulgaris,” p. 29.

But where they came under my observation in this instance, a small

arm of the lough a few feet in depth presented the extraordinary

spectacle of being quite alive with them. They were all swimming

in one‘direction, towards the sea, and moving regularly and hori-

zontally onward,

It is difficult, owing to the figure being deficient in elaboration, to

judge whether or. not Montagu’s Cancer astacus multipes, Linn.

Trans. ix. (p. 90) pl. 5. f. 3, be this species, but I agree with Mr. J.

V. Thompson that the Cancer fleruosus, Mull. Zool. Dan. vol. ii.

p. 34. pl. 66, is so. M. Edwards (Hist. Crust. vol. ii. p. 458) ob-

serves, that spines are represented on the sides of the abdomen in

Miiller’s figure of M. fleruosus, but although such an appearance is

presented in the plate, surely it is the mere sete of the subabdominal

fins which are intended to be represented. ‘The specimens taken on

this occasion were all of one hue, as the millions in the water seemed

to be; this was a very pale olive or “ pellucid cinereous,” as ascribed

to the M. Leachii by Mr. J. V. Thompson, from which they differed

only in having black instead of ‘‘ reddish rust-coloured”’ spots. Each

segment of the body in every specimen examined (about thirty in

number) is marked with a round black spot, whence, in some, arbo-

rescent arms branch off ; in others there is no arborescent appearance,

but the segment is dotted regularly over with extremely minute

points. To |

Mysis vulgaris, J. V. Thomp. ibid. p. 30. pl. 1,

my attention was first directed by remarking among those captured,

individuals wanting the black spot on the segments of the body,

when, singling out three of these, they proved to be of this species—

all the others were M. chameleon. The segments however exhibit an

arborescent veining, though wanting the black central spot. ‘These

specimens are one inch in length, or one-fifth less than the largest

M. chameleon taken with them. Ifthe proportion of the one species to

the other in the myriads seen were as in those taken, the numbers of

M. vulgaris to the other were but as one to ten. Some of these

(M. vulgaris) produced young in the phial, like those represented

by Miller in the ‘ Zoologia Danica,’ pl. 66, and by Kroyer in the

‘Voyages Scandin. et Lapon. Crustaces,’ pl. 9.

Ballyhome, Belfast bay, July 4, 1846. From the rocks at the

entrance of this bay I captured in pure sea-water a number of the

Mysis of various sizes, all of which proved to be M. chameleon.

The extraordinary difference in colour of these specimens, all taken

together within the space of a few yards, well justified the specific

name. They were brown, green, pink, red, and hyaline, some as

transparent in colour as the water itself: a few displayed a whitish

longitudinal stripe down the back. With the view to a more par-

242 Mr. W.Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland.

ticular examination of the colours at home, they were placed in a

phial of sea-water, but were all dead on my arrival there a few hours

afterwards. Of the many species of the more minute forms of Crus-

tacea which I have preserved in spirits, the Myside were always

among the first to become soft and to decay. The specimens under

consideration, when examined in spirits, exhibited on each segment

of the body a black spot, whence more or less of an arborescent

appearance was manifest.

M. chameleon has occurred to me much more frequently as well

as in greater numbers on the Irish coast than M. vulgaris. In very

shallow pools between tide-marks at Lahinch (co. Clare) the latter

was procured by Professor E. Forbes and myself. It frequents the

tidal river Lagan at Belfast.

Order Amphipoda.

6. Orchestia, sp.

Bangor, co. Down, 1835, W. T.; distinct from O. littorea.

7. Amphithée fucicola, Leach (sp.) ; Edw. vol. ii. p. 82. Phe-

rusa fucicola, Leach, Linn. Trans. xi. p. 360.

Obtained many years ago at Youghal by Mr. R. Ball. Leach only

appears to have noticed this species: he remarks, ‘‘ Habitat inter fucos

in Damnonie australis mari rarius.”

8. Amphithée rubricata, Mont. (sp.) ; Edw. vol. i. p. 33.

Procured in Strangford lough in Oct. 1839 by Mr. Hyndman and

myself. In shallow rock-pools between tide-marks on the open coast

at Springvale, co. Down, I obtained several specimens in July 1846.

Previously noticed only as found on the south coast of Devon by

Montagu.

9. Amphithée, sp.

Bangor, co. Down, 1835, W. T. ; distinct from the preceding and

A. obtusata, on comparison with the specimens in the British Mu-

seum.

10. Gammarus marinus, Leach ; Edw. vol. iii. p. 46.

Strangford lough, 1837, Mr. Hyndman and W. T’; Ballysodare,

co. Sligo, Mrs. Hancock.

Noticed by Leach as found on the south coast of Devonshire and

by M. Edwards on the coast of France.

11. Gammarus campylops, Leach; Edw. vol. i. p. 48.

Taken at high water in the tidal river Lagan, above the bridge at

Belfast, May 1836, Mr. Hyndman and W.T.

Shore of Loch-Ranza, Isle of Arran, where the species was dis-

covered by Leach, the only locality hitherto noticed.

12. Gammarus longimanus, Leach (sp.). Mera longimana, Leach

MSS.

A single one taken with last :—same as Leach’s unique specimen

in the British Museum.

Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 243

13. Gammarus punctatus, Johust. Zool. Journ. vol. iii. pp. 177,490,

I found in a case formed by itself among the branches of Corallina

officinalis growing in pools between tide-marks at Springvale, co.

Down, in July 1846. The species was determined by comparison of

mine with those from Berwick presented by Dr. Johnston to the

British Museum.

14. Opis typica, Kroyer, Voy. Scandinavie et Laponie Crust.

Ww. 1a: tk

Dredged in Strangford lough, Oct. 1839 and June 1846; on the

latter occasion picked off Alge brought up from a depth of fifteen to

twenty-three fathoms, where they grew on soft sandy ground—

several specimens procured on each occasion.

A description of this species appears in Kroyer’s ‘ Naturhist.

Tidssk.’ 2nd binds, lst hefte, 1846, p. 46.

15. Anonyx (Kroyer), sp.

Several specimens of an Anonyz of various sizes were dredged from

five to six fathoms’ depth—pure sandy bottom—off Bangor, Belfast

bay, in July 1846, by Mr. Hyndman and myself. They are distinct

from and more elegant in form, colour and markings than any of the

seven species—A. nanus, littoralis, ampulla, holbollii, plautus, Kd-

wardsii, tumidus—represented by Kroyer in such parts of the ‘ Scan-

dinav. et Lapon.’ as were in the British Museum library in July 1847*.

They are all plain or uniform in colour, while mine has conspicuous

stellate markings; it is also of a somewhat deeper tint generally, and

has the antenne longer than any of those named,

Although a proper description cannot (on account of the state of my

eyes) be drawn up, some idea may be given of this Anonyx—(which is

well worthy of the name of elegans)—by the following note :—length

of body 6 lines ; of upper antenne 1 line ; of lower antennz 4 lines ;

general colour yellowish pink ; eyes red; lateral or abdominal plates

adorned with scarlet stellate markings, of which there are five or six

on those nearest the head: they become gradually fewer on those

towards the tail, so that not more than one appears on the hinder

plates. ‘These markings render it very beautiful. My <Anonyz is

distinct from a British species (locality unknown) in the collection of

the British Museum. As this is not included in the lately published

Catalogue of the Crustacea therein contained, the present is the first

notice of the genus as British.

16. Anonyz, genus ?,

or rather a form between it and Stegocephalus, Kroyer, was dredged

from a depth of twenty-three fathoms (shelly sand) in Belfast bay

in Oct. 1846 by Mr. Hyndman.

* Since the above was written, Kroyer’s ‘ Naturhist. Tidssk.’ for 1846 has

come under my notice, and in it ten species of Anonyx, including the seven

already named, are described (in Latin): the additional species are 4. gulosus,

A, minutus, and A. Vahlii.

244 Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland.

17. Cerapus falcatus, Mont. (sp.), Linn. Trans. vol. ix. t.5. f..2.

Jassa pelagica, Leach.

I agree with M. Edwards (vol. iii. p. 61) in considering the forms

bearing these two names as one species: Leach looked upon them

as different. Both, as distinguished by the form of the claw, are

among my specimens, of which a number were dredged in Strangford

lough in Oct. 1839 by Mr. Hyndman and myself. Among the roots

of a large plant of the tangle (Laminaria digitata) brought me from

Donaghadee by Edmund Getty, Esq., in Aug. 1846, were several

specimens.

Devonshire (Mont.) and the Bell Rock (Leach) are the only pub-

lished localities I have seen for this species.

18. Hyperia galba, Mont. (sp.) ; Edw. vol. ii. p. 77.

Cancer Gammarus galba, Mont.

Found in the pouches of Rhizostoma Cuvierit on the Dublin coast

in the autumn of 1838 by Mr. Hyndman.

Only noticed by Montagu as found on the south coast of Devon.

19. Hyperia Latreillii, Edw. vol. ii. p. 76.

Obtained at Youghal by Mr. R. Ball nearly thirty years ago (‘about

1818”’) in great numbers in the cavities of a Rhizostoma. This

species has not been noticed by any English author, but specimens

of Leach’s marked ‘British coast” are in the British Museum.

M. Edwards mentions it as found on the coast of France*.

20. Lestrigonus, sp.

An individual of this genus is in the same phial with the last, and

was probably obtained from the cavities of the same Rhizostoma with

them. It has become so soft in the spirits from incipient decay as

barely to admit of specific description. With respect to the genus, I

have the opinion of Mr. Bell in addition to my own. Of the two

species of this genus described, one is from India, the other from

Greenland. (Edw. Hist. Crust. vol. iii. p. 82.)

Order Laemodipoda.

21. “ Caprella lobata, Mill.,” Kroyer, Voy. Scand. et Lapon.

Crust. pl. 25. f. 3at.

Specimens attached to zoophytes (Sertularie chiefly) dredged from

about ten fathoms on sand near Portaferry, Strangford lough, Oct.

1839, Mr. Hyndman and W. I.

22. Caprella tuberculata, Goodsir, Edin. New Phil. Journ.

vol. xxxiii. p. 188. pl. 3. f. 6.

Specimens taken with the last.

* The species of these Hyperie were determined as above by Mr. Adam

White. On my subsequent examination of H. galba insofar as I dare mag-

nify the specimen, it seémed to be a Metcecus, Kroyer (which Montagu’s

may likewise be), but whether M@. medusarum I had not the means of deter-

mining. The subject must be further examined into.

+ 36. presents a very different form, but is considered a variety only.

Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 245

Guérin, in his ‘Iconographie,’ &c. pl. 28. f. 1, represents a spe-

cies which he calls by this name; it is from the Mauritius (Texte

Descrip. Crust. p. 24).

23. Caprella acuminifera, Leach; Edw. vol. ii. p. 107. pl. 33.

f. 21—26.

I found a few examples of this species living among Corallina off-

cinalis in shallow rock-pools between tide-marks at Springvale, co.

Down, in July 1846.

24. Aligina? longispina, Kroyer, Voy. Scand. &c. Crust. pl. 19.

f.3*,

A single individual of this very fine, large and spinous form was

taken with the two first-noticed Caprelle. My specimen differs only

from that represented by Kroyer in having one or two more spines

retrally on the body: it is wholly red like his, and has retained this

colour in spirits to the present time. Goodsir’s Caprella spinosa

(Edin. New Phil. Journ. vol. xxxiii. p. 187. pl. 8. f. 1) approaches

very near to this species, if it be not the same; it is described as

having ‘‘ the whole body of a pale white colour.” Caprella linearis

of authors (already recorded as Irish) was taken with this as well as

C. lobata and C. tuberculata.

I have merely identified my Caprelle with the species described,

and without any attention being bestowed on the variety of form

that the same species may assume. Indeed the only attempt to in-

vestigate this subject known to me is that of Kroyer with respect

to C. lobata :—see my note under this species.

Order Isopoda.

25. Tanais Dulongit, Audouin (sp.) ; Edw. vol. iii. p. 142.

Two Crustaceans which I found on Alaria esculenta washed ashore

at the Giant’s Causeway in July 1839, seem so like this species as

figured in the great French work on Egypt, that I am disposed (in

which Mr. Adam White agrees with me) to consider them the same.

They do not exhibit any point of difference, but are not quite per-

fect. The second species of Tanais described by M. Edwards is from

Naples. M. Kroyer has described three species in the ‘ Isis,’ one of

which is from Bahia, and the other two from Madeira.

26. Jera albifrons, Mont. (sp.) ; Leach ; Edw. vol. i. p. 150.

Common under stones in shallow rock-pools between tide-marks

at Bangor, Belfast bay (1834,W.T.), and in Strangford lough, both

strictly marine localities—also obtained in the tidal river Lagan at

Belfast. Known only hitherto as found on the coast of Great Britain.

27. Spheroma Prideauxitana, Leach.

An example of this species, taken in a towing-net where the water

* Described in Kroyer’s ‘ Naturhist. Tidssk.’ Ist binde, 5th hefte, 1845,

p. 476.

246 Mr. W.Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland.

was several fathoms in depth in Belfast bay in August 1846 by Mr.

R. Patterson, was brought to me alive. Its colour was pale brown

with dark brown markings ; its motions when undisturbed were lively

—when touched, it rolled itself into a ball.

My specimen, which on comparison with the original one from

** Devon” (where only it has yet been noticed) in the British Mu-

seum, must be considered this species, at the same time cannot be said

to differ from S. curtum (a view in which Mr. Adam White coincides) :

—it is intermediate in size, form, &c. between the individual ex-

amples of the two species in that collection. M. Edwards offers

some remarks on the difficulty of distinguishing S. curtum from

Leach’s description (Hist. Crust. vol. iii. p. 209).

28. Spheroma Griffithsii, Leach MSS.? Brit. Museum Catal.

p- 103.

Three Spherome obtained in Belfast bay and Strangford lough

(1835, &c.) are similar to the two poor original specimens from Tor-

bay, so named in the British Museum, excepting in the caudal plate

being rather more rounded in my specimens *.

29. Cymodocea truncata, Mont. (sp.); Edw. vol. i. p. 214.

Two examples procured between tide-marks at Cultra and Rock-

port, Belfast bay, Mr. Hyndman and W. T., 1837. Leach remarks

that the species is found amongst Fuci and is very rare: Edin. Ency.

vii. 433. Mine agree with his specimen from Devon (the only

known locality) in the British Museum.

30. Cirolana hirtipes, Kdw. vol. ii. p. 236. pl. 31. f. 25.

My specimens are similar to those so named in the British Mu-

seum (but whence these were obtained is unknown), and agree with

the description and figure of M. Edwards, whose only locality indi-

cated for the species is the Cape of Good Hope! The first individuals

which came under my notice were found in the midst of a mass of

ova in a boiled cod-fish sent me from Portpatrick about ten years

since by Lieut. Little, R.N. In September 1841, several found

adhering to a skate (Raia batis) taken in Belfast bay, were brought

to me by Mr. Hyndman. I have also procured it on the gills and

once alive in the stomach of a holibut (Hippoglossus) from the last-

named locality. It was enumerated in my ‘ Report’ under the name

of Cirolana Cranchii, the only known British form of the genus.

31. Eurydice pulchra, Leach ; Kdw. vol. in. p. 238.

This pretty species has been taken at Larne by Mr. R. Patterson

(1838) and at Carrickfergus, between tide-marks, by Mr. Hyndman

(March and April). Bantham, Devon, the original locality (Leach,

Linn. Trans. xi. 370), appears to be the only one yet noticed for

E. pulchra.

* See Guérin, Iconog. Régne Anim. Crust. texte descriptif, p. 27, for

remarks on Spheroma serratum, Fabr. (sp.), and S. globator, Pall. (sp.) as

two distinct species.

Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 247

82. Munna Kroyeri, Goodsir, Edin. New Phil. Journ. vol. xxxiii.

p-365. pl. 6. f. 2.

Taken in a towing-net on the surface of Strangford lough in May

1840 by Mr. R. Patterson.

The genus Munna was described by Kroyer in 1841, and Mr. Good-

sir’s M. Kroyeri was obtained in July 1842 in the Firth of Forth.

Legion Entomostraca. Order Copepoda.

33. Cetochilus septentrionalis, Goodsir, Edin. New Phil. Journ.

vol. xxxv. p. 336. pl. 6. f. 1—11.

Many of this species were taken with the last in May 1840 :—in

October 1843 this Cetochilus was described by Mr. Goodsir.

84. Canthocarpus minuticornis, Mill. (sp.) | Cyclops minuticornis,

Mill.

Obtained in Strangford lough, Oct. 1839, Mr. Hyndman and W. T.

Order Siphonostomata.

35. “ Caligus minutus, Otto, Nordm. ;” Edw. vol. ii. p. 450, and

Reég. Anim. pl. 77. f. 2.

- I obtained a specimen off a holibut in Belfast market in February

1837. It differs very little—hardly in species—from C. hippoglossi,

Kroyer, Tidssk. bind i. p. 625. pl. 6. f.3 (st series).

M. Edwards notes the species as found on the coast of Bretagne

in the branchial cavity of the “‘ Bars” [Basse. Labrav lupus, Cuv.].

36. Caligus curtus, Kroyer, Tidssk. 2 bind, tab. 104. pl. 1. £1 m.

On Raia maculata taken in Belfast bay, April 1839, W.T. See

M. Edwards, ‘ Hist. Crust.’ vol. iii. p. 451, for remarks on C. curtus,

Mull. &c.

37. Caligus diaphanus, Nordm., Kroyer, bind ui. pl. 1. f. 3. (Re-

ference to pl. 1 at p. 104.)

Nordmann obtained this species off Trigla hirundo. I have pro-

cured it not only on that fish but on the following, purchased in

Belfast market :—Trigla pini, Pagellus centrodontus, Scomber scom-

brus, Carane trachurus, Merlangus carbonarius, Merlucius vulgaris,

Lota molva, Platessa vulgaris and Pleuronectes maximus. ‘The speci-

mens were taken in March, August, October and December (1837).

M. Edwards (vol. iii. p. 452) refers only to the above-cited authors

for this species.

38. Caligus pectoralis, Kroyer, Tidssk. bind i. p. 628. pl. 6. f. 4.

M. Edwards notices this as found on turbot, plaice and other flat-

fishes (vol. iii. p. 454). I have procured it on Platessa flesus, P. li-

manda, Solea vulgaris, Scomber scombrus, Zeus faber and Conger vul-

garis, brought to Belfast market in March 1837 : they adhered to all

the exposed parts of the body of the various fishes, and not to the

gills, &c.

248 Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland.

This species is brought under the genus Lepeophtheirus by Nord-

mann (Mikrog. Beitrage, p. 30), but Kroyer writing on it subse-

quently calls it Caligus. M. Edwards marks Miller’s Lernea pecto-

ralis, Zool. Dan. tab. 33. f. 7, with doubt as being identical with that

of the two authors quoted.

39. Caligus Nordmanm, Kdw. vol. ii. p. 455. and Rég. Anim.

Dies studs

I have procured on Gadus morrhua brought to Belfast market in

March, November and December 1837. M. Edwards notes this

- as found at Nice on the skin of a “ Mole” [Orthagoriscus

mola}.

40. Caligus vespa, Kidw. vol. in. p. 456,

I have found on Salmo trutta taken in Dundrum bay (co. Down),

Aug. 1836, and on the same species captured in the sea at Dona-

ghadee in March; on Salmo eriox from the latter locality in Dec. ;

on Salmo salar taken on ascending two of the co. Antrim rivers from

the sea in June and July. M. Edwards indicates this species merely

as found in the gills of a salmon. C. vespa was noticed this year for

the first time as found on the English coast. See British Museum

Crust. p. 118. )

41. Caligus sturionis, Kroyer, Tidssk. bind 1. tab. 6. f..6. (“ Ex-

plication ” of tab. p. 628) ; Edw. vol. iu. p. 457*—

I obtained on Trigla hirundo and T. pini brought to Belfast market in

November 1839.

42. Trebius caudatus, Kroyer, Tidssk. bind u. p. 30. tab. 1. f. 4.

(Explication of tab. p. 104) ; Edw. vol. 1. p. 458*.

This truly generic form was obtained by Kroyer on a Squalus galeus

taken in the Kattegat. My specimens—both male and female—were

found adhering externally over both sides of the body of a Raia batis

captured in Belfast bay in September 1838.

Order Lerneada.

43. Chondracanthus gibbosus, Kroyer, Tidssk. bind i. p. 252.

tab. 2. f. 4.

Taken in the pouches of a Lophius piscatorius in Dublin, December

1839 (W.T.), and from pouches of three individuals captured in

Belfast bay, November 1841. M. Edwards brings this species with

doubt under C. Delarochiana (Cuv. Rég. Anim.), which has been

found on the tunny, Thynnus vulgaris. C. Lophii, Johnston, Lou-

don’s ‘ Mag. Nat. Hist.’ ix. 81. f. 16, already recorded in the

‘ Annals’ (vol. v. p. 257) as Irish, seems to me identical with C. gib-

bosus, Kroyer.

44, Lerneopoda galei, Kroyer, Tidssk. bind i. tab. 3. f. 5, a—f;

Kdw. vol. ii. p. 516 *—

was found by its describer on the fin of a Squalus galeus, Linn. ;

* Kroyer only quoted.

Mr. W. Thompson’s Additions to the Fauna of Ireland. 249

on which species from Belfast bay I likewise obtained my specimen

in December 1839 :—it was adherent to the cavity posterior to the

vent of the fish.

Order Pycnogonida.

45. Nymphon femoratum, Leach, Zool. Mise. vol. i. p. 45. tab.19.

f, 2.

Dredged from eight to ten fathoms at Donaghadee in May 1843

by Dr. J. L. Drummond.

Leach only is quoted by M. Edwards, vol. iii. p. 534, for this spe-

cies, who notes it however as inhabiting ‘‘ La Manche.”

46. Phoxichilidium globosum, Goodsir, Edin. New Phil. Journ.

vol. xxxil. p. 186. pl. 3. f.1, January 1842,

I obtained among zoophytes thrown ashore at Portmarnock, on the

Dublin coast, in Aug. 1840. This species was only known to its

describer as taken in Orkney by Mr. Edw. Forbes and Mr. John

Goodsir. co

The following brief summary of the Crustacea contained in the

preceding list may be desirable.

There are introduced for the first time to the fauna of the British

seas, the generic forms of Opis, Anonyx*, and allied genus, Lestrigonus,

Aigina?, Tanais, Trebius, Lerneopoda; and the specific forms of |

Eurynome scutellata, Cirolana hirtipes, Caligus minutus, C. curtus, .

C. diaphanus, C. pectoralis, C. Nordmanni and C. sturionis. A number

of undetermined species, and some of them certainly non-descript,

are still in my possession.

Of generic forms added to the Irish fauna (but all included in the

British) there are Amphithée, Cerapus, Themisto (Macromysis), Cyn-

thia, Jera, Eurydice, Cymodocea, Munna, Cetochilus, Canthocarpus and

Phowichilidium.

The mere species added to the Irish fauna possess various interest,

as indicated in noticing them respectively. My specimens of several

forms were the first obtained, having been procured some years

before those from which the original descriptions were drawn up

by M. Kroyer and Mr. H. Goodsir.

Some of the species here brought forward have hitherto been no-

ticed only as found in the Mediterraneant, others in the seas of

Denmark, and several as met with only at a single locality on the

English or Scottish coast ; all information of this kind possesses much

interest as exhibiting insofar the geographical range of the species.

Without the kind aid of Mr. Adam White and Dr. Baird of the

British Museum, who assisted me in the determination of the species

from comparison with those contained in the national collection and

otherwise, I should not have ventured to publish this communication.

* See ante,

+ One (Cirolana hirtipes) as from the Cape of Good Hope! but further

information is desiderated respecting it.

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 18

250 Messrs. Davidson & Morris on some species of Brachiopoda.

Without the confirmation of stronger eyes and better knowledge

than I myself possess, I could not feel satisfied in recording any spe-

cies of Crustacea that can only be determined by microscopic power.

All those preceding the Entomostraca in arrangement came under

the notice of the former gentleman, and all of these (using the term

in its widest sense) under that of the latter. ‘To both, my warmest

thanks are due, as they also are to John Edward Gray, Esq., for his

extreme kindness and liberality on this, as on all former occasions,

when I required to make use of the great national collection of zoo-

logy placed under his most zealous and effective superintendence.

XXIII.— Descriptions of some species of Brachiopoda. By Mr.

T. Davipson, Mem. Geol. Soc. France, and Mr. J. Morais;

F.G.S.

| f With two Plates. }

Tue following notice includes descriptions of a few new or little-

known Brachiopoda, some of which are interesting from their

localities and associations, more especially the Leptene, of which

three species have lately been found in the liassic group of En-

eland and one in that of France. For the description of the

French species we are indebted to M. Bouchard, whose collection

contains good specimens of this shell.

Leptena liasiana, Bouchard. Pl. XVIII. fig. 2 a—d.

Shell rounded, inequivalved, equilateral, smooth ; dorsal valve

gibbose posteriorly, becoming flatter anteriorly, with a slight

longitudinal groove ending in a notch on the front margin of the

shell. Beak small, slightly meurved, truncated at the apex by a

minute circular foramen, similar to that which occurs in many

other Leptene, for instance, L. alternata of Indiana, North

America ; this truncation may also be observed in some species

of Orthis from Russia. Area double, interrupted on the dorsal

valve by a large and slightly convex deltidium, which arises at

the apical opening and gradually enlarges towards the base, and

occupies one-third of the width of the area. The deltidium is

slightly notched, the notch being partly closed by the large me-

dian tooth of the ventral valve, the exterior face of which is

grooved by four furrows which afforded a passage for the mus-

cular fibres of attachment arranged in four bundles. The ventral

valve is deeply concave, following the contour of the dorsal valve,

so that little space remained between them for the body of the

animal. Cardinal margin about half the width of the shell.

Length 6, width 5 millimetres.

Locality: the lias of Pic de Saint Loup, near Montpellier,

Herault.

Arm & Mag. Nat Hist . Vol.2.0.PLXVIL

Uadeley Pronter 3Wettangton 5*3trend.

7. hLeptena Moorea (avr)

: Liasiana (Powchard,)

Boackardw (Dar)

Pearcar (Dav)

. Lerebratitla spizrurtosa /Mor./

% Lerebralicla ragilosa (Mor)

/—_ _— sulojera {Mor}

a SYUATOSA (Mart.

Pha dlapsed: Mor)

Was

T Davidson. Gel Wek

Ann.& Mag. Ned Hist Yol.20.PLXIX.

;

Makeley Primer 8 Wilbingter $° Stren Tr Dagnon, adel ot Ath.

EE en Pe oF longa (Ran! 4..Lerebratita (Nor. dpec “/

a Slabllun /Defr. 5, Maxiilata (Sow)

pygnean (Mor) . 3 ,

-Messrs. Davidson & Morris on some species of Brachiopoda. 251

The general form of this Leptena approaches that of Productus,

the species which it most closely resembles being the L. oblonga,

Pander. It has the same convexity and smoothness, and the

beak is similarly truncated by an apical opening; the area and

pedicular opening has also some analogy to the Russian species,

but it differs in the contour of the dorsal valve, and the notch in

the front margin. (Bouchard MSS.)

Leptena Moore, Davidson. Pl. XVIII. fig. 1 a—e.

Shell small, depressed, transversely quadrangular, ornamented

by numerous fine coste scarcely visible without a lens. Dorsal

valve slightly convex; area double, as wide or wider than the

shell. Deltidium small, chiefly filled by the median tooth of the

ventral valve ; tooth with four depressions by which the muscular

fibres of attachment passed outwards. Length 1} line, width

2 lines.

The muscular impressions in the interior of both valves are

very peculiar to this species, and indicate that it did not attain

larger dimensions than those above assigned to it.

This elegant small species was first discovered in the marlstone

beds near Ilminster by Charles Moore, Esq., to whom it is dedi-

cated ; and I trust ere long this gentleman will enrich science by

a detailed account. of this interesting locality, which he has so

carefully investigated. The following section, forwarded by Mr.

Moore, shows the position of the bed containing the Leptene :—

. Rubbly beds 6 to 10 feet with numerous Ammonites.

Clay 8 inches.

. Yellow limestone 3 to 4 inches,

. Layers of clay 18 inches, Leptena Pearcei.

. Leptena bed 1 inch, Leptena Moorei and L. Bouchardiz.

. Marlstone 2% inches. .

. Greenish sand 4 inches, containing numerous Belemnites.

. Marlstone. .

The discovery of four species of Leptena in the lias is rather

an interesting fact, as proving that this genus, so abundant in the

palzozoic period, existed also at the hassic epoch, although the

{erms are considerably reduced in size from those of their pre-

cursors. The existence of Leptena at the early part of the second-

ary period teaches also how cautious we should be in assigning

to any genus a limited duration in time, or that the lmes of de-

marcation between successive periods are not so arbitrary regard-

ing certain typical forms as our first investigations would lead

us to infer. : :

Leptena Bouchardii, Davidson. Pl. XVIII. fig. 3 a, 4, ¢.

Shell very small, almost a perfect oval, surface smooth ; dorsal

valve very convex, ventral valve very concave, leaving only a small

18*

CONT rh 69 bo

252 Messrs. Davidson & Morris on some species of Brachiopoda.

space for the animal; beak small, not much recurved, entire, and

not perforated at the extremity; area smaller than the greatest

width of the shell ; deltidium very large.

The interior of the ventral valve presents some characters re-

sembling Chonetes, but it has no tubes on the cardinal area, which

are considered by M. de Verneuil and others as characteristic of

that genus. Round the mternal edge of the ventral valve is a

row of tubercles, which diminish in size towards the front of the

shell, and the centre has a ridge also tuberculated, the remaining

space, mteriorly, being covered by a fine irregular punctuation,

which in this respect has some analogy to Chonetes ; but in that

genus the median tooth is terminated by a point ; in our shell

this tooth presents externally three or four grooves, as in the

genus Leptena: this and other characters have induced us to

place the species under Leptena, although it possesses so many

characters common to both genera, that it may be considered as

forming a connecting link between them.

This species is readily distinguished from Leptena liasiana by

its more elegant form, the ventral valve of L. Bouchardii is more

regularly concave, and the dorsal valve more convex ; in this spe-

cies also the beak of the dorsal valve is entire, in L. liasiana it is

always truncated and perforated, and the front is indented and

not so regularly rounded as m L. Bouchardii.

Rather more than a line in width and one and a half in length.

This species never attained a very large size, as the internal cha-

racters presented by the ventral valve appear to be those belong-

ing to a full-grown shell.

Found by Mr. Moore, associated with L. Moorei, in the

Leptzena bed previously described under that species.

It is dedicated to M. Bouchard of Boulogne, who has kindly

examined the species and assisted in defining the characters which

distinguish it from L. lasiana, to which it bears the greatest

resemblance.

Leptena Pearce, Davidson. Pl. XVIII. fig. 4a, d.

Of this small species the dorsal valve is only known, which

shows that it differed materially from LZ. Moorei by this valve

being much more convex, and the striz which ornament its sur-

face having two or three smaller ones between each larger one, as

seen in fig. 4 6, while in L. Moorei the coste appear of the

same size ; the shape of the shell is also more rounded and larger

than LZ. Moorei. Rather more than 2 lines long and 3 broad.

This species occurs in a clay stratum above the Leptena bed

containing L. Moorei, and not associated with it.

Also discovered by Mr. Moore, and dedicated at his request to

his late friend Mr. C. Pearce of Bath.

Messrs. Davidson & Morris on some species of Brachiopoda. 253

Terebratula rugulosa, Morris. Pl. XVIII. fig. 5,5a—c.

Shell ovate ; valves nearly equally convex, somewhat truncated

anteriorly, dorsal valve more gibbose than the ventral, with a pro-

duced, rather obtuse and enlarged beak, but slightly recurved ;

foramen rather large ; deltidium wider than high, bordered by

elevated lateral ridges. Cardinal area smooth, lateral ridges

moderately distinct. The whole surface is covered by minute

ruge disposed as follows : those which cover the middle portion

of each valve are longitudinal and but little interrupted ; those on

the sides diverge and have a slight tendency to break into small

oblong tubercles, especially towards the beak of the dorsal valve ;

the intervening spaces are distinctly and thickly punctured

(fig. 5c).

A as series of this interesting species are in the collections of

Mr. Moore, Mr. Bunbury and Mr. Pratt. It is found in the chalk

marl at Chard, Somerset, and also occurs at Rouen.

The following notice of the locality is communicated by Mr.

Moore. The bottom beds of the quarry are alternating layers of

chert and fine sand having a height of about twenty feet, but are

no doubt thicker, as the lower beds are not worked; teeth of

fishes are occasionally found in it and a few corals; above this is

a thin band of chalk marl, exceedingly fossiliferous; it contains

several species of Ammonites, Nautilus, Hamites, Scaphites, Tur-

rilites ; Cerithium, Pleurotomaria and Trochus ; Inoceramus, Arca,

Cardium, Echini, &c., mostly in a beautiful state of preservation.

lr bed is overlaid by the white chalk containing but few

ossils.

Terebratula spinulosa, Morris. Pl. XVIII. fig. 6, 6a—e.

Subovate, but with the broadest part rather behind the middle

and the front subtruncated ; dorsal valve rather more convex than

the ventral; beak incurved, foramen tolerably large, the anterior

portion touching the apex of the ventral valve ; cardinal area con-

cave, minutely tuberculated, with distinct lateral ridges, diver-

ging almost at right angles from the foramen. Surface of both

valves covered with minute prickly tubercles (fig. 6c) and fine

radiating strie ; lines of growth distinct.

This is a very interesting and readily distinguished species, by

its form and peculiar structure. The prickly tubercles have a

tendency to a linear arrangement, and between them are nume-

rous small raised puncta, and fine or almost obsolete striz ; the

minutely tuberculated cardinal area is also a well-marked cha-

racter. The specimen figured is from the collection of A. Lewis,

Ksq., of Wolverhampton, and Mr. Waterhouse has also pointed

out the existence of a species nearly resembling this, but in which

254 Messrs. Davidson & Morris on some species of Brachiopoda. |

the radiating striz are wanting, in the British Museum, as having

been received from the gray chalk marl of Dover.

M. le Vicomte d’Archiac, in the very interesting memoir *

“ Sur les Fossiles du Tourtia,” has pomted out a very natural

group of the Terebratule, to which the two last-described species

evidently belong. They are well-characterized by having the

surface ornamented with numerous small ruge, which are more

or less prominent, very short, puckered, squamous, arcuate or

diverging either from the centre or the beaks towards the margin,

where they are always visible. The Ter. Verneuilli, d’Archiac, is

the typical form, and the allied species are the 7. Murchisoni,

Keyserlingi, Tchthatcheffi, Gravesi and Leveillei, d’Archiac ; the

T. arcuata, Roemer, and our T. spinulosa and T. rugulosa.

Terebratula sulcifera, Morris. Pl. XVIII. fig. 7, 7 a, b.

Shell obovate, somewhat pentagonal, ventricose ; valves nearly

equally convex, dorsal valve convex towards the beak, which is

produced and incurved ; foramen large, oblique ; deltidium wide,

transversely furrowed and margined by a slightly elevated ridge,

but generally almost concealed beneath the anterior part of the

foramen which nearly touches the ventral valve. The greatest

thickness of the dorsal valve is about the middle, from which ex-

tends a broad, flat, and not very deep sinus with a straight frontal

margin ; lateral margins sinuous; the lateral margins near the

cardinal line of the ventral valve overlap those of the dorsal.

Both valves marked with concentric, somewhat imbricated ridges

with broader interspaces, and numerous radiating, nearly obsolete

striz, only visible in some specimens near the sides.

Of this species there are many varieties in form, the extreme

one being that given in our fig. 7; others are much less gibbose

and even depressed, sometimes having a triangular shape, at

others being very much elongated or compressed laterally ; but

the concentric ridges, although distinct in all of them, are more

or less elevated according to age, the intervening furrows being

marked (when viewed under a strong lens) by slightly raised

granules.

From the lower chalk near Cambridge, in the collection of

Mr. Bunbury, whose specimen is figured, and from Hockwold,

Norfolk, by Mr. W. Flower of Croydon.

Terebratula squamosa, Mantell. Pl. XVIII. fig. 8, a, d.

Shell orbicular, or sometimes longitudinally ovate, valves nearly

equally convex ; foramen circular, entire ; deltidium rather large,

dilated at the base; surface marked with concentric squamose

* Mémoires de la Société Géologique de France, 2nd ser. vol. ii, p. 295. ©

Ann. & Mag: Not Hist: Vol: 20. Pl: AX.

phers.

Iimandel & Walton Lithogr

del et lirh

W.C.Hewits on.

Ann: & Mag: Vat: Hist: Vol: 20. PUXX

Hullmandel & Walton Jathographers..

W.C.Hewitson del et hth.

Messrs. Davidson & Morris on some species of Brachiopoda. 255

ridges crossed by numerous radiating raised striz, more visible

on the lateral margins, giving to the squame a rather serrated

appearance ; puncta distinct and rather widely separated.

Locality : the chalk marl of Hamsey (Mantell), and also from °

Dover. ; :

This species was first described by Dr. Mantell in ‘ The Fossils

of the South Downs,’ p. 132, but not figured; it does not appear

to attain a large size, as the dimensions given by Dr. Mantell

agree with some of our specimens, “ length 0°5 inch, width 0-4

inch ; the greatest convexity of the united valves 0:3 inch ;” and

as remarked by Dr. Mantell, the shells are in a good state of

preservation and generally of a bluish hue.

Terebratula Phillipsit, Morris. PI. XVIII. fig. 9 a, b, e.

Shell compressed, of an elongated pentagonal form, the supe-

rior angle being rather sharp ; longer than wide, the width being

greatest below the middle; dorsal valve more convex than the

ventral, with a somewhat produced and incurved beak ; ventral

valve with two rounded coste commencing about the middle and

continued to the margin, with a broad mesial furrow and two

lateral ones ; front deeply sinuous ; cardinal area small, concave,

with very obtuse and indistinct lateral ridges ; foramen moderately

large, round, and rather oblique ; deltidium wider than high ; lines

of growth distant.

This species has some resemblance to Ter. perovalis, Sow., but

it is easily recognized by its more elongated pentagonal and de-

pressed form, the greater width of the sinus and lobes, the more

sinuated front, and the greater prominence of the dorsal ridge.

It is also separated from T. sella, Sow., by its elongate form, the

greatest width being nearer the frontal margin than in that spe-

cies, where it is central.

Locality : from the inferior oolite of Dinnington near I]min-

ster ; also at Burton near Bridport, and in Normandy. :

Mr. Moore, Mr. Bunbury and Mr. Walton possess a fine series

of this shell.

Terebratula longa, Roemer. PI. XIX. fig. 1 a, b,c, d. Roemer,

Verst. Norddeutschen Oolithen-Gebirges, pl. 2. fig. 11.

Shell ovate-clongate, ventricose posteriorly, becoming rather

attenuate anteriorly and subtruncate, smooth or only presenting

the concentric lines of growth ; dorsal valve with a somewhat ob-

tuse keel and a slightly produced but not much recurved beak ;

foramen small; cardinal area flat, bounded by moderately distinct

lateral ridges ; ventral valve most inflated near the cardinal area ;

deltidium obtusely triangular.

This appears to be the species cited by M. Roemer, as it agrees

256 Messrs. Davidson & Morris on some species of Brachiopoda.

tolerably well with his description and figure ; the deltidium is

much smaller (according to his figure) than in our shell.

Found rather abundantly in the lower greensand near Shank-

lin, Isle of Wight, by Dr. Fitton and myself (J. M.). Roemer’s

specimens are from the Hilsthon of Elligser Brinkes.

Lerebratula flabellum, Defrance. Pl. XIX. fig.2a—ce. Dict. des

Sci. Nat. vol. li. p. 160, 1828.

Shell somewhat transversely oval, costated, coste round, im-

bricated, increasing in size but not in number towards the mar-

gin; dorsal valve more convex than the ventral, with a produced

beak truncated by a rather large circular foramen ; cardinal area

concave, nearly smooth. Shell punctated.

This species belongs to the Loricate of Von Buch, in which

the ribs of the ventral valve envelope those of the dorsal. It was

first described by Defrance, who cites it from the Calcaire 4 Po-

lypiers near Caen, Normandy ; in England it is rare. Mr. Wal-

ton and Mr. Pearce obtained it from the Bradford clay near

Bradford, and it also occurs in the same bed at Corsham, Wilts.

Terebratula pygmea, Morris. Pl. XIX. fig. 3 a, bd.

Shell very small, of a somewhat hexagonal form, moderately

convex; beak acute, recurved; foramen small; area small, obtusely

triangular with distinct lateral ridges ; ventral valve with rounded

costz, which arising very near the cardinal area become much

larger towards the margin; interspaces deeply concave ; dorsal

valve with furrows corresponding in number to the lobes of the

ventral valve ; front deeply sinuous, the central sinus by far the

largest.

Locality : the Lepteena bed of the marlstone near Ilminster,

from Mr. Moore’s collection. 7

Associated with this species is another equally minute Tere-

bratula (Pl. XIX. fig. 4.a—d): it is of a rounded form, mode-

rately convex and perfectly smooth ; the beak small and scarcely

prominent.

No specific name has been assigned to this species, as it pro-

bably may be a very young state even of a plicated shell.

Terebratula maxillata, Sow. Pl. XIX. fig. 5 a—g.

Shell subquadrangular, fully as broad as long; valves nearly

equally convex; beak produced, narrow and strongly recurved ;

foramen large, oblique; deltidium obtusely triangular ; cardinal

area slightly depressed with obtuse lateral ridges ; ventral valve

with a mesial sinus and two broader lateral ones, corresponding

to the lobes of the dorsal valve, and which only extend one-third

inwards from the margin ; front strongly sinuated.

Mr. W.C. Hewitson on some new species of Butterflies. 257

The young state of this species and for a considerable period

of growth scarcely presents any trace of the smuated margin.

This shell, which cannot be separated from Ter. mazillata,

Sow., has lately been found of large dimensions ; we have speci-

mens attaining more than two inches in length and the same in

breadth ; thus it would appear that under favourable conditions

this species attained a much larger size than that figured by

Mr. Sowerby before it exhibited the strongly smuous front.

In-reference to this shell Mr. Walton states, that it is the same

as Ter. maxillata, and this assurance is founded on that expe-

rience which is attained by the examination of thousands of spe-

cimens. This Yerebratula varies much in size and form, its

greatest diameter being sometimes in the longitudinal and some-

times in the transverse direction of the shell. Some varieties are

deeply plicated, others have no plice at all; it is found quite

small at Hampton Cliff and very large at Pickwick, and is dis-

tributed plentifully through the forest marble, Bradford clay and

great oolite around Bath; it is also abundant near Sapperton

and Hailey Wood.

XXIV.—Descriptions of new species of Butterflies.

By Wir114M C, Hewirson.

[ With two Plates. ]

Family NYMPHALID..

Genus Hretrrocuroa, Boisduval.

Tue genus Heterochroa of Boisduval is remarkable amongst

butterflies for the close affinity which its species bear to one

another, and yet also for the great beauty and variety of design

which it presents and with colours so simple and so few.

The twelve species which I have figured, most of them new

and all hitherto undescribed, are but half of the genus. They

are all inhabitants of the New World.

Some of them, H. Nea, Melona, Erotia and Lerna, are much

more robust than the rest. H. Fessonia and Cestus, besides the

unbroken and conspicuous band of white, have other characters

peculiar to themselves. The cell is shorter and the disco-cellular

meets the median nervure somewhat nearer to the body.

The outlines on the plates show portions of the underside of

the wings characteristic of each species.

Heterochroa Nea. Pl. XX. fig. 1.

Wings dark brown with a central band common to both, com-

mencing at the third median nervule of the upper wing, and ex-

tending to the anal angle of the lower, on the upper wing broad

258 Mr. W. C. Hewitson on some new species of Butterflies.

and fulvous, on the lower white. On the upper wing between

the commencement of the band and the anterior margin and at:

nearly right angles with it is a large oblong fulvous spot sepa-

rated from it only by a black nervule, but so deeply sinuated on

each side at its junction as to touch it only at the apex; parallel

to the posterior margin is a double line of light brown, the

inner line wanting on the space between the second and third

median nervules ; on the lower wing are three similar lines, and

between the end of the inner one and the anal angle a small

triangular fulvous spot sinuated on its lower margin.

On the upper wing between the central band and the body,

and at right angles with the anterior margin, are six black lines,

five within the cell, the first and second on each side of the disco-

cellular and nearly straight, the third so much arched as to form

a triangle with the second, the three inner ones curved and equi-

distant and prolonged beyond the cell.

Underside very light; the central band, the discoidal spot,

and the submarginal lines are all cream-coloured ; the inner line

on the lower wing is beautifully iridescent. On the upper wing

between the cell and the discoidal spot is a small irregular spot

of a clear bluish white: with the exception of the upper part of

the space between the fourth and fifth black line which is red,

the space within the cell is pure white ; the lines are deep black ;

there are also spots of white below the cell. On the lower wing

the inner margin of the white band is dark brown, and parallel

to it and between it and the humeral angle are two rufous bands,

the space between the first and the white band rufous, the rest

cream-colour. Expansion 2 inches 8 lines.

In the British Museum, from Para.

Heterochroa Melona. Pl. XX. fig. 2.

Wings dark brown with a central band reaching from the an-

terior margin of the upper wing to the anal angle of the lower,

intersected by black nervules on.the upper and anterior portion

of the lower wings ; on the upper wing fulvous, broadest between

the discoidal nervules ; the inner margin deeply sinuated at the

third median nervule ; on the lower wing white. On the upper

wing are two very indistinct marginal lines of light brown; on

the lower wing four, one close to the margin, three equidistant

between it and the white band; the red spot at the anal angle

is small with a central round spot of deep black. On the upper

wing across the disc are five indistinct black lines, four within

the cell straight and nearly parallel, the fifth and inside one ob-

lique. Underside vinous brown, the central band on both wings

white ; the widest portion of it on the disc of the upper wing

clouded with brown ; at the tip are four or five small white spots,

Mr. W. C. Hewitson on some new species of Butterflies. 259

and at the anal angle of the lower wing three narrow lunules of

white ; half-way between the central band and the body is a band of

yellowish white common to both wings ; on the disc of the upper

wing between the disco-cellular and the white band are three

small spots of blue, and within the cell a triangular V-like spot of

lilac; the humeral angle of the upper wing is light yellow, that

of the lower wing reddish brown. Expansion 2 inches 6 lines.

In the British Museum, from Colombia..

Heterochroa Erotia. Pl. XX. fig. 3.

Wings dark brown with a central band common to both, com-

mencing at the anterior margin of the upper wing and extending

to the anal angle of the lower; on the upper wing fulvous except

towards the interior margin, where it becomes gradually white ;

on the lower wing white ; the first three segments of the band on

the disc of the upper wing short, the fourth twice as long, the

fifth between the second and third median nervures short and

cordate, the remainder broad. On the upper wing half-way be-

tween the margin of the central band and the tip of the wing are

three small fulvous spots. Parallel to the margins of both wings

are undulating lines of light brown as in the last species, and at

the anal angle two narrow lunular lines of white, and above them

two lunules of deep black, and between them a small triangular

fulvous spot. The black lines across the cell as in the last spe-

cies. The arrangement of the underside is the same as the upper

side of the next species. The broad central band which is all

white commences only at the second median nervule ; that por-

tion of it which crosses the disc is divided into five distinct yel-

lowish spots, the lowest cordate, the rest oblong, three of them

connected by black lines with the three spots near the tip of the

wing, which are also yellowish; the light linear bands of both

wings are broken and form chains of white spots ; within the cell

of the upper wing are three cross-lines of deep black, the space

between the outer two is oblong and pure white, that between the

second and third rufous, that within it white, divided longitudi-

nally by a black line; on the lower wing between the white band

and the body are two bands of white, the first short. Expansion

2 inches 7 lines.

In the British Museum, from Bolivia.

Heterochroa Lerna. Pl. XX. fig. 4.

Very nearly allied to the last-described species (H. Erotia), of

which it may possibly be only a remarkable variety. The central

band, which is entirely white, commences only at the second

median nervule in a semicircular form broadly separated from

the fulvous discoidal portion of the band. The three fulyous spots

260 Mr. W.C. Hewitson on some new species of Butterflies.

near the tip of the wing are smaller. In all other respects it is

the same. The undersides of both species are alike. Expansion

2 inches 7 lines.

In the British Museum, from Bolivia.

Heterochroa Donysa. Pl. XX. fig. 5.

Wings deep purple-brown, with a narrow central band of white

common to both, intersected by black nervules : commencing at

the third median nervule of the upper wing and extending to the

anal angle of the lower, its first segment small and indefinite, it

gradually tends, though very slightly, towards the anal angle of

the wing, and thus forms a very obtuse angle with its continuation

on the lower. Between its commencement and the tip of the

wing is a large, broad, oblong fulvous spot, curved in the direc-

tion of the posterior margin of the wing, extending from the ex-

treme anterior margin, where it is broadest, to the second me-

dian nervule, where it is only separated by a wide line of brown

from the first segment of the white band. On the upper wing

are two submarginal lines of light brown and a portion of a

third, on the lower wing three; at the anal angle of the lower

wing is a rather large fulvous patch and two small deep black

spots ; across the cell are the usual black lines.

Underside rufous; the white band is continuous from the an-

terior margin of the upper wing, indistinct at first and deeply’

sinuated before it reaches the median nervule; the fulvous spot

is lighter, especially at its edges; the marginal lines are white,

and between two of them at the anal angle of the upper wing is a

round black spot ; the disco-cellular of the upper wing is marked

by a rufous band, within which is one of lilac, then white, then

again rufous. Expansion 2 inches 7 lines.

From Mexico. In the British Museum and my own collection.

Heterochroa Fessonia. Pl. XX. fig. 6.

Wings brown with a central band of white, of nearly equal

breadth, common to both, extending from the anterior margin of

the upper wing to the anal angle of the lower, slightly arched

outwards on the upper wing; half-way between it and the tip of

the upper wing is a large irregular fulvous spot, rounded out-

wardly, sinuated on its inner margin ; below it, parallel to the

margin of both wings, are three indistinct bands of light brown

of unequal breadth ; at the anal angle are two small deep black

spots, and between them an irregular fulvous patch. Across the

cell of the upper wing are fine indistinct limes of black, some of

which are prolonged beyond ; across the cell of the lower wing are

also four similar black lines. Underside, the outline only of the

fulvous spot is indicated by indistinct lines of white ; parallel to

Mr. W. C. Hewitson on some new species of Butterflies. 261

the margin of both wings are also several whitish lunules ; within

the central band, crossing the cells of both wings, is a rufous

band edged with black and surrounded with white ; between it

and the central band on the lower wing across the cell is a second

short band of the same colour. Expansion 2 inches 8 lines.

In the British Museum, from Honduras.

Heterochroa Cestus. Pl. XXI. fig. 7.

Wings light brown with a broad central band of white com-

mon to both and extending from the anterior margin of the upper

wing to the anal angle of the lower and of nearly equal breadth,

curved slightly outwards on the upper wing, rounded at the anal

angle of the lower. Between the white band and the tip of the

upper wing is an oblong irregular fulvous spot trifid by black ner-

vures, the two lower portions the largest and cordate, surrounded

by dark brown, which is continued in three equidistant zigzag lines

parallel to the posterior margin till they reach the anal angle of

the lower wing, where the middle one terminates in two lunular

spots, between which is a T-shaped fulvous mark ; the space be-

tween the two outermost of these zigzag lines is of the lightest

brown, especially on the lower wing, where it is almost white.

On the upper wing between the white band and the body are the

usual black lines, two of which cross the cell and are prolonged

beyond ; the space within them is tinged with red ; on the lower

wing four similar lines in pairs cross the cell.

Underneath much lighter; instead of the trifid fulvous spot

are five white spots, two of which are red in the middle, two

brown ; the lightest zigzag marginal line is quite white, and be-

tween it and the margin is another broken white line ; across the

cells of both wings, as in the last species, is a continuous rufous

band edged with black and broadly margined with white. Ex-

pansion 2 inches 2 lines.

In the British Museum and my own collection, from Venezuela.

Heterochroa Alala. Pl. XXI. fig. 8.

Wings dark brown with a central narrow band of white inter-

sected by black nervules ; common to both, commencing at the

third median nervule of the upper wing by a nearly round distinct

spot, and extending to the anal angle of the lower, where bending

slightly inwards it terminates in a point. On the upper wing

between the commencement. of the white band and the subcostal

nervure are two small oval white spots, and between them and the

tip of the wing an oblong fulvous band divided by black nervules

into five distinct parts, the anterior small and hastate, the next

three larger and cordate, the fifth small and lunular followed by

two lunules of light brown sometimes tinged with red. Parallel

262 Mr. W. C. Hewitson on some new species of Butterflies.

to the posterior margin of both wings are two narrow lines of

light brown and between them and the white band on the lower

wing a third zigzag line of the same colour ; at the anal angle are

two round deep black spots of unequal size, the larger crowned

with bright fulvous, the smaller surrounded by it; the cells of

both wings are crossed by the usual black lines.

The underside is chiefly of a light reddish brown ; the fulvous

spots of the upper wing are nearly white; between them and the

tip are several small spots of white ; the space between the black

~ lines which inclose the disco-cellular nervule of the upper wing

is red-brown, that between the second pair of lines is white; on

the lower wing a zigzag line of reddish brown runs along the

outer margin of the white band. Expansion 2 inches 1 line.

In the British Museum and my own collection, from Venezuela.

Heterochroa Corcyra. Pl. XXI. fig. 9.

Wings dark brown with a narrow central band of white inter-

sected by black nervules; common to both, commencing at the

third median nervule of the upper wing by a cordate spot and

extending to near the anal angle of the lower wing, where it ter-

minates in a fine point scarcely connected with a small triangular

spot of the same colour, joined upwards from its commencement

to the subcostal nervure by an indistinct trifid whitish spot deeply

sinuated on its inner margin where it touches the median nervule ;

between it and the tip of the wing is a slightly curved band

of fine fulvous spots, the first and exterior one smallest and has-

tate, the next three cordate, the fifth large and oblong ; outside of

this and parallel to the posterior margin of both wings are two

lines of light brown, and between them and the central band on

the lower wing are six fulvous lunules, and at the anal angle a

large spot of the same colour, and two small deep black spots. On

the cells of both wings are the usual black lines. The underside

is of various shades of red-brown and pink ; the inner edge of the

white band is clearly defined by a dark margin of red-brown

which connects with it in one band the indistinct spots above the

median nervule, marking clearly the bend on the inner margin,

by which it is easily known from the next species; the fulvous

band of the upper wing is but slightly indicated by light reddish

brown. Expansion 2 inches 2 lines. .

In the British Museum, from New Grenada.

Heterochroa Collina. Pi. XXI. fig. 10.

Closely allied to the last-described species (H. Corcyra), from

which it differs in that the white band is widest in the middle,

from which it tapers to a point at each end, commencing at the

median nervure of the upper wing by an oblong narrow spot ; that

Mr. W. C. Hewitson on some new species of Butterflies. 263

the trifid spot between it and the subcostal nervure is whiter and

more distinct ; that the portion of it which touches the median

nervure, which in the last species is deeply sinuated and crescent-

shaped, is here round and entire ; that the fulvous band near the

tip of the upper wing is composed of siz divisions, the two lower

of which are large, forming together a triangle which is only se-

parated from the first two segments of the white band by a black

line; and that the fulvous lunular spots of the under wing are

wanting. Expansion 2 inches 4 lines.

In the British Museum and my own collection, from Quito.

Heterochroa Aricia. Pl. XXI. fig. 11.

Also closely allied to H. Corcyra, but differs from it in that the

white band commences on the upper wing by an oval spot, does

not meet equally at its edges in passing from one wing to the

other, and 1s curved inwards on the lower wing, where it termi-

nates at the anal angle in the form of a hook; that in the place

of the fulvous spots of the upper wing is a broad red band of

equal breadth, which crosses the whole wing parallel to the pos-

terior margin and the white band, from which it is only separated

by a line of brown; that the fulvous lunular spots of the lower

wing are wanting, and that the underside is mnch lighter. Ex-

pansion 2 inches 2 lines.

In the British Museum and my own collection, from Bolivia.

Heterochroa Arecosa. P\. XXI. fig. 12.

Upper wings long and slightly sinuated, under wings deeply

dentated with a short tail, light brown with a central band of

white common to both, commencing at the subcostal nervure of

the upper wing—between which and the margin is a small oblong

white spot—and extending to the anal angle of the lower ; broken

at its commencement into four distinct spets, the first oval and

distant from the rest, the second rounded and nearer, the third

and fourth oblong and touching, the rest distinctly intersected

by black nervules, the last segment at the anal angle triangular

and divided from the rest. Parallel to the margin of the upper

wing are two waved lines of dark brown, and also the five black

lines across the cell; the space between the middle line which is

very straight, and the next within it which is curved, is red as well

as the humeral angle. Parallel to the margin of the lower wing

is a waved dark brown line, and within it six large nearly round

spots of the same colour; at the anal angle is a large irregular

rufous patch, and in its centre two indistinct dark spots.

Underside light and indistinct ; the central band crosses the

entire wing unbroken; the marginal lines are white; a rufous band

crosses the cell of the upper wing, and another marks the posi-

264 Mr. A. White on some Cetoniade.

tion of the disco-cellular, each bordered by white; at the anal

angle of the lower wing are three round black spots, one large.

Expansion 2 inches 7 lines.

In my own collection, from Mexico and the West Indies.

XXV.—Remarks on some Cetoniade, with the description of a new

Australian species. By Apam Wutrs, F.L.S.,M.E.S. Stettin,

and Assistant in the Zoological Department British Museum.

ScHIzoRHINA, Kirby.

S. (Diarnonta) Bassi, White.

Yellow; with a black spot inclosing the eye, two roundish

black spots on the middle of the thorax placed transversely.

Elytra of a deeper and somewhat brownish yellow, with a seri-

ceous tinge; three black spots on each elytron, one near the

scutellum, a larger transverse one beyond the middle and nearer

the side than the suture,

and one small subapical

one: antenne and legs yel-

low ; pygidium yellow, with 2

extremely short, scattered, SS

bristly hairs, the surface SE

“quasi squamiformiter acu- |

davis ; i the metathorax —2*<_—

and greater part of the.

abdomen beneath shining

black; edges of the seg-

ments smooth, the bases

punctured; two largish

yellow spots placed on the middle of the abdomen; four yellow

triangular spots on the edge of the segments on each side.

Hab. Australia. “British Museum: from the collection of the

Entomological Club. |

The figure by Mr. William Wing gives its correct size and

form ; in Bal Pale this species approaches the S. atropunctata,

Kirby, Linn. Trans. vol. xii. p. 464 (found first by Robert Brown,

F.R.S., on Mimosas near Port Jackson), more than any other

Cetonia ; and I must confess that until Dr. Schaum attracted my

notice to it, it was placed with that species in the collection of the

British Museum, being regarded as a variety of the female: it

certainly seems to be in some sort the connecting link between

Diaphonia, Newman, and Schizorhina, Kirby, as restricted by

Dr. Burmeister.

The head, as in the subgenus Diaphonia, very slightly cleft in

front ; the sides nearly parallel, upper surface flat, rather coarsely

Mr. A. White on some Cetoniade. ‘965

punctured. Thorax with the sides very slightly, if at all, sinuated

posteriorly, the posterior angles rounded and not sharp, so as to

leave visible part of the mesothorax: the front edge of thorax

nearly straight; the puncturing very indistinct; the scutellum

proportionally larger than in other species of the genus. Elytra

much longer and narrower, the segments of the body projecting

considerably beyond them; the sutural edge more ridged; near

the suture is a longitudinal somewhat raised costa, the elytra are

punctured, the punctures generally running in longitudinal lines.

The specimen is a female, and excepting in the legs being much

less stout and hairy, they have a considerable resemblance to those

of the D. dorsalis; the tarsi of the first pair of legs are wanting.

Note.—The name Bassii is intended as a small compliment to

the bold and great discoverer, whose name will be ever comme-

morated in the wide ocean-strait which separates Van Diemen’s

Land from the great Australian continent. The name and dis-

coveries of George Bass, surgeon of the ‘ Reliance,’ are well re-

lated in the pages of Capt. Flinders: “he was a man whose

ardour for discovery was not to be repressed by any obstacles,

nor deterred by danger.”—Flinders’ Voyage to Terra Australis,

I. xevii. By botanists he is commemorated in the genus

Bassia.

It is not out of place here to make a few remarks in correction

of, and addition to, the lately published ‘ Nomenclature of Co-

leopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum,

Part I. Cetoniade,’ which was issued before Dr. Schaum had an

opportunity of seeing the national collection. This eminently

scientific entomologist has acquired, by purchase, the very spe-

cimens of Messrs. Gory and Percheron’s ‘Monographie des

Cétoines;’ he has had the advantage of Mr. Macleay’s and Dr.

Burmeister’s (still more extensive) labours ; and having had that

“learned leisure,” which so few of the desc. ibing naturalists of

this country can share even in the smallest portion, he has seen

and studied the collections in Berlin, Paris and other places.

The results of his assiduous researches he has communicated

in the ‘ Zeitschrift fiir die Entomologie’ of his uncle, Dr. Germar,

and in the ‘ Annales de la Société Entomologique de France” A

still further revision of this group may now be expected, since

his visit to the British Islands.

On p. 2 add B.M. to Mycteristes rhinophyllus from Java, as

we have lately acquired it.

Page 3: Dr. Schaum tells me that Compsocephalus Galinieri,

Reiche, notwithstanding what M. Reiche has written in the

‘Revue Zoologique Cuviérienne,’ is after all, what I suspected,

only synonymous with C. Horsfieldianus, White, described and

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 19

266 Mr. A, White on some Cetoniade.

roughly figured in the Anf. and Mag. of Nat. Hist. for 1845,

vol. xv. p. 40.

Aphelorrhina simillima, Westw., which, led by the name and

authority of Dr. Schaum, I placed after Dymusia, should be

placed after Stephanorhina guttata, and may after all prove, like

many pseudo-called species of Onthophagus, only a starved variety

of the male of Stephanorhina guttata, or at least of a closely

allied species. It would be well for naturalists to read the ad-

mirable remarks of M,. Mulsant of Lyons, at pp. 103 and 104 |

of the volume of the ‘Hist. Nat. des Coléopteres de France,’

describing the Lamellicorn Beetles (Paris, 1842).

The Rhomborhina dives of Westw., as Dr. Schaum pointed out,

is the R. Mellit of Gory and Percheron, but not of Burmeister.

On p. 6 add B.M. to Anomalocera Parrii, as we have lately

received a-specimen. This genus seemed hardly separable from

Coryphocera.

At p. 7, and after C. amena, add Coryphocera tibialis, Westw.,

India, lately acquired; and Coryphocera glaberrima, Westw.,

India, also lately added.

At p. 9, Allorrhina affinis and A. confinis are regarded by Dr.

Schaum as only local varieties of Allorrhina scabriuscula, and as

he has seen more specimens than myself, I believe he is right.

At p. 10 add B.M. Honduras to Cotinis cavifrons, Dup., Burm.,

which I had regarded as a new species of Allorrhina, and named

A. trisulcata. I question whether the genera Tiarocera and

Allorrhina are distinct enough from Cotinis, and this remark

would extend to other genera of Cetoniade.

Page 11: Gymnetis Vigorsii, Dr. Schaum regards as only a

variety of the preceding species, G. undulata, Vigors; there are

some other alterations he would make in the genus Gymnetis,

but from not having many specimens, I can neither confirm nor

resist these changes. The genus, or rather group, wants revi-

sion very much.

Page 14: between Gymnetis strigosa and G. hieroglyphica is

placed Gymnetis Dysoni, White, a species with the head, thorax

above and elytra of a yellowish rhubarb or rather tile-colour

(elytris, thoraceque supra flavescenti-lateritiis), spotted and

marked with black, differing in different specimens, the head

margined with black and with a black spot on the middle, the

legs and under parts deep shining black, the sternum projecting,

somewhat curved downwards, and very blunt and widened at the

end.

As Dr. Schaum has a specimen, an elaborate description may

be expected from him. I may merely say that it was found in

Venezuela at Curiafia, twenty-four miles from La Guayra. Mr.

David Dyson told me as a curious circumstance, that when shoot-

Dr. Leach’s Classification of the British Mollusca. 267

ing a humming-bird, he brought down his bird, a large Sphinz,

and this pretty species of Gymnetis, at the same shot ; our speci-

men has still the mark where the shot struck it.

I have named it in compliment to Mr. Dyson, who has been

a most assiduous collector of zoological specimens in Honduras

and Venezuela. Mr. Doubleday has named a very striking

species of Butterfly, Euterpe Dysoni (Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist.

vol. xix. p. 385), after him. There has not been a more active

or intelligent collector in this country than Mr. Dyson.

On p. 15, as Dr. Schaum pointed out to me, remove Clinteria

flavomarginata, and put it as a variety of C. atra; we have lately

acquired two specimens of this pretty variety.

At p. 15 add Clinteria Hoffmeisteri, White, a very distinct

hairy species from Northern India, lately acquired by the

Museum.

[To be continued. ]

XXVI.—The Classification of the British Mollusca.

By W. E. Leacn, M.D.

To Richard Taylor, Esq.

_ My pear Sir, September 9th, 1847.

Iw a late visit to the North I observed that several British con-

chologists were much interested in knowing what was the arrange-

ment of British Mollusca proposed by my late excellent friend and

first teacher in zoology Dr. Leach, and that some of them had even

taken the trouble to copy the proof sheets of his work which were

in the possession of one or two persons.

Knowing that several copies of Dr. Leach’s list were in circu-

lation, his names being in common use in several cabinets at the

time he was at work on the subject, [ applied to Mr. James Francis

Stephens, who was in constant communication with Dr. Leach,

and he at once produced me the list which I herewith send, with

the heading it now bears, and a former one not so complete; but as

this list contains a few names not inserted in the latter one, I have

added them in their places, marking them with an asterisk and

with the date of the first list, 1816.

It is much to be regretted that Dr. Leach’s MSS., which I am

aware were prepared with the characters of his genera in detail,

have not been printed, that his extensive labours on this part of

the animal kingdom should not be lost to the world. To make

the list more easily understood, I have added the genus to which

Montagud@ or Lamarck has referred the species, after the name

used by Dr. Leach.

I am much inclined, as these names were for years exhibited

19*

268 = Dr. Leach’s Classification of the British Mollusca.

in the Museum collection and in the cabinets of Mr. Stephens,

the late Mr. James Sowerby, my own and others, to regard them

as published and having priority from 1818. Risso, Capt. Brown

and others have published several of them in their works.

I am, dear Sir, yours truly,

J. E. Gray.

“Classification of the British Mollusca byW.E. Leach,M.D.,1818.”

1. CEPHALOPODA.

1. Ocroropa.

1. Sepiolade.

1. Polypus antiquorum.

2. Decaropa.

2. Sepiade.

2. Sepiola Rondeletii.

3. Sepia officinalis.

3. Loliginide.

4. Loligo magna.

parva.

2. GASTEROPODA.

1. GYMNOBRANCHIA.

1. Doridide.

5. Doris Montagui.

Britannica.

vulgaris.

Rocinella.

Elfortiana.

Leachil.

marginata.

nodosa.

coccinea.

6. Cufzea plana.

2. Eolidiade.

7. Eolidia ?

3. Tritoniade.

8. Tritonia Hombergii.

9. Idalia maculata.

2. STEGOBRANCHIA.

1. Pleurobranchide.

10. Cleanthus Montagui. Bulla

plumula, Mont.

11. Osanius argentatus.

(B.

membranaceus, Mont.)

2. Aplysiade.

12. Aplysia varians.

13. Esmia Griffithsiana.

3. Marseniade.

14. Marsenia producta.

haliotoidea, Mont.

complanata. Bulla, Mont.

4. Bullade.

15.-Bullea planciana.

aperta, Linn.

catena. Bulla, Mont.

16. Scaphanderlignarius. Bulla,

Linn.

catenatus.

Brownii.

17. Haminea Cuvieri.

datis, Mont.

Leach, 1816.

dilatata.

elegans. Bulla eleg., Gray.

18. Eucampe Donovani. Bulla

akera, Mont.

19. Roxania Cranchii.

Bulla

B. hy-

B. Lamarckii, |

3. SACCOBRANCHIA,

1. Limacide.

20. Arion Empiricorum.

hortensis.

21. Limax antiquorum.

maculatus.

variegatus.

carinatus.

agrestis.

2. Helicide.

22. Succinea Mulleri.

tris, Mont.

23. Vitrina Draparnaldi.

24. Helix aspersa. Helix

25. Tachea nemoralis.

hortensis.

H. pu-

Dr. Leach’s Classification of the British Mollusca.

26. Arianta arbustorum.

27. Pomatia antiquorum.

28. Teba cingenda.

virgata. :

cantiana.

carthusianella. H. Gibbsii.

rufescens.

caperata.

(fulva). H. trochiformis, /.

(hispida).

aculeata.

(spinulosa), Mont.

29. Zonites ericetorum.

radiatus.

rupestris.

nitidus.

crystallinus.

30. Chilotrema Lapicida. Helix,

Linn.

31. Zurama pulchella. Helix, L.

32. Elismia fasciata. Turbo, M.

33. Ena montana. H. Lackha-

mensis, Mont.

obscura. Helix, Mont.

34. Zua lubrica. Helix, Mont.

35. Balea fragilis. ‘Turbo per-

versus, Linn.

36. Clausilia laminata.

Mont.

Rolphii.

biplicata. Turbo, Mont.

rugosa. T. bidens, Mont.

37. Azeca Matoni.

38. Abida secale. T. juniperi, M.

39. Pupilla Draparnaldi.

. marginata. Turbo, Turt.

40. Vertigo palustris. /

vulgaris.

heterostropha. T. vertigo,

Mont.

(40*. Acicula pellucida. Buc.

terrestre, Mont.) Left out ap-

parently by mistake.

3. Carychiade.

41. Carychium minimum. Tur-

bo C., Mont.

42. Jaminia bidentata. Voluta,

Mont.

43. Alexia denticulata. Voluta,

Mont.

Turbo,

4. Lymnade.

44. Stagnicola *octonfracta.

Helix, Mont.

*communis (palustris).

minuta, var.

*elegans. (stagnalis, var.)

vulgaris (stagnalis).

45. Gulnaria peregra. Helix, M.

lacustris.

auricularia. Helix, M.

46. Myxas Mulleri (glutinosa).

47. Physa fontinalis. Bulla, M.

48. Nauta Hypnorum.

49. Planorbis *corneus.

albus.

carinatus.

marginatus.

Sheppardi.

*imbricatus.

*contortus.

*V ortex.

spinorbis.

50. Hemithalamus nitidus. Nau-

tilus lacustris, Mont.

5. Ancylide.

51. Ancylus lacustris.

Mont.

fluviatilis. -

Patella,

4. PHYLLOBRANCHIA. 9 _

1. Todeide. ff

52. Iodes angulatus. .<—?

Norrisii. 4

2. Cypreade.

53. Cypreea europea.

54. Simia Pennantiana. Bulla

patula. B. Blainvillii, 1816.

55. Marginella anglica. Cyprea

Voluta, Mont.

3. Purpuride.

56. Acteon tornatilis.

Mont.

57. Ocenebra erinacea. Murex,

Mont.

58. Purpura lapillus. Buc., M.

Voluta,

59. Hinia *minuta. Nassa.

reticulata.

*levigata. Planaxis mol-

lis, Sow.

269

270

60. Buccinum *Puxleianum.

undatum. Buc., M.

antiquatum. Murex, M.

*corneum. Murex, M.

Bamfium. Murex, M.

Turricula. Murex, M.

*B. Leachii, Leach, 1816.

61. Fusus muricatus. Murex,

Mont.

asperrimus.

62. Mangelia gracilis. Murex,

Mont. Pleurotoma, Leach,

1816.

purpurea. Murex, Mont.

elegans.

linearis. Murex, Mont.

costata. Murex. M. Bela

Donovani, Leach, 1816.

Goodallii.

lineata.

63. Bela nebula. Murex, Mont.

rufa.

_Cranchii.

minima. Bucc., Mont.

septangularis. Murex, M.

attenuata. Murex, M.

64. Aphorais Pes-pelecani. Strom-

bus, M.

65. Bittium reticulatum. Murex.

tuberculare. Murex.

adversum. Murex.

-elegantissimum.

Spenceri.

4. Turbonide.

66. Sabanza eburnea.

ventrosa. Turbo, Mont.

rubra. Turbo, Mont.

interrupta. Turbo, Mont.

cingilla. Turbo, Mont.

**Var.T. semistriata, M.”

unifasciata. Turbo, Mont.

ulve. Turbo, Mont.

unidentata.

plicata.

paucicostata.

67. Assiminea Grayana.

68. Scalaria clathrus.

Linn.

Prideauxiana.

Turbo,

Dr. Leach’s Classification of the British Mollusca.

Scalaria Trevellyana.

clathratulus: Turbo, J.

69. Turritella terebra. Turbo,,

Mont.

unica. Turbo, Mont..

nitidissima. Turbo, Mont.

vitrea.

punctura.

truncatula,

elegantissima. Turbo, M.

Ebala eleg. Leach, 1816.

*E.crenata, Leach,1816.

70. Turbonilla varians.

Montagui.

costata.

decussata.

striata.

pallida. —

transparens.

angusta.

nivosa.

vitrea.

71. Alvania striata. -

Cranchii.

costata.

(‘«71*. Alvania zetlandica, Tur-

bo perforatus.’’)

72. Zippora Drummondii.

73. Trochus tenuis, Mont.

irregularis.

*T. Lyonsii, Leach, 1816.

ziziphinus, Mont.

Clelandi.

Cranchii.

Montagui, Leach MSS. ;

Gray ; Wood, Sup. f.

74. 'Trochius crassus. ‘Trochus,

Mont.

75. Gibbula tumida.

Mont.

striata.

lineata. Trochus, M. & R.

magus. ‘Trochus, Linn.

76. Natica Britannica. N. glau-

cina, Mont.

’ Lamarckii.

Forbes.

77. Nerita littoralis, Linn.

78. Neritina europea.

79. Temana pallidula. Nerita, M

Trochus,

N. Alderi,

Dr. Leach on the Classification of the British Mollusca.

Temana lacuna. Helix, Mont.

T. Flemingii, Leach,

1816.

variabilis.

puteolus.

80. Turbo littoreus, Linn.

striatus.

rudis, Mont.

tenebrosus, Mont.

petricola.. H. petrea, M.

striatulus.

81. Turboella rufilabris, Risso.

scotica.

Goodalliana.

calathriscus.

punctata.

zetlandica.

Hutchingsiana.

brevis.

82. Epheria Bulveri. Turbo ca-

nalis, Mont.

vincta. Turbo, Mont.

quadrifasciata. Turbo, M.

E. Goodallii, Leach,

1816.

83. Turbona reticulata.

semicostata.

84, Littorelea Pultneyii.

85. Medoria crassior. Turbo, M.

Damnoniensis.

tenebrosa.

86. Margarites diaphana. He-

lix Marg. Mont. Margarita,

Leach, 1816.

87. Truncatula truncata. Trun-

catella, Risso.

subtruncata.

88. Thicolia varians. Turbo pul-

lus, Mont.

89. Balcis Montagui. Helix po-

lita, Mont.

testacea.

arcuata.

5. Paludinide.

90. Valvata Mulleri.

fontinalis.

91. Paludina vulgaris;

achatina.

92. Bithinia jaculator.

ventricosa.

271

5. ANTROBRANCHIA.

1. Cyclostomiade.

93. Cyclostoma elegans.

6. ASPIDOBRANCHIA.

1. Fissurellide.

94. Fissurella greeca. Patella,M.

95. Cemoria Montagui. P. aper-

tura, Mont.

Flemingii. P. Naochina.

96. Emarginula vulgaris. P. fis-

sura, Mont.

2. Capulide.

97. Capulus hungaricus.

tella, Mont.

98. Mitella sinensis. Patella, M.

7, CYcLOBRANCBIA.

1. Patellade.

99. Patella vulgata.

parva.

Clelandi.

100. Patina levis.

pellucida.

2. Chitonide.

101. Lepidopleura punctulatus.

carinatus.

albus.

102. Acanthocheetes vulgaris.

103. Chiton cinereus.

Flemingii.

ruber.

Cranchii.

tuberculatus.

fuscatus.

levis.

latus.

scoticus.

variegatus.

3. Ascidia.

1. Tethydes. 1. Tethyade.

104. Botryllus Leachii.

Schlosseri.

Savigniil.

Geertneri.

2. Ascidiade.

105. Ascidia Britannica.

papillosa.

Pa-

Patella, M.

272

Pholadiade. .

Teredo 1. navalis.

Pholas 1. crispata.

2. parva.

3. dactylus.

ae ?

Barnia 1. candida.

Gastrocheena 1. fulva.

Biapholus 1. spinosus.

2. rugosus.

Soleniade.

Solen 1. marginata.

2. siliqua. ©

(8. novacula.)

3. ensis.

4. pellucidus.

Pharus 1. legumen.

Azor 1. antiquatés.

2. variabilis.

Myade.

Magdala (striata).

“Mya 1. arenaria.

2. truncata.

Thracia 1. preetenuis.

2. declivis.

3. (Montagui).

4. distorta.

Lutraria 1. elliptica.

2. solenoides.

Abra 1. Listeri. (compressa.)

2. tenuis.

3. Boysii.

4, prismatica.

Mactraide.

Mactra 1. stultorum.

2. subtruncata.

3. truncata.

4, solida.

Lembulus 1. minutus.

Nucula 1. margaritacea.

Veneriade.

Cyclas 1. rivicola.

2. cornea.

3. (stagnicola).

4. amnica.

Lasza 1. rubra.

Tellina 1. solidula.

2. tenuis.

Dr. Leach’s Classification of the British Mollusca.

Tellina 3. fabula.

4, squalida.

5. donacina.

Psammobia 1. feroensis.

Donax 1. complanata.

2. trunculus.

Capsa 1. Irus.

2. perforans.

3. pullastra.

. 4. reticulata.

5. virgo.

6, crocea. —

Venus 1. Chione.

2. verrucosa.

3. laminosa.

4. gallina.

. Prideauxii.

. fasciata.

. Damnoniensis.

. scotica.

. minima.

10. compressa.

Cassina.

©OOnNTAH

11. mercenaria. (Islandica.)

12. ovata.

Asa 1. exoleta.

2. lingta. /

_Thyatira 1. lactea. &

(Loripes) 2. radula.

3. flexuosa.

Mysia 1. undata.

2. Montagui.

Cyrachea 1. spinifera.

« Arcopagia 1. crassa.

- Cardium 1. aculeatum.

2. echinatum.

B. ciliare. ~ |

3. tuberculatum.

8. nodosum.

4, edule.

B. rusticum.

5. zonatum.

6. exiguum.

7. levigatum.

Isocardia 1. Cor.

Arcade.

Arca 1. fusca.

2. Pennantii.

Unionide.

Unio 1. pictorum.

2. ovalis.

Royal Society. 278

Anodonta 1. cygnea. Pecten 1. maximus.

f. stagnalis. 2. vulgaris.

y- anatinus. 3. varians.

o. avonenis. 4. distortus.

Damalis 1. margaritifera. 5. obsoletus.

Pectunculide. 6. (levis).

Pectunculus 1. pilosus. Ostreade.

Aviculade. Ostrea 1. edulis.

Avicula 1. ~——? Anomia 1. striata.

Piinale: 2. cymbiformis.

‘Pinna 1. fragilis. Scephip epi

2. elegans. Terebratulade.

Mytilus 1. edulis.

2. pellucidus. Terebratula 1. cranium.

2. ?

__ 3. elegans.

Modiola Zs Ve ka Incerta sedes.

. Gibbsii. :

3. Prideauxii. eafrttioies ste:

4. discrepans. seco

5 dj bidentata.

aerTe Solen squamosus.

Pectenide. pinna.

Lima 1, Goodallii. Mactra triangularis.

2. bisulcata.

N.B. The names of the bivalves were copied by Mr. Stevens from

a catalogue prepared at another time, and hence the difference in

the position of the numbers.

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

ROYAL SOCIETY.

June17,1847.—*“ On the Structure and Development of the Liver.”

By C. Handfield Jones, M.B., Cantab. Communicated by Sir Benjamin

C. Brodie, Bart., F.R.S., &e. .

The author gives a detailed description of the structure of the

liver in animals belonging to various classes of the animal kingdom.

He states that in the Bryozoon, a highly organized polype, it is clearly

of the follicular type; and that in the Asterias, the function of the

liver is probably shared between the closed appendage of the stomach

and the terminal ceca of the large ramifying prolongations of the

digestive sac contained in the several rays. Among the Annulosa,

the earthworm presents an arrangement of the elements of the he-

patic organ, corresponding in simplicity with the general configura-

tion of the body, a single layer of large biliary cells being applied as

a kind of coating over the greater part of the intestinal canal. In

another member of the same class, the Leech, in which the digest-

ive cavity is much less simple, and presents a number of sacculi

on each side, these elements have a very different disposition; and:

274 Royal Society.

the secreting cells, although some remain isolated, for the most

part coalesce to form tubes, having a succession of dilatations

and constrictions, and finally uniting and opening into the intes-

tine. In Insects, the usual arrangement is that of long curved fila-

mentary tubes, which wind about the intestine; these, in the meat

fly, are sacculated throughout the greater part of their course, till

they arrive quite close to the pylorus, where they open; near their

origin they appear to consist of separate vesicles, which become

gradually fused together, but occasionally they are seen quite sepa-

rate. The basement membrane of the tubes is strongly marked,

and encloses a large quantity of granular matter of a yellowish tinge,

with secreting cells; another portion of the liver consists of sepa-

rate cells lying in a granular blastema, which cells, in a later stage

of development, are seen to be included in vesicles or short tubes

of homogeneous membrane, often coalescing and exhibiting a more

or less manifestly plexiform arrangement; this portion. of the

liver is regarded by Mr. Newport as really adipose tissue. The

author has termed it the parenchymatous portion of the liver, on

account of its general appearance and mode of development, though

he has not been able to determine whether the tubes always origi-

nate from it. Among the Arachnida, the follicular type of arrange-

ment prevails; and the same is the case with the Crustacea, the folli-

cles in these last being distinctly visible to the naked eye. In Mol-

lusca also, we find the follicular arrangement universally to obtain;

yet in certain cases the limiting membrane of the follicles cannot be

shown to exist, and the author therefore thinks that its importance

is probably not great, but that it serves chiefly to fulfil the me-

chanical function which its synonym “ basement” indicates. The

quantity of retained secretion in the liver of molluscs seems clearly

to imply that the bile in them is not an excrementitious fluid ; it is

used slowly on account of the imperfect character of the respira-

tion.

In passing from the Invertebrata to the Vertebrate division of the

animal kingdom, and beginning with the class of Fishes, a great

change is immediately manifest in the form and character of the

biliary organ ; it is now a gland of solid texture, to which the term

parenchymal is justly applied. Two portions may be distinguished

in it, namely, the secreting parenchyma, consisting of delicate cells,

or very often of nuclei, granular and elaborated matters in great

part, and the excreting ducts, which, though completely obscured

by the surrounding bulky parenchyma, may yet be satisfactorily de-

monstrated, and traced often to their terminal extremities in the

following manner. Ifa branch of the hepatic duct be taken up in

the forceps, it may be dissected out without much difficulty from

the surrounding substance, which is very soft and yields readily to

gentle manipulation; when a trunk is in this way removed and

placed under the microscope, a multitude of minute ramifications

are seen adhering to it; among these not a few may be discovered,

which do not appear to have suffered injury ; some are occasionally

seen terminating by distinctly closed extremities ; more usually the

Royal Society. 275

duct becomes very minute and gradually loses all definite structure,

appearing at last like a mere tract of granular matter; in either

case there is no communication by continuity with the surrounding

parenchyma. Large yellow corpuscles, peculiar cells, and a consi-

derable quantity of free oily matter usually existing in the liver of

various fishes, seem generally to indicate a great superiority in the

amount of secretory over that of excretory action, and to betoken

clearly the feeble intensity of the a€rating function.

In Reptiles, there is the same arrangement in the liver, namely,

a secreting parenchyma of cells and an apparatus of excretory ducts,

which have the same essential characters as those of fishes; but

there exists very frequently in the parenchyma remarkable dark

corpuscles, which appear to be masses of retained biliary matter,

the import of which, in the situation they occupy, is doubtless the

same as that of the similar masses existing in fishes. °

In Birds, the parenchyma of the liver is remarkably free from oily

or retained biliary matters; it often consists almost wholly of free

nuclei and granular matter, with scarcely a single perfect cell; the

excretory ducts often greatly resemble those of reptiles, sometimes

rather those of mammalia; the essential character is, however, always

the same, namely, that they terminate without forming any important

connexion with the parenchyma.

In Mammalia, the parenchyma of the liver consists usually of per-

fect cells, which are arranged often in linear series of considerable

length, radiating from the axis of each lobule; these unite at various

points with each other, so as to present a more or less decidedly

plexiform appearance. Each lobule, as described by Mr. Kiernan,

is separated from the adjacent ones by the terminal twigs of the

portal vein, and to a greater or less extent by a “ fissure,” though in

most animals the lobules are continuous with each other both above

and below the fissure. The elaboration of the secreted product

seems to be most completely effected in the cells adjoining the

margins of the lobules, which are often seen to contain a larger

quantity of biliary matter than those in the interior, and to be appa-

rently in the act of discharging it into the fissure; the margin of

the lobule then presents an irregular surface with large globules of

the secretion clustering together all over it. The capsule of Glisson

surrounding the vessels in the portal canals gives a fibrous invest-

ment to those surfaces of the lobules which are towards the canal ;

but when it has arrived in the fissures, it forms a continuous mem-

brane lining the surfaces of opposite lobules ; this membrane is often

truly homogeneous, and closely resembles the basement tissue: there

appears occasionally to be a delicate epithelium on its free surface ;

but this, as well as the membrane itself, is often absent, when the

margin of the lobules is in that condition which has just been de-

scribed and which may be termed active. The minute branches of

the hepatic duct as they approach their termination undergo a re-

markable alteration in their structure; they lose their fibrous coat,

which blends itself with the membranous expansions of the capsule

of Glisson ; their basement membrane becomes gradually indistinct,

276 Royal Society.

and at last ceases to exist, and the epithelial particles no longer

retain their individuality, but appear to be reduced to mere nuclei,

set very close together in a faintly granular basis substance. The

mode of their termination is not uniformly the same; frequently they

present distinctly closed rounded extremities, between one and two

thousandths of an inch in diameter; at other times they seem to

cease gradually in the midst of fibrous tissue, the nuclei alone being

disposed for some little way in such a manner as to convey the idea

of a continuation of the duct. These ducts can seldom be dis-

cerned in the fissures, but have several times been seen in the

“spaces,” where several fissures unite; they do not form anything

like a plexus between the lobules. From the anatomical relation of

the ducis to the parenchyma, and from the circumstance that a

distinct vessel conveying a different kind of blood is distributed to

the hepatic duct, as soon as the liver assumes the parenchymal form,

it seems probable that the mode in which the secreted bile is con-

veyed out of the organ, is by its permeating the coats of the minute

ducts in obedience to an endosmotic attraction, which takes place

between the bile in which the ducts may be said to be bathed, and

a denser (perhaps mucous) fluid formed in their interior. The

large quantity of oily matter frequently existing in a free state in

the secreting parenchyma of the liver, which must be regarded as a

product of secretory action, seems to suggest the idea, that a cer-

tain quantity of the biliary secretion may be directly absorbed into

the blood, and in this manner conveyed away from the organs, just

as occurs in the thyroid body, suprarenal capsules, and other

glands unprovided with efferent ducts.

With respect to the development of the liver, the author considers

the opinion of Reichart to be decidedly the correct one, namely,

that its formation commences by a cellular growth from the germi-

nal membrane, independently of any protrusion of the intestinal

canal. On the morning of the fifth day, the cesophagus and stomach

are clearly discernible, the liver lying between the heart, which is in

front, and the stomach which is behind; it is manifestly a parenchy-

mal mass, and its border is quite distinct and separate from the digest-

ive canal; at this period, the vitelline duct is wide, it does not open

into the abdominal cavity, but its canal is continued into an anterior

and posterior division, which are tubes of homogeneous membrane,

filled, like the duct, with opaque oily contents; the anterior one

runs forwards, and forms behind the liver a terminal expanded

cavity, from which then passes one offset, which, gradually dilating,

opens into the stomach; a second, which runs ina direction up-

wards and backwards, and forms apparently a cecal prolongation ;

and a third and fourth, which are of smaller size, arise from the

anterior part of the cavity and run to the liver, though they cannot

be seen to ramify in its substance ; at a somewhat later period, these

offsets waste away, excepting the one which is continued into the

stomach, and then the mass of the liver is completely free and un-

connected with any part of the intestine. As the vitelline duct

contracts, the anterior and posterior prolongations of it become

- Loological Society. 277

fairly continuous and form a loop of intestine, the posterior division

being evidently destined to form the cloaca and lower part of the

canal. The final development of the hepatic duct takes place about

the ninth day by a growth proceeding from the liver itself, and

consisting of exactly similar material ; this growth extends towards

the lower part of the loop of duodenum, which is now distinct, and

appears to blend with the coats of the intestine ; around it, at its

lower part, the structure of the pancreas is seen to be in process of

formation. The further progress of development of the hepatic

duct will, the author thinks, require to be carefully examined, but

the details he has given in this paper have satisfied him of the cor-

rectness of the statement that the structure of the liver is essentially

parenchymal.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

June 8, 1847.—Harpur Gamble, Esq., M.D., in the Chair.

The following papers were read :—

1. On tHe FiInNER WHALES, WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF A NEW

sprciEs. By J. E. Gray, Esa., F.R.S. ere.

Sibbald has described and figured two specimens of Finner Whale.

Artedi, and after him Linneus, regarded these figures as represen-

tations of separate species, but the characters which they gave for the

species appear to depend solely on the state the specimens were

in when described and figured. ‘These species have been generally

adopted in the Fauna of this country.

The Wuatezs appear to differ greatly from one another in the de-

gree of mobility of the neck, as is well-shown in the union or sepa-

ration of the cervical vertebrze, and in the variations in the develop-

ment of their lateral and spinous processes.

The union or separation of the cervical vertebre appears to afford

good generic distinctions.

Duvernoy, in the second edition of Cuvier’s ‘ Comparative Ana-

tomy,’ has observed, “In the Cetacea the seven cervical vertebre

of the genus Balena are all soldered together, and sometimes the first

dorsal is equally soldered to the cervical.

“In the genus Physeter the atlas is distinct, and the six other

vertebre are soldered.

“In the Delphinus the atlas and axis only are united, and the five

other vertebra remain separate, but they are very thin.

“Lastly, in the Rorquals (Pike Whales), Delphinus gangeticus

(the genus Platanista), the Dugong and Lamantin, they are all or

nearly all separate.”—Duvernoy in Cuv. Anat. Comp. ed. 2. i. 195.

I may further observe, that in Balenoptera rostrata, which I have

considered as the type of Balenoptera, the second and third cervical

vertebre are united by their spinous processes, while the fourth, fifth,

sixth and seventh vertebre are separate and well-developed ; while in

Physalus Boops, antiquorum and Sibbaldii, and in Megapteron longi-

manus they are all well-developed, and separate from one another.

In the Grampus (Orca gladiator) the first five cervical vertebré are

278 Zoological Society.

united together into one body, and the sixth and seventh are very thin,

rudimentary and separate. In Hyperoodon all the cervical vertebre

are rudimentary and united, as in Balena. In Monoceros the first

and second cervical vertebre are separate and large, and the re-

mainder are very thin, separate, and nearly rudimentary.

M. Cuvier (Oss. Foss. v. 378, 380) has observed that the second

and third cervical vertebrae of the Cape Megapteron are united

together by their bodies: this does not appear to be the case with

the Greenland Megapteron longimanus.

The union of the vertebree in the different genera appears to take

place at an early period in the life of the animal, for in the skeleton

of a young Balenoptera rostrata which has the epiphysis of the ver-

tebre and arm-bones quite separate, the vertebree were firmly united.

Cuvier, in his researches on the Whales (Oss. Foss. v. i. 378, 380.

t. 26. f. 13 and 18), observes that the two kinds of true Whale (Ba-

lena) might be distinguished by the form of the lateral processes ;

and Professor Eschricht of Copenhagen has made the same observa-

tion with respect to the Finner or Pike Whales (Balenoptera) ; and

from what I have observed, they appear to present the best character

for the distinction of the species, for there can be no doubt that the

expanded lateral processes of the Physalus antiquorum must be for

a very different purpose, and require very different muscles for their

movements than the short lateral processes of Physalus Boops and

Sibbaldii.

In my Essay on the Cetaceous animals published in the ‘ Zoology

of H.M.S. Erebus and Terror,’ from the examination of several ske-

letons and their fragments and the descriptions of different authors,

I attempted to establish that there were three distinct British spe-

cies, distinguished by good zoological and osteological characters.

Having lately had occasion to examine other specimens, and being

enabled to make more minute comparison, I am now satisfied that

there is a fourth species which inhabits our coast, and the re-examina-

tion of these specimens has enabled me to correct some inaccuracies

in my former account.

In the paper above referred to I proposed to divide the genus Ba-

lenoptera into three subgenera; but on reconsideration I think it

preferable that it should be divided into two genera, retaining the

name Balenoptera for one of the species, and using the old generic

name of Physalus for the other three, the genera being established

on both zoological and osteological characters.

Genus BatanoprTerRA, PIKED WHALES.

The pectoral fin one-third and the dorsal fin two-thirds the length

of the body from the end of the nose. The second and third cer-

vical vertebrae united by the spinous process. The lateral process

of the second cervical vertebra rather expanded, united, wing-like.

Vertebre 46 to 48. The pectoral fin moderate, about one-eighth

the length of the body. Dorsal fin behind the orifice of generation.

Chest with longitudinal folds.

Zoological Society. 279

BaL#ZNopreRA ROsTRATA, Gray, Zool. Voy. H.M.S. Erebus and

Terror, 50. t, 2.

Balena rostrata, Miller, Hunter, &c.

Rorquaius minor, Knox, Jardine N.L. 142. t. 7.

Inhabits the British coast, North Seas, Greenland.

There is a skeleton of this species in the British Museum, and a

‘skull in the museum of the Hull Philosophical Society.

In this species the first cervical vertebra is rather broader than

long; the central hole is half as high again as broad. The second

and third cervical vertebre are united together by the upper edge.

The second cervical vertebra has a broad, much-expanded, lateral

process, with an oblong central hole near the body of the vertebra,

reaching rather more than half its length. The third, fourth, fifth

and sixth cervical vertebree have two (upper and lower) lateral pro-

cesses; the upper process of the third is the shortest and least de-

veloped, and these processes increase in length to the sixth. The

lower process of the third is the thickest; the fourth and fifth rather

small, and in the sixth the basal part of the process is shorter, and

the upper part much-elongated and thinner. The seventh has only

the upper process, which resembles that of the first dorsal in form,

but is smaller.

This species is the smallest of the family, and rarely if ever ex-

ceeds twenty-five or thirty feet inlength. It is easily known by the

white spot on the base of the upper side of the pectoral fin.

Genus Puysatus, FINNER WHALES.

The pectoral fin one-fourth, the dorsal fin three-fourths the length

of the body from the end of the nose. The cervical vertebre all

separate and free. Vertebrz 54 to 64. Pectoral fin moderate, about

one-eighth the length of the body. Dorsal fin behind the orifice of

generation. Chest with longitudinal folds.

This genus may be divided into two sections, according to the form

of the transverse apophyses of the cervical vertebre.

* The transverse apophyses of the cervical vertebre much-expanded,

united, forming a ring in the second to the sixth vertebre. Puysauus.

1. PHYSALUS ANTIQUORUM.

Balena Physalus, Scoresby.

Balenoptera antiquorum, Mischer, Syn. 325; Gray, Z. E. & T. 50.

Rorqual de la Mediterranée, Cuvier, Os. Foss.

Inhabits British Ocean, Mediterranean,

Skeleton at Black-Gang Chine, from Isle of Wight, and in Mr,

Patch’s show, from Plymouth.

The transverse apophyses are as broad as the body of the vertebra,

and the latter is oblong, half as broad again as high. Vertebre 54,

viz. 7 cervical, 18 dorsal, 17 lumbar, and 17 caudal. ‘The ribs are

simple.

The lateral processes of the cervical vertebre are much longer than

the width of the body of the vertebra; the lateral process of the

280 Zoological Society.

second cervical has a small, nearly central perforation, and this per-

foration gradually becomes larger on each succeeding vertebra, until

in the sixth it nearly occupies the whole disc of the lateral process,

the seventh being only found with a narrow elongated process from

the upper edge, the lower process being reduced into the form of a

small tubercle.

The Plymouth specimen is travelling the country, curiously

mounted in three caravans (the first containing the head, the second

the thorax, and the third the middle of the tail), so as to exhibit the

parts of the skeleton in their proper situations when the caravans

are placed one after the other with their ends removed, and the cer-

vical, lumbar, and caudal vertebree suspended between or beyond

them.

This specimen was found floating on the sea in a decomposed state

on the 20th of October, 1831, in Plymouth Sound, and is said to

have been 102 feet long and 75 feet in circumference, but most

likely the abdominal cavity was distended by internal decompo-

sition.

The lumbar vertebre are thick and large; both these characters

must render this Finner much more powerful and active in the water

than any of its allies. The lower jaw 17 feet long; the blade-bone

32 inches by 51; the upper arm-bone 20 inches long by 104 wide;

the lower arm-bone 31 inches long. The lumbar vertebre are 11

inches long and 14 inches wide; the first rib 59 inches long and 104

inches wide at the sternal end. The chest-bone is 28 inches wide and

18 inches long.

In this skeleton the proprietor has placed a blade of Greenland

whalebone (Balena mysticetus) on one side, and several of South Sea

whalebone (Bulena australis) on the other side of the upper jaw, in

the place of the true baleen of Physalus.

There is a second skeleton, which most probably belongs, or is

very nearly allied to this species, exhibited at Black-Gang Chine, on

the south side of the Isle of Wight, which was caught near the

Needles. It was 75 feet long, of a greyish colour.

The skull is 16 feet 7 inches long, 5 feet wide at the orbital notch ;

the lower jaw 16 feet 9 inches long; the sternum 26 inches wide and

14 long; the upper arm-bone 24 inches long, the lower 33 inches

long.

This skeleton chiefly differs from the former in the bones of the

arms being rather longer, though the body is one-third shorter ;

but the length of the Plymouth specimen may be over-estimated.

** The transverse apophyses of the cervical vertebre short, of the third,

fourth, fifth and sixth separate. Roraquarus.

2. Puysatus (Roraqvuatus) Booprs.

The transverse apophysis of the second cervical vertebra thick,

short, converging, but separate at the end; of the other cervical

vertebre slender, rather longer, far apart. ‘The upper apophysis of

the sixth bent down, rather elongate, the lower one thicker, shorter,

and bent up at the end.

Zoological Society. 281

Skeleton in the British Museum. Taken on the coast of Wales

and towed into Liverpool in 1846.

The length of the skeleton of the Liverpool specimen is 38 feet ;

the head is 9 feet long. The vertebre are 60 in number, and there

are 15 pairs of simple ribs.

The cervical vertebre are all separate, and nearly equally developed;

the body of the cervical vertebre is squarish oblong, about one-fourth

broader than high. The spinal canal is oblong, depressed, twice as

wide as high. The second vertebra is twice as thick as the other,

with two large broad lateral processes scarcely as long as half the

width of the vertebra, coming together at the end, but separate, and

leaving an oblong hole between them. ‘The third, fourth, fifth and

sixth each with superior and inferior narrower lateral processes, the

upper one of the third being the narrowest, and gradually increasing

in thickness to the sixth ; the lower of the fourth rather the broadest,

and of the sixth the thickest and most tapering at the end.

The third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh have only two rather

short processes on each side, the upper process being the most slen-

der, compressed and bent down, and the lower one conical, stronger,

compressed ; the processes of the third vertebra are the thinnest, and

they gradually increase in thickness and strength to the seventh

or last.

The specimen here described was mentioned in the papers of the

day as a spermaceti whale !

3. Puysatus (RorquaLus) SIBBALDII.

The transverse apophyses of the second cervical vertebra rather

elongated, united, leaving only a small subcentral hole; of the other

cervical vertebre slender, shorter and far apart, nearly straight, di-

rected out laterally.

Inhab. Coast of Yorkshire.

There is in the museum of the Hull Literary and Philosophical

Society a very perfect skeleton of this species, taken in the Humber,

which is fifty feet long. It has 64 vertebree, as-follows: cervical 7,

thoracic 16, lumbar and caudal 41; and the arms and paddles are 6

feet 9 inches long; the ribs 16 pair, all simple. The baleen is black.

This specimen is said to have been eight years old, but on what

authority I cannot learn.

I have to thank my friend Mr. Pearshall, the curator of the above

museum, for his kindness in sending me a detailed drawing of the

natural size of the cervical vertebree of this interesting species.

For the purpose of comparison with the foregoing description, I

here add the following account of the cervical vertebree of Megapteron

longimanus, or Hunchback Whale, from a fine skeleton in the col-

lection of the British Museum.

The second cervical has two very large, thick, converging, lateral

processes, as long as half the diameter of the body of the vertebra.

The third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh have elongated, slender,

superior lateral processes, which bend rather downwards, and the

sixth and seventh rather forwards. The fourth and fifth have a very

short, rudimentary, inferior lateral process, which is smaller on the

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 20

282 Zoological Society.

left side. The other vertebre are without any process. The cervical

vertebre are all free.

The upper part of the spinous process of the second vertebra is

very large and convex, covering this part of the next vertebra.

I may here remark that Professor Eschricht informed me that he

could find no difference between the Megapteron of the North Sea

and the Cape specimen in the Paris Museum. I may also observe

that Cuvier (Oss. Foss. v. 381) described the Cape specimen as

having the second and third cervical vertebre united by the upper

part of their body, which is not the case with our Northern specimen,

and that Cuvier’s figures of the lateral process of the Cape speci-

men are very different from the Northern one here described.

2. On a NEW species oF APTERYX. By Joun Gou xp, Esa.,

F.R.S. ETC.

We have abundant evidence that at some former period New Zea-

land, and probably the Polynesian Islands, have been inhabited by a

remarkable group of Birds, of which the Dinornis, so ably described

by Professor Owen, formed a part, and of which the genus Apleryr

is the only form at present known to exist; this form, so different

from all others, has been, and will ever be, regarded with great in-

terest, as the sole remnant of a race of which every other genus is

believed to be extinct. Hitherto a single species only of this genus

has been recorded; I have therefore no ordinary degree of pleasure

in introducing to the notice of this Meeting a second, and if possible

a still more extraordinary one than that previously described, and as I

reported to the meeting held on the 13th of April, I have intelligence

of the existence of a third and much larger species than either of them.

The bird I am now about to describe has just arrived from New

Zealand by way of Sydney, but unaccompanied by any information

as to the locality in which it was procured, or any particulars of its

habits and economy.

It appears to be fully adult, and is about the same size as the

Apteryx Australis, from which it is rendered conspicuously different

by the irregular transverse barring of the entire plumage, which,

with its extreme density and hair-like appearance, more closely

resembles the covering of a mammal than that of a bird; it also

differs in having a shorter, more slender, and more curved bill, and

in the structure of the feathers, which are much broader through-

out, especially at the tip, and of a loose, decomposed, and hair-like

texture. I propose to characterize this new species under the name

of Apteryx Owenii, feeling assured that it can only be considered as a

just compliment to Professor Owen, who has so ably investigated

the group to which I believe it pertains.

Apreryx OwEnlI. Ap. corpus superius fusco et fulvo transversim

radiatum ; plumis singulis, ad basim argenteo-fuscis, in medio satu-

ratius fuscis, deinde fascia semilunari transversd fulvd, cut macula

succedit informis nigra, ad apicem fulvis. Corpus inferius supe-

riore pallidius, pluma enim queque inferioris corporis tribus radiis

fulvis, superioris tantum duobus ornatur ; fulvus quoque color infe-

riore longius quam superiore corpore in apicibus plumarum extendit.

Zoological Society. 283

Face, head and neck dull yellowish brown ; throat somewhat paler ;

all the upper surface transversely rayed with blackish brown and

fulvous; each individual feather being silvery brown at the base,

darker brown in the middle, then crossed by a lunate mark of ful-

vous, to which succeeds an irregular mark of black, and terminated

with fulvous; under surface paler than the upper, caused by each

feather being crossed by three rays of fulvous instead of two, and

more largely tipped with that colour; the feathers of the thighs re-

semble those of the back; bill dull yellowish horn-colour; feet and

claws fleshy-brown.

Total length, from the tip of the bill to the extremity of the body,

18 inches; bill, from the gape to the tip, 33; bill, Z broad at the

gape; tarsi, 21; middle toe and nail, 23.

Hab. New Zealand.

Remark.—In this species the wing is even more rudimentary than

in the Apteryx Australis.

3. Drarrs FOR A NEW ARRANGEMENT OF THE TROCHILIDZ. By

Joun Govuxp, Esa., F.R.S. (conrinvED*), wITH THE CHARAC-

TERS OF TWO NEW GENERA AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THREE NEW

SPECIES.

METALLURA, gen. nov.

Char. gen. — Rostrum rectum, sublongum. Plume molles sericee.

Cauda subgrandis, rotundata. Gula et rectrices infra tanquam

metallum expolitum luminose. Ale subgrandes. Tarsi nudi.

Pedes subgrandes. Digitus et unguis postici digitum et unguem

medios longitudine equantes vel superantes.

Gen. char.—Bill straight, moderately long ; plumage soft and silky ;

tail rather large and rounded; throat and under surface of the tail-

feathers very luminous, like shining metal; wings moderately large

and apparently adapted for an easy mode of flight; tarsi bare; feet

rather large ; hind-toe and nail as long or longer than the middle

toe and nail.

Females.—Much less brilliant than the males in every respect, and

in most of the species wanting the luminous mark on the throat.

The species are—

Trochilus cupreocauda, Gould.

Trochilus aneocauda, Gould.

Trochilus Alardi, Bourc.

Trochilus smaragdinicollis, D’Orb.

Trochilus Williami, Bourc.

DoryFERA, gen. nov.

Char. gen.—Rostrum forte, ad tertiam partem apicalem, que sursum

curvatur, rectum. Ale subgrandes. Cauda rotundata, subrigida,

rectricibus singulis mucronatis. Tarsi aliqua parte vestiti. Pedes

magnitudine mediocri. Digitus et unguis postico digito et ungui

medio longitudine zquales.

Gen. char.—Bill long, straight for three-fourths of its length, and

inclining upwards to the extremity; wings moderately large; tail

* See vol. xix. pp. 401, 408, 421.

20*

284 Zoological Society.

rounded, rather rigid, each feather ending in a point; tarsi partly

clothed; feet moderate in size; hind-tve and nail as long as the

middle toe and nail.

The species are—

Trochilus (Doryfera) Louise.

Trocuiius (Doryrera) viotirrons. Troch. fronte maculd rotundd

metallicé violaced notatd ; occipite, collo, et dorso superiore eneo-

viridibus ; dorso inferiore, et tectricibus caude superioribus, sor-

dide griseo-ceruleis ; guld, et abdomine, nigris viride splendentibus ;

tectricibus caude inferioribus intense violaceis ; caudd ipsd nigrd

violaceo subnitente.

On the forehead a round spot of beautiful metallic violet ; back of

the head, neck and upper part of the back bronzy green, passing into

purer green on the back and shoulders; lower part and upper tail-

coverts dull greyish blue; throat and abdomen black, with green

reflexions; under tail-coverts deep violet-b]lue; wings purplish brown;

tail black, slightly glossed with green; bill atid feet brown.

Total length, 43 inches; bill, 14; wing, 2 Neale 12.

Remark. —This most interesting addition to scthe Trochilide i is pre-

cisely of the same form in every respect as 7. Louise, but differs most

remarkably in the colouring of its plumage, the forehead being violet

instead of green, and the under surface black instead of golden green.

Loruornis Reeinz. Loph. vertice, et cristd, ferrugineo-rubris,

plumis singulis maculd viride ad apicem ornatis; loro, guld et

colli lateribus, viridibus, candentibus ; macula plumarum lanceo-

latarum subviride albé; nuchd, et dorso superiore, fulgente

viridibus ; dorso inferiore, uropygio, et tectricibus caude superi-

oribus, eneo-fuscis ; uropygio lined albd transversim fasciatd ;

caudd castaneo-fuscd, rectricibus duabus intermediis ad apicem et

margines, rectricibus etiam duabus externis ad margines, eneo-

viridiéus.

Crown of the head and crest bright rusty red, each feather with a

beautiful dark green spot at the tip; lores, throat and sides of the

neck resplendent metallic green, beneath which is a patch of white

lanceolate feathers; back of the. neck and upper part of the back

lustrous green; lower part, rump and upper tail-coverts bronzy

brown; rump crossed by a distinct line of white ; tail chestnut-brown,

the tips and margins of the two middle and the margins of the ex-

_ ternal feathers rich bronzy green; abdomen light metallic green ;

wings purplish brown; bill reddish brown at the base, dark brown

at the tip; feet br own.

Total length, 23 inches; bill, $; wing, 14; tail, 12.

Remark. —Nearly allied to Lophornis Regulus and ornatus, but

differing from the former in having the crest-feathers broader and

the green spots on the tips much larger. It is a very beautiful species.

Trocuitus (Guavucts?) c#ruLeoGastTeR. Troch. vertice, nuchd,

uropygto, et tectricibus caudeé superioribus, eneo-viridibus ; mento,

colli lateribus, et dorso viridibus ; guld, et abdomine, cyaneis ;

tectricibus caude inferioribus magnis, albis ; caudd nigrd pallide

cyaneo nitente.

Miscellaneous. 285

Crown of the head and back of the neck dull bronzy green; back

green, passing into bronzy green on the rump and upper tail-coverts ;

chin and sides of the neck green, gradually passing into the beautiful

blue of the throat and abdomen ; under tail-coverts largely developed

_and of a pure white; tail black, with steel-blue reflexions; wings

purplish brown; bill black; feet brown.

Total length, 4? inches; bill, 14; wing, 23; tail, 2.

Remark.—About the same size as, and similar in every respect to,

T. Buffonii, Lesson, but differs from it in the throat and abdomen

being beautiful blue instead of green.

MISCELLANEOUS.

EGGS OF THE MOA OR DINORNIS OF NEW ZEALAND.

Dr. ManTety has just received from his son, Mr. Walter Mantell

of Wellington, New Zealand, fragments of several eggs found im-

bedded with the bones of the Moa; these are the first relics of this

kind hitherto discovered. ‘The portions in Dr. Mantell’s possession

evidently belong to several eggs, and apparently to different species

of the Moa. In their general aspect they resemble the eggs of the

Ostrich, but the external surface of the shell, instead of being marked

with small circular pits, is covered with short, interrupted, linear

grooves, and which are variously disposed in different specimens.

The shell is relatively thinner than that of the Ostrich, and the egg

must have been much larger, for the fragments have but a very slight

degree of convexity. Mr. Mantell succeeded in collecting an exten-

sive series of bones (between 700 and 800) of different parts of the |

skeleton; among which are specimens of the mandibles, which have

not previously been obtained. ‘I'his collection is on its way to

England, and will doubtless furnish some interesting additions to

our knowledge of the remarkable gigantic birds of the Ostrich tribe

which once trod the soil of New Zealand.

FOSSIL TREE.

At Wettin, near Halle, in Prussian Saxony, a fossil tree with its

roots has lately been found in a quarry, and is completely denudated

from the surrounding stone. It is fourteen feet high, it reaches the

surface, where it is cut off, and its roots run out several feet in a

nearly horizontal direction. It is an Araucaria, and the wood is par-

tially transformed into Hornstein and partially into claystone (Thon-

stein). ‘The stone consists of a sandstone with a cement of clay-

stone, in which many fragments of feldspar are lying, and it rests

upon a conglomerate of the formation of pit-coal (Steinkohle). The

stratum of this stone-formation, in which the tree extends its roots,

has an angle of inclination of 10°, and the tree stands perpendicularly

upon it; while the strata he nearly horizontally over the roots,

though the stone-formation is the same. In the stratum of the root

there are numerous leaves of a Borassites, of which a complete fan has

also been found.—J. O. W. in the Gardener’s Chronicle for Sept. 11,

1847.

286 , Miscellaneous:

Description of a new species of Antelope from West Africa.

By J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S.

Mr. Whitfield last year brought with him from the Gambia, along

with other most interesting mammalia and birds, some horns of a

very large species of Antelope, called by the natives Gingi-ganga,

which very nearly resemble those of the Hiand from South Africa,

but are larger, longer and much heavier than, those of the large

male Eland from South Africa, which the Earl of Derby presented

to the British Museum on the return of Mr. Burke.

This season Mr. Whitfield succeeded in procuring the upper part

of the skull and horns of a male, and the flat skin (but unfortunately

without head or feet) of an adult male and female of this animal, which |

proves to be perfectly distinct from the Cape species ; and as it is

by far the finest Antelope known, I propose to dedicate it to the

Earl of Derby, who has done so much to illustrate the species of this

group, and has been so successful in importing and breeding the

various kinds. —

This species is distinguished from the Cape Eland by the neck and

front part of the underside, and a large spot on the front and hinder

side of the upper part of the fore-legs (and the fetlock) as well as

the dorsal line being black, and by the side being ornamented with

fourteen or fifteen narrow, rather waved, perpendicular white lines,

and the lower part of the neck nearly surrounded with a broad white

half-collar which narrows above. :

The species may be thus described :—

Boselaphus Derbianus. The Black-necked Eland or Gingi-ganga.

Pale reddish brown ; neck, front part of the underside, the dorsal

line, a spot on the front and hinder part of the upper part of the

fore-leg (‘‘ and fetlock”’) black ; broad half-collar on lower part of

the neck, and fourteen or fifteen narrow perpendicular lines on each

side of the body white; belly and front and hinder side of thighs

whitish ; crown reddish brown ; withers variegated with black hairs.

Female? Neck blackish brown; rest like male.

Inhab. Western Africa, Gambia.

September 3, 1847.

NEW ORANG-OUTANG.

The Rev. T. S. Savage, who has been resident several years at

Cape Palmas, Western Africa, informs me that he has obtained a

new species of Orang at the Gaboon River ; he has several crania and

portions of the skeleton. These, together with a notice of its habits,

will shortly appear in the ‘ Journal of the Boston Society of Natural

History.’ —J. O. W.

Preparing for Publication.

A Popular Introduction to the Study and Classification of Spiders and

Mites. By Apam Waitt, F.L.S.

The author, during the last eight years, has been accumulating

notes on the above subject from books, manuscripts and personal ob-

servation. Spiders, ‘‘ from the cradle to the grave,” are paradoxical

Meteorological Observations. 287

creatures; though naturally shy, they command attention by their

works; their nests, webs and tunnels are not only

“Curiously made from their curious brains,”

but are fabricated also from their own resources. Spiders, from the

Gossamer and Water-diver to the Tunneling Trapdoor family, have

curious histories, and are endowed with instincts, which approach

reason more closely than the instincts of perhaps any other class of

animals ;

** Weaving spiders, come ye here,

Come ye long-leg’d spinners, come,”

is to be one of the mottoes of the book.

Should a sufficient number of subscribers be found, it is proposed

to publish the above work in five or six monthly parts at 2s. 6d. each,

illustrated with cuts.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR AUG. 1847.

Chiswick.— August 1,2. Very fine: sultry. 3. Very fine: clear. 4, Very

fine: densely overcast. 5. Rain. 6. Overcast. 7. Very fine. 8, Very fine:

cloudy. 9. Cloudy: shower: clear. 10. Rain: showery. 11. Very fine.

12. Light clouds, with bright sun at intervals: clear at night. 13. Overcast :

very fine. 14, Very fine: cloudy. 15. Cloudy: clear: lightning at night. 16.

Rain. 17, Overcast. 18. Heavy rain. 19. Overcast: lightning at night.

20. Uniformly overcast : slight fog. 21. Slight fog: fine. 22. Overcast: rain:

cloudy. 23. Cloudy: rain. 24. Cloudy: clear at night. 25. Very fine. 26.

Overcast: very fine. 27, 28. Very fine. 29. Rain: very fine. 30. Very fine :

cloudy. 31, Very fine: clear at night.

Mean temperature of the month .........+esseseceseeeeseers «» 62°68

Mean temperature of Aug. 1846 ......s.sssseesereeeres Saseeee 64 *16

. Mean temperature of Aug. for the last tw enty YEATES. 200... 62.°32

Average amount of rain in Aug. .........e000e apecegecrreocece 2°41 inches,

Boston.—Aug. 1. Fine: 2 o’clock p.m. thermometer 83°. 2. Fine: rain p.m.

3,4. Fine. 5, Cloudy: rainp.m. 6. Fine. 7. Fine: rainp.m. 8. Fine.

9, 10. Cloudy. 11. Cloudy: rain early a.m. 12. Cloudy. 13, 14. Fine. 15.

Cloudy. 16. Cloudy: rain a.m.and p.m. 17, Cloudy: rain r.m. 18, 19. Cloudy.

20—25. Fine. 26. Cloudy. 27. Fine. 28. Rain. 29. Cloudy: rain early a.m.:

rain P.M, 30, 31. Cloudy.

Sandwick Manse, Orkney.—Aug. 1,2. Bright: clear. 9%. Bright: cloudy.

4. Cloudy : drops. 5. Bright: cloudy. 6. Cloudy: fine. 7. Rain: fine. 8.

Cloudy: rain. 9. Cloudy: fine. 10. Cloudy: rain, 11. Clear: showers.

12. Cloudy. 13. Clear: cloudy. 14. Cloudy: fine. 15. Bright: fine. 16,

17, Clear: fine. 18. Cloudy: fine. 19, 20, Cloudy. 21. Showers: rain.. 22,

Cloudy : showers. 23. Clear; showers: cloudy. 24. Cloudy: rain. 25. Cloudy,

26. Cloudy: rain. 27. Cloudy: clear. 28, Bright: showers: clear. 29. Showers,

30. Rain: showers, 31. Bright: rain.

Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire—Aug. 1. Fair, but cloudy. 2. Fair and

fine: shower early a.m. 3. One slight shower. 4. Rain early a.m. 5. Rain

nearly allday. 6. Frequent showers, 7. Heavy showers and sun, 8, Rain.

9. Cloudy: cool: dry. 10, Heavy rain. 11. Fine a.m.: rain p.m. 12. Rain

nearly all day. 13, Fair and fine, 14, Very fine. 15,16. Very fine: heavy dew,

17. Fine, though cloudy. 18. Very fine. 19. Still fine, but dull. 20. Heavy

showers. 21. Slight showers. 22,23. Fine: clear. 24, Rainr.m. 25, 26. Fine,

though cloudy, 27. Fine, though cloudy: a few drops. 28. Fine, though cloudy :

one slight shower. 29. Fair and fine. 30. Fine: one slight shower. 931. Fine

harve:t day.

Mean temperature of the month — .........sesseseescereseeeeees 57°15

Mean temperature Of Aug. 1846 ..cses.ssccccecceecescercoeees 61 °2

Mean temperature of Aug. for twenty-five years............ 57 :14

A VETRBES THIN TOT LHROET FORRES ivicevevivcccsccossesverssccnces 3°16 inches.

wae — _ —_ —_ a

€%-% 9-1 0S-1 Go.rs 00-18 1-08 2.69 L-E9 2€-05 |P0-SL |698-62 £18.62 188-62 ¥88-62 | 1-62 |676-6z |P90-0€ | "eat

| ee

06-€

Lo. [errrieeretereet| og | em | emo | ema | €S | 8p¢ | 19] $69 S-19| Zb | LO | 99-62] 19-6z| €8-6% | 88-62 | 8F-62 |196-62 |600.0€ | “1

GE. 91-0/90- |10- | -m |mmul uyeo| -m | PS! SG |_19|¥6G| LG| EG | 69 | £2.60} 08-62] 8L-6Z | 06-62 | 67-62 |9L6-6z $90.0€ | “OF

to. P| 91- |90- | -m | ems | -o | ema! FS} G¢ | f0S| So) z9| FH | SL | 86-62 Lc-0€| 60-0€ | O1-0€ | 79-62 |L60.0€ SP1-0€ | *6z

“m | ‘ms |uyeo| ‘on | FS | $49 |. 6V| 69| £9) SS | 18 | O1-0€| 60-0£) Z1-0€ | 02-0€ | LL.6% |L61-0€ |SOE.0€ | “8%

1D. Pryce! msm | cus | peo] cu | $99 | $€9 | £99) 69 Lo| OF | 18 | 10-0€| L6.6%| 11-0€| 11-0 | $L-6% |PSz-0€ |L6z-0€ | “Le

Go. eet) ones | sms fuapea} «m | LG | 09 | 8h\¥€9) 29) EF | ZL | 90-0€| 1T-0€ | Z1-0€| 01-08 | 69-62 9P1.0€ |L7o-0€ ‘930

Tle [erersseeesieee) ew | cms | pea] tou | SS} f9¢ | 09/419) 69) 0G | PL | LO-0£| 00.08 | Z0.0€ | £6-6% | 89-60 |1L0-0€ |ELT-0€ | “Se

ONO caret bea Me oe ‘a | au | $S | 9¢ | #26) $19) 6S] 6F SOQ | 96-62| Lo-o€ | L0-0€ | OL-0€ | OL-6% SL0-0€ |PZI-08 | “FZ

Et. L0-0°777")10- | «m | ‘ms | uyeo| an | of | 19 IF | $29) 99| 9F | 19 | LO-0€| 96-62! ¥0-0€ | L6-62 | 87-62% 988-62 090.08 | “£%

seers Seeeeriseesesiseeoes

6h. ye 60. | ur | cm lupeo| ems | of | ¥6¢ | 19) 19 99! EF | gO | 99-62] 90-62 99-62 | VE.6z | L1.6% 999-6z |£9L-6z| “2%

QO-frrrerieneeesiteeee*| casa ftaacms]| ca | cms | PG} Gg 67) 29 S-99| VS ZB | 1£-6%) ZL-6%| OF-6z | 8-62 | €V-6% 6VL-6Z|116-6z, “1%

rotten eeeneeleeceaalensens] ogy ‘ms | wpeo| ‘ou €S | ¥9¢ | 90 | $02 S-S9| 6P zl | 89-62! SL-6z| 08-6z | 06-62 | 7S-6% [68-62 |1L6-6%| °0@

ake" Adarhns eeeree co- "MSM *MS *u "ou LS $9S £17 12) v9 cc 69 66.6% P1-0€F 10-0€ VI-oF L9-6% 910-0£ 611-0£ ‘6L (

sseeerieeeses/ 2g. 1OT. | ca [SU] coum) ‘ou | Gg See | GG} 99 Go| 29 | G8 | 93-0) ZE-0€ | 8I-0€ | 0Z-0£ | £9.62 |%80-0F |10T-0€ “SI

C1. i" OL. [PE | om | tou | ca | caw | ¥zG | o¢ | OV} 1Z|..€9| 09 1Z | 1€-0€| 2z-0€ | 81-0€ | 60-0€ | 8S-6% |\0F0.0€ PPO.0€| “LT

SUS Cn comeye]essese Co. “Mm ‘ou "MUU ‘ou 9S 6S fov $g9 | £9 19 89 Lies 0Z-0£ C1-0F 1Z-08 L9.6% oro-o£ 880-08 ‘OL

se gg.g itt! ze. | -s | ce | ca | am) FO! $L¢ |¥S | F909 99| 9G |. 08 | ZE-OE) SE-0€ | FZ-0€| 1€-0€ | 84-62 £91-0€ 7-08 | “ST

seceeeseeseriecesesioveres! ag [egg] cou | cau | $GG }° gG | Iv, tg9' $9} 29 | 6L OP-0€ | LE-0€ | O£-0€ | ZE-0€ | 7E-6% .9LZ-0F |91£-08| “VI

ronseeeecseelroceeslovcces| oan | em | mu | ‘OU £5 Lo |$hh) 99 90! 6P 1g | L3-0€| 11-0€ | 8Z-0€ | VL-0€ | 89-6% 681-0€ |€Sz-0€ a §

og: [treresltecere|onsees) mga | ems | tas | “As 9¢ | $66 | 9G, 19° 99] 8% 98 | £8-62| 69-62! 76-62 8L-6Z | VS-62 880-0€ O1T-0F | “ZI

Le. |"*7°7' 60. [ete] sf ems | es | cms | 9G | 6G | 9F| SO G-69| 19 | 6L | 91-62 | 28-62 08-62 | $8-62 | LS.6% %L0.0€ Z11-0€| "11@

setessceeeeriseesee! CQ, | om |'*ms | sms | “ms | €¢ | Gg | €V| 09| SS) BP SQ | 09-62% | 89-62 | £9-6Z | 09-62 | OV-6Z 808-6%|188-6Z| “OT

BB | BOe | wAp!o | cms | cu | “A ec.| §zg | 6h|-19| 9S! FH | 99 | 69-62] 32-62 | £9-62 | 19-62 | £%-6% |1S-62 |9L8-62 | *6

opr lq. (Ol | ‘u {tas |tmsm| ms | f6h |. 26 | 19} 99} €9| 67 | OL |'89-62| £9.62 | VP-60 GZ-62% | 0G-6% \00L-6Z |1EL-66 | °8

Lie [rrveesseeeeslesee*) unpeo| +s | tm | cms | 6G | f9¢ | £9) -19, 99} 6F | OZ | 17-62) 11-62 | £7.6z 09-62 | LZ-6% \€%L-6z |ELL-62 | *L

siteee seers] 6, [rere] upwo| cms |tmum| ‘mua | 9G | ¥6¢ | 0S} Lo) €9| LP | 69 |. 99-62 |. 29-6z| £9-6z 69-62 | 01-6% |S0S-6z \€EL-62 | “9

Qo. |t*r**/****"| gg | cas | ts | ts | ms | og | ogo | F1S/ 69) 69/ FS | ZL LV:6z | VP-6z | 6€-62 | 17-62 | L1-6% |POS:6Z |0V9-62 | °S

sttsesieeerssieeseeelo. | cag | es | unqea| ms | G¢ | ZG | bP] 69 9-€9| 19 | 08 | 99-6%| 02-62) 06-62 | 01-62 | LV-6z 1VL-62 |SP6-62 | “V

SO aa | me | ae ES ec | Sc¢ | 41 | $69} 29| SE | LL | 8-62| Z8-6z| 88-62 | 98-62 | 8P-6% |€00-0€ |600.0€ | “€ D

teetee cereeeceeeeslereser! urea |emsm| ta | “am! GG | 9G |¥z9|f99| €L|. 90 | 68 | 98-62) 18-62% Gg-62 | 08-62 | 9£-6z |LZ8-62 \VV0-0€ | *%

G- [essscejeseefonsses “MSM | “MSS | UTED | °S c¢| €9| 69] Lo! oL| 90 | $16 | VL-6%| 12-60} 18-62 | 8-62 | 0S-62 |776-62 |810-08 | “I

n ool P = = ‘urd | ‘ure ‘urd | ‘ure . . ‘ny

Boise | 2 | 2 Pol es| 2 | -2 Be | be | FE leo] F | F | te | 6 | 6 | 6 | ee] UW) XM | sey

eoioe) O21) 40-158) 8 1 B81, \ enw ES A_|— >e

Ret ge | Pope Reto By F a Tug | soppuing BP | -yormstyo Bugg | etassensung BS a I~

= “<4

“Urey “pul *JOIWIOWIOYT, “19, aWOIe = Q

“LANNY ‘osunpyy younpung yo ‘uoysnoyD *D ‘Ady 247 Aq pu {auIHs-saraswagy ‘asunyy yzevsajddp yo ‘requng “AA “Ady 947 Ag SNoISog

qo |e \ “AN 49 fuopuory avau ‘xOIMSIHD yy Ayavv0g younynaysozy ay) fo uapany ayz yo uosdwoyy, AJ 49 apyu suoynesasgo qvndoj0L0aja yy.

a : Se aS ee ee

THE ANNALS

AND

MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY.

No. 134. NOVEMBER 1847.

XXVII.—Notes on the Habits of certain Exotic Spiders. By

ArtHur Apams, late Assistant Surgeon of H.M.S. Sama-

rang.

“Ut araneoli, tenuem formavimus orsum.”— Virgil, Culex, v. 2.

SPIDERS are among the most artful of created creatures ; their

whole life consists of one continued course of craft and stratagem,

whether they sneak about on the surface of leaves, as green as

their own emerald bodies, and surprise the poor flies that venture

to approach within the range of their fatal spring ; whether they

gloomily lurk in holes, “ specus ipsa qua concameratur architec-

tura !’,—or under the shade of dingy tents, “contra frigora quanto

villosior !’—and spring upon insects that chance to pass their

door, “cum vero captura incidit, quam vigilans et paratus ad

cursum !”—whether they lie supine in the broad daylight, mo-

tionless in their wide-spread treacherous toils, and, having seen

their victim fairly entangled, wrap him up in a winding-sheet of

their own manufacture ; or whether, simulating the surface of the

ground on which they live, they course their prey with untirmg

assiduity, and, having run it down, suck its blood with tiger-like

ferocity. Spiders are the originators of spimning and weaving,

and have been pressed into the service of the manufacturers of

silk and satin, together with those

** Spinning worms

That in their green shops weave the smooth-hair’d silk,”

and, more particularly on account of their habits, deserve to ex-

cite more interest than they meet with. Unheeded, or regarded

with repulsive loathing by the “ cui bono ?”’ people of the present

generation, spiders have adorned the page of the poet and philo-

sopher in more ancient times. Has not Ovid sung the misfor-

tunes of that Lydian maiden, daughter of Idmon, who, proud of

her talent in the art of weaving, dared to challenge even Minerva

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 21

290 Mr, A. Adams on the Habits of certain Exotic Spiders.

herself, and who for her presumption was changed by the jealous

goddess into a spider—ARACHNE?

“ Fitque caput minimum ; toto quoque corpore parva est ;

In latere exiles digiti pro cruribus herent ; ;

Cetera venter habet ; de quo tamen illa remittit

Stamen, et antiquas exercet aranea telas *.”’

Virgil, in enumerating the depredators of the bee-hives, such

as lizards, cockroaches, hornets and moths, has mentioned the

curious fact that

OT eecntes invisa Minervee

Laxos in foribus suspendit aranea casses fT.”

Another poet no less distinguished, Lucretius, in alluding to

the minute objects which our senses fail to detect on ordinary

occasions, enumerates among other things the slight aérial films

of the gossamer spider :— .

Suessnans neque aranei tenuia fila

Obvia sentimus, quando obretimur euntes {.”

Julius Obsequens, in his work on Portents and Prodigies, ob-

serves that the standards of the legion, which had been left by

Pansa for the protection of Rome, seemed to have been bound

round or “ netted over” with spiders’ webs, which, in that age of

superstitious credulity, was regarded as an evil omen. In the days

of Pliny the motions of spiders were watched as being sure pro-

gnostics of the state of the weather, as they are indeed m our own

day,—

‘* Multa aranea imbrium signa sunt.”

Pliny speaks admiringly of the astute cunning of the spider

when he observes his craft in keeping a little aloof from the

centre of his toil, “quam remotus a medio aliudque agentis si-

milis !”” and concealed in such a manner “ ut sit necne intus ali-

quis, cerni non possit !” The Roman naturalist doubtless here

alludes to those sedentary Arachnidans to which Walckenaer has

given the name of “Tapitéles.” Pliny considers these insects

well-worthy to be studied: “ Araneorum natura, digna vel pre-

cipue admiratione.”

In the woods of Singapore I made a capture of a very large

and handsome species of Nephila which I do not find described.

The thorax is covered with a rich golden pubescence ; the terminal

half of the palpi is deep black, the penultimate half red above

and yellow beneath ; the chelicera are large and shining black ;

the abdomen has a black band at the anterior part, and poste-

riorly, and on the sides, large bright patches of yellow; the

cephalothorax, where not hid by the silky hairs, is dark green

* Ovid, Metamorph. lib. vi. v. 142.

+ Georg. lib. iv. v. 246. { Lib. iii. v. 384.

Mr. A. Adams on the Habits of certain Exotic Spiders. 291

with yellow striz ; the legs are black, with bright yellow rings at

the joints, and the thighs, on the under surface, are bright yellow ;

the eyes are black and shining. This species, which, from its

beauty, might be named Nephila ornata, constructs a very large,

strong, geometrical web, stretched vertically between low bushes.

At the island of Ternati I made a capture of a large and

splendid undescribed species of Nephila, which spins a very large

strong web among the bamboos. The body is liver-coloured, with

a silver horse-shoe mark; the thorax is eovered with a downy,

hoary, pubescence ; the shanks of the tibize of the two first pairs

of legs have a broad yellowish white band ; the other legs are

black.

In the island of Panagatan I made a capture of another spe-

cies of Nephila, which I also consider as undescribed. The head

is blackish ; thorax silvery with black spots, and covered with a

downy pubescence ; legs chestnut-red, with the last joints black.

The body is of a light emerald green with numerous bright yel-

low spots ; the under surface is dull black. It forms a large,

strong, geometrical web, spreading from bush to bush, in the

eentre of which it remains motionless with legs stretched out and

the head downwards.

Among the Bashees or Batani group of islands, spiders of the

genera Nephila and Acrosoma are numerous. There is one very

large and showy species of the latter genus, which has a very

strange habit when alarmed of suddenly erecting the second pair

of legs with a rapid jerking motion, while, at the same time, he

gathers together all the other members, and shakes his web vio-

lently, in order, apparently, to intimidate his adversary, or perhaps

to ascertain the strength of his position. If, however, the cause

of alarm be continued, he coils himself up, while all his extremi-

ties become rigid, as in death, and then, falling to the ground, he

remains like a small inanimate brown ball until the enemy has

departed. His cunning never forsakes him even in his greatest

emergency, for he continues all this while actually to maintain a

communication between himself and his web by means of a fine

thread, fixed at one end to the centre of his cunningly wrought

toil, and at the other attached to the spinneret at the extremity

of his abdomen. By means of this attenuated and invisible cord

he will climb up again when the danger is over, and resume his

old-established pastime of rapine and bloodsucking. Like some

unfledged animals with no more than two legs, these spiders are

the veriest cowards when menaced by those stronger than them«

selves, and the most unsparing tyrants when those of a weaker

nature are within their power.

Among the islands of the Maiacoshima group I observed a

spider, belonging to the genus Adtus, among the thousands of dead

21%

292 Mr. A. Adams on the Habits of certain Exotic Spiders.

Truncatelle that fill the holes and corners of the rocks in every

part of these islands, which forms a convenient abode in these

small shells, liming them carefully with a fine silken tapetum.

Near the sea-coast a minute species of Pagurus was found occu-

pying these little truncated univalve shells, crawling about by

thousands. Our spider, however, is unable to move about with its

borrowed house in the manner of those pirate crabs, but either

sits sedentary in his den, or ventures forth at intervals on his

predatory hunting excursions.

Among the rocks of a small islet near Quelpaart, the largest of

the Korean islands, there is a species of spider which forms a very

ingenious dwelling which may be compared to that of the swal-

low, whose nest affords such an important article in the gastro-

nomy of wealthy Mandarines, the Hirundo esculenta, but adhermg

to the rough surface of the rock in a reversed position, resem-

bling a watch-pocket upside down. It is composed of a sub-

stantially woven silky material, and firmly secured by means of a

glutinous secretion. The ingenious little builder and proprietor

of this strange castle in the air lets himself down by a rope-lad-

der, or to speak less fancifully, by a fine spun web, which he ma-

nufactures for the purpose out of the substance of his body as

required, he himself serving the purpose of a weight, “ deducit

stamina, ipso se pondere usus,” as Pliny observes in his chapter

‘ De Araneis.’

The spiders of the Maiacoshima islands exhibit some very re-

markable forms. There is a curious Epeira with the dorsal sur-

face of the abdomen furnished with a radiated crown of hard

pointed processes, and the epidermis richly painted with brown

and gold... It spins a large and regular web in every brake and

bush. Another large and singular spider, with long slender legs

and an elongated body, black, and marked with yellow lunules and

patches, crawls among the foliage of the trees in the low woods

that occur in some parts of Pa-tchung-San. Another species of

the same genus is altogether black. I noticed this kind also in

the Bashee group.

The Thelyphonus caudatus, or a closely-allied species, a curious

osculating link between the Scorpions and Tarantulas, is not un-

common in the islands of the Maiacoshimas. It remains gene-

rally concealed under logs of wood and under stones, and seems

to love dark damp forests as the seat of its depredations, living in

the society of the larve of glow-worms, the scorpions, the Sco-

lopendre, and a dingy-coloured species of Blatta. It is slow in

its movements, and when alarmed raises its stingless tail in a

threatening manner, but never attempts to use its chelicere either

as organs of aggression or of defence.

Never have I been better amused than when observing in the

Mr. A. Adams on the Habits of certain Exotic Spiders. 293

forests of Mindanao the habits of the extraordinary spiders that

abound there, to figure and describe the varied forms of which

would require the pencil of Abbot, and many years of unwearied

application. .

The bodies of the Epeire seen in the tropics are often most

splendidly ornamented, I might almost say illuminated, for many

of them remind you of the gaudy ancient missals painted by

monks in the dark ages. You may have white figures on a red

ground; red, yellow and black, in alternate streaks; orange

marbled with brown ; light green with white ocelli; yellow with

light brown festoons, or ash-coloured and chestnut bodies with

crescents, horse-shoes, Chinese characters, and grotesque hiero-

glyphics of every description. Then again the shape of their

bodies is endless in variety ; they are round or oval, flattened or

globular, angular, tuberculated, lobed, spined, or furnished with

hairy tufts. These examples,

“‘ Whose shapes would make them, had they bulk and size,

More hideous foes than fancy can devise,”

taken at random during one or two excursions in the woods, will

tend to show what a wide field is open to the naturalist in these

regions of the sun, provided he has nothing of more importance

to engage his attention than the investigation of apterous in-

sects.

In the forests about Calderos in Mindanao, I collected some

splendid species of gold- and silver-marked Tetragnatha. One,

which might be named 7’ nitens, has a dark, shining brown tho-

rax, and a glittering silver body with five black spots; the legs

banded with dark brown, and the under side light black. It con-

structs a large, genious, symmetrical web, and drops, when

touched, to the ground, taking care, however, at the same time,

to suspend itself by a web, by means of which it ascends again

when the enemy has departed. In the centre of its web it spins

concentric circles and thick mazes of a fine yellow colour, and

often of very complicated devices. When it falls to the ground

it folds up its legs and feigns death, all its members being per-

fectly rigid.

The Tetragnatha all have a remarkable habit of dividing their

eight legs, as they cling, head downwards, to the centre of their

toils, throwing out four directly forwards and four directly back-

wards. Some species however have the third pair of legs extended

straight out in a lateral direction. Another common species had

a body mottled with dark brown and covered with white mark-

ings ; legs brown, banded; the thorax burnished bright green with

darker markings. I have named it provisionally 7. refulgens.

Numbers of the genus Theridion, of a black colour, were running

294 Mr. A. Adams on the Habits of certain Exotic Spiders.

actively about among the dry dead leaves that strewed the ground,

and some handsomely-coloured species were discovered crouching

among the foliage of the trees, One was marked like the 7. Sisy-

phus of Hahn (tab. 58. fig. 132), and another large-sized species

was of a bright emerald green. The Attus formicoides, Walcke-

naer, or an allied species, was basking on the dead leaves in the

sunny spots; and numerous pretty species of Salticus, allied to

S. crux (Hahn, tab. 17. fig. 52), but of much larger dimensions,

were common spiders. A species of Attus, allied to formicoides,

which may be called splendens, was taken here: it was of a bril-

liant metallic green gold with the under surface fine metallic

purple; the legs banded with light brown and burnished green.

It was springing about the foliage of the low trees.

Another Attus was of a shining black, with several bright ul-

tramarine spots on the abdomen, and light brown legs banded

with darker brown. Numbers of black-coloured Theridia were

running about over the dead leaves, simulating, at a little distance,

so many odd-shaped ants: numerous other species of this genus,

which were seen living among the flowers and foliage of the trees,

had their abdomens variegated with beautiful colours. One spe-

cies, with a hairy body and legs, and shining chestnut-coloured

chelicera, runs quickly when pursued, and uses those organs in

self-defence. Its body is of a dark olive-brown, and it appears

to love dark nooks and holes of the bark of trees, and frequently

hangs suspended from the under surface of the leaves.

I observed another species, which knew it was watched, place

itself upon a diseased leaf, where it remained quite stationary

until after I had taken my departure ; and had I not seen the

sidelong movement of the cunning little creature in the first in-

stance, I should not have been able to distinguish its body from

the eroded surface of the partially decayed leaf. Those that live

among the foliage and flowers are vividly coloured, and many flies

and other insects are no doubt attracted towards the treacherous

forms of these spiders by reason of their bright and gaudily-

tinted bodies. I have seen the abdomen of one marked with

black, yellow and crimson, three powerfully-contrasted colours.

Others are green and actually reticulated like the vemed surface

of a leaf, with the midrib running down the centre and the secon-

dary nervures proceeding outwards from each side; the bodies of

others resemble the splendid variegated blossoms of the different

sorts of Calceolarias grown in our gardens.

Several timid, soft, retiring, long-legged Pholci, with fawn-

coloured bodies and semitransparent red-brown legs covered with

long hairs, formed in many parts large loose webs among the

rotten wood and leaves that strewed the ground. The legs of

these Arachnidans appear too weak to support their bodies in

Mr. A. Adams on the Habits of certain Exotic Spiders. 295

running, therefore they resemble their aquatic marine analogues

the Pycnogonide, which remain stationary among the tangled

and thread-like Keratophytes, which constitute the webs of those

spider-like Crustaceans, and thus watch cautiously for prey, and,

when it is caught in their toils, consume it at their leisure, so

making up by cunning and persevering watching for the want of

that strength and force possessed by some of their consimilars.

Most of the Arachnidans would appear on a careful comparison

to have very distinct analogies with the families of Crustaceans*.

The nimble-limbed Dolomedes, that rum after their prey and

eatch them by swiftness of foot rather than by stratagem, have

slender legs, and living on the ground, are generally of dingy

colours ; with the exception, however, of those very large and

powerful species, which, if not rendered somewhat conspicuous

to the sight of other insects, might do too much damage to the

tribes they are destined to keep in check. Most of these, there-

fore, have the thorax and abdomen margined with a light colour

that contrasts strongly with that of their bodies. The Saltict

generally resemble more or less the colour of the places they in-

habit. I noticed a species, among the dense thickets, formed by

Abrus precatorius and other trees, with a black abdomen, marked.

on each side with dull scarlet,—curious as being the colours of

the seeds of Abrus, which are called by children “blackamoor

beauties ;” those species that live on the barks of trees are mottled

gray and brown, and those which you find upon the ground are

altogether black and dingy-coloured. How admirably, in these

examples, is shown the fitness of things, maintained even be-

tween organisms usually deemed so abject, and the domains they

owe to ever-careful Nature! It matters not much whether we say

the place determines the nature of the animal, or whether the

animal is adapted to the place, although it is more pleasing to an

observer of nature to trace the harmonies and adaptations to an

intelligent foresight, like the good St. Pierre, than to make them

merely the necessary results of a physical arrangement of the

earth’s surface, like the ingenious author of the ‘ Vestiges of the

Natural History of Creation.’

In a beautiful wood behind Calderos in Mindanao, I observed

a dingy little species of spider of the genus Clubiona, concealing

itself in very snug retreats, formed out of a dead leaf rolled round

* The Baron Walckenaer has even compared one family of Philodromi to

‘* Crabes longipédes,” and has named a subdivision of Thomisus ‘ Crusta-

céides,” because their bodies are covered with rugosities like those of some

Crustaceans. To men fond of “ quinary ” theories the Arachnidans would

offer a rich treat, and innumerable analogies might be traced with much

amusement, if not with much instruction.

296 Mr. A. Adams on the Habits of certain Exotic Spiders.

in the shape of a cylinder, lined with a soft silken tissue, and

closed at one end by means of a strong-woven felt door. When

hunted it was amusing to see the frightened little creatures run

for protection into their tiny castles, where they would doubtless

be saved from the attacks of birds owing to the leaves not being

distinguishable from others that strew the ground.

During an excursion I made into the interior of the island of

Basilan, I observed the ground in one part of the forest near

Passan literally overrun with a small, black, agile species of Ly-

cosa, many of which Itad a white, flattened, globose cocoon affixed

to the ends of their abdomens. It was most amusing to watch

the earnest solicitude with which these jealous mothers protected

the cradles of their little ones, allowing themselves to fall into the

hands of the enemy rather than be robbed of the silken nests

that contained their helpless progeny. All spiders are gifted

with the same “ storge,” or maternal instinct, and resort to va-

rious methods for the purpose of securing their cocoons. The

Theridion, when a seizure of the precious burden is threatened,

tumbles together with it to the ground and remains motionless,

guarding it with solicitous anxiety ; and the Thomisus covers the

receptacle of its offspring with its body, and when robbed of it

wanders about disconsolate. Did the minute size of these poor

spiders admit of the same psychological dissertations, anecdotes as

interesting, no doubt, as those told of the she-bear when robbed of

her cubs, or the violent emotions of the lioness when disturbed

in her maternal duties by the hunters in the jungle, might be

recorded, proving how strong is the love of offspring even in

animals the most insignificant.

In Borneo, as among the islands of the Philippine Archipelago,

spiders are also very numerous. In consideration of their appa-

rently helpless condition and the soft nature of their integu-

ments, nature, always inclined to protect the weak and helpless,

has given the spiders a multitude of wonderful instincts, by means

of which they are enabled to defend themselves from injury, pro-

vide themselves with food, and furnish safe retreats for their

tender progeny. They spin their toils of cunning device, and

even powerful insects, armed with formidable stings, are made

captives with impunity, despite their struggles to escape the

captor. These spiders’ webs generally attract the attention of

travellers, and certainly, in some parts of the forests of Mindanao,

Borneo and Celebes, there is great and wonderful diversity in the

form and construction of these ingenious and delicately-woven

nets. Many have black webs, some have white, others brown,

and in Mindanao I have observed toils formed of perfectly yel-

low threads. The nets of the great species of Nephila which

Mr. A. Adams on the Habits of certain Exotic Spiders. 297

abound in equatorial regions frequently stretch across the path

from bush to bush, and prove very troublesome to the naturalist

while threading the thickets where they are numerous.

The imagination can scarcely conceive the bizarre and fantastic

shapes with which it has pleased nature to invest those hard-

bodied spiders called by naturalists Acrosoma. They have large

angular spines sticking out of their bodies, mm every kind of

fashion, perhaps intended as some sort of defence against the

soft-billed birds, which doubtless would otherwise make dainty

meals of these Arachnidans, exposed as they are, temptingly

suspended in mid-air, on their transparent webs in the forest

glades. Some are protected by these long spines to such a de-

gree that their bodies resemble a mimiature “ chevaux de frise,”

and could not by any possibility be swallowed by a bird without

producing a very unpleasant sensation in his throat. One very

remarkable species (Gasteracantha arcuata, Koch) has two enor-

mous, recurved, conical spines, proceeding upwards from the pos-

terior part of the body, several times longer than the entire

spider.

The Drassi are gloomy spiders, haunting obscure places, and

their garb is dark-coloured and dingy, in accordance with their

habits : they are mostly pale brown, black, dull red or gray.

The Thomisi are varied in their colour, in harmony with their

usual abiding-places: thus those that spend their lives among

the flowers and foliage of the trees are delicately and beautifully

marked with green and orange, black and yellow. One species,

which I have named 7. virescens, simulates the vegetation among

which it lives, is not agile in its movements, but drops, when

alarmed, among the foliage. It is of a pale, delicate, semitrans-

parent sap-green, with the eyes and chelicera red. There is a

large mark on the surface of the abdomen, beautifully variegated

with yellow, pink, and black, and margined with dead-white spots.

The under surface is green in the middle and dead-white on

either side, and the spinneret is pink.

I remember one day while living at Sarawak in Borneo, I was

much amused with a struggle between a house-lizard (Ptyodac-

tylus Gecko), a little domestic reptile which frequents the dwell-

ings of the Malays, and a large species of Lycosa ; the “Chichak,”

as the natives term their familiar Gecko, proved victorious, and

succeeded in swallowing the spider, whose enormous legs, pro-

truding from the lizard’s mouth, gave this strange compound

animal the aspect of some wondrous Octopod. Pliny records the

fact however that spiders are in the habit of capturing small

lizards, first entangling them in their webs and afterwards de-

stroying them with their jaws,—a spectacle, he observes, worthy

of the amphitheatre !

298 Mr. F. M‘Coy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

XXVIII.—On the Fossil Botany and Zoology of the Rocks asso-

ciated with the Coal of Australia. By Frepericx M‘Coy,

M.G.S. & N.H.S.D. &e.

[Continued from p, 236.]

[ With nine Plates. ]

(Lamellibranchiata.)

Pecten squamuliferus (Mor.).

Common in the fine, olive-coloured schists of Wollongong, N.

S. Wales.

Pecten ptychotis (M‘Coy). Pl. XIV. fig. 2.

Sp. Char. Ovato-orbicular, width very slightly exceeding the

length, convex, smooth ; ears unequal, posterior one obtuse-

angled, undefined, anterior ear narrow, square at its extremity,

divided by a deep, acutely angular sinus, from the body of the

shell; surface smooth, except the extremity of the anterior ear,

which is longitudinally plicated.

It is only by the plication of the extremity of the anterior ear

that this can be known from the P. variabilis (M‘Coy) so abun-

dant in some of the carboniferous shales of Ireland. Length

4 lines, width one-fourth of a line more.

Common in the shale of Dunvegan, N. S. Wales.

* Pecten sub-5-lineatus (M‘Coy). PI. XVII. fig. 1.

Sp. Char. Truncato-orbicular, convex, equilateral, beaks tumid ;

ears large, nearly equal, flattened, the posterior one slightly

pointed and separated at the margin from the body of the shell

by a deep rounded sinus; anterior ear broad, nearly square,

with a slightly convex margin ; surface of both ears and body

of the shell marked with a few obtuse concentric waves of

growth, and radiated with rather coarse narrow rounded ridges,

those of the ears being close and equal, while those of the

body are rather distant from each other, the interspaces being

flat ; about twenty-five proceeding directly from the beak to

the margin, where they are about two lines apart; between

those at a short distance from the beak are interpolated an

equal number of rather thinner ones, which again receive

nearer the margin two fine strize between each of them and the

adjoining primary ridge.

The striation of this fine species resembles that of the P. quin-

quelineatus (M‘Coy, Syn. Carb. L. Foss.) ; that is to say, near the

margin and towards the middle of the shell there are five striz

between each pair of primary ones, the middle or odd one of the

of the Rocks associated with the Coal of Australia. 299

five nearly equalling the primary ridges in thickness. The pre-

sent fossil has however much finer striz than the Irish species

alluded to, and the arrangement is much less definite, becoming

confused in size and number towards the sides; it is also distin-

guished by its greater convexity, Length 2 inches 9 lines, width

the same.

Rare in the greenish, fine sandy, beds of Harper’s Hill, N. S.

Wales.

Avicula tessellata (Phil.).

I cannot distinguish the specimens occurring in the soft green-

ish schists of Dunvegan, N. 8S. Wales, from those in the precisely

similar shale at the base of the carboniferous series at Lisnapaste

in the north of Ireland.

Pterinea macroptera (Mor.).

Rare in the white rock of Port Arthur, V. D. Land.

Eurydesma cordata (Mor.).

Common in the arenaceous limestone of Arthur’s Hill, N. S.

Wales.

Inoceramus Mitchelhii (M‘Coy). Pl. XIV. fig. 1.

Sp. Char. Longitudinally ovate, one-fifth longer than wide,

slightly oblique, inflated ; hinge-line oblique, nearly equalling

the width of the shell, forming a slightly compressed wing ;

beaks pointed, prominent, incurved, close to the anterior end ;

anterior side nearly straight, abruptly subtruncate; surface

with numerous strong, concentric, irregular wrinkles of

growth.

The hinge-margin of this species is much thickened, which

removes it from Postdonia, while, as in many of the German cre-

taceous Jnocerami, it is not possible to observe any traces of the

transverse ligamentary pits, nor can we be sure whether those

species possessed them or not ; meanwhile I shall leave the pre-

sent species in the same genus as its obvious allies alluded to;

and even if future research should prove that ligamentary pits

did not exist, we should form a distinct genus for those species,

which, like the present and the J. vetustus (Sow.) of the moun-

tain limestone, are distinguished from the true semimembranous

Posidonie of the lias and paleeozoic shales with which they have

been confounded, by their thick shells, general form, and thick-

ened hinge-margin. Length 2 inches 3 lines, width 1 inch

9 lines, thickness about 1} inches.

Common in the sandstones of Glendon and Wollongong, N. S.

Wales.

Dedicated to Sir T. Mitchell, one of the first to make known

the existence of fossils in those rocks.

300 Mr. F. M‘Coy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

Pleurorhynchus australis (M‘Coy). Pl. XVI. fig. 4.

Sp. Char. Aleform or transversely subtrigonal, gibbose, length

nearly two-thirds the width; posterior side forming a com-

pressed narrow wing ; anterior face obliquely subtruncate, con-

vex, divided into three nearly equal tumid compartments by

. two impressed furrows from the beak ; body of the shell and

posterior side radiated with rather coarse irregular ridges from

the beak ; anterior face finely striated longitudinally.

This resembles the P. mznaz (Phil.) in the striation of the an-

terior face being so much finer than that of the middle or pos-

terior parts of the surface; it differs in having the anterior face

not only much more finely striated, but divided into three parts

by distinct furrows; while from the Cardium irregulare and C.

strangulatum (Kon.), which have the anterior face so divided, but

smooth, it is distinguished by this latter character, and also by

wanting the mesial strangulation of those species. Length of

small specimen 8 lines, width 1 inch.

Not uncommon of larger size in the sandy schists of Wollon-

gong, N.S. Wales.

Allorisma curvatum (Mor.).

Common in the sandstones of Darlington, Wollongong and

Glendon, N.S. Wales.

Orthonota compressa (Mor.).

In the calcareous schists of Harper’s Hill, N.S. Wales.

Orthonota costata (Mor.).

Common in the sandstone of Wollongong, N.S. Wales.

Modiola crassissima (M‘Coy).. Pl. XV. figs. 2 & 3.

Sp. Char. Transversely ovate, very gibbose ; beaks small, nearly

terminal ; anterior side forming a small rounded lobe beneath

the beaks, separated from the body of the shell by a strong

sinus in the ventral margin, from which a shallow concavity

runs towards the beak ; posterior side wide ; hinge-margin ele-

vated, four-fifths the width of the shell in length, compressed,

angulated, posterior end broadly rounded ; ventral margin

convex ; shell very thick ; surface with a few concentric waves

of growth, and marked towards the posterior inferior angle

with a few distant obsolete ridges extending obliquely from

the beaks.

~ Length 5 lines, width 1 inch 7 lines, height of cardinal angle

11 lines (occasionally 33 inches wide).

Not uncommon in the schists of Har per’s Hill, N. S. Wales.

of the Rocks associated with the Coal of Australia. ~ 301

Pachydomus carinatus (Mor.).

Abundant in the fine sandy schists of Wollongong, N. 8. Wales ;

more rare in the white rock of Port Arthur, V. D. Land.

Pachydomus globosus (Sow. sp.).

Common in the sandstone of Wollongong, N.S. Wales.

Pachydomus gigas (M‘Coy). Pl. XVI. fig. 3.

Sp. Char. Transversely oval, length two-thirds of the width, very

gibbose, inflated ; beaks very large, imcurved, placed in about

the anterior third of the shell; posterior side obliquely trun-

cated, the angles rounded; posterior slopes compressed, flat-

tened ; posterior ridge obtusely rounded, almost disappearing

before reaching the posterior inferior angle; anterior side

small, narrowed, with a slightly marked sinus between it and

the convex ventral margin; surface marked with small con-

centric cord-like sulci and ridges.

This is distinguished from the P. globosus (with which Mr.

Morris seems to include it) by its greater width in proportion to

the length, by the flattened, compressed sides of the posterior

slopes and the more oblique truncation of the posterior end, and

the smallness and narrowed appearance of the anterior side,

arising from a slight, but always perceptible, sinus between it and

the convexity of the ventral margin. The shell is very thin in

this species, which makes a near approach to Leptodomus (M‘Coy)

in all its characters. Length 41 inches, width 6 inches 3 lines

(often much larger).

Common in the fine sandstone of Wollongong, N.S. Wales.

Pachydomus sacculus (M‘Coy). Pl. XIV. fig. 5.

Sp. Char. Subquadrate or satchel-shaped, length nearly equalling

the width, thickness two-thirds the length; gibbose towards

the beak, compressed towards the ventral margin ; beaks large,

nearly central, strongly incurved towards the anterior side ;

posterior side forming a short, compressed, rectangular wing ;

anterior side very obliquely truncated ; anterior and posterior

slopes abruptly rounded, and the angles formed by their junc-

tion with the ventral margin equal, broadly rounded and nearly

equidistant from the beak ; abdominal margin broadly concave,

giving the middle of the valves a flattened, slightly hollowed

appearance ; shell very thick, foliaceous ; surface with a few

obtuse concentric elevations and numerous irregular concentric

lines of growth.

Length 43 inches, width 4 inches 9 lines. I am uncertain

whether the specimen figured is from Black Head or Wollongong,

N.S. Wales.

302 Mr. F. M‘Coy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

Pachydomus ovalis (M‘Coy). Pl. XIV. fig. 4.

Sp. Char. Transversely oval, length five-sixths of the width, com-

pressed, thickness rather more than two-thirds of the length ;

beaks tumid, nearest the anterior end; anterior and posterior

ends oval, rounded, the latter obscurely angulated at end of

hinge-line ; ventral margin regularly convex ; surface marked

with thick, unequal, cord-like concentric strie; lunette deep

ovate ; ligament external, large.

The anterior and posterior adductor impressions are large and

oval ; the impression of the retractor of the foot very small, lunate,

just over the anterior adductor ; pallial impression with a small

rounded sinus before joming the posterior adductor. Distin-

guished from the P. levis (Sow.) by the coarse concentric linea-

tion of the surface. Length 1 inch 8 lines, width 2 inches.

Very common in the sandstone of Wollongong, N.S. Wales.

Pachydomus? pusillus (M‘Coy). Pl. XVI. figs. 1 & 2.

Sp. Char. Small, ovato-orbicular, width slightly exceeding the

length, globose, thickness four-fifths the length ; beaks very

large, tumid, much incurved into the anterior cordiform space,

which is unusually deep ; anterior side short, rounded ; poste-

rior end rounded ; ventral margin very convex ; ligament very

large, external ; muscular impressions large, anterior deep oval,

posterior impression shallow, lunate, pallial impression entire ;

shell thick, surface rough with strong concentric imbricating

lines of growth.

This curious little species resembles an Jsocardia, but from the

great size of the external ligament, thick shell and general habit,

I have placed it in the present genus, but not without doubt, from

its diminutive size and peculiar proportions. Length 10 lines,

width 11 lines.

Common in the sandy schists of Wollongong, N.S. Wales.

Cardinia (?) exilis (M‘Coy). PI. XV. fig. 1.

Sp. Char. Transversely ovate, compressed, cuneiform, slender,

twice as wide as long ; dorsal margin convex ; beaks small, one-

sixth of the width from the anterior end; posterior end at-

tenuated, obtusely pointed ; anterior side small, rounded ; an-

terior half of the ventral margin convex, posterior half slightly

concave; surface with strong irregular imbricating laminz of

growth and close intervening imbricating striz.

This reminds us of the Unio (Cardinia) acuta (Sow. sp.) of the

European coal-fields, but is distinguished by its greater thickness,

more clavate form and arched dorsal margin. The muscular and

pallial impressions correspond with those of the lias species of

of the Rocks associated with the Coal of Australia. 308

the genus generally, but the dental impressions are obscure.

Length 1 inch 1 line, width 2 inches 2 lines.

From the sandstone of Wollongong, N.S. Wales.

Notomya (M‘Coy), new genus. (Etym. votos, auster, and Mya.)

Gen. Char. Shell transversely ovate, equivalve, inequilateral,

compressed, greatest thickness behind the middle of the shell ;

gaping slightly at both ends; beaks small, compressed ; car-

dinal slope not distinguished from the sides of the shell; shell

thick, surface concentrically lmeated ; ligament external, large.

Cast : a wide shallow furrow runs obliquely from the beak about

half-way towards the ventral margin ; a shallow spoon-shaped

hollow extends from the beak to the impression of the poste-

rior adductor muscle, bounded by a low ridge on each side in

each valve ; traces of a simple cardinal tooth beneath the beak of

the right valve ; muscular impressions deep ; anterior adductor

large ovate, not attenuated above; posterior adductor broadly

lunate ; retractor of the foot small, oval, immediately over the

anterior adductor; pallial impression with a small rounded

sinus before joing the posterior adductor.

It is with those Muschelkalk Myacites of Schlotheim and

Bronn, and such like forms, of which M. Agassiz, in his ‘ Etudes

Critiques sur les Mollusques Fossiles,’ has composed his genus

Pleuromya, and with those forming his genus Gresslya, that

the present fossils have the strongest affinity. They are how-

ever perfectly distinct from those essentially Jurassic and Tri-

assic types, by the small size of the sinus in the pallial impres-

sion. In minor characters it differs from the Gresslyas in the

small size of the beaks, and the more compressed form of the sides

(the greatest thickness in Gresslya being always before the beaks,

and gradually diminishing towards the posterior end, while the

greatest thickness in Notomya is behind the beaks, depriving them

of the characteristic wedge-like form of Gresslya). The present

genus is destitute of the cardinal ridge in the right valve, so re-

markable in Gresslya, having in its place a shallow, attenuated,

ovate hollow, bounded by two obscure ridges in each valve, thus

approaching Pleuromya. The shell also is much thicker than in

the above genera, and the impressions of the muscular and pallial

scars much deeper and more strongly marked in consequence ; the

impression of the anterior adductor is pear-shaped, pointed and

attenuated above in Gresslya, but simply oval in Notomya. The

Pleuromye differ in nearly all the same points as Gresslya from

the present genus (except the cardinal ridge), and differ besides

in the elevation or upward curvature of the cardinal line and the

convexity of the posterior two-thirds of the ventral margin cor-

304 Mr. F. M‘Coy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

responding with it, those parts being oppositely inclined in No-

tomya. The oblique mesial or post-mesial furrow from the beak »

in the cast of Notomya does not exist in the other two genera,

but in Pleuromya there exists a somewhat similar furrow, but

different in position, arising in front of the beaks, and extending

directly to the ventral margin close to the anterior end. Cardinia

(Ag.), which somewhat resembles the present genus, is distin-

guished by its entire pallial impression and dental characters.

Notomya securiformis (M‘Coy). Pl. XV. figs. 5 & 5 a.

Sp. Char. Transversely ovate, flattened ; length two-thirds the

width, thickness rather less than half the length ; beaks small,

flattened, rather more than one-third the width from the an-

terior end; anterior end narrowed, rounded; posterior end

narrow, subtruncate, nearly square ; anterior two-thirds of the

ventral margin very convex, a shallow concavity in the poste-

rior third; muscular impressions very large, anterior one

deepest, ovate, posterior one shallow, broad, reniform ; pallial

scar strongly marked, parallel with the ventral margin as far

as the anal angle, then a small subangular sinus before joining

the adductor impression ; retractor impression small, deep,

narrow, oval; in the cast the oblique furrow from the beak

towards the ventral sinus wide, shallow ; remains of a cardinal

tooth under the beak of the right valve.

~ Length 1 inch6 lines, width 2 inches 2 lines, thickness 11 lines.

The figures of this species display most of the generic characters.

Sandstone of Wollongong, N. 8. Wales.

Notomya clavata (M‘Coy). Pl. XV. fig. 4.

Sp. Char. Transversely clavate; length two-thirds the width,

evenly convex, greatest thickness towards the posterior half;

beaks very small, compressed, rather more than one-fifth the

width from the anterior end; anterior end very broad, evenly

rounded; anterior third of the ventral margin very convex,

middle portion widely concave; posterior end narrowed, ob-

liquely subtruncate, rounded ; muscular impression shallow,

anterior large ovate, posterior broad lunate ; retractor small,

broad, oval ; oblique longitudinal furrow from the beak deep,

narrow above, widening nearly to the marginal concavity ; im-

pression of one simple cardinal tooth beneath the beak of the

right valve ; the long spoon-shaped hollow extending from the

beaks to the posterior muscular impressions, and its lateral

bounding ridges obscurely marked.

Distinguished from the N. securiformis by its broadly rounded

anterior side, smaller beaks, thinner shell, and consequently more

faintly marked ridges and impressions on the cast, and by the

of the Rocks associated with the Coal of Australia. 305

middle of the ventral margin being concave instead of very con-

vex, and the sides evenly convex instead of flattened. Length

1 inch 6 lines, width 2 inches 2 lines. Common in the sand-

stone of Wollongong, N.S. Wales.

Besides the above, there is a third species of Notomya equally

common in the sandstone of Loder’s Creek, but of which none of

the specimens were good enough to figure or describe ; it has the

strong mesial oblique furrow from the beak of the cast, small

sinus in the mantle scar, and other characters of the genus, but

differs from the preceding species in its regular oval outline, &c.

It might be named N. ovalis.

Pullastra? striato-costata (M‘Coy). Pl. XIV. fig. 3.

Sp. Char. Transversely oblong, depressed, nearly twice as wide

as long, dorsal and ventral margins nearly parallel, anterior and

posterior ends elliptically rounded ; beaks rather large, one-

third of the width from the anterior end; surface with about

twelve strong angular ridges parallel with the margin ; those

ridges are finely striated in the direction of their length.

The striation parallel with the ridging distinguishes this from

the Pullastra bistriata (Portk.) of the Irish carb. shale, and there

being no flat space between the angular ridges, and its less width

and straight ventral margin, distinguish it from the M. scalaris

(Phil.) of Devonshire. Length 2 lines, width 33 lines. Com-

mon in the shale of Dunvegan, N.S. Wales.

Venus? gregaria (M‘Coy). Pl. XVI. fig. 5.

Sp. Char. Orbicular, compressed, evenly convex; beaks promi-

nent, slightly nearer the anterior side; lunette deep ovate,

smooth; external ligament short, prominent; surface covered

with coarse rounded concentric strie; margin crenulated

within.

This pretty little species occurs gregariously in great numbers

in some spots in the sandstone of Wollongong, N.S. Wales, prin-

cipally as hollow casts, which at first sight resemble impressions

of the Atrypa decussata. Length 4 lines.

(Gasteropoda.)

Euomphalus minimus (M‘Coy). Pl. XVII. fig. 4.

Sp. Char. Greatest diameter one line; spire depressed, of three

small whorls; basal whorl deeper than the spire, rounded,

Doe ae than long; umbilicus small, rounded; surface

smooth.

Common in the shale of Dunvegan, N. 8. Wales.

Pleurotomaria subcancellata (Mor.).

In the fine calcareous sandstone of Loder’s Creek, N. 8. Wales.

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 22

306 Mr. F. M‘Coy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

Pleurotomaria Sirzeleckiana (Mor.).

Common in the fine calcareous grits of Wollongong, N. S.

Wales.

Pleurotomaria Morrisiana (M‘Coy). Pl. XVII. fig. 5.

Sp. Char. Acutely conical, width four-fifths of the length ; volu-

tions four or five, each having a small double keel below the

middle, and a slightly tumid margin to the sutures ; no umbi-

licus ; surface with fine close unequal strie arched backwards

from the suture to the keel. Width 4 lines, length scarcely

5 lines.

As the characters of this little species seem to have been already

recognized and slightly alluded to by my friend Mr. Morris (in

Count Strzelecki’s work), I dedicate it to him. It is, as he ob-

serves, something like the P. conica (Phil.), but smaller and more

elongate.

Abounds in some parts of the limestone of Black Head, N.S.

Wales, and rare in the sandstone of Muree, N.S. Wales.

Platyschisma rotundatum (Mor.).

Abundant in the dark arenaceous limestone of Harper’s Hill,

N.S. Wales.

Platyschisma oculus (Mor.).

Common in the arenaceous limestone of Harper’s Hill.

(Pteropoda.)

Theca lanceolata (Mor.).

Abundant in the dark arenaceous limestone of Black Head,

N.S. Wales. I observe that, at the longitudinal furrows, the ends

of the transverse sulci alternate with each other as in Conularia.

Those longitudinal furrows are not noticed by Mr. Morris in his

description of the genus and above-named species ; but they exist,

of the same number as in Conularia, one coinciding with the

principal (? dorsal) ridge, two being placed a little on the (? pos-

terior) side of the lateral angles, and one in the middle of the flat

(? anterior) side. It is of importance to notice those obscurely

marked furrows, as bringing more clearly to view the relations

of the genus Theca with Conularia. The transverse sulci are

crossed by very minute longitudinal striz.

Conularia levigata (Mor.).

Common in the fine gray micaceous sandstone of Black Creek,

N.S. Wales, and in the limestone of Harper’s Hill, N.S. Wales.

Conularia torta (M‘Coy). Pl. XVII. figs. 9 & 10.

Very elongate-conic, diminishing in diameter at the rate of

one line in two inches ; section oval; lateral longitudinal chan-

of the Rocks associated with the Coai of Australia. 307

nels only two (?), placed with a slight obliquity to the long axis

of the shell, giving it a twisted appearance, being placed at the

sides (or extremities of the short axis) of the oval section at the

base, and being at the ends (or extremities of the long axis) of the

oval section near the small end ; sides very convex, without mesial

furrow ; transverse sulci coarse (about fifteen in half an inch),

continued uninterruptedly across from one side-furrow to the

opposite.

This extraordinary fossil seems to differ from all known Conu-

lari@ in having but two instead of four longitudinal furrows (for

although MM. D’Archiac and Verneuil give an oval section of

their C. Brongniarttt showing but two furrows, I suppose this to

be erroneous, as it neither agrees with their description nor larger

figure). This is distinctly seen in the small fragment here figured,

as well as the uninterrupted passage of the transverse ridges from

one oblique sulcus to that on the opposite side, and the undivided.

nature of the intermediate faces. The larger specimen figured is

not so perfect, but shows the slow rate of increase. The trans-

verse sulci are about as numerous as in the C. levigata, but that

species has four unequal, divided faces, and is, together with all

the described species, so different as not to require a particular

comparison. The oblique or twisted direction of the longitudinal

sulci above-noticed, I find also to exist in the recent Creseis spi-

nifera of the Mediterranean, so that what would otherwise seem

an anomalous character of the present fossil, tends rather to

strengthen the affinity between Conularia and the recent Ptero-

poda.

Not uncommon in the sandstone of Muree, N.S. Wales.

Conularia tenuistriata (M‘Coy). Pl. XVII. figs. 7 & 8.

Sp. Char. Quadrangular, pyramidal, section rhomboidal, taper-

ing at the rate of two lines in one inch; sides unequal, two nar-

row sides flat or slightly convex, about half the width of the

two wide ones, which are slightly concave; a strong longitu-

dinal furrow down each of the lateral angles, and a faintly

marked one in the middle of each of the broad faces ; trans-

verse striz very fine, twenty-seven to twenty-nine in the space

of half an inch, passing uninterruptedly, with a slight upward

curve, across the broad faces, more nearly straight on the two

narrow ones.

This species equals or even exceeds the Conularia Gerolstein-

ensis in the fineness of. its transverse striation, while it is distin-

guished from that and all other species with which I am ac-

quainted by the great disproportion in the width of the sides.

One specimen, imperfect at both ends, measuring 1} inch long,

had the long diameter at the base 9 lines, the short diameter at

22%

308 .Mr. F. M‘Coy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

base 43 lines; long diameter at smaller end 6} lines, short dia-

meter at ditto 3 lines.

Not uncommon in the sandstone of Muree; N.S. Wales.

( Cephalopoda.)

Bellerophon micromphalus (Mor.).

- Common in the impure calcareous beds of Wollongong, N. S.

Wales ; rare in the sandstone of Muree, N.S. Wales.

Bellerophon interstrialis (M‘Coy). Pl. XVII. fig. 6.

Sp. Char. Globose ; keel obtuse, rounded; surface with sharp

spiral strie, each pair having two or three finer lines between

them, and the whole reticulated by sharp transverse elevated

strie, which form little tubercles at the intersections.

Closely allied to the Irish carboniferous B. interlineatus (Portk.),

from which it is known by the strong reticulation of its surface.

Rare in the Dunvegan shale, N.S. Wales. Width 4 lines.

Nautilus.

A species resembling the carboniferous N. sulcatus, but too

imperfect for specific determination, occurs in the Dunvegan

shale, N.S. Wales.

ConcLusion.

Having far exceeded the limits I had originally intended for

the preceding part of this paper, I find it only possible to give a

brief outline of those general topics on which I mtended to have

dwelt. First, as to what has been already done: geologists are

familiar, from the labours of M. de Strzelecki and others, with

the fact that there exists a series of stratified deposits, consisting

of siliceous and argillaceous slates, limestones and sandstones,

stretching at irregular intervals from the Liverpool range of

mountains in New South Wales to the extremity of Van Diemen’s

Land, and forming detached masses, probably at one period con-

tinuous ; those contain abundant fossil remains of animals refer-

able to the paleeozoic period.

Above these we have a series of clays, shales and sandstones,

with remains of fossil plants and beds of coal, occupying three

great basin-shaped hollows ; one in the district about the Hawkes-

bury River in New South Wales, and called the Newcastle basin,

and the two others in Van Diemen’s Land, called respectively

the South Esk and the Jerusalem basins. The animal beds

containing the palozoic remains are found, with one doubtful

exception, to dip constantly under the coal-bearing strata, at

every point of observation ; for the most part at the same angle

as that at which the coal crops out: tle exception alluded to is a

point near Spring Hill, Van Diemen’s Land, where masses of clay

of the Rocks associated with the Coal of Australia. 309

containing Pachydomus globosus seem to rest on a sandstone con-

taining remains of plants, and which is known to belong to the

top of the coal series: Count Strzelecki, who made this observa-

tion, doubts its correctness himself, and expressly states that it

needs re-examination to establish the fact of those Pachydomus

clays really existing in this position. Nevertheless the inference

has been drawn from this observation, that the Jerusalem coal-

basin was much older than that at Newcastle, N. 8S. Wales,

where the sandstones containing the Pachydomi were always seen

to dip distinctly under the coal-measures : countenance was ap-

parently given to this supposition by the few plants which were

collected from Jerusalem coal-field proving to be all specifically

and some generically distinct from those known to exist in the

Newcastle basin. When to this we add, that the beds containing

the fossil animal remains rest on a siliceous breccia, the age of

which is unknown, and that the coal strata are overlaid by varie-

gated sandstone and yellow limestone, supposed from its few or-

ganic remains to belong to the pleiocene period, we have I believe

stated all that is known on the geological relation of those

deposits.

With regard to their paleeontology*, we have seven species of

plants noticed in M. de Strzelecki’s work by Mr. Morris, one of

which is identical with a species from the Indian coal-field of

Burdwan ; and the general resemblance to the oolitic plants of

Britain is noticed, as well as the absence of the characteristic

forms of the older genuine coal-fields of Europe. In the inferior

strata there are forty-eight species of animal remains noticed,

one of which is supposed to be identical with a species of the

British mountain limestone; the remainder are all (except two

new types) of paleozoic genera; but the absence is remarked of

Nautilus, the true Leptene and Orthide, all of which however I

have now been able to add.

In the above notice I have given seventeen species of fossil

plants from the Mulubimba district, which is a portion of the

great Newcastle and Hawkesbury basin, twelve of which are con-

sidered new. Those plants belong to ten genera, two of which

(Vertebraria and Zeugophyllites) are only known here and in the

supposed oolitic coal-fields of India: one genus (Gletchenites)

I have provisionally used for the Pecopteris odontopteroides of

Morris, from the verbal characters given by Goppert for that genus,

* Since the above was printed, I learn from a letter of Mr. Dana’s that

he is just putting to press his account of the palzontology of this district,

which, as naturalist to the United States exploring expedition, he has re-

cently investigated under more favourable circumstances than any of his

predecessors; we may soon therefore expect from this accomplished natn-

ralist a great addition to our knowledge on this subject.

810 Mr. F. M‘Coy on the Fossil Botany and Zoology

the species of which are found only in the paleozoic coal ; the plant

however agrees much better with the species of the Keuper ge-

nus Heptacarpus than with those of the carboniferous Gleichenites,

and if we look rather to the plants themselves than to the defi-

nitions given of the genera, I should certainly place it there : all

the other genera (with the exception of Phyllotheca, which is

confined to the locality) are well-known in the oolitic coal de-

posits of Yorkshire, and one species, the Sphenopteris germana

(M‘Coy), is scarcely to be distinguished from the common Pecop-

teris Murrayana (Br.) of the Scarborough shales. Several of

those genera are common both to the carboniferous and oolitic

periods, but the most abundant and characteristic plants of the

' Australian beds belong to a genus (Glossopteris) never found in

the old coal-fields, but several species of which are, on the other

hand, well-known in coal-beds of the oolitic age in various parts

of the world. I am therefore strongly of opinion, from the evi-

dence of more than double the number of species of plants known

before, that the coal deposits of Australia should be referred to

the oolitic period; and this opinion derives much additional weight

from the negative fact, that among the large quantity of remains

of plants which I have examined from this district, not a trace

has been observed of any of the characteristic carboniferous ge-

nera—not a trace of Lepidodendron or any allied plant—not a trace

of Sigillaria, Favularia, Stigmaria, or even of true Calamites. 1

might further add, that the list of plants I have given destroys

any negative arguments formerly based on the fossil evidence,

for considering the Jerusalem coal-basin to be of a different age

from the Newcastle one, as I have detected the most characteristic

plants of the former abundantly in the latter beds, so that the

fossil evidence now would go, with the admitted identity of the

walls of the basins and the general analogy of the sections, to

prove them all of one age.

In the underlying rocks I have been able to determine 83 spe-

cies of animal remains, of which 14 are Zoophyta, 3 Crinoidea,

4, Crustacea, 25 Brachiopoda, 24 Lamellibranchiata, 6 Gastero-

poda, 4 Pteropoda and 3 Cephalopoda (including Bellerophon).

Of these, 4 genera and 32 species are figured and described as

new. Those 83 species belong to 39 genera, all of which (with

the exception of the genera Tribrachyocrinus, Pachydomus, Noto-

mya and Eurydesma,—new forms at present only known in Au-

stralia) are abundant in the carboniferous rocks of Britam, many

of them not being found in any higher series, and several of them

not being known in any older deposits, so that the age, even if

we only look to the genera of the fossils, is clearly limited to the

carboniferous period ; but when we descend to the critical exami-

nation of species, we find so extraordinary and unexpected an

of the Rocks associated with the Coal of Australia. 811

amount of agreement between those beds and the similar shales,

sandstones and impure limestones forming the base of the car-

boniferous system in Ireland, that it is impossible not to believe

them to be nearly on the same parallel, and there is equal diffi-

culty in imagining them to be either younger or older than

those deposits. Of those species no less than eleven are be-

lieved to be positively identical, on the most careful comparison

of the Australian and Irish specimens, and nine more are so

closely allied that it has been found impossible to detect any

difference of character, but which, either from imperfect preser-

vation or want of sufficient specimens to display all the characters,

have not been specifically identified. With such evidence as I

have mentioned, I do not think it improbable that a wide geolo-

gical interval occurred between the consolidation of the fossi-

liferous beds which underlie the coal, and the deposition of the

coal-measures themselves ; that there is no real connexion between

them, but that they belong to widely different geological systems,

the former referable to the base of the carboniferous system, the

latter to the oolitic, and neither showing the slightest tendency

to a confusion of type.

EXPLANATION OF PLATES IX. ro XVII.

Puate IX.

Fig. 1. Vertebraria australis (M/‘Coy).

Fig. 2. Otopteris ovata (M‘ Coy).

Fig. 3. Cyclopteris angustifolia (Coy).

fig. 3a. Neuration of ditto magnified.

fig. 4. Sphenopteris flexuosa (M‘Coy).

Fig. 4a. Pinnule of ditto magnified to show the neuration.

fig. 5. Glossepteris linearis (M/‘Coy).

‘ig. 5a. Neuration of ditto magnified.

Fig. 6. Pecopteris (?) tenuifolia (AZ‘Coy).

Puate X.

Fig. 1. Sphenopteris hastata (M*‘Coy).

Fig. 1 a. Pinnule of ditto magnified.

Fig. 2. Sphenopteris germana (M‘Coy).

Fig. 2a, Pinnule of ditto magnified.

fig. 3. Sphenopteris plumosa (M‘Coy).

Fig. 3a. Pinnule of ditto magnified.

Puate XI.

Fig. 1. Inflorescence of Phyllotheca.

Fig. 2. Phyllotheca ramosa (M‘Coy).

Fig. 3, Decorticated stem with sear of branch.

Figs. 4 & 5. Phyllotheca Hookeri (M/‘Coy).

Fig. 6. Magnified part of leaf of ditto to show the midrib.

Fig. 7. Stems of ditto, without their sheath, to show their sulcation.

Fig. 8. Cladochonus tenuicollis (14‘Coy). Lower figure magnified.

Fig. 9. Strombodes, (?) australis (M‘Coy).

312 . On the Fossil Botany and Zoology of Australia.

Pruate XII.

Fig. 1 a. Brachymetopus Strzeleckii (1/‘Coy): head natural size and mag-

nified.

Fig. 1b. Ditto, pygidium natural size and magnified.

Fig. 2 a §& b. Tribrachyocrinus Clarkii (1/‘Coy).

Fig. 2c. Plates of ditto expanded.

Prate XIII.

Fig. 1, Orbicula affinis (M‘Coy).

Fig. 2. Producta undulata (J/‘Coy).

Fig. 3. Orthis spinigera (M‘Coy).

Fig. 4. Orthis australis (1/‘Coy).

Fig. 4a. Ditto, internal cast.

Figs. 5 & 6. Spirifera (Brachythyris) oviformis (M‘Coy).

Fig. 7. Spirifera lata (Z‘Coy).

Fig. 8. Atrypa Jukesii (M‘Coy).

Figs. 9 & 9a. Atrypa biundata (M‘Coy).

Pirate XIV.

Fig. 1. Inoceramus Mitchellii (M‘Coy).

Fig. 2. Pecten ptychotis (J/‘Coy).

Fig. 3. Pullastra () striato-costata (M‘Coy).

Fig. 4, Pachydomus ovalis (M‘Coy).

Fig. 5. Pachydomus sacculus (M*Coy).

Puate XV.

Fig. 1. Cardinia (?) exilis (Z‘Coy).

Figs. 2 & 3. Modiola crassissima (/4‘Coy).

Fig. 4. Notomya clavata (M‘Coy).

Figs. 5 & 5a. Notomya securiformis (‘Coy).

Puate XVI.

Fig. 1. Pachydomus (?) pusillus (1/‘Coy) : internal cast.

Fig. 2. Ditto, surface.

3. Pachydomus gigas (//‘Coy).

Fig. 4. Pleurorhynchus australis (M‘Coy).

5. Venus () gregaria (M‘Coy).

Pirate XVII.

1. Pecten subquinquelineatus (1/‘Coy).

Fig. 2. Spirifera (Brachythyris) duodecimcostata, dorsal valve.

. 8. Ditto, ventral valve.

fig. 4. Euomphalus minimus (M‘Coy).

Fig. 5, Pleurotomaria Morrisiana (M/‘Coy).

Fig. 6. Bellerophon interstrialis (1Z‘Coy).

Fig. 7. Conularia tenuistriata (1/‘Coy).

Fig. 8. Ditto.

Figs. 9 & 10, Conularia torta (AZ‘Coy).

[We have to acknowledge the kindness of the Rev. Prof. Sedgwick in

contributing liberally to the cost of the large number of Plates required for

the illustration of Mr. M‘Coy’s paper; as it is from the aid which he has

thus afforded us that we have been enabled to present our readers with so

valuable a contribution to our knowledge of a highly interesting and import-

ant subject.— Eb. }

Mr. Blyth’s Remarks upon specimens of Mammalia and Birds. 313

XXIX.—Critical Remarks upon Mr. J... Gray’s published Cata-

logue of the specimens of Mammalia and Birds presented by

B. H. Hodgson, Esq., to the British Museum. By Ep. Buytu,

Curator to the Museum of the Asiatic Society, Calcutta, &c.

By the politeness of Mr. J. E. Gray, I have just been favoured with a

copy of his published Catalogue of Mr. Hodgson’s specimens pre-

sented to the British Museum ; and as I have sundry emendations of

nomenclature and corrections of synonyms to offer relative to the

species enumerated in that Catalogue, I shall proceed to do so without

delay, in hope of checking the diffusion of error so far as my present

information suffices for the purpose. :

Page 1. Presbytis schistaceus, Hodgson: erroneously referred to

Pr. entellus of Bengal; and all the synonyms incorrect, except the

MS. synonyms of Mr. Hodgson. Pr. hypoleucos, nobis (noticed as

a variety of Pr. Johnii by Mr. Martin, and since named Dussumieri

by M. Schinz), is a conspicuously different species peculiar to Mala-

bar and Travancore ; and the Pr. anchises, Elliot, quoted with a mark

of doubt, is more nearly allied to the Himalayan Lungoor (judging

from several elaborate descriptions of the latter which I have re-

ceived) than is Pr. hypoleucos, but is doubtless also quite distinct,

as is likewise Pr. priamus of the Coromandel coast and Ceylon *.

Gentlemen in Europe, who derive their knowledge of exotic species

chiefly or solely from a few museum specimens, may be pardoned for

such occasional mal-identifications ; which cultivators of zoology who

study the species in their indigenous abodes, as I have the Pr. en-

tellus,—of which I have repeatedly seen troops of many dozens as

tame as domestic animals, and permitting of the closest observation

and examination short of actually handling them,—could scarcely

fall into. The true Pr. entellus I have never observed to vary.

P.2. Macacus assamensis, M‘Clelland and Horsfield, P. Z. S. 1839,

p. 148, if identical with M. pelops, Hodgson, as might easily be

ascertained by reference to the India-house specimen of the former,

would of course bear the name by which it was first described.

P. 6. To the well-known small Cat termed Leopardus Ellioti by

Mr. Gray, must be referred, as an occasional variety merely, the

Felis Charltoni, Gray, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 1846, p. 211. This

variety has been received by the Asiatic Society from Assam ; and

intermediate specimens occur which prove the specifical identity

here asserted beyond all question.

P. 7. The Tibetan Lynx does not appear to me to be identical with

the species to which Mr. Gray refers it. I have examined several

specimens.

P. 11. Canis lupus, apud Elliot, is strangely enough given as a

dubious synonym of C. aureus. A naturalist and sportsman of Mr.

Elliot’s experience and discernment would about as soon mistake a

* Mr. Jerdon informs me that both Pr. priamus and Pr. hypoleucos are

common in the vicinity of Tellicherry, on the Malabar coast, where he now

resides,

314 Mr. Blyth’s Remarks upon specimens of Mammalia and Birds

jackal for a wolf as Mr. Gray would mistake a leopard for a royal

tiger !——Canis corsac, Blyth, is quoted as a synonym of Vulpes ben-

galensis. I merely followed Mr. Ogilby in so referring it. Vide

*‘ Mammalogy of the Himalaya’ in Royle’s ‘ Botany,’ &c.

P. 15. Helarctos malayanus (verus), if it does not occur in the

Nepal Terai, assuredly does in Assam, Arracan, the Tenasserim pro-

vinces and Malayan peninsula. I have had two living specimens

from Assam ; and have likewise seen the Ursus tibetanus (erroneously

so named) alive. 3

P.16. Sorex pygmeus, Hodgson. Is not this S. Perrotellii, Guerin ?

It occurs in the Neilgherries as well as in the Himalaya, and has even

been obtained in a cellar in Madras.

P. 20. Lepus orientalis, Brown, 1836, surely takes precedence of

L. macrotis, Hodgson, 1840; but the species was rightly referred by

Mr. Ogilby to L. rufocaudatus, Is. Geoffroy.

P. 22. Pteromys nobilis, Gray, v. chrysothrix, Hodgson, is merely

an occasional variety of Pt. nobilis.

Sciurus macruroides, Hodgson (1841, not described) is described

by M‘Clelland as Sc. giganteus in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1839, p. 151, so

that if really different from Sc. bicolor (verus), which I doubt exceed-

ingly, the latter name should have the preference, only that Raffles

had long previously bestowed the name affinis on a pale variety of the

same species since termed Sc. aureiventris by Is. Geoffroy. Should it

not therefore (7. e. the dark or ordinarily coloured variety) in this

case rank as Sc. affinis ? albeit Raffles alludes evidently to this dark

race by the name Sc. maximus of Schreber. With regard to the

name bicolor, it is certain that Sparrman founded it upon a Javan

specimen ; and the question therefore turns upon the fact whether

the dark Malacca race inhabits Java? Schinz correctly describes the

latter, and gives Java, Sumatra and Borneo as the habitats; but

Mr. Gray, assuming (it would seem) the contrary, refers bicolor to

javensis, Schreber, and adopts macruroides, Hodgson, for the common

dark race abundant from the 8. E. Himalaya and Assam, southward

to the Straits of Malacca at least, if not further. ‘These great Squir-

rels are extremely puzzling, more especially in the Malay countries.

On the continent I know three well-marked races, viz. the dark one

already noticed with its pale Malayan variety, the purpureus of the

Indian peninsula, and macrourus (verus) of ‘Travancore and Ceylon,

of which last I am now publishing a coloured figure.

P. 29. Ovis burrhel, Blyth, is now acknowledged by Mr. Hodgson

to be distinct from O. nahoor. And I consider O. ammonoides, Hodg-

son, to be identical with O. ammon, Pallas : if distinct, it should bear

the name O. Hodgsonii, nobis. O. Vignei, nobis, placed as a syno-

nym of O. ammonoides by Mr. Gray, is a widely different species,

appertaining to quite a different section of the group of Wild Sheep.

Mr. Gray might as well identify Cervus dama with C. hippelaphus !

P. 32. The Bara Sing’ha of India (or “twelve-antlered”’ Stag) is

the Cervus Duvaucelei, not C. Wallichii, which has but a dubious

claim to be regarded as an Indian animal, though I suspect that to

it must be referred the great truly elaphine Stag of Kashmir.

presented by Mr. Hodgson to the British Museum. 315

P. 34. I do not agree with Mr. Gray in identifying Cervus Ari-

stotelis (the Jerrow of the Himalaya) with C. hippelaphus (the Sambur

or Saumer of Bengal, the Indian peninsula, Arracan, Tenasserim,

&c.).

i conclusion of the Mammalia, I am glad to observe that Mr. Gray,

now that he has specimens to form a legitimate opinion upon, recog-

nises (as a matter of course) the distinctness of the Gaour and Gayal,

Bos gaurus and B. frontalis, which, in his Catalogue of the speci-

mens of Mammalia in the British Museum, he united as one and the

same animal: just as he still “‘ lumps together” the various Indian

Monkeys of the type of Presbytis entellus, in opposition to the opi-

nion of myself and scientific co-labourers in this country, who assu-

redly possess much better data to judge from.

P. 36. Gypaétos hemachalanus (nec hemalayanus) is a name bestowed

by Capt. Hutton, not by Mr. Pearson.

P. 38. Gyps tenuirostris, v. tenuiceps, Hodgson, is Vultur indicus

of Scopoli and Latham, nec Temminck.

P. 41. Falco caligatus, Raffles, v. Spizaétus alboniger, nobis, from

Malacca, is quite distinct from Nisaétus pallidus, Hodgson, which I

presume to be the Falco cirratus, auctorum. Morphnus hastatus,

Lesson, is an aberrant species of true Aquila. Very different species

were also sent by Mr. Hodgson to the Asiatic Society as his Sp. ni-

palensis and Sp. pulcher.

P. 42. Circaétus undulatus is the Falco cheela of Latham, which

specific name claims the priority.—Jctinaétus, Jerdon (nec Kaup),

must stand as the divisional appellation of Falco malaiensis, Rein-

wardt.

P. 45. Tinnunculus interstinctus (M‘Clelland and Horsfield). An

exceedingly doubtful species, from all that I have seen (at least of

specimens so designated), as distinct from the common British

Kestrel.—Jerax eutolmus, Hodgson, can scarcely be referred safely

to F’. bengalensis, Brisson.

P. 46. The common Indian Kite, in the opinion of Mr. H. E.

Strickland, is M. ater (verus), as distinct from M. parasiticus of

Africa. Mr. Gould’s Australian M. affiinis does not appear to differ

in any respect.

P. 51. With abundance of specimens of both before me, I consi-

der Ephialtes lettia (Hodgson) of the Himalaya, Assam, Sylhet and

Arracan to be quite distinct from Eph. lempiji of the Malay countries,

Ceylon and Malabar.

P. 53. The name for Caprimulgus nipalensis, Hodgson, will be C.

albonotatus, Tickell.

P. 54. Hirundo rustica (vera). Several Nepalese specimens of

this bird were presented by Mr. Hodgson to the Asiatic Society ex-

actly according with specimens from England; and I recently ob-

tained one in the vicinity of Midnapore flying with H. daurica and

H. gutturalis, Scopoli. 'The latter name holds precedence of H. ja-

vanica, Sparrman, for the common Indian species termed H. jewan

by Sykes; and H. panayana, Lath., is another synonym.

P. 55. Mr. Gray is right (in his Appendix) in referring H. subsoc-

316 Mr. Blyth’s Remarks upon specimens of Mammalia and Birds

cata and H. minuta, Hodgson, to the common little Indian Bank

Martin, H. sinensis, badly figured in Hardwicke’s ‘ Illustrations ;’ H.

brevicaudata, M‘Clelland and Horsfield, refers to the same.

P. 56. Halcyon amauropterus (Pearson) is not, as stated in the

Appendix, the H. capensis, apud Jerdon. The former is very rare in

the Indian peninsula, but far from being so in the vicinity of Cal-

cutta, and along the eastern coast of the bay of Bengal, in Arracan

and the Tenasserim provinces it is extremely common. ‘The latter

appears to be abundant throughout India, and will now stand as

H. gurial, Pearson, v. brunniceps, Jerdon, as distinguished from the

nearly-allied H. leucocephalus (Gm., very badly so named) of the

Malay countries. The voice of H. amauropterus is extremely harsh,

and remarkably unlike that of H. gurial.

P. 57. H. smyrnensis (L.). Mr. Gray unites with this the H. gu-

laris, Kuhl, v. smyrnensis, var. albogularis, nobis, which is peculiar

to eastern Malasia. He also identifies Ceryle varia, Strickland, with

C. rudis. Both the Indian species referred to are extremely common,

and never vary so as to exhibit the distinguishing characters of their

respective near affines, which I therefore quite agree with Mr. Strick-

land in separating.—A. meninting, Horsfield, vel asiatica, Swainson,

is a distinct species from A. bengalensis. Both occur in the Malayan

peninsula, but the latter is there comparatively rare.

P. 58. Merops torquatus, and the Merops referred doubtfully to

M. viridis. I have no doubt whatever that what Mr. Gray says, in

in the Appendix, of these being mere varieties of M. viridis, is cor-

rect. Specimens of this bird, from Arracan, are remarkable for the

great development of the rufous hue on the crown and nape; and

there is one in the museum of the Asiatic Society (locality unknown)

equally remarkable for the bright verditer-blue of the throat, more

especially on its sides: but to regard these as separate species seems

to me to be altogether unwarrantable ; that last noticed accords with

the description of M. torquatus.

P. 59. Nectarinia saturata (Hodgson), and also N. assamensis,

M‘Clelland and Horsfield, claim precedence of N. Hodgsoni, Jardine ;

and I consider (with Mr. Jerdon) N. mahrattensis, Sykes, to be Cer-

thia asiatica, auct.

P. 60. Specimens which I have examined, marked Myzanthe inor-

nata by Mr. Hodgson, are of the species termed Nectarinia minima

by Capt. Tickell, and Certhia erythrorhynchos, Lath., which latter

name is founded on error, or at least can only be applied to the nest-

ling, so that I now designate this bird Diceum minimum (Tickell).

The species occurs throughout India, even in Ceylon, where it would

appear to be very common. It also inhabits Arracan.

P. 61. Chloropsis cesmarhynchos, Tickell (a misprint for gam-

psorhynchos, Jardine and Selby), refers to Phyllornis Jerdoni, nobis.

—Certhia himalayana, Vigors, is assuredly assigned incorrectly to C.

spilonota, Franklin*.—Sitta cinnamoventris, nobis, is probably S. hi-

malayana, Jardine and Selby.

* I now see that Mr. Gray has verified Certhia spilonota from a specimen

presented by Mr. Hodgson to the British Museum. 317

P. 62. Tesia concolor is a mere variety of Pnoépyga squamata

(Gould), v. albiventer et rufiventer, Hodgson. Pnoépyga pusilla,

Hodgson, is I think distinct.—Troglodytes subhimalayanus is de-

scribed as 7'r. nipalensis, Hodgson, in J. A. S. B. xiv. 589.

P. 63. Orthotomus edela, Temm., v. Edela ruficeps, Lesson, is di-

stinct from O. longicauda v. Bennettii, &c., which together with O.

edela and O. cineraceus, nobis, occurs at Malacca. O. sepium, Hors-

field, is distinct again.

P. 64. Acrocephalus arundinaceus of India will stand as Aer. brun-

nescens (Jerdon), being distinct from the large European species.

Salicaria affinis, Hodgson, is described as Dumeticola thoracica in

J. A. S. B. xiv. 583; also Tribura luteoventris, Horornis flaviventris,

H. fortipes, Horeites brunnifrons, H. pollicaris and H. schistilata

(which I could not distinguish from H. brunnifrons) under Mr. Hodg-

son’s name Nivicola schistilata.

P. 65. ‘‘ Phyllopneuste affinis, Hodgson, Gray, Zool. Misc. 1844 ;

Phylloscopus lugubris, Jerdon; Ph. affinis, Blyth.” I presume this

to mean Ph. lugubris, nobis (nec Jerdon), J. A. 8. B. xii. 968 (1843).

Ph. affinis is the Sylvia indica, Jerdon, referred to Motacilla affinis,

Tickell, J. A. S. B. ii. 576 (1833).—Phyllopneuste xanthoschistos,

Hodgson, is Ph. schisticeps, J. A. S. B. xiv. 592: nearly allied to

which is Abrornis poliogenys, nobis.—Ph. magnirostris, nobis (the

Ph. trochilus ? Hodg.), I take to be Sylvia javanica of Horsfield. It

is commoner on the eastern side of the bay of Bengal.

P. 66. Phylloscopus nitidus, nobis, Ph. reguloides, nobis, and Ph.

modestus (Gould), nobis—vide Mr. Gray’s Appendix—are three con-

spicuously distinct species, of which PA. reguloides must now stand

as Ph. trochiloides (Sundevall). Ph. flaveolus, Blyth, is no published

synonym of mine.—Neornis flavolivacea is described in J. A. S. B.

xiv. 590. It is not the Sylvia indica, Jerdon, which is Phylloscopus

affinis (Tickell).

P. 67. Abrornis schisticeps, Hodgson, is identical with Motacilla

cantator, Tickell, J. A. S. B. ii. 576. I have once obtained it near

Calcutta.—N.B. Add Acanthiza arrogans, Sundevall, to the syno-

nyms of Culicipeta Burkii (Burton).

Copsychus mindanensis (Gm.), v. Lanius musicus, Raffles, and Gryl-

livora magnirostra, Sw., though very closely allied, seems distinct

from Copsychus saularis of India*.

procured by Hodgson from Behar, and made it into a new genus, Salpornis,

and with this he has been describing a Caulodromus Gracei (Ann. Mag. Nat.

Hist., May 1847), which is my Rimator ma/acoptilus, J. A.S. B., February

1847; founded on the identical specimen described by Mr. Gray, which was

lent me for the purpose of being described by Mr. Grace, and was so labelled

by me when I returned it to him. I labelled the whole of Mr. Grace’s

collection for him, with a view to prevent doubles emplois. I have now

three distinct and well-marked Himalayan species of true Certhia, viz.

C. himalayana, Vigors, vel asiatica, Swainson, with a very distinctly-banded

tail, from the Deyra Doon; C. nipalensis, Hodgson, from Nepal; and C.

discolor, nobis, common about Darjeeling. That of Gray’s list will doubt-

less be C. nipalensis.

* Ina letter recently received from Dr. Horsfield, that gentleman re-

318 Mr. Blyth’s Remarks upon specimens of Mammalia and Birds

P. 69. Is not Muscisylvia leucura a true Notodela of Lesson ?—Ne-

mura (Ianthia, nobis) flavolivacea is quite distinct from N. rufilatus,

of which cyanura is the female.

P. 70. Calliope? cruralis, nobis, is atypical Brachypteryx.—Tham-

nobia fulicata of S. India and Ceylon is distinct from Th. cambaiensis

(Lath.), of which Sazicoloides erythrurus, Lesson, is the female.—

Bradypierus phenicuroides is described as Sylvania phenicuroides in

J.A.S. B. xvi. 136.

P. 71. Sazicola rubicola. Is not this Pratincola indica, nobis, J.

A. 8. B. xvi. 129 ?—Accentor variegatus, Blyth (to which I formerly

put the name himalayanus with a query, being doubtful whether an

Accentor had not been thus described), is distinct from A. nipalensis,

Hodgson: but Mr. Hodgson’s specimen labelled immaculatus, which

he sent to the Asiatic Society, was merely A. nipalensis with abraded

plumage.

P. 72. Parus nipalensis, Hodgson, as forwarded by that gentle-

man to the Asiatic Society, is identical with P. cinereus, Vieillot, v.

atriceps, Horsfield: specimens from the Himalaya, Central and South-

ern India, Ceylon and Java, being absolutely alike.

P. 73. I have little doubt that Parus seriophrys (an sericophrys ?),

Hodgson, is the Sylviparus modestus, Burton, and I think fairly sepa-

rable from Parus.—Suthora nipalensis and S. fulvifrons will, I suspect,

prove to have been rightly distinguished by Mr. Hodgson, judging

from specimens before me.

P. 74. The name Jrulus, Hodgson, I now adopt for I. flavicollis

and J. (olim Siva) occipitalis, nobis, J. A. 8. B. xiii. 937; for these

two species are too nearly allied to be ranged otherwise than together,

while the bill of J. occipitalis quite precludes its being referred to

Yuhina.—Y. nigrimentum is also described in J. A. 8. B. xiv. 562.

P. 77. Anthus striolatus, Blyth, is placed as a synonym of A. ru-

Fescens ; the said A. striolatus not having been yet described by me,

neither has it been forwarded by me to Europe: Mr. Jerdon barely

mentions the name in one of his catalogues ; and he is the only per-

son, I believe, besides myself, who can know to what the MS. name

striolatus refers. But even if correctly assigned, I think it necessary

to protest against any unpublished names of my coining being thus

cited to swell the list of empty synonyms*!—The species sent by

Mr. Hodgson to the Asiatic Society as his A. hortulanus was the

common Indian variety (?) of A. arboreus.

P. 79. Petrocossyphus pandoo :” quere P. affinis, nobis ?

P. 80. Oreocincla micropus, Hodgson, is the female of Merula

Wardii (Jerdon).

P. 81. Merula peciloptera (Vig.) is the Lanius boulboul of Latham.

P. 84. Trochalopteron? setifer, Hodgson. Is not this Cinclosoma

lineatum, Vigors ? —Actinodura Egertoni, apud nos, is placed as a syn-

marks, “ The Copsychus ameenus described by me is commonly given as a

synonym of C. saularis, but is decidedly distinct. It has always a black ab-

domen in maturity.”

* Except that the tarsi of 4. striolatus measure full an inch, this species

seems to agree with Mr. Gray’s description of 4. pelopus, Hodgson.

presented by Mr. Hodgson to the British Museum. 319

onym of Jzops nipalensis, Hodgson. I have no recollection of having

ever made this mal-identification, much less committed it to print.

P. 85. Mixornis chloris, Hodgson, is not satisfactorily referable to

M. gularis (Horsf.), although undoubtedly very nearly allied.—Erpor-

nis xanthochlora (it should be xantholeuca) is decidedly not a Timalia,

nor are its affinities easy of determination. The range of this bird

extends to Arracan and Malacca.—Timalia? nipalensis (v. leucotis)

and T.? pellotis. Are not these identical ?

P. 86. Chrysomma hypoleucos (Franklin), J. A. S. B. xiv. 602, v.

Pyctoris apud Hodgson, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1845, p. 24. This bird is

the Parus sinensis, Lath. ; also Gotah Finch and Emberiza caifat, var.

A, of Latham. It should therefore bear the specific name sinensis, if

really an inhabitant of China.—Malacocercus griseus (Gm.), peculiar

to the south of India, is a distinct species from M. terricolor, Hodg-

son, the ‘*‘ Brown Indian Thrush ” of Edwards, on which is founded

Merula bengalensis of Brisson, which specific name must be retained.

—Malacocercus geochrous, Hodgson, is identical with M. Earlei, nobis.

—lora typhia (L.), I. zeylonica (Lath.), and I. scapularis, Horsfield,

are three distinct species. J. typhia, one of the commonest birds of

Bengal, is alike at all seasons of the year.

P. 87. Oriolus Hodgsoni, Sw. All the Black-headed Orioles which

I have seen from Nepal were referable to the common O. melanoce-

halus.

: P. 88. Hypsipetes M‘Clellandi, Horsf., is identical with, and the

name takes precedence of, H. viridis, Hodgson.

P. 89. ‘‘ Hematornis cafer.” This is Pycnonotus bengalensis, nobis ;

but why it should be called the ‘‘ White Hematornis’’ requires ex-

planation, it being the blackest species of the genus known to me

(whence atratus would have been a better name for it). A case of

lucus a non lucendo!—*‘ Hematornis striata” is the Alcurus (nec Al-

copus*) nipalensis, Hodg., v. A. striatus, nobis.

P. 90. Instead of ‘‘ Hemipus flavula,” read Hemizxos flavala ( fla-

vala, i.e. chrysopterus), Hodgson. Hemipus, Hodgson, is a genus of

Flycatchers (vide p. 93 of Mr. Gray’s Catalogue ).—Muscicapa acor-

mus, Hodgson (a Muscicapula apud nos), is quite distinct from M.

poonensis, Sykes (apud Jerdon), which I refer to Butalis latirostris

(Raffles, Swainson).—Mr. Gray follows Sundevall in referring M.

leucura, Gm., to M. parva, Bechst. This can scarcely be, if Ste-

phens’s description of the latter, or that in the ‘ Dict. Class. d’Hist.

Nat.’ be correct; neither does M. leucura accord exactly with my

recollections of M. parva.—M. albogularis must be referred to M. su-

perciliaris, Jerdon ; a species very common in the N.-W. Himalaya.

P. 91. Bainopus grandis. Is not this the most typical species of

Niltava? 'To which genus the only other species that I know of are

N. sundava and N. M‘Gregoria, the female of which latter is Leiothriz

signata, M‘Clelland and Horsfield, and N. auricularis, Hodgson.—

Phenicura rubeculoides is the type of my genus Cyornis ; and Muse.

melanops that of my genus Staparola ; both comprising several spe-

cies, though the two mentioned are confounded in the genus Niltava,

* Alcopus is a name which Mr. Hodgson proposed to substitute for Sibia.

320 Mr. Blyth’s Remarks upon specimens of Mammalia and Birds

Hodg., by Mr. Gray : vide J. A. S. B. xvi. 125, 128.—Siphia super-

ciliaris is decidedly congeneric with Musc. superciliaris, Jerdon, and

must therefore bear my subsequent name hyperythra rather than ru-

becula, which was afterwards applied by an unlucky oversight on my

part.

P. 93. Hemipus picecolor, Hodgson, is Muscicapa capitalis, M‘Clel-

land and Horsfield, and is,"I think, distinct from Muse. picata, Sykes,

v. tyrannides, Tickell.—Some Darjeeling specimens of Tchitrea lately

received are referable to Tch. affinis, A. Hay.—Leucocerca pectoralis,

Jerdon, is distinct from L. fuscoventris (Franklin).—Chelidorhynz is

typical Rhipidura.—Cryptolopha ceylonensis will rank as Cr. cinereo-

capilla (Vieillot).

P. 94. Proparus chrysotis. This specific name must have been a

slip of the pen for:Jeucotis or chrysopterus.

P. 95. Siva nipalensis I now refer to my genus Alcippe. It is

nearly allied to Brachypteryx sepiaria, Horsfield, which | also refer to

Alcippe.

P. 97. The Pericrocotus (unnamed) is Pr. solaris, nobis, J. A. 8. B.

xv. 310.—P. rubritinctus, nobis, mentioned in the Appendix, may be

cancelled, as I have never published P. roseus by this name ; Mr. Jer-

don having favoured me with his identification of the species with

Muscicapa rosea, Vieillot.—Campephaga lugubris, according to Mr.

Strickland (in epistold), is C. fimbriata (Temm.).

P. 98. Dicrurus pyrrhops, Hodgson, v. longicaudatus, A. Hay, is

very distinct from the Malayan species which I refer to D. cineraceus,

Horsf. : vide J. A. 8. B. xv. 279.

P. 99. Tephrodornis indica is the Muscicapa pondiceriana, Gm.,

which specific name claims the priority. Mr. Jerdon first ascertained

this.—T. sylvicola, Jerdon, is distinct from T. pelvica, Hodgson.

P. 100. Lanius erythronotus, Jerdon, is my L. caniceps ; distinct

from the Himalayan species figured by this name in Gould’s ‘ Cen-

tury. —J. cristatus, Linn. As this bird is not crested, it must rank

as L. phenicurus, Pallas.

P. 101. There are three species of Psilorhinus in the Himalaya, all,

I suspect, distinct from Ps. sinensis :. vide J. A.S. B. xv. 27, 284.—

I also suspect that Cissa venatoria, Gray, is distinct from C. sinensis :

in Bengal this is only known as a cage bird, whence M. Lesson’s

name, bengalensis, is inapplicable.—Dendrocitia vagabunda: should

not this stand as D. rufa (Scop., Sw.)?

P. 102. Corvus macrorhynchos of the neighbourhood of the Straits

of Malacca is a distinct species from C. culminatus of India, which

however also extends its range to the Straits of Malacca.

P. 108. Gracula religiosa. 'The Nepal species is Gr. intermedia,

A. Hay: vide J. A. 8. B. xv. 32.—Maina cristelloides, Hodg., will

stand as Acridotheres griseus, Horsf. (nec mahrattensis, Sykes).— Pas-

tor (or Sturnia) pagodarum. Add as a synonym Turdus melanoce-

phalus, Vahl.

P. 104. I consider Mr. Hodgson’s Pastor caniceps to be Sturnia

malabarica (vera). It is very distinct from St. Blythii (Jerdon).

P. 105. Huplectes striatus, nobis, is rightly assigned to Eu. flavi-

ceps (Sw.); and both must be referred as synonyms to Ploceus man-

presented by Mr. Hodgson to the British Museum. 321

yar, Horsf. We have three species in Bengal, P/. philippinus, Pl.

bengalensis and Pl. manyar; but I cannot affirm with certainty which

are the two mentioned in Mr. Gray’s Catalogue. Judging from Mr.

Hodgson’s names, it is not improbable that atrigula refers to the male

in breeding dress, and flavigula to the female or male in non-breeding

dress, of Pl. manyar.

P. 106. For the species of Amadina (v. Munia), vide J. A. S. B.

xv. 36, 285.

P. 108. Emberiza sordida, Hodgson, judging from a female sent

to the Asiatic Society, I consider to be Z. pusilla, Pallas, identical

with Kmb. sinops, Hodgson.

P. 109. Alauda dulcivor, Hodgson. From several specimens sent

by Mr. Hodgson to the-Asiatic Society, this seems perfectly identical

with A. arvensis, Linn.—The Plocealauda typica, Hodgson, is Mira-

Sra assamica, M‘Clelland and Horsfield, according to specimens which

Mr. Hodgson so labelled; certainly a distinct species from M. java-

nica, Horsfield.

P. 112. Buceros albirostris, Shaw, is distinct from B. pica, Sco-

poli. Vide Mr. Gray’s Appendix.

P. 113. The Asiatic Society possess a Paleornis from the Mau-

ritius which I consider to be P. bitorquatus (verus). It is very di-

stinct from P. torquatus.

P. 114. The Nepal Barbet referred to Bucco caniceps, Franklin, is

B. lineatus, Vieillot, distinct from B. zeylanicus v. caniceps.

P. 115: Picus majoroides is P. darjellensis, nobis.—For “‘ P. cath-

phorius”’ read cathpharius.

P, 116. Dendrocopus moluccensis, apud Hodgson. This is P. pyg-

meus, Vigors ; distinct from several nearly allied species : vide J. A.

S. B. xiv. 197, xv. 14, 52.—Gecinus xanthoderus. This I consider

to be Picus chloropus, Vieillot.—P. affinis, Raffles, v. dimidiatus,

Temm., and viridanus, nobis, is distinct from Gecinus occipitalis.

P. 117. Meiglyptes brachyurus, Hodgson, is Micropternus pheoceps,

nobis, one of three nearly allied species.

P. 118. The Himalayan Sirkeer is Taccocua infuscata, nobis, di-

stinct from three other Indian species that have been confounded

under 7. sirkee: vide J. A. S. B. xiv. 200, xv. 19, xvi. 118.—Cen-

tropus lepidus, Horsf., will stand as C. Lathami (Shaw).—The South

African species which I refer to Oxylophus ater, Gm., and which is

figured by Shaw, is very distinct from the Indian O. serratus.

P. 119. Cuculus poliocephalus, Lath., v. himalayanus, Vigors, is not

C.. saturatus, Hodgson.

P. 120. C. striatus, Drapiez,v. micropterus, Gould, must also not be

confounded with C. himalayanus, Vigors.—For ‘‘ C. nivicolor,” read

nisicolor..—Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchos 1 have only seen from the

Tenasserim provinces and Malayan peninsula and Archipelago. Is

not Mr. Gray’s species referred to this the Chr. smaragdinus, nobis,

J.A.S. B. xv. 53?

P. 121. Treron Sti. Thome can scarcely be Tr. militaris of North-

ern India.—Tr. cantillans, nobis, I may remark, seems (as I am

informed by Capt. Hutton) to be but a caged example of 7’. sphenura,

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx.

322 Mr. Blyth’s Remarks upon specimens of Mammalia and Birds

which had moulted in confinement! Mr. Hodgson, I think, termed

it Ptilinopus maroneus.

P. 122. I consider Alsocomus, Tickell, vel Dendrotreron, Hodgson,

to be a good group, embracing the Carpophaga-like species of true

Columba, with twelve tail-feathers only, instead of fourteen asin the

Carpophage. ‘The species have of late been variously classed, some

in Carpophaga and others in restricted Columba; and the following are

among those which are referable to it:—C. Hodgsonii and C. pu-

nicea* of India, C. arquatrix and C. guinea of Africa, and C. leuco-

mela of Australia; while Lopholaimus antarcticus is immediately

allied, indeed scarcely separable. Palumbus, Kaup, seems another

natural group, comprising C. palumbus, L., C. Elphinstonii, and I

would refer to it C. enas, L.—Mr. Gray identifies C. pulchricollis,

Hodgson, with C. Elphinstonii, in which case the total length given

by Sykes of nearly sixteen inches must be erroneous ; especially as

the length of tail assigned by him (5} inches) is the same as in the

Himalayan bird.

P. 123. For Columba pulchrara, Hodgson, read pulchr-ala.—Co-

umba chinensis, Scopoli, is a distinct species from C. suratensis,

Gmelin.—Turtur humilis. What I have described as the old and

young prove to be the adult male and female of this species, as was

first intimated to me by Capt. Hutton.

P. 124. Gallophasis leucomelanos (Lath.), the Kdledge Pheasant of

Nepal, seems to me to be a bastard race between G. albocristatus of

the N.-W. Himalaya, and G. melanotus, nobis, of Sikim. In like

manner, every possible gradation of plumage is exhibited between

G. Cuvieri (v. Horsfieldi, G. R. Gray) of Assam and Sylhet, and G.

lineatus of Arracan and 'Tenasserim.

P. 125. Should not the common Jungle-fowl or wild Common

Fowl, so very abundant throughout the northern half of India and in

the Indo-Chinese and Malay countries, be now designated Gallus

Serrugineus (Gm.), instead of bankiva, 'Temminck? G. alector should

have been the name for it. ‘The hen is the Hackled Partridge of

Latham.

P. 126. Francolinus gularis and Fr. pondicerianus should, in my

opinion, be referred to restricted Perdiz ; a very different group from

that exemplified by Fr. vulgaris and Fr. pictus.—Arboriphila, Hodg-

son. ‘There are two Himalayan species of this type, and a third in

the Assam hills, and those of Sylhet and Arracan.

P. 128. Perdicula, Hodgson, ‘This is also, I think, properly di-

stinguished, for the Pigmy true Partridges, P. rubiginosa and P. cam-

baiensis, or Coturnix argoondah and C. pentah of Sykes.—Of Turniz,

the common Himalayan species is undistinguishable from T. ocel-

latus of the Malay countries, represented in Bengal by the nearly

allied 7’. bengalensis, nobis, and in South India and Ceylon by the

equally allied 7. taigoor, Sykes: T. Dussumieri extends throughout

India and in Arracan; and the 7’. joudera (Hodgson) is, I suspect,

the same as T. Sykesi (A. Smith, 1838), described with T. lepurana

* This also inhabits Arracan and the Tenasserim provinces,

presented by Mr. Hodgson to the British Museum. 323

in the ‘ Zoology of South Africa ;’ a species also generally distributed

- over the country.

P. 1338. Hiaticula subrufina. 'This I take to be H. Leschenaultii

(Lesson), and Charadrius cirripedesmos, Wagler, apud Sundevall.—

Ardea nobilis, nobis. Is not this A. goliath, Ruppell ?

P. 134. Herodias orientalis, Gray, is an old specimen of H. gar-

zetta, having dropped its crest. I have seen many like the figure in

Hardwicke’s ‘ Illustrations,’ both crested and uncrested.—H. modesta

I consider to be H. alba (Linn.). There are three species of purely

white Egrets exceedingly common throughout India in suitable loca-

lities; and the two larger of these have the bill black during and

towards the breeding season, yellow at other times. These are H.

alba and H. intermedia. 'The seasonal changes of these birds I shall

elsewhere explain in detail. Mr. Gould has lately figured two Au-

stralian Egrets, which would not appear to differ in any respect from

H. alba and H. garzetta, represented from dry skins,

P. 136. Argala immigratoria, Hodgson, refers to Leptoptilus java-

nicus, vel Ciconia nudifrons, M‘Clelland, and C. calva, Jerdon: C. nu-

difrons, Jerdon, appears to me to refer to the young of L. argala, v

A. migratoria, Hodgson.

P. 137. The common Curlew (Numenius arquata) varies in size to

a very extraordinary degree, and so does the Limosa egocephala ; but

I have satisfied myself that the large, small, and intermediate are all

of one species, respectively. Mr. Gould has lately figured a new

Godwit, as he thinks, from Australia; but it appears to me to be no

other than the L. egocephala.

P. 143. The Indian Porphyrio is P. poliocephalus, Lath., distinct

from P. smaragdinus, Temm., v. indicus, Horsfield, of Malacca and

Java.

P. 144. Anser rubrirostris ? Is not this A. cinereus, the common

Gray-lag Goose, now rare in England, but extremely common in

India? It is not well known to the generality of British ornitho-

logists.

. 149. Carbo albiventer, Tickell, refers to the young of Graculus

carbo ; Phalacrocoraz leucotis, Blyth, to a much smaller species, which

I have been considering as the C. graculus, apud Temminck. Gr.

carbo (verus) is common in various parts of India; but I have only

obtained Gr. pygmeus in Lower Bengal.

The foregoing is a hastily written commentary on Mr. Gray’s

‘ Catalogue,’ which embodies the results of my study of the species

enumerated, so far as relates to their nomenclature and synonymy.

I think that it would have been much better if the very numerous

synonyms previously unpublished had been suppressed; but as the

evil appears together with its antidote, there seems no necessity for

encumbering future catalogues or descriptions with this host of super-

fluous names, that could have been meant only as provisional appel-

lations. Mr. Hodgson’s merits, as the accumulator of such stores,

contributing so largely to diffuse an acquaintance with Himalayan

mammalia and birds, can never fail of being fully and deservedly

appreciated.

Calcutta, April 14, 1847.

23%

324 Prof. Owen on the Reproduction of the Opossum.

XXX.—WNote on Dr. Meigs’s Memoir on the Reproduction of the

Opossum. By Prof. Own, F.R.S.

To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History.

GENTLEMEN,

I nave been favoured by Mr. Everett, the late highly-respected

Minister of the United States in this country, with the following

extract from the Proceedings of the ‘ American Philosophical So-

ciety ’ for April 16th, 1847; which, as it contributes to elucidate

one of the most singular subjects in the animal ceconomy, will no

doubt be acceptable to your readers:—

“The Committee (Drs. Hays, Bache and Condie), to whom had

been referred the memoir of Dr. Charles D. Meigs, upon the repro-

duction of Didelphys virginiana, read 19th March 1847, reported,

recommending its publication in the Transactions of the Society,

which was ordered accordingly.

‘* Professor Owen’s paper on the reproduction of the Kangaroo and

the Wombat has left certain points still unsettled as to the repro-

duction of the marsupials; and MM. Milne Edwards and Pouchet,

in their works, have left uncleared several points, which it is the

object of Dr. M.’s paper to explain.

“The terms fetus and embryo cannot properly be applied to the

young of the Didelphys while in the pouch; since, when first placed

in the marsupium, the young opossum is endowed with all the attri-

butes of a mammiferous quadruped in the full enjoyment of a real

warm-blooded respiratory and digestive existence. None of the au-

thors on this subject appear to have investigated the state of the early

young; and the most vague and incorrect notions still prevail as to

their condition.

“On the 18th of February 1847, a light snow having fallen, the

tracks of two opossums were followed on the 19th over the snow to

the trunk of a hollow tree, wherein they had concealed themselves,

and from which were taken a full-grown male and female Didelphys.

It was supposed, from the appearance of the testes in the male, and

the monotrem of the female, that the animals had retired for the rut,

us they are rarely found in company at other seasons.

“ On the 27th February they were brought to me, and I carefully

examined the marsupium, but could discover no trace of any mam-

mary development of the base of the delicate nipples. February

28th, no change was discovered by inspection or careful palpation

of the pouch. On Monday, March Ist, and on Tuesday the 2nd,

there was not the least sign of change in the pouch. On Wednesday

the 3rd, the mammary glands were visibly and palpably enlarged.

On Thursday, 4th, still larger. On Friday, 5th, hard and swollen.

Saturday, 6th, passed without my inspection; but my servant ex-

amined the pouch and discovered no young ones at the teats. At

3 p.m. on Sunday, 7th March, I opened the pouch, and discovered the

young animals adhering to the nipples.

«Here then was a manifest preparation for the reception of the

Prof. Owen on the Reproduction of the Opossum. 325

marsupial young, begun on Wednesday the 3rd of March, and com-

pleted by Sunday the 7th, which is four days. Hence it is clear

that the notion heretofore entertained, that the embryo makes the

teat wherever it happens to take hold, is unfounded, the preparation

being as complete as in any other mammal.

‘‘The uterine gestation probably terminated on the night of

Saturday March the 6th, or the morning of Sunday the 7th. ‘The

rut probably continued as late as the 18th or 19th February, which

is seventeen or eighteen days; possibly the impregnations may have

been a few days earlier than the said dates.

«The observation settles at least the question as to one of the

reproductive seasons, which in this case was February.

“In Mr. Owen’s observation on the kangaroo, the uterine gesta-

tion lasted thirty-nine days; but the kangaroo is a large animal in

comparison ; the opossum rarely being more than fifteen or sixteen

pounds in weight.

“ Mr. Owen does not mention the preliminary condition of the

mammary glands in the kangaroo.

‘“‘ Thirteen young opossums were attached to as many nipples, all

strongly adhering, and busily employed in sucking the milk.

** They moved the fore-arms, and paws, and heads, very freely ; so

that to open the sphincter marsupii was to disclose a very lively scene.

‘“‘ They were of a deep rose tint, and without hair.

*‘ They were of equal size. I pulled one off from the nipple; and

the attachment was so strong, that I expected to tear the body in

two before I disengaged the mammilla from the stomal pore in which

it was engaged. ‘There was no bulb at the end of the nipple after

the detachment of the young one.

‘“‘No blood about the mouth or on the nipple followed the sepa-

ration.

“It was removed at 40 minutes past 7 p.m. It weighed exactly

three grains and a half.

“From the snout to the end of the tail it was eight-tenths of an

inch long.

‘* Laid in a watch-glass, it moved freely round and round the glass,

and turned over on one side and the other.

‘“‘ Examined by a lens, it respired by two nostrils and by the mouth.

It died at ten minutes past nine o’clock, which was one hour and

twenty-nine minutes after its separation, though exposed for some

time to the cold air of the street.

“The tongue was apparently equal to one-third the magnitude of

the head—milk-white, grooved so as to embrace half the cylindrical

gircumference of the teat, which was pressed, as to its other half,

against the vault of the palate. The mouth was a pore, which I

could not distinctly discern without a lens; the cavity of the mouth

spacious. The diaphragm strong.

“ The heart, in its pericardium, large and powerful. The liver very

large. The stomach filled with milk vesicles, examined under the mi-

croscope; the intestinal convolutions distended with milk and chyle,

stained yellow with bile; the bladder of urine filled with fluid.

326 Prof. Owen on the Reproduction of the Opossum.

“* Two lungs, each consisting of minute transparent vesicles re-

sembling small soap-bubbles.

‘* Such is the anatomy of the young opossum of three and a half

grains, destined to attain a weight of fifteen or sixteen pounds.

“ While lying on the watch-glass, I put the smooth point of a pencil

to its stomal pore. The animal sucked at the pencil, and held on so

firmly, that I could lift it partly off the glass by it.

*« Does this fact show that twenty-four hours earlier it could draw

the delicate teat into the orifice ?

‘“‘The young, having the teat once in the mouth, cannot let it go;

nor does it abandon it for many days.

“IT could discover no trace of an umbilicus. I sought for it with

a good doublet. But it is not to be believed that a breathing, san-

guiferous, digesting mammifer can be developed independently of a

placenta.

“On Monday March 12th, an animal being removed for dissection

weighed twelve grains; it breathed thirty-two times per minute.

‘*March 18th. A young one weighed eighteen grains. The tail

very prehensile.

“ T immersed it in a cup of alcohol to kill it for dissection. It did

not die in the fluid until it had been immersed in it for sixteen

minutes.

« The observations show the marsupial young to have a chylopoietic,

warm-blooded, oxidating, innervating, and free-willing life, being as

fully endowed with all the means of an independent existence, as the

young of the elephant at the teat.

‘If this be so, all mystery as to the nature of the life of the mar-

supial young is at an end.”

With regard to the statement, that I omitted to “ mention the

preliminary condition of the mammary glands in the Kangaroo,”

I beg to refer to my article Marsupialia, ‘Cyclopedia of Ana-

tomy,’ t. ili. p. 821, where, in reference to the female kangaroo

experimented on, I state,—“The right superior nipple was the

one in use; it was nearly two inches long and one-third of an

inch in diameter; the mammary gland formed a large swelling

at its base. The other three nipples were everted and about half

an inch in length.”—“Sept. 11th, fifteenth day of gestation,

nipples in the same condition.” —“ Sept. 30th, thirty-fourth day,

the nipple in use by the young kangaroo (which has died) is

diminished in size.” And again: “ Oct. 4th, the nipple formerly

in use has diminished one-third in size ; the other nipples indicate

no appearance of approaching parturition.” The following day

(thirty-ninth of gestation) “the new-born kangaroo was in the

pouch and attached to the left superior nipple.” Having specified

the particular mammary gland which was enlarged, I presumed it

would be understood that the others were not enlarged, and

formed no swelling at the base of the smaller nipples.

The phenomena observed and described by Dr. Meigs are

Prof. Owen on the Reproduction of the Opossum. 827

highly valuable additions to the physiology of the marsupial ceco-

nomy, but I must demur to the hypothetical statement, “ it is not

to be believed that a breathing, sanguiferous, digesting mam-

mifer can be developed independently of a placenta.” The young

Viper is born alive, breathing, circulating its blood, capable of

digestion, and was developed independently of a placenta. Nay,

this body is not even essential to the development of an organism

in which respiration and circulation go on so vigorously as to

maintain a high degree of temperature, as, for example, in the

Bird. The infinite variety, in the works of Creation, of the means

by which similar ends are attained, should teach us to subordinate

faith in what seems to be a general rule, to observation, wherever

observation can be made. One of the most valuable facts in Dr.

Meigs’ memoir is the determination of the period of gestation in

the Didelphys virginiana, viz. from the 18th of February to the

7th of March, with probably a range of a few days more or less.

In order to determine ew visu the nature of the embryonic

membranes and appendages, and their degree of correspondence

with those of the embryo of the kangaroo, which has no placenta,

the female opossums should be sought after in the interval of

the dates given by Dr. Meigs, or between the 10th of February

and the 10th of March, and the state of the uterus carefully

examined. Jew series of preparations would be of more im-

portance in elucidating the physiology of marsupial generation

than the embryos and membranes of the opossum at different

stages of its brief intra-uterine life. Whilst trespassing on your

columns, permit me to add the following in reference to a former

communication.

My much-esteemed and learned friend Professor Rymer Jones

having intimated to me that he had been in the habit of re-

garding the odontoid process as the body of the atlas ; which, in

fact, was the opinion of Cuvier in respect of the odontoid of the

Chelys ; I beg, in order to prevent misapprehension, to disclaim

any title to originality in the conclusions to which my comparisons

of the cervical wedge-bones in recent and extinct Reptilia have led

me, beyond the distinction of the body of the atlas into its peri-

pheral and central parts, and the recognition of the so-called

body of the atlas in Man and Mammalia, as still being a part of

such element of the atlas, and the odontoid as the complementary

(central) part, and not the representative of the entire body of

the atlas.

My attention being directed more to the question of the ho-

mology of the ‘ wedge-bones’ than of the ‘ odontoid,’ in the paper

which I transmitted to you in August last, and which was favoured

by a place in the last number of the ‘ Annals,’ I omitted to refer,

as I ought to have done, to the passage in the ‘Ossemens Fossiles:’

528 Sir W. Jardine on the Ornithology of the Island of Tobago.

it is as follows:—“Ce qui prouve que cette piéce, analogue A

Yodontoide, est dans le fait le corps de atlas, c’est que dans la

Matamata elle se soude aux trois premiéres, et prend toute la

forme d’une vertébre, s’articulant avec l’axis, et pourvue, comme

lui, en dessous d’une créte longitudinale, et sur les cdtés de pe-

tites apophyses transverses.”—Tome v. part il. p. 207.

to the first wedge-bone in Enaliosauria, and to that which Cuvier

(2. c. p. 96) describes as representing the body of the atlas in the

Crocodile, articulating but not confluent with the large odontoid,

and articulating also with the fore-part of the base of the neural

arch of the atlas. Traces of the suture still exist between the

rest of the neural arch of the atlas and the ‘odontoid’ The

Emys (Cimochelys) longicollis resembles the Chelys in the size and

shape of the central part of the body of the atlas. The difference

between these and other Chelonia in respect to the odontoid, re-

lates essentially to the greater proportion of the neural arch of

the atlas which it supports, concurrently with its larger size.

I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,

Your obedient servant,

Ricuarp Owen.

London, October 16, 1847.

XXXI.—Hore Zoologice. By Sr Wit11aM Jarping, Bart.,

F.R.S.E. & F.L.S.

{Continued from vol. xix. p. 83.]

Birds of Tobago.

Vireo eitvus, Vieill. n.*

Mr. Kirk has appended no note to this species, which from the

small number of specimens received does not appear to be very

plentiful.

SIuRus aquaticus, Swain. Gray-throated Wagtail. N.

* Very little is known of this active and restless little bird ; they

are in géneral to be found in the bed or channel of rocky rivers,

or. by waterfalls, and when surprised will fly to a considerable

distance, making a noise similar to that of the European ‘ Stone-

chatter.’ After alighting they continue to bob up and down the

heads, uttering a ‘ chirk ’ at every motion, at other times run-

ning along the sand nimbly in the manner of the Sandpipers.

Feeds on small insects like gnats and ants.” We have also

received this species from Jamaica.

* Species marked w. are also found in North America; s. in South Ame-

rica; and n. s. in both.

Sir W. Jardine on the Ornithology of the Island of Tobago. 329

Mimvus eitvus, Vieill. (Mocking-bird.) s.

Apparently a common species on the island and the only one

found in Tobago. From Jamaica again we receive the North

American species, which seems to take its place there, and ac-

cording to Mr. Gosse it is common and probably not migratory,

as it is stated to be vocal at all seasons. “ Frequents our dwell-

ings and builds on fences, &c. It is to be heard every morning

at the very earliest dawn of day by those who have trees around

their dwellings pouring forth the sweetest notes imaginable,

resembling the mavis, although imitating the most of our feathered

tribes. They may be easily tamed, and hop along the ground with

the rapidity of the magpie in quest of food, which is grasshoppers

and worms.”

Turpus JaMAICENSIS, Linn. (Mavis.) s.

Utters “a ‘chuck chuck’ while hopping along the ground, is

particularly shy and restless, feeds upon small berries and upon

the seeds of the cabbage-tree.”’

TurDus XANTHOSCELUS, Jard. (Black yellow-legged Thrush.)

“ Remarkably shy: a rich mellow note all this month (April) and

until July.” This species we have been unable to find described

or to see in any collection, and three specimens only have been

received. The skin of the male somewhat stretched is 9%,

though perhaps from 8} to 9 inches will be nearer the natural

dimensions. Length of wing to end of longest feather 44. The

plumage is of a uniform black; the feathers of the vent and

under tail-covers tipped with grayish white ; bill and legs have

been bright yellow. The female is above of a dull olive or oil

green, beneath paler and more tinted with ochraceous, the chin

indistinctly striated with a darker shade; the under wing-covers

and axillary feathers ochraceous; bill and legs brownish yellow,

apparently not so brilliant asin the male. A young male has

many of the feathers tipped with a triangular spot of yellowish

brown, and according to age would be no doubt more or less

thus marked.

TYRANNUS CRUDELIS, Swain. N.

“ A native: begin to build about the 1st of April. On pulling

down a decayed building some time ago originally constructed

of common pine, in which the carpenter-bee had constructed

thousands of cells, and which on being disturbed literally covered

the place like the casting of bees in Europe, I was amusing my-

self looking at the workmen and the bees over my head, when

suddenly my attention was drawn to an adjoining roof, where the

shrill voice of some twenty or thirty Tyrants bursting forth si-

multaneously showed that their harvest was already begun. I

830 Sir W. Jardine on the Ornithology of the Island of Tobago.

have often been delighted to see a number of them ranged along

like so many sportsmen on one of our roofs, watching with eager

eye for every straggling insect or fly which the calmness of the

evening had induced out, and to see twenty of them darting off

in different directions with their combined twitter, some twenty,

some twelve yards, and returning again to the same place. I

could observe nothing they were catching, yet they never miss

their aim, as I could distinctly see from the circumstance of two

adults as regularly as they returned putting before alighting

whatever they brought into the mouth of a young one which

awaited their return with open mouth, although to all appearance

as big as the parent. I have often been surprised to see with

what ease this tribe can turn the head right behind them, as if

acting upon some double swivel. Without moving the body

the eye goes all round the compass, in the same moment as it

were, and without any preparatory symptom it leaps upon its

prey, giving the shrill twitter just before rising.”

TyRANNUS crinitus, Linn. (Yellow-belly.) wn.

“This bird differs entirely in his manners from the Arkansaw

flycatcher, although a good deal like it in appearance ; feeds on

insects and larvee; has none of the twitter belonging or peculiar

to the flycatcher tribe. If it catches its prey on the wing it must

be done about the roots of the trees, and not in the bold style of

the tyrant flycatcher.” The Tobago specimens are all rather less

than the dimensions given by Wilson, or those of a North Ame-

rican specimen before us, being from 75%, to 7,8, in length. A

specimen marked 9 has little rufous on the wings, and entirely

wants all trace of that colour on the inner webs of the tail-

feathers. We have not received this species from Jamaica, the

bird mentioned by Mr. Gosse under the name being apparently

referable to one sent to us from that island of a larger size, and

having much more rufous on the wings and tail.

Tyrannus Aupax, Gmel. (Shrike or Butcher-bird.) ss.

“ Native : very noisy on the approach of any person, and keeps

up a continual chatter like the European magpie: feeds on in-

sects, seeds and berries.” We receive this species also from

Trinidad.

TYRANNULA TRAILII, Aud.? N.

“Reeds about the roots of trees and lives on insects.”

TYRANNULA OLEAGINEA, Lichten.? (Green-bird.) s.

“Native ; little known ; feeds upon insects and grass seeds or

blossoms, and frequents the roots of trees in the woods.”

Sir W. Jardine on the Ornithology of the Island of Tobago. 331

MILVULUS SAVANNA. N.

PLaTyYRHYNCHUs CANCROMUS, Temm. (Yellow-crested Flat-bill.

Duck-bill.) _ s.

PLATYRHYNCHUS FLAVIVENTRIS, Spiz? s.

Approaches near to the figure of Spix under the name above

quoted, but the uncertainty of identifying those closely allied

small fly-catching species without actual comparison is very

great.

SETOPHAGA RUTICILLA, Linn. (Yellow Start, or Red Start.) n.

~ Found also in Jamaica.

ELANIA PAGANA, Spia. (Clear, or Day Clear.) s.

“A strong emphasis put upon the word clear will give a pretty

accurate idea of their note. Feed upon fruit, fiddle-wood berries,

&c. Begin to build about the 1st of April, and make a very neat

nest of lichen, laying three or four eggs of a white ground dotted

with irregular rust-coloured spots at the large end.” Mr. Kirk

was indebted to John MacDonald, Esq. for a curious albino variety

of this bird killed in 1833 near the sea-shore.

This species approaches nearly to Spix’s figure, though in

making the comparison we added a? The Tobago species is of

considerable interest, exhibiting the form and colouring of the

small Tyrants, but ‘having the bill less depressed, more rounded,

and the rictus furnished with a less-developed array of bristles.

The food fruits and berries; the nest showing great neatness of

structure. Among the Ampelide then may be its proper station,

though wherever placed it will recede from any typical form.

PACHYRHYNCHUS NIGER, Swain. s.

THAMNOPHILUS DOLIATUS, Linn. (Qua Qua, or Cata-bird.) s.

“A native: always in pairs. [ trust I can convey a perfect idea

of the note of this bird, although it possesses two, the one resem-

bling the craw of the rook, but more hollow, and although close

by, appearing as if at a great distance ; but the most common note

it possesses and is responded by both, is a repetition of cac, ac,

AC, AC, AC, IC, IC, tC, tC, IC, 1c, IC, Ic, ic, tc, ca, ca; while perform-

ing this note being destitute of all shyness. The crest stands

erect, while the tail and every feather in the body seems in vio-

lent agitation. Builds upon low bushes and lays three eggs.

A slave called this bird ‘ Carpenter-bird’s water-fetcher,’ an at-

tendant on the woodpecker.”

My1oTHERA scaPuLARIs, Vieill. (Black and White Creeper.) s.

“A native: feeds on insects; their general manner of feeding

is low down, not like the Woodpecker tribe, but flying from one

332 Sir W. Jardine on the Ornithology of the Island of Tobago.

tree root to another with a low ‘ chirp,’ and carefully examining

every crevice in the bark, picking from thence insects and larve,

ants, &c.”

MerTopia PAREOLA, Swain. (Manakins.) s.

“ Birds of the first year are destitute of the scarlet crest, when

they afterwards gradually assume the light blue back and black

belly ; feeds upon seeds and berries.”

Tanacra cana*, Swain. (Blue Bird.) s.

TACHYPHONUS LEUCOPTERUS, Gmel. (Tanager.) s.

“Native. This bird is related in some degree to Wilson’s Red-

winged Starling. As far as his description regarding the destruc-

tion of corn goes, it strictly applies to this bird, and the only

difference is, that the ‘ Tanager ’ can scarcely be cailed gregarious.

Altheugh I have seen them assembled in considerable numbers

among the corn about the same place, yet the flight or departure

of one seemed to be entirely independent of the other.”

TrIaRIs JACARINA, Linn. (Blue-throat Grass-bird.) _ s.

“Native: gregarious, found in small flocks of twenty or thirty ;

feed on the ground on grass seeds, &c. A beautiful warbler, and

sprightly in appearance as well as in song: although a grass bird,

it may frequently be found pouring forth his song from the top

of a tree.” A white variety has also been reteived.

Traris omissa, Jard. (Grass-birds.)

“Feed upon the guinea grass.” The species which we have

named as above appears to be distinct from the Fringilla bicolor

of Linn., which agrees with Jamaica birds and with the figure of

Catesby, which we believe is the foundation of that bird as well

as of Brisson’s Chloris bahamensis. There is a bird figured in

* We are indebted to Mr. Strickland for the following note to this spe-

cies :—‘‘ Much confusion exists among the blue species of Zanagra com-

monly called ‘ Bishop Tanagers,’ These birds appear to constitute at least

three species :

“1. Tanagra episcopus, Linn., founded on Brisson, Orn. vol. iii. pl. 1. f. 2.

Its synonyms are, Gracula glauca, Sparrm., Tanagra celestis, Spix, T. say-

aca, Linn., and 7. serioptera, Sw. Lesser wing-covers light gray with a

violet tinge. Length of wing 3,4,inches. Guiana.

“62, 7: virens, Linn.—Syn. Sayacu, Edw. Birds, pl. 351. f. 1; Loxia virens,

Linn. ; Zanagra prelatus, Less. Tr. Orn. ; 7. episcopus, Sw. Orn. Draw-

ings, pl. 39. Lesser wing-covers deep blue, back and flanks more or less

greenish. Wing 3% inches. Brazil.

“3, T. cana, Sw. Orn. Drawings, pl. 37. The 7. celestis, Sw. Orn, Dr.

pl. 41, seems to be the female. Lesser wing-covers deep blue, back and flanks

cerulean gray. Wing 33%, inches. Swainson refers this bird to Brazil; my

specimens are from Bogota. The Tobago bird agrees with the latter except

in being of a more vivid blue on the back, upper tail-covers, outer margin

of remiges and flanks, but I would hardly venture to separate it as a species.”

Sir W. Jardine on the Ornithology of the Island of Tobago. 333

Edwards’s ‘Gleanings,’ iii. pl.362. f. 2, which although mentioned

as received from Africa agrees with our Tobago bird, and of

which we cannot help thinking that the locality may have been

incorrectly given ; and it is remarkable that although the other

figures on this plate are quoted by Linnzus and by Gmelin, this

little bird seems to have been overlooked or omitted both by them

and subsequent authors. y

S Forehead dull greenish black, shading backwards into oil-

green on the whole upper parts, wings and tail; chin, throat and

breast black, shaded into pale brownish gray on the belly and

under parts. Entire length 4 inches, of wing 2 inches.

SPERMOPHILA FUSCIVENTRIS, Bodd. s.

SPERMOPHILA IGNOBILIS, Spiz. s.

_“ Builds on the grass: beautiful warblers.”

SPERMOPHILA MISYA, Vieill. s.

“A native.” The name of “ grass-bird”’ seems generally to

be applied to the small Tobago Finches ; the three last being all

so marked without any distinguishing epithet.

Cassicus cristatus, Gmel. (Yellow Tail.) s.

STURNELLA GUIANENSIS, Linn. 8:

CHRYSOPTILUS RUBIGINOSUS, Swain. (Woodpecker, Golden-

winged.) s.

“ Native: feeds like all the tribe on insects and larve. With

a shrill piercing note it flies from tree to tree, and although often

found low it will ascend from the root spirally to a great height,

examining with surprising dexterity every crevice as it moves

along. I have seldom observed this species tapping the dead

limbs of trees so much as the spotted and red-tailed woodpecker.”

We have also received this species from Trinidad.

Curysoptitus KIRKII, Malh. (Woodpecker, Red-tailed.)

“Native. The note of this species is three syllables, sounding

like the words ‘ click, click, click, pronounced very sharply to-

wards the end.”

This species was submitted to the examination of M. Malherbe

while in London last year collecting materials for a monograph

of the family ; he considered it undescribed, and suggested the

specific name which we have adopted above. The most nearly

allied to this is the “ petit pic de 8S. Domingue” of Brisson, on

which is founded the Picus passerinus, Linn. ; but it differs from

it, as well as the P. affinis of Sw., in the markings of the wings

and. tail, and in the rump and upper tail-covers being red, whereas

in the others they are olive or yellowish.

334 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the different Beds

CENTURUS TRICOLOR, Gmel. (Woodpecker, Spotted.) s.

“ Native, and the most domestic of its tribe ; I have lately shot

them tapping at the facings around the corners of this dwelling-

house. Feed like all the tribe upon insects ; but this species is

particularly noted for destruction to the Indian corn when in a

soft and milky state, and may then often be found with the cele-

brated corn thief the Tanager (Tachyphonus leucopterus). In

making this accusation against this species, I am inclined to think

that while tearing the ears of corn and exposing them to the

rain, &c., it is more with a view to secure ants than to destroy

corn, as a great many ants are in general collected around the

ears once exposed in that soft state. They have two different

notes, the regular response being a prolonged whistle, sharp,

strong and piercing, at first slow, about sixteen times repeated,

quick towards the middle and again prolonged towards the con-

clusion.”

[To be continued. ]

XXXII.— On the different Beds of the White Chalk, and on the

Faults and Dislocations which they exhibit. By J. Toutmin

Situ, Esq.

Ir is certainly no less true of geology than of any other branch

of natural science, that it is endangered as much by “ false facts

as false theories.” Such “ false facts’ are not merely neutrally

mischievous: they are fertile sources of positive error and erro-

neous induction. Even if the true character of the “ false fact ”

is perceived, it will often not be till it has added much to that

labour which every true naturalist must oftentimes undergo of

“laboriously groping about in the dense labyrinth of facts *.”

I called attention some months ago to an important instance

of such a “ false fact ” very authoritatively put forth as to the ex-

istence in one geological zra of one of the most extraordinary crea-

tures which geological research has -yielded—the Pterodactylet.

It is important to my present purpose to repeat this instance, as

it originated in a very common source of such false facts, and one

against which the most able inquirer has no defence if he depend

for his material on the dealer instead of obtaining it as the re-

ward of the personal exploration in the field of himself or of a con-

fidential collaborator. Many other instances might be cited of

positive error which has in this way been promulgated, or in

which the danger of promulgating still greater and more sweep-

* Oken’s preface to the Ray Society’s ed. of his ‘ Elements of Physiophi-

losophy.’ ;

+ See vol. xix. of this Journal, p. 295, note.

of the White Chalk. 335

ing error has been only averted by the acuteness of a practised

and able palzontologist. In immediate connexion with the chalk

beds I will name one other instance which is at the present time

drawing forth frequent expressions of interest and surprise from

geologists,—I mean the alleged discovery of a bed of Ammonites

and allied forms in the upper part of the chalk ;—a discovery

which, without expressing a positive opinion as to the absolute

fact implied in it, I can safely say is at present unsustained by

any facts in my own collection (in which is a large series of the

specimens) or in any other which I have seen, and I shall pre-

sently show why the allegation (which implies an induction) has,

at present, no necessary basis of absolute fact, even admitting the

alleged localities to be correctly stated.

That the interest and importance of geology as a science, in

all its branches and applications, mainly depend upon that

stratigraphical exactness on which I have before insisted*, must

be admitted equally by the paleontologist, the engineer and the

surveyor. I propose therefore, very briefly, to call attention now

to some points :—I. As to the different and differing beds of the

white chalk, by which I mean, that which lies above the chalk

marl: and II. As to the causes of the frequent confusion which

exists in the determination of the true position of chalk fossils ;—

which will lead us directly to another interesting question, namely

the faults and dislocations which have taken place in the chalk

itself, and the time or times at which these have taken place.

I. There is so much external resemblance between hand spe-

cimens of the chalk from any of the beds above included, that it

is little surprising if those not familiar with actual sections gene-

ralize the whole together.

Dr. Mantell divides the beds of which I am speaking into

“ upper or flinty chalk ” and “ lower chalk.” This division, which

was made in his ‘ South Downs’ (pp. 79 & 139), is retained in his

‘Medals of Creation’ (p.33). The same division is made by

Mr. Lyell (under different names) in his ‘ Elements,’ vol. 1. p.386

(ed. 1841), and, though with even less distinctness, in vol. ii.

p- 180. Mr. Morris, in his ‘ Catalogue’ (p. ix), makes a similar

division, and in Mr. Tennant’s ‘ Stratigraphical List’ just pub-

lished by the “Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge” a

like division is made (p. 37).

In all these cases the presence or absence of flints is made the

ground of division of the beds. I do not deny that in one part

of the white chalk flints are common, in another part absent or

rare. But I altogether demur to this being assumed as any basis

for a natural division, believing that presence or absence to be,

* In loc, cit.

336 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the different Beds

in the proper sense of the word, a mere accident, in no way neces-

sarily indicative of any change in geological deposit, and one

which might happen, and in fact has happened, during the course

of very different formations, and, as indeed the flinty chalk itself

proves, at varying periods during the course of any one deposit *.

We may however find other characters, sufficiently well-marked,

which lead to positive and well-defined divisions of the white

chalk. Passing over minor subdivisions, three great divisions

force themselves upon the observer’s attention where the chalk is

fully developed, as in the hills and valleys of Kent. These divi-

sions may be stated as—l. the upper chalk, which happens to

coincide pretty exactly [though by no necessity, as above indi-

cated] with the chalk having horizontal layers of flint, and may

therefore be readily distinguished at a glance; 2. the middle

chalk, a chalk as white as the upper chalk and lying immediately

beneath it; and 3. the lower chalk, which, when wet, has a slightly

grayer tinge, though, when dry, not thus distinguishable from

either of the above. It is not unimportant to notice, that the

distinction drawn by. Mr. Lyell (p. 386) between soft white chalk

and hard white chalk is a distinction which will not hold. The

upper, middle, and lower chalk is, quite indifferently, hard or

soft in different places. There are places in which the middle

chalk is so extremely rotten that it is almost impossible to extract

any fossil entire. This very chalk, again, by long exposure to

the atmosphere, becomes so extremely hard that it will turn the

edge of any tool, and is, from its extreme hardness, as imprac-

ticable as before from its rottenness.

These three beds are to be distinguished by their organic con-

tents. It is not my present purpose to enter in detail into these ;

- it is sufficient to call attention to the divisions by a few broad in-

stances. The most unpractised eye will at once perceive the dif-

ference in the groups of Terebratule found in the three several

beds. The distinctions, not merely modifications, but in marked

characters, between the Echinites is very great ; while the Jnoce-

rami offer the means of no less broad comparison. These last

abound, in extraordinary number and variety, in the middle

chalk. The abundance and character of the remains of the ver-

tebrate animals afford no less important means of marking these

divisions. I am however for the present content to rest the di-

stinction between the three beds upon the differences presented

* Mr. Lyell states (as above, p. 386) these layers to be “from two to

four feet distant from each other.’’ It will, however, be found, in fact, that

the differences are much more striking. I am acquainted with localities in

which several successive beds are found varying from one to two feet apart,

or less, —underlying which is a mass of chalk, without any layers of flints, at

least fifteen or twenty feet thick, but below which last other regular layers

of flints are found. See vol. xix. of this Journal, p. 15, note.

of the White Chalk. 337

by the Ventriculide found respectively in each, and which—as I

shall particularly show when detailing the species of that family,

—belong, in the three beds, to three distinct and strongly-marked

groups, a fact which illustrates the importance of the careful in-

vestigation of any single family, to whatever class it may belong.

Of the three groups into which I shall show that that family must

be divided, the first (Ventriculites) is found in the upper chalk ;

extremely rarely any species of it, and then very doubtfully, in the

middle chalk: the second (Kephalites) is very rarely, and then

also doubtfully, found in the upper chalk: I have never seen a

single specimen of either from the lower chalk. Of the third

group (Brachiolites), while some species are perhaps found in the

upper chalk and the same are found in the middle, some of the

most marked species—differmg, with one exception, and even in

that with a modification of character, from those last named—

are found in the lower chalk and even greensand.

I have remarked that some species of Ventriculide are found

doubtfully m one or the other bed. This leads me to notice,

II. The causes of the doubt and confusion which exist as to

the true position of many fossils from the chalk, and conse-

quently as to the character of the respective geological eras.

From the particular mode in which the denudation of the chalk

has taken place, it happens that, in many pits, in many parts of

Kent, the upper part of the same pit exhibits the upper chalk,

the lower part the middle chalk, while, within five minutes’ walk,

lies the deep lower chalk. Now whether fossils be picked up on

the floor of such a pit or out of blasted blocks, it will, generally,

be equally impossible, from the mere hand specimen, to deter-

mine to which bed it belonged. It is in such pits as these that

the problematical Ammonites, &c. have been found; and it is in

such pits as these that I have picked up the specimens of Ven-

triculide which I have above assigned as doubtful. It is only by

very careful and personal examination of individual sites, and not

merely of localities, that the exact and accurate determination

can be made.

Another important source of error is the faults and disloca-

tions which have taken place in the chalk*. These, in rocks so

similar as the different beds of the white chalk, escape any

but the closest attention. The following instance is instructive.

In the course of the last spring I visited, in company with

Mr. Morris, the collection of Mr. Harris at Charing. I learned

that there had long been a friendly dispute between Mr. Harris

* I do not allude to such faults as Mr. Lyell figures, p. 27. vol. ii. of the

‘ Elements,’ and which can never mislead, but to cases where white chalk

only is seen on both sides, with nothing to distinguish the two to the super-

ficial observer.

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 24

338 Mr. Toulmin Smith on the different Beds

and Mr. Morris (whose stratigraphical skill is probably unri-

valed) as to whether the pits whence the collection was mainly

‘derived were upper or lower chalk, and my own impression was

asked. I unhesitatingly pointed out a large number as from the

upper chalk, but presently came to some which I was equally

clear were from a lower bed*. I was somewhat startled by the

information that both groups were from the same pit. A per-

sonal inspection could alone be satisfactory. On reaching the pit

I found,—and it was fully admitted by both gentlemen,—that it

exhibited, exactly in its centre, a clear line of fault, of which the

following outline, from a sketch made on the spot, may give some

Fig. 1.

Ree) lie i

(FE sil

vi ®2On \

ra lit

Hil Masse

~cSinnr

idea. I immediately pointed out to Mr. Harris that all his fos-

sils of the one group came from the upper part of the chalk on

the left hand of the line a—d; all those of the other group from

the chalk on the right hand of that line. As far as could be

ascertained from his personal knowledge and from exact inquiry

among the workmen, this was found to be the case, and he has

since informed me that the suggestion thus made has been of

material assistance to him in his subsequent observations. The

fact was, that the former side exhibited the upper chalk, the

latter much lower beds. Here had been a great fault, so great

that these so different beds lay side by side with one another.

The whole exposed and unbroken surface of the right-hand side,

shaded in the accompanying sketch, was polished and glistening,

—as true a case of slickensides as could be found. The attrition

had been with such force that several large flints were found

actually crushed in the exact line of fault. The band on the upper

part of that side is a thin layer of marl to which I cannot now

further allude. The rows of flints on the other side are seen in

the sketch.

* I am not, at this time, quite certain whether these were strictly lower

chalk or middle chalk forms, and it is immgaterial to the present point.

of the White Chalk. 339

It is unimportant to the present question whether this is a case

of fault in the ordinary sense, originating in upheaval or depres-

sion due to causes acting from below, or whether it is a case of

sliding towards the valley. In either case it is equally import-

ant that it and all such cases should be noted and known ;

though I have little doubt that it is a true fault. I have since

met with another case of undoubted true fault—the direction of

the fault being transverse to the valley—at a distance of about

twenty miles from the last. Of this also an outline is here given,

in which a—é will be seen to be the line of fault. Both sides

exhibit the upper chalk only, but the fault is well seen owing to

the displacement of the layers of flint *.

Fig. 2.

AO. O° 0 og 0 fRVoe=- 2,

wD er

_—-

Zs Rw

Another phenomenon, which is found especially in the middle

chalk, is well-worthy of being here noted,—a phenomenon not of

fault, but of dislocation. In pits which externally appear smooth

and unbroken, and lying underneath thick beds which are wholly

undisturbed, the chalk will sometimes be found not to lie in

unbroken or merely jointed strata, but to be made up of huge

masses, each many tons in weight, and each of the faces of every

one of which is smooth and polished}. There is no rubbish : all

is massive: but there has clearly been very much dislocation and

disturbance, and which must have taken place before the beds

lying above were solidified.

But beyond each of these evidences of motive force in the beds

of the white chalk another is sometimes found, which also is

* Many other instances of faults in the chalk have come under my notice,

to which I shall probably take a future opportunity of alluding more in detail.

+ Something of this kind must explain the case cited by Dr. Mantell,

‘South Downs,’ p. 149, but the brown ” colour is not present in the in-

stances I have before me.

24%

340 On the different Beds of the White Chalk.

most frequently exhibited in the middle chalk, and may often

mislead or puzzle the observer. In this case the dislocation may

best be explained by describing the chalk as knotty. One of the

huge masses before named, when broken up, occasionally (by no

means always) presents a very remarkable appearance. It is full of

extremely hard lumps which separate readily from each other and

which seem as if made upof bundles of threads,—a character which

is often more than merely superficial. It will be clear that, as the

dislocation last-named could not take place without some of the

masses being violently compressed and distorted, when that com-

pression and distortion took place, the component parts of the

mass, according to the tenacity or cohesion of its various organic

contents and the varying degrees of its partial consolidation,

would necessarily assume the characters which are thus exhibited.

I have collected many interesting illustrations of these phzeno-

mena,—having found many organic remains quite perfect as to

condition, but divided in the middle by one of these knots. In

one instance an unfortunate fish has had the fore part of his head

driven from its place by a knot, which, while pushing it three

inches forward horizontally, has pushed it two inches vertically

down. The strive caused by the friction are usually very clear in

such cases.

Sometimes the knots assumevery peculiar forms. Fig. 3.

Specimens, very regularly striated, are often sold

by dealers as fossil wood, and the specimen here

figured might easily be placed in that convenient

group—the Coprolites. The knots in this in-

stance are unusually regular. Several were found,

one above the other, like the joints of a stem. I

brought away the two figured.

As to the time at which these forces acted upon

the chalk, it would seem that they have not been

confined to any one age. As far as my observa-

tions extend, the dislocations above-noticed have

been temporary and are principally confined to

one bed and era,—the middle chalk. The faults,

on the contrary, have been more extensive through

the beds. The former therefore took place before

the close of the secondary period and before the

superposition of the upper chalk. The latter must

have taken place at a much later period*, and we

are not altogether without evidence that it was

comparatively recent. Some time ago I obtained,

from the solid chalk, the well-preserved tooth of a Wy

fossil horse. Without entering into any nice ques- —-Tyo-thirds

tion as to whether this belongs to the species nat. size.

* It is unnecessary to allude now to the cases of shivered flints in beds,

\R 4),

wisi ee

Mr. A. White on some Cetoniade. 341

distinguished by Professor Owen as characteristic of the Miocene

or of the Drift*, it is sufficient that his eye at once recognized it

as a fossil form. I was careful to ascertain the exact details of the

spot wherein it was imbedded. The pit was near the top of one

of the highest hills in Kent, on or near which was no diluvium

whatever, and a vegetable soil of hardly appreciable thickness.

There was no fissure, nor would any disturbance of the bed have

been noticed without very close inspection. That inspection

however showed that there had been some displacement, which,

though the two walls were then so close that the blade of a knife

could not be inserted, had doubtless once yawned, and thus en-

abled this mammalian fossil of the tertiary beds to lodge deep

down in what it might be hard to persuade many was not solid

undisturbed chalk. It was middle chalk on each side of the

line, so that the amount of relative displacement could not be

ascertained. The tooth was found about twenty feet from the

present surface.

I have thus endeavoured to call the attention of observers to

some of the conditions which should be borne in mind by those

who, in investigating the chalk formation, geologically or pale-

ontologically, would avoid the danger of making the “ labyrinth ”

of their fellow-labourers more “dense” by the accumulation of

“ false facts.”

XXXITI.—Deseription of Clinteria Hoffmeisteri, a new species of

the family Cetoniade, from North India. By Apam Wuite,

F.L.S., Assistant Zool. Dep. British Museum.

Crronra (Cuinter1A) HorrMeistEri.

C. viridescenti-fusca supra obscura, subtus nitida; pilosa; thorace

albo-marginato, lineaque media alba; scutello albo; elytris albo-

marginatis margine interna linea alba, ramulos 2 aut 3 emittente,

vitta submarginali rubra, et linea subinterrupta subobliqua me-

diana ; margine suturee postica vitta alba interrupta ; pygidio albo,

brunneo marginato.

Hab. in India. Mus. Brit. et ‘‘ E. India House.” Dr. Horsfield.

Head cupreous; antennz reddish; legs and the under parts

of a dark purplish coppery red, without spots, clothed with long-

ish ochrey gray hairs; the hairs similar in colour on the upper

as, though they are shivered, the strata have not been dislocated and do not

therefore affect the present point. They are of course evidence of some

powerful agitation, which was probably the same which, in other spots, pro-

duced these faults.

* Brit. Foss. Mammals, pp. 383, 392.

342 Mr. A. White on some Cetoniade.

parts, but shorter and giving a yellowish gray tinge to the white

arts.

, The figure represents the insect magnified

twice its natural size. I might have given

a more elaborate description ; but as there

did not occur to me in its examination

any very remarkable difference in structure

between this and the allied species mentioned

beneath, the above may suffice.

In general form and look this species has

considerable resemblance to C. spilota, Hope,

Gray’s Zool. Misc. p. 25, of which the C.

himalayensis figured by Gory and Percheron bled Y

may be considered a local variety,and perhaps C- Yoffmeisteri, White.

also the C. confinis, Hope, Zool. Misc. 25, Gory and Perch. t. 77.

f.5, Burm. Handb. in. p. 304; but its shortness, hairiness, mark-

ings and other characters specified above, will at once distinguish

it; and better still the accompanying woodcut, carefully drawn

by Mr. William Wing from the Museum specimen, will at once

establish the difference.

Dr. W. Hoffmeister, in memory of whom this very distinct and

charming species of Cetonia is named, passed through London

on his way to India. His amiability, earnestness and intelligence

would have soon, had he lived, gained him a reputation like that

of his uncle Prof. Lichtenstein of Berlin. In India he was at-

tached as physician to the suite of Prince Waldemar of Prussia,

and at the battle of Ferozeshah was killed while attending on the

prince, who insisted on sharing with Lord Hardinge yey

able danger of advancing in front of the line to encourage the

British troops. Dr. Hoffmeister was much attached to the study

of insects, and seemed well acquainted with the European forms.

In his letters to his friends from the East Indies, published

after his death by Dr. A. Hoffmeister, he has given good proof

of his powers, his shrewd observations and his affectionate dis-

position.

In the next number of the ‘ Annals’ will be given a continua-

tion of remarks on, and additions to, “the list of Cetoniadous

insects in the collection of the British Museum.”

WIN hy / :

GaN Ka y) ie 7

Praaiiin il nl

BT SUR

Reeth

iat

a raitat Al

vii

» bens

Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. Vo.20- PIM.

sant see's

vet Ith ws!

JS De C. Sowerby.

MET del .

CG.

Mr. G. H. K. Thwaites on Conjugation in the Diatomacere. 343

XXXIV.—On Conjugation in the Diatomacee. By G. H. K.

Tuwaires, Lecturer on Botany and Vegetable Physiology at

the Bristol Medical School.

{ With a Plate. ]

To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History.

GENTLEMEN, 2 Kingsdown Parade, Bristol, Oct. 6, 1847.

I am now enabled to make some interesting additions to my

previous papers on Conjugation in the Diatomacee, the result of

a very attentive examination of the species therein referred to, as

well as of others which it has since been my good fortune to

detect with conjugated frustules.

In my last communication I stated that the sporangia of the

four species there named bore a close resemblance to the frustules

of Cocconema, and that the sporangia of Cocconema lanceolatum

differed apparently in no respect but ia size from the frustules of

that species. At that time I suspected, but had not evidence

sufficient to prove it with certainty, that in the other three spe-

cies adyerted to the sporangia became eventually similar in form

to their parent frustules, and that the Cocconema-like appearance

was merely that of their immature condition: such I can now

state positively to be the fact as respects the seven species which

have occurred to me with mature sporangia, as I have succeeded

in tracing the change to the form of the frustule so satisfactorily

as to leave not the shadow of a doubt in my own mind as to the

fact ; and not only can I venture to state thus much, but also can

with equal certainty affirm that the sporangia, like the frustules,

undergo fissiparous division ; and that in the two species of Gom-

phonema mentioned in this paper, they become stalked like the

latter, so as to make their mutual resemblance still more striking.

This circumstance lessens the probability of frustules and their

sporangia being described as distinct species, especially as it is

also the fact that, although sporangia far exceed in size their

identical parent frustules, they may not be at all or but very

slightly larger than ordinary frustules of the same species do

sometimes become. It seems to me likely, however, that Kiitz-

ing’s ‘* Kpithemia Vertagus” is the sporangium of Eunotia tur-

gida, Khr.

It will be seen by the accompanying Plate, that in most of the

species there figured the conjugated frustules become divided into

two separate halves to allow of the escape of their contained endo-

chrome ; in Gomphonema minutissimum and Fragilaria pectinalis,

however, the endochrome escapes by a slit at one end of the frus-

tule. Fragilaria pectinalis differs too, it will be observed, from

344 Mr. G. H.K. Thwaites on Conjugation in the Diatomaceze.

all the others in one sporangium only, instead of two, being pro-

duced from the pair of conjugated frustules. This sporangium,

which is at first cylindrical, soon assumes a flattened somewhat

quadrangular form, and in many, but not in all cases, undergoes

fissiparous division before it has put on the exact appearance of a

frustule of the Fragilaria.

It cannot be doubted that in a physiological point of view the

phenomena here brought forward are of great value, and there

are many questions relating to impregnation in plants and ani-

mals upon which they may have an important bearing. I pur-

pose in an early communication sending some observations on this

subject for insertion in your valuable periodical.

I am, Gentlemen, your very obedient servant,

G. H. K. Tawarres.

P.S. October 23, 1847. My valued correspondent, the Rev.

William Smith of Wareham, has recently sent me specimens of a

new and very beautiful species of Schizonema (which I purpose

figuring and describing under the name of S. subcoherens), some

of the frustules of which I was fortunate enough to detect in a

conjugated state: the sporangia are produced in a similar way to

those of Cocconema. I am indebted to the same gentleman for

the opportunity of discovering the conjugated frustules of Eunotia

zebra, Ehr. (which a good deal resemble those of E. turgida),

Epithemia gibba, Kiitz., and Fragilaria pectinalis, sent amongst

other interesting Algee from his neighbourhood.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE XXII.

Fig. A. 1. Filament of Fragilaria pectinalis, Lyng. : *, side view of frustule.

— 2to5 inclusive. The same species in conjugation, exhibiting the

sporangium in various stages of development.

— 6and/7. Mature sporangia of Fragilaria pectinalis.

Fig. B. 1. Frustules of Gomphonema minutissimum, Ag.

— 2,3 and4. The same species in conjugation.

— 5. Mature sporangia, become stalked like the frustules.

Fig. C. 1. Cocconema lanceolatum, Ehr.

— 2and3. The same in conjugation.

Fig. D. 1. Gomphonema, n. s.?

— 2and3. Different views of the same in conjugation.

Fig. E. 1. Cocconema Cistula, Ehr.

— 2. The same species in conjugation.

Fig. F. 1. Epithemia gibba, Kiitzing.

— 2. The same in conjugation.

Bibliographical Notices. 345

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

Monographia Heliceorum Viventium. Auctore Lupovico Przrrrer, Dr.

Leipsic: London, Williams and Norgate.

Arrer the lapse of many years, this long-announced publication

has at length made its appearance. The well-known lengthened

researches of the author, and his personal inspection of the typical

specimens in the chief museums and more important private collec-

tions of Europe, have excited a more than ordinary feeling of interest

respecting it,—a sentiment which the profound knowledge of his sub-

ject displayed by him in his intercourse with conchologists during

his recent visit to England has by no means tended to allay. It is

solely by that undivided attention to one particular branch of na-

tural history, which has been devoted to the investigation of the

Snails by Dr. Pfeiffer, that the unravelling of that tangled mass of

synonyms, which the presumptuous ignorance of tyros and the care-

less indolence of compilers have alike generated and fostered, can suc-

cessfully be attempted; and the author’s comparison of types and

frequent correspondence with other writers upon conchology com-

bine in giving a stamp of authority to his labours. The first part

only of this monograph of Helices is as yet before the public: we

learn however from the accompanying prospectus that the remainder

will be issued at no distant interval, and that the entire work will

occupy two octavo volumes. In 160 pages are contained diagnoses

of between four and five hundred species of shells ; the total number

intended to be described is 2100. ‘This is an immense increase to

our knowledge of this family, the aggregate species of the several

genera included by our author under Helix amounting in the pages

of Lamarck to 224, of the second edition of the ‘ Animaux sans Ver-

tebres’ by Deshayes to 536, and in Férussac’s great work to 573.

The following genera are regarded by Dr. Pfeiffer as coming within

the limits of his work: Anostoma, Tomigerus, Streptaxis, Odontostoma

(Proserpina), Helix (including Carocolla and Nanina), Bulimus, Acha-

tina, Pupa, Cylindrella, Daudebardia, Vitrina, Succinea, Balea, Tor-

natellina, and Clausilia. As no less than 1132 species belong to Helix

proper, a very elaborate sectional arrangement is proposed for faci-

litating their determination ; without which assistance indeed, the

toil of searching through some hundreds of descriptions in ascertain-

ing the name of a single specimen, would be insufferably tedious.

And yet this praiseworthy subdivision is neglected in the majority of

conchological monographs which are annually appearing !

The language in which the results of the author’s observation and

reflection during a period of ten years (as he informs us) is commu-

nicated to his readers, is that universal medium of communication

among naturalists, the Latin tongue ; not sparingly used for brief

diagnoses, betraying too often the writer’s inability to express him-

self satisfactorily and lucidly in it, followed by longer notes in his

vernacular explanatory of his meaning, but written throughout in

that classic dialect, without the interpolation of a single word of his

346 Bibliographical Notices.

native speech. This will doubtlessly ensure it a widely extended

circulation ; the:practice of each individual writer describing his sup-

posed new species in his own particular language, of course limiting

the perusal of his work to those conversant with that tongue, and

entailing great confusion (where the work is not illustrated) through

foreigners reproducing the species under other appellations through

a justifiable ignorance (since a knowledge of all the tongues of Europe

cannot be expected from any man, and their acquisition would leave

but little leisure to be devoted to the study of nature) of their prior

publication.

It is perhaps to be regretted that no plates accompany the letter-

press, the references being frequently to unpublished (at least they

have not as yet reached us in England) figures in Kuster’s costly and

bulky edition of Chemnitz’s ‘Conchylien Cabinet,’ a book, whose pro-

tracted periodical issue and the rudeness of execution in its earlier

plates, combined with the comparative want of research displayed by

the editor in the earlier portion of it, have almost excluded it from

our libraries in England, and rendered us ignorant how much valu-

able matter is engulfed in the more recent numbers, wherein in-

deed a very considerable number of hitherto unpublished species

have of late appeared. An atlas of engravings after the fashion of

Rossmisler’s ‘ Iconography of the European Land and Freshwater

Shells,’ and produced at a similar moderate charge, would prove a

most valuable companion to Dr. Pfeiffer’s text, and would not (we

believe) be unappreciated by the public.

In conclusion we may state, that there is throughout exhibited a

sound and practical acquaintance with conchological literature, par-

ticularly with that of England ; and with a singular frankness, such

species as the author has himself been unable to recognize are indi-

cated by a symbolic mark. This latter proceeding may appear un-

important, yet how many difficulties could be solved, were we thus

enabled to ascertain the exact extent of an author’s acquaintance with

the established species previous to his constitution of new ones !

Fauna littoralis Norvegia, oder Beschreibung und Abbildungen neuer

oder wenig bekannten Seethiere, nebst Beobachtungen tiber die Orga-

nisation, Lebensweise u. Entwickelung derselben von M. Saxs, Doctor

der Philosophie, &c. Erstes Heft, mit 10 Kupfertafeln. Chris-

tiania, ]846.

The first number of a very interesting work which we are anxious

to recommend to the support of British zoologists. It is written in

the German language with the characters of the new genera and spe-

cies in Latin: it is in folio, and this number contains 94 pages and

10 plates, well-engraved and uncoloured. The species illustrated

are—

1. Syncoryna Sarsii, Lov.

2. Popocoryna, anew genus, = Hydractinia. of Van Beneden ; and

the P. carnea, Sars, is very probably the same as the Hydractinia

rosea, Van Beneden.

Bibliographical Notices. 347

3. Prerigonimus (nov. gen.). ‘ Polypi pallio membranaceo, tu-

buloso, gemmis matri similibus imperfectis ramoso, capitulo molliori

non retractili, affixi; tentaculis sub ore verticillatis, biserialibus.

Gemmee matri dissimiles et ovis carentes non in capitulis, sed in caule

ramulisque sparse, campanulatz, cirris marginalibus quatuor.” P.

muscoides is the only species: it seems related to the Campanularia

dumosa of British authors.

4. Cyteis octopunctata; a new species without a Latin diagnosis,

but well-figured.

5. Pennatuia borealis, ‘16 ad 31 pollicaris, valde elongata, rubra ;

pinnulis breviusculis, semilunaribus, apicem versus longioribus et

imbricatis, basin versus minoribus et magis distantibus, cellulis po-

lyporum in seriebus 2—3 irregularibus dispositis ; rhachide angusto ;

stipite (sterili) tertiam ad quintam totius partem eequante, fusiformi,

parte bulbosa antice margine elevato et supra papillis sanguineis.

Polypi albidi, tentaculis 8 pinnatis apice acuminatis, pinnulis lon-

gioribus setaceis.” A very fine species.

6. Lucernaria quadricornis, Mill. = L. fascicularis, Flem.

7. Lucernaria auricula, Rathke.

8. Lucernaria cyathiformis, nov. sp.

9. Aracnwnactis (nov. gen.). ‘‘ Animal liberum, molle, natans;

corpus breviter cylindricum, parvum, basi rotundata, disco suctorio

carente; os seriebus tentaculorum non retractilium duabus circum-

datum, exterioribus longissimis, interioribus brevibus.” One species

is known, which M. Sars calls 4. albida. It may be compared toa

detached head of a Tubularia floating at freedom in the sea.

10. Acatmopsis (nov. gen.). ‘‘ Partes cartilaginez superiores seu

natatorie ut in Agalmate ; inferiores numerosz, solide, triangulares,

sparsee, non tubum componentes, sed modo una earum extremitate

canali reprocuctorio afixe cxterumque liberi, pro emissione tubu-

lorum suctoriorum ac tentaculorum ubicunque fissuras preebentes.

Canalis reproductorius longissimus, tubulos suctorios, vesiculas variz

forme et tentacula offerens. ‘Tentacula ramulis clavatis (clava varize

forme) obsita.” The only species is named A. elegans, and well it

is entitled to its designation. It is described and figured in the best

manner of the author.

11. Diphyes truncata (nov. sp.), ‘ partibus utrisque cartilagineis

corporis pentagonis : anteriori pyramidali, postice truncata absque

appendicibus ; posteriori utraque extremitate truncata, postice infra

appendice horizontali foliacea margine inciso; cavitatibus natatoriis

equalibus. Squamis in canali reproductorio cartilagineis fornicatis

margine integro,”’

12. Diphyes biloba (nov. sp.), ‘‘ partibus utrisque cartilagineis cor-

poris fere ut in preecedenti specie, sed anteriori postice supra cavi-

tatem natatoriam appendice horizontali foliacea biloba, lobis rotun-

datis ; posteriori quam priori multo minori; squamis in canali repro-

ductorio cartilagineis fornicatis margine quadridentato.”

13. Echinaster sanguinolentus = Asterias sunguinolenta, Mill. =

Echinaster Sarsii, Mull. and Trosch. The development of the spe-

cies is minutely traced and elaborately described and figured.

348 Zoological Society. —

14. Asteracanthion Miilleri, Sars.

15. Salpa runcinata, Chamisso. A very elaborate history of the

species.

16. Salpa spinosa, Otto. Described with fullness equal to the

preceding.

17. Filograna implexa, Berk.

18. OxreoBRancuus (nov. gen.). ‘* Corpus teres arenicoliforme

cauda attenuata, segmentorum quodque ex annulis quatuor compo-

situm. Caput distinctum, antice truncatum, tentaculis duobus bre-

vibus; os subtus proboscide brevissima inerme; anus terminalis

cirris quatuor. Pinne in segmento quoque utrinque due discrete

ex mammillis cum fasciculis setarum capillarium constantes, in seg-

mentis anticis 14—15 absque appendicibus, in reliquis vero et cirro

superiori et inferiori conico seu fusiformi ornate. Branchiarum ar-

busculeformium ramosissimarum paria quatuor in segmentis anticis

corporis supra et pone pinnas in dorso.” ‘This genus, as Sars after-

wards learned, is the same as the Scalibregma of H. Rathke instituted

in 1843; but it is doubtful whether Sars’ species—Oligobranchus

roseus—is the same as the Scalibregma inflatum of Rathke; the pro-

bability is that they are distinct. There is reason to believe that the

genus Travisia of Dr. Johnston (1840) will have to merge also in

Scalibregma ; the Travisia apparently having been imperfectly and

erroneously characterized from the bad condition of the specimen in

the Doctor’s possession : see Ann. Nat. Hist. iv. p.375. An exami-

nation of a living individual of Travisia is required to clear up all

doubts.

In the Press.

We are glad to learn that a new work on the British Shells and

Mollusca, the joint production of Prof. E. Forbes and Mr. Sylvanus

Hanley, which is intended to appear in Van Voorst’s series of British

Zoology, is considerably advanced. All the known species are pro-

posed to be delineated, and seventeen of the copper plates are already

engraved by Mr. Sowerby, jun.

Professor Daubeny of Oxford has in the press, and nearly ready

for publication, a new and much enlarged edition of his Description

of Active and Extinct Volcanos.

The present Edition will be found to contain nearly twice the

amount of matter included in the preceding one, embracing not only

such new facts and observations with respect to volcanos as have

been brought to light since its first appearance in 1826, but likewise

the allied phenomena of Earthquakes and Thermal Springs, as well

as a fuller discussion of the theories connected with those subjects.

A work is in preparation by Mr. H. E. Strickland and Dr. A. G.

Melville on the Natural History and Osteology of the Dodo, the

Solitaire, and other extinct birds of Mauritius, Bourbon and Rodri-

guez. It will be published in 4to by Mr. Lovell Reeve, and will be

illustrated by numerous lithographic plates, woodcuts and other en-

gravings.

Zoological Society. 349

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

June 22, 1847.—Harpur Gamble, Esq., M.D., in the Chair.

Ow tHe Porcurines OF THE OLDER OR EASTERN CONTINENT, WITH

DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME NEW SPECIES. By J. E. Gray, Esa.,

F.R.S., F.Z.S. ere.

This genus, on account of the similarity of the appearance of the

species, has been very imperfectly examined. M. F. Cuvier, in the

eleventh volume of the ‘ Mémoires du Muséum,’ has given a paper

on the crania and teeth of the family, and divided them into genera,

forming those of the old world, which alone came within the scope

of this communication, into two: the first he calls Hystrix, and

figures as the type a skull which he considers as that of the Porcu-

pine of Italy; and formed a second genus under the name of Acan-

thion for a skull brought by Leschenault from Java, and a skeleton

described by Daubenton (Buffon, H. N. xii. t. 53) in the Paris Mu-

seum. He gives a general description and some observations on the

relative size of the face and brain-cavity, rather than a character for

these genera, and no distinctive character by which the two species

of the genus Acauthion can be recognized.

The Baron Cuvier does not take any notice of the genus Acanthion

in the second edition of the ‘ Régne Animal’ (i. 215), but merely

observes that the Indian and African species have their heads less

swolien ; but he formed for the fasciculated Porcupine (H. fasciculata)

a genus under the name of Atherura, characterized by the muzzle

not being swollen, and the tail elongated and not prehensile. Some

authors, as Fischer (Synopsis Mam. i. 267, ii. 602), have considered

this animal as the one on which F. Cuvier established his genus

Acanthion. See on this subject the excellent remarks of Mr. Bennett

on the gardens and menageries of the Zoological Society, 1. 176.

J. F. Brandt, in the ‘ Mémoires de l’Académie Impériale des Sci-

ences de Saint Pétersbourg’ for 1835, on the Rodent in the mu-

seum of that Academy, has also overlooked M. F. Cuvier’s genus,

and he observes, ‘‘ The genus Acanthion of F. Cuvier I add to the

genus Hystriz, on account of the resemblance of the cranium of

H. hernitorostris with that of Acanthion Daubentonii. G. Cuvier,

although he proposed the new genus Atherura, does not say a word

respecting Acanthion in the new edition of the ‘ Régne Animal’ ; and

I should almost conclude from his words under the genus Hystriz

(i. 215),—* there are (in the genus Hystrix) species with the head

less swollen ;’ that he himself regarded the quotation Acanthion and

Hystriz as one and the same.” —Meém. Acad. Pétersb. 1835, 267, note.

I may here remark, that the skull figured by M. F. Cuvier as that

of the Italian Porcupine does not agree with our specimen of the skull

of the European species, and belongs to what I have considered the

genus Acanthion, as I keep the name of Hystrix for the old Linnean

species H. cristata: that the skull figured by Brandt as a new species,

under the name of Hystrix hernitorostris, does agree with our speci-

men from Xanthus, which I regard as the European species; and

350 Zoological Society.

though he compares it in the note above quoted with F. Cuvier’s

figure of the genus Acanthion, it differs from that figure in most im-

portant characters; while the skull which Brandt figures for that of

Hystrix cristata very nearly resembles F. Cuvier’s figure above re-

ferred to, which represents, according to the characters pointed out

in this communication, what I regard as the genus Acanthion.

Having had the opportunity of comparing the various skulls and

skeletons of the species of this genus contained in the British Mu-

seum with the skulls of the Indian species in the collection of Colonel

Cautley, and with the three skulls in the collections of the Zoological

Society, I have been induced to make the following communication

to the Meeting, as containing the results of this examination, and

with the hope of calling the attention of the Members to the neces-

sity of further attention to this hitherto neglected genus. These

skulls form themselves into three groups, and that I may not encum-

ber science with new names, I have used the three already proposed

by the brothers Cuvier, though the characters I have given for the

genus Acanthion may not be such as M. F. Cuvier had in his mind

when he formed the division.

Synopsis of the Genera.

I. Tail short ; skull conver above; the nasal and intermazillary bones

large to (or to behind) the front edge of the orbit ; the (upper) grinders

all with a fold on the inner side.

“1, Hysrrrx. The intermaxillary broad and truncated, and as wide

behind as before. The grinders oblong, longer than broad, with

one very distinct fold on the inner and three or four on the outer

side.

2. Acantuion. The intermaxillary triangular, tapering behind ;

the grinders subcylindrical, not longer than broad, with a distinct

fold on the inner and two or three on the outer side.

Il. Tail elongate, tufted at the end; skull nearly flat above; the nasal

and intermazillary bones short, not nearly reaching to the front of

the orbits. Intermaaxillary narrow, truncated behind; the front

(upper) grinders (and perhaps all but the last) without any fold on

the inner side.

8. ATHERURA.

1. Hysrrix.

Tail short; crown and nape crested; spines subcylindrical, striated;

the skull very wide, swollen, convex above; the nasal and intermaxilla-

ries large, reaching to the line even with the front edge of the orbit.

The intermaxillaries very large, broad, oblong, as wide behind as

before, and truncated behind ; the palate wide between the grinders ;

the grinders oblong, longer than broad. The development of the face

is produced by the dilatations of the hinder part of the intermaxillary

bones.

1. Hysrrrx cristata, Linn., &c. (Crested Porcupine).

H. hirsutirostris, Brandt, Mém. Pétersb. 1835, 375, t. 8. f. 3—6.

Black ; spines of the sides greyish, softish, subcylindrical; of the

back thick, tapering, with several black rings and a moderate white

Zoological Society. 351

tip. The upper part of the intermaxillary wider than the width of

the nasal. Skull very convex and wide, the palate wider than the

width of the teeth.

Inhab. South Europe and Africa.

The spines are described from a specimen from South Africa, pre-

sented to the Museum by Dr. W. Burchell, and the skull, from that

of an Italian specimen, received from a menagerie, and a young

skull with only three grinders, brought from Xanthus and presented

to the British Museum by G. Scharff, Esq.

The skull figured by Brandt, Mém. Acad. Pétersb. 1835, t. 8.f.3,

4,5, 6, as that of his Hystrix hirsutirostris, well represents the skull

of the young H. cristata from Xanthus. ;

The skull of the Italian porcupine figured by F. Cuvier, and of

H. cristata figured by Brandt, do not belong to the species above

described.

2. Hysrrrx Leucurus, Sykes, Proc. Zool. Soc., (Indian Porcupine).

Hystrix cristata, Bennett, Gard. & Menag. Zool. Soc. 171: fig. good.

Black ; spines of the throat white-tipped (forming a half-collar) ;

of the sides rigid, angular, of the back very long, slender, with

several black rings, and a very long, slender, white tip. Skull elon-

gate, rather narrow ; the hinder part of the intermaxillary as wide as

the nasal. The palate narrow, not wider than the width of the teeth.

- Inhab. Bombay. Dukhun, Colonel Sykes. Nepal, B. H. Hodgson,

Esq., N. India.

The above description is taken from two adult and one young spe-

cimens in the British Museum,—one presented by Colonel Sykes and

the others by B. H. Hodgson, Esq.,—two skulls from Mr. Hodgson’s

specimens, three skulls from Colonel Cautley’s collection, and a skull

in the museum of the Zoological Society.

The young skull, which has three well-developed and worn grind-

ers, is the same length as the young skull of H. cristata from Xan-

thus, which has the third grinder partly developed. The Nepal skull

is much less swollen, less convex above, and nearly one-third nar-

rower, and the teeth are smaller, occupying about one-fourth less

space than the three teeth in the European skull.

I may observe, that though these skulls preserve a very distinct

character, yet they vary so much amongst themselves as to show

that skulls afford no better character for the distinction of species

than any other single character, such as colour, but can only be

depended on when taken in connexion with the rest of the organi-

zation.

In Colonel Cautley’s collection there are three adult skulls (nos. 32,

84, 35) of this species from Northern India; they agree nearly in

size and in the comparative width of the intermaxillary and nasal

bones; one differs from the other two considerably in the width be-

tween the orbits, and slightly in the convexity of the frontal line.

They are all much larger than Mr. Hodgson’s specimen from Nepal.

No. 84 is peculiar for having a fifth grinder appearing behind the

fourth on the left side above.

This species is easily known by the very elongate slender spines

352 Zoological Society.

of the back and: by the form of the intermaxillary, though they are

subject to some variation.

The figures by Harvey sabiihed by Mr. Bennett above-quoted

well represent the elongated drooping dorsal spines of this species.

Measurement of the Skulls in inches and lines.

Adult. | Junior. | No. 32.| No. 34.| No. 35. | Adult. | Junior.

Length of skull above......| 5 7/4 0/510|5 8/511|5 0/4 0

Length of nasal ............ 2 8411 9|3 OF 2 881211) 2 531 93

Width at middle of orbits... 2 3|111/2 51:2 3/2 6/2 1|1 7

Width of nose in meet 110/11 44 110;1 9;)2 0; 1 11) 1.24

Width of lower edge o

ZYZOMA eeevesseseveees 27;/2 2/211/211)2 9/2 7/2 0

Lower edge of zygoma to

rinteal suisive 6.00 Ee oes S328 7131012

Palateto middle of crown

CUA OF ROR i. sonsssyier ds ee 27/2 2 2 5)2 1

Length of skull beneath... 5 10/4 2/6 2/5 73/6 0,;5 3)4 1

Length of palates ......... 3.212.213 3/43 O8F 3. 2}.2 10.| 2: 03

Length of grinder series...) 1 5 | 1 5|1 431 33:1 5/1 310 103

Length of lower jaw ...... 1310/211/4 2/4 BT cokeas a a2 3

Width at ear-bones........., 2 1/111/2 3};2 1/2 2/111/1 8

Width at condyles ......... BiB PO a Sy BS he 2 BoB. 1. 0

Height of occiput from 2

TOVATIOD has gevenss sss pated i de en i 1 33)1 2;)1 3/1 2

2. ACANTHION.

Tail short; crown and nape not crested. Spikes short, flattened

and channeled above. Skull rather elongate, convex above; the

nasal and intermaxillary reaching to the line even with the front, or

even to the middle of the orbit; the intermaxillaries triangular, nar-

rowed behind; the palate moderately wide between the grinders;

the grinders subcylindrical, not longer than broad.

F. Cuvier established his genus Acanthion on a skull and skeleton

in the Paris Museum. He gave as the character the less convexity

of the head and the smaller size of the nose; but he takes no notice

of the size and form of the intermaxillary, which appears to be the

best character of the group.

M. G. Cuvier and Brandt have not adopted M. F.Cuvier’s genus.

This genus presents two very distinct sections :—

* The nasal very long, broad to the middle of the orbit. AcAantTHION.

+ Malar bone simple. Palatine opening parallel.

1. Acantuion Hopesonir,n.s. Lesser Indian Porcupine.

Crown and nape without any crest. Blackish brown, neck witha

very narrow indistinct white collar. Spines of the head and neck

slender, bristle-like ; of the front half of the body short, angular,

acute, with a deep groove; of the hinder part of the back longer, with

a very small pale tip and some white ones; some of the latter are

moderately long and thick, with a black end; and others are longer

and slenderer, with a subcentral black band. Skull rather elongate,

narrowed before the orbit; the intermaxillaries very narrow, and rather

Zoological Society. 353

acute behind. Palatine opening narrow and nearly parallel. Malar

bone moderately wide, and rather gradually narrowed behind. The

nasal holes large; the front end of the nasal over the base of the

upper cutting-teeth.

Inhab. India. Nepal; B. H. Hodgson, Esq.

The spinous process of the second cervical vertebra is very large

and recurved ; of the first dorsal is shorter than the second or others ;

the ribs are 15°15, very broad and large. ‘The caudal vertebre are

deficient.

This species is described from a half-grown specimen and its skull,

and a skeleton of an adult animal from Nepal, presented to the British

Museum by B. H. Hodgson, Esq.

++ Malar bone with a deep notch behind. Palatine opening diverging.

2. AcanTHION CUuVIERI, 0,8.

Porc epic d’Italie, F. Cuv. Mém. Mus. ix. t. 20*.f.1. Skull.

Hystrix cristata, Brandt. Mém. Pétersb. 1835, t. 8. f.1, 2. Skull.

Black? Spines? Skull very convex above, very wide over and

before the orbits. The hinder part of the intermaxillary rather broad,

and rounded at the end. The palatine openings wide, and diverging

from each other behind. The malar bone very broad in front, narrow

behind. The nasal hole very large; the front edge of the nasal far

back behind the base of the cutting-teeth.

Inhab. ? Mus. Zool. Soe.

This species is described from an adult skull, with the hinder part

of the upper surface cut away, which is contained in the museum of

the Zoological Society. It agrees in almost every particular with

the skull figured by Brandt and F. Cuvier as that of the European

Porcupine. Brandt’s figure is just half, and Cuvier’s rather more than

half the size of this specimen. Brandt’s figure is most characteristic,

both in the posterior position of the nasal bone and the notch in the

lower edge of the orbit produced by the sudden narrowing of the

malar bone.

** Skull narrower in front. Nasal bone moderate to the front edge

of the orbits. Malar bone with an obtuse post-orbital process.

ACANTHERIUM.

3. ACANTHION JavANicuM. Short-spine Porcupine.

Acanthion javanicum, F’. Cuvier, Mém. Mus. ix. t.1. f.3,4. From

a skull; and Mus. Leyden.

Hystrix brevispinosus, Wagner.

H. torquatus. Mus. p

Greyish black, throat with a large square white spot. Spines of

the head elongate setaceous; of the front half of the body short,

dark, with a deep groove and a white tip; of the hinder part of the

back longer, more cylindrical, white, with a black tip and bands; of

the under-side of the tail white; the sides with a few scattered, very

slender, white spines. ‘The palate narrowed behind. Condyles of

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 25

354: Zoological Society.

the skull small. Dorsal vertebre thirteen, with thirteen pair of rather

elongate slender ribs; the spinous process of the first dorsal vertebra

as long as the second and following ones. The caudal vertebre

fifteen.

Inhab. India? Java?

There is a skin and skeleton of this species in the collection of the

British Museum: it is a male which lived in the Surrey Zoological

Gardens for ten or twelve years. ;

M. F. Cuvier established a species under the name of Acanthion

javanicum on a skull from Java in the Paris Museum. In the Ley-

den Museum there are several specimens of this or the next species,

which they regard as M. F. Cuvier’s species. Neither M. Cuvier’s

nor my notes on the Leyden specimens enable me to distinguish to

which the names helong.

While living in the Surrey Zoological Gardens it bred with a fe-

male of the Common Crested Porcupine, and produced a hybrid spe-

cimen, which, with its skeleton, is now in the British Museum col-

lection. The animal is intermediate between the two species, having

only a short compressed crest ; and the skull is equally intermediate

in character, having the broad palate and oblong teeth of H. cristata,

and the more elongated form of the skull and the triangular inter-

maxillaries of the male parent.

4. AcanTHion Fiemineir. Sqguare-spined Porcupine.

The palate between the grinders narrow (24 lines), and rather

wider behind between the last grinders. Condyle of skull large.

The dorsal vertebree fourteen, with fourteen pair of rather wide

ribs ; the spinous process of the first dorsal is nearly as long as the

second and third; and of the second cervical is large and recurved.

Caudal vertebrz seventeen.

Inhab. ? Skull in British Museum.

Measurement of Skulls in inches and lines.

Acan- | Acan-

Acanthion rma thion thion

Hodgsonii. Cuvieri.| Javani- | Fle-.

cum. | mingii

Adult. | Junior. | Adult. Hybrid.

Length of skull above ........+.+. 4 7442/5 6/4 6]4 6|4 6

Length of nasals ......seeseseeeeee 2 6)2 332 931110/2 1/110

Width over middle of orbits...... s Regge 0 et Sn he a” Ae ae het de a a

Width of nose in middle ......... 1 3/1 1/31 WI Wl Wl 24

Width of lower edge of zygoma .| 2 3] 2 03/211/|2 042 0/2 1

Width of lower edge of zygoma

to centraLsuture .........0. Jf | °°" D9 | 2 5 | ersoee | covers 1 103

Width of palate to middle of

crown end of nasals ......... J | “""""° 1 65) 2 3] wre | overs | 1 8

Length of skull beneath ......... he BW cassns 5 4/4 5/4 5/4 5

Length of palate ...........seeeees 2 Gh 2 24) 2 3 2S 8 2 Se. 3

Length of lines of grinders ...... POE Op ee oT Oe Oe

Length of lower jaw ......+++...04 3.012 10) 3-10 )2 1013 013 O¢

Width at ear bulla...... pacaees nahn: RO ee oO 2 aT BOC E16 ed

Width of the condyles .......... eat TAA Guests 1 13/0114; 1 141 =O

Zoological Society. 355

We have a skeleton of this species, which was purchased of Mr.

Bartlett as “ the Square-spined, not Crested Porcupine,”’ but unfortu-

nately the skin was not preserved.

I ought in justice here to remark, that Edward Gerrard, who has

the preparation and the care of the skeletons in the British Museum

collection, and Mr. Bartlett both informed me there were osteological

distinctions between these very distinct species.

3. ATHERURA, Cuvier.

Tail elongate, tapering, ending in a tuft of peduncled, compressed

spines. Skull elongate, rather suddenly narrowed in front, rather

depressed and flattened above. The nasal moderate, not reaching

to the front edge of the orbit. The intermaxillary rather narrowed

behind, square at the hinder end. The malar bone broad in front,

subtriangular, very narrow behind. The palatine foramen rather

far apart, linear and rather diverging behind. The grinder subcy-

lindrical. The upper front one with two large folds on the outer

side, reaching nearly to the inner edge, and with a smaller fold on

middle of the outer, and three similar folds on the hinder edge; the

other upper grinder with two grooves or folds on outer edge, and one

on the middle of the inner: these grooves become isolated, oblong

rings of enamel as the teeth become more worn: the fold on the

inner side of the last grinder is most distinct. Palate truncate

behind.

1. ATHERURA FASCICULATA, Cuv.

Landak, Marsden, Hist. Sumatra. Raffles.

Hystrix macroura, Linn. From Seba.

Hystrix fasciculata, Shaw. From Buffon.

Inhab. Sumatra, Raffles; Malacca, Buffon; Celebes, Seba.

2. ATHERURA AFRICANA. Ath. fasciculata, “‘ Cuv.,” Bennett, Garden

and Menag. Zool. Soc. 175.

Inhab. Fernando Po, Lieut. Vidal; Sierra Leone, Mr. Frazer.

Skull, without lower jaw, in collection of Zool. Soc.

in. lin.

Length of skull above............ 3.9

Length of nasal O60. $805 8 ovis 0 11

Dengtiy Ol PEMetei soi dios cease 2 2

Length of 'teeth-line...0........ ss O10

Width: af orbite:. 6005.5 Bais 1 33

Width at zygoma beneath ........ ae

WHIGGH OF WAIVE? Ohio ees t cae 0 4

WAGED BC ORT OUD 3 560o ees bye ek JOR

Width of cotidyles: is. d.0 6650 26s 0 11

‘« The animals are found in such plenty (in the colony of Fernando

Po) as to afford a staple article of food to the inhabitants.””—Bennett,

l.e. 175.

25%

356 | Miscellaneous.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Description of a new rapacious Bird in the Museum of the Academy of

Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. By Joun Cassin.

Cymindis Wilsonii, nobis. g. Body above entirely dark brown,

-palest on the head, beneath white; every feather from chin to under

tail-coverts crossed .by several bars of bright rufous chestnut, and

these colours extending upwards into a collar around the neck ; fourth,

fifth and sixth primaries longest and nearly equal, external webs

nearly black, internal webs of outer primaries white at base and for

‘nearly half their length, the remaining part reddish inclining to

‘chestnut, every primary (on its inner web) having two irregularly-

shaped black marks and tipped with black. ‘Tail of the same colour

as the back but paler, white at base, and crossed by about four broad

‘bars which are nearly black, the second bar from the tip accompanied

by a narrow, rather indistinct bar of rufous ; tip of tail narrowly edged

with white. Bill very large, (larger than in any other species of

this genus,) yellowish white, inclining to bluish horn-colour at base.

9. Body above entirely slate-colour, palest on the head, beneath

barred with the same, the bars having a ferruginous tinge.

Total length of mounted specimen, from tip of bill to end of tail,

-17 inches.

Hab. Island of Cuba.

The two specimens here described were presented to the Academy

by its esteemed member, Richard C. Taylor, Esq.

The bill in this species is very large in proportion to the size of

the bird, and it agrees moreover tolerably well with the written

description of Falco magnirostris, Gmelin; so does the young Cy-

mindis uncinatus, Illig. All authors hamden; except Dr. “Latham,

clearly understand the F. magnirostris to be the bird figured in Enl.

464, which is acommon South American species of the genus Astur.

Dr. Latham, in his article on F. magnirostris, Gen. Hist. vol. 1.

p- 282, gives a description of a bird suspected by him to be the

species intended by Gmelin, which applies very well to Cymindis

cayanensis, Gm., in young plumage, but not to C. Wilsonii.

I have named this species in honour of Dr. Thomas B, Wilson, as a

slight tribute to his merits as aman, and his munificence as a patron

of zoological science.—Silliman’s Journal for Sept. 1847.

On the Development of the Echinide. By Dr. Duross#.

The author adds some further facts to the observations previously

communicated* relative to the development of the Lchinus during the

second period of its embryonal life, that is to say, from the moment

of the escape of the larva from the egg to that when it becomes fixed.

Between the sixth and twelfth day after its escape from the egg, a

considerable quantity of agglomerated globules, forming a conical

mass around the mouth, become apparent. A cavity is soon produced

in the centre of this mass, and shortly afterwards the intestinal canal

becomes evident and is seen to grow gradually longer. At the same

* See p. 282 of the April Number for this year.

Miscellaneous. 357

time the entire body is elongated in the same direction and becomes

perfectly pyriform. The digestive canal when it has reached four-

fifths of its length curves back, the teguments of this side are slightly

depressed, and an aperture is formed there which is the anus. At

this period a small body formed of three branches, united at one ex-

tremity, begins to appear beneath the teguments on each side of the

mouth ; each branch of these organs, which may be called spurs, sub-

sequently elongates and divides on the surface of the teguments into

two or three small spines. The body however of the larva of the

Fichinus does not long remain pyriform, it soon assumes the appear-

ance of a thimble, the aperture being replaced by a simple depres-

sion. The digestive canal becomes more and more regular, and then

exhibits three portions well defined by restrictions: the first opens

into the mouth, and may be called the cesophagus; the second, which

is of considerable size, must be regarded as the stomach ; the third,

which is short and comparatively very narrow, is the intestine.—

Comptes Rendus, Aug. 23, 1847.

On the Range of the Beaver in the United States. By S. B. Bucxury.

In DeKay’s ‘ Zoology of the State of New York’ it is erroneously

stated that the most southern limit of the beaver within the United

States is the northern part of the State of New York. There were

beavers living among the mountains of North Carolina in the year

1842, where I saw trees newly cut down by them, and I was in-

formed by my guide that he had seen the beaver. This was in Hay-

wood County, a few miles from Waynesville, on the Big Pigeon

River,—a wild, rough region, abounding in grand scenery and rarely

visited by man, being little known even to the hunters.—Silliman’s

Journal for May 1847.

ENEMIES TO SCIENCE AMONG THE NOBLES.

A great sensation has everywhere been excited by the fact, that

men of science in the pursuit of knowledge have been obstructed in

their peaceful investigations by certain peers and landed proprietors.

The public press has indignantly protested against the right of these

noblemen to shut up the highways and byways, and to depopulate

whole districts of the country for the purpose of converting them

into wild deer forests. With these, and many other grievous sub-

jects of complaint, however, it is out of our province to speak. It is

not as hunters and deer-stalkers we have to do with them. Neither

can we dwell on the mortifications and hardships which the tourist

in search of pleasure or health has experienced. What we are desi-

rous of alluding to is the circumstance, that certain sporting lords

_ and gentlemen, by obstructing the observations of naturalists, and

by discourteously treating learned men in their botanical, geological,

and mineralogical investigations as common trespassers on their

estates, have earned for themselves the unenviable title of the Ene-

‘mies of Science.

_It is monstrous to suppose that the Braemar mountains, the Gram-

pians, and Glen Tilt, are to be shut out from scientific investigation

358

Miscellaneous.

by certain noble dukes and sporting gentlemen. These districts re-

present the alpine vegetation of Britain, and it is in them that the

botanist finds illustrations of this region.

with such rare plants as—

Luzula arcuata (characteristic of the

suminits of the highest hills in

Braemar).

Stellaria cerastoides.

Astragalus alpinus.

Saxifraga cespitosa (Benaven, Brae-

mar, only known locality in Bri-

tain).

Saxifraga rivularis.

It is there that we meet

Salix lanata.

arenaria.

reticulata.

Sonchus alpinus (Mulgedium alpi-

num).

Oxytropis campestris(GlenPhu,Clova,

only known British station).

Woodsia hyperborea.

Erigeron alpinum.

Gentiana nivalis.

Carex leporina.

Juncus castaneus.

Vahiii.

rariflora. Alopecurus alpinus.

rupestris. Phleum commutatum.

aquatilis. Lychnis alpina (on a single hill in the

vaginata. Grampians, only British station).

Grahami (Glen Phu, Clova,

only spot in Britain).

If then botanists are excluded from these districts, they are cut

off from the study of alpine plants ; and what renders the outrage to

science more glaring is the fuct, that many of these are found no-

where else in Britain except on the Braemar and Grampian range,

and several are confined to single spots on these hills.

Again, it is in these districts that the geologist finds the most

perfect illustrations of those theories which have enabled him in

modern times to explain the past revolutions on the surface of the

earth, and to trace the changes it has. undergone from the most

distant ages. It isin Glen Tilt that Hutton, in 1785, discovered the

junction of the granite with mica-slate and limestone, whereby he

offered the first positive fact in opposition to the Wernerian doctrines.

This striking proof of the correctness of those views now admitted

by the scientific world, nature has placed in the property of the Duke

of Athol, and until lately it has been freely visited by naturalists

from every civilized land. But now, that nobleman not only threatens

to prosecute every gentleman anxious to confirm his notions by the

personal inspection of this natural formation, but offers them direct

molestation, on the plea that they are disturbing his deer. More

than one foreign professor of eminence has in consequence been

obliged to return to his country, with the belief that the present

Dukes of Scotland are even more uncivilized than their barbarous

ancestors. It is at least certain that they are ready to sacrifice

for the empty pleasures of the chase, not only the solid benefits

which the study of science and intellectual pursuits confer on man-

kind, but that courtesy and readiness to oblige, which, more than

rank, win for the noble and titled the regards of men.

It is singular to reflect, that at a period when Government is en-

couraging scientific expeditions in Australia, Van Diemen’s Land, the

Arctic Regions, and other districts at the limits of the empire, our

Besides a number of other rare spe- -

cies.

Meteorological Observations. 359

Highland glens and mountains in its centre are shut out from inves-

tigation. It is curious to know, that whilst the Marquis of North-

ampton is, as President of the Royal Society, at the head of science

in England, and Prince Albert visits annually the British Association

for the Advancement of Science, other noble lords are altogether in-

sensible to the honour and gratification to be derived from favouring

the cause of knowledge. We can only regret that birth should

have bestowed upon the latter, riches which they have not minds to

appreciate ; or that fortune should have been so provoking as to

render the ignorant and churlish, possessors of objects of interest to

the enlightened and polite. We trust; however, that the educated

and civilized of their own class will be struck with the injury done

to their order by the titled enemies of science, and that they will in

this manner be forced in very shame to concede the privilege its cul-

tivators require of them.—From the Edinburgh Monthly Journal of

Medical Science for October 1847.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR SEPT. 1847.

Chiswick.—September 1. Clear: cloudy: clear. 2. Cloudy: boisterous. 3.

Cold rain: overcast. 4. Fine. 5, Clear: shower: clear. 6. Very fine. 7. Clear

and cold: cloudy: rain at night. 8. Rain. 9. Very fine. 10. Overcast : very

fine. 11,12. Very fine. 13. Densely overcast: rain, 14. Very fine: slight

shower: clear and cold at night. 15. Fine: boisterous, with rain at night.

16. Boisterous. 17. Rain. 18. Cloudy, with very clear intervals. 19. Cloudy :

heavy rain at night. 20. Fine: slight showers. 21. Rain. 22. Cloudy: fine.

23. Cloudy and mild. 24. Foggy: very fine. 25,26. Fine. 27. Frosty: clear :

very fine: clear and frosty at night. 28. Slight fog: overcast. 29, Slight fog :

very fine. 30. Dry haze: overcast.

Mean temperature of the month ....... idusbbive ceedes seicveev eee 53°40

Mean temperature of Sept. 1846 ........ssccccccescssovcceeeeenes 60 °79

Mean temperature of Sept. for the last twenty years ......... 52°77

Average amount of rain in Sept. .......scsesceseerercneeceeeenees 2°73 inches.

Boston.—Sept. 1. Fine. 2. Windy. 3. Cloudy: rain r.m. 4. Fine. 5. Fine;

raine.M. 6,7. Fine. 8. Cloudy. 9—l11. Fine. 12. Windy. 13. Rain:

rain A.M.andr.mM. 14, Fine. 15. Fine: raine.m. 16. Fine: stormy from

10 a.m. 17. Cloudy. 18—20. Fine. 21. Fine: rainr.m, 22. Cloudy: rain

A.M. 23, Cloudy. 24—28. Fine. 29. Cloudy. 30. Fine.

Sandwick Manse, Orkney.—Sept. 1, 2. Showers, 3. Bright: showers: sleet.

4—6. Showers. 7,8. Cloudy: showers. 9. Drizzle: showers. 10. Cloudy.

11. Cloudy: rain. 12. Showers. 13. Cloudy: clear. 14. Cloudy. 15, 16.

Bright: rain. 17. Cloudy: showers. 18. Showers. 19. Clear: showers: sleet.

20. Showers: rain: cloudy. 21. Bright: fine. 22. Damp: rain. 23. Showers,

24. Showers: cloudy. 25. Rain: clear. 26. Bright: clear. 27, 28. Clear,

29. Clear: aurora. 30. Clear.

Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire.—Sept. 1. Sharp showers and high wind.

2. Clear and fine harvest day. 3. Rain. 4. Fine clear sharp weather. 5. Fine

harvest day. 6. Clear and bracing. 7. Rain, though not heavy. 8. Fair, but

cloudy. 9. Close rain. 10, Fine: some drops p.m. 11. Fair a.m.: rain p.m,

12. Fair, but threatening. 13. Fine. 14. Bracing day: flying showers. 15.

Fine a.m.: heavy rainer.m. 16. Rain and high wind. 17. Few drops of rain.

18. Fair, butdull. 19. Frequent showers. 20. A few drops. 21. Rain p.m,

22, 23. Showery. 24. Fair and fine. 25. Slight drizzle. 26, Very fine day.

27. Very fine day: frost a.m. 28,29. Very fine days: nofrost. 30. Fair,but cold.

Mean temperature of the month —...cssesecsseeceseseeees 50°'9

Mean temperature of Sept. 1846 — ....scceseeseeseees eceee 59 °C

Mean temperature of Sept. for 25 years .....sssseeeeee 5S °2

Mean rain in Sept. for 20 years .......s..0008 eececccceeees 3°13 inches,

C0-9 |ZG-1 rset 99-1 £€-LV 10-05 0-7P %.gS ies 00-29 |08-V9 |069-6z |SL9-6% OPL.6z |1VL-6z | LV-6% Sg8-6z |S00-0€

ey oe) ggg | te | came | tou Ll €S | av) LG! gS} Lb | €9 | €b-0€| €F.0€| €2-0€ | €z-0€ | 18-62 |LT1-0€ |1hz-0€ | “of

ead es bee OF OOF) St Tey 08 6€| 6G) PS! 6F | Eo | VEO} CE-c€| 92-0£ | Lz-0€ | 18-6% |SEZ-0€ jO1£-0€ | *6z

“Ges PRE RS Bie a Br oe) oS | 7€9 | 8V| zo, 61} EE | 6G | £E-0€| O£€-0€| Zz-0€ | Zz-0€ | 26-62 |26z-0€ |Ez£.08 | "gz

Fey fa 08 POMOD) AN 1.0 ov LY wee 9G 9V| gz | 09 | €%-0€| HZ-0€| gI-0€| g1-0€ | £3.6z% |00z.0€ |oZz-08 | *Zz

100 | “a fasta] caf tau | 8 | Lb | tS | gg G.05| O€ | zo | 9Z-0€! 81-08 | S1-0€| O1-0€ | L9.6z |0€1-0€ ZEz-0€ | 9

OL: ed he i cheeing| ie SV} 2G] 1S) 09; OS| 1G | So | 10-0€| [9.6% | 06-6%| 69-62 | £9.62 |PS6.6z |gg0-08| °Sz

ZI: ie Sele Se ee ee oS | 9P OF f09| SS| PE | Go | F6-6%| 06.6z| Z0-0€| 00-0€ | S9-6z |TPT-0€ 661-0€ | ‘PzO

el. SL.0 "e") say | tans | taasan | sans oS | §7¢ |¥€S| 09| LS| LP | 60 | £S-6a! Lz.6z| 08-6%| LS-6z | 97-62 |S£6.6z 8N0-0£ | *€%

ROe | OF *s {cms | “m | m | $79 | €¢ | 8h $09! 19] Lh | OL | ¥9-62| 32.6! 9-62| LL-6z | 0S-6z |€z0-08 S0-08 | *zz

1Z- oe ea 61- | as | ‘ass juyeo| ‘ms; LV | gh | OF) SG: 6F] £¢ | Zo | IL-6z| 08.6%! SL-6z] 99-62 | S9-6z |110-0€ 80T-O£ | “1%

00 oe cnenes| 2Or [Man] cae | “Me | cm | SP | ob | LE) co] PS} SE | FO | 79.60) E£.62| BL-62] 9F.62 | €2-6z |6BL-62 P£6-62| “0%

e. UAT Ses OS: | ‘ms | ‘ms | *m | ‘ms | PV | oF | OF |F19) 2S]. gh | o9 | LE-6z| $S.6Z| 19-62! 79-62 | 8P-6% |LS-6z |LS6-68| “61

Ge IT) 80: [cmp came] sa] ts | SP | gh | BE) SG) S| 9€ | go | L¥.6a) 12-64) £6-6z| 92-6z | 00.6 |SSP-6z |LOL-62| “SI

8 ee oS. | mu | ‘mM | *M | ms | GP | {6h | 28h) 9G! LS} SP | 19 | 91-63) 61-62) $1-6%| 22-62 | Z0-6% 688-64 |€SS-62 |. “LI C

L- SL. 10. | ‘ou |mutms| ‘Mm | om of f1¢ | 6V| 66 .¢9-89| 9F | FO | 00-6%| 98-82} 90-62] L8.gz | 06-82 |16€-62 ZLP-6%| “OI

9l- L0-0 OI. | *s |*sems| ‘ms | m | $CP | ZG _8f FLG| Z| 1G | So | 0.6%) L9.6a| 71-6%| 89-62 | OF-6Z 802-62 1689-62! °S1

80- "GG | TO. | unpeo |*msta) cu | tat €v | 6 \f€V FL) €S| 6€ | Fo | 14-62) tL-6z} 69-62| 69-62 | LE-6% |£99.66 116-60 | “PI

ce. ek Lo wea | “ms juyed| ‘mu | BV |} oS | 17; zo! gS| IV | FO | 1L-6%| 09-62! L9.6z| 99.62 | ZE-6% 292-63 88-62 | “£1

VZ- vere sag fans [tat] cans 6V | 2G | VS\f09) G9} 8S | 69 | O€-62| 08-82! 19-62! 19-62} SE-6z [789-62 |L16-62| “ZI

$0. vey tau | aus [capes | saa | BS | BG | ELE TSG) 9S] Lb | aL | 08-86 SL-6z| $9-6| 86-62 | L9-6% |010-0€ |ZaT-0F | “IT

LI. Ss WS, POT <i “MS | WB] “mM 9V | 19 |f0S| £9} 29; £b | SL | 06-62} 08-62 | 96-62) $6.62 | 09-62 |Sg0-0€ |€21-0€ | “OT

Soe i ‘mu | “ms jumped} “ma | 19 | GG} 1G] €9 GSS} EF | 1L | €L-6%| 99-62} 28-6) 92.62 | 89-62. |€S0.0£ |660-08 | 6 @

; 0£-0 7""" gO- | ‘as | ‘mu juyes| mu | 19 | #19] 19] 69, LS} 6€ | 99 | 09-68] 19-62! 28-66) FL-6z | OF-6z |L08-6z |LL6-62 | *8

0- nc Ol. | ‘ms |mstau] peo] ‘ms | EC | $1G | SE} f0G| 19] HH | Lo | £9-66| 69-62} £9-62| 92-62 | PS-6Z 1048-62 £96.62! *Z

vs. “"*"*/8O- | 10+ frau) “av | ast | sm SV | gh | 20 %8S| 19] LE | 990 | 08-62! 9l-6z! 78-62} 92-62 | 6£-6z |SP9-6z |Fz6-62| °9

Ol: bg “"") TO. |*Muu| “Mu | wyea | ‘mu | OF | CP | fof) 99!) ZS! 6E | 99 | 99-62} 99.62] 99-62 | 31-62% | 6£-6Z |678.6z |g18-6z| °S

OT. jor" Be freee} -muu lau; ‘a | smu} Cp] Lp | g€\Feo) 2G} PE | €9o | SL-60| LL-6a} £21-64| 92-62 | ZF-62 127962 1629-62 | “PF

TL. [rereesyeee "10. | mun fau--u] «a | cms | fep | Lh | ov! PE 9-19] 17 | 09 | £L-6%] LL.6z| 69-62| OL-62| 0S-62 1869-62 |196-6z| “€

GG jovree*irreeeeiereres| mou] mu | “MO | eM | EPP | 66P | OS! F090} 69} 6€ | SO | 98-62] 9L-62| 98-6z| TL-6%| 08-62 1992-62 1196-62 | °%

OF: [iter TO. |rmum | sm | tm | sms | EG} EG |¥zg|¥6S|} LS| Sh | 99 | 0€-68| 31-6%| SP-6z| 24-62 | 9€-62 |€zL-6z 1968-62} “If D

vy el¢ v al vol? Z | = z | = | -urd | -ure | -urd | -ure “ydag

seeior| Sie | ee | ez! § HS]. P a5 : 3S

Pye] PLR Lee Pe P| Pe] gapes | ome |F5 | sommes | FMC lonurmguna| FF | rom | eo

. =) &

Urey “PUL “IOJOWIOVLIOYT, “19, 9MIOIe = 2

“XENIIO ‘asunyy yornpung 7D “uoIsNo]D “2 ‘acy 247 49 puy SauIHS-saruaMacy ‘asunyy yyuvSaddp yo ‘requng * A, ‘Ady 277 49 {NoIsog

90 “\[eo,\ “ATM 49 fuopuorT avau ‘x9IMSIHY) Jo Ayaro0g joanynoysozy 343 fo uapsvyy ayg qv uosdwoyy, ‘ayy 49 apou suorwasasgy jondoposoajapy

THE ANNALS

AND

MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY.

No. 135. DECEMBER 1847.

XXXV.— Observations on the Structure of the Fruit of the

Crucifere. By L. C. TRevrranvs*.

Amone the Cruciferee some years since introduced into German

gardens, Aithionema heterocarpum, Gay. is remarkable from the

fact that in certain individuals occur two-celled many-seeded

and one-celled single-seeded silicles. The former are flat upon

the upper side and somewhat vaulted on the under, and in cor-

respondence with this the upper border of the septum is straight,

while the under has a convex form. In the latter the under side

is strongly excavated, rendering the whole silicle almost globular ;

the keel is wanting on this deepened under side, and the solitary

seed lies, as in Jsatis and Tauscheria, directly in the middle of

the silicle, being attached at the summit of its cavity. This

species therefore connects certainly the genus 4thionema with

Tauscheria, only in Tauscheria the enlargement of the silicle is

above, while that of Aithionema heterocarpum occurs on the under

side. If however Tauscheria is to stand, another genus, namely

Campyloptera, Boiss.+, cannot I think be retained, since the plants

on which it is founded appear to be specimens of 4thionema

heterocarpum, bearing no other fruit than the one-seeded kind

above described.

It is difficult to say what causes this remarkable deviation in

some silicles from the normal structure of the others. It cannot

be called a monstrosity, since the seed of the one-celled silicle

is just as perfect as those which the two-celled yield ; the flowers

also which produce the former are not less perfectly organized

than those from which the two-celled fruits come. I have been

induced therefore to institute some researches into the structure

of the fruit of the Cruciferz, and albeit these have not led to the

wished-for elucidation, I will nevertheless publish some of the

results, which may perhaps possess more general interest.

* From the Botanische Zeitung, June 11th and 18th, 1817. ‘Translated

by Arthur Henfrey, F.LS.

+ Ann. d. Sc. Nat. 2 sér. xvii, 194,

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 26

362 M. Treviranus on the Structure of the Fruit of the Cruciferz.

It is well known that the two-celled rudimentary fruit of the

Crucifere is distinctly characterized by the fact that the septum

is not directed transversely toward the rachis or the centre of the

floral whorl as in other two-celled ovaries of Dicotyledons, e.g. of

Scrophulariaceze, Gentianez, &c., but lies in the radius of it, and

that notwithstanding this, the same position of the two lobes of

the stigma occurs as in the families just named, that is, one is

curved outward and the other inward, consequently their relative

position corresponds with the direction of the septum. If we

examine the framework of this fruit in reference to the vascular

bundles of which it is composed, we usually perceive four, which

spring from the receptacle where it becomes somewhat expanded

to receive the fruit, namely two which ascend in the thickened

border of the septum on the anterior and posterior sides, and

two, one of which enters the middle of each valve. The former

give off in their course, in many-seeded silicles, branches passing .

inward which serve as funiculi to the ovules; they must conse-

quently, according to the division established by Mirbel, be

called the trunks of the placental vessels. On the other side also

large and numerous lateral branches proceed from them into the

valves, there anastomosing with those presently to be mentioned

as specially belonging to the valves. Each trunk of the placental

vessels is considered by DeCandolle as composed of two cords

united together*, and according to the theory which regards the

placenta as the border of the valve, agreeing with the double row

of ovules on each side, it might be so; but, if I except Biscutella,

where the vascular trunk appears divided on each side, I have

hitherto found it simple in all the ovaries of Crucifere I have

examined, without trace of division or combination, and the same

observation has been made by otherst. When the aforesaid cord

reaches the apex of the fruit, that is, the place where the valves

terminate, it is continued further in the style and ends beneath

the stigma in that remarkable manner which I described as oc-

curring in Primula and some other generat, and have since dis-

covered to be general; namely it spreads out into numerous ra-

diating large and small branches which are of equal height and

have thickened clavate terminations. The branches from both

sides are collected here, but although they are very closely ap-

proximated they by no means unite.

With regard to the two vascular trunks, one of which passes

into each valve, and which, following Mirbel, are to be called

pericarpial or valvular vessels, these also are apparently never

wanting, at all events they are by no means absent in the genus

* Mém., du Mus. d’Hist. Nat. vii. 190.

4 Trécul, Ann. d. Sc. Nat. 2 sér. xx. t. 17. f. 3.

{ Zeitschrift. f. Physiol. iv. 128. t. 9. f. 4.

M. Treviranus on the Structure of the Fruit of the Crucifere. 363

Cardamine, though they are so small here that they escaped the

sharp-sighted eyes of Brown and DeCandolle *. They are most

distinct in the boat-shaped valves, for example in those of

Thlaspi arvense and still more in those of Megucarpea, where

each describes a circle in its course and marks the origin of

the broad wing, into which numerous branches are given off

from it. In flat or slightly elevated valves also they generally

give off many branches at right angles which anastomose with

those also coming out at right angles from the placental trunks ;

in its further course however the main trunk becomes more and

more attenuated, till finally.it terminates in a very minute pro-

cess inside the apex of the valve of each side without reaching or

going beyond the apex itself, which is most striking when this

forms a tooth-like projection, often of considerable length, as in

the genera Notoceras and Paroliniat.

The genus Camelina, however, as Koch rightly observes f,

forms an exception to this structure. Here the style is a pro-

longation of the two valves of the silique, the vessels of which

pass into it, so that on the separation of the valves it splits into

two halves, each half having in it the end of one trunk of val-

vular vessels. But in Cardamine this trunk is always slender,

without distinctly branching, and it is quite lost at two-thirds of

the height of the valve. |

This course of the two kinds of vessels of the fruit compared

with their mode of distribution in other families, as in Primu-

laceze, Gentianez, Scrophulariacez, Saxifragee, Caryophylle,&c.,

differs from them in so far, that in the last-mentioned families

the pericarpial vessels alone are continued from the ovary into

the style, or pass through the style as far as the base of the

stigma, while the placental vessels, which in the Cruciferze exclu-

sively supply the style or the stigma with vessels, do not take the

least part in it.

As to the septum, leaving out of the question the funiculi

which mostly cohere with it, it has no vessels of its own in the

silique ; at least it does not possess them in the sense in which

this expression is usually taken, as signifying fibrous and spiral

tubes, but has a structure wholly cellular, and this of a peculiar

kind. It consists of two substances which I will name epidermis

+ 062.208,

+ “ Mr. Webb has published an account of a Canary shrub named Paro-

linia, in which the valves are constantly extended into stigmas” (J. Lindley,

Veget. Kingdom, 352). Anything but that ; Webb’s descriptions and illus-

trations rather show in the most distinct manner that these processes of the

valves are not stigmata, but unusually large horn-like appendages, in which

the mid-nerve of the valve is continued to the very apex, which is split.

(Ann. d. Se. Nat. 2 sér. xiii, 136. t. 3.)

t Deutschl. Flora, iv. 570.

26%

3864 M. Treviranus on the Structure of the Fruit of the Crucifere.

and parenchyma, as these agree in their general peculiarities with

those which are so called in leaves. The epidermis forms two

lamellze, whether the septum be thick or thin, between which

the parenchyma, which however is often at least partly wanting,

is inclosed and distributed in different degrees and abundance.

The cells of the first-named substance differ much in their form,

position and mode of union. Very often their circumference is

more or less drawn out lengthways, as in Cheiranthus Cheiri,

Lunaria annua, rediviva, Farsetia clypeata, Vesicaria utriculata,

sinuata, &c., and the longer diameter is then never parallel with

the axis of the silique, but at a sharp angle to it. The direction

however is different in the two lamelle, and therefore the reticu-

lations, which from the transparency of the septum are visible at

the same time, never correspond, but cross one another, a cir-

cumstance which Brown* has remarked, and which appears to

favour the view taken by DeCandollet, that the two lamellz be-

long to different carpels. In the very thin septa of Draba, Cap-

sella, Aithionema and Camelina, the borders of the cells resemble

those of the epidermis of delicate leaves, being undulated, which

Brown tf calls amorphous ; im those of a firmer structure, on the

contrary, for instance in Chetranthus and Lunaria, they have a

straight course, and are then more or less knotty. This knotty

structure, which is not observable in theearliest stateof the septum,

but is formed subsequently, depends upon a thickening of the

cell-walls with a simultaneous perforation of them by canals,

which run from within outward in a manner resembling that

which Meyen delineates as the structure of the punctated cells of

some plants§; but usually the pore-like marks, lying in long

rows, are only observable when the wall of a cell is seen from the

side, where it is united with another. Several observers have also

remarked pores upon the septum usually similar to the pores of

epidermis, for example Hartig and Schleiden in Capsella Bursa-

pastoris, Trécul in Cheiranthus Cheiri ; I also have perceived the

same in the last-named plant, and most clearly in Octadenia ly-

bica, Br.; im most of the Cruciferee however I have sought them

in vain, and hitherto have only observed them in the vicinity of

the border of the septum, never in the middle of it. Here in the

middle the two lamelle lie pretty close together, while at the

borders they inclose, in common with the placental nerves of each

side, a space filled with a parenchyma which from thence spreads

out further into the septum. This has some affinity to the par-

enchyma of the under side of a leaf, consisting of anastomosing

rows of elongated cells, which sometimes even contain granular

* Observ. on the Pl. of Central Africa, 13.

+ ZL. c. 190. , 2. e.

® Physiol..i.t.1 £2).5;, 10, 41,

M. Treviranus on the Structure of the Fruit of the Cruciferee. 365

matter ; and the delicacy of this cellular tissue is the cause why

(which sometimes even occurs spontaneously, for instance in Iberis)

the layers are so easily separable, which is impossible in those

cases where it has a firmer consistence, as in Thlaspi cochleari-

forme, M.B. Brown first observed what he has called nerves in

the septum. “In some cases,” he says, “the axis of the sep-

tum displays itself either as a single nerve or as two separate

parallel nerves, and from this axis tubes often pass off which have

the aspect and ramification of the veins of leaves and commonly

terminate within the border. This is most distinctly the case in

Farsetia. The central vessels are here very closely approximated,

so that they form a single cord ; they extend from the apex of the

septum to its base, and the veins are as numerous as unusually

distinct. . Approximations to this structure of Farsetia, more or

less evident, occur in some other genera, as Parrya, Savignya

and Koniga. But in the last-mentioned genus, the nerve which,

as in all cases, arises at the apex, runs scarcely, even in the many-

seeded species, beyond the middle of the septum, and the far less

distinct veins are decurrent *.” Of the plants here named I have

been able to examine Fursetia egyptiaca only dried, but Koniga

(Octadenia) maritima as well as K. (Octad.) lybica (if Draba num-

mularia,.Eb., be the same plant) in a fresh condition. In the Far-

setia the septum certainly has something which looks very like a

central nerve, about as it is represented by Desfontaines+,andI ob-

serve the same condition of the part in Octadenia maritima, except

that the veins running out to the side have a somewhat different,

that is, a curved course. In Oct. lybica each mid-nerve descends to

about opposite the insertion of the ovule on the border ; but rami-

fications go from it to all sides and are distributed over the whole

of the septum; they form an intricate network by their regular

anastomoses, and are often distinguishable by a reddish colour. In

Cochlearia anglica also, likewise in Vesicaria grandiflora and V.

gracilis, B.M., anerve may be observed in the septum descending

fromthe style. In Cochlearia it loses itself in the lowest parts of the

septum where the funiculi arise, but in the two Vesicarias it only

goes to the middle, and by no means gives off branches, but after

becoming gradually attenuated suddenly terminates. In all these

cases it was evident that the said nerve took its origin where the

style ended, appearing to be an immediate prolongation of the

central substance of that organ ; it reached also either only to the

middle or beyond the middle, but never to the base of the sep-

tum. Dr. C. A. Meyer, in his important work on the Cruciferse of

Altai}, has devoted particular attention to the septum and found

Weds. 6.19; 14, + Fi. Atlant. ii. t. 160, f. 6.

{ Ledebour, FI. Alt. iii. 1-219.

866 M. Treviranus on the Structure of the Fruit of the Cruciferz.

it mostly nerveless; in Draba grandiflora, however, and con-

fusa, Syrenia siliculosa, Smeloskia integrifolia, &c., with one nerve ;

in Parrya exscapa, Macropodium nivale and Sisymbrium Sophia,

furnished with two of them. In his ‘ Catalogue of Plants found

in the Caucasus, &c. in 1829 and 1830, Petersb. 1831,’ he gives

also to Sisymbrium binerve “dissepimentum hyalinum, fasciis

binis longitudinalibus insignitum” (p. 189). Of the plants here-

named I had at my disposal good specimens only of Macropodium

nivale, Sisymbrium Sophia and S. binerve, and in these I remarked

the following points :—In Macropodium there extended through

the middle of the whole septum a brighter streak free from the

tissue of rows of anastomosing cells which occupied the sides,

and which, above, where it originated from the base of the style,

had on each side a border of rows of more thickened cells, and

these borders appear to have been described by Meyer as two

nerves. In Sisymbrium Sophia also a tolerably broad band runs

through the whole length of the septum; it is not however

brighter but less transparent than the remaining substance, at

the same time it is more transparent in the middle than on the

two lateral borders, and these borders have undoubtedly been

taken for the two nerves by Meyer. Sisymbrium binerve, C. A.

M., has much the same condition, only the band is not so broad

here as in S. Sophia. If we understand by nerves, cords of fibrous

tubes and vessels, there is no trace of such in that which appears

as a nerve of the septum; they are rather only bundles of long-

jointed cellular filaments, like those of which the central cellular

tissue of the style, the so-called conducting tissue, is composed,

as a prolongation of which, therefore, I do not hesitate to consider

those nerves, though unable at present to say in what kind of

relation to fertilization they stand in their distribution through

the septum. It is true that we observe no distinct nerves in the

septum of the majority of the Cruciferee, which however must

exist if these had the important destination alluded to; but in

all siliques and silicles, if I am not mistaken, cellular filaments

may be discovered, which are distributed in a reticulated manner

between the two lamellee of the septum, and mostly toward their

borders where they retreat from one another, while in the middle

portion they are usually in close contact. The idea which, on

account of their distribution in a descending direction, is the first

that must present itself, that they are pollen-tubes, is opposed

by their being evidently composed of single elongated utricles,

and I have never succeeded in making out a continuation of them

to the ovules like that which Hartig figures from Capsella*.

If we seek to trace back the formation of the silique according

* N. Theorie, 39. f. 26, 27.

M. Treviranus on the Structure of the Fruit of the Crucifere. 367

to the general mode of origin of fruit, and if we regard, with

Brown and DeCandolle, the many-celled fruits as originally com-

posed of as many carpels as they have chambers, we must assume

that the silique also consists regularly of two, very rarely, as in

Tetrapoma, of four carpels, united in an apparently simple

manner. But the question then arises, whether the placenta

is an appendage of these carpels or an independent part, that

is, a member of an inner whorl, the members of which alter-

nate with the carpels as belonging to a more external whorl ;—

whether therefore it is, as some like to express themselves, an

appendicular organ or a product of the axis. Assuming the

former, the greatest difficulty is found in attempting to explain

the production of the septum in the silique. De-Candolle re-

garded it as an expansion of the two placentas, and he sought

to support this view by pointing out that the septum is always

found to be thinner in the middle; that here it is readily torn

in the direction of its length as in Thlaspi arvense, or is ac-

tually slit as in Cheiranthus Cheiri, or has a hole in the middle

as in Farsetia egyptiaca, Octadenia lybica, Vesicaria gracilis, &c.,

or is wanting in the middle and only present along the placentas

as in Tetrapoma. But leaving out of the question that this by

no means justifies such a conclusion, such an expansion would

not agree with the original assumption, which settles the placenta

to be a marginal production of the mere carpels. A. Brongniart*

has described a monstrous form of the silique of Chetranthus Cheiri,

where instead of ovules small leaflets and indeed free leaves were

produced. But how the formation of the silique is to be con-

ceived so as to agree with this observation has not been stated by

the author, who also holds that the theory of the production of the

ovules from marginal teeth of the carpels is not applicable to all

fruits, for instance not to the Primulacez, Myrsinacez, &c. Kunth

has set forth the opinion that the silique is a structure composed

of four leaves grown together at their margins, two of which have

been perfectly developed outwards, but two are only developed

inwards, because their growth outward is prevented by the press-

ure arising from the crowded position upon the axis, so that

they produce seeds and may easily become united and form a

septumt+. Bernhardi also, citing a remarkable malformation of

the fruit of Ricotia observed by himself, considered the silique as

the product of four leaves grown together, two of which are ar-

rested in their development {. But more recently he has given

up this theory, since perfectly formed siliques are found with four

* Ann. d. Sc. Nat. 3 sér. i. 29.

+ Abhandl. d. K. Acad. d. W. zu Berlin f,, 132; Lehrb. d. Botanik, i.

397, 458. |

{ Ueb. den Begriff d. Pflanzen, art. 47.

368 M. Treviranus on the Structure of the Fruit of the Crucifere.

valves and four septa*, and in fact the genus Tetrapoma is of this

kind, in which the number of parts which the silicule usually

possesses is exactly doubled. Bernhardi therefore in his latest

memoir on the subject + regards the perfect ovary of Cruciferze as.

composed of four pieces with the same number of septa, cells and

placentas, but two of which are usually suppressed ; not explain-

ing himself definitely as to the origin of the septum, that is, whe-

ther it is a prolongation of the valves of the fruit or of the axis.

The latter view however seems to be most favoured by Bernhardi,

and in fact it is also in my opinion that alone which is sufficient

to explain the structure of the fruit of the Cruciferee. In them,

says Aug, St. Hilaire, the axis divides into two branches which

traverse the ovary and again unite at the point to form the style.

These are the two pistillary cords which bear the ovules, and the

carpellary leaves, which when ripe separate from them, are inde-

pendent of them. The ovary has therefore the simplest possible

structure here ; it consists of two carpels and two parietal pla-

centas {. According to this view the septum must be regarded

as the substance of the axis compressed to a mere plate, in and

on which the cellular tissue, conducting the fertilizing matter, is

prolonged from the style, and which in fact is itself only a modi-

fication thereof for this particular purpose. The double lamelle

of the septum can as little be made an objection to this view, as

the often remarkable attenuation, slits or opening in the middle

of it, or even the total absence of a septum ; since, as to the first,

each of the two cavities should be formed independently ; and

with regard to the second, it is well known that it does not occur

more frequently than cavities in the middle of the pith, which

may reach to a total disappearance of the same.

From this point of view also I hold the anomalous forms which

occur in the silique to be most satisfactorily explicable. Assuming

as the normal structure, that a silique is two-celled with a per-

pendicular septum, it will become one-celled and single-seeded

either by the total absence of a septum, the place of which is oc-

cupied by the cavity with the single seed, or by only one remaining

in the ripe fruit of two one- or more-seeded cavities, since gene-

rally only one seed becomes developed. The first case occurs in

edit Clypeola, Tauscheria ; here there is in reality no trace of

a septum, and the single seed hangs down therefore from the

apex of the cavity, which usually occupies the centre of the sili-

cule. It is the same condition that we meet with in the ano-

malous fruits of Athionema heterocarpum, with the difference that

* Flora 1838, no. 9.

+ Ueb. d. Metamorphose d. Pflanzen ; Flora 1843, Nos. 3, 4.

t{ Lecons de Botan. 493, 494. '

M. Treviranus on the Structure of the Fruit of the Crucifere. 369

the cord of the umbilical vessels is wanting on the depressed lower

side of the much-inflated silicle, the other alone bemg present,

running over the elevated side. The second occurs, for instance,

in Neslia paniculata, Rapistrum rugosum, Crambe orientalis ; and

indeed in the two last-named the silicles are only two-celled in

the upper joints, from the presence there of a perpendicular sep-

tum which is wanting in the lower. In Myagrum perfoliatum

and Erucaria aleppica no seed is developed in either of the two

chambers which occupy the uppermost part of the silicle. This

absence of the septum in the lower part of the fruit has its ana-

logue in the slit or opening which exists in the septum in that

situation in Farsetia and other genera, in the whole central part

in Tetrapoma, and it indicates the necessity of an uninterrupted

union between it and the style or the stigma ; while on the other

hand an interruption at the other end, namely the lower, appears

to be attended with no detriment to the formation of the fruit.

If this be the correct view of the septum, it will then always, at

-least originally, have a perpendicular position in the silicle. In

Bunias orientale indeed, where the ripe fruit is two-celled and

two-seeded, one cell with its seed lies over the other with an

almost horizontal septum *, but this is a consequence of develop-

ment. For in the earliest state of the fruit, when the stamens

have scarcely fallen off, the septum here is vertical as usual, and

the cells therefore originally lie side by side and not one above

the other. In Bunias Erucago, DeCandolle finds the silicles two-

celled in the young state, im a certain measure four-celled in the

fully developed, as each cell is frequently again divided into two

by a transverse septum+. But if a perpendicular section is made

through the somewhat oblique silicle, at the period when the

calyx, corolla and stamens fall off, in such a manner that the sec-

tion crosses that oblique position, the four cavities are already

visible. A membranous septum descends obliquely from above

downwards, which by projecting in and out forms two curves, from

each of which a fleshy transverse process runs to the outer wall.

The septa of both kinds are present therefore when the fertiliza-

tion is yet scarcely complete, so that we certainly cannot consider

the production of any of them an after-growth.

In the genera Cakile, Crambe and Rapistrum, the silicle is

divided into two joints by an apparent articulation in the middle,

the upper being commonly externally of a different structure

from the lower. By this means its cavity is indeed divided into

an upper and lower cell, but the two cells are never perfectly se-

parated, for there always remains an actual, though very narrow,

communication between them, as the apparent articulation con-

* Gartn. d. Fruct. ii. t. 142. + Syst. Natural. ii. 670,

370 Sir W. Jardine on the Ornithology of the Island of Tobago.

sists merely of a projection inward of the substance without an

actual growing together or formation of a cross septum. That

a longitudinal septum however occurs in the upper joint, at least

in Crambe and Rapistrum, with the two cavities, one alone of

which is perfected, has already been noted. An ovule is present —

both in the upper and the under cell, but in the upper it 1s erect, .

in the lower suspended : the two funiculi arise at about the same

height, but on opposite sides of the cavity. Frequently the upper

ovule alone is developed into a seed here, while the lower is often,

and in the genus Crambe pretty constantly, abortive.

However great therefore the multiformity of nature appears in

the silique, it may still be expected that we shall be able to trace

back the aberrant structures to simple typical forms when we

shall have discovered the transitional modifications. It would be

in the highest degree interesting to examine more closely many

cases of unusual forms of the fruit. Thus for example in Steno-

petalum robustum, Endl., the seeds grow upon the base of the

septum, in which a tripartite nerve is visible*. In Pugionum

cornutum, G.,—a plant found, apparently, by no one but J. G.

Gmelin,—Gartner found an “ arillus chartaceus” which com-

pletely inclosed the solitary seedt ; but Ledebour has ascertained,

from the examination of fruit in good condition in the collection

of A. W. Martini, who was Gmelin’s companion, that the part

which Gartner took for an arillus was nothing else but the nner

layer of the pericarp, which had become so detached from the

outer that it was only connected by some fibres f.

XXXVI.—Hore Zoologice. By Sir Witi1am Jarvine, Bart.,

F.R.S.E. & F.LS.

[Continued from p. 334.]

Birds of Tobago.

CROTOPHAGA RUGIROSTRIS, Swain. s.§

For our observations on this species we would refer our readers

to the ‘ Annals’ of 1839, p. 160; and in a letter received from

Mr. Kirk since these observations were made, we have the follow-

ing remarks on the incubation of this curious species :—“ On a

reperusal of your ‘ Hore Zoologice’ of 1839, in regard to the

incubation of Crotophaga, I have now my doubts, and although

* Enum. Pl. Huegel. 4. + De Fruct. ii. 292. t. 142. f. 3.

t Math. physical. Abhandl. der Miinchener Acad. d. W. iv. Bd. 3 Ab-

theil.

§ Species marked w. are also found in North America; s, in South Ame-

rica; and n. s. in both.

Sir W. Jardine on the Ornithology of the Island of Tobago. 371

I have been silent on these subjects for some time past, I have

not been an inattentive observer ; I shall therefore give you a fair

statement of my observations and allow you to draw your own

inferences. In September 1843 my attention was drawn to a

nest of the Crotophaga by the ranger of Buccoo, an estate under

my charge ; he told me that there was generally one bird in the

nest, but that they frequently came in great numbers perching

around it, and were particularly noisy. I examined the nest to

which he alluded ; it was built upon a cocoa-nut tree, about thirty

feet from the ground, and the tree being about forty feet from

the dwelling-house door, afforded an excellent opportunity to

watch their habits. The result was that there never did appear

to be more than one bird in the nest during the day, but on

sundry occasions, especially mornings and afternoons, they came

in flocks of from twenty to thirty, alighting on the tree and

crowding round the nest making a considerable noise, on which

occasions I generally observed the occupier of the nest at the

time left her place ; but whether for fear, or rather to give place to

others, I could not ascertain ; I think most probably the former.

I never saw more than one bird sitting in the nest at a time ex-

cept during those turbulent visits, and then it was quite impos-

sible to tell how many might have been in it. The branches of

the cocoa-nut tree spring from the stem in a cluster, ascending

at an angle of from 45° to 50°, forming very deep and irregular

interstices between the branches, and in one of these the nest in

question was commenced ; the interstice was then deep and the nest

not large, but contained five eggs, which seemed to be covered by

one bird. I was absent from that district for several weeks, and

on my return I observed that the nest appeared much larger, and

was told it contained ‘four birds ; I did not disturb them on that

occasion, but on returning about ten days thereafter I sent a

servant up to examine the nest, which he reported empty ; not

being quite satisfied with his report and wishing to ascertain the

cause of the increase of bulk, I went up myself and brought

down the nest entire. On the upper surface lay one rotten egg,

partially concealed by the sticks, grass and leaves of which the

nest was composed ; on removing another stratum of the same

materials, but chiefly leaves, I discovered seven eggs; and on re-

peating the search farther, after removing fully four inches of

leaves, I found first ten and then four eggs, making a total of

twenty-two addled eggs after the young birds had taken flight.

“ From what I have witnessed on the above occasion, I am quite

satisfied that the community added to the general stock of eggs

and also to the building, much to the inconvenience and annoy-

ance of the original architect, who seemed at first perfectly

satisfied with her own fabrication. A question now arises, viz.

372 Sir W. Jardine on the Ornithology of the Island of Tobago.

has Tobago two species of Crotophaga, or does the difference of

locality change or affect their habits ?

“T have formerly watched the habits of these birds during the

period of incubation where they seemed to lay and hatch their

own eggs without the aid of others; true, the opportunities afforded

on former occasions were twenty-five miles distant from the scene

of the present observations ; nor have I yet sent you a specimen

from the leeward side of the island. In the windward district of

Tobago, which is the chief locality of my investigations, our

savannahs and swamps abound with underwood, shrubs and

creepers, in the leeward part, especially about Buccoo, the spot

where the nest which gives rise to the present letter was found ;

there is scarcely a shrub or bush beyond a pigeon pea-tree within

a mile of the spot; it might therefore be argued that necessity

had driven them to the cocoa-nut trees ; but on the other hand,

why therefore use a general nest ? From these reflections I think

we may conclude that they sometimes make a common nest,

especially in the more cultivated spots.”

Coccyzus ERYTHROPTHALMUS, Vieill. (Cuckoo.) N.

“ Arrives here in October; shot on the sea-coast apparently

much exhausted.”

CEeRTHIOLA FLAVEOLA, Linn. (Creeper.) s.

Crresa spiza, Linn. s.

CrreBa cYANEA, Linn. (Creepers.) s.

Apparently not common ; in all our collections from the island

a single specimen only has been received.

“ Native; were until lately a rare bird in Tobago, and only

partially known ; they feed on the galba and dog-wood trees.”

CEREBA CERULEA, Linn. s.

PHATHORNIS HIRSUTUS, Gmel. (Doctor Humming-bird.) s.

“Native. This little bird is the most restless of all the Hum-

ming-bird tribe; it can scarcely be said to be seen at rest, but

darting right and left, zigzag ; at times when suddenly surprised

feeding, uttering a sharp squeak, it will dart off and disappear like

a meteor; at other times will seem as if suspended for several

seconds by the point of the bill within three feet of a person’s

face, after which it is sure to disappear like lightning; in these

cases it truly assumes an attitude which a stranger might construe

into a meditated attack upon his person; I have often been in-

duced to strike at them with my fowling-piece from their proxi-

mity.” We also receive this species from Trinidad.

CAMPYLOPTERUS ENSIPENNIS, Swain. (Mexican Hummuing-

bird or Sabre Wing.) s.

“ Feeds on ants, small flies and sweets, and are particularly

Sir W. Jardine on the Ornithology of the Island of Tobago. 373

fond of the blossoms of the wild and common plantain tree ; but

whether from the circumstance that these blossoms are generally

attended by numerous herds of ants, which form the principal

part of their food, or for the purpose of extracting sweets, or

perhaps both, I am at present unable to determine ; but in all I

have dissected, I have found the stomach to contain ants and por-

tions of small gnats. They are found principally in the woods by

rivulets and in low marshy places.”

TRocHILUS MELLIVORUS, Linn. (White-necked Humming-

bird.) s.

“T am not able to decide as to this bird being ‘ native ;’ it is

only at certain seasons to be met with; but whether it leaves the

island or retires to the interior, I am not at present prepared to

say. They are seldom to be found in open sunshine ; the morn-

ings and evenings are their principal time of feeding, and their

evolutions at that time are truly pleasing. At one mstant sus-

pended, immoveable to the eye (although alternately showing the

purest white and green), at the very top of our tallest bamboo,

guava or other tree, and the next moment at their root, with two

or three zigzags right and left, up and down, dipping either into

the river or snapping a fly from the surface and then disappear-

ing, but without the twitter the doctor-bird generally utters at

departure. I think in all probability this bird feeds more upon

winged insects than most of the others, which may account for its

being seen so early in the calm mornings, retiring generally into

the thick wild plantain bushes as soon as the sun begins to spread

his rays upon them, and appearing again in the evening when he

is going down, or when his rays cease to act on their spot of

pleasure. A female shot on the 19th of April contained an egg

almost perfect.”

TROCHILUS MANGO, Linn. 8.

This species is not found in Jamaica, as generally said to be ;

the 7. porphyrurus of Shaw seems to hold its place there.

Trocui.us moscuitvs, Linn. (Ruby Topaz Humming-bird.) s,

“Migratory. This pretty little species arrives here in the end

of January or about the Ist of February ; they begin to build

about the 10th, sit fourteen days, and lay two pure white eggs.

They feed on ants as well as flowers, and on dissection I could

distinctly number 115 small ants in the stomach of one. One of

these birds having attached its nest to the trunk of a cog-wood

tree close by a window at my residence, I found an opportunity

of observing their manners during incubation, and 1 can assert,

that although I confined the young by means of some coarse wire

cloth through which the parent could feed them for upwards of

374 Sir W. Jardine on the Ornithology of the Island of Tobago.

three weeks after they were ready to leave the nest, and although

she evinced the greatest distress by her chirping note when flying

around me often within three feet, I never but twice from the

laying until the period I mention saw the appearance of a male

near the nest ; and whether they pair seems to be disputed, as on

both these occasions he was hotly pursued by the female to a

considerable distance with all that bickering violence so peculiar

to the tribe.” We receive 7. moschitus from Trinidad.

TROCHILUS AUDEBERTI, Less. 8.

TROCHILUS ERYTHRONOTUS, Less. (Emerald Humming-bird.) s.

rally on a small stalk or on the upper side of some twig, some-

times so hid from the eye by a large leaf as to preclude all pos-

sibility of seeing it from above, and often so near the ground as

to remain undiscovered. Makes a small neat nest in which it lays

two pure white eggs.”

CotumBa RuUFINA, Temm. (Blue Pigeon.) s.

“ Excellent for the table.” Received also from Jamaica.

PERISTERA JAMAICENSIS, Gmel. (Ground Dove.) s.

“ Native ; are fond of sequestered places, go in pairs, feed on

the ground, build a coarse nest with two or three cross sticks,

easily domesticated. LHxcellent for the table. The natives catch

great numbers of them by traps made of sticks and shaped like a

triangle.” Received also from Jamaica.

PERISTERA FRENATA, Tschudi? (Ground Dove.) s.

CHAMZPELIA TaLPiIcoTI, Temm. (Ground Dove.) s.

Ortaipa RuFIcAuDA, Jard. (Cockricko or Partridge.)

Unable to compare this bird with the species described in the

‘Tsis,’? we cannot decidedly assert that it is undescribed, and the

name above is given provisionally. Its nearest ally is the P. ka-

traka, which it resembles in size and form. It however differs

from it in the head and upper part of the neck not being “ roux

foncé,” and in having all the feathers of the tail except the two

centre broadly tipped with dull reddish. The young birds we

believe are not white below. They appear to be tolerably com-

mon on the island and are “ native,” breeding there ; they are

easily tamed and become very familiar. The trachea in the male

has one external convolution.

The head, upper parts of the neck and centre of the throat

blackish gray, shading into the olive which is the colour of the

whole upper parts and wings. The lower part of the neck and

breast also olive, of a paler tint and shading into a yellowish brown

on the belly and vent, which again shades into dull reddish

Sir W. Jardine on the Ornithology of the Island of Tobago. 375

brown on the axille, flanks and under tail-covers. The tail is

entirely of a dark olive with green reflections, all the feathers

except the two in the centre being tipped for an inch and a

quarter with reddish brown, very conspicuous when the tail is

thrown up, but nearly concealed from above when it is closed.

The feathers on the throat extend in a central line, the sides

exhibiting a narrow streak of bare livid skin.

CHarapRivs vireiniacus, Borkh. (Plover, Golden Plover.) n.s.

“Migratory, arrive here in September,” is the note to this

species, and our specimens of both exhibit the intermediate state

of plumage after having bred and putting on the dress of winter,

which season would be partially spent by them in Tobago and the

adjacent islands.

CHARADRIUS SEMIPALMATUS, Bonap. N.

“ Migratory : feeds on small bivalve shells ; runs with a zigzag

course, according to the flowing and receding of the waves, very

nimbly along the beach, running ten or fifteen yards at a time,

halting a second and then resuming the course as before, Not

common ; shot in March.”

STREPSILAS INTERPRES, Linn. (Rock Plover.) N. s.

“ Migratory and very rare ; shot in January ; times of its arrival

and departure not known.”

CaTATROPHORUS SEMIPALMATUS, Gmel. (Curlew.) N.

“ Shot in October, a solitary bird on the beach.” Another

bird was shot out of “a flock of several hundreds which coursed

for a whole day on the sea-coast near my residence without

coming to land above five minutes.”

Toranvs FLavipss, Vieill. (Long-legs.) N.

“ Migratory, arriving here in July and August and departing

in October or November.”

Toranus cHLoropyetius, Vieill. (Sandpiper, Solitary.) Nn.

“ Migratory : feeds upon small shells.”

Toranus MacuLartivs, Linn. (Sandpiper, Little.) Nn. s.

Migratory : feeds on small crabs and small bivalve shells.”

TRINGA PECTORALIS, Bonap. (Sandpiper.) Nn.

TrinGA PpusILLA, Leis/. (Heath Sandpiper.) wn.

Scotopax Witsoni1, Ord. (Snipe.) N.

* Migratory. They arrive in small numbers in October and

continue until January. They are never scen or heard sporting

on wing on a calm day or.evening as in Britain, but they utter

when suddenly surprised the same feeble squeak.”

376 Su W. Jardine on the Ornithology of the Island of Tobago.

Ravivus vaRiecatus, Gmel. (Rail.) s.

“ Kyes bright scarlet,” is the only note to this species: appa-

rently not common. We receive it also from Jamaica.

PorzANA CAROLINA, Linn. (Water Rail.) nN.

* Native ; inhabit our marshes.”

GALLINULA GALEATA, Licht. Nn.

PorPHYRIO MARTINICUS, Gmel. (Purple Gallinule.). N. s.

“ Native ; habits our swamps and marshes among the wild

plantain.”

ARDEA HERODIAS, Linn. N.

Eeretta ceRvuLEA, Linn. (Blue Crane, or Gray Heron.) Nn. s.

“Native: begin to build about the middle of April on small

islands detached from mainland. They are abundant on Roxbro

Rock in April, May and June, where they build a coarse nest of

sticks lined with leaves upon low bushes, which can only be ap-

proached with difficulty, surrounded in such a degree by the Cac-

tus erectus as to render it almost impossible to penetrate ; lay two

eggs of a blue colour. All the cranes are white when first fledged

and get blue as they grow old; | have seen fifty young sitting on

the tops of the highest bushes, and these invariably white. The

stomachs contained lizards, crabs, cray-fish and worms.”

ARDEOLA VIRESCENS, Linn. (Bittern.) N.s.

NycTicorax CAYENENSIS, Gmel. (Night Galding, or Crab-

catcher.) 8.

“Native. This species also breeds on Roxbro Rock or other

detached islands on low thorny bushes often within two or three

feet of the ground. It is not so common on the mainland as the

others, and when there is not so shy; I have often been sur-

prised by their starting up within ten yards as a hare would in

Kurope ; whether being busily engaged in satisfying the cravings

of nature and not observing my approach, or conceiving itself

securely hid among the long grass, I am unable to say; I think

the latter most probable, as I have myself frequently surprised

them in this state after making sufficient noise by frequent dis-

charges of my gun to warn them of my near approach. The

young bird sent I have had alive for three weeks, feeding upon

young crabs, thirty of which it would devour in twenty-four

hours, of average size, or an inch by an inch and a half without

the claws, which are very sharp, and which it generally took care

to separate from the body before swallowing. The food was ge-

nerally soon disgorged, which showed the power of digestion,

being reduced to the consistence of coarse snuff in a very short

time. This bird died from neglect, but not until I had satisfied

Sir W. Jardine on the Ornithology of the Island of Tobago. 377

myself of their utility to the sugar-cane planter.. 1 know some

estates in this island where several people are employed labour-

ing to destroy this destructive little creature (‘ the crab’), which

although used in various ways for the table, yet when they annoy

the sugar-cane to such a degree as to call for human aid to ex-

tirpate them, and where one man does well if he succeeds in

killing twenty or thirty,—a number be it remembered that one

of these birds will devour in the same time,—it will be sufficient

to say that this bird is invaluable to the sugar-cane planter in

low marshy lands, and it is only in such places that this bird is

to be found or wanted. Its usefulness is a fine subject for

moralising, and one which poor Wilson would have used to ad-

vantage.”

NyYcTICORAX GARDENII, Gmel. N.S.

Mycrerta AMERICANA, Linn. s.

A single specimen obtained ; a straggler.

Furieuta MaRiILa, Linn. (Saup Duck.) wn.

“Very rare in the island.” This specimen is of a smaller size

with the markings on the back larger, and possesses all those

marks which are considered to separate the European and Ame-

rican birds.

QUERQUEDULA CAROLINENSIS, Jard. & Selby. (Green-winged

TEAL.) N.S. |

“ Arrives in October and November, and departs in March or

April.” A single specimen in immature plumage was received,

but we have little doubt of its being the bird of North America.

PoDICEPS CAROLINENSIS, Gmel. (Grebe.). Nn.

Suxa Fusca, Gmel. (Booby.) N. 8s.

“Lay at least twice in the season, sometimes on the ground,

but generally on a low shrub or thorny tree on a small island to

the eastward of Tobago called ‘ St. Giles.’ The island I should

judge to be about eight acres in extent ; I visited it in June, when

it presented a disgusting appearance; the fishy smell combined

with the mass of filth in some places to the depth of several feet,

although rendered dry by the parching and insufferable heat

which is always about it, makes it almost suffocating. Judging

from appearance, I should think that every square yard contained

a nest and a bird as large as the mother, and the sky is literally

darkened above by the old boobys and man-o’-war-birds (Fre-

gata). The island abounds with the prickly pear and the Cactus

erectus, and it becomes dangerous to walk among them at times,

from the snapping of the young birds at the eyes. The negroes

on some of the adjacent estates bring them home in boat-loads,

and the young are said to be excellent food.”

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. 27

2878 0M We Wilson oi #00 new Mosses from Jamaica.”

silo 29 SQV LA PISOATORS Bink’ A (White Booby sil enicor

.Bitj103 _busd sistioole .sislpots ie [anso® BITE pia

REGATA AQUILA, Linn. o?-war-bird +i N;.§ aT

obit PARRRNE She es ied xh i ise ROR JAF, Ca white oe

off natiyes,. and are never seen to. except on. Teh

arlies dawn, of d lay, ‘they, go qe out to sea and. th en op i

or ; we seldom or ever see any passing. down, but from 4 ten

UBF Lip 05,8 or three z.M, they,may-be shot in great’ ‘numbers about

ds as they soar up along our coasts. Sometimes too

“i a certain’ seasons. of fy. AP year they. frequent our fresh riyer mouths

‘to drink, which “BS a do without alighting by sweeping iti the

surface,” Hae

~PHAabTON BTHEREUS, ere (Tropic Bird.) .: 2

5 -Nbounds:-on' some small islands ‘or rocks to:the ca -of ‘To-

bago, which can only be‘approached in smooth weather.”

Anovs sto.ipus, Linn. (Noddy.) N. 8.

“ Sea-pigeon’s' breeds’ on detached islands, _apasravel St.

Giles.”

SrerRNA FULIGINOSA, Gmel. (Tern.) N. °

“Lay without building any nest on shelves of rock among

‘Cactus erectus, on Roxbro Rock among the herons.” Some’ spe-

lgimens of this very pretty tern had the nape pure white shading

into brownish gray on the back, which with the back and wings

was much lighter than the others ; ; the black upon the lead. was

, quite insulated, forming a cowl or cap.

| Sterna poveaLiii, Mont. (Tern.) .N.

Sterna cayana, Gmel... (Tern.) ons) )

XEMA ATRICILLA, Linn. Nn,

PuFFINUS OBSCURUS, Gmel. N.

“Taken off an egg on a rock at sea, where it was a solitary

bird.”

Tea emen, of two new Mosses from Jamaica.

By Wiu11am Wi1son, Esq.*

Pitotricnum, Beauv.

P., funale. (nov. sp.?);. surculo pendulo vel procumbente. vage ra-

moso, ramis simplicibus foliis ovatis. acuminatis. concayviusculis,

plicato-striatis serrulatis iranidenerviis siccitate erectis..

Hab. in arborum cortice? Kort Royal, Ins. Jamaicee ; "legit G,

~""M'Nab, M.D. |

* Read before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, 11th Nov, 1847.

Dr, Takaylonen five new, species, of Cryptoyamic Plants. 879.

Surculus hivscielis, et ultray ) Rami,subsecundi, semiunciales. Folia

nitida, lutescentia, tenuigsime areolata, siccitate haud, tortilia.

Fructus et flores’ desunt.

~ Very much like Pterigynandrun nigrescens . illecebrim (Bridel,

Br. Un. ii. 193), but differing ‘thus: ‘leaves more acuminate,

serrulate ; aredle smaller and “parrower ; the! foliage too, when

ry 18 somewhat glossy. - |

“The typical Pt. nigrescens (Swartz) is distin from these

‘two forms thus : leaves narrower, of thinner texture, more’ lax,

pale green. ‘Still it is doubtful, in’ the absence’ of fruit, whether

the three forms should not be referred to one species.*

Pilotrichum may (for the present) be considered as a subgenus

of the *Bridelian genus Neckera,’ with ‘hairy calyptre. It is

adopted as a genus by Hornschuch in the ‘ Flora Brasiliensis,’ and

was first: proposed by Pal. de Beauvois. }

Omani, Brid.

O. lentula (nov. sp.) caule distiche sub-bipinnatimramoso, foliis

distichis ovato-falciformibus acuminatis serrulatis enervibus, peri-

cheetialibus lanceolato-attenuatis.

_ Hab. in arborum cortice? Port Royal; legit G. M‘Nab, M.D,

Caules bi-triunciales. Rami complanati, breves. . Folia nitidissima,

leete-viridia, tenuissime areolata, superne serrulata. Florescentia

dioica ?

Evidently allied to our British Omalia trichomanoides (Bridel),

Hypnum trichomanoides (Hooker and Taylor), but readily distin-

guished by its neryeless, acuminated and more falciform leaves

and more shining habit. It has still greater resemblance to

Neckera (Distichia): glabella (Bridel), which probably belongs to

the genus Omalia (the true Distichiea having the leaves rugose or

undulated). From the last-named moss, ours differs in its

smaller size and ovate-acuminate leaves.

XXXVIUI.—Diagnostic. Characters of five new species of Crypto-

_ gamic Plants from Jamaica. By Tuomas Tayior, M.D.*

Leskea, Hedw.

1. L. angustifolia (Tayl.); caule exiguo erecto subramoso, surculis

flexuosis, foliis laxis distichis ex angusta basi lineari-oblongis

obtusis apiculatis apice dentatis ruptinervibus substriatis surcu-

lorum-ad apices arete compressis ad basin minutis vel subnullis.

On Danea alata (Sm.), Jamaica. In Dr. R. K. Greville’s Herbarium.

Three to four lines high, pale yellowish green, shining. , Leaves

* Read,before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, 11th Nov,.1847.

O77 *

880 Dr. T. Taylor on five new species of Cryptogamic Plants.

in eight to ten pairs, those at the top adpressed into a spike ; their

inferior margin incurved at the base. This species is strongly

allied to L. Nove-Hollandie (Schwaeg.), and may well be sup-

posed to belong to the same genus even in the x fee of fruc-

tification. It may be distinguished by its far smaller size, its

more obtuse leaves, and by their shorter nerve. In one instance

the stem is prolonged at the top into a flagelliform shoot, de-

stitute of all but minute rudimentary leaves.

Puraemicoma, Dumort.

1. P. affixa (Tayl.); caule debili repente vage ramoso seu subdi-

chotomo, foliis laxe imbricatis erecto-patentibus oblongo-rotun-

datis margine subundulatis apice parce denticulatis lobulo minuto

~ vel subnullo, stipulis rotundatis integerrimis, calyce demum axillari

oblongo-obcordato compresso ore integerrimo.

On Danea alata (Sm.), Jamaica. In Dr. R. K. Greville’s Herbarium.

Five or six lines long; very pale olive, nearly whitish: a

female flower and a branch issuing from near the top of the

past year’s shoot. Leaves flaccid, often entire, sometimes with

three or four obtuse teeth; the perichetial erect, oblong, sub-

dentate. Capsule pale, splitting half-way down; its valves

broadly ovate. The leaves by no means imbricated, flaccid, ir-

regular in outline, variously twisted: the indistinct lobules and

the large cells serve to keep the present distinct from all de-

scribed species.

Rapvua, Nees.

1. R. Grevilleana (Tayl.); caule implexo repente subpinnato, ramis

patentibus, foliis imbricatis erecto-patentibus integerrimis lobo

superiori obovato-rotundato, inferiori minuto trapezoideo, calyce

demum axillari elongato ovato-oblongo apice compresso truncato,

basi angustato pedicelliformi, perigoniis minutis linearibus ra-

morum fere ad apices usque productis lobulo monandro.

On Danea alata (Sm.), Jamaica. In Dr. R. K. Greville’s Herbarium.

Very minute, three to four lines long, olive-coloured, closely

adhering to the subjacent fern; a calyx and an innovating

branch terminating the preceding year’s shoot. Leaves touching,

more patent than erect ; the perichetial broadly elliptical, short.

Capsule linear, very narrow. Perigonia on short lateral branches

with ten or twelve pairs of minute imbricated ventricose leaves, each

containing a spherical anther. The exserted part of the pedicel

about as long as the calyx ; this is on a narrow pedicel or nearly

cylindrical opake base contained within the perichetium ; it is

nearly as long as the shoots. This species differs from R. bucci-

nifera (Tayl.) by the smaller size, more imbricated leaves, whose

tops are not so rounded, and by the calyx bulging at the base,

and so by no means obconical.

Dr. T. Taylor on five new species of Cryptogamic Plants. 381

PriaciocHiLa, Nees et Mont,

1. P. sub-bidentata (Tayl.); caule repente laxe czespitoso, surculis

decumbentibus subflexuosis, foliis basi imbricatis erecto-patenti-

bus margine ventrali basi gibboso oblique ovatis acutis apice sub-

biciliatis, calyce oblongo ore oblique subtruncato dentato.

On Schlotheimia cirrosa (Hook.), Jamaica. Dr. J. M‘Nab.

Shoots one or two inches long, scarcely one line wide, brown,

attenuated above. Perigonial spikes one or two in the course of

the shoots. Perichetial leaves upright, adpressed to the base of

the calyx; this has a marginate angle on the upper side, and the

mouth roundly truncate and split on one side. Pedicel just ex-

posing the capsule out of the calyx. This differs from P. abrupta

(Lindl.) by the procumbent shoots, which are longer and more

attenuated above; by the wider bases of the leaves, which at the

ventral margin form a crest below the stem ; by the teeth of the

leaves being so slender as to be mere cilia, and by the minuter

cells of the leaves.

ParMeELia, Ach.

1. P. ochroleuca (Tayl.); thallo laciniato-lobato, lobulis ultimi$

brevibus sinuato-divaricatis preemorsis retusisve albo-cinereo ma-

dore immutato tenuissime albo-reticulato subtus albido-fibrilloso,

apotheciis submarginalibus concavis margine incurvo demum gem-

' mis planis subrotundis coronato, disco castaneo subtus nudo.

Port Royal, Jamaica. Dr. J. M‘Nab.

Thallus three to four inches wide, when dry waved on the

surface ; sinus of the lobes oblong: margin brownish ; surface

pale ash-coloured, whiter beneath, where the pale fibrils resemble

those of a Peltidea. Disc of the apothecia concave when dry,

flat or slightly convex when moistened and then assuming a

lighter colour. The disc is naked beneath, that is, it is destitute

of a thallodal layer, hence the apothecia seen by transmitted

light are pellucid in the centre. Alhed to Sticta Leylandti (Tayl.),

which however differs by the upper surface being covered with

closely set clusters of buds, by the smaller size and darker colour,

by the shorter fibrils beneath the thallus, and by the apothecia re-

ceiving at length a short podetium from the thallus. The genus

Sticta seems scarcely separable by a decisive character from Par-

melia, and this again in another direction passes into Lecanora.

882 Mr. E. Blyth’sRemarks oi M Sitidevall’s Paper

» SNTOS rdO foegse

gion vol gidgsetgs sveg goonortU ont 12

SEXIN 4 Jew, Cridicad Remarks ‘an, M,,Carl J, Sundeyall’s

a on the Birds, of Caleutia, as.republished by, H, B. Strick-

‘lands Esq... By Ep. Buxtx, Curator, to the Museum.of the

| Asiatic Society, Caleutta, Se.) 5 ui solehes yiponno ye

ComMENCING ‘with “the ‘temarks’ on the “Bengal Soonderbuns

(vide ‘Ann. & ‘Mag.’ Nat; Hist. xviii. 103), it may be as ‘well’ to

observe, that the animal inhabitants of this notoriously baleful

region are far from being so little known as is commonly supposed,

nor are the lower alluvia of the numerous anastomosing outlets

of the Ganges so utterly unhealthy during great part of the year :

viz. nearly throughout the dry season, divided into cold and hot ;

or from the end of November to that of June, when the rains

have fairly ‘set in. When the latter break up, the malaria be-

comes deadly to casual visitors, whether European or native ; and

even the Bengalee inhabitants are obliged to leave certain districts

for a while; though a Mugh population, from Arracan, which,

until recently, came to supply their place, seemed proof against

the deleterious miasmata. Considerable tracts are under culti-

vation; and the belts of impenetrable dense jungle facing the

network of broad river channels in many instances conceal from

view a wide extent of productive rice cultivation within. Of the

zoology, I doubt much whether more discoveries remain to be

made there, at least among the terrene Vertebrata, than in other

parts of Bengal ; and even the Fishes have been so far investi-

gated, that novelties among them are by no means to be reckoned

upon in the course of an excursion.

Next, I am constrained to disagree with M. Sundevall in his

éstimation of the feathered musicians of Lower Bengal, which I

eannot think are comparable to those of his native land, the latter

being much the same as in Britain. Our finest song-bird in this

part of the world, beyond all comparison, is the ‘Shamah’ (Kit-

tacincla macroura, Lath.), which is never heard in the wild state

upon the river alluvium, to which M. Sundevall’s peregrinations

here were confined. The ‘ Agghin’ (Mirafra cantillans, Jerdon)

isa tolerably good songster, but excessively rare in the same

broad tract of country, where it can be regarded merely as a

casual visitant : and the best song-bird which M. Sundevall could

have heard ‘wild ‘is the common Bengal lark (Alauda’ gulgula,

Franklin), the notes of which very closely resemble those of the

British skylark. Of arboreal songsters, the’ ‘Dhyal’ (Copsy-

chus saularis) has a pleasing, desultory, robin-like ditty, delivered

in'short snatches, but without much variety ; and the Bulbuls and

a few’ other’ small birds ‘have, ‘at! most,’a few ‘niusical chirrups,

which the cominon Black Bulbul’ (Pycnondtus bengalensis, nobis)

connects into a continuous warble sometinies, during its breeding

sen ovo aa theBirds.of, Caleutta,..5 W tll 383

season only. Some of the Dron ave agreeable loud not

especially thels Bela (One ‘Bibi Vieiiod) paket

too'inuch repetition’ of the ‘same stave’: and, Jastly, the Myhahs,

or « Maids? “and other Shimide, ahd'dlso the “Bayas’(Plodeus),

very commonly indulge in a loud’ s¢reeching chatter, which, if

song, can. only by.courtesy be termed musical, The tout ensemble

is, sufficiently humble, even though eked out bythe melodious

cooing of different kinds of Dove, and the more or less pleasing

voices of sundry other tribes, of birds, which may harmonize with

the scenery around or derive, interest from, their associations, ...,

.M. Sundevall begins. his. list with Oriolus melanocephalus, Lh.,

respecting which I have only to remark that I can make nothing

of the native name he assigns to it, unless it.can mean Huldea

Bulbul (¢. e. ‘ Turmeric-coloured. Bulbul’), which is not. umpos-

sible. The bird is as familiar to every Bengalee as the blackbird

and thrush are to the inhabitants of England ; and seems to be

universally known to. Hindoos as the Banay-bo,oo, or Banta-ba,oo;

of the Musselmans, signifying ‘goldsmith’s wife,’ but at the

same. time a sort of imitation of the bird’s note.. Adult females

differ in no respect from adult males, except in not being quite

so bright on the back: the black hood is alike in both, Stns

for some distance beyond the ear-coverts ; whereas in the African

O. monachus (Gm.), v. larvatus, Licht., v. capensis, Sw.; it.termi-

nates in a line with the ear-coyerts,—this being one of several

constant differences by which the two species may be readily di-

stinguished. 3

Turdus cafer apud Sundevall is my Pycnonotus bengalensis,

being distinet from the allied African species, or P. cafer (verus),

L.—P. jocusus is called Sipahi Bulbul about Calcutta, Kurra

Bulbul at. Chandernagore: the name Sonna (sona? ‘ golden’), I

never heard applied to it.

Dendrocitta rufa, No.7 (p.168). The Bengalee name of this

bird should be spelt Harichdchd : it is also called Takka-chér, or

‘ Rupee-thief,’

Dicrurus macrocercus, Vieillot, No.9... The name Bhichanga,

or Boojoonga, as M. Sundevall spells it, refers to the next, species

upon his list, the Chaptia enea.

Tchitrea paradisi (No. 11) is the Shah Bulbul of the natiyes,

which name M. Sundevall assigns erroneously | to, their, Chdk-

Dhyal (Leucocerca, fuscoventris, which, is quite distinet from; Mr.

Jerdon’s L. pectoralis).

Muscicapa parva apud. Sundevall (No, 15), the Turra,of the

Bengalees, is the M. leucura, Gm.; a,.closely allied, but, I believe

a distinct, species from the European M. parva. The,rufous throat.

is obtained. by the males.only, at the commencement, of, the hot

weather., The name Toontoonu, which he.cites, belongs, properly

384 Mr. E. Blyth’s Remarks on M. Sundevall’s Paper

to the little tailor-bird (Orthotomus longicauda), but is popularly

applied to various other small birds, as especially the different

species of Phylloscopus, which are probably mistaken for the

tailor-bird.

Pericrocotus peregrinus (L.), No. 16. The name Pdwi apper-

tains to Sturnia malabarica. M. Sundevall’s Phenicornis flammea,

No. 17 (p. 251), is Per. speciosus (Lath.), distinet from P. flam-

meus of South India and Ceylon, which again differs from P. ig-

neus, nobis, of the Malay countries.

Acanthiza trochiloides, Sund., has been since named by me

_Phylloscopus reguloides ; and his A. arrogans is rightly assigned

by himself to Culicipeta Burkii (Burton), the Cryptolopha auri-

capilla, Sw., &e. &e. .

Orthotomus longicauda (No. 20) extends its range to Malacca,

where however it is rather of a deeper colour, and it occurs there

together with two other well-marked species, O. edela, Temm.

(v. Motacilla sepium, Raffles), and O. cineraceus, nobis ; both di-

stinct from O. sepium, Horsf., of Java.

Lora typhia (distinct from I. zeylonica and I. scapularis) is

known here by the names Tas-feek and Phooteek-jol ; both imi-

“tative of certain of its notes, which much resemble those of the

Pari. The affinity of this genus is with Phyllornis.

Malacocercus griseus (Gm.), No. 22, is peculiar to South India,

being represented in Bengal by the Merula bengalensis, Brisson,

which specific name should now stand, in preference to M. ter-

ricolor, Hodgson. Besides its common name Chatarrhea, it is

often called Sdt-bhyed (or ‘seven brothers,’ from its always asso-

ciating im small troops).

Motacilla boarula is common here ; also in the Malay countries,

and it occurs even in Australia. M. Sundevall’s M. flava agrees

best with Budytes cinereocapilla of South Europe; and his M.

alba is M. luzoniensis, Scopoli.

The Bengalee name 7jorta (meant for Chawita), which he as-

signs to Anthus arboreus, belongs properly to the common spar-

row, but is often vaguely applied to any small brownish bird of

about the size of a sparrow. His supposed Anthus pallescens is

A. malayensis, Eyton. The described lark (No. 28) is Alauda

guigula, Franklin: and the common name here of Pyrrhalauda

grisea (Scop.), No. 29, is Dhoolo-chorai (or ‘Sand Sparrow’).

Fringilla bengalensis apud Sundevall refers to Ploceus philippen-

sis (L.), the well-known Baya; P. bengalensis and P. manyar

occurring likewise.

Acridotheres tristis (L.), No. 32. The Bengalee name Sdlik is

generic, though often applied to this species without an adjunct :

it is more distinetively termed Ghér Sdlik (‘ House Mynah’), and

sometimes Bhdtta Sdlik. A. grisea (Horsf.), the Gracula crista-

on the Birds of Caleutta. &: 385

tella apud Sundevall (but quite distinct from Aer. cristatellus

(Linn.) of China), is the Jhént Sdlik, or Jhontee Maina of the

Musselmans (meaning ‘Crested Mynah’). Aer. ginginianus 1s

the Gdng Sdlik (or ‘Ganges Mynah,’ from its inhabiting the

river-banks). Gracula intermedia (p. 305) is the Padhdred Maina

(or ‘ Hill Mynah’) ; and it is very rarely that the smaller spe-

cies of South India and Ceylon, for which M. Sundevall mistakes

it, is obtainable in the Calcutta bird bazaar. Sturnus contra is the

Ablacch (‘ Pied’) of the Musselmans, and Guay-lackrd (or ‘ Dirt-

eater’) of the Hindoos. I have never heard it termed Kalickia.

The doubtfully cited Corvus enca (No. 38) is the C. culminatus,

Sykes, the common Indian black crow, distinct from C. macro-

rhynchus, Vieillot: both of these occur at Malacca.

The supposed Hirundo rustica (No. 89) must have been H. gut-

turalis, Scopoli, v. H. ewan, Sykes, &. The other swallow seen

was probably H. daurica.

The native name for Woodpeckers in general is Kdt-tékrd (or

literally, ‘Woodpecker ’).

Bucco indicus, Lath., No. 44 (p. 397). Probably distinct from

B. philippensis (verus). Its name is not “ Benebo,’ which is a

way of spelling the native appellation of the oriole ; but Bussunt-

booree is the equivalent for Barbet, the present species bearing

the prefix of chota (or ‘ small’), and B. astaticus (Lath.), v. cya-

nicollis, Vieillot, that of Burra (or ‘large’). Both, as M. Sun-

devall remarks, are exceedingly common, and they are exclusively

frugivorous. :

Cuculus varius, Vahl (No. 46), is termed Chék-gallo ; not Sik-

krea, which means Shikra (or Hawk, Chicquera, auct.), for which

a native will very commonly mistake a dead cuckoo, as I have

observed repeatedly. And a living Chék-gallo in a cage will ge-

-nerally, by a dealer, be called Bo,oo-cotdko, in the hope of pass-

ing it off for that more highly-prized species, the C. micropterus,

Gould.

Eudynamys orientalis (L.), No. 47, does not construct a nest,

but lays its egg im that of a crow; the ‘ Kokeel’s’ (or female

‘ Coél’s’) egg much resembling a crow’s egg in its colouring, being

however considerably smaller. The name Bhdt Sdlik refers to

Acridotheres tristis.

Centropus philippensis, Cuv. (No. 48), is known as the ‘ Kooka,’

It is identical with C. bubutus, Horsfield, but not with Cuculus

bubutus of Raffles, which is Cent. eurycercus, A. Hay. The latter

is not Indian ; but both species occur at Malacca, together with

a third which is common to India and the Malay countries, C.

Lathami (Shaw), v. lepidus, Horsfield, and the adult of which was

termed by me C. dimidiatus, and more recently C. rectunguis by

38 Mr. E. Blyth’s Remarks on\MiSundevall’s Paper

Ma. Strickland , (Po se ene Shale to. vba wanes, |

common, ab Malacca.) y.io\Q ylinoppottan tor 2

Merops viridis, Lus:(p. 50), “Mamet: Bans-puitee (or « icetan.

leaf) fromthe look of the; bird, as.it, sits, with its wings, closed...

Very: few: remain io Lower Hengal, after the, hot season coms

MENCESA IL Wary

Haleyor. gurialy Diamine Vy! bremwnioann Jerdon (No, 51),.'This

and H. amauropterus, Pearson, are alike. called .Ghérel.... H: smyfrs\,

nensis'is generally, known.as Sdddé-book Mdtch-rangd, (i.e. «White.

breasted. Kingfisher.’),....Ceryle, varia, Strickland (No:,54), is;the.

Photkdé Match-rénga (or ‘ Spotted. Kingfisher’)... I. have; seen

this. bird alight on the ground, but.never walk ; though it. might

creep.a step or two. For some months past, I have had.two. in-

dividuals alive in a tolerably spacious aviary : they feed on shrimps

and small fishes, and will at once descend to pick upa.cockroach

from the ground without: alighting.. In fact, I find that. cock-

roaches, which are procurable here in profusion with the utmost

facility, are favourite morsels with a great variety of birds, in-

cluding especially all Gallinacee above the size of a quail. The

Collared Pratincole runs up io receive one, and catches. it in his

mouth, sometimes’ springing up a few inches to do so; and even

the Porphyrio, after disabling a cockroach with the beak, will

take it up with his.awkward-looking foot, and pick and eat it at

his leisure. The Roller will live entirely upon them.

Paleornis torquatus (No. 55). ‘Teah’ is the Hindoo name,

and‘ Totah’ the Musselman name. P. cyanocephalus (No. 56), is

the‘ Furreedee’.of the Musselmans: and of P. pondicerianus, the

red-billed male is called Mudnd, and the black-billed female

‘Kujlé.’, The ‘Heeraman’ is Eclectus polychloros ; and E. grandis

is well known as the ‘ Lalman’ : both are common in the Calcutta

bird shops; and they are grain-feeding birds, which have been

improperly classed with the Lories. . Several species of the latter

are brought, in some abundance, but nevertheless sell at.a high

ees};

: Falco: tinnunculus (No. 58)... The name. Shzkra is currently

bestowed.on. any small hawk, but seems to belong. properly to

Nisastur badius (v. F.. Dussumieri, Temm.); and larger hawks are

generally styled Baz, which belongs properly to. .Astur palumba-

rius.;, Hagles with plumed tarsi are generally termed. Shah-bdz :

and; Cheel denotes ‘ Kite’ (this name being evidently imitative of

the, squealof the common. Milwus ater*), but, itis, also, applied to

other birds,,of, smooth, sailing flight, as the. Harriers, and even

the Hee which, latter, are. called Gang Cheel (i.e. ene or

Tits: Which, again, resembles that,of the British Kite,

eS ° | eon the Birds of Calewttar \ Hav gees

Ganges:Chéel),’ The Haliastur pondicéritinus is commonly termed!

Sankar-cheel, and not unfrequently Dhobed-Cheél (from its aquatio”

propensity, hovering over or Nitting near a party of Dhobees‘or

washérnien) "The Milvus’ ater°is’ distinctively termed Pariahs°

Cheel No: 63 refers evidently to ‘Pontaétus ichthyaétus, and this:

with other fishing eagles is called Mdtchdl or Mdtch-Kér6lp00"'

™M. Sundevall’s doubtfully cited Falco! buteo was; inal proba-

en Buteo rufinus (Ruppell), v.’ BLcanescens, Hodgson : the’:

next ‘species noticed was probably Blagrus dimidiatus (Raffles)?

and the third was certainly not Astur palumbarius.—I have never

it rarely is’ Pelican! Although the true Golden Eagle (Aquila

chrysaétos) inhabits the Himalaya, the so-called “Golden Kagle”’

of the residents at the hill stations refers always to the Lammer+

geyer (Gypaétos). | B e5ae Me Di

Vultures are called Shooknee by the Hindoos, and Gid by the

Musselmans. Otogyps pondicerianus is the Lal Shooknee of the

former, and the Mélnah Gid of the latter. Neither of them di-

stinguish the Gyps indicus (Scopoli and Latham, nec Temminck;

which is the G. tenuiceps and tenuirostris, Hodgson and G. R:

Gray), although this species is also common, keeping however

more away from crowded towns. on :

Gallus ferrugineus (Gm.), No. 69, p. 87 ante. M. Sundevall

is quite wrong in stating that any Hindoos ever breed fowls: the

mere touch of one, or of an egg, is pollution even to the lowest

caste of them. It should also be remarked, with reference to his

note on the Indo-Portuguese population, that although, for the

most part, much darker-skinned than the generality of Bengal

Hindoos, excepting some of the lowest castes (in which the blood

of the indigenes of the country greatly preponderates), these so-

called Portuguese cannot justly be termed quite “as “black as

négroes ;” and to me it appears obvious that they have derived

their exceedingly dark complexion, not from the permanent: in-

fluence of climate, but from intermixture and re-intermixture of |

blood with the lowest class of natives, till little indeed ‘ofthe

European stock remains in them. When I say permanent influ-

ence of climate, I mean that we must take into consideration that

individual tanning produced by exposure, which does not become

ingrained into the race, so as to be transmissible from parent to

offspring. ‘The prevalent belief here is, that the colour of the

modern Indo-Portuguese illustrates the accumulative effect’ of an

Indian climate during a long’ series’ of generations ‘born’ ‘in ‘the

country; but it is my thorough conviction ‘that the foregoing

explanation suffices. Indeed there is a current statement to the

effect that no instance has been hithérto' known ‘of’ a continuous

unmixed descent of any European race, born and brought up in

388 Mr. E. Blyth’s Remarks on M. Sundevall’s Paper

this country, to the third generation’; but I doubt altogether,

whatever may be the probability one way or the other, of our

having sufficient data for arriving at so conclusive an opinion.

As Jacquemont and others have remarked, the natives of India

draw a wide distinction between the Sahib logue or European

gentry, and the Goras or plebeian Europeans (the term Gora

merely signifying ‘ fair,’ and being applied by them to people of

fair complexion, whether native or European; but as applied to

the latter, in general referring exclusively to the class of sailors

and private soldiers, and by no means in a complimentary sense,

any more than ‘ Feringhee’ is*). The Sahib logue are much

respected by them as a class; the Gora logue considerably the

reverse. Now, the children of the former, born in India, are, with

extremely few exceptions, sent home when very young to be edu-

cated, which of course invalidates their claim for consideration in

' this question ; though even if it did not, the influx of new Euro-

pean blood into this country is so great, that upon their return

to India by far the greater proportion of them become united in

marriage to individuals born in Europe, whence it would certainly

be no easy matter to find a series of three generations of unmixed

Indian-born Europeans of the Sahib class. As for the lower class

of Europeans, it would be equally difficult to find such a series

unmingled with country blood, besides that the sad prevalence

of intemperance interferes materially with any conclusions that

might otherwise be deduced.

M. Sundevall might well have sought it in vain for traces of the

wild Gallus Sonneratit in the domestic poultry of India, inasmuch

as,—though, curiously enough, I have found that species of South

India far more easily domesticable than the Bengal Jungle-fowl,—

the latter is, beyond all question, the exclusive aboriginal stock

from which the whole of our domestic varieties of common poultry

have descended. However different these may be, whether the

silky fowl of China, the gigantic Chittagong race, or the feather-

legged bantams of Burmah, &c., their voice at once and unmis-

takeably proclaims their origin, and is as different as can be, in

every cry, from that of G. Sonnerati: besides that we continually

meet with common domestic cocks which correspond, feather by

feather, with the wild bird ; the peculiar notched comb of which

is again retaimed invariably, even when the comb is double or

compound: this much premised, however, it is remarkable that

the domestic poultry of India do not approximate the wild race

in any respect more closely than the common fowls of Europe,

and I have sought in vain for traces of intermixture of Jungle-

fowl blood in districts where the species abounds in a state of

nature. |

* Thus, at least, in Calcutta and its vicinity.

on the Birds of Calcutta. 389

It is a curious instance of how little is currently known of the

zoology of India, that, to this day, authors who write on the

history of the common fowl generally repeat the statement that

“its original: stock is very uncertain ; but it is supposed to be

descended from a wild species still met with in the island of

Java!’ The truth being, that the genuine wild common fowl is

familiarly known to every sportsman in all Northern India, and

is with justice highly prized as a game-bird: abounding in all

suitable localities from the sub-Himalayan region on the north,

to the Vindhyan range on the south, and spreading farther south-

ward along the eastern coast of the peninsula to some distance

beyond Vizagapatam (in the ‘ Northern Cirears’) ; while to the

eastward it likewise abounds in Assam, and all along the eastern

side of the Bay of Bengal throughout the Burmese countries, the

Malayan peninsula, Java and Sumatra*. G. Sonneratit begins to

replace it on the Vindhyan range of hills, bordering the great

table-land of the peninsula of India to the northward, and wholly

replaces it in Southern India generally; while in Ceylon two other

wild species occur, the hen of one of these being figured by the

name of G. Stanleyi in Hardwicke’s ‘ Illustrations’ +.

The different species of Jungle-fowl have hitherto been cari-

catured in the figures that have been meant to represent them,

the types of which are alone to be met with in the poultry-yard.

The general figure is remarkably pheasant-like, and the tail com-

monly droops, and I have never seen it more elevated than that of

a pheasant sometimes is (though it is more raised in G. Sonne-

rati). Avery characteristic feature of the Bengal bird, and which

I have seen in all Indian examples of the species, including some

from Tipperah, did not occur in such as I have had alive from

Assam and from Arracan, nor have I ever seen it well shown in

a domestic fowl : this consists in the vivid whiteness of the large

round lappet of naked skin below the ear-coverts, which thus

forms a well-defined and very conspicuous auricle-like patch,

contrasting strongly with the crimson of the comb and other

naked parts, and with the deep red-orange of the adjoining

feathers. This lappet is of a bright dead-white tinged with blue

in the hen ; and it certainly helps much to ornament those which

possess it. The only other variation which I have observed in

many dozens of skins, from the most various localities, is that

Himalayan specimens, both cocks and hens, are slightly paler,

* In Irwin’s memoir on Afghanistan, J. A. S. B. viii. p. 1007, it is stated

that this bird is found in the wild state in the whole of Turkistan, especially

Balkh. This is a considerable extension of its range, as generally under-

stood.—l. B.

+ One of the Ceylon species has been named G. Lafayettii, but T do not

know by whom.

(‘890 = Mr. E. Bl yth’s::Remarksvon\Mi Sundevall’s Paper

while thosefrony Malacca andJava are in general deeper-coloured

othancthe J ungle-fowl of Bengal.:>:The latter are as tive: to their

«hormal colourmg-assany other wild species } and:itis strange:that

athe pecuhar minute: mottling of the feathers of the wild:-heméan

omscarcely-ever be matched:in the plumage of the domestichensyat

ideast invthis: partiof the countrys:s jess) eyoce) od} to enisenon

‘| «Capt: Hutton ‘assures: me that/the Jungle-fowl is strictly-mo-

nogamous; and have been told:the:same by: several Shikarees ;

‘though:others maintain that it resembles domestic poultry in:this

particular. Inthe former) ease an analogy might: be traced with

the ecommon- duck: (Anas boschas), which regularly pairs when

wild; and,is: polygamous (or: indiscriminate ‘is. perhaps) a‘ better

word) in a state of :domestication.:, The British pheasant-on the

contrary 1s undoubtedly polygamous in a: wild: state, being! well

known even to extend his attentions sometimes to the:inmatesof

the poultry-yard.:«:A: Sonnerat’s fowl im my:possession, whichis

as tame as any barn-door cock, and) breeds. as freely: with com-

mon hens,’ certainly paired with-one: for »some time, and: would

take not the least notice of other hens ; but to induce him:tondo

so, I cooped up: his: partner fora few days, when: he soon ‘took to

another, aud: upon my releasing the former he. seemed to think» it

best tovrremain lord:of both, and-has continued so ever since,

while he exhibits:a considerable:aversion to some Burmese :ban-

‘tam hens that are likewise kept-with him*. 4 | vad

Although:the range of the wild: common fowl :does not extend

westward, that: am aware of, beyond: the mountains:that form

the natural boundary of India in that direction; the domestic-bird

appears ‘to have ‘been common among the western nations. from

othe remotest traceable antiquity ; and this Indian bird is; raised

even in Iceland... Among the old Egyptian paintings, it'is very

remarkable that no representation of a fowl, has yet been found ;

notwithstanding all that has come down to us of the wholesale

system of egg-hatching practised to this day in Egypt; and .al-

* I have already, ftom the middle of February to that of June, had up-

wards of seyenty hybrid chickens hatched (besides failures) from this Son-

nerat’s fowl] and his two hens; putting the eggs of course under other sitting

hens: ‘and if fewer egas have been produced ‘of late, it isi because the hens

(which were selected, with much.care, and are difficult to; match).are now

getting exhausted. The young hybrids are much more delicate than com-

mon poultry, and I have had the misfortune to lose nearly all of them by a

malignant variola; though some aré now nearly grown up, which arealready

showing symptoms of a disposition. to’ breed ; and hence:l’ doubt ‘not that I

shallibe-able to.ascértain from them: whether species.so nearly jallied, as,are

their parents might,not produce.a fertile race of. hybrids, i.e. per. se, et inter

se, or hybrid with hybrid. The Pavo indicus and P. muticus would also suit

‘well for such an experiment : and I may remark, that Ihave now’a female

Axis Deer pregnant by’al Hog Deer }/and’a pairof hybrids thus’ produced

are likely.to be again mutually prolific, if any would be so.

way kd e lisy ovon the! Birds'of Calcutta.) | G Beat, oB9l

though-so;many other kinds of:dnimals;:both wild and tame:(in-

cluding flocks of: domestic geese very ‘¢ommonly),are represented

vagaincand againvis The:camel forms ‘another:such exteptionzodn

the:freseos’ of the Etruscan:itombs: the domestic: fowl is; often

-represented);\:and:also theveating! of: eggs) while egg-shells; the

remains of the funeral feast, are generally:observed;strewed «about

the floor upon openinga previously unviolated ‘sepulchre,» As in

the.case of the bull, cow; ox; calf; &c.;s0 mthat of the birdunder

consideration, there is no exclusive general name applicable to: all

individuals of the species, of whatever sex or age, in at least:the

generality of European languages» Fowl applies;:of: course; to

any bird, as ‘cock-and hen apply to the sexes: of other species ;\ and

this general: absence of a vernacular'specific appellation: of itself

indicates how familiar were our remote: ancestors with,an: exotic

species, which they must ultimately have derived or perhaps:even

brought with them from the far Kast. I must close however this

long digression, but im the hope»of having: awakened some «in-

terest im a subject: which assuredly is: well worthy. of further

inquiry. 3

'Aoword or two may be added:on the Turkeys now raised. in this

‘country: ‘They are ‘called ‘Pérd,’ evidently from the common

ery ofa turkey’; and are regarded as unclean ‘by the Musselmans,

though it is very clear that the indicter: of the Koran could not

have prohibited to his:followers this Americam bird: the: tuft.of

bristles) upon its breast indicates, as they fancy, a ‘certam affinity

to the unclean’ beast ; and perhaps the’ bald: head: and neck-may

suggest some sort of relationship to the Vultures (especially Oto-

‘gyps pondicerianus), which would scarcely be recommendatory:of

this: noble bird as am articleof diet. Those: brought) to Caleutta

care ‘chiefly, if not ‘wholly, raised: in. Chittagong, and mosty-of

them are bought up by people of French descent to be fattened

‘at Chandernagore, when they are resold at considerable profit for

thetable;y:Alliare® of’ a black colour, and very degenerate from

the race of tame turkeys in England. They are small, with the

naked wattles and long pendulous appendage over the. beak

enormously, developed: poor helpless creatures, utterly incapable

of rising upon the wing ;,and if suffered to. drink their fill, they

will greatly incommode ‘themselves by filling out the immense

‘craw. . Nevertheless they fatten well and are excellent eating ;

and.one at least, is,sacrificed for every dinner party.

M. Sundevall’s. Partridge (No..70 of his list).is Perdix, pondi-

certana; Gini; ‘a ‘very abundant” species.’ Wild» peafowls» inhabit

“all suitable localities, and where protected! become extremely nu-

merous, and far, from timid. . They differ in no respect from the

ordinarily coloureditame peafowl.of Hurope,

892 Mr. E. Blyth’s Remarks on M. Sundevall’s Paper

The Pavo bicalcaratus, L., apud Sundevall, is without doubt

Polyplectron bicalcaratum, Temm., of Mr. G. R. Gray’s list of the

British Museum collection ; but I suspect this is the true Pavo

tibetanus, auct., which, though assuredly not a Tibetan species,

is common in the hill regions of Assam, Sylhet, Arracan, and I

believe the Tenasserim provinces: while its representative, equally

abundant in the Malayan peninsula, I take to be P. bicalcaratum

(L.), the P. Hardwickiit, Gray, of Hardwicke’s ‘ Illustrations ’

(his P. lineatum being the female of the preceding species). The

former is occasionally brought alive to Calcutta ; but I have never.

seen the Malayan species alive.

No. 75. That the ‘Hargilah’ (Leptoptilos argala) lives “chiefly”

on human corpses, does not at all comport with my observation.

Many frequent the provision-bazaars, and particularly a large

abattoir in the vicinity of Calcutta; and they pick up quantities

of refuse thrown into the streets: not but that they do attack

human bodies of course ; but this I have rarely happened to wit-

ness, and the latter constitute an article of food that certainly

forms but an insignificant item of their weekly diet. A much

greater number than M. Sundevall intimates may commonly be

seen of an evening perched on the top of Government House, and

upon other eminences which command. an extensive view: they

continue as tame in Fort William as he describes, but would cer-

tainly not make resistance if attacked unless wounded and unable

to rise.

No. 78. I have seen no Indian specimen of a heron according

with Dr. Horsfield’s figure and description of his Ardea speciosa.

The species meant is Ardeola leucoptera apud Gray, which in

breeding dress is A. Grayi, Sykes, and in non-breeding dress

A. malaccensis, auctorum.

No. 86. It is clear to me that M. Sundevall did not distin-

guish between Gallinago media and G. stenura. At the com-

mencement and close of the cold season, the latter is the more

abundant species ; in the intermediate period the former. G. major

does not occur, and the woodcock very rarely. G. stenura is the

prevalent Malayan species, and extends to China and Australia.

Charadrius cirripedesmos, Wagler (No. 90). This common little

Indian plover I take to be Hiaticula Leschenauliti (Lesson).

Larus ridibundus, var. (No. 91). This is L. brunnicephalus,

Jerdon. The true L. ridibundus also occurs, but less numerously.

I have never chanced to see either of them upon a dead body,

and they certainly exhibit no peculiar predilection for the mag-

gots there found ; though, like other gulls, they would of course

readily take to such food, especially when hungry. The general

mode of life does not differ from that of Larus ridibundus in Eng-

on the Birds of Calcutta. 393

land. The large gull alluded to was probably L. ichthyaétus,

Pallas, which abounds at the mouth of the river, and has a jet-

black hood in the breeding season.

The small cormorant (No. 92) is Graculus pygmaeus, the only

species of the genus I have met with in Lower Bengal.

- No. 94 is Casarca rutila (Pallas); here commonly termed

Chuckwd-chuckwee. Rdj-hdéns applies exclusively to the true

Geese.

With M. Sundevall I consider the domestic geese of Bengal to

be a hybrid race between A. cygnoides of China and the European

tame goose, A. cinereus, which latter is here a regular cold-wea-

ther visitant. Anas boschas does not occur here wild; though it

is found up the country. |

No. 97 is Dendrocygna awsuree (Sykes), and I believe identical

with Anas arcuata, Horsfield ; more especially as this common

Indian species is equally abundant at Malacca.

In the foregoing remarks upon M. Sundevall’s paper, I have

been particular to correct some of the native names assigned to

various species, that they should not in future be quoted wrongly

in systematic works. That gentleman undoubtedly made good

use of the opportunities afforded by his brief sojourn in this

vicinity.

June 24, 1847.

P.S. I avail myself of this occasion to remark on a few other

oriental species of birds, descriptions of which have lately appeared

in the ‘ Annals.’

Mr. Strickland’s Centropus rectunguis (vol. xix. p. 184) I have

already referred to C. Lathami (Shaw), v. dimidiatus, nobis.—

His Phyllornis moluccensis, Gray (p. 130), is surely the Turdus

cochinchinensis, Gm., founded on le Verdin de la Cochinchine of

Buffon. Arracan specimens merely differ in having the crown

yellower, while the breast, immediately below the black throat,

is scarcely tinged with yellow as in the Malacca specimens ; but

the two cannot be separated, nor are probably these differences

constant. Ph. cesmarynchus of Tickell is my Ph. Jerdoni; the

former name being evidently a misprint for casmarhynchus (vide

Griffith’s version of Cuvier’s ‘ Animal Kingdom’), which again is

a misprint for gampsorhynchus of Jardine and Selby.—Turdus

modestus, Eyton, must be referred to 7. rufulus, Drapiez, in the

‘ Dict. Class. d’ Hist. Nat.’—P.132. I recognise three well-marked

species of Shrike in the synonyms which Mr. Strickland has

brought together: viz. L. pheenicurus, Pallas, common to India

and the Malay countries ; L. superciliosus, Lath., which with the

mext is never found in Jndia; and L. tigrinus, Drapiez, y. mag-

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx.

394 Mr. F. Smith on a new species of Hymenopterous Insect.

_ nirostris, Lesson, and strigatus, Eyton, the adults of which are

very dissimilar from those of the two other species.

In the reprint from Capt. Begbie’s work (xvii. 395), the Bu-

ceros lugubris of that gentleman is the only species which I shall

here refer to, it beg the adult male of B. swmatranus, Raffles.

There are numerous errors of identification in that paper which

I shall have another opportunity of correcting. The reduction

of nearly all of Mr. Eyton’s “apparently new species of birds

from Malacca” (xvi. 227) has been effected partly by myself im

the ‘Journ. As. Soc. Bengal,’ xv. 10 and 52, and the rest by

Mr. Strickland, vide p. 129, &c. ante.

—,

XL.—Deseription of a new species of Hymenopterous Insect be-

longing to the family Sphegide. By Freprrick Smits.

{ With a Plate. ]

Section ACULEATA.

Family SpuEcip2.

Genus Stethorectus, Smith.

Heap large, as wide as the thorax, subquadrate, attenuated pos-

teriorly ; eyes large, oval; the stemmata placed in a triangle at

the vertex; the antenne gradually attenuated, inserted near the

base of the clypeus, which is quadridentate in front, the two exterior

teeth largest. | Mandibles large, stout, arcuate, smooth exte-

riorly ; the maxillary palpi six-jointed, the terminal joint very

minute ; the labial palpi four-jointed, the terminal jomts conical.

Thorax elongate, the collar elongate, of a pyramidal form above ;

the superior wings with one marginal and three submarginal cells,

the first as long as the two following, the second nearly quadrate,

slightly narrowed towards the marginal, receiving the first and

second recurrent nervures. The posterior legs elongate. Abdo-

men ovato-conical, abruptly petiolated.

Sp. ingens. Female (length 2 inches 2 lines). Black, very smooth

and shinmg. Head slightly attenuated posteriorly, a little black

pubescence on the face above the base of the antenne, a smooth

depression on each side of the posterior stemmata running a little

way backwards, a thin pubescence on the cheeks. Thorax slightly

pubescent at the sides, a strongly marked epaulet passing over

each tegula and reaching as far as the scutellum, which is very

smooth and shining; the wings dark metallic blue; the meta-

thorax opake, having above a deep longitudinal channel, which

is, as well as on each side of it, transversely wrinkled ; the apex

transversely suleate ; towards the apex, laterally, is a smooth space

Ann & Mag Nal Mist, Vol20, Pl XXL.

Mr. F. Smith on a new species of Hymenopterous Insect. 395

subtuberculate at its lateral margin. The legs long and stout»

the tarsi strongly ciliated beneath. Abdomen highly polished and

shining, the petiole slightly pubescent at the base.

Male (length 2 inches 4 lines). Black, the head quadrate above,

slightly narrowed posteriorly ; the mandibles have a stout tooth

within, nearly in the middle ; the clypeus porrect, emarginate in

front ; the thorax as in the female ; the wings of a metallic brown ;

the posterior legs have the femora club-shaped, being greatly

swollen at their apex above, and having a stout obtuse tooth or

spine at the apex within; the tibia rugged beneath with deep inden-

tations ; all the tarsi ciliated beneath. Abdomen more rotundate

than in the female; beneath, the third, fourth, fifth and sixth

segments are of an opake black, except at their extreme lateral

margins ; the basal margins of the segments depressed, the apical

somewhat swollen or rounded.

This fine insect, of which both sexes are in the cabinet of the

British Museum, was captured at Pernambuco, Brazil, by T. P.

George Smith, Esq. of Liverpool, a gentleman to whom naturalists

are greatly indebted for his grand discoveries of new and beau-

tiful species in all branches of natural history. The specimens

figured are I believe the only ones yet captured ; and are conse-

quently unique in the national collection. The situation of this

genus is I think next to Podium, some of the species of which

genus it closely resembles in general aspect ; the neuration of the

wings is however different, the second submarginal cell receiving

two recurrent nervures.

The habits of the insects of the family to which our new species

belongs are highly interesting, the provision stored up for their

young consisting in the majority of cases of spiders ; and I have

been informed that the large Brazilian species readily master spi-

ders of the largest kind, such as Mygale, rendering them powerless

by their formidable sting ; the spiders thus attacked die a lingering

death, in some cases surviving five or six days. An egg is deposited

on the first insect stored up, so that the larva is hatched by the

time the cells in some instances are provisioned ; but I have ob-

served in this country that our common sand-wasp, Ammophila

vulgaris, deposits the food at intervals, so that it is fresh and

suited to the young larva, which lives principally on the juices and

softer parts, leaving the head, legs and wings untouched. Al-

though Arachnida are the usual prey of the majority of these in-

sects, still I have observed a species which at one time preys

upon spiders, at another choosing caterpillars, and then again

storing up grasshoppers when each kind of food was equally at

its command. Endless indeed are the variations of habit in the

Hymenoptera ; the more they are investigated the greater will be

our admiration of their wonderful instinct and tact im adapting

28%

396 — Sir R. Schomburgk on. some Grasses and Sedges

their operations according to circumstances, and when unimpeded

in them, of the beauty and fitness of their architectural eleva-

tions.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE XXIII.

fig. 1. Stethorectus ingens, female, natural size.

Fig, 2, Ditto male ditto: a, wing, natural size. The following are mag-

nified: 6, labial palpi ; c, maxillary palpi; d, mandible of the female ;

e, mandible of male ; f, antenne of the male.

XLI.—Description of some Grasses and Sedges from the East

Coast of Demerara, with Remarks on the Geographical Distri-

bution of the Species. By Sir Ropert ScuomsBurex, Ph.D.,

Member of the Imperial Academy Nat. Curios. &c.

THE grasses and sedges are to a flat alluvial soil what the forests

are to a hill-side ; their interlacing roots render the soil firm and

prevent it from being carried away by the surface waters, which

chiefly during freshets under the tropics commit such ravages

upon low lands. The grassy sward protects besides the ground

beneath from the direct rays of the sun, which possess such in-

_creased power in the equatorial regions. As great as the benefit

derived from these circumstances may have proved to certain

localities on our globe, if the use which the grasses afford to

mankind rested only upon these circumstances, they would never

have been considered of that vast importance which is attached

to this natural family. If we set aside that thei seeds afford

nourishment to millions of human beings, their herbage serves

as food to millions of cattle which in their turn contribute to the

support of mankind. It is not my object to dwell here on these

important points, but merely to give an enumeration of some

grasses and a few of the sedges which occur in the intermediate

neighbourhood of the sea-coast in Demerara, and the greater

number of which are used as fodder. It must not be considered

that this list contains all the Graminaceee of that locality,—their

number might be tripled ; they were merely the result of short

botanical excursions in the neighbourhood of Georgetown and to

Mon Repos, a sugar-plantation on the east coast of Demerara ;

a few I received from Mr. Garnett at Cuming’s Lodge, about six

miles east from Georgetown. This small collection was sub-

mitted to the examination of Professor Nees von Esenbeck, the

great illustrator of Graminacee and Cyperacee, who with his

usual kindness has described those peculiarities in which the

Demerara specimens deviate from former descriptions of species.

It is worthy of observation that these deviations amounted in no

instance to specific differences.

I have added the vernacular names under which the species and

from the East Coast of Demerara. (897

varieties are known among the labouring population. The grasses

appear sometimes, where the soil differs in greater dryness or

composition, under such different forms that the common people

bestow various names upon the same species, and in no instance

is this more the case than in Leptochloa virgata, of which I have

given merely the most common vernacular names. This peculiar

appearance repeats itself where the plant meets similar soil, dry-

ness or humidity, which chiefly affect the seeds, and give it a

white, red, or purplish colour.

The geographical distribution of grasses is a very remarkable

point : some species seem to follow man; and scarcely has he

cleared the ground from the virgin wood which he selected in the

far west of the United States, in the tropical forests of Guiana

and Brazil, in the plains of South Australia or other parts of the

world, for his settlement, when certain species of grasses show

themselves among his cultivation which he recognises as ac-

quaintances from the country he left behind.

In the West Indies and South America, African species of

grass are cultivated for the sake of fodder, while the indigenous

species are entirely neglected. The planter follows the custom

of his ancestor as a prescribed rule, and changes, even where they

would prove for the better, are eschewed as a transgression upon

the good old times. Hence I am not astonished that so fine a

grass as the indigenous Paspalus virgatus is neglected, and the

preference is given to the cultivation of the guinea-grass (Pani-

The collection of grasses from Demerara consisted of the fol-

owing :—

Paspalus conjugatus, Fliigge; Nees ab Esenbeck in Martius Flora

Brasiliensis, u. 44; Meyer, Prim. Flora Essequiboensis, p. 49 ;

Fliigge, Graminum Monographiz, p. 102; Raddi, Agrostographia

Brasiliensis, p. 23.

Paspalum conjugatum, Bergius in Nova Acta Helvetica, vii. 129;

Swartz, Flora Indiz Occidentalis, i. 183; Kunth, Enumerat.

Plant. i. 51.

Sour-grass ; Broad-leaved Savannah-grass.

It is one of the most abundant species of grasses in Mexico,

on the banks of the Orinoco and Essequibo in Peru, New Gra-

nada and the West Indies. It grows in moist shady places, and

often reaches a height of from two to three feet. In favourable

situations it is in blossom almost throughout the year. As a

fodder-grass it does not stand in high esteem; the cattle refuse

it in its green state ; it is however useful as hay. According to

Browne, “the roots and leaves of this grass, pounded and applied

externally, are observed to cure sores and ulcers of all sorts with

398 Su R. Schomburgk on some Grasses and Sedges

more certainty than most other things used for that purpose.”

(History of Jamaica.) The following varieties occur on the sea-

coast of Demerara :—

Paspalus conjugatus, var. distachya minor, N. ab E. in lit.

Paspalus conjugatus, var. tristachyus, N.ab E. in lit. From the sugar-

plantation, Mon Repos, on the east coast of Demerara.

Paspalus conjugatus, var. major, di-tristachyus, N. ab E. in lit. Col-

lected in the neighbourhood of Georgetown.

Paspalus vaginatus, Fligge in Pasp. p. 108; Raddi, J. c. p.24; Nuttall,

Gen. Americ. [The genera of North American Plants], i. 57.

Paspalum vaginatum, Swartz, /. c. i. 185 ; Humboldt et Kunth, Nov.

Gen. et Spec. i. 91; Elliot, Sketch of the Botany of South Ca-

rolina and Georgia; Trinius, Species Gram. Icon. et Descr. v.

t. 1 (from Martinique), t. 2 from the West Indies.

Water-grass ; Crab-grass.

The geographical distribution of this grass is very extensive.

- Humboldt found it in New Granada, Siebers in Mauritius, Sellow

in Monte Video, Rothery in Cayenne*. Robert Brown describes

a variety from New Holland, Swartz from Jamaica, Nuttall from

New Orleans ; according to Elliot, Dr. Baldwin found it in humid

soils near Savannah ; in Trinius’s herbarium is a specimen from

North America, and two are pictured in his work, one from Mar-

tinique, and the second from some other island in the West In-

dies. Kunth gives Tranquebar and Equinoctial Africa as additional

localities. I found it growing at the plantation Mon Repos on

dams near trenches ; likewise in Georgetown on Eve Leary Parade

ground; and Mr. A. Garnett sent me some specimens from Cu-

ming’s Lodge which differ from the others and form a variety.

It propagates most rapidly by sending roots into the ground

from its numerous joints. It soon destroys cultivated plants by

spreading its shoots with an almost inconceivable rapidity in every

direction like a thickly-laced mat. It is an excellent fodder for

sheep, and cattle are generally fond of it. Nuttall observes that

it has been recommended to agriculturists in North America,

and he thinks that in warm maritime situations it would con-

tinue growing and flowering and prove productive, but in Europe

the early frosts would destroy it. Professor Nees von Esenbeck

describes the two following varieties from Demerara as follows :—

Paspalus vaginatus, var. a. spiculis glabris, Fligge, Pasp. p. 108.

From Mon Repos, Eve Leary, &c.

Paspalus vaginatus, var. in culmo valde repente firmo, ramis dense

stipato. From Cuming’s Lodge.

* Vidi in Mus. Brit.—R. H. 5.

from the East Coast of Demerara. 399

Paspalus pusillus, Fliigge, /. c. p. 100; Presl in Reliquize Henkeane,

i. 210.

Paspalum pusillum, Venten.; Kunth, Gram. 2.t.108; Enumerat. Plant.

1.51.

P. pusillus, var. foliis subtus plus minus pubescentibus, ad var. (6. ser-

pens (P. serpens, N. ab E. in Mart. Fl. Bras. ii. 50) transiens, N.

ab E. in lit.

Kunth, in his Enumerat. Plant. i. 50, gives St. Thomas and

Porto Rico in the West Indies, and Mexico as habitats. The above

variety was gathered on the savannahs near Georgetown. It is

a small elegant grass, and is esteemed by agriculturists as a good

fodder-grass.

Paspalus virgatus, N. ab E. in l.c. ii. 73; Meyer in J. c. p. 49.

Paspalum virgatum, Linn. ; Kunth, /. c. i. 61; Trinius, Ic. t.131, 132;

Jacquin, Icones Plantarum Rariorum, 2. t. 11; Sloane, History of

Jamaica, p. 112. t. 69. f. 2.

P. virgatus, var. 3. Schreberianus, spicis circiter triginta, rachi mar-

gine subpilosa glumis undique glabris, Fliigge, J. c.

Lamaha-grass.

This excellent grass, which Mr. Garnett informs me is esteemed

for fodder equal to guinea-grass, grows on the banks of rivulets,

and reaches frequently a height of from three to four feet and

sometimes even six feet, the culms having the thickness of a hen’s

quill. The distribution of the true species, although not so

widely spread as P. vaginatus, is nevertheless very extensive.

Linneus gives its habitat as Jamaica, and Sloane pictures a tole-

rable representation from the same island ; Humboldt describes

it from Virginia de la Popa.

The specimens from Demerara are Fliigge’s variety 8B. Schre-

berianus, which Ledru found in Porto Rico, Sellow in Monte Video

and on the banks of the Rio Grande do Sul, and Von Martius on

the banks of rivers in the neighbourhood of Villa Ricca and Te-

juco in the province of Minaes Geraes. I collected it on the road

which leads to the Grand Etang in the island of Grenada. Jacquin

gives an excellent figure of the true species ; Trinius’s represen-

tation (t. 131) resembles the Guiana variety.

Helopus punctatus, N. ab E. in /. . ii. 16.

Paspalus punctatus, Flugge, Monogr. 127.

Eriochloa punctata, Kunth, J. c. i. 72 (excl. syn. Helopus annulatus,

N. ab E.).

Milum punctatum, Linn.; Swartz, Observat. 37.

Black-seed grass ; Long-seed grass ; Coarse grass.

A perennial grass growing on dams and along trenches in

400 Sir R. Schomburgk on some Grasses and Sedges

Demerara, and likewise in cultivated fields among the sugar-

canes. Cattle are fond of it, and it is generally considered a good

fodder-grass. Sellow found it in Brazil, and Kunth states that it

occurs likewise in Mexico, New Holland and Senegal.

Panicum (Digitaria) horizontale, Meyer ; N. ab. E, in U..c. ii. 99 ;

Meyer, /. c. 54; Jacquin, Observationes Botanice, iii. 18. t. 70.

Digitaria horizontalis; Willd. Enum. 92.

Fine White-seed grass.

This is a very slender and graceful annual grass which is to

be met with in several of the West India islands as well as on

the continent of South America. Von Martius found it in the

provinces of Bahia and Para, and Raddi in Rio Janeiro, If we

except the latter locality, it does not appear to extend beyond tro-

pical America. The jockeys in Demerara consider this the best

fodder for race-horses.

“Panicum (Digitaria) fimbriatum, Presl in Rel. Henk. i. 298 ; Kunth,

fC; t G2;

Digitaria fimbriata, Link.

. Lony-grass.

A creeping annual grass which is considered good fodder in

Demerara. It has been found in Brazil, Mexico and California.

The Demerara species are from Mon Repos ; it is not very abun-

dant, and seldom to be found in extensive tufts.

Panicum affine, N. ab E. in I. c. ti. 113.

P. fluitans, Meyer, 1. c. 51 (excl. syn., teste N. ab E.).

P. paspaloides, Kunth, 1. c. 1. 77 ; Lam. Ill, Gen. i. 176.

Pipe-grass ; Vine-grass.

The culms of this grass are hollow and of the size of the tube

of a clay tobacco-pipe, from which circumstanee it has received

its vernacular name of Pipe-grass. It is found growing in

trenches where the culms are floating on the water, for which it

is particularly qualified in consequence of its hollow culms. Small

islands formed of this grass are sometimes seen to come floating

down the Demerara river, and arriving at its mouth they are

driven backwards and forwards by the tides, and collect some-

times during the rainy season in large numbers about the an-

chorage before Georgetown. It has frequently occurred that large

snakes of the Boa kind, and even alligators, have come down the

river upon these floating islands. I have observed whole patches

of this grass along the banks of the rivers in the interior, the

stems matted — and interlaced with Ponthederia and other

water plants.

from the East Coast of Demerara. : 401

Panicum colonum, Linn.

Var. y. polysetum, N. ab E. in Herb. Lindl. rhachibus basi et ad

originem spicularum setosis: spicis 9—-15 approximatis, mediis

subinde geminatis.—Differt hec forma a P. frumentaceo, Rottb.,

foliis angustioribus, spiculis minoribus, glumis flosculisque minus

cuspidatis ejusdemque omnino structura ac in P. colono, N. ab E.

in lit.

Rice-grass ; Black-seed grass ; Purple Panic-grass (in Barbados).

The Rice or Black-seed grass is considered. the best for fodder,

and grows most luxuriantly in new soils. The true P. colonum

of Linneus, or Oplismenus colonus of Humb. and Kunth, is more

frequent in the West India islands than in the coast regions of

Guiana. Von Martius found it in the Brazilian provinces of

Bahia and Piauhy, Sellow in Monte Video, and Kunth observes

that it likewise occurs in the East Indies, i in the Marianas, Luco-

nia and Guaham. I have gathered it in Tortola (Sage Mountain),

Porto Rico (Sierra de Luguillo), Barbados and Grenada ; Sloane

pictures it from Jamaica (Hist. Jam. i. t. 64. f. 3), and Jacquin

in his Eclogee Gram. in vol. iv. t. 82.

In consequence of its superiority as a fodder-grass, it ought to

be cultivated for agricultural purposes like the guinea-grass,

which no doubt would greatly improve its quality.

Panicum tenuiculmum, Meyer, /. c. 58; N. ab E. in 1. c. ii. 186;

Kunth, 1c: 95°; Trin. Ic. 18. €. 215.

-P. agrostidiforme, Raddi, /. c. 48.

A. kind of White-seed grass.

An annual plant with creeping roots and slender upright culms.

The specimens which I collected near Georgetown in Demerara

are about twelve inches high ; it differs however much in stature,

according to the soil in which it grows, whether dry or humid.

It is much esteemed as a fodder-grass.

Von Martius found it on the Rio Negro in Bahia, Nees von

Esenbeck saw it in Willdenow’s herbarium from Jamaica, =

Meyer describes it among his Essequibo plants.

Panicum maximum, Jacq.; N.ab E. in l. c. ii. 166; Swartz, Fl. Occid.

i. 70; Jacq. Ic. Rar. i. t. 13.

Panicum jumentorum, Pers. Syn. 1. 83; Kunth, J. c. i. 101.

Panicum polygamum, Swartz, Prodr. Fl. Ind. Occid. p. 24.

Holcus assurgens, &c., Browne, Jam. p. 366. no. 2.

Guinea-grass.

This useful grass was introduced by accident into Jamaica from

Africa. The Chief Justice of that island received about 1744 a

present of some African birds anda parcel of seeds from their

402 Sir R. Schomburgk on some Grasses and Sedges

native place to feed them with. The birds died, and the re-

mainder of the seeds were thrown within a fence where they

grew, and the eagerness of the cattle to eat this grass suggested

the idea of cultivating it.

It is now cultivated in the West India islands and South Ame-

rica generally. I collected in the neighbourhood of Georgetown

a variety described as P. maximum 8. leve by Nees von Esen-

beck in Martius’s Brazilian Plants (7. c. ii. 167).

Panicum (Echinochloa) spectabile, N. ab E. in I. c. ii. 262.

Oplismenus spectabilis, Kunth, 7. c. i. 145.

Panicum majus, &c., Browne, Hist. Jam. p. 138. no. 2.

Scotch-grass ; Water-grass.

This species, which has been introduced from Angola, is most

extensively cultivated in Brazil under the name of Capim de An-

gola. Browne, in his ‘ History of Jamaica,’ observes, that it is

cultivated near the towns in Jamaica with great care (and sold

as green fodder), and found to be one of the most beneficial pro-

ductions of the island. An acre of good land, well-stocked with

this plant in a seasonable part near either Kingston or Spanish

Town, is computed by him to bring in above a hundred and

twenty pounds of their currency a year. It appears to have been

formerly cultivated in Demerara ; however, at present the guinea-

grass is preferred as a green fodder. I collected near Georgetown a

variety which Nees von Esenbeck has designated as P. spectabile,

var. vaginis glabris rarissimisve setulis conspersis, N. ab E. in lit.

Hymenachne amplexicaulis, N. ab E. in 1. ¢. ii. 276.

Panicum amplecxicaule, Rudge, Plant. Guiane rariorum icones et descr.

ip pO es .

PanicumMyurus, Lam, Ill. i. t. 172; Kunth, J. c. i. 86 ; Meyer, 7. c. 50.

Broad-leaf grass.

It grows in trenches and is used as fodder. My specimens

were from Mon Repos; Meyer gives the small island Aruabisi in

the mouth of the Essequibo as a locality, and Rudge possessed it

among his Guiana plants ; but it does not appear to be very ex-

tensively distributed.

Cenchrus echinatus, Linn. Spec. 1488; Kunth, J. c. i. 166; Humb. et

Kunth, Nov. Gen. i. 114; Meyer, /. c. 66.

Bur-grass.

The hardened and bristly involucrum of this plant, so common

in the pastures, attaches itself very firmly to the clothes of per-

sons walking through the grass. The horses appear to be fond

of it, but it is considered injurious to their stomach. The West

Indies in general, Mexico, Cumana, the coast of Guiana, Brazil,

Arabia, the Philippines, Barbary, and the Southern States of

from the East Coast of Demerara. 403

North America, have been named as localities where it has been

found growing.

Cenchrus tribuloides, Linn. Spec. 1489 ; Michaux, Fl. Bor. Am. i. 61 ;

Pursh, Fl. Am. Sept. i. 60.

This plant resembles the former in its general appearance ; it

is however more restricted to the sea-shore and sandy places, and

extends to a more northern latitude than the former. I col-

lected it in Demerara on the east coast, and more recently in

Barbados. Sellow found it in Monte Video, and the American

authorities above-cited prove its occurrence in the United States.

Andropogon (Anatherum) bicornis, Linn.; Meyer, /. c. 70; Swartz,

Obs. 382.

Anatherum bicorne, N. ab E. inl. c. ii. 321; Browne, Jamaica, p. 365;

Sloane, Jamaica, i. 42. t. 13; Pursh, Fl. Am. Sept. i. 75.

Fox-tail ; Deer’s-tail.

The culm of this grass, which grows on savannahs and at the

sides of mountains, reaches a height of from four to five feet, and

is of the thickness of a goose-quill. The tufts of hair upon the

flowers are long, white, soft, and much finer than cotton; they

are sometimes of a reddish or purplish colour. The blades are

too coarse to serve as fodder, but the negroes used the halms

formerly to thatch their houses with. Piso was informed by the

Indians that an infusion of the root was an antidote against

poison. It occurs in Brazil, Guiana, the Caribbee and Virgin

Islands, Jamaica (where, according to Browne, it is called Moun-

tain-grass), and Pursh enumerates it among his North American —

plants from Virginia.

Sporobolus virginicus, Kunth, /. c. i. 210.

Vilfa virginica, Pal. de Beauv. Agrost. 16.

Agrostis virginica, Torrey, Fl. Am. Conf. Bor. et Med. i. 89.

Agrostis pungens, Pursh, l. c. i. 64 (excl. syn. Schreb.).

Crab-grass of Browne.

This elegant little grass, which is very extensively distributed,

resembles in its habit of creeping along the soil Paspalus vagi-

natus, from which circumstance Browne has named it Crab-grass

in his ‘ History of Jamaica.’ It is generally found on the skirts

of brackish water, and those specimens which have come under

my observation were scarcely above five or six inches in height.

Some specimens which I collected near the steamboat wharf

in Georgetown are designated by Nees von Esenbeck as S. vir-

ginicus, var. minor, minus glaucus. Humboldt found it near Cal-

lao, Truxillo and Gnamang, on the shores of the Southern Pacific,

and near Punta Araya and Cumana, on the Atlantic Ocean; Kunth

404 Sir R. Schomburgk ‘on some Grasses and Sedges

observes that it occurs in Martinique, the Sandwich Islands and

the Cape of Good Hope; Labillardiére found it in New Holland,

and Browne gives Hunt’s Bay in Jamaica as a locality. Von Mar-

tius found it in the province of Beh on the sea-shore; Pursh

describes it from Virginia.

Cynodon Dactylum, Pers. Syn. i. 85 ; Browne, Prodr. i. 187 ; Nees ab

E. Gram. Afr. Austr. 241; Pursh, J. ¢. i. 70.

Agrostis linearis, Retz. ; Jones in Asiat. Res. iv. 248.

Panicum lineare, Burm. Ind. 25.t. 10. f.2; Roxb. Fl. Ind. i. 294 (?).

Agrostis bermudiana, Tussac in Herb. Juss.

Durva, Dub or Doob-grass of the Hindoos, Lambert in Linn. Trans. vi.

Bahama or Yard-grass.

This is a very elegant grass in appearance, but one of the most

injurious in cultivated grounds. It sends its roots deep into the

soil and increases with great rapidity. If it make its appearance

among the sugar-cane plants, it requires great care to have it ex-

terminated*. This grass has been found in every part of the

world : Knapp pictures it in his ‘Gramina Britannica’ (tab. 13)

under the name of Creeping Dog’s-tooth grass, and observes that

it was discovered upon the sands of Marazion in Cornwall in the

days of Ray, where it has been found since ; Penzance is another

locality mentioned in Hooker’s ‘ Flora Britannica, and it appears

to be common in Southern Europe. It occurs likewise in the

Caucasus, East Indies, North and South America, Southern Africa,

Cape of Good Hope, Lugonia, Otaheite, New Holland, &c.

It is considered in Demerara a good fodder-grass, and grows

generally on dams, and in the yards attached to the buildings on

sugar-estates. Nuttall calls it a remarkable creeping-grass, grow-

ing very luxuriantly on the sands of the sea-coast as well as on the

poorest loose soil, and were not its extirpation so difficult, it might

be of importance in establishing pastures where scarcely any other

vegetable would exist. It forms sothick a turf as to suffer few other

plants near it, and the variety 8. would look as pretty in lawns

under the tropics as the Festuca ovina in our temperate climates.

I collected two varieties in Demerara; the first is from the

neighbourhood of Georgetown, and the second from Mon Repos ;

Nees von Esenbeck designates them as follows :-—

a. C. Dactylum, var. foliis angustioribus viridibus levioribus, flosculi

accessorii setiformis capitulo compresso truncatoque.

f. C. Dactylum, var. pumila, foliis angustioribus viridibus, capitulo

setulee accessorize truncato compresso.

* It is called Devil’s-grass in Barbados, and is said to have received its

name from the difficulty of eradicating it; according to others, it was intro-

duced by a person of the name of De Durville, which the negroes cor rupted

into the one by which it is now known in that island.

from the East Coast of Demerara. 405

Leptochloa virgata, Pal. de Beauv. Agrost. 7] ; Kunth, En. Pl. i. 269.

Cynosurus virgatus, Linn.

Eleusina virgata, Pers. Syn. i. 87.

Leptostachys virgata, Meyer, l. c. 74; Sloane, Hist. Jam. t. 70. f. 2;

N. ab. in /. ¢. ii. 432.

Var. a. Purple-head grass; Black-seed grass; Seed-grass.

Var. 8B. White-head; White-seed grass.

The numerous names under which this grass is known in

Demerara point out how frequently it differs in its general

appearance, which has led the common people to consider it a

different plant and to give it a separatename. The caryopsis or

seed is generally of a pale reddish colour, and in some instances,

as in the variety called Purple-head, the glumes are of a darker

colour. Itis a perennial grass, and reaches in favourable soil to

a height of from three to four feet. It blossoms after the vernal

and autumnal rains, and its pretty fasciculated spikes are fre-

quently from five to six inches in length. It is esteemed a very

good fodder for all kinds of cattle, and if some attention were

paid to its cultivation, it might offer great advantages as a stable

fodder.

The Demerara varieties are described by Nees von Esenbeck

as follows :—

Leptochloa virgata (Nees ab Esenbeck in Mart. Fl. Bras. ii. 432).

a. communis, spiculis 5-6 floris distichis. From the neighbourhood

of Georgetown, Cuming’s Lodge, &c.

B. spiculis 3-4 floris subhomomallis. From Mon Repos.

Eleusina indica, Gaertner ; N. ab E. in /. c. 1.489 ; Kunth, /. c. i. 272 ;

Lam. Ill. Gen. t. 48. f. 3; Meyer, /. c. 75; Trin. Icon. 6. t. 71;

Michaux, FI. Bor. Am. i. 64 ; Elliot, Sketch of the Botany of South

~ Carolina and Georgia, i. 175.

Eleusina domingensis, Sieber, Fl. Martin.

Cynosurus indicus, Linn.

Kanara Pullu, Rheede, Malab. xii. 131, t. 69.

Browne, Hist. Jam. 137. No. 4; Sloane, Hist. Jam. i. 111.

Man-grass*.

Excepting Europe, we have in this species another instance of

almost a universal distribution ; it has been found growing at

least over three-quarters of the globe. It is an annual, and

grows in moist shady soils to a height of from two to three feet.

Although it is none of the best fodder-grasses, cows eat it very

readily, and it makes very good hay. For this purpose it is

almost better calculated than any other tropical grass. Elliot

calls it Crowfoot-grass, and observes that it is found in rich cul-

tivated grounds very abundantly, and is considered in Carolina

* In Jamaica and Barbados it is called Dutch-grass.

406 Sir R. Schomburgk on some Grasses and Sedges

one of the best grasses, growing more luxuriantly than the

American crab-grass. Pursh is of a different opinion, and ob-

serving that it is known in Virginia under the name of Wire-

grass, he considers it a weed noxious to cultivation. Dogs are

frequently seen to eat it when sick*, from which circumstance it

is sometimes called Dog’s-grass. Humboldt found it in Cumana

and in Quito; Raddi near Rio de Janeiro; in Sir George Staun-

ton’s herbarium are specimens from Maranham, Bahia, Para ;

Sellow collected it at Monte Video, and Kunth gives the following

additional localities: Hast Indies, Japan, Egypt, Mauritius, Lu-

conia, Society Islands, Southern States of North America, West

Indies, Guiana, &c.

Spartina fasciculata, Pal. de Beauv. Agrost. 25. t. 7. f. 6; Kunth,

l. c. i. 279; Lam. Ill. Gen. i. 180; N. ab E. in Herb. Lindl.

I collected this plant near brackish water in the neighbour-

hood of Georgetown ; my specimens are from two to two and a

half feet in length. It is by no means abundant, and I am not

aware whether in agricultural respect it is of any use in Guiana

and the West Indies. Elliot observes (/. c. p. 94), that a species

of Spartina is greedily eaten by horses and cattle, and that it is

remarkable for a strong rancid and peculiar smell, affecting the

breath, the milk and butter, and even the flesh of the cattle that

feed upon it. It affords however good pasturage for out-door

stock, and becomes valuable as manure. Kunth gives South

America as locality.

Dactyloctenium mucronatum, Willd. En. i. No. 1029 ; N. ab E. J. c. ii.

436.

D. egyptiacum, Humb. et Kunth, Nov. Gen. i. 170; Kunth, En.

Pl. i. 261.

Eleusina cruciata, Lam. Ill. Gen. t. 48. f. 2.

Chloris mucronata, Mich. Fl. Bor. Am. i. 59; Pursh, J. c. i. 88.

Cynosurus egyptiacus, Linn. Sp, Pl. 106.

Sloane, Catal. 33 ; Hist. Jam. i. 110.—Gramen dactylon america-

num cruciatum Barbadensibus nostratibus “‘ Dutch-grass”’ dictum,

Pluck. Alm. 175. t. 189. f.7.—Gramen cruciatum Zeylanicum

humi repens, Burm. Thes. Zeyl. 106.—Goddam ; Rumph. Amb.

vi. 10. t. 4. f. 1. The short-shanked cruciated Grass, Browne,

Hist. Jam.

The Cruciated grass.

The spikes of this pretty grass are fingered, from two to five in

number, mucronate, and where there are four, cruciated, from

which it has received its vernacular name. The leaves are ciliated,

the stem ascending, and in my specimens from five to six inches

* Poa ciliaris (Eragrostis ciliaris, N. ab E.) is called Dog’s-grass in Bar-

bados, and the canine race seem to give the preference to this species where

they have a choice.

from the East Coast of Demerara. 407

high, and the spikelets, which are one-sided, about six-tenths of an

inch in length. They are not entirely erect ; although this is the

case where there are merely two, and in the middle spikelet where

there are three, the lateral ones are nearly horizontally disposed.

It has spread over a great part of the habitable globe. Von Mar-

tius found it at Bahia, Pernambuco and Piauhy ; Humboldt near

Cumana and in Mexico, near the port of Acapulco, and at the

lake of Cuizeo at a height of upwards of 5000 feet. It is de-

scribed from almost all warm countries, as e.g. from Northern

Africa, the East and West Indies, the Moluccas, and it has like-

wise been found in North America* and even in Sicily in Europe.

CyPpERACEA. SEDGES.

Cyperus Luzule, N. ab E. in Mart. et Endl. Fl. Bras. Fasc. ili.—v. 20 ;

Kunth, En. Pl. ii. 43; Meyer, J. c. 30 (var. 0. glomeratus) ; Humb.

et Kunth, Nov. Gen. i. 209.

I collected this specimen in the neighbourhood of Georgetown,

where it grows near trenches. It does not appear that its geogra-

phical distribution extends beyond the tropical regions of Ame-

rica; Humboldt collected it on the banks of the Cassiquiare.

Cyperus nemorosus, Meyer, J. c. 31; Kunth, /. c. 60.

This sedge, which stands intermediate between C. rotundus and

C. tenuiflorus, is very common along the trenches and dams in

Georgetown. Guiana appears to be the only locality where it has

hitherto been found. Meyer describes it from Aruabisi (Tiger

Island), a small island in the mouth of the Essequibo.

Cyperus ferazx, Rich. ; Kunth, En. Pl. ii. 89.

Cyperus distans, Meyer, nec Rottb.

Cyperus stellatus, Rudge, Guian. 17, t. 20.

Savannah or Razor-grass.

The edges of the leaves of this species are so sharp, that coming

in contact with the hand or any other fleshy part of the body

they inflict a wound as if by the edge of a knife, which has

besides the disadvantage of healing with more difficulty than if

caused by a sharp-edged instrument. Thevet, in his curious

work, ‘Les Singularités de la France Antarctique, Paris, 1558,’

describes this sharp-edged sedge, and observes that the Indian

females use it to shave off the hair on the eye-brows of their

husbands, and that the blades are as sharp as a razor. It

grows generally on savannahs, from which and the sharpness of

its edges it has received the vernacular names. Péppig collected

it at Pern: New Granada and Montserrat are given as other lo-

* Trinius figures a species from North America in the first vol. of his

‘Spec. Gramin. Icon. et Deser.’

408 On some Grasses and Sedges from the East Coast of Demerara.

calities. It grows in Demerara on savannahs near trenches, and

is considered a great nuisance upon the pasturage.

Cyperus rotundus, Linn. ; Kunth, /. ¢. ii. 58.

C. Hydra, Meyer, /. ¢. 31.

C. hexastachyus, Rottb. var. umbella laxa, radiis longis tri-tetra-

stachyis.

Nut-grass.

' This is of all Cyperaceous plants the most universally distri-

buted, and the one which is most injurious to cultivation. It

requires unwearied care to eradicate it where it has once shown

itself. The round tubercles of its roots increase rapidly in num-

ber, each of which forms hereafter an individual plant if left in

the ground. Numerous fibres shoot from the base of the stem,

which descend where it finds a fertile soil from ten to twelve

inches into the ground, almost every one of which produces a

small tuber, from which spring horizontal fibres in every direc-

tion, forming additional tubers at a distance of six to ten inches

asunder. From each of the tubers rises a stem upwards which

becomes ultimately an individual plant, and which in its turn

throws out lateral fibres like the parent plant. In that manner

a single plant soon increases and spreads over the ground in a

short time. Ifa spot of a couple of square feet is dug up where

the nut-grass has been propagated, the interlacing of the roots

affords a most remarkable appearance, and the great number of

fibres resemble an elaborated network. The only means of eradi-

cating it with success where it has spread over cultivated ground,

is to dig up the soil repeatedly and to destroy the tubers by

burning them. Those which remain in the ground no doubt

will sprout, but by being exposed to the light the young shoots

bleach and perish, and the power of the tubers to reproduce new

shoots becomes ultimately exhausted. Almost every colony has its

own account how this great scourge to cultivation was introduced.

It is related in Barbados that the nut-grass was first brought

there in a pot of flowers sent to a Mr. Lillington in St. Thomas’s

parish, and the earth beg turned out of it the tuber took root,

and spreading over the adjacent fields it ultimately propagated

over the whole island. Such cases explain the otherwise almost

incredible distribution of a single species over the whole ha-

bitable world. As localities where the nut-grass has been found

growing, I will name England, France, Italy, Virginia, Carolina,

the West Indies, Mexico and South America, Ceylon, Bourbon,

Mauritius, East Indies, the Philippine Islands, the Marianas, New

Holland, China, Java, Guinea, Teneriffe, Egypt, Algiers, Arabia,

Caucasus ; indeed this list proves satisfactorily that it has spread

over the whole world; but it deserves particularly to be men-

Mr. A. White on Petasida ephippigera. 409

tioned, that it follows in tropical and warm regions the cultivation

of the sugar-cane closely. The cattle eat it only when young.

General Hardwicke, as mentioned by Lindley in his ‘ Vegetable

Kingdom,’ reports that the tubers of this sedge are administered

successfully in cases of cholera by Hindoo practitioners, who call

the plant Mootha. It is a very pretty sedge, and would form a

nice appearance on lawns did it not spread so rapidly and prove

so injurious to the soil, which it exhausts in a very short time.

Hypoporum nutans, (3. hirsutum, N. ab E. in Mart. et Endl. Fl. Bras.

Fasc. iv. v. p. 170.

The roots of nearly all the sedges possess more or less tonic

and aromatic principles, but none more than the above species,

in which that property is not alone restricted to the roots, but is

likewise possessed by the stems and leaves. The Macusi Indians

call it Cumi or Wanarappa, and it is used in child-bed, likewise

for pains in the stomach, in fevers, and in aromatic baths by the

{ndians. I have collected it on the savannahs near the Tapocoma

lake in the regions of the sea-coast, and observed it abundantly

on the great savannahs of the rivers Rupununi and Branco.

XLII.—Note on Petasida ephippigera, a Grasshopper found in

the interior of the Northern part of Australia by Mr. Dring and

Dr. Leichhardt. By Apam Wuirzs, F.L.S., Assist. Zool. Dep.

British Museum.

THE amount of nondescript subjects in the animal kingdom,

noted in recently published books of travel and voyage in this

country, is very considerable; and if we include the animals

figured and described in the zoological works, the result of the

voyages of H.M.SS. Beagle, Sulphur, the Erebus and Terror,

and Samarang, the number would be very great. A systematic

list of these accessions, carefully drawn up and digested, would

form a most important addition to zoological bibliography, and

would be hailed by naturalists abroad and at home as a most

timely and useful assistant. Were foreign naturalists to do the

same with the voyages and travels which appear in their respective

countries great service would be rendered ; for notwithstanding

the able reviews of Miiller, Erichson, Lovén, Schaum, and M.

Guerin-Méneville, such lists systematically arranged would prove

singularly useful, and would often prevent collision and a worse

than useless synonymia, many of these books not being obtained

by these reviewers. Out of five books on Australia published by

Mr. Boone, and one on New Zealand by Mr. Murray, the descrip-

tions of new species and genera are numerous, and must be re-

ferred to by the zoologist ; besides, in many cases there are very

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx.

410 Mr. A. White on Petasida ephippigera.

accurate figures. In the lately published Narrative of Dr. Leich-

hardt’s Journey,—so interesting in a geographical point of view,

as to have earned for its enterprising author the medals of the

Geographical Societies of London and Paris,—there are various

curious natural-history notices; amongst these we may mention

the occurrence of “‘a Grasshopper” found by Dr. Leichhardt and

his party on the 17th November near the South Alligator: he says,

“ Whilst on this expedition we observed a great number of grass-

hoppers, of a bright brick colour dotted with blue: the posterior

part of the corselet and the wings were blue ; it was two inches

long, and its antenne three-quarters of an inch.” (P. 481 of a

Journal of an Overland Expedition from Moreton Bay to Port

Essington, a distance of upwards of 3000 miles: 1844-45 : by

Dr. Ludwig Leichhardt.)

By the great kindness of Mr. Boone of Bond Street, I am

enabled to add a wood engraving of this interesting grasshopper,

that gentleman having given me the loan of the wood block

which accompanies Dr. Leichhardt’s notice.

The grasshopper was described in 1845 in Eyre’s ‘ Journals of

Expeditions of Discovery into Central Australia,’ and a very ex-

cellent lithographic figure by Mr. William Wing accompanied it.

I subjoin the description :—

Perasipa, White, /. ¢. 1. 432.

Petasida ephippigera, White, 1. c. t. 4. f.1.

“ Grasshopper,” Leichhardt’s Narrative, p. 481: with woodcut.

Petasida ephippigera.

Thorax much dilated behind, depressed and rounded at the end ;

.the side deeply sinuated behind ; head pointed ; antenne long, of a

yellowish orange colour with a few greenish rings; cheek below

the eye with a greenish line; head above with a longitudinal

greenish line. Thorax with a slight keel down the middle,

wrinkled behind, of a dusky bluish green, a large patch of an

orange colour on each side in front, and a small spot of the same

colour on each edge of the produced part at the base. Elytra

orange with numerous black spots, and black at the tip; lower

On the Indian Archipelago. 411

wings pale orange at’ the base, clouded with black at the tip;

abdomen orange, slightly ringed with green ; legs orange, with

three greenish spots on the outside of the femora of the hind legs.

Length 1 inch 9 lines.

A specimen found by Dr. Leichhardt was presented to the

British Museum by Sir Charles Lemon, Bart.; the other was

found on the expedition of the Beagle, and is also in the British

Museum.

XLITI.—On the Indian Archipelago.*

Tue first and most general consideration, in a physical review of

the Archipelago, is its relation to the continent of Asia. In the

platform, on which the largest and most important lands are distri-

buted, we see a great root which the stupendous mass of Asia has

sent forth from its south-eastern side, and which, spreading far to

the south beneath the waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and

there expanding and shooting up by its plutonic and volcanic energy,

has covered them, and marked its tract with innumerable islands.

That there is a real and not merely a fanciful connexion between

the Archipelago and Asia is demonstrable, although, when we en-

deavour to trace its history, we are soon lost in the region of specu-

lation. So obvious is this connexion that it has been a constant

source of excitement to the imagination, which, in the traditions of

the natives and in the hypotheses of Europeans, has sought its origin

in an earlier geographical unity. Certainly, if, in the progress of the

elevatory and depressing movements which the region is probably

undergoing even now, the land were raised but a little, we should

see shallow seas dried up, the mountain ranges of Sumatra, Borneo,

and Java become continental like those of the Peninsula, and great

rivers flowing not only in the Straits of Malacca, whose current early

navigators mistook for that of an inland stream, but through the

wide valley of the China Sea, and by the deep and narrow Strait of

Sunda into the Indian Ocean. Thus the unity would become geo-

graphical, which is now only geological. That the great platform

from which only mountains and hills rose above the sea level, till

the materials drawn from them by the rains were rolled out into

the present alluvial plains, is really an extension of the Asiatic mass,

appears evident from the facts, amongst many others which require

a separate geological paper for their discussion, and would be less

readily appreciated by the general reader,—that its direction, as a

whole, is that which a continuation of south-eastern Asia, under the

same plutonic action which produced it, would possess ;—the moun-

tain ranges which form the latter sink into it irregularly in the lines

of their longitudinal axes ;—in one zone, that of the Peninsula, the

connexion is an actual geographical one ;—the Peninsulais obviously

continued in the dense clusters of islands and rocks, stretching on the

* From the Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia, for

July 1847.

29*

412 On the Indian Archipelago.

parallel of its elevation and of the strike of its sedimentary rocks,

from Singapore to Banka, and almost touches Sumatra, the moun-

tain ranges of which are, notwithstanding, parallel to it ;—Borneo

and Celebes appear to represent the broader or eastern branch of the

Indo-Chinese Peninsula, from which they are separated by the area

of the China Sea, supposed to be sinking ;—and, finally, nearly the

whole Archipelago is surrounded by a great volcanic curve rooted in

Asia itself, and the continuity of which demonstrates that the plat-

form and the continental projection with which it is geographically

connected are really united, at this day, into one geological region

by a still vigorous power of plutonic expansiveness, no longer, to

appearance, forming hypogene elevations, but expending itself chiefly

in the numerous volcanic vents along the borders where it sinks into

the depths of the ocean.

Whether the present platform ever rose above the level of the sea

and surrounded the now insular eminences with vast undulating

plains of vegetation, instead of a level expanse of water, we shall not

here seek to decide, although we think that Raffles and others who

have followed in his steps too hastily connected the supposed subsi-

dence with the existing geological configuration of the region, and

neglected the all-important evidence of the comparative distribution

of the living flora and fauna, which seems to prove that the ancient

southern content, if such there was, had subsided before they came

into existence. No conclusive reasons have yet been adduced why

we should consider the islands of the Archipelago as the summits of

a partially submerged, instead of a partially emerged, continent.

But whether it was the sinking of the continent that deluged all the

southern lowlands of Asia, leaving only the mountain summits visible,

or its elevation that was arrested by the exhaustion of the plutonic

energy, or the conversion of its upheaving into an ejecting action, on

the opening of fractures along the outskirts of the region, before the

feebler action there had brought the sea bed into contact with the

atmosphere, the result has been to form an expanse of shallow seas

and islands elsewhere unequalled in the world, but perhaps not

greater in proportion to the wide continental shores, and the vast

bulk of dry land in front of which it is spread out, than other archi-

pelagos are to the particular countries, or continental sections, with

which they are connected.

‘The forms and positions of these islands bear an older date than

that of any limited subsidence or elevation of the region after its

formation. ‘They were determined by the same forces which origi-

nally caused the platform itself to swell up above the deep floor of

the southern ocean : and it was one prolonged act of the subterranean

power to raise the Himalayas into the aérial level of perpetual snow,

to spread out the submarine bed on which the rivers were afterwards

to pile the hot plains of Bengal, and to mould the surface of the

southern region, so that when it rose above, or sunk into the sea

to certain levels, the mutual influences of air and sea and land should

be so balanced, that while the last drew from the first a perennial

ripeness and beauty of summer, it owed to the second a perenniak

On the Indian Archipelago. 413

freshness and fecundity of spring. Hence it is, that in the Archi-

pelago, while the bank of black mud daily overflowed by the tides is

hidden beneath a dense forest, and the polypifer has scarcely reared

its tower to the sea’s surface before it is converted into a green islet,

the granitic rocks of the highest plutonic summits, and the smoke

of the volcanic peaks, rise from amidst equally luxuriant, and more

varied, vegetation. Certainly, the most powerfully impressive of all

the characteristics of the Archipelago is its botanical exuberance,

which has exercised the greatest influence on the history and habits

of its human inhabitants, and which, as the most obvious, frst excites

the admiration of the voyager, and from its never growing stale, be-

cause ever renewing itself in fresh and changeful beauty, retains its

hold upon our feelings to the last.

When we enter the seas of the Archipelago we are in a new

world. Land and ocean are strangely intermingled. Great islands

are disjoined by narrow straits, which, in the case of those of Sunda,

lead at once into the smooth waters and green level shores of the

interior from the rugged and turbulent outer coast, which would

otherwise have opposed to us an unbroken wall more than two

thousand miles in length. We pass from one mediterranean sea

to another, now through groups of islets so small that we encounter

many in an hour, and presently along the coasts of those so large

that we might be months in circumnavigating them. Even in cross-

ing the widest of the Eastern seas, when the last green speck has

sunk beneath the horizon, the mariner knows that a circle drawn

with a radius of two days’ sail would touch more land than water,

and even that, if the eye were raised to a sufficient height, while the

islands he had left would reappear on the one side, new shores would

be seen on almost every other. But it is the wonderful freshness

and greenness in which, go where he will, each new island is enve-

loped, that impresses itself on his senses as the great distinctive

character of the region. The equinoctial warmth of the air, tem-

pered and moistened by a constant evaporation, and purified by peri-~

odical winds, seems to be imbued with penetrating life-giving virtue,

under the influence of which even the most barren rock becomes fer-

tile. Hence those groups of small islands which sometimes environ

the larger ones like clusters of satellites, or mark where their ranges

pursue their course beneath the sea, often appear, in particular states

of the atmosphere, when a zone of white quivering light surrounds

them and obliterates their coasts, to be dark umbrageous gardens

floating on a wide lake, whose gleaming surface would be too dazzling

were it not traversed by the shadows of the clouds, and covered by

the breeze with an incessant play of light and shade. Far different

from the placid beauty of such scenes is the effect of the mountain

domes and peaks which elsewhere rise against the sky. In these

the voyager sees the grandeur of European mountains repeated, but

with all that is austere or savage transformed into softness and beauty.

The snow and glaciers are replaced by a mighty forest, which fills

every ravine with dark shade, and arrays every peak and ridge in

glancing light. Even the peculiar beauties which the summits of

414 On the Indian Archipelago.

the Alps borrow from the atmosphere are sometimes displayed. The

Swiss, gazing on the lofty and majestic form of a volcanic mountain,

is astonished to behold, at the rising of the sun, the peaks inflamed

with the same rose-red glow which the snowy summits of Mont

Rosa and Mont Blanc reflect at its setting, and the smoke wreaths,

as they ascend from the crater into mid-air, shining in golden hues

like the clouds of heaven*.

But serene in their beauty and magnificence as these mountains

generally appear, they hide in their bosoms elements of the highest

terrestrial sublimity and awe, compared with whose appalling energy,

not only the bursten lakes and the rushing avalanches of the Alps,

‘but the most devastating explosions of Vesuvius or Etna, cease to

terrify the imagination. _When we look upon the ordinary aspects

of these mountains, it is almost impossible to believe the geological

story of their origin, and if our senses yield to science, they tacitly

revenge themselves by placing in the remotest past the era of such

convulsions as it relates. But the nether powers though imprisoned

are not subdued. The same telluric energy which piled the moun-

tain from the ocean to the clouds, even while we gaze in silent wor-

ship on its glorious form, is silently gathering in its dark womb,

and time speeds on to the day, whose coming science can neither

foretell nor prevent, when the mountain is rent ; the solid foundations

of the whole region are shaken; the earth is opened to vomit forth

destroying fires upon the living beings who dwell upon its surface, or

closed to engulf them; the forests are deluged by lava, or withered

by sulphureous vapours ; the sun sets at noonday behind the black

smoke which thickens over the sky, and spreads far and wide, rain-

ing ashes throughout a circuit hundreds of miles in diameter; till it

seems to the superstitious native that the fiery abodes of the volcanic

dewas are disemboweling themselves, possessing ‘the earth, and

blotting out the heavens. The living remnants of the generation

whose doom it was to inhabit Sumbawa in 1815 could tell us that

this picture is but a faint transcript of the reality, and that our ima-

gination can never conceive the dreadful spectacle which still appals

their memories. Fortunately these awful explosions of the earth,

which to man convert nature into the supernatural, occur at rare

intervals ; and though scarcely a year elapse without some volcano

bursting into action, the greater portion of the Archipelago being

more than once shaken, and even the ancient granitic floor of the

Peninsula trembling beneath us, this terrestrial instability has ordi-

narily no worse effect than to dispel the illusion that we tread upona

solid globe, to convert the physical romance of geological history

into the familiar associations of our own lives, and to unite the events

of the passing hour with those which first fitted the world for the

habitation of man.

We have spoken of the impression which the exterior beauty of

the Archipelago makes upon the voyager, and the fearful change

which sometimes comes over it, when the sea around him is hidden

* M. Zollinger in describing Mount Semirt in Java notices this singular

resemblance to the mountains of his native country.

On the Indian Archipelago. 415

beneath floating ashes mingled with the charred wrecks of the noble

forests which had clothed the mountain sides; but, hurried though

we are from one part of our slight sketch to another, we cannot leave

the vegetation of this great region without looking upon it more

closely. To recall the full charms, however, of the forests of the Archi-

pelago,—which is to speak of the Archipelago itself, for the greater

portion of it is at this moment, as the whole of it once was, clothed

to the water’s edge with trees,—we must animate their solitudes with

the tribes which dwell there in freedom, ranging through their bound-

less shade as unconscious of the presence of man, and as unwitting

of his dominion, as they were thousands of years ago, when he did not

dream that the world held such lands and such creatures.

When we pass from the open sea of the Archipelago into the deep

shade of its mountain forests, we have realized all that, in Europe,

our fancies ever pictured of the wildness and beauty of primeval

nature. Trees of gigantic forms and exuberant foliage rise on every

side; each species shooting up its trunk to its utmost measure of

development, and striving, as it seems, to escape from the dense

crowd. Others, as if no room were left for them to grow in the

ordinary way, emulate the shapes and motions of serpents, enwrap

their less pliant neighbours in their folds, twine their branches into

one connected canopy, or hang down, here loose and swaying in the

air, or in festoons from tree to tree, and there stiff and rooted like

the yards which support the mast of a ship. No sooner has decay

diminished the green array of a branch, than its place is supplied

by epiphytes, chiefly fragrant Orchidacee, of singular and beautiful

forms. While the eye in vain seeks to familiarize itself with the

exuberance and diversity of the forest vegetation, the ear drinks in

the sounds of life which break the silence and deepen the solitude.

Of these, while the interrupted notes of birds, loud or low, rapid

or long-drawn, cheerful or plaintive, and ranging over a greater or

less musical compass, are the most pleasing, the most constant are

those of insects, which sometimes rise into a shrill and deafening

clangor; and the most impressive, and those which bring out all

the wildness and loneliness of the scene, are the prolonged com-

plaining cries of the inkas, which rise, loud and more loud, till the

twilight air is filled with the clear, powerful and melancholy sounds.

As we penetrate deeper into the forest, its animals, few at any one

place, are soon seen to be, in reality, numerous and varied. Green

and harmless snakes hang like tender branches. Others of deeper

and mingled colours, but less innocuous, lie coiled up, or, disturbed

by the human intruder, assume an angry and dangerous look, but

glide out of sight. Insects in their shapes and hues imitate leaves,

twigs and flowers. Monkeys, of all sizes and colours, spring from

branch to branch, or, in long trains, rapidly steal up the trunks.

Deer, and amongst them the graceful palandoh, no bigger than a

hare and celebrated in Malayan poetry, on our approach fly startled

from the pools which they and the wild hog most frequent. Lively

squirrels, of different species, are everywhere met with. Amongst a

great variety of other remarkable animals which range the forest, we

416 On the Indian Archipelago.

may, according to our locality, encounter herds of elephants, the

rhinoceros, tigers of several sorts, the tapir, the babirtisa, the orang-

titan, the sloth ; and, of the winged tribes, the gorgeously beautiful

birds of paradise, the loris, the peacock, and the argus pheasant. The

mangrove rivers and creeks are haunted by huge alligators. An

endless variety of fragile and richly coloured shells not only lie empty

on the sandy beaches, but are tenanted by pagurian crabs, which,

in clusters, batten on every morsel of fat seaweed that has been left

by the retiring waves. The coasts are fringed with living rocks of

beautiful colours, and shaped hike stars, flowers, bushes and other

symmetrical forms. Of multitudes of peculiar fishes which inhabit

the seas, the dugong, or Malayan mermaid, most attracts our

wonder.

Before we leave this part of our subject, we would assure any

European reader who may suspect that we have in aught written too

warmly of the physical beauty of the Archipelago, that the same

Nature which, in the West, only reveals her highest and most prodi-

gal terrestrial beauty to the imagination of the poet, has here un-

girdled herself, and given her wild and glowing charms, in all their

fullness, to the eye of day. The ideal has here passed into the real.

The few botanists who have visited this region declare, that from

the multitude of its noble trees, odorous and beautiful flowers, and

wonderful vegetable forms of all sorts, it is inconceivable in its mag-

nificence, luxuriance and variety. The zoologists, in their turn, |

bear testimony to the rare, curious, varied and important animals

which inhabit it, and the number and character of those already

known is such as to justify one of the most distinguished of the day

in expressing his belief, that ‘no region on the face of the earth

would furnish more novel, splendid, or extraordinary forms than the

unexplored islands in the eastern range of the Indian Archipelago.”

Hitherto we have faintly traced the permanent influence of the

physical configuration of the Archipelago in tempering the intertro-

pical heat, regulating the monsoons, determining the distribution of

plants and animals, and giving to the whole region its peculiar cha-

racter of softness and exuberant beauty. But when its rock foun-

dations were laid, the shadow of its future human, as well as natural,

history spread over them. Its primal physical architecture, in di-

minishing the extent of dry land, has increased the variety in the

races who inhabit it; while the mineralogical constitution of the in-

sulated elevations, the manner in which they are dispersed throughout

its seas, and all the meteoric and botanical consequences, have af-

fected them in innumerable modes. Again, as we saw that the plat-

form of the Archipelago is but an extension of the great central mass

of Asia, and that the direction of the subterranean forces had deter-

mined the ranges of the land, so we find that its population is but

an extension of the Asiatic families, and that the direction of migra-

tion was marked out by the same forces. But, separated by the sea

from the great plains and valleys of the continent, having the grand

routes of communication covered by mountains and dense and diffi-

cultly penetrable forests, the Archipelago could not be peopled by

On the Indian Archipelago. 417

hordes, but must have owed its aborigines to the occasional wan-

dering of small parties or single families. ‘The migrations from one

island to another were probably equally limited and accidental; and

the small and scattered communities in such as were inhabited, must

for a long period have remained secluded from all others, save when

a repetition of similar accidents added a few more units to the hu-

man denizens of the forests.

We cannot here attempt to retrace in the most concise manner

the deeply interesting history of the tribes of the Archipelago, so

exciting from the variety of its elements, and its frequent, though

not impenetrable, mystery. We can but distinguish the two great

zeras into which it divides itself:—that, at the commencement of which

some of the inhabitants of the table-land of Asia, having slowly

traversed the south-eastern valleys and ranges, a work perhaps of

centuries, appear on the confines of the Archipelago, no longer no-

mades of the plains but of the jungles, with all the changes in ideas,

habits and language which such transformation implies, and pre-

pared by their habits to give rise, under the influences of their new

position, to the nomades of the sea ;—and the second era, that, at the

commencement of which the forest and pelagic nomades, scattered

over the interior and along the shores of the islands of the Archipe-

lago, in numerous petty tribes, each with some peculiarities in its

habits and language, but all bearing a family resemblance, were dis-

covered in their solitudes by the earliest navigators from the civilized

nations of the continent.

The ensuing, or what, although extending over a period of about

two thousand years, we may term the modern history of the Archi-

pelago, first exhibits the Klings from southern India,—who were a

civilized maritime people probably three thousand years ago,—fre-

quenting the islands for their peculiar productions, awakening a taste

for their manufactures in the inhabitants, settling amongst them,

introducing their arts and religion, partially communicating these

and a little of their manners and habits to their disciples, but neither

by much intermarriage altering their general physical character, nor

by moral influence obliterating their ancient superstitions, their com-

parative simplicity and robustness of character, and their freedom

from the effeminate vanity which probably then, as in later times,

distinguished their teachers. At a comparatively recent period,

Islamism supplanted Hinduism in most of the communities which had

grown up under the influence of the latter, but it had stil] less modi-

fying operation ; and amongst the great bulk of the people, the con-

version from a semi-Hindu condition to that of Mahomedanism was

merely formal. Their intellects, essentially simple and impatient of

discipline and abstract contemplation, could as little appreciate the

scholastic refinements of the one religion, as the complex and elabo-

rate mythological machinery and psychological subtleties of the other.

While the Malay of the nineteenth century exhibits in his manner,

and in many of his formal usages and habits, the influence which In-

dians and Arabs have exerted on his race, he remains, pliysically and

morally, in all the broader and deeper traits of nature, what he was

418 ‘On the Indian Archipelago.

when he first entered the Archipelago; and even on his manners,

usages and habits, influenced as they have been, his distinctive ori-

ginal character is still very obviously impressed.

We cannot do more than allude to the growth of population and

civilization in those localities which, from their extent of fertile soil

or favourable commercial position, rose into eminence, and became

the seats of powerful nations. But it must be borne in mind, that,

although these localities were varied and wide-spread, they occupied

but a small portion of the entire surface of the Archipelago, and that

the remainder continued to be thinly inhabited by uncivilized tribes,

communities, or wandering families.

Prevented, until a very recent date, by stubborn prejudices and

an overweening sense of superiority from understanding and influ-

encing the people of the Archipelago, the European dominations

‘have not directly affected them at all;.and the indirect operation of

‘the new power, and mercantile and political policies which they

‘Introduced, has been productive of much evil and very little good.

While, on the one hand, the native industry and trade have been

stimulated by increased demand and by the freedom enjoyed in the

English ports, they have, on the other hand, been subjected by the

Portuguese, English and Dutch to aseries of despotic restraints, ex-

tending over a period of three hundred years ; and, within the range

of the last nation’s influence, continued, however modified, to this

hour : which far more than counterbalance all the advantages that

can be placed in the opposite scale.

The effect of the successive immigrations, revolutions and admix-

tures which we have indicated or alluded to, has been, that there are

now in the Archipelago an extraordinary number of races, differing

in colour, habits, civilization and language, and living under forms of

government and laws, or customs, exhibiting the greatest variety.

The same cause which isolated the aborigines into numerous distinct

tribes and kept them separate,—the exuberant vegetation of the

islands,—has resisted the influence, so far as it was originally amal-

gamating, of every successive foreign civilization that has dominated;

and the aboriginal nomades of the jungle and the sea, in their un-

changed habits and mode of life, reveal to their European contem-

porary the condition of their race at a time when his own fore-

fathers were as rude and far more savage. ‘The more civilized races,

after attaining a certain measure of advancement, have been sepa-

rated by their acquired habits from the unaltered races, and have too

often turned their superiority into the means of oppressing, and

thereby more completely imprisoning in the barbarism of the jungles,

such of them as lived in their proximity. So great is the diversity

of tribes, that if a dry catalogue of names suited the purpose of this

sketch, we could not afford space toenumerate them. But, viewing

human life in the Archipelago as a general contemplation, we may

recall a few of the broader peculiarities which would be most likely

to dwell on the memory after leaving the region.

In the hearts of the forests we meet man scantily covered with the

bark of a tree, and living on wild fruits, which he seeks with the

On the Indian Archipelago. 419

‘agility of the monkey, and wild animals, which he tracks with the

keen eye and scent of a beast of prey, and slays with a poisoned

‘arrow projected from a hollow bambi by his breath. In lonely

creeks and straits we see him in a small boat, which is his cradle,

his house, and his bed of death; which gives him all the shelter he

ever needs, and enables him to seize the food which always surrounds

him. On plains, and on the banks of rivers, we see the civilized

planter converting the moist flats into rice-fields, overshadowing his

neat cottage of bambi, nibong and palm leaves with the graceful

and bounteous cocoa-nut, and surrounding it with fruits, the variety

and flavour of which European luxury might envy, and often with

fragrant flowering trees and shrubs which the greenhouses of the

West do not possess. Where the land is not adapted for wet rice,

he pursues a system of husbandry which the farmer of Europe would

view with astonishment. Too indolent to collect fertilizing appli-

ances, and well-aware that the soil will not yield two successive crops

of rice, he takes but one, after having felled and burnt the forest ; and

he then leaves nature, during a ten years’ fallow, to accumulate manure

for his second crop in the vegetable matter elaborated by the new

forest that springs up. Relieved from the care of his crop, he searches

the forests for ratans, canes, timber, fragrant woods, oils, wax, gums,

caoutchouc, gutta-percha, dyes, camphor, wild nutmegs, the tusks

of the elephant, the horn and hide of the rhinoceros, the skin of the

tiger, parrots, birds of paradise, argus pheasants, and materials for

mats, roofs, baskets and receptacles of various kinds. If he lives

near the coast, he collects fish, fish maws, fish roes, slugs (trepang),

seaweed (agaragar), tortoiseshell, rare corals and mother-of-pearl.

To the eastward, great fishing voyages are annually made to the

shores of Australia for trepang. In many parts, pepper, coffee, or

betel-nut, to a large, and tobacco, ginger, and other articles, to a con-

siderable extent, are cultivated. Where the Hirundo esculenta is

found, the rocks are climbed and the caves explored for its costly edi-

ble nest. In different parts of the Archipelago the soil is dug for

tin, antimony, iron, gold, or diamonds. The more civilized nations

make cloths and weapons, not only for their own use but for expor-

tation. The traders, including the Rajahs, purchase the commo-

dities which we have mentioned, dispose of them to the European,

Chinese, Arab, or Kling navigator who visits their shores, or send

them in their own vessels to the markets of Singapore, Batavia, Sa-

marang, Manilla, and Macassar. In these are gathered all the pro-

ducts of the Archipelago, whether such as the native inhabitants

procure by their unassisted industry, or such as demand the skill

and capital of the European or Chinese for their cultivation or manu-

facture; and amongst the latter, nutmegs, cloves, sugar, indigo,

sago, gambier, tea, and the partially cultivated cinnamon and cot-

ton. ‘To these busy marts, the vessels of the first maritime people

of the Archipelago, the Bugis, and those of many Malayan commu-

nities, bring the produce of their own countries, and that which they

have collected from neighbouring lands, or from the wild tribes, to

furnish cargoes for the ships of Europe, America, Arabia, India, Siam,

China, and Australia. To the bazaar of the Eastern Seas, commerce

420 On the Indian Archipelago.

brings representatives of every industrious nation of the Archipe-

lago, and of every maritime people in the civilized world.

Although, therefore, cultivation has made comparatively little im-

pression on the vast natural vegetation, and the inhabitants are de-

void of that unremitting laboriousness which distinguishes the Chi-

nese and European, the Archipelago, in its industrial aspect, pre-

sents an animated and varied scene. The industry of man, when

civilization or over-population has not destroyed the natural balance

of life, must ever be the complement of the bounty of nature. ‘The

inhabitant of the Archipelago is as energetic and laborious as nature

requires him to be; and he does not convert the world into a work-

shop, as the Chinese, and the Kling immigrants do, because his

world is not, like theirs, darkened with the pressure of crowded po-

pulation and over-competition, nor is his desire to accumulate weaith

excited and goaded by the contrast of splendour and luxury on

the one hand and penury on the other, by the pride and assump-

tions of wealth and station, and the humiliations of poverty and

dependence.

While in the volcanic soils of Java, Menangkabati and Celebes,

and many other parts of the Archipelago, population has increased,

an industry suited to the locality and habits of each people prevails,

and distinct civilizations, on the peculiar features of which we can-

not touch, have been nurtured and developed ; other islands, less

favoured by nature, or under the influence of particular historical

circumstances, have become the seats of great piratical communities,

which periodically send forth large fleets to sweep the seas, and lurk

along the shores of the Archipelago, despoiling the seafaring trader

of the fruits of his industry and his personal liberty, and carrying

off, from their very homes, the wives and children of the villagers.

From the creeks and rivers of Borneo and Johore, from the nume-

rous islands between Singapore and Banka, and from other parts of

the Archipelago, piratical expeditions, less formidable than those of

the Lanuns of Sulu, are year after year fitted out. No coast is so

thickly peopled, and no harbour so well protected, as to be secure

from all molestation, for where open force would be useless, recourse

is had to stealth and stratagem. Men have been kidnapped in broad

day in the harbours of Pinang and Singapore. Several inhabitants

of Province Wellesley, who had been carried away from their houses

through the harbour of Pinang and down the Straits of Malacca to

the southward, were recently discovered by the Dutch authorities

living in a state of slavery, and restored to their homes. But the

ordinary abodes of the pirates themselves are not always at a distance

from the European settlements. As the thug of Bengal is only

known in his own village as a peaceful peasant, so the pirate, when

not absent on an expedition, appears in the river, and along the shores

and islands of Singapore, as an honest boatman or fisherman.

When we turn from this brief review of the industry of the Ar-

chipelago, and its great internal enemy, to the personal and social

condition of the inhabitants, we are struck by the mixture of simpli-

city and art, of rudeness and refinement, which characterises all the

principal nations. No European has ever entered into free and

On the Indian Archipelago. 421

kindly intercourse with them, without being much more impressed

by their virtues than their faults. They contrast most favourably

with the Chinese and the Klings in their moral characters ; and al-

though they do not, like: those pliant races, readily adapt themselves

to the requirements of foreigners, in their proper sphere they are

intelligent, shrewd, active, and, when need is, laborious. Com-

paring them even with the general condition of many civilized nations

of far higher pretensions, our estimate must be favourable. Their

manners are distinguished by a mixture of courtesy and freedom

which is very attractive. Even the poorest while frank are well-bred,

and, excluding the communities that are corrupted by piracy or a

mixture with European seamen and low Chinese and Klings, we

never see an impudent air, an insolent look, or any exhibition of im-

modesty, or hear coarse, abusive or indecent language. In their

mutual intercourse they are respectful, and while good-humoured

and open, habitually reflective and considerate. They are much

given to amusements of various kinds, fond of music, poetry and ro-

mances, and in their common conversation addicted to sententious

remarks, proverbs, and metrical sentiments or allusions. To the first

impression of the European, the inhabitants, like the vegetation and

animals of the Archipelago, are altogether strange, because the cha-

racteristics in which they differ from those to which we are habi-

tuated, affect the senses more vividly than those in which they agree.

For a time the colour, features, dress, manners and habits which we

see and the languages which we hear are those of anew world. But

with the fresh charms, the exaggerated impressions also of novelty

wear away ; and then, retracing our steps, we wonder that people

so widely separated from the nations of the West, both geographi-

cally and historically, and really differing so much in their outward

aspect, should, in their more latent traits, so much resemble them.

The nearer we come to the inner spirit of humanity, the more points

of agreement appear, and this not merely in the possession of the

universal attributes of human nature, but in specific habits, usages,

and superstitions.

What at first seems stranger still is, that when we seek the native

of the Archipelago in the mountains of the interior, where he has

lived for probably more than two thousand years secluded from all

foreign influence, and where we expect to find all the differences at

their maximum, we are sometimes astonished to find him approxi-

mating most closely of all to the European. In the Jakin, for in-

stance, girded though his loins are with ¢erap bark, and armed as he

is with his sumpitan and poisoned arrows, we recognise the plain and

clownish manners and simple ideas of the uneducated peasant in the

more secluded parts of European countries ; and when he describes

how, at his merry-makings, his neighbours assemble, the arrack

tampui flows around, and the dance, in which both sexes mingle, is

prolonged, till each seats himself on the ground with his partner on

his knee and his bambi of arrack by his side, when the dance gives

place to song, we are forcibly reminded of the free and jovial, if

rude, manners of the lower-rural classes of the West. Freed from

the repellant prejudices and artificial trappings of Hindu and Maho.

422 Bibliographical Notices.

medan civilization, we see in the man of the Archipelago more that

is akin than the reverse to the unpolished man of Europe.

When we turn to the present political condition of the Archipe-

lago, we are struck by the contrast which it presents to that which

characterized it three or four centuriesago. The mass of the people,

it is true, in all their private relations, remain in nearly the same

state in which they were found by the earliest European voyagers,

and in which they had existed for many centuries previously. But,

as nations, they have withered in the presence of the uncongenial,

greedy and relentless spirit of European policy. They have been

subdued by the hard and determined will of Europeans, who in ge-

neral have pursued the purposes for which they have come into the

Archipelago without giving any sympathy to the inhabitants. The

nomadic spirit, never extinguished during all the changes which they

underwent, had made them adventurous and warlike when - they

rose into nations. But now, long overawed and restrained by the

power of Europeans, the national habits of action have, in most parts

of the Archipelago, been lost, or are only faintly maintained in the

piratical expeditions of some. Their pride has fallen. Their living

literature is gone, with the power, the wars, and the glory which in-

spired it. The day has departed when Singapore could be invaded

by Javanese,—when Johore could extend its dominion to Borneo on

the one side and Sumatra on the other,—when the fleets of Acheen

and Malacca could encounter each other in the Straits to dispute

the dominion of the Eastern Seas,—when the warrants of the Sultan

of Menangkabati were as potent over the Malayan nations as the

bulls of Rome ever were over those of Christendom,—when a cham-

pion of Malacca could make his name be known all over the Archi-

pelago,—and when the kings of the Peninsula sent their sons,

escorted by celebrated warriors, to demand the daughters of the

emperors of Majapahit in marriage. The Malayan princes of the

present day, retaining all the feudal attachment and homage of their

subjects, and finding no more honourable vent for the assertion of

their freedom from restraint and the gratification of their self-will,

have almost everywhere sunk into indolent debauchees and greedy

monopolists, and, incited by their own rapacity and that of the

courtiers who surround them, drain and paralyse the industry of

their people.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

The Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia.—Singapore.

WE have received from the Editor with much satisfaction the first

and second numbers of a publication which promises to be of great

interest and value, ‘‘ the Journal of the Indian Archipelago and East-

ern Asia.” ‘The contents of these numbers, and the design of the

publication, are such as to excite our cordial wishes for its success,

in which we doubt not our readers will fully participate. We have

transferred to our own pages a considerable portion of an interesting

article from the first number; and we subjoin some extracts from

Bibliographical Notices. 423

the Prospectus, with a view to give a general idea of the objects to

which the Journal will be devoted. The interest of the work will

be much increased by the manner in which the attention of the

public has been drawn to the achievements of Mr. Commissioner

Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak, as these are of no less importance in

their scientific than in their commercial and philanthropic relations.

‘* Plan of the Journal,

from the Dutch and Spanish, relating to Sumatra, Java, Borneo,

Celebes, the Philippines and the Moluccas, Bali and other islands of

the Archipelago. These will be very varied in their nature, embracing

as they will, the history, language, literature, and ethnography of

the various races who inhabit this great region, and contributions to

almost every department of natural history and physical science, as

well as topographical, agricultural, ceconomical and miscellaneous

subjects. Original papers of a similar nature, but more limited

range, will from time to time be given on the countries of the Malay

Peninsula, Siam, Borneo, and occasionally we hope on Cochin China,

&c. In particular, papers on the physical geography and geology

of the Peninsula and the adjacent islands, en the history, language,

literature, manners and customs of the Malays, and on the aboriginal

mountain races, will be frequently, although not regularly given.

The best Malayan prose and poetical works will be printed, accom-

panied by translations and explanatory and critical notes. We are

prepared to commence a series of these works and translations in

the first number of the Journal, and to continue it uninterruptedly

till we have published all the productions of Malayan writers that

deserve to be preserved. The British Settlements, with their motley

population, and great diversity of ethnographical riches, will furnish

abundant interesting matter. We do not venture to promise that

China, Australia and the farther East will regularly contribute to our

stores, but the centrical position of Singapore, relatively to inter-

course by steam with Europe, leads us to entertain a strong hope that

we shall not want original communications from these countries when

the objects of the Journal become known to our countrymen and

other foreigners resident there.

«« The extension of the commerce and influence of the British and

Dutch in the Archipelago, the character and tendency of their re-

spective policies, the condition of the British Settlements, their in-

fluence on the Asiatics around us, and the prospects and progress of

education and Christianity in these regions, will from time to time

be reviewed, but, we think we may give assurance, in a spirit free

from national or sectarian bias, and regarding only the advancement

of the Archipelago.”

In the Press.

The History of Barbados; comprising a geographical and statis-

tical description of the island; a sketch of the historical events since

the settlement ; and an account of its geology and natural productions.

By Sir Robert H. Schomburgk, Ph.D., &c,

424 Zoological Society.

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

June 22, 1847.—-Harpur Gamble, Esq., M.D., in the Chair.

NotTE ON THE SPERMATOZOA OF THE INDIAN ELEPHANT.

By Grorce Guutiver, F.R.S.

In the testicle of the elephant that died on the 7th of this month

in the menagerie of the Society, there was scarcely any semen. The

seminal tubes measured from the ;i,th to the .,th of an English

inch in diameter; they contained a brownish pulpy matter, which,

under the microscope, appeared to be composed of a liquid loaded

with a multitude of minute, shining, oil-like molecules, either free or

aggregated into roundish and shapeless corpuscles. There were also

a few objects like altered epithelial corpuscles ; but not a single sper-

matozoon, either free or in a cell, could be discovered.

Within the tube of the epididymis, however, a few distinct sper-

matozoa were found; and the drawing of them now shown is ona

scale of z,1,;th of an inch, the objects being magnified between 700

and 800 times, linear admeasurement.

It will be seen that there is nothing peculiar either in the form or

size of these spermatozoa of the elephant. ‘They resemble generally

those of numerous other mammalia. For the sake of comparison I

exhibit drawings, made on the same scale, of spermatozoa from the

Cervide, Camelide, Urside, Mustelide, Soricide and Sciuride, all of

which are noticed more or less in my papers in the Proceedings of

the Society, July 26, 1842, April 11, 1848, and February 24, 1846.

The elephant was supposed to be about forty years old.

I may mention, that while engaged in looking for the testicles of

the elephant, we exposed two large muscles arising from the pubes,

and inserted into the dorsum of the corpora cavernosa penis. Each

of these muscles was quite as large as the biceps muscle of the human

arm. ,

The use of these muscles in the elephant, to elevate, retract and

suspend his immense penis, is indicated by their attachments. Under

the microscope the fibre of these muscles of the penis was found to

possess all the characters of common voluntary muscle.

BRIEF NOTES ON THE HABITS OF NocrTiILIO MASTIVUS.

By P. H. Gossr, Esa.

The following notes are extracted from a journal kept in Jamaica

during a residence there in the years 1845 and 1846 :—

“ Being out on a shooting excursion on the 18th of October, 1845,

round Crabpond Point, on the southern coast, about the middle of

the day I looked about for a seat on which to rest while I ate some

refreshment. A gigantic cotton-tree (Hriodendron anfractuosum) in

the grass-piece of Mount Edgecumbe seemed to promise in its long

root-spurs the seat I was seeking. On arriving at it I found the

tree was hollow, the trunk forming a wide chimney of unknown

Zoological Society. 425

height, as being closed at the top, the darkness prevented my seeing

more than a few yards up. I remarked to my servant that it was a

likely locality for bats; but the appearance of a large Gecko drew

off my attention, and I attempted to capture it. ‘The reptile darted

however within the cavity, and I then noticed that beneath the hol-

low was piled a heap, several feet in diameter, and at least a foot in

height, of a soft granular substance, which on examination I found

to be the dung of some insectivorous animals, with a very rank pe-

culiar odour. I had now no doubt of the tree being the abode of

bats, but had little expectation of being able to ascertain the fact.

While peering carefully up, however, I distinctly heard the flapping

of wings and some shrill squeakings, and this determined me to fire

my fowling-piece at random up the cavity. This I did twice, and

though I brought down nothing but a little rotten wood, yet presently,

when the smoke had a little subsided, on looking up again I dis-

cerned amidst the darkness one or two heads, which seemed those of

rats, and immediately another just above them, evidently crawling

downwards. I pointed them out to my negro lad, who saw two or

three more, and presently, as it became more clear of smoke, the

whole sides of the cavity appeared full of curious round faces. I

now fired, no longer at random, and had the pleasure of bringing

down this beautiful bat, which fell dead. ‘The smoke of this dis-

charge made the others more anxious to come down to the fresh air,

and we could see them descending fast, head downwards. As the

shot lacerated the membranes considerably, I bethought myself of

another plan: cutting a long switch with a few twigs at its extre-

mity, I stood at the bottom and whipped one down; he came sprawl-

ing with expanded wings on the ground, apparently with but little

notion of flight, although unwounded. On being taken up by the

wings he displayed uncommon fierceness, biting savagely and power-

fully anything within his reach. Three or four more I obtained in

the same manner and brought home.

«« When thrown up into the air in a room, they would not fly, but

merely opened the volar membranes to break their fall, as with a

parachute. Two, which I kept alive, hung themselves up by the

hind-feet from the side of a cage into which I put them, and would

not move, except to shift an inch or two; nor did the approach and

arrival of night excite them to activity. One, however, which had

contrived to secrete himself in the room, when, having taken both

out of the cage, I turned my back for a moment, and which I had

vainly searched for, I found at night, by going into the room with a

candle: hearing a scrambling, I looked up to the top of the wall,

where was my lost bat, endeavouring to suspend himself. On being

touched he flew off, but immediately alighted, and so repeatedly ;

sometimes, when he failed of taking a hold of the wall, he came to

the floor, whence he readily rose, though very obliquely. I was

struck with his expanse of wing when performing his noiseless flight

around the room, and with his resemblance to a bird, aided by the

enormous interfemoral membrane, which being expanded by the hind-

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx.

4.26 Zoological Society.

legs and depressed, looked like the broad tail of a fiying bird, and

appeared to guide the motion in like manner.

“« While taking some drawings of one, as it hung from the immense

hind-feet, I was amused to see how it would thrust its nose into

every part of the volar membranes, apparently searching for para-

sites (of which several were briskly crawling among the hair); and

now and then it brought down one hind-foot, and scratched itself

with exactly the motion of a monkey; and once I observed, after

scratching its breast, it delivered something into its mouth. The

flexibility of the ankle-joint was extreme, so that the foot could reach

with ease any part of the body.

‘‘[ presented to one a large cockroach, which he seized greedily

and munched up, moving-the jaws only vertically. The eating was

attended with a loud and very harsh cranching of the teeth—not pro-

duced by crushing the horny parts of the insect, for it was equally

perceptible when munching a bit of soft flesh. The jaws moved

rapidly, but yet the mastication was a long operation, for it appeared

to me to be performed almost wholly by the canines. As the insect was

progressively masticated, portions were allowed to fall into the cheek-

pouches (the one being pretty well filled before the other was used),

which when full hung down on each side of the lower jaw, to the

depth of three or four lines, like distended bags, displaying a warted

surface. When the whole of one cockroach had been masticated,

and deposited in the pouches, it would take another, which was

gradually disposed of in the same receptacles; then, after a few

moments’ intermission, by a contortion of the jaw, aided by the mo-

tion of the muscles of the pouch, a portion was returned to the mouth,

and again masticated. ‘This was repeated till all was swallowed, and

the pouches appeared empty and contracted up out of sight. The

whole process was much like rumination. Small portions of the

muscle of a bird, which were presented to one, he chewed up and

deposited in the pouches ; but after being regurgitated, and a second

time masticated, they were expelled instead of being swallowed.

The process of eating seemed an awkward one; it was a rapid suc-

cession of choppings with the long canines, through which the tongue

was thrust about so nimbly that it appeared’a wonder it was not

impaled perpetually.

“In order to rest, like other bats they crawled upwards and back-

wards by means of the hind-feet, seeking the greatest elevation they

could attain which afforded a hold for the claws.. They were social,

though both were males; usually hanging side by side, or sometimes

with the leg of one crossing the leg of the other, or even one upon

the other. Sometimes they brought their faces together, and licked

each other’s open mouths in a singular: manner; and thisvappeared

grateful to them. \ I did not hear either of them click or squeak.

*«« Pressed by numerous engagements, I was:prevented from again

visiting the tree until about ten«days after. I then went thither in

the afternoon, wishing to see the bats emerge for the night; but

though I waited till after sunset, not one appeared. ‘The next morn-

Zoological Society. | 427

ing I smoked the cavity again, using the fumes of burning nitre and

sulphur, but entirely without success. I hence inferred that they

had deserted the tree as a dwelling on the first molestation. After

some months, however, I again found it tenanted by the same species,

if not the same individuals, and succeeded in obtaining another spe-

cimen, whose manners in captivity were identical with those recorded

above.

‘I have never seen the species abroad (so as to identify it), but

my intelligent negro lad, Sam, observed two about noon on the 16th

of April, the sun shining vertically. It was at a provision-ground at

Belmont, where they were clinging to the limb of a young Avocada

Pear (Perseu). A Banana-bird (Jcterus leucopteryx) was flying to-

wards them, apparently with the intention of pecking them, on whose

approach they flew away in different directions. The lad did not

perceive them until the very moment of separation and flight, but he

noticed that they were in actual contact, though he could not tell

their position. No hole or hollow tree was near. Could they have

been in copuld?”

I conjecture that it is the present species to which reference is

made in the following paragraph, which appeared in the Salisbury

Journal of February .6th, 1847 :—‘ Mr. Thomas Dickon, an eminent

farmer in Lincolnshire, had been induced to go to Jamaica, as ma-

nager of some extensive estates there, with the intention of intro-

ducing the best systems of farming where they had been hitherto

unknown. Accounts have been received, that there is already every

probability of a considerable increase of sugar being produced by

applying a new guano as tillage. It is the dung of large bats. The

bats are said to amount to myriads; and Mr. D. having observed

many of these singular animals entering the crevices of one of the

numerous rocks, caused an opening to be made and. the place ex-

plored. The cave was found to be 250 feet long, 20 feet broad, and

from 20 to 30 feet high. The interior contained thousands of these

animals, and appeared to have been their dwelling forages. At the

bottom of the cave, bats’ dung, at least four feet in thickness, and

amounting to about 600 tons in weight, was discovered, and found

' to be equal to the best Ichaboe guano.’

I sent a copy of the above notice to my esteemed friend Richard

Hill, Esq., of Spanish Town, who thus replied ; ‘I know Mr. Dickon,

to whom your newspaper paragraph relates. He details his expe-

rience in the parish of Westmoreland [the same part of Jamaica as

that in which my own observations were made.—P.H.G.]; I will how-

ever endeavour to ascertain the precise locality in which he had

discovered his extraordinary colony of bats. ‘The Council of the

Royal Agricultural Society of Jamaica, of which I am.a member, had

had its attention called to the manure to be obtained from fecal de-

posits in caves frequented by bats, and they had analysed the mate-

rial, but found it so largely charged with the comminuted wing-

cases of insects, and so little acted upon by decomposition, that the

azotized ingredients combined but slowly as a fertilizer. Several

30%

— 428 | Zoological Society.

similar accounts were given to us of cave-deposits, to that furnished

by Mr. Dickon. His discovery however being made in an unopened

cavern, into which the bats had penetrated through crevices in the

rock, has special recommendations to notice.

‘ My attention was some time ago drawn to a similar harbouring-

place of our Cheiroptera. One evening, as I was crossing the marshes

between Spanish Town and Kingston, by the high-road, I was sur-

prised at sundown at the sudden rushing out of a stream of bats from

the face of a cliffy hill that rises precipitously from the swamp. ‘They

continued pouring out for some quarter of an hour or twenty minutes ;

they stretched like a string for some hundred yards, in consequence

of the one-by-one file in which they came forth from the crevice,

and then dispersed themselves up and down and all about, covering

the whole expanse of the contiguous marsh. The long highway

perspective across the swamp; the level bed of rushes bending in

wavelets to the evening wind; the distant mountains with beetling

summits and broken declivities, lighted in angular patches by the

setting sun, exhibited a wide, dilated and diversified scene, in which

no object rose to interrupt the line made by the flitting swarms as

they streamed out from the face of the cliff, and spread their myriad

numbers over the plain. I have myself noticed the great depth of

the rejectamenta of bats in these caverned recesses, but a great deal

of it consisted of undecayed down, as well as fecal mutings, and un-

devoured fragments of insects.’

In a subsequent communication my friend favoured me with a

sample of the excremental deposits from a bat-cavern on Swansea

estate in the Vale of Luidas; and I forward it, with this paper, to the

Zoological Society.

I close this article with a few particulars of description, some of

which are better observed on the living animal than on specimens

dried or in spirit. A male measured as follows :—‘‘ Muzzle to inser-

tion of tail, 41, inches; expanse of volar membranes, 242; ear, from

posterior base of tragus to tip, 1,3,; ditto, from anterior base to tip,

1; tragus, longest side, 5; shortest, ,3,; nose to front angle of eye,

385; nose to front of tragus, 32. Colour varying ; upper parts yellow-

brown, more or less bright; a well-defined narrow line of pale ful-

vous runs medially down the back from the head to the tail; under

parts pale fawn, bright fulvous or orange; face purplish ; the muzzle

and chin are much corrugated ; face warty ; the ears fall into elegant

curves. The volar membranes are delicately thin, transparent and

glossy ; studded with minute, white, papillary glands, which for the

most part follow the course of the blood-vessels, but are largest and

most numerous in the vicinity of the trunk. ‘The membranes being

attached along each side of the spine, with an interval in the middle

of the back of but =4,ths of an inch, the body is, to a great extent,

free. The wing, when at rest, has but a single fold, the ultimate

joint of the second and third fingers being brought back upon the

penultimate. The reproductive organs are large and prominent. At

the base of the penis are two follicles, secreting a dark brown sub-

Zoological Society. 429

stance, dry and lumpy, but friable between the fingers, most insuf-

ferably musky, the odour from which is strongly diffused by the

animal during life.”

From the width of the gape, the length of the teeth, and the

power of the jaws in this species, together with the ferocious eagerness

with which my captive specimens snatched at large cockroaches, I

conjecture that its insect-prey is large; probably nocturnal beetles

and the larger moths and sphinges.

July 13.—William Yarrell, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.

The following papers were read :—

OBSERVATIONS ON THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE CERVICAL AND

Dorsat VERTEBRZ IN THE Ctass Mammaria. By H.N. Turner,

JUN. |

Doubtless it will be remembered that in many Mammalia the last

cervical vertebra has a transverse process of simple form, wanting the

perforation for the passage of the vertebral artery, so characteristic

of the remaining vertebre in this region of the spine, and which,

together with the absence of articulated ribs, has been considered as

the definite character by which such a vertebra may be distinguished.

However, it is now well known that the existence of this foramen in

the transverse process of the seventh cervical vertebra is rather the

exception than the rule among the mammalian class, since it is

wanting in most of the lower Quadrumana, as the Cebi and Lemurs*,

in nearly all the Carnivora and the Rodentia (except the Hares), in

the Ruminantia, and several of the Pachydermata and Edentata; but

as its presence or absence has but little importance either in a zoo-

logical or physiological point of view, it is needless to enter minutely

into that question.

It is perhaps scarcely necessary to add, that in the six upper cer-

vicals this foramen is formed by the existence of two exogenous

processes, the diapophysis and parapophysis, and the junction of their

extremities through the intervention of a small autogenous element,

a pleurapophysis or vertebral rib, which becomes anchylosed to them,

in the warm-blooded animals, at an early period of existence. One

of the cervical vertebree of a whale, described by Mr. Gray in a paper

* As some of the exceptions to this generalization possess some interest, it is

perhaps as well to notice them. We need not descend lower than the Chimpanzee

to witness the disappearance of the foramen, as in this animal its existence is only

indicated by a minute process thrown out from the transverse process, and another

from the body of the vertebra, but they do not meet; this would render it most

probable that the stylet enclosing the foramen beneath is exogenous. In the ske-

leton of a half-grown Cynocephalus leucopheus in my own collection, the foramen

is wanting on one side; on the other it is very small, and the stylet enclosing it

shows no trace of separation from the other parts. But the most remarkable

peculiarity is that occurring in the Orang-Utan, whose neck is short, and usually

hangs forward. In the skeleton of this species presented by Sir Stamford Raffles

to the College of Surgeons, not only does the transverse process of the seventh

cervical vertebra show no foramen, but even that of the sixth has it very small on

one side and quite obliterated on the other. On the other hand, in the Jndri

brevicaudatus, a rather long-necked Lemur, the foramen is very distinct in the

seventh.

430 Zoological Society.

recently read, affords a very interesting example of the existence of

both the processes, but without the little element which would unite

their extremities.

In the seventh cervical vertebra the upper transverse process only

exists, and the small rib is generally also absent. When the foramen

is present in this vertebra, it appears to be enclosed beneath simply

by the extension of a little osseous stylet from the under side of the

diapophysis to the body of the vertebra, just as the neck of one of

the true ribs extends between the points where its head and tubercle

aré articulated ; but whether this stylet be autogenous or exogenous,

that is, developed from a separate point of ossification or not, I have

at present no means of ascertaining.

I was led to remark on this subject through the accidental dis-

covery in the skeleton of a Polecat (Mustela putorius) of a pair of

rudimental ribs, or rather portions of ribs, moveably articulated to

the extremities of the transverse processes of the seventh cervical

vertebra; their length is exactly one-fourth of an inch of true bone,

besides a little cartilaginous appendage at the tip. In a second

specimen I searched for a similar peculiarity, but was unable to per-

ceive its existence. ‘The two specimens were both males, of mature

age and robust dimensions, resembling each other in every particular.

This circumstance naturally led me to observe with considerable mi-

nuteness the skeleton of the Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus tridactylus),

in which the existence of nine vertebre anterior to those forming

part of the thorax has long been known; and the discovery by Pro-

fessor Bell of rudimental ribs articulated to the eighth and ninth of

the series renders that exceptional instance additionally interesting.

I therefore attentively perused the paper contributed by that learned

naturalist to the first volume of the Society’s Transactions.

It may indeed appear presumptuous on my part to dissent from the

conclusions which so eminent a-professor has drawn from his dis-

covery, but my observations led me irresistibly to the conclusion,

that if there is any essential distinction between the vertebre-of the

cervical and dorsal regions, the eighth and ninth vertebrz of the

_ Bradypus tridactylus must be classed among the former.

The skeleton upon which my notes have been made is that con-

tained in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons ; it must be

perfectly mature, although the epiphyses at the distal extremities of

the ulna and radius still remain distinct, for every other epiphysis

has lost all trace of separation from the bone to which it belongs,

and the characteristic anchylosis which unites most of the bones of |

the foot is. completely effected: The sternal ribs are all perfectly

ossified ; the first four of them are anchylosed to their corresponding

vertebral ribs, and the first one also to the manubrium sterni ;—so

small, comparatively, is the amount of respiratory action required by

this slow-moving quadruped.

The differences existing between the eighth and ninth vertebree

and those immediately above them are most clearly and accurately

described by Professor Bell; surely it can hardly be necessary here

to quote his words; but on comparing either the description that he

Zoological Society. 431

has given, or the skeleton itself, with the cervical vertebre of almost

any other mammiferous quadruped, it is most easy to perceive that

the eighth and ninth vertebre of the Sloth differ from the other cer-

vical vertebre in precisely the same manner as do the sith and

seventh vertebre of other Mammalia from those preceding them in

the series. He observes, in describing the eighth vertebra, ‘‘ In the

first dorsal each transverse is completely divided into an anterior

flattened process, which is turned forwards, and a true lateral or

transverse one, which supports the little articulated rib. The trans-

verse process is smaller, but considerably longer, than those of the

true cervical, and stands more in a lateral or transverse direction.”

These characters are precisely the same, excepting that the little

articulated rib is wanting, in the sixth vertebra of nearly all Mam-

malia, and in most of them still more distinctly and strikingly ma-

nifested.. But in the excellent description given by the learned

professor, one point at least has been omitted, and that is the exist-

ence of the foramen for the vertebral artery in the eighth vertebra of

the Sloth : no doubt the coexistence of the same foramen in the upper

vertebre will account for its not being mentioned, but its presence

tells strongly in favour of the cervical nature of the vertebra.

The transverse process of the seventh cervical of the Sloth, also so

carefully described by Professor Bell, accords exactly with that of the

fifth of other Mammalia, in presenting a character intermediate

between that which precedes and that which follows it. In speaking

of the ninth vertebra of the Sloth, he proceeds, ‘‘ In the second dorsal

vertebra the anterior processes do not exist, and the body assumes

the form of the succeeding ones. ‘The transverse processes are

simple and obtuse, and the articular surface is slightly excavated.”

I have already pointed out the character presented by the seventh

cervical in most Mammalia, which will be seen to agree well with

that just cited of the ninth in the Sloth.

In the skeleton examined by myself, the upper pair of rudimental

ribs, that is, those attached to the eighth vertebra, are wauting—no

doubt accidentally lost, and therefore in no way influencing the pre-

sent argument; but the second pair, attached to the ninth vertebra

in a manner just similar to that which I have noticed as occurring

abnormally in the Polecat, have contracted a complete anchylosis

with the extremities of the transverse processes to which they are

connected, thus showing, what it seems that Professor Bell’s speci-

men did not exhibit, that this rib is not permanently moveable, but

at some period of life becomes a fixture.’ The figure given by Pro-

fessor Bell in illustration of his most valuable paper does not show

any indication of the existence in the transverse process of the ninth

vertebra of the foramen for the passage of the vertebral artery ;-but

as this foramen is but small, and the position in which the figure is

taken not a very favourable one for exhibiting it, it may nevertheless

have existed in his specimen ; the minute foramen which he mentions,

‘for the passage of intercostal vessels,’’ must be one pierced in the

rib itself. In the specimen which I examined however, we have the

ninth vertebra presenting the foramen for the vertebral artery, en-

432 Zoological Society.

closed, as I have already shown in the seventh of other Mammalia,

by a little osseous stylet extending between the under side of the

transverse process and the body of the vertebra, imitating the neck

of a true rib; and as this is coexisting with the rudiment discovered

by Professor Bell, but here anchylosed with the end of the transverse

process, it really presents the appearance of the upper portion of a

true rib, merely having the neck a little thinner than usual. This

circumstance may perhaps seem to weaken my position ; but when I

consider that this vertebra presents the same general characters as

the seventh cervical of most Mammalia, where, although the rib be

wanting, the foramen is generally wanting also; and also the exist-

ence of the rib together with the absence of the foramen in the

Polecat, I think the balance of evidence will still be in my favour.

And Professor Owen has shown to me, in the College of Surgeons’

Museum, a preparation from the human subject, showing a pair of

ribs articulated to the seventh cervical vertebra by head and tubercle,

just as are those of the true dorsal series.

But it yet remains for me to notice one point of resemblance

between the ninth vertebra of the Sloth and the seventh of other

Mammalia, which seems to have escaped the scrutiny of Professor

Bell: that is, that the body of the vertebra is not rounded beneath,

as are those of the true dorsal series, but flat and square; this flatness

resulting from the presence of a longitudinal ridge along each side

of its under surface, and seeming to represent in a rudimental form

the anterior flattened processes of the preceding vertebree of the series,

and whose absence, noticed by Professor Bell in the ninth vertebra of

the Sloth, is equally characteristic of the seventh throughout the rest

of the class,

At all events I think I have adduced, from the consideration of

the mammalian class alone, proofs of that truth which other depart-

ments of Comparative Anatomy have before so well established, that

Nature does not rigorously confine herself to those precise rules

which we lay down to account for her phenomena, and also, that if

we do find it necessary to subdivide the spine into distinct regions

for convenience of description, we cannot do so by simply defining

characters taken from the peculiarities of a single species, but must

compare the characters which the vertebree present throughout the

scale of beings, to ascertain which of them are the most constant

and most truly essential in their nature. We may at the same time

perceive, that the same artificial subdivision of the spine which answers

our convenience so nicely in one class, may be only partially, or not

at all, applicable in another ; since in Birds there are no lumbar ver-

tebre, and one vertebra partakes both of the dorsal and sacral cha-

racter, while in Fishes we find no cervicals, and as ribs are appended

to all those of the abdominal series, neither lumbar nor sacral ver-

tebre can be said to exist.

However, with regard to the distinction between cervical and dorsal

vertebrze, as we see them in the class Mammalia, it follows, from the

remarks which I have made, that we can define it neither by speci-

fying any particular number as constituting the cervical series, nor

Zoological Society. 433

by the presence or absence of articulated ribs, nor of a foramen in

the transverse process for the passage of the vertebral artery, but

must diligently compare them with those of others of the class, to

ascertain with which they really correspond in their essential charac-

ters ; and then we may draw the line of demarcation wherever suits

us best, only remembering that under whichever series we place a

vertebra in one species, the corresponding one in another must be

reckoned under the same category. This is the view I have endea-

voured to carry out in my examination of the Sloth; and being of

opinion that the eighth and ninth vertebre of that animal correspond

as essentially to the sirth and seventh in the rest of the class, as do

the atlas and the axis to those of other animals, and knowing that

the intervening vertebrz differ in number by two, I feel bound to

believe, notwithstanding the interesting fact which Professor Bell

has discovered, that the cervical vertebra of the Bradypus tridactylus

are nine in number. :

Fig. 2.

Fig. 1. A view from behind of the seventh cervical vertebra of an Opossum (Didelphys Vir-

giniana), as an example of the existence of the foramen for the passage of the vertebral

artery, and showing the manner of its enclosure beneath.

Fig. 2. The sixth and seventh cervical, and the first two dorsal vertebree of a Polecat, showing

the rudimental rib attached to the last cervical.

Fig. 3. The series of seven cervical vertebree of a second specimen of the Polecat, showing

the absence of the rib, and the difference of form in the transverse processes.

Fig. 4. A perspective view (from behind) of the last cervical vertebra of the same animal,

showing the absence of the foramen for the vertebral artery, and the flattened form of

the under surface of the vertebra.

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xx. Suppl. 31

4.3.4 Zoological Society.

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF Bat. By Cuaries Lucien

BonaPaRTE, PRINCE oF CANINO AND MUSIGNANO, ETC.

Arctisius Fioresit.

Sp. Ch.—Grey brown; beneath paler, with pale tips to the hair;

two broad streaks on the face, and a narrow streak on the centre of

the back, white. Arm-bone rather foliated, one inch four lines in

length. Heel-bone very short. Second thumb-joint elongate, slender.

Nose-leaf with a distinct central rib.

This new species inhabits the unexplored region of the Republic of

Equatoria, which borders on the wilds of Brazil. It was collected

there in company with Anoura Geoffroyi, Phyllostoma nigrum, and

Molossus ater, by the intrepid traveller M. Delattre, from whom I re-

ceived it through M. Bourcier, the eminent Trochilidist.

I dedicate it to our common friend the high-minded General

Flores, the companion of Bolivar, and once the worthy President of

the Republic, to whose civilization his thoughts are still constantly

directed, and where he still occupies a distinguished place in the

hearts of his fellow-citizens. ;

On A NEW GENUS OF SUIDZ AND A NEW SPECIES OF TAXIDEA.

By B. H. Hopeson, Esa., Corr. MEMB. ETC.

Genus Porcuta, mihi.

Gen. Ch.—Teeth §. 1. £8 = 40. Canines small, straight, se-

ae 4

verely cutting, but not exserted from the lips. Fourth toe on all the

feet small and unequal. ‘Tail very short, but distinct. Type,

PorcuLa SALVANIA, mihi.

Sp. Ch.—Pigmy Hog of a brown-black colour, slightly and irregu-

larly shaded with sordid amber. Iris hazel. Nude skin dirty flesh-

colour. Hoofs glossy-brown. Length from snout to vent 18 to 20

inches; height 8 to 10 in.; head 6 in.; tail 7 or less than 1 in.

Weight 8 to 10, rarely 12lbs.

Hab. Saul Forest.

Remark.—The Pigmy Hog of the Saul Forest is almost equally

allied to the true Hogs and the Peccaries, agreeing with the former

in the absence of any peculiar organs, such as the gular flaps of

larvatus and the pelvic sac of torquatus and labiatus; also in the

number and form of the incisor teeth, and in having a perfect tail

and four toes to each foot; but differing from the true Hogs and

agreeing with the Peccaries in the number of the molar teeth, in the

style of the laniaries, in the diminished elongation of the jaws, and

in the absence of the nasal cartilage, and showing yet further lean-

ing towards the same type (Dicotyles) by the extreme smallness of

the tail, and by the tendency of the fourth toe to disappearance.

Our proposed genus should have a place in a natural system be-

tween Sus and Dicotyles; its positive characters being the presence

of a tail and of a fourth toe, the limited number of molar teeth, and

Zoological Society. 435

the straightness of the unexserted laniaries. The species is most

rare ; its flesh excellent ; its manners resemble those of Sus in general,

but with some marked differences.

Genus Taxipra, Waterh.

TaxipEa Levcurvs, mihi. Tibetan Badger.—Head laterally and

above whitish, divided by a blackish line through the eye. Body

above and laterally yellowish grey, paling towards the flanks. Below,

from chin to vent exclusive, black; and limbs the same. ‘Tail un-

mixed yellowish white. Ears black basally, white apically. Snout

to vent 27 in.; head 53 in.; tail 10 in.; palma and nails 32 in. ;

planta and nails 4 in.; ear, with tuft, 2 in.

Hab. Plains of Tibet.

July 27.—William Yarrell, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.

The following papers were read :—

Note oF THE CIRCULATION OF CrocoDILUs LUCIUS. By

Epwarp Fry.

In a recent dissection of a spemcien of the Crocodilus lucius,

measuring about five feet four inches, I discovered an arrangement

of the arterial system which is, as far as 1 am aware, anomalous, and

which may perhaps be therefore worth recording.

In all the drawings of the Saurian circulation with which I have

met, the left ventricle is represented as giving off, in addition to the

right aortic arch, a common trunk, which divides into two arteries

for the supply of the fore-part of the body, which for a short course

are to be considered as arteriz innuminate, when they give origin

to the subclavian arteries and pass upwards, one on either side, as

carotids, for the supply of the head and face. In the individual in

question, however, the arrangement was this: beside the right

aortic arch, two trunks are given off from the bulbus of the left ven-

tricle; of which, one passes immediately to the supply of the right

fore-limb, and the other proceeds upwards, shortly gives off a con-

siderable branch as a left subclavian, and then continues its upward

course on the mesial line lying immediately on the under side of the

bodies of the vertebre, in a channel between the longitudinal muscles

of either side, and above the trachea, until it almost reaches the

posterior nares, where it subdivides, its branches passing over the

under side of the temporal muscles, and going to feed the lower jaw,

as well as supplying the sides of the head.

The parts which this singular artery supplies prove it to be the

analogue of the carotids, whilst the consideration of its origin, course

and termination induces me to believe that its homological relation

is with the inferior pharyngeal.

The absence of any such arrangement in the whole subkingdom of

the Vertebrata is to be remarked ; and in conjunction with the fact that

the figure of the Saurian circulation given in Miller’s ‘ Physiology’

(by Baly, vol.i. p. 174) is stated to be from an individual of the same

species, viz. Crocodilus lucius, induces me to suppose the anomaly

above recorded to have been an individual peculiarity.

3l*

436 Zoological Society.

ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE CETACEA OF THE BritisH

Istanps. By J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S. Eerc.

1. Since my former paper was read, I have been enabled, by the

kindness of Professor Goodsir, to examine the specimens of Cetacea

which were prepared by Dr. Knox, and which now form part of the

anatomical collection of the Edinburgh University.

The large male whale which came ashore on the 5th of October

1831, and was seventy-eight feet long, which Dr. Knox in his Cata-

logue calls Balena maximus borealis, and of which he made many

most interesting preparations of the soft parts, is one of the most

beautiful and perfect skeletons I have yet seen. The latter is for the

present exhibited in the elephant-house at the Zoological Gardens

of Edinburgh, but unfortunately it is suspended so high that I could

not take any measurements. It is a Physalus, very nearly allied to

what I have called Physalus antiquorum; but it differs from the spe-

cimen taken at Plymouth in the lateral processes of the cervical

vertebre being higher compared with their length, and more trun-

cated at the end; in the third and fourth cervical vertebre not being

so much expanded beyond the aperture; in the fifth being still

thinner; and in the sixth, instead of a complete ring, having only an

elongated, arched, upper lateral process, and a very short, rather de-

pressed lower one; and the seventh only an upper one. Should

this species prove distinct, it might be distinguished as Physalus

borealis.

Dr. Spittal, who saw it when first cast ashore, informs me it was

slate or grey, and the tail white (probably beneath). The baleen

appeared at the distance black.

2. In the anatomical museum there is the skeleton and soft part

of a Dolphin or Bottle-nose, which was sent to Dr. Knox from

Orkney in May 1825. It was a female and weighed fourteen stone.

It is described in Dr. Knox’s ‘ Catalogue of the Anatomical Prepa-

rations of Whales,’ Edinburgh 1838, as No. 84, Delphinus Tursio.

It is a nearly adult specimen of Delphinus leucopleurus, lately de-

scribed by Rasch, Mag. Zool. 1843, p. 369, from a specimen taken

at Christiania in Norway, figured by me from a Norwegian specimen

in the ‘ Zoology of H.M.S. Erebus and Terror,’ under the name of

Lagenorhynchus leucopleurus.

Dr. Knox gives the following measurements: entire length 9 ft.

6in.; circumference 3 ft. 2in. Pectoral 10 inches long; tail 1 ft. 2 in.

wide; and the gape 9 inches.

It is a most interesting addition to the British fauna, being the

second of this genus added within the last year.

3. I may remark, that Balena minor borealis of Dr. Knox in the

same collection is the Balenoptera rostrata of my papers.

4. In the same collection there is a stuffed skin of a foetus of a

Northern or Right Whale (Balena Mysticetus), two feet four inches

long, showing the large flap near the edge of the lower lip, “ destined

to cover in the baleen,” and a most beautiful skeleton of the same

specimen. The bones of the head are distinctly ossified, but the

Miscellaneous. 437

rest of the skeleton is only cartilaginous. There are also (No. 36)

“the teeth of the foetal Mysticete preserved in alcohol] ;” and Dr.

Knox observes, ‘‘ they never cut the gums, but become gradually

reabsorbed,’ which agrees with Professor Eschricht’s account of the

teeth of Megapteron; and further, Dr. Knox remarks, ‘‘ The integu-

mentary system furnish the baleen, which is evidently a modified

form of hair and cuticle.” (p. 22.)

5. I may here add, as determining the synonyma, that the Phoca

Leopardina of Professor Jameson in Weddel’s ‘ Voyage,’ from the spe-

cimen preserved in the museum of the Edinburgh University, is the

same animal as I described under the name of Leptonyx Weddelii,

figured in the ‘ Zool. Ereb. and Terror.’

A foetus extracted from a specimen of the Pilot Whale (Globioce-

phalus Svieval) was six feet long.

In Lagenorhynchus leucopleurus the first, second and third cervical

vertebre are united by their spinous process, the rest free.

In Globiocephalus Svieval the second and third cervical vertebra

are united, the rest free. ts |

In Monodon monoceros the second and third cervical vertebre are

united by the spinous process, not by the body, and the rest are free.

In Delphinus Tursio the atlas and the second cervical vertebra are

united by the body, the spinous and lateral processes, and the rest

are free and thin. .

There is a perfect specimen of Hyperoodon latifrons, brought from

Greenland by Capt. Wareham, in the museum at Newcastle, rather

smaller (seven feet long) than the one from Orkney in the British

Museum. ‘There is the skeleton of an adult Hyperoodon from the

Firth of Forth in the anatomical museum of Edinburgh University

with the skull sixty inches long; the crests are very thick, but quite

separate, and with flat perpendicular walls on the inner side.

There is another skull of the same species, from a specimen

stranded on the coast of Lancashire, in a garden near Newly Bridge.

MISCELLANEOUS.

THE ROSE CADDICE SAW-FLY,

A work devoted to the investigation of the manners and ceconomy

of the species of insects which feed upon the Rose-tree would extend

to several volumes ; there is, in fact, scarcely any one kind of vege«

table, the Oak, perhaps, excepted, which supports so many distinct

kinds of insects, the natural history of many of which is still unre-

corded : and we know no more interesting subject of garden-Jeisure

than the examination and publication of the details of their habits,

as many of them furnish remarkable details which could not fail to

be highly instructive.

The insect which is the subject of the present communication is

one of these Rose-feeding insects whose singular ceconomy renders it

very worthy of attention. For many years we have regularly noticed

in our garden at Hammersmith, during the last week of May and

438 Miscellaneous.

the first of June, a remarkably brilliant, golden-winged fly settling on

the leaves in the hot sunshine, and darting off with great velocity on

being approached. ‘This insect is one of the saw-flies (Lyda inaniia),

a very rare British species, which we were, of course, glad to per-

ceive to be a native of our own locality, more especially as from its

regular appearance we had no doubt of ascertaining its habits; the

larve of the genus to which it belongs being the only ones in the

family Tenthredinide which are destitute of the false legs along the

ventral parts of the body.

The perfect insect is represented in the accompanying woodcut,

fig. d, rather larger than life, the extent of the real expansion of the

wings being indicated by the straight line (fig. e). We have un-

fortunately never been able to see this fly deposit its eggs, but as we

have found its larva of a very small size upon the rose-trees, we

have no doubt that it is upon the leaves or stems of those trees

that they are laid. ‘Towards the end of June and through the month

of July we have observed, upon different varieties of the Rose, some

curious cases formed of bits of rose-leaves cut into strips, and care-

fully rolled up into a long cylinder, or rather a very elongated cone,

one end of which remains attached to the leaf, whilst from the wider

orifice there issued forth the head and fore-part of the body of a

caterpillar, which we at once recognized as that of aspecies of Lyda,

and which there can be no doubt is that of the species which we find

in the winged state.

The mode in which these terrestrial caddice insects form their cases

is very remarkable. The larvee by degrees cut off one edge of the

leaf, thereby forming a strip about one-eighth of an inch wide, at the

same time eating a portion of the leaf immediately adjoining the slit

which they make. The strip of the leaf is gradually lengthened as

the insect proceeds upwards or downwards along the edge of the

leaf. Its mode of action will however be best learned by our fig. a,

which represents part of the, underside of a leaf with its attached

case and inclosed insect. One end of the strip is, in fact, rolled

round the insect’s body (the roll being fastened by silken threads of

great delicacy, which the insect spins), whilst the other end of the

strip is only detached from the leaf when the larva has arrived at its

extremity. As however the insect would be very liable to the

attacks of ichneumon-flies and other insects, if the strip were bent

upwards, the insect has the singular instinct to roll it downwards, so

that the insect whilst feeding is entirely protected from being seen

from above by the part of the strip nearest to the body of the leaf,

seen in our fig. a, to the left of the head of the insect, the uneven

edge of the leaf above its head being the part from which it has

already detached a portion of the strip which it has wrapped round

its body ; it will also be seen that it has the further instinct to arrange

the serrated edge of the leaf outside of its case, so that wet is thrown

off just as by the tiles of the roof of a house. There is a still farther

display of instinct in the strip being rolled spirally, so as to form a

long case.

The roll or case when the larva is full-grown is two inches long

Miscellaneous. 439

(fig. 6) ; this however is formed by the addition of strips cut off

several leaves. This it effects by fastening the tip of a fresh leaf to

the top of its half-formed case, and then thrusting its head and fore-

part of its body out of its case, it commences biting off the fresh

strip, bending it downwards and twisting it round in the same direc-

tion as the part already formed.

The full-grown larva is nearly an inch long, ofa green dirty colour,

with two six-jointed antennz, two moderate-sized globose black

eyes, three pairs of thoracic legs, and a pair of laterally porrected

slender three-jointed feeler-like organs attached to the extremity of

the underside of the last segment of the body, which is flattened

beneath. Fig. c. represents the larva taken out of its case and mag-

nified. When taken out of their cases they appear for a considerable

time very uneasy, writhing about without any regularity, but spin-

ning a number of very delicate silken threads on the underside of

the leaves, pushing themselves by degrees between the under surface

of the leaves and this bundle of threads; they then draw the threads

more tightly at the edges of the leaves, causing them to curl a little,

this being effected by passing the head from side to side, and then

returning, fastening the thread, spun from the mouth, at each extre-

mity.

We have been particular in describing the proceedings of this

insect, as it is the only instance we have ever met with in which a

case-making larva does not at once detach the particles of which it

constructs its case from the leaves or twigs, previous to attaching

them to its case, thereby rendering the case portable. In the pre-

sent instance, of course, the case is only strictly portable when the

entire strip is detached from the leaf. Moreover this insect differs

very greatly in its habits from those of the previously noticed species

of the genus to which it belongs*.

As the larva disappears at the end of July and the imago does not

appear till the following May, there is no doubt that the intervening

time is passed in the pupa state, most probably underground.—

I. O. W.— Gardeners’ Chronicle for Oct. 16.

* A Memoir, by Huber, on a species with precisely similar habits, but

which forms its roll of hazel-leaves, is given in the ‘ Mémoires de la Société

de Physique et d’Histoire Naturelle de Genéve,’ tom, ix. 1842, of which a

4AQ Miscellaneous.

In the memoir which I have the honour of submitting to the Aca-

demy, I have described the results of further researches on the orga-

nogeny of the irregular corollas. I shall briefly indicate the principle

in this abstract. In the monocotyledons the study of the develop-

ment of the flower of the Cannee afforded direct proof that it is the _

stamina only metamorphosed into petals in a more or less complete

manner from their first appearance, which impart to the corolla its

irregular aspect. The two outer ternary verticils are always deve-

loped one after the other, precisely as the calyx and corolla of dico-

tyledons. This law, which I have verified in more than ten families,

appears to be very general among monocotyledonous plants. In the

dicotyledons the adult corolla of the Acanthacee, Globularia, Gesne-

riacee, Bignoniacee and Goodeniacee, which is frequently far from re-

gular, presents itself on its first appearance in the form of a small

cupule with five very equal and rounded teeth at the border, but

this state is more or less ephemeral according to the genera and spe-

cies. Very soon the unequal elongation of the divisions of the co-

rolla, their different degrees of adhesion or their partial atrophy,

determine a very marked irregularity. The same applies with respect

to the flower of Centranthus in the Valerianee, to that of the Lobe-

liacee and of the Scrophulariacee. In this last family the corolla of the

Calceolarie, one of the most anomalous of the vegetable kingdom, is

reduced at its origin to a scooped-out cupola, which is very regular

and furnished with four equal minute teeth ; the nascent calyx like-

wise presents but four divisions.

The highly remarkable floral envelope of Begoniacee likewise ap-

pears at the period of its formation, as regards both male and female

flowers, in the form of a continuous ring, and exhibits at its. cir-

cumference five very equal small segments; but there are some of

them, especially in the male flowers, which disappear entirely or

which become in part atrophied, so as to give to the coloured enve-

lope that peculiar structure which forms its principal character.

From the facts detailed in my two memoirs and derived from the

study of genera with irregular flowers from twenty-five natural fami-

lies, I feel justified in deducing the following consequences : —

1. The simple theory announced by DeCandolle as early as 1813,

according to which the irregular flowers should be referred to regular

types from which they appear to have degenerated, must be admitted

as true, although conceived @ priori, and solely from the attentive

examination of some cases of peloria, or of flowers which have become

regular at the adult age. But if in the actual state of science, orga-

nogeny affords us a direct demonstration of this important principle

of botanical philosophy, I must add, that the symmetry of an irregular

flower even at its very origin does not always strictly exist ; it is fre-

translation appeared in the ‘ Annals of Natural History,’ vol. xi. 1843. The

memoir chiefly details the mode in which the leaf is fastened into a spiral

coil by the larva. The author was unaware to what species or genus it

belonged.

f 4

Miscellaneous. . A441.

quently merely indicated by empty places where the absent organs

are never developed, as is very readily seen with respect to the sta-

mina of those plants. We may therefore infer among the ordinary

causes of disturbance in the floral symmetry, such as abortion, mul-

tiplication, degenerescence and adhesion, likewise that of the non-

development of organs.

2, With respect to the origin of the union of the stamina called

monadelphous, diadelphous, polyadelphous and synantherous, their

adhesion is always subsequent to their first formation. The family

of the Stylidie (Stylidium adnatum) alone appears to me to furnish a

int exception to this rule as regards the adhesion of the

styles. .

oh shall here enumerate three principal kinds of irregularity among

all the irregular corollas which I have examined :—

1, Irregularity by simple inequality of development among the

several segments of the corolla, with complication of adhesion or

complete atrophy or arrest of growth; this is the most common.

2. Irregularity by deviation, where the segments although equal

turn all of the same side ; for instance, the corolla of Scevola levi-

gata (Goodeniacee), and the genera with ligulate florets of the Com-

posite.

3. Irregularity by simple metamorphosis of the stamina, as in the

family of the Cannee, and probably that of the Zingiberacee.—Comptes

Rendus, Aug. 16, 1847.

Chamza, a new genus of Birds allied to Parus. By Wm. Gamprn.

Bill short, tapering to the point, acute and compressed. Both

mandibles entire, ridge of upper elevated, and curving nearly from

the base ; the depression for the nostrils large, oval and exposed ; the

nostrils opening beneath a membrane in the depression. Wings

very short and much rounded. Tail very long and graduated. Tarsus

long.

Chamea fasciata, nobis. Ground Tit.

Parus fasciatus, nobis, Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sci. vol. ii. p. 265.

This interesting bird, placed provisionally among the Titmice, I

have now made the type of a new genus, not being able as yet to

find a suitable place for it among those already described.

For several months before discovering the bird, I chased among

the fields of dead mustard stalks, the weedy margins of streams, low

thickets and bushy places, a continued, loud, crepitant, grating scold,

which I took for that of some species of wren, but at last found to

proceed from this wren-tit, if it might so be called. It is always

difficult fo be seen, and keeps in such places as I have described, close

to the ground; eluding pursuit by diving into the thickest bunches

of weeds and tall grass, or tangling bushes, uttering its grating wren-

like note whenever an approach is made towards it.

But if quietly watched, it may be seen, when searching for insects,

to mount the twigs and dried stalks of grass sideways, jerking its long

tail; and keeping it erect like a wren, which, with its short wings,

in such a position it so much resembles; at the same time uttering

Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol.xx. Suppl. 32

442 Meteorological Observations.

a very slow, monotonous, singing, chickadee note, like pee pee pee

pee peep; at other times its notes are varied, and a slow, whistling,

continued pwit, pwit, pwit, pwit, pwit, pwit, may be heard. Again,

in pleasant weather towards spring, I have heard them answering

one another, sitting upon a low twig, and singing in a less solemn

strain, not unlike a sparrow, a lively pit, pit, pit,irrrrrrryr, but if

disturbed, at once resuming their grating scold.—Silliman’s Journal

Sor Sept. 1847.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR oct, 1847.

Chiswick.—October 1. Hazy: cloudy. 2 Cloudy. 3. Light clouds and fine:

overcast. 4. Foggy: fine. 5. Fine: light clouds: clear at night. 6. Dense

fog : very fine : lightning and rain at night. 7. Fine: rain: lightning at night :

clear. 8. Very fine. 9,10. Rain. 11. Rain in forenoon: clear at night.

12, Slight fog: very fine. 13. Foggy: hazy: cloudy at night. 14, Hazy and

drizzly: cloudy. 15. Hazy andcold: slight rain. 16. Foggy: very fine. 17,

Foggy, with slight drizzle: very fine. 18. Slight fog: rain. 19, Exceedingly

fine: rain. 20. Very fine: rain at night. 21. Rain: clear at night. 22. Fine,

23. Densely clouded and boisterous: rain. 24. Slight showers, 25. Very clear :

fine: clear and frosty. 26. Frosty: uniformly overcast. 27. Fine: rain. 28.

Hazy and mild. 29. Exceedingly fine. 30, Overcast and mild. $1. Cloudy

and mild.

Mean temperature of the Month .........sessereeeceeeeseseens 52°14

Mean temperature of Oct. 1846 ...seccsecoeseeeees covessccces OO *ST

Mean temperature of Oct. for the last twenty years .,.... 50 *42

Average amount of rain in Oct. ...secceeees es an veda des gGede. 2°60 inches.

Boston. —Oct. 1—5. Cloudy. 6. Rain. 7. Fine: rainr.m. 8. Fine. 9. Fog:

eclipse of the sun invisible until three-quarters over: fog. 10. Rain: rain a.m.

11—13. Fine. 14,15. Cloudy. 16. Fine. 17, 18 Fog. 19, 20. Fine.

21. Cloudy: rain a.m. 22. Fine. 23. Cloudy: rainr.m. 24—26. Fine.

27. Rain: rain a.m. and p.m. 28. Fog. 29. Rain: raina.m. 30, Fine:

rain a.M. 31. Cloudy.

¢ Sandwick Manse, Orkney.—Oct. 1. Clear: cloudy. 2. Cloudy: clear. 3.

Cloudy. 4. Cloudy: drops. 5. Bright: showers. 6. Showers. 7. Drizzle.

8. Drizzle: clear: aurora. 9. Clear: cloudy. 10. Cloudy: drizzle. 11. Clear:

fog. 12. Fog. 13. Cloudy: clear: aurora. 14, Cloudy:clear. 15,16. Clear:

cloudy. 17. Showers: drizzle. 18. Rain. 19. Damp: rain. 20, 21. Showers:

clear. 22. Showers: rain. 293. Showers: sleet-showers, 24. Sleet-showers.

25. Clear. 26. Drops: showers. 27. Bright: drops. 28. Cloudy. 29. Cloudy:

shower: lightning. 30, Showers: rain. 31. Bright: cloudy.

Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire—Oct. 1, 2. Chill and droughty. 3, 4.

Dull, but fair. 5. Fair a.m.: showery p.m. 6. Heavy raina.m. 7. Heavy

rain a.M.: flood. 8. Frequentshowers. 9. Fine a.m.: rain P.M. 10. Heavy

rain. 11. Fair: rain in the night preceding. 12, Fair and fine. 13. Fair,

but raw and cloudy. 14,15. Fair, though chilly. 16. Very fine clear day.

17. Dull and cloudy. 18. Dull and cloudy: rain p.m. 19. Heavy rain. 20,

21. Occasional showers. 22. Rain a.m.: very heavy r.m. 23. Rain early

A.M.: fine day. 24. Heavy showers, 25. Fair: fine: clear. 26. Rain nearly

all day. 27, Heavy rain and flood, 28, Fog: clearedr.m. 29, Fair and fine.

30. Fair a.m.: heavy rainr.m. $1. Rain early A.M. : cleared.

Mean temperature of the month ......... edbaesdebantoses exces 495

Mean temperature of Oct. 1846 wissecsecsesceee seccseiscecsse 49 °5

Mean temperature of Oct. for twenty-five years ............ 49 °6

Average rain in Oct. for twenty years sssseccccoessseeeeses 3°56 inches.

Rain in Oct. 1847 eeeter Cee eeteesraae® SOeeeeeraeeerseses C8 eetaee O. 5:09 >

Sf. OF-1 | G0. [**"""| ‘as | sou | «ms | ms | PH] SP} SV\ FPS] 99] 19 | 19 | g0-0€] £0.0€| 66-62! 98-62 | LS.6z ‘¢g0-08 6£7-08 | Le |

jo. |*****7] G0. frees} eaam| 9s | eas | ss Sb | fLb | ob) €9| 9F| gb | 8S | 8L-6z| ¥8-6z| 0L-6z| F0-0€ | LL-6z |901-0€ \zgz-0€ | ‘of D

Lo. |*""*"| €0- je*er**| sm | em | eo} ems | OF | $67 | for) SO S-€S| ge | zo | ¥g-6z| 68-6%| F0.0€| L6-6z | £L-62 |L91-0€ Loz Of | “62 |

to. |"*"***| SI- 0 | "asa ‘mM |uyeo| «ms | TG} Of | 17) S| 19) EF | LS | 96-62] OT-0€! O1-0£ | 61-0€ | $9-6z \€2Z-0€ |G1E-08 | “8 |

OTe "|" BS | ease} om | -s | os | OF | FeS | f1S/ FSG) 6] Le | LS | 66-62] £2.62! 11-08 | 06-62 | 98-62 |TEE-0€ |1F£-0€ | “Lz |

to poy peeers| tas | cass | om | cs | OF | OF | OF) ES! OF] VE | 9G | 28.6z| F0-0£! 00-0£ | O1-0€ | £6.62 \EFE-0€ 'g0€- of 0%

Lo. [yer yer) st | sms | cm | tm | I] S| LE) ZS) HF! 9% | ES | 01-08] £L.6z| 90-08 | LL-6z | 09-62 6£6.62 £gz-08 | “So

gg. |"****"| L6- | To. | “mu | sms | ems | cms | PH] SV | Sf) f0S| SH) SE | £S | bZ-6%| 91-62! 8h-6z| 8E-6z | FZ-6% 00L-6% Ez. 4 Vo |

QL. |P%t i "| PH | mM | ems | cms | ems | PP | SP | LEI FES) 29) g€ | 09 | 91-62) 1-6z/ PE-62| PE-6z | S1-6z rane 6% 669-62) “€ZO |

Ste | 10+ | “MSS | mss | cms | ms | 19 | 67 | FIV! HS! OF] HH | 69 | ¥6-9z| OF-6z| LE.6z| L9-6z | 09.6% |Z£6-6z SST-0f | *%

Tt |"""**"| 6 | 10- | *s |emum| -m | om | f0F | Sb | eb) 19; 0G) ze | gS | g0.6z! 25-60! 92-62! ZS-6z | O£-6z \gPL-6z 9£0. Of | “1%

63. |°°""/""""""| OG | “MS | cms jemsm! -m | SP | SP tah) HS) OF) GE | LS | gh.6%| 8C-6z) Sb-6z | LP-6z | $z-6% B0L.6Z 968-66) ‘0%

GL. [erie""| Loe | sm | cms} +s | cs | 6h | S| £5) 99) SS| sb | Lo | 11-62| 11-62| 81-62| L1-62 | $0.62 zgt-62 9LP-62| “6I

ee. peers] go. | ts | cms | urea! sm | $29 | FES | F2S| SS! 6h! 6P | ZO | £2-6z| 0F-6z| £E-62| gP-6z | O£-6% |86S-62 81Z-62| ‘RT

Ste fr} """"| TO. | ms | cms | myea) a | 3G | 3S | FLE) SG) OS) OF | 19 | 6F-6%| 09-62) 99-62 | 08-6z | 1S-64 €F8-6% 986-62) “LI C

soescciooecsierores! tO, | *ms | ca a ‘a | fo$ | OS | oF; 99) 19] ZG | 29 | £8.62] £0-0€| 98-62! $6-62 | 96-62 |PF6-6z 096-62 “OL

seee9909.0 /""""""| 10. | “mu | cou | *a | +a | $60 | FZb | Eh) SS) 2S} ob | 9S | F0-0€! 00.06} 06-62! £8-6z | $£-6% |$69-62 S998.62! °S1

Pesecelscesecieeeees/ TQ, | cas | cam | ou | *a 9v | oF | SV\EZS) 1S] gh | FS | 64-62) 10-08! 08-62! 98-62 | 05-62% \6€L-6z 198.62| ‘FI

teereeieeeceeieoreericeeres oumied | cau | ‘oua | ‘a | for | 46h | £60 FS) SS} 6h | FO | E1-0€! O1-0€] L6-6z| $6-6z | 09-62 |€6L-6% 616-62) “EI

sreseejseesesiseesesierees) 9 | cou | vas | s | OG | F19 |¥2S| Lo) SG} ZS | ZL | g0.0€| 96-62} 98-62 | LL-6z | Ph-62 PhE-6% 988-62| “ZI

Go. |"*"""} PI. |€0- | *as | va | ‘as | cas | 2S | $PS |$7S| 19) LS} oF | 99 | 99.6a| £9.62! E62! 90-62 | SF-6z |6£9-62 OF8-6z! ‘IT

sereesieeeees DE, | ZO. | “OS | vas | asa | *s | 709 | €S | $19) #69| LG} gh | So | 90.62] 92-6a| 09-6z| £9-6z | 96-6 |Fo8-6z 198-62! *OT

teeseeieeeseeisereer 7. | vas | a | *m | cms | FOS | ¥0S | gf; 9S) GF} ZS | 29 | 39-65! 06-62! £9-6z | SL-6z | 9F-6z [088-62 ‘L68- 6z| 6 @

Lt. \9g-1 | Lb. | €0. | as | *s | *m | sms | FOV | fos | ¥Sh) FzS) oG| ES | £9 | 6L-6%| 99-62) $9.62) Ob-6z | 0-62 [£92.62 $g8-6z| *8

Lo. |""""*"| GO. | ZZ | “AS | *s | as | ms | 19] gv} gh\ FES) LG} LE | FO | 29.6! b9.6z! OF-6z| LZ-64 | 11-62 |09F-6z 'SV9-62| *L

orp St. | 8 | a | %@ | as | OF | FOP | FEF) ES) OS] ZS | £9 | £6.62) 96-6z| OF-6z | 09-62 | 0€-62 |ghS-6z LE9. 6z| °9

trreeeieceeeejeeeresieevvee) cou | cou | cu | ‘ou | Ly | Sh |¥€9/F0S} 6F| €€ | 09 | 68-62] 96-6z| £9-6z | 92-62 | SE-6z |LP9-6% 0SL-64| °S

sseccelecsces|eoreseleoecoe! ear | soy | cag | *a wy | 6h | OF| €S) 19} 6€ | ZO | Lo.o€| LI-o€| 06-62 | £0-0€ | 79-62% |988-62 6£0-0€ | ‘FP

SGP vagicocces)| Saelee!sococs alyeo _*au *Uu ‘ou te) 6P £10 $2¢ GS SV 6S 0£-0€ ve-0€ Z1-0€ 91-08 ZL-6% PZ1-0F V9OT-0€ *€

sencselooeees ‘eerre| sou feaua | au | ‘au | $Cp | Of | gh] S¢S-€S| ah | 09 | PE-0€| SE.0€| E1-0€| 91-08 | P9-6z |6£0-0€ |oT1-0€| “a D

*ereeeirececelereceeiseeees) ou | ‘aua jules | ‘au | ¥gh | Of | Zh) f6S| 99] 2 | So | IP-0€| P-0€| ST-0€ | $1-0€ | F9-6z |S66-6z |0S0.0€ | “I

~ S) ol vo|# zie = | & | curd | -ure | curd | cure “PO

22is2/) 5 | = on] § | BS ‘ 3s 8

BS 9 e 3 % pS "8 5 z Pp brome “ieee a 35 *YOIMSTYyD Tan. “aI lys-satayuIn( 5 od “yolmstgqg =>

‘ BS

*UIey Pur *I9JOWLOUIIOY, “TIJOMLOIV & 2

4.44

INDEX to VOL. XX.

: ACANTHION, new species of, 352.

Acrias, new species of, 29.

Actinogonium, diagnosis of the new genus,

127.

Adams, A., on a new species of Fulgora,

204; on the habits of certain exotic

spiders, 289.

ase characters of the new genus,

347.

Agassiz, L., on the moose and carabou,

and on the American raven, 142.

Allman, Prof. G. J., on a new genus and

species of Entomostraca, 1; on a new

genus and species of tracheary spiders,

47.

Anser, new species of, 214.

Antelope, new species of, 286.

Anthenea, new species of, 198.

Apteryx, new species of, 282.

Arachnactis, characters of the new genus,

347.

Arachnidans, tracheary, on a new genus

and species of, 47.

Arctibius, new species of, 434.

Argalia, new species of, 212.

Asteriadz, on some new genera and spe-

cies of, 193.

Asterodiscus, new species of, 196.

Astrogonium, new species of, 199.

“Aterica, new species of, 64.

Atrypa, new species of, 231.

Attus, new species of, 294.

Australia, on the fossil botany and zoology

of the rocks associated with the coal

of, 145, 226, 298.

Babington’ 8, C. C., list of plants gathered

during a short visit to Iceland in 1846,

30; Manual of British Botany, notice

of, 52.

Badham’s, Dr.C. D., Treatise on the Escu-

lent Funguses of England, notice of,

128.

Barnéoud, M., on the organogeny of the

irregular corollas, 440,

Bat, on a new species of, 434.

Beaver, on the range of the, 357.

Bellerophon, new species of, 308.

Birds of New Zealand and Australia,

notes on rare, 55 ; of Chile, descriptions

of the eggs of some, 56; notices re-

€

specting some Irish, 169 ; observations

on some Indian, 313; of Tobago, 328,

370; of Calcutta, remarks on the, 382 ;

new, 143, 211, 214, 356, 441,

Blanchard, E., on the circulation in in-

sects, 112.

Blyth, E., on Mr. J. E. Gray’s published

catalogue of the specimens of mamma-

lia and birds presented by B. H. Hodg-

son, Esq., to the British Museum, 313;

on C. J. Sundevall’s paper on the birds

of Calcutta, 382.

Bonaparte, Prince Ch. Lucien, on a new

species of bat, 434.

Books, new:—Babington’s Manual of

British Botany, 52 ; Lindley’s Elements

of Structural and Physiological Botany,

53; Hussey’s Illustrations of British

Mycology, 54; Badham’s Esculent Fun-

guses of England, 128; Pfeiffer’s Mo-

nographia Heliceorum, 345; Sars’ Fauna

littoralis Norvegize, 346; the Journal

of the Indian Archipelago, 411.

Boselaphus, new species of, 286.

Botany, Structural and Physiological,

Elements of, reviewed, 53.

Bouchard, M., on a new species of Lep-

teena, 250,

Bouvé, M., on a new Echinus from the

millstone grit of Georgia, 142.

Brachiopoda, descriptions of some species

of, 250

Brachymetopus, description of the new

genus, 229.

Buckley, S. B., on the range of the beaver

in the United States, 357.

Butterflies, descriptions of new species of,

257.

Cabot, Dr.,on Pyranga roseogularis, 143.

Calliderma, description of the genus, 197.

Carabus, new species of, 14.

Cardinia, new species of, 302.

Cassin, J., on a new species of Cymindis,

356.

Cell-sap, on the power of the living plant

to restrain the evaporation of the, 35.

Ceratocarcinus, description of the genus,

Cervus, on some American species of,

142,

INDEX.

arn of the British Islands, on the,

Cetoniadee, descriptions of new, 264, 341.

Chalcidites collected in North America,

on some undeseribed, 19,

parr white, on the different beds of the,

Chameea, description of the new genus,

on 441. .%

Charaxes, new species of, 65.

Chelura terebrans, observations on, 160.

Chitonidz, on the genera of the family,

67, 131.

Cicada septendecim, on the habits of, 136.

Cirrospilus, new species of, 27.

Cladochonus, description of the new genus,

227.

Clausina, characters of the new genus, 18.

Closterocerus, new species of, 22.

Coal-formation of Australia, on the fossil

botany and zoology of, 145, 226, 298.

Conularia, new species of, 306.

Corollas, irregular, on the organogeny of

the, 440. :

Cotton, Dr. R. P., on the pliocene de-

posits of the valley of the Thames at

Ilford, 164.

Crinoidea, fossil, descriptions of new, 228.

Crocodilus lucius, on the circulation of,

435.

Cruciferse, on the structure of the fruit of

the, 361.

Crustacea, descriptions of new, from the

Eastern seas, 61; new, 205; descrip-

tions of new fossil, 229 ; notes on some

Irish, 237.

Cryptogamia, new, 379.

Cryptopodia, new species of, 205.

Culcita, new species of, 195.

Cyclopteris, new species of, 148,

Cymindis, new species of, 356.

Dana, J. D., on the geographical distri-

bution and classification of Zoophytes,

Davidson, T., on some species of Brachio-

poda, 250.

Davy, Dr. J., on the- early generative

power of the goat, 192.

Decaisne, J., on the parasitical nature of

the Rhinanthacez, 209.

DeCandolle, M. Alph., on the relative

duration of the power to germinate in

seeds belonging to different families, 38.

Dermatemys, characters of the new genus,

60.

Diatomacee, on conjugation in the, 9,343.

Dictyolampra, diagnosis of the new genus,

127.

Didelphys, on the reproduction of, 324.

Dinornis, on the eggs of the, 285.

Diphyes, new species of, 347.

445

Doclea, new species of, 61." ~

Dorypera, characters of the genus, 283.

Doubleday, E., on some undescribed spe-

cies of Lepidoptera, 63.

Dufossé, Dr., on the development of the

Echinide, 356.

Echinidz, on the development of the, 356.

Echinus, new species of, 142,

Ehrenberg, Prof., on the microscopical

siliceous Polycystina of Barbados, 115.

Elachestus, new species of, 27.

Elephant, on the spermatozoa of the, 424.

Emyde, characters of the new genus of,

Encyrtus, new species of, 21.

Entedon, new species of, 23,

Entomostraca, new genus and speciesof, 1.

Eulophus, new species of, 24.

Euomphalus, new species of, 305,

Eupelmus, new species of, 19.

Fishes; notices respecting some Irish, 171.

Foraminifera, notices respecting some

Irish, 175.

Fossil tree, notice of a, 285.

Fowl, common, on the original stock of

the, 387.

Fry, E., on the circulation of Crocodilus

lucius, 435.

Fulgora, on a new species of, 204.

Gambel, W., on Chamzea, a new genus of

birds allied to Parus, 441.

Ganeria, new species of, 204.

Gelasimus, new species of, 205.

Glencon, M., on a black and white mot-

tled swan, 214.

Glossopteris, new species of, 150.

Goat, on the early generative power of

the, 192. .

Gonatonotus, description of the new

genus, 62.

Gosse, P. H., on the habits of the Noc-

tilio mastivus, 424,

Gould, J., on a new species of Apteryx,

282; on @ new arrangement of the

Trochilide, 283. ;

Grasses from the coast of Demerara, de- _

scriptions of, 396.

Grasshopper, new species of, 409.

Gray, J. E., on a new genus of Emydz,

59; on the genera of the family Chito-

nid, 67,131; on some new genera and

species of Asteriade, 193; on a new

lizard, 212; on the finner whales, with

the description of a new species, 277 ;

on a new species of antelope, 286; on

the porcupines of the older or eastern

continent, with descriptions of new s

cies, 349; on the Cetacea of the British

Islands, 436.

vars G. R., on Strigops habroptilus

446

Gray, Prof. A., on the food of the masto-

. don, 142,

Gulliver, G., on the spermatozoa of the

Indian elephant, 424.

— characters of the new genus,

‘Hancock, J., on the capture of Sylvia

Turdoides in Britain, 135.

Harris, Dr. W., on the habits of Cicada

septendecim, 138.

Heliceorum viventium Monographia, no-

tice of the, 345.

Heterochroa, new species of, 257.

Hewitson, W. C., on some new species of

butterflies, 257.

Higginbottom, J., on the number of spe-

cies and mode of development of the

British Triton, 70.

Hildreth, Dr. 8S. P., on the habits of Ci-

cada septendecim, 136.

Hodgson, B. H.,on a new genus of Suide

-and a new species of Taxidea, 434.

Hop-fly, note on the, 209.

Hosia, new species of, 199.

Hussey’s, Mrs. T. I., Illustrations of Bri-

tish Mycology, notice of, 54.

Hyastenus, characters of the genus, 61.

Hymenoptera, new, 394.

Iceland, on some plants gathered during a

short visit to, in 1846, 30.

Indian Archipelago, on the flora and fauna

of the, 412.

Inoceramus, new species of, 299.

Insects, on the circulation in, 112.

ee additions to the fauna of, 169,

237.

Jardine, Sir W., on the ornithology of the

island of Tobago, 328, 370.

Jeffreys, J. G., on some British shells,

Jones, C. H., on the structure and deve-

lopment of the liver, 273.

Ladybirds, on a swarm of, 212.

Lambrus, new species of, 63.

Lawrence, G. N., on a new species of Pro-

cellaria, 211; on a new species of An-

ser, 214.

Leach, Dr. W. E., on the classification of

the British Mollusca, 267.

Leidy, Dr. J., on the situation of the ol-

factory sense in the terrestrial tribe of

the gasteropodous mollusca, 210.

Lepidoptera, on some undescribed species

of, 63, 257.

Leptzna, new species of, 250.

Leskea, new species of, 379.

Lindley’s, Dr. J., Elements of Botany,

structural and physiological, reviewed,

53.

Liostephania, diagnosis of the new genus,

INDEX,

Literary and Philosophical Society of St.

Andrews, proceedings of the, 129.

Liver, on the structure and development

of the, 272.

Lizard, on a new species of, 212.

Lyda inanita, on the habits of, 437.

M‘Coy, F., on the fossil botany and zoo-

logy of the rocks associated with the

coal of Australia, 145, 226, 298.

Maclagan, Dr. P. W., on some plants col-

lected in the line of the Rideau Canal,

Canada West, 11.

Mammalia, observations on some Indian,

313; on the distinction between the

cervical and dorsal vertebree in the, 429.

Mantell, Dr., on the eggs of the Moa or

Dinornis of New Zealand, 285.

Manual of British Botany, notice of C. C.

Babington’s, 52.

Margarita, new species of, 17.

Marsupialia, on the reproduction of the,

324.

Mastodon, on the food of the, 142.

Medusa, on the development of the, 129.

Meigs, Dr., on the reproduction of the

opossum, 324.

Metallura, characters of the genus, 283.

Meteorological observations, 71, 143,215,

287, 359, 442.

Modiola, new species of, 300.

Mohl, H. v., on the power of the living

plant to restrain the evaporation of

the cell-sap, 34.

Mollusca, notices respecting some Irish,

173; British, on Dr. Leach’s classifi-

cation of the, 267; fossil, new, 231.

—, gasteropodous, on the situation of

the olfactory sense in the terrestrial

tribe of the, 210.

Morris, J.,on some species of Brachio-

poda, 250.

Mosses, new species of, 378.

Nephila, new species of, 290.

Noctilio mastivus, on the habits of the,

424,

Notodelphys, characters of the new ge-

nus, 2.

Notomya, new species of, 303.

Odontopteris, new species of, 147.

Odostomia, new species of, 16.

Oligobranchus, characters of the new ge-

nus, 348.

Omalia, new species of, 379.

Opossum, on the reproduction of the, 324.

Orang-outan, new species of, 286.

Orbicula, new species of, 237.

Orthis, new species of, 234.

Otopteris, new species of, 148.

Owen, Prof., on Dr. Meigs’s memoir on

the reproduction of the opossum, 324.

Pachydomus, new species of, 301.

INDEX.

Parmelia, new species of, 381.

Patiria, new species of, 203.

Pecopteris, new species of, 152. <

Pecten, descriptions of fossil species of,

298.

Pennatula, new species of, 347.

Pentaceros, on some species of, 196.

Pentagonaster, new species of, 200.

Perigonimus, characters of the new ge-

nus, 347.

Petasidee, new species of, 409.

Petricia, new species of, 202.

Pfeiffer’s, Dr., Heliceorum viventium Mo-

nographia, reviewed, 345.

Phragmicoma, new species of, 380.

Phyllotheca, observations on the genus,

152; new species of, 156.

Pieris, new species of, 63.

Pilotrichum, new species of, 378.

Plagiochila, new species of, 381.

Plants, on some, collected in the line of

the Rideau Canal, Canada West, 11; on

some, gathered during a short visit to

Iceland in 1846, 30; on the power of

living, to restrain the evaporation of

the cell-sap, 35; description of new

fossil, 145.

Plesiosaurus, on the atlas, axis, and sub-

vertebral wedge-bones in the, 217.

Pleurorhynchus, new species of, 300.

Pleurotomaria, new species of, 306.

Polycystina of Barbados, on the microsco-

pical siliceous, 115.

Polygastrica, characters of new genera

of, 127

Porcula, new species of, 434.

Porcupines, descriptions of new species

of, 349.

Procellaria, on a new species of, from

Florida, 211.

Productus, new species of, 236.

Pteraster, new species of, 204.

Pteropoda, descriptions of new fossil, 306.

Pullastra, new species of, 305.

Pygorhynchus, new species of, 142,

Pyranga, new species of, 143.

Radula, new species of, 380. —

Randasia, on some species of, 195.

Reid, Dr., on the development of the

Medusa, 129.

Rhinanthacez, on the parasitical nature

of the, 209.

Rissoa, new species of, 16.

Royal Society, proceedings of the, 273.

Sars’ Fauna littoralis Norvegiz, reviewed,

346.

Savage, Rev. T. S., on a new orang-

outan, 286.

Schizorhina, new species of, 264.

Schomburgk, Sir R. H., on the microsco-

pical siliceous Polycystina of Barbados,

447

and their relation to existing animals,

115 ; on some new grasses and sedges

from the east coast of Demerara, 396.

Sedges from the coast of Demerara, de-

criptions of, 407.

Seeds, on the relative duration of the

power to germinate in, 38.

Shells, new, 16, 207.

Smith, J. T., on the Ventriculidz of the

chalk, 73,176; on the different beds of

the white chalk, and on the faults and

dislocations which they exhibit, 334.

Smith, F., on a new species of hymeno-

pterous insect belonging to the family

Sphegide, 394.

Sowerby, G. B., jun., on several new spe-

cies of Spondylus, 207..

Spermatozoa of the Indian elephant, on

the, 424.

Sphegide, new species of, 394.

Sphenopteris, new species of, 149.

Spiders, on the habits of certain, 289;

new species of, 290.

.Spirifera, new species of, 233.

Spondylus, on several new species of, 207.

Stellaster, new species of, 197.

Stethorectus, new species of, 394.

Strange, Mr. F., on some rare birds of

New Zealand and Australia, 55.

Strigops habroptilus, description of, 66.

Strombodes, new species of, 227.

Sylvia Turdoides, on the capture of, in

Britain, 135.

Tatum, T., on two new species of Carabus

from Asia, 14.

Taxidea, new species of, 434.

Taylor, Dr. T., on five new species of

cryptogamic plants from Jamaica, 379.

Terebratula, new species of, 253.

Teredo norvegica, observations on, 157.

Tetragnatha, new species of, 293.

Tetrastichus, new species of, 28.

Thames, on the pliocene deposits of the

valley of the, 164.

Thompson, W., on the Teredo norvegica,

Xylophaga dorsalis, Limnoriaterebrans,

and Chelura terebrans, combined in de-

stroying the submerged wood-work at

the harbour of Ardrossan on the coast

of Ayrshire, 157; on the fauna of Ire-

land, 169, 237.

Thwaites, G. H. K., on conjugation in the

Diatomacee, 9, 343.

Tosia, new species of, 201.

Treviranus, L. C., on the structure of the

fruit of the Cruciferz, 361.

Tribrachyocrinus, description of the new

genus, 228.

Trilobites, new, 229.

Triton, on the number of British species

and mode of development of, 70.

448

- Trochilide, drafts for a new arrangement

of the, 283.

Turner, H.N., on the distinction between

the cervical and dorsal vertebre in

Mammalia, 429.

Tyche, new species of, 206.

Utica, characters of the new genus, 206.

Valdivia, characters of the new genus, 206.

Ventriculide of the chalk, on the, 74, 176.

Venus, new species of, 305.

Vertebraria, observations on the genus,

145,

Walker, on some undescribed Chalcidites

collected in North America, 19; on

the hop-fly, 209.

Westwood, J. O., on the rose caddice

saw-fly, 437,

INDEX.

Whales, observations on the species of;

277, 436.

White, A., on some new Crustacea, 61,

205; on some Cetoniade, 264, 341;

on Petasida ephippigera, a grasshopper

found in Australia, 409.

Wilson, W., on two new mosses from

Jamaica, 378.

Xylophaga dorsalis, observations on, 159.

Yarrell, W., on the eggs of some of the

birds of Chili, 56.

Zoological Society, proceedings of the, 55,

131, 192, 277, 349, 424.

Zoophytes, fossil, descriptions of new,

226; on the geographical distribution

and classification of, 98.

END OF THE TWENTIETH VOLUME.

PRINTED BY RICHARD AND JOHN E. TAYLOR,

RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET.

CATALOGUES

THE ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTION

THE BRITISH MUSEUM.

I. VERTEBRATA.

List of Mammalia. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S. &e. 1843. 2s.6d.

Catalogue of the Mammalia. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S. &c.

Part 1. Cetacea. 12mo, 1850. 4s., with Plates.

Part 2. Seals. 12mo, 1850. 1s. 6d., with Woodcuts.

Part 3. Hoofed Quadrupeds. Section I. 1852, with Plates

of Genera, 12s. |

This work contains the description of the genera and species,

and figures of the chief characters of the genera.

List of Mammalia and Birds of Nepaul, presented by B. H.

Hodgson, Esq., to the British Museum. By Dr. J. E. Gray

and G. R. Gray. 1846. 2s.

List of Birds. By G. R. Gray, F.L.S. &e.

Part 1. Raptorial. Edition 1, 1844; edition 2, 1848. 3s.

Part 2. Passeres. Section I. Fissirostres. 1848. 2s.

Part 3. Gallinz, Gralle and Anseres. 1844. Qs.

The other sections of the Passerine birds are in progress.

List of British Birds. By G. R. Gray, F.L.S. &e. 1850. 4s.

List of the Eggs of British Birds. By G. R. Gray, F.L.S. &e,

1852. 2s. 6d. .

Catalogue of Reptiles. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., V.P.Z.8. &e.

Part 1. Tortoises, Crocodiles and Amphisbeenians. 1844. ls.

Part 2. Lizards. 1845. 3s. 6d.

Part 3. Snakes (Crotalide, Viperide, Hydride and Boide).

1849. 2s. 6d.

Part 4, completing the Snakes (Colubridz), is in prepara-

tion.

Catalogue of Amphibia. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., V.P.Z.S.

Part 2. Batrachia Gradientia. 12mo, 1850. 2s. 6d., with

Plates of the Skull and Teeth. _—_ '

Catalogue of Fish. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., VPLS.

Part 1. Cartilaginous Fish. 12mo, 1850. 3s. With two

- Plates.

These Catalogues of Reptiles, Amphibia, and Fish, contain

the characters of all the genera and species at present known;

the latter are illustrated with figures of the genera.

List Le British Fish ; with, hg do gu A. Wuire, F.L.S. &e.

1851. 2s.

List of Osteological Specimens. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S. &c.

- 1847. 2s.

Il. ANNULOSA.

Catalogue of Lepidoptera. By G. R. Gray, F.L:S.

Part 1. Papilionide, with coloured figures of the new spe-

cies. £1: 5s. | : |

List of Lepidopterous Insects. By E. Dousiepay, F.L.S.

Part 1. Papilionide, &c. 1844. 2s. 6d.

Part 2. Erycinide, &e. 1847. 9d.

Part 3. Appendix to Papilionidee, Erycinide, &e. 1848. 9d.

Catalogue of Hymenopterous Insects. By F. WALKER, F.L:S.

Part 1. Chaleidide. 1846. Is. 6d.

Part 2. Additions to Chalcidide. 1848. 2s.

Catalogue of Dipterous Insects. By F. WALKER, F.L.S.

Part 1. 1848. 3s. 6d. Part 3. 1849. 3s.

_. Part 2. 1849. 3s. 6d. Part 4. 1849. 6s.

Catalogue of Homopterous Insects. By F. Wauker, F.L.S.

Part 1. 1850. 3s. 6d. Part 3. 1851. 3s. 6d.

Part 2. 1850. 5s. Part 4. 1852. 4s.

Catalogue of Neuropterous Insects. By F. WALKER, F’.L.S.

Part 1. 1852. 2s. 6d. Part 2. 1853, with Plates.

The Catalogues of Hymenopterous, Dipterous, and Homopte-

rous Insects contain the description of the species in the Museum

which appeared to be undescribed.

Catalogue of Hemipterous Insects. By W.S.Dauuas,F.L.S. &e,

With Plates, Part 1. 1851. 7s. . Part 2. 1852. 4s.

The Catalogue of Hemiptera contains the description of the

new species in the Museum Collection, and figures of the more

interesting genera. 7

Nomenclature of Coleopterous Insects (with characters of new

species).

Part 1. Cetoniadz. 1847. 1s. By A. Wutre, F.L.S. &c.

Part 2. Hydrocanthari. 1847. ls. 3d. By A. Wuire,

te Oe SE

Part 3. Buprestide. 1848. ls. By A. Wuirs, F.L.S.

Part 4. Cleride. 1849. 1s.8d. By A. Wuirs, F.L.S.

Part 5. Cucujide. 1851. 6d. By F. Smiru, M.E.S.

Part 6. Passalide. 1852. 8d.° By F. Smiru, M.-E.S.

Part 7. Longicornia, with Plates, 1853. By A. Wuire,

F.L.S.

List of Crustacea; with Synonyma. By A. WuiTE. 1847. 2s.

List of Myriapoda. By G. Newport, F.R.S. &c. 1844. 4d.

List of British Lepidoptera; with Synonyma. By J. F. Sre-

PHENS, F.L.S. Part 1. 1850. 5s. Part 2. 1852. 2s. Part 3.

1853. 3s.

List of British Aculeate Hymenoptera; with Synonyma, and the

description of some new species. By F. Smiru. 1851. 2s.

List of British Anoplura, or Parasitic Insects; with Synonyma.

By H. Denny. I|s.

List of British Crustacea; with Synonyma. By A. Wurres, F.L.S.

1850. 2s. 6d.

Ill. MOLLUSCA.

Catalogue of the Mollusca in the Collection of the British

Museum. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., &c.

Part 1. Cephalopoda Antepedia. 1849. 4s.

Part 2. Pteropoda. 1850. 1s.

Part 3. Placuniade and Anomiade. 1850. 4d.

Part 4. BrachiopodaAncylopoda; figuresof genera. 1853. 3s.

Containing the characters of the recent and fossil genera, and

the descriptions of all the recent species at present known.

Catalogue of Phaneropneumona or Operculated Terrestrial Mol-

lusca. By Dr. Louis Preirrer. 1852.

List of British Mollusea and Shells; with Synonyma. By

Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S.

Part 1. Acephala and Brachiopoda. 1851. 2s.

Nomenclature of Mollusca. By Dr. W. Barrp, F.L.S. &e.

Part 1. Cyclophoride. 1851. 1s. 6d.

IV. RADIATA.

Catalogue of Marine Polyzoa. By G. Busx, F.R. S. &e., with

characters and figures of all the species.

Part 1. Chilostoma. 1852. 17s.

Catalogue of the Echinide or Sea Eggs. By Dr. J. E. Gray,

F.R.S.

Part 1. Echinida irregularia. 12mo, 1851, with Plates.

Containing the characters of all the known genera and species,

and illustrated with figures of the new species.

List of British Radiata; with Synonyma. By Dr. J. E. Gray,

F.R.S. 1848. 4s.

List of British Sponges; with Synonyma. By Dr. J. E. Gray,

F.R.S. 1848. 10d.

V. BRITISH ZOOLOGY.

List of the British Animals; with Synonyma and references to

figures.

Part 1. Radiata. By Dr. J. E. Gray. 1848. 4s.

Part 2. Sponges. By Dr. J. E. Gray. 1848. 10d.

Part 3. Birds. By G. R.Gray. 1850. 4s.

Part 4. Crustacea. By A. Wuirre. 1850. 2s. 6d.

Part 5. Lepidoptera. By J. F. Srepuens. 1850. 5s.

Part 6. Hymenoptera. By F. Smirn. 1851. 2s.

Part 7. Mollusca Acephala and Brachiopoda. By Dr. J. FE.

Gray. 1851. 3s. 6d.

Part 8. Fish. By A. Wuirr. 1851. 3s.

Part 9. Eggs a! F ewune Birds. By G. R. Gray. 1852.

Part 10. Lepidoptera (continued). By J. F. SrepHens.

1852. 2s.

Part 11. Anoplura or Parasitic Insects. By H. Denny. 1s.

Part 12. Lepidoptera (continued). By J. F. StepHeEns.

852. 3s.

N.B.—These Catalogues can be obtained at the Secretary’s Office

in the BririsH Museum; or of any Bookseller.

Jan. 1853.

Re Sad

Baers

RR t

all ipee

OE: ee

A Oe

ne Ay eye :

SANE Ray

-e

pee sc precetels

dite are ite eS

es mu Cf 4 ae ae Ao = > woh #

a, saith hy wrk eee he ee ’ me elgg 3 aay

ci oe 4 Barats ab > re LPP thd eg a 5 Aa.

bohoe

* Fe

a is ey ave

olay phe

~ .

Sheet te e Dee

Bi) tS, ped has tid stat

crn cere) oe es ae

vias

stat

Parte’, bd Sa * Seni 0 ae

Aa rh Ta tr eg

AR ge dat? ’

SEeledd Ri orit 4

fe i oF

fy ;

ait} lobar

‘are = »

Ober ere

pe er Rp ae Oe oe

Led od

Se) tense ber etree

pero & : Tage haere C

| he Ald nh MES

Fime es ive ’ yf ikl

oath piRaERE

rf ey w

he 2b PF a) Pedi ia aa

+ oy ig ve a3 Be bi

i < se

he eae Fis ees te 2

PF Pes

Tht ad a BAP bo wer 4 ri

7 a, Le *.

i Eber ‘4 wy

Bese te hate i

Saft ean a the Cimiee nie

“ Ey , Bee Pee sere

pry ie storeys m sib Beha Hs phage ci fps xe ele

ie * lgagd ’ ‘ ‘ dia ie wippiliesmis he as

soa Sele bee . 5 ? 7 (oy td } 3 8

oe e

ahr

/ PP

er,

78 ta wry

is ae oe

Bites

wis

ke La 1

SS y

7 See

$0 5-3

ested. BaP By) : seein

Pee

ee ta

PieR Ap

swe

he yer

iertipes

Se wwe pe

Tate?

Berit a ti ;

a g(a tet

Blan «

SS ee oe.

LES

yee gine

mis Pd A

Ft aw oe

\ . ar

rib oh Ml, i

ae ae

ae a

et oe

SL le ete

iets

4 Agia peed

ree ei a Yo

ard

7 =

aes

Te.

= :

9-95:

eas ate + ere

aeaeee ti = Pt 7 ens

re. “ ae S q

, aa

ab |

videa

7 w

‘<7.

ee 3 5

Mahon

ees

' oes

ie >

pe : his

Figen re te hae tne SY ip

aad ‘Ms rage a he

whe

i no epeh cz

Pav. ?

Sa)

mah

niestei ot

2 Eb te

3233

era

Talasrete sgh Scie

arog, = a *

See te

( ee: ne :