58 Zoological Society. 



Penn., Dasyprocta Acuschy, Illig.,) recently obtained by him from 

 Guiana. Although they are abundant in their native country, he 

 had never, before the arrival of these individuals, seen a specimen of 

 the species, nor was he aware of the existence of even a preserved 

 skin in any English collection. The Acouchy is readily distinguish- 

 able from the well-known Agouti by its smaller size, its lighter 

 and more elegant proportions, its deeper colours, and other cha- 

 racters, which have been well pointed out by Barrere, Buffon, and 

 other naturalists. The most marked difference is found in the tails 

 of the two animals, that of the Agouti being little more than a tuber- 

 cle, while the tail of the Acouchy is upwards of two inches in 

 length ; it is slender, and of equal diameter throughout its extent, 

 and resembles a quill, or a portion of a tobacco-pipe. The animal 

 frequently agitates this organ with a quick tremulous motion. Both 

 the individuals are mild and gentle in their dispositions, but some- 

 what timid; they are, however, familiar with their master, and run 

 to him whenever he enters the room in which they are kept, and 

 about which they are allowed to range during the day. Their food 

 is entirely vegetable; they are especially partial to nuts and almonds : 

 they drink but little. They are extremely cleanly, and take great 

 pains to keep their fur in order, in cleansing which they mutually 

 assist each other. They leap occasionally in play to a considerable 

 height, and frequently on springing from the ground to an elevation 

 of two feet, descend on the spot from which they rose. Their 

 voice is a short, rather sharp, plaintive pur. The individuals, male 

 and female, show great attachment to each other. 



Mr. Vigors exhibited specimens of several species of birds, ap- 

 parently undescribed, from the Himalayan mountains. These 

 formed part of a collection which Mr. John Gould, A.L.S., had 

 lately received from India, and of which he intended to publish 

 coloured illustrations, to the number of one hundred figures. Se- 

 veral of the plates, representing some of the most interesting of the 

 species, were laid upon the table. 



Mr. Vigors having called the attention of the Committee to the 

 expedition with which these birds were made known to science 

 the specimens themselves not having been more than two months 

 in England, while representations of many of them were already 

 within that short space of time brought before the public, pro- 

 ceeded to make some remarks upon the geographical distribution 

 of the species. He particularly pointed out the identity of a large 

 proportion of their forms with those of Northern Europe; observing 

 that the elevation of their native mountains placed them on an equa- 

 lity in point of climate with the birds of more northern latitudes. 

 At the same time he added that many of the forms peculiar to 

 Southern Asia and the Indian Archipelago were found intermingled 

 with those of the northern regions. Among the forms similar to 

 the European, he particularized three species of Jays, the two first 

 of which exhibited a striking affinity in their markings to our well- 

 known British bird. They were named and characterized as follows : 



GARHULUS LANCEOLATUS. Garr. mnaceo-badius ; capite sub- 

 cristato, guld t jugulo, alisque atris ; collo anteriori albo lanceo- 



lato ; 



