ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 31 



some unknown large African mammal, recently extinct, or still repre- 

 sented by living specimens, and that this unknown animal was closely 

 related to the Proboscidea. " Semper aliquid novi ex Africa" remains 

 true. 



Genital Organs of Bradypodidse.* — Remy Perrier describes these, 

 with especial reference to the mode of fixation. In general, he concludes 

 that the persistence of the testes in the abdominal cavity is primitive in 

 Edentates and not a secondary return to an ancestral condition, and 

 that the Edentates are not related to any other order of Placentals, but 

 represent an independent stock dating from the early differentiation of 

 the Placentals into orders. 



Brain of Hatteria punctata.f — Julia Gisi has made a detailed study 

 of the brain of this interesting reptile. In form and structure it closely 

 resembles the Lacertilian brain. It is more primitive as regards the 

 position and paired differentiation of the cerebellum, in the development 

 of the cortical plates of the cerebrum, in the simple structure of the 

 velum medullare anticum, and the slight thickening of the medulla. 



The tracts of the nerve-fibres are in general like those in other 

 reptiles, but there are some secondary and quantitative deviations from 

 the Lacertilian type, e.g. as regards the commissura mollis and the 

 stronger posterior commissure. Resemblances to Amphibians are seen 

 in the origins of the 5th, 7th and 8th nerves, and in the independent 

 course of the glosso-pharyngeal and the separated frontal vagus portion. 

 But it must be noted that some of the peculiarities of form and propor- 

 tion, which distinguish the brain of Hatteria, are expressions of growth- 

 adjustments in correlation with the sense-organs and the like, and do 

 not reveal much as to the systematic position of the animal. 



A relatively primitive position is indicated by the rich development 

 of the epithelial regions, such as the roof of the third ventricle. A 

 median section shows that the thickening of the nervous regions of the 

 brain is relatively slight, and the development of the glandular parts is 

 highly specialised. 



Notes on South African Chameleons.} — G. B. Longstaff and E. B. 

 Poulton make some observations on colour change in several species of 

 chamasleons. The suggestion is made that in Ghamcdeon dilqns there 

 is a dry season hibernation during which the colours are steadfast. The 

 most interesting point recorded is that when Cpumiliis is subjected to 

 unilateral illumination, the side in deep shadow assumes a brighter tint 

 than that towards the light, which takes on a relatively dark colour. 

 This has the effect of neutralising the shadow on the one side and toning 

 down the high illumination of the other, so that all appearance of solidity 

 is dissipated. 



Anatomy of Heart in Frog and Turtle. § — J. Dogiel gives an 

 account of the muscles and nerves of the heart in Rana esculenta and 

 Emys caspica. In the frog auricles, ventricle and bulbus, the muscles 



* Ami. Sci. Nat. (Zool.) v. (1907) pp. 1-37 (2 pis. and 6 figs.), 

 t Zool. Jahrb., xxv. (1907) pp. 71-236 (1 pi. and 21 figs.). 

 X Journ. Linn. Soc, xxx. (1907) pp. 45-8. 

 § Arch. Mikr. inat., lxx. (1907) pp. 780-97 (2 pis. and 11 figs.). 



