1 98 Zoological Society. 



and is capable of being detached from the conjunctiva, when it presents 

 the form of a delicate layer of cuticle, with a black pigment deposited 

 beneath its surface*. 



" The cornea of the Cachalot is dense, and composed of many 

 layers ; when divided, a small quantity of limpid aqueous humour 

 flows forth : the anterior chamber of the eye is very limited, and the 

 crystalline lens projects into it through the pupillary aperture. The 

 iris is a coarse membrane of a dull-brown colour, with a narrow zone 

 of lighter hue surrounding its outer margin. Its inner and free margin 

 is very thin, and embraces the protruding convexity of the lens. 



"The lens is small, certainly not exceeding in size that of the human 

 eye : it forms nearly a perfect sphere : the vitreous humour tolerably 

 abundant. The retina was spread with beautifully delicate arbo- 

 rescent vessels, and afforded a small bright spot at the insertion of 

 the optic nerve. Beneath the retina was spread a tapetum of dense 

 membranous texture, and yellow-green or erugo-green colour. The 

 sclerotic at its posterior third is thick, fibrous, and resisting, whilst 

 its anterior third is thin and flexible; no lachrymal apparatus 

 exists." 



In the description of the organs of generation, the cavity in the 

 head containing the spermaceti, and some more of the soft parts, 

 Mr. Bennett's observations coincide with those of Hunter and other 

 comparative anatomists. 



A fcetus apparently of mature growth, taken from the abdomen of 

 a Sperm Whale, measured 14 feet in length and 6 in girth; its 

 position in the uterus was that of a bent bow. 



Mr. Reid brought before the notice of the Meeting a new species 

 of the genus Perameles, and read a paper giving some account of its 

 habits, and pointing out its distinguishing characters. 



The author states that he was indebted to William Holmes, Esq., 

 of Lyon's Inn, for the opportunity of exhibiting this specimen, which 

 was brought from Van Diemen's Land, where these animals are said 

 to be common. The same species is also found in Western Australia, 

 and is there called by the natives Dalgheit, and by the colonists the 

 Rabbit, under which name it is mentioned by Cunningham in his 

 work on New South Wales. Widdowson, in his account of Van 

 Diemen's Land, notices it ; but neither of these writers has given 

 any description of the animal. From its resemblance to the Rabbit, 

 Mr. Reid proposes for it the specific name of Lagotis. 



Perameles Lagotis. Per. griseus, capite, nuchd, et dorso, castaneo 

 lavatis ; buccis, lateribus colli, scapulis, lateribus, femoribus extus, 

 cauddque ad basin, pallide castaneis ; mento, guld, pectore, abdo- 

 mine, extremitatibus intus anticeque, antibrachiis postice, pedi- 

 busque suprh albidis ; antibrachiis externe pallide griseis, femo- 

 ribus extus posticeque saturate plumbeis ; caudd, pilis longis albes- 

 centibus ad partem basalem, indutd, dein pilis nigris tectd, parte 

 apicali albd, pilis longis supra ornatd. Vellere longo molli. 

 Caudd pilis rudis vestitd ; pilis ad pedes brevissimis. Labio su- 

 periore, buccisque, mystacibus longis sparsis. Auriculis longis, 



* A slight dark tint around the cornea is not uncommon amongst the 

 dark-skinned natives of warm countries. 



