Zoological Society. 67 



dian Tortoise, Testudo Indica, Linn., which died lately at the Society's 

 Gardens. The two systemic aorta were distinctly seen to commence 

 by separate orifices from the ventricle, as in the aquatic Chelonia, 

 and not by a single orifice as stated by Cuvier to occur in the land 

 Tortoises (Lecons, iv. p. 221). Dr. Grant directed the attention of 

 the Members to the size and condition of the two ductus artcriosi, 

 one leading from each pulmonary artery to the descending aorta of 

 the corresponding side, which in this adult animal were still obvious 

 and strong cords, though with their canals almost obliterated. He 

 observed that the Chelonia here exhibited as a permanent character 

 what is found in Birds only at an early period of their life; the ductus 

 arteriosus being double in birds in their foetal state, and the one on 

 the right side disappearing before that on the left, while in Mammalia 

 the left only is present in the embryo. 



April 9. — Several extracts were read from a letter, addressed by 

 Dr. A. Smith, Corr. Memb. Z.S., to Mr. Yarrell, and dated Port 

 Elizabeth, Algoa Bay, December 22, 1 832. They related to va- 

 rious points in the history of certain Mammalia and Birds of South 

 Africa : among other particulars Dr. Smith stated his belief that the 

 Hycena vulgaris, Cuv., does not inhabit South Africa; its place 

 being occupied by the Hycena villosa, Smith, which bears, when 

 young, considerable resemblance to that species. 



An extract was read from a letter, addressed to the Secretary by 

 Charles Telfair, Esq., Corr. Memb. Z.S., and referring to a Viver- 

 ridous animal obtained by that gentleman from Madagascar, which 

 lived for several months in his possession, and on its death was 

 transmitted in spirit to the Society. Mr. Telfair states his belief 

 that the animal is new to science ; a belief in which Mr. Bennett 

 participated, and stating his impression that the animal should be 

 regarded as the type of a new genus, nearly allied to, but distinct 

 from, Paradoxurus, he proposed for it the name of Cryptoprocta 

 ferox. 



Some remarks by Mr. Spooner on the post mortem appearances of 

 the Moose Deer, which died suddenly, at the Society's Gardens, on 

 themorningof the 28th of March, were read. 



A specimen was exhibited of an Antelope, previously undescribed, 

 which forms part of the collection of Mr. Steedman, by whom it 

 was communicated to the Society. It was characterized by Mr. 

 Ogilby, who gave a detailed description of it, as the Antilope ellipsis 

 prymnus. 



Mr. Ogilby subsequently called the attention of the Society to a 

 specimen of a Mammiferous Quadruped, also communicated by 

 Mr. Steedman for exhibition, which he described in detail with 

 reference to a paper "On the Characters and Description of a new 

 Genus of Carnivora, called Cynictis' f 



The new genus proposed by Mr. Ogilby connects the family of 

 the Civets with that of the Dogs, participating with the one in its 

 organs of mastication, and with the other in those of locomotion, 

 and consequently ranging with Proteles, Isid. Geoff., as a second 

 genus, intermediate between those two groups. Proteles, however, 



K 2 



