Section of Zoology and Botany. 495 



Colonel Sykes's own cabinet, others are mentioned of such close ana- 

 logy as to render their specific difference extremely dubious. Many 

 species of birds of different natural groups and habits are thus proved 

 to have an extensive geographical range, under considerable differ- 

 ences of mean temperature. Deducting those species, which do 

 or may be imagined to migrate from one region to another, there 

 remains abundant evidence, derived from continually resident birds, 

 that some birds live in India with a mean temp, of 77° to 82°, and 

 in Britain with a mean temp, of 45° to 50°. Connecting these facts 

 with the instances of tigers living near the limits of perpetual snow, 

 and elephants and Indian birds braving our winters, Colonel Sykes 

 concludes that the power of acclimation possessed by many birds 

 and other animals is very considerable, and capable of useful appli- 

 cation to a question of practical importance, viz. the necessity of 

 employing artificial heat generally in our vivariums, and to the cu- 

 rious geological problem of the climate of the globe when elephants 

 and tigers were inhabitants of the northern zones. 



[Captain James Ross, in corroboration of these views, stated that 

 the Stonechat, Whitethroat, and Golden Plover were inhabitants of 

 Hudson's Bay, and that the Raven also occurs in the Arctic Circle, 

 without being subject to change of plumage.] 



On the Infra- Orbital Cavities in Deers and Antelopes. By 

 Dr. Jacob. 



[This paper having been drawn up in compliance with a recom- 

 mendation of the Association, will be printed in the next volume 

 of Transactions.] 



On a Mode of preserving Echinodermata. By the Rev. Charles 



Mayne. 



In the year 1828, being at the sea-side, Mr. Mayne collected many 

 Echini for examination ; and the house not being large enough to 

 afford him a separate room, he used chloride of lime to prevent in- 

 convenience to the family from the smell. He soon perceived that 

 the Echini steeped in the solution did not lose their spines ; he ac- 

 cordingly tried to preserve them with all their spines on, and suc- 

 ceeded completely. He has since tried this process with many 

 Echini and small star-fish. The preparation should not be so strong 

 as to act sensibly on the surface of the crust, as in that case he found 

 that the spines would fall off. 



On Pentacrinus Europaeus and a Species of Beroe taken in Dublin 

 Bay. By R. Ball. 



Specimens of these were exhibited to the Meeting. The Beroe 

 has been examined by Mr. R. Patterson of Belfast, who finds it to 

 be a new species of the genus Pleurobrachia of Fleming. It has 

 been also taken in Lame Lough, Antrim. 



