PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION". 435 



network, and gave a strong confirmation to the theory of the formation of wood 



of Du TETIT THOUARS. 



Mr. Gray then made some remarks on a few rare Mammalia in the Liverpool 

 Philosophical Museum. 1. A new species of Otter from Brazil, intermediate 

 between the genera Lutra and Enkydra. It possessed broad flat feet and tail, 

 and flat head, but not so marked as in the marine Otter, and much more so than 

 the land Otter. 2. A young specimen of the Hysena of New Holland (Tkyla- 

 cinns cynocepkalus), perhaps the only one in Great Britain. 3. Two specimens 

 of the Antelope Philantomba, which had only been described from a young speci- 

 men in the British Museum, and on this account the size had been un- 

 known. One of these specimens, being fully grown, determined that point. 

 4. Vivcrra Linsans, a rare animal, only known in this country through a bad 

 specimen brought from Java, and called Felis Javanensis. 5. Pkoca lemura, 

 1 2 feet long, being a very fine specimen, and probably one of the largest Seals in 

 a preserved state in this country. — Mr. Gray observed that all these animals 

 were acquisitions to science, and would be valued as such by the zoologists pre- 

 sent. He also observed on the inducement it offered for further exertions on the 

 part of local museums. 



Professor Lindley then read a paper on a new plant, belonging to the natural 

 order Nympkceacece, that had lately been introduced to the attention of botanists 

 by M. Schomburgh, agentof the Geographical Society of London ; but, he was 

 sorry to say, only drawings of the plant had at present been obtained. He read 

 an account given by M. Schomburgh of his discovery of it. (See report of Bo- 

 tanical Society, in our current number.) He also made some observations on the 

 structure of this plant, and proposed to give it the name Victoria regalis. He 

 concluded by stating that he hoped the opportunities afforded by the trade of 

 Liverpool with America would soon be the means of introducing this truly splen- 

 did exotic to our shores. 



Wednesday. — Some papers were read, and subjects discussed arising out of 

 questions which had occupied the meetings on preceding days, before the room 

 was opened for the [reception of visitors. As our pages are intended for general 

 perusal we shall not give an account of this portion of the business of the sec- 

 tion. 



The Rev. James Yates was requested to read the Report of Dr. Daubeny on 

 the cultivation of plants under glasses without ventilation. 



In the latter end of last April, the Doctor introduced into globular glasses, co- 

 vered over with bladder, three several sets of plants. In the first were Solum, 

 Lobelia, &c. ; in the second, Primula, Alchemilla, &c. ; in the third, Armeria, 

 Sempervivum, &c. At the end of ten days the plants were healthy, and had 

 grown. The air in the jars was examined, when it was found that the first and 



