Zoological Society. 47 



teresting observations on what have been termed by Dutrochet 

 'Embryo Buds.' 



A notice, by Mr. Forbes and Mr. Goodsir, of Zoological Re- 

 searches in Oikney and Shetland, the result of a journey made in 

 June last, in which twenty-three new species were described, chiefly 

 Mollusca, Radiata and Zoophytes, and many new facts stated in re- 

 gard to some of the rarer British marine animals. 



A notice, by Dr. Wilde, on Peruvian Mummies ; — and on the 

 preservation of Fish. 



A paper on the same subject, by Mr. Lankester, who exhibited 

 specimens, well preserved by a very ready and expeditious method. 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



November 13, 1838. — Professor Owen, in the Chair. 



A letter from Alexander Gordon, Esq. was read, begging the 

 Society's acceptance of the animal described by Mr. Waterhouse 

 under the name of Myrmecobius fasciatus, and also the Perameles la- 

 gotis. Both of these animals, Mr. Gordon stated, were from Swan 

 River and not from Van Diemen's Land as had been supposed. 



A paper entitled " Observations on certain modifications observed 

 in the dentition of the Flying Opossums (the genus Petaurus of 

 authors)," was communicated by Mr. G. R. Waterhouse. 



" In the * Dents des Mammif^res ' of M. F. Cuvier, the dentition 

 of the Flying Opossums and that of the Phalangers is described 

 under the two heads 'Petaurus' and * Phalangers proprement dits.* 

 Both the groups termed Petaurus and Phalangers by M. F. Cuvier 

 contain certain species of Flying Opossums, and likewise species of 

 Phalangers. Those species, however, which have the flank-membrane 

 extended from limb to limb, enabling them to sail in the air like a 

 parachute, are now with universal consent separated from the Phalan- 

 gers (Phalangista) , and arranged under the generic title Petaurus or 

 Petaurista. 



" In grouping the Phalangers and Petaurists as above mentioned, 

 M. F. Cuvier was guided only by the characters off*ered by the den- 

 tition ; that of Petaurus Taguanoides certainly bearing a very close 

 resemblance to that of Phalangista Cookii. The teeth of Petaurus 

 sciureus, however, do not bear so close a resemblance to those of 

 Phalangista vulpina and P. maculata, although the three animals 

 mentioned are placed in the same division by the author alluded to. 

 Regarding the Petauri as a distinct genus from the Phalangers, I 

 will proceed to describe their dentition as I find it in the skulls before 

 me, which I may observe consist of two specimens of each of the 



