1898.] Notes 87 



from the common mammalian type was noticed, especially in the great 

 development of the upper limbs and shoulder girdle, and in the back- 

 ward direction of the knee joint. The internal organs were shown to 

 correspond with the classification of the bats into the two groups (of 

 Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera), and to be related to the customary 

 food of these animals, the large bats living on fruit, the smaller chiefly 

 on insects. A very small minority of the small bats, including the 

 vampire bats, live by sucking the blood of animals. Some observations 

 on the normal character and general habits of the Chiroptera concluded 

 the paper, which was fully illustrated by specimens, diagrams, and 

 lantern. The President, Mr. Jennings, F.Tv.S , and Mr. Burbidge, F.L.S., 

 spoke on the paper. Mr. Burbidge mentioned points of interest he had 

 noticed in Borneo bats. 



The following exhibits were shown : — An American girl's collection of 

 plants, by R. LL- PraegRR, B.E., President; Cordyceps inilitaris from 

 Howth, by A. V. Jennings ; a collection of Australian plants by Mrs. 

 Long; Cyaihus striattis from Co. Wicklow, by B. T. PATTERSON, CE. ; 

 Mora seeds from British Guiana by Dr. T. Johnson, Hon. Sec. 



Mr. Leech was elected, and three candidates for election were 

 nominated. The provisional list of excursions for 1898 was read out, and 

 attention called to the report on the collection of photographs of 

 geological interest in the United Kingdom, being got together by a 

 Committee of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. 



NOTES. 



ZOOLOGY. 



International Zoolog^ical Congrress, 



We have received circulars regarding the fourth meeting of this 

 Congress, which is to take place at Cambridge on August 23rd, the first 

 international gathering of Zoologists in the British Islands. Sir Wm. 

 Flower, F.R.S., had been chosen as President, but through ill-health he 

 was unfortunately compelled to resign the honour, and Sir John 

 Lubbock has been elected in his place. Among the Vice-Presidents of 

 the General Committee we notice the names of Professors R. J. 

 Anderson, D. J. Cunningham, R. O. Cunningham, M. Hartog, and E- P. 

 Wright, Dr. R. F. Scharff, and Mr. R. M. Barrington. It is to be hoped 

 th at Irisbzoologists generally will support the Congress, if possible, by 

 attending its deliberations, but at least by subscribing to its funds. The 

 entertainment of distinguished foreigners, which in so many continental 

 countries is gladly undertaken by the State, is, among ourselves, left to 

 private enterprise. May the scientific men of Great Britain and Ireland 

 unite to welcome the distinguished guests who may be expected to 

 attend the Cambridge meeting. Dr. Scharff, of the Dublin Museum, has 



