64 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



THE SOCIETY'S ROOMS, 207 BATH STREET, 

 February 22nd, 1881. 



Mr. John Kirsop, V.P., in the Chair. 



Mr. Thomas Southwell, F.Z.S., Norwich, was elected a Corre- 

 sponding Member. 



• A donation to the society's library was announced of a copy of 

 the "Cobham Journals," containing the meteorological and other 

 observations of Miss Caroline Moles worth, of Cobham, in Surrey, 

 from 1825 to 1850. The volume was presented by Miss Eleanor 

 Ormerod, F.M.S., Dunster Lodge, Isleworth, who has edited the 

 work. 



specimens exhibited. 



Mr. James Eggleton exhibited (1) a specimen of the Cape Hyrax, 

 Hyrax ea/pensis, Schreb. 



Mr. John M. Campbell said that the Hyrax, being so rabbit-like 

 in its appearance, is readily mistaken for a rodent, and in fact was 

 regarded as such until Cuvier pointed out the characters which 

 distinguish it from members of that order. Its osteological structure 

 clearly proves it to belong to the pachyderniata, and although com- 

 paratively a small animal, it is intermediate between the rhinoceros 

 and tapir. The skull exhibits some peculiarities, the lower jaw 

 being very deep and resembling that of the tapir in its structure; 

 otherwise it approaches nearer to the rhinoceros, the molar teeth 

 being, in fact, those of the rhinoceros in miniature. The fore and 

 hind feet are divided into four and three toes respectively, protected 

 by hoof-like nails, and, like the rhinoceros, are united by the skin 

 to the nails. In the number of its ribs (21 on each side) the 

 hyrax surpasses most quadrupeds, excepting some of the sloths. 

 They are shy and timid creatures, and live in little families, posting 

 a sentinel when they feed, whom the slightest movement causes to 

 signal to its companions, when they at once disappear in their 

 burrows. About 10 species are known to naturalists, the present 

 one being found in South Africa. The species known as the Syrian 

 Hyrax is probably the "Coney" of the Scriptures. 



(2) The Secretary Vulture, Serpcntarius secretarius, Scop., from 

 South Africa, which received its name from the feathers at the back 

 of its head, reminding the Dutch settlers of a pen stuck behind the 



