14 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



It was decided to make Eio de Janeiro the centre of operations. 

 Leaving Southampton on the 20th June, 1913, the party reached 

 liio on the (itli July, with four clear months for collecting. Well 

 equipped with all material necessaries, such as traps of various 

 kinds, preservatives, tents, and provisions, their knowledge of 

 Portuguese was limited, and the local distribution of the mammals 

 to be studied was practically unknown. By permission of the 

 Brazilian Minister of Agriculture, and on the invitation of Dr. 

 J. C. AVillis, at that time Director of the Jardim Botanico at Rio, 

 the author and his friend had the use of the large and well- 

 equipped laboratory attached to the gardens, and thanks to the 

 kindness of scientific men in Brazil, very gratifying success attended 

 the efforts of the expedition. 



Collecting began in the precincts of Rio whilst awaiting the 

 Customs clearance of the stores, which took three weeks to effect, 

 and specimens of the "Gamba" — the Brazilian Opossum, Didelphys 

 anrita, were soon obtained. Here, in the neighbourhood of the 

 gardens, about 8 miles from the centre of Rio, and within the 

 range of sound from the electric tramways, no fewer than five 

 species of Didelphyds belonging to four genera were collected. 

 The next collections were made on the Itatiaya Range on the 

 borders of San Paulo, at heights of 800 to 1500 metres. Then 

 the expedition moved north to the State of Espirito Santo, in the 

 neighbourhood of Mimoso, moving afterwards to the State of 

 INlinas Geraes at Gorduras, on tlie estate of the St. John del Rey 

 Mining Co., Morro Velho. Returning to Rio, the party visited 

 Therezopolis in the Serra dos Orgaos, north of Rio, about 900 metres 

 in altitude ; this proved an ideal spot, with fine bracing climate, 

 a rich fnuna, beautiful scenery, and a very comfortable hotel. 



Summing up the results, the expedition may be regarded as 

 successful, though all its objects were not attained. Besides the 

 material for anatomical investigation, a small collection of Rodents 

 was brought back, about eight genera of Muridae, and an interesting 

 series of frogs, about 22 species, t wo being new. 



No adventures worth recording occurred ; the climate during 

 the stay of the expedition was found to be excellent. The forest 

 mosquitos, bush-ticks, and, in Espirito Santo, a vicious little 

 blood-sucking fly, Sfomoxi/s, were the chief unpleasant items. 



The lecture concluded with a large series of lantern-slides. 



A short discussion followed, in which Mr. E. S. Goodrich, 

 F.R.S., SecL.S., Mr, Ernest Gibson, and the President took part. 



May 2nd, 1918. 



Sir David Pbain, C,M,G., CLE,, E.R.S., President, 

 in the Chair. 



The Minutes of the General Meeting of the 18th April, 1918, 

 were read and confirmed. 



