70 



interest, as nothing was previously known of the ornithology of Mountserrat. 



— Mr. T. Jeffrey Parker read a paper on the intestinal spiral valve in the 

 genus Rata. Mr. Parker showed that there were four types of valve exhibited 

 in individuals of that genus, differing from one another in morphological 

 characters, in the extent of absorption surface presented to the food, and in 

 the resistance offered to the passage of food. — A communication was read 

 from the Marquis de Folin on the Mollusca of the , Challenger' Expedition 

 of the genera. Parastrop/iia, Watsonia and Coecum. — Professor W. H. Flower, 

 LL.D., F. R. S., read a communication on the caecum of the Red Wolf 

 [Cam's J uba inn) , in which it was shown that that animal differed from the ma- 

 jority of the Canidae in possessing a very short and perfectly straight caecum. 



— A communication was read from Mr. Edward Bartlett containing a list 

 of the Mammals and Birds collected by Mr. Thomas Waters in South East 

 Betsileo, Madagascar. The collection contained a new species of Rodent be- 

 longing to the genus Nesomys, and two new species of Birds of the genera 

 Cypsehis and Zapornia. — Dr. A. Günther, F.R. S., read the description 

 of a new species of Dwarf Antelope, obtained by Dr. Kirk near Brava in the 

 South Somali country. Dr. Günther proposed for this new species the name 

 of Neotragus Kirki. — A communication was read from Mr. Martin Jacob y 

 containing the descriptions of new species of Phytophagous Coleoptera. — 

 A communication was read from Professor J. Reay Greene, F.Z.S.. on a 

 remarkable Medusa [Charybdaea haplo7iema) , from Santa Catharina, Brazil. — 

 Mr. Edward R. Alston read a description of a skull of a Chamois with 

 four horns, which had been exhibited at a previous meeting of the Society. 



— Mr. Henry Seebohm read a paper on certain obscure species of Sibe- 

 rian, Indian and Chinese Thrushes. — P. L. Sciate r. Secretary. 



2. Linnean Society of London. 



15th January, 1880. — Mr. A. J. Hewett exhibited and made re- 

 marks on a common web or community of Cocoons from Old Calabar and of 

 the moths of the genus Anaphe which had issued from the Cocoons. — The 

 tibia and tarsus of a specimen of Dinornis maximus got 4 feet from the sur- 

 face at Omaru N. Z. was shown on behalf of Mr. Jos. Forsyth. — A paper 

 was read »On the Birds and mammals introduced into New Zealand by Mr. 

 H. M. Brewer Hon. Seer. Wanganni Acclini. Soc. N. Z. The author refers 

 to Dr. Bullers work on the N. Z. Avifauna as not written too soon; for 

 the rapid disappearance of many highly interesting forms is to be deplored. 

 The N. Z. Owl. Ninox"^ it seems kills many of the Finches and other small 

 birds introduced, but nevertheless quite a long list of British songsters. Game 

 and other birds have been sucessfully established. Indeed Pheasants in some 

 districts abound. Though there are no active volcanoes yet occasionally there 

 is a tremor of the ground, and at such times the cock pheasants set up a 

 continuous crow either of defiance on fear ? Partridges thrive better in the 

 Canterbury Province than in the north island. — Near Nelson herds of Red 

 Deer are now seen on the hills. Hares have increased too rapidly ; and the 

 female in N, Z. is said to have 6 and 7 young at a birth. Kangaroos and 

 various other mammals have likewise been imported, and facts mentioned 

 bearing on some of these show that their presence is not altogether an immi- 

 tigated blessing to the farmer colonists. — J. M urie. 



