147 



(2) Galidictinae, (3) Euplerinae, (4) Cryptoproctinae, and (5) Herpestinae. The 

 Hyaenidae were referred to two subfamilies — (1) Protelinae and (2) Hyae- 

 ninae. The Author regarded Cryptoprocta as a true Viverrine animal, attach- 

 ing but very little importance to dental characters save as discriminating 

 species and genera. The Galidictinae were arranged to include the genera 

 Galidictis, Galidia, and Hemigalidia, the last-named genus having been insti- 

 tuted for the species previously knoAvn as Galidia olivacea and Galidia con- 

 color. — Mr. W. A. Forbes read a paper on some points in the anatomy 

 of the Indian Darter [Flatus melanog aster), and gave a description of the me- 

 chanism of the neck in this genus in connexion with the habits of the birds. 



— A communication was read from Prof. P. Martin Duncan, F.R.S., 

 containing descriptions of some recent Corals collected by Mr. J. Y. Johnson 

 at a few fathoms depth in the sea off Funchal, Madeira. — Mr. Stuart O. 

 Ridley read a paper on the arrangement of the Coralliidae, and gave a re- 

 view of the genera and species of this family, which contains the Red Corals. 

 The description of a new species obtained at the Mauritius was given, as well 

 as of an interesting, but probably not new, form, said to come from Japan. 



— P. L. Sclater, Secretary. 



3. Linnean Society of London. 



2. February, 1882. — An Extract from a letter by Mr. Thomas Ed- 

 w a rd was read, and portion of a specimen shown of a supposed rare Marine 

 Animal. It was caught alive on a line by a fisherman a few miles out from 

 the Banffshire coast. As first observed it was about 9 inches long, 1 inch 

 broad flattened and eel-like in shape with tapering ends, and it then was of 

 a dark drab colour, with lighter edges. Ordinarily sluggish, at times it swam 

 rapidly round the dish in which it was placed. It stained the water yellow, 

 and latterly threw off joint-like pieces from its hinder extremity. From exa- 

 mination of the object, and microscopical sections Dr. Murie identified it as 

 belonging to the Nemerteans, apparently Cerebratulus angidatus O. F. Müll. 



— a form which Dr. Macintosh (Monog. Ray Soc.) says is found »generally 

 in deep water throughout the British Coasts« though hitherto seldom seen 

 alive by naturalists. — Mr. E. M. Holmes exhibited specimens of a new 

 blistering insect from Madagascar belonging to the genus Epicauta^ and allied 

 to E. ruficollis. It had been brought to this country by Dr. W. Parkes, 

 physician to the Queen of Madagascar. — A communication from Major 

 General Benson was read, in this referring to Dr. Cobbold's use of the 

 name Fasciola Jacksoni for certain flukes obtained from the Elephant. These 

 had been described by Major Gen. Benson in 1867 in the Rangoon Times 

 where an account of the epizootic outbreak was first given. Dr. Cobbold 

 explained that the initials of the author having alone been appended to the 

 article in question it consequently had received less attention than it would 

 otherwise have had. To Major Gen. Benson certainly belongs the credit of 

 having first directed attention to the Elephant mortality from the said species 

 of fluke; though the worm was first discovered by Jackson 20 years before 

 the Rangoon letter appeared, namely in 1847. — A paper was read on ani- 

 mal Intelligence by Mr. Otto Tepper. He described instances under his 

 own observation of Cats regularly unfastening the latch of a door to obtain 

 entrance ; and in the case of certain species of ants watched by himself their 



