13 
This concludes the notes on the birds of our Museum, and any 
‘observations on the reptiles, fish, and lower forms, such as the 
land and fresh water shells, insects, &c., must be left to some 
future occasion. 
Lecture on some Peculiar Odowrs common in certain instances to both 
Animals and Plants. By the Rev. L. BLOMEFIELD, M.A., 
FE.LS., F.G.8., President. 
(Read December 18th, 1889.) 
It is not my object in this lecture to treat of all the various 
smells emitted by animals and plants, but simply to draw 
-attention to a few cases in which there are peculiarities deserving, 
I think, of more thoughtful consideration than they have 
hitherto received from naturalists, and leading to questions of 
great interest. J will at once enter upon the subject. You 
know the smell that hangs over a menagerie of wild beasts, lions, 
tigers, &c ; you know the smell of a flock of sheep packed closely 
‘in a fold ; or of a stable full of horses ; or that of a pigstye ; or a 
basket of fish. To pass to the vegetable world:—You know 
the smell of a bed of roses or violets, and I dare say you know 
the smell of a bed of nettles, and the difference between them 
and the roses, and so of other flowers; some being cultivated 
-exclusively for their scent, the flower itself being insignificant, as 
in the case of the mignionette; of fruits also—you know the 
smell of a strawberry, a peach, or plum, apple, &c. All these 
things emit odours, well known and not easily mistaken for 
-others. 
Now would you not be much surprised, if—on a person 
presenting you with a large handsome flower as attractive in 
appearance as a rose—you put it to your nose and found it 
smelling like a fox? This is an imaginary case ; but I proceed 
now to speak of some analogous cases that have a real existence 
in nature. I dare say most of you are acquainted with the musk 
