14 



catcher, shot at Preston. Specimens of most 

 were exhibited, and their peculiarities of 

 plumage, &g., pointed out. In the opinion 

 of those present the indiscriminate slaughter 

 of rare visitors was much to be deplored. 



Juhj. A paper on the Annual Excursion, by Mr 

 Wonfor, in vrhich the incidents of the day, 

 and the objects seen and obtained, were 

 described. 



Ai(;i. On the organ of hearing in Man and Animals, 

 by Mr Hollis. In animals having the lowest 

 manifestation of the organ, it is characterized 

 by great simplicity, the essential part being a 

 nerve to receive and convey impressions to 

 the sensorium. Insects hear, but there is no 

 trace of an especial nerve, the antennse are con- 

 jectured by some to be the organs of hearing. 

 Cephalopods possess car bones as in fishes. 

 Ah- breathing animals have a tympanum and 

 eustachian tube. In fish an external ear is 

 not necessary. The higher orders have solid 

 calcareous bodies called otolites. Mr Higgins, 

 of Bath, has examined 37,000 fishes, and in 

 only five cases has not found three otolites 

 on each side, and considers them most certain 

 means of distinguishing species. Ami^hibia 

 and Eeptiha have a labyrinth ; crocodiles, a 

 moveable membrane, which covers the tym- 

 panic membrane when imder water. Birds 

 are without an external car, but luive an 

 eustachian tube to the mouth ; Mammals 

 possess an external ear, the inner jmrts are 

 especially hard, there is also a membraneous 

 chamber filled v.ith fluid, over which a nerve 



