47 



\vith the former in the absence of any median process on the stem 

 of the horn, and in the singleness of the basai antler. In stature 

 and aspect the species is intermediate between Cervus Hippelaphus. 

 Cuv., and Cerv. Elaphus, Linn. Its general resemblance to the 

 latter is indicated in the tiivial name assigned to it by Mr. Hodgson, 

 that of Cerv. Elaphoides. 



It is refeired to in his ' Catalogue of the Mammalia of Nep^l' 

 (Proceedings, part ii. p. 99.) under the name of Cerv. Bahraiya, 

 Hodgs. 



Specimens were exhibited of numerous species of British Fishes, 

 forming part of the collection of Mr. Yarrell. They consisted of 

 dried preparations of rather more than one half of the skin of each 

 individual : a mode of preservation peculiarly adapted, as Mr. Yar- 

 rell remarked, for travellers over land ; specimens so prepared occu- 

 pying but little space, and being consequently as portable as dried 

 plants. An incision is made in the first instance round one side of 

 the fish, at a short distance from the dorsal and anai fins, and the 

 whole of the viscera and flesh are removed, so as to leave only the 

 skin of the other side -vvith the vertical fins attached to it, and with 

 rather more than one half of the head : the loose edge of skin left 

 from the side in which the incision has been made, is then fastened 

 by means of pins to a piece of board, so as to display the entire side 

 of the fish which it is intended to preserve, and it is then hung up 

 to dry in an airy but shady situation. The more rapidly the drying 

 is completed, the more effectually ^ill the colours be preserved. Aa 

 soon as the skin is dried it is varnished ; and the loose edge of the 

 skin on that side from whence the operation of removing the flesh 

 has been efFected is trimmed oflF with a pair of scissors, as being no 

 longer useful. The preparation is then completed, and consists of 

 the entire skin of one side of the fish, of the vertical fins, and of ra- 

 ther more than one half of the head, the latter being important for 

 the presers'ation of the vomer, so as to sho\v the absence orpresence 

 of teeth on that bone, and their form. AU the essential characters 

 of the fish are conseąuently preserved, if care be taken that the skin 

 be so attached to the board on w'hich it is dried, as to retain its ori- 

 ginal dimensions of length and depth : the due thickness of the fish 

 may be secured in the preparation, if it be considered desirable, by 

 inserting beneath the skin, when extending it on the board, a suffi- 

 cient ąuantity of prepared horse-hair. 



After explaining the mode which he had adopted in the prepara- 

 tion of the specimens exhibited, Mr. Yarrell made various remarks 

 on t!fose which he regarded as the most interesting among them ; 

 and particularly on a series of Trout and Charr from difFerent loca- 

 lities, and varying ia colour according to situation, to season, and 

 also, in some instances, to food. 



He then directed the attention of the Meeting to the specimens of 

 the British species of Rays which formed part of the collection, and 

 pointed out particularly the difFerence, as regards surface, which ob- 

 tains in the sexes of many of these fishes ; the skin of the female 



