63 



June 28, 1836. 

 William Yarrell, Esq., V.P. in the Chair. 



A note addressed to Colonel Sykes by Lieut. Henning, R.N., wa8 

 read. It noticed the capture of an Albatross by a hook ; and stated 

 that the bird, while so attached, •was fastened on by another of the 

 šame species, but -vvhether \vith the intention of endeavouring to re- 

 lease it, or Avith the view of taking advantage of its helpless condi- 

 tion, the writer did not attempt to determine. 



Some observations were read by Mr. Gray " On the genus Mos- 

 chus of Linnaeus, with descriptions of two new species." 



The only character, Mr. Gray remarks, by -vvhich this genus, as 

 establišhed by Linnaeus and others, difFers ft'om the genus Cervus, 

 consists in the absence of horns ; for the elongated canines are com- 

 mon to it and mosL of the Indian species of Cervus, especially the 

 Cerv. Muntjac. The character of the fur, the degree of hairiness or 

 nakedness of the metatarsus, and the presence or absence of the 

 musk-bag in the malė, ofFer, however, good characters for the sub- 

 division of the group into three very distinct sections or subgenera. 



The first of these divisions, for -vs'hich Mr. Gray Tvould retain the 

 name of Moschus, comprehends only the Thibet Mušk, Moschus mos- 

 chiferus, Linn. In common with the Deer and Antelopes it has the 

 hinder and outer side of the metatarsus covered with close erect hair; 

 likę many of the Deer also, its fur is quill-like and brittle ; it has, 

 moreover, a throat entirely clothed with hair ; and the malęs are 

 provided on the middle of the abdomen -svith a large pouch secreting 

 mušk. Its young, Hke those of most of the Deer, are spotted, ^hile 

 the adult animal is plain-coloured. 



The division to which Mr. Gray in the year 1821, in a paper in 

 the Medical Repository, gavę the name of Meminna, also consists of 

 but a single species, the Moschus Meminna, Linn. In this group the 

 hinder edge of the metatarsus is covered with hair, but there is on 

 its outer side, a little below the hock, a rather large smooth naked 

 prominence, which is flesh-coloured during life ; the fur is rather 

 soft, spotted and varied with w'hite, vchich becomes less conspicuous 

 in the older specimens, but does not appear ever to be entirely lošt ; 

 the throat is entirely covered \vith hair ; and there is no musk-bag 

 in either sex. The falše hoofs are distinct, although denied to the 

 animal both by Linnseus and BuflFon. 



The third and lašt subdivision is characterized by Mr. Gray, under 

 the name of Tragulus, as having the hinder edge of the metatarsus 

 nearly bald and slightly callous, a character which distinguishes them 

 at once from all other Ruminants ; the fur is soft, and adpressed likę 

 that of Meminna, but not spotted even \vhen young ; the throat is 



