Zoological Proceedings of Societies. 267 
2. Paussus, Linn., of which twelve species are described, four of them 
new. 3. Hylotorus, Dalm., consists but of asinglespecies, Hyl. Buce- 
phalus,Dalm. 4. Platyrhopalus, Westw., has for its type the Paussus 
denticornis, Don. It contains four species, two of which are new. 5, 
Cerapterus, Swed., is composed of three species, one of which is sup- 
posed to be new. 6. Trochoideus, Westw., is founded on a single 
species, Paussus cruciatus, Dalm., discovered by that authour in a package 
of Copal Gum. Mr. Westwood also mentions the Hispa bihamata, Linn., 
as supposed to belong to this family ; and gives the characters of a new 
genus, which he names Megadeuterus, related to the Telephoride, and 
containing two species, the type being Paussus flavicornis, Fabr. The 
drawings in illustration of this paper comprise fifty-five figures of species 
and their anatomical details, and include representations of all the 
genera, and of the new species described by the authour. 
A paper by John Morgan, Esq., F.L.S., describing some Anatomical 
peculiarities in the Organs of Deglutition in several animals of the 
Order of Rodentia, was also read. In the Capybara, (Hydrocherus 
Capybara), and in some other animals of the Rodent order, the authour 
has observed a singular developement of the velum pendulum palati, to 
which he has assigned functions of a different description from those 
which are attributed to the same organ in any other tribe of animals, 
After noticing the great extent of the grinding surfaces of the molar 
teeth of the Capybara, and the necessity for such an arrangement in the 
masticating organs of an animal living occasionally upon hard vegetable 
substances, and possessing a single stomach, he proceeds to show that the 
complete mastication of the food is not only provided for by the form and 
extent of the teeth, but that it is rendered absolutely indispensable to 
the passage of nutriment from the mouth to the stomach. This necessity 
arises from the peculiar formation of the velum, which occupying the 
whole area of the passage through the fauces, would form a complete 
septum between the mouth and pharynx, but for the existence of a small 
circular aperture in its centre through which the food is allowed to 
pass. The ve/um palati thus enlarged assumes, during the act of swal- 
lowing, from the pressure of the food against its anterior surface, the 
shape of a cone or funnel; and the smaller end or apex of this funnel, 
which is terminated by the central aperture, is thrust backwards into 
