Zoological Society. 139 



they sprung, and produced young. A specimen of a female of this 

 second brood was also exhibited. 



A specimen was exhibited of a young Puma, Felis concolor, Linn., 

 which had recently been brought forth at the Society's Gardens, 

 but had immediately died. Like the young of the other species 

 of Felis it was variously spotted and striped, the depth of its mark- 

 ings approaching nearly to black, and being more intense than that 

 observed in the Lion. The muzzle was nearly black, as was also the 

 greater part of the tail. The young specimen was strongly con- 

 trasted with a specimen of the adult, which was placed on the table 

 for comparison. 



Preparations were exhibited of the swimming-bladder and of a 

 portion of the roe of a female Conger Eel of considerable size (Con- 

 ger vulgaris), presented to the Society by William Gladdish, Esq.; 

 and Mr. Yarrell read Notes of his examination of the individual from 

 which the preparations were obtained ; showing particularly the dif- 

 ferences, internal as well as external, between the salt-water Conger 

 and the sharp-nosed and broad-nosed freshwater Eel. 



A preparation was exhibited of the organs of generation of a 

 female Katigaroo; and Mr. Owen explained many of their peculia- 

 rities. He referred particularly to the supposed existence of peri- 

 toneal canals, and pointed out on the preparation the appearances 

 which seemed to him to have deceived the only observers by whom 

 the presumed canals had hitherto been noticed. 



In illustration of the subject he read the Notes from which the 

 following are extracts. 



" The interest which attaches to everything relating to the gene- 

 ration of the Marsupial animals, induces me to offer the following 

 observations on the anatomy of the Kangaroo, although they do little 

 more than record a negative fact. 



*' Having had opportunities of verifying the discoveries of M.Geof- 

 froy-Saint-Hilaire of the peritoneal canalsinthe Crocodile* and Tor- 

 toise, I felt desirous of putting also to the test of observation his 

 more recently recorded discovery of similar canals in the Kangaroo. 

 The accidental death at the Society's Gardens of a fine female of 

 the common species (Macropus major, Shaw,) afforded a favourable 

 opportunity of making the investigation, and the following result* 

 were obtained. 



"The disposition oi ihe peritoneum at the pelvic region of the ab- 

 domen is as follows : an anterior fold of the membrane is reflected 

 from the mesial line of the abdominal parietes upon the anterior part 

 of the urinary bladder ; two lateral folds are continued from the 

 sides of the bladder to the posterior part of the middle w^er/w, from 

 whence they are reflected to the iliac and lumbar regions of the 

 abdomen, representing the broad ligaments, and including the uterine 

 vessels, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries. In the pouch thus formed be- 

 hind the bladder, the lateral uterine tubes and body of the uterus 

 are contained. From the posterior part of the neck of the uterus 

 the peritoneum is reflected upon the rectum, and as it is in this situa- 



• Sec our last Number, p. 04. — Edit. 



T 2 tion 



