Zoological Society. 299 



tooth in the lower jaw, as described in a communication by the 

 donor read at the Meeting on September 24th, (see page 62); of 

 the Thibetan Mastiff, and of the Pariah Dog : of the Indian Jackal 

 and of the Indian Fox, both of which are regarded by Mr. Hodgson 

 as belonging to species hitherto undescribed, the molar teeth of the 

 latter having in their acute tubercles much of an insectivorous cha- 

 racter: and of the Felis Nepalensis,Vig. & Horsf. 



Among the skins were those of a Sciuropterus, F. Cuv., as large 

 as Sci.nitidus, Ej., and apparently new to science: of a Sciurus, 

 Linn., also apparently new : and of a Herpestes, 111., which Mr. 

 Hodgson at present regards as a small variety of the common In- 

 dian Ichneumon, Herpestes griseus, Desm. 



At the request of the Chairman, Mr. Gould exhibited a specimen 

 of a Toucan, hitherto undescribed, and which he had recently ac- 

 quired. It is nearly related to Pteroglossus Aracari, 111., and to Pter. 

 regalis, Licht. ; and Mr. Gould pointed out the characters which 

 distinguish it from those and other species. He proposed for it the 

 name of Pteroglossus castanotis. 



Mr. Gould also exhibited a Woodpecker , inhabiting the Hima- 

 layan mountains and also the lower regions of India, which he re- 

 garded as new to science. He described it as Picusjlavinucha. 



Captain Belcher laid on the table several specimens of a Barnacle, 

 the Pentalasmis striata, Leach, remarkable for the great length of 

 their peduncles, which exceeded two feet. 



Notes by Mr. Martin of a dissection of a Puma, Felis concolor, 

 Linn., which recently died at the Society's Gardens, were read, 

 from which the following are extracts. 



" Among animals of the feline genus so few points of anatomical 

 difference are found to exist, that the notes of the dissection of one 

 species (allowance being made for relative magnitude,) are closely 

 applicable to that of almost any other. We can therefore only ex- 

 pect to trace out minor differences in structure ; and these not 

 among organs essentially connected with the habits and general 

 characteristics of the genus, but with habits peculiar and specific. 

 Hence perhaps we find in this group the greatest difference to ob- 

 tain in the organs of voice; a circumstance which might naturally be 

 expected, as some according modification must necessarily produce 

 the deep-toned roar of the Lion, the snarl of the Jaguar, and the 

 hissing cry of the Puma. 



" The distance between the base of the tongue and the larynx 

 in the Lion, has been brought more than once under the notice of 

 the Society*; in the Jaguar, this distance, comparatively speaking, is 

 nearly as great; but in the Puma, an animal equal, or nearly so, in size 

 to the Jaguar, the distance is reduced to an inconsiderable space, 

 1 inch or 1 ;., according as the tongue is more or less protruded. In 

 addition to this, it is worthy of observation, that the circumference 

 of the larynx in the Puma is also very inconsiderable : compare, for 



• Sec Phil. Mag. and Annuls, VS. vol. \i. p'. 401, ami Lond. & Bdinbi 

 Phil. Mag., present vol., p. 60. — Edit. 

 2 Q 2 



