IV 



efficient support during the past six years. In the 

 departments of Anatomy and Pterylosis, however, 

 there is still much work to be done ; and I hope that 

 some of our younger Members may be induced to 

 devote their energies to these special subjects. It is 

 from such researches that we may hope to find a key 

 to the great question of the correct arrangement of 

 the Acromyodian Passeres. The new scheme pro- 

 pounded by Mr. Gates in the ' Fauna of British 

 India,' though it meets certain difficulties, cannot, 

 I think, be deemed altogether satisfactory. It is 

 possible that an attentive study of the pterylosis of 

 these birds, especially of the structure and modifi- 

 cations of the wing-feathers, may lead to a more 

 generally acceptable result. 



In the Anatomy of Birds there are also numerous 

 points still open for future investigation, although 

 the studies of Garrod, Forbes, Fiirbringer, and Gadow 

 have of late years materially advanced our knowledge 

 of this branch of our Science. 



P. L. S. 



3 Hanover Square, London, W. 

 Sept. 5th, 1894. 



