66 Linncean Society, 



ash, deeply edged with white ; lower part of belly, upper and under 

 tail- coverts, pure white ; legs and feet, of a reddish flesh colour or 

 pink ; the hind toe closely united by the membrane that runs along 

 the edge of the inner toe ; the feet, remarkably thick and fleshy ; 

 bill, If of an inch, long, narrow, and much contracted towards the 

 tip ; the base, sides and nail, black ; the space between the nail and 

 the nostrils, reddish flesh colour or pink ; wings, when closed, reach- 

 ing 1^ inch beyond the tail. 



" Having thus noticed the three nearly-allied species, and described 

 the new one, I will endeavour to point out more particularly the 

 distinctions between this new species and the Bean Goose, to which 

 it bears the nearest resemblance. First, the great diff*erence in the 

 size ; the average size of the Bean Goose is 33 inches in length, 

 and 64 inches in extent ; while the average size of the new species 

 is 28 inches in length, and 60 inches in extent. Secondly, the bill 

 is much smaller, shorter, more contracted towards the tip, and of a 

 different colour. Thirdly, the difference in colour and in form of 

 the legs and feet, and in the fleshy character of the foot, and the hind 

 toe being more closely united by its membrane, has consequently, 

 less freedom of motion. Fourthly, the plumage on the rump and 

 shoulders being more inclined to grey. And lastly, in the form of 

 the sternum, which differs from that of the Bean Goose in shape 

 and bears a more close resemblance to that of the White-fronted 

 Goose. In conclusion, I may remark that I have examined, in all, 

 twelve specimens of this new species, four of which were alive ; one 

 of them is now living in the garden of the Zoological Society, where 

 it has been, I am told, eight years, without exhibiting any per- 

 ceptible alteration in its plumage, or in the colour of its legs and 

 feet. 



** The Grey Lag Goose is by far the most rare of the four sjDccies 

 here referred to." 



Professor Owen commenced the reading of a paper, '* On the 

 Classification and Aflinities of the Marsupial Animals." 



LINNiEAN SOCIETY. 



June 18, 1839.— Mr. Foster, V.P., in the Chair. 



The Secretary read a letter addressed to him by the President no- 

 minating the four following Members of the Council to be Vice-Pre- 

 sidents for the year ensuing, commencing the 24th of last month, viz. 



Robert Brown, Esq. ; Edward Forster, Esq. ; Thomas Horsfield, 

 M.D. ; Aylmer Bourke Lambert, Esq. 



