276° Linnean Society. 
generic characters. ‘‘ The same observation may be applied to the 
odoriferous bags attached to the prepuce of the Musk and Antilope 
gutturosa; so that, upon the whole, the crumens, maxillary and fa- 
cial glands, are the only organs of this nature which appear entitled 
to the rank of generic characters.” 
The modifications of the feet are considered as scarcely definite 
enough to be employed for generic definitions : ‘‘ the glands or pores 
which open between the toes of many Ruminants afford much better 
characters for this purpose, and beara very evident relation to the 
habits and geographical distribution of the animals. These glands — 
are of greater or lesser extent in different genera, according to the 
nature of the localities which they frequent; in the Gazelles, Ante- 
lopes, Bubals, and Oryxes, which inhabit the burning deserts of 
Africa and central Asia, they are extremely large, and frequently 
occupy the whole interspace between the first and second phalanges ; 
im the Sheep, Capricorns, and Tragelaphs again, which live on the open 
grassy downs and mountains of a less arid nature, they are of a much 
smaller size; whilst in the Ozen, Calliopes, &c., which inhabit the 
moist forests and swamps of tropical regions, or grassy meadows of 
temperate climates, they are altogether wanting. 
After describing the uses of these digital pores, and pointing out 
the great influence they have on the ceconomy and manners of the 
animals, the author observes that he is not. aware of their having 
been noticed by any previous zoologists, and concludes by expressing 
the hope that the employment of this and other influential characters, 
which it is the object of this first part of his monograph to explain, 
will be found to establish a logical, scientific, and natural arrange- 
ment among the Ruminantia, instead of the prevailing arbitrary and 
artificial system. 
LINNZAN SOCIETY. 
April 7th.—Mr. Forster, V.P., in the Chair. 
Dr. Farre, F.L.S., exhibited specimens of a singular form of galt 
on the leaves of a species of oak from Mexico. ‘The gall consisted 
of an aggregation of hollow cylindrical tubes, nearly an inch in 
length, and furnished with a fringed orifice. The tubes were 
remarkable for their elegance and uniformity; their colour was 
white, suffused with red, especially towards the apex. 
Mr. Yarrell, F.L.S., exhibited a specimen of a satin-like mass of 
Conferva fluviatilis, which grew in a water meadow near Totness. 
A spring, which flows only in winter, rises in the meadow, and this 
substance is taken from narrow gutters, from one of which, twelve 
inches wide, a piece was taken up which measured seventy-nine feet 
in length, so firm and tough was its consistence; and another piece 
broke off at thirty-nine feet. In consistence and appearance it bore 
considerable resemblance to a piece of cotton wadding, but of a 
firmer texture. A portion was carefully examined under the micro- 
scope, and found to consist entirely of an interwoven mass of filaments 
of Conferva fluviatilis. 'The plant was compared with the authentic 
