RR TY ae ae ON TE ne LENE, EEG COR NE ra re 
ee RON : a ae ; oe ‘ : 
Dr. J. E. Gray on the Species of Hyrax. 35 
jected to the anesthetic action of ether, becomes insensible to 
the disturbances produced by induction-currents, even when 
these are very powerful. We wished to see whether this 
would be the case with the Sensitive Plant. 
For this purpose we placed our plant under a bell-glass 
with two i dataiures, through which penetrated the copper 
wires serving to pass the induction current through the plant. 
A few drops of ies were poured into the interior of the bell- 
glass, and in a short time the plant had undergone the anes- 
thetic effects of the liquid; for, when shaken, it no longer 
closed its leaflets or manifested any sensibility. In this state 
we subjected it to the action of the induction-current ; and then 
it gave no sign of sensibility: the petioles remained straight 
and the leaflets continued open. 
These fresh experiments harmonize with all those which have 
been made upon this subject, and furnish an argument in favour 
of the opinion of those who think that the movements observed 
in these plants are effected by the intermediation of organs 
analogous to those possessed by animals. 
VI.—Revision of the Species of Hyrax, founded on the Speci- 
mens in the British Museum. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., 
V.P.Z.S. 
THE species of the Hyraces are well marked both externally and 
anatomically ; but there is great confusion as to the names 
that have been given to them in the systematic catalogues. 
Prosper Alpinus, in his list of animals of Egypt and Arabia, 
indicated a species of Hyrax under the name of Agnus jfiliorum 
Israél, which Shaw regarded as a large Jerboa; but Bruce: 
corrected this error in his account of the Ashkoko. 
Pallas described and figured the Cape species under the 
name of Cavia capensis, and Buffon as the Marmoitte du Cap. 
It is well known to naturalists as Hyrax capensis. 
Bruce notices a Hyrax under the name of Ashkoko, which 
he described as coloured like a wild rabbit, with scattered 
black bristles and white beneath. This well agrees with a 
Hyrax, now found in Abyssinia, Dongola, and Upper Egypt, 
which is in the British Museum. Bruce states that the. 
animal is also found in Mount Lebanon and Arabia Petreza. 
Schreber, who only knew the animal from Bruce’s figure 
and description, applied to it the scientific name of Hyrax 
| eta The Asiatic species is very like the African ;. but 
believe it is distinct; and in that case Schreber’s name is 
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