72 Miscellaneous. 



iiiferiorly of two large pyramidal fasciculi, superiorly of the continua- 

 tion of the other fascicuU of the medulla. Two pairs of lohes, one 

 inferior, one superior, are attached to it. The superior lobe is com- 

 posed of a semicircular nucleus, from which originate two superposed 

 layers, the fibres of which cross, and which give to the lobe a great 

 superficial development. The outer layer is the principal root of the 

 optic nerve. These can only be regarded as the optic lobes. 



The inferior lobes are more problematical. The inferior pyramidal 

 cords are divided between these and the preceding lobes ; this was 

 already known. But the other medullary fibres, after traversing the 

 optic lobes, also penetrate the inferior lobes, instead of passing 

 directly, as has been supposed, to the anterior cerebrum. Another 

 newly ascertained fact is, that it is from the inferior lobes that the 

 medullary fasciculus originates which spreads in the anterior lobes of 

 the cerebrum in Fishes ; so that the true serial position of the in- 

 ferior lobes is that of a continuation of the optic lobes, and preceding 

 the hemispheres. This position is occupied in the higher animals 

 by the corpora striata, with which the inferior lobes of Fishes may 

 therefore be identified. — Gomptes Rendus, April 17, 1865, p. 768. 



Description of a new Species of Rock-Kangaroo (Pterogale longi- 

 cauda)/ro/w New South Wales. By Gerard Krefft. 

 Hair remarkably soft and long (3 inches in length upon the back 

 and sides), dark grey at the base, tipped with pale yellow and 

 black, giving the fur a mottled appearance. Head and neck grey, 

 a lighter patch extending from the base of the ears to the nostrils. 

 Ears grey at the base, black at the tip ; sides slightly fringed with 

 yellow. Shoulders and fore legs dark grey, grizzled with white, 

 which colour extends to about the middle of the body. The hair of 

 the back and haunches is of much longer growth, silky to the 

 touch, of a mottled brownish-grey colour, and changing into rusty 

 yellow near the base of the tail. The tail at its root is sandy-coloured, 

 but soon changes into dark brown, the hair being very coarse and 

 long, forming into a broad brush at the end. 



Inches. 



Length from tip of nose to root of tail 294- 



Tail 27 



Face to base of ear A^ 



Arms and hands 6 



Tarsi and toes 7 



Ear 21 



Petrogale longicauda is easily distinguished from all other species by 

 its remarkably long and bushy tail, which is about a foot longer than 

 that of any other Rock- Wallaby. A single specimen of this inter- 

 esting animal has been procured by Mr. George Masters, Assistant 

 Curator of the Australian Museum, at Dabee Rylstone, 250 miles 

 N.W. of Sydney. Mr. Masters informs me that this Wallaby is 

 very quick and difficult to approach, and that, after watching for 

 two nights, only one specimen could be secured. The skull was 

 completely broken, so that no description could be given of it. — 

 Proc. Zool. Soc. March 28, 1865. 



