- Zoological Society. 63 
groups he regards as analogous to the Macrura, and the latter to the 
Brachyura, whilst the Laemodipoda of Latreille are treated as aber- 
rant Amphipods parallel to the Squil/e amongst the Podophthalma. 
In the introductory description of the general characters of Am- 
phipods, our authors give an explanation of the somewhat cumbrous 
terminology proposed by Mr. Spence Bate for these animals. We 
cannot but regard it as a drawback upon the efforts of our living 
zoologists that scarcely one of them produces a work at all monogra- 
phic in its nature without the introduction of a host of new terms, 
which, although they may to a certain extent conduce both to accu- 
racy of language and brevity of description, are still so many obsta- 
cles to be got over by the student before he can really make use of 
the aid afforded him. This, however, is but a minor point; and we 
gladly pass to the consideration of those characteristics of the book 
which call for unqualified approval. These consist, on the one handy 
in the fulness of the synonymy, the clearness with which the charae- 
ters and descriptions have been drawn up, and the care with which 
the British localities for each species are brought together; and on 
the other, in the admirably executed figures with which Professor 
Westwood has illustrated the species. The latter consist of finished 
outlines of the animals, accompanied by numerous magnified figures 
of characteristic details ; and although from their nature necessarily 
inferior in elegance to many of the woodcuts with which we are fami- 
liar in Mr. Van Voorst’s publications, they will be found of equal or 
perhaps greater scientific value. The tail-pieces appended to several 
of the articles fully maintain the reputation acquired by others in 
Mr. Van Voorst’s series: they are chiefly small views of localities 
interesting to the British zoologist from their being associated with 
the labours of those whose names, with him, are as household 
words. 
PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
June 25, 1861.—Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair. 
The following extract was read from a letter, dated Sydney, April 
19th, addressed by Dr. G. Bennett, F.Z.S., to the Secretary :— 
«You will recollect I mentioned in my ‘Gatherings’ a specimen 
of the Semipalmated Goose (Anseranas melanoleuca). 'That bird I 
found on my return to Sydney alive and well; and it has been pre 
sented to me by its owner, Mr. Clarke. In the young bird the legs 
and mandibles were flesh-colour ; in the adult they are of a light 
reddish-orange colour, except the horny tip of the mandibles, which 
was of a light-blue colour. The black and white plumage—the 
former colour predominating—imparts to the bird a very handsome 
appearance as it walks with a stately tread (not with the waddling 
gait of the goose) about the yard of my house like one of the Waders. 
I have, however, from ignorance of its natural habits been the pro+ 
