Linnean Society. 501 



cate magnetic electrometer. He explains these negative results, by sup- 

 posing that the motion of the electricity in the torpedinal organ is in 

 no measureable time, and wants that continuity of current requisite for 

 the production of magnetic effect. 



Linnean Society. 



June 3, 1828. — A paper was read, On a new genus of Rodenlia : by 

 Joshua Brookes, Esq., F. R. & L. S. 



The type of the genus here proposed, to which the name of La- 

 gostomus is assigned by the authour, is the animal described by M. 

 Blainville and by M. F. Cuvier, as the Dipus maximus. Their oppor- 

 tunities of observation having been confined to the living animal, minute 

 examination of which was prevented by its fierceness, were insufficient 

 to determine with certainty the group to which it ought to be referred. 

 On the death of this individual its remains passed into the possession of 

 Mr. Brookes, who obtained from it a stuffed skin and a skeleton. The 

 existence in the latter of three metatarsal bones showed that it could not 

 be regarded as a Dipus, and this circumstance, and the pecuhar structure 

 of the crowns of the molar teeth have induced the authour to consider it as 

 constituting a new genus. He enters fully into an osteological descrip- 

 tion of its skeleton, which he compares and contrasts in many particulars 

 with that of Dipus Sagitta; and in some respects vdth those of other 

 rodent quadrupeds : and furnishes, in conclusion, the distinguishing ge- 

 neric characters. 



June 17. — The reading of Mr. Brookes's paper was concluded. 

 A paper was read, entitled Description of a species of Tringa, killed 

 in Cambridgeshire^ new to the British Islands and to Europe : by Wil- 

 liam Yarrell, Esq., F.L.S. 



The authour describes a singularly marked Tringa which was shot in 

 Cambridgeshire in the month of September, 1826. This bird is rendered 

 more than usually interesting, from the circumstance, that it is not only 

 new to this country, but is acknowledged by the best Ornithologists to be 

 also entirely new to Europe. It is described by M. Vieillot, under the 

 name of Tringa rufescens, as having been found in Louisiana, and a 



