506 Zoological Proceedings of Societies. 



shedding of the cuticle : it became divided longitudinally along the back 

 and the abdomen ; by the action of the hinder leg on one side the skin 

 was detached as far as the fore-leg ; the same operation was next effected 

 on the other side ; the loosened exuviee were then drawn forwards by the 

 combined action of the mouth and of the anterior legs, and were imme- 

 diately swallowed. In others of the Batrachian Reptiles, the Ranee and 

 SalamandrcB, no swallowing of the exuvicB took place. 



A Description of a new species of Phalangista: by Thomas Bell, Esq., 

 F. R. & L. S., was read by the authour. 



Jfovember 25. — Mr. Bell exhibited several Tortoises of the genera 

 Hydraspis, Emys, emd Terrapene, for the purpose of illustrating by 

 the living animals, the correctness of the views advanced by him in 

 several papers relating to the Testudinata, published in the Zoological 

 Journal. He dwelt especially on the length of the neck in Hydraspis^ 

 which, as well as the legs, was incapable of being retracted within the 

 shell, and afforded a striking mark of distinction between the animals of 

 this genus, and those of Emys, in which the limbs and neck are 

 capable of complete retraction. He also showed that the Testudo 

 Europma of the older authours is a Terrapene, its shell being furnished 

 v^Hlth a sternal valve. 



A paper On an undescribed species of Pheasant: by Mr. B. Lead- 

 beater, F.L.S., was read, and the bird, the Fhasianus Amherstice, was 

 subsequently exhibited. 



November 29. — At the Anniversary Meeting, held this day, the follow- 

 ing Members were elected as Officers and Committee, for the ensuing 

 year: N. A. Vigors, Esq., F.R.S., &c., Chairman; J. F. Stephens, 

 Esq., Treasurer; E. T. Bennett, Esq., Secretary; T. Bell, Esq.; 

 J. E. Bicheno, Esq. ; W. J. Broderip, Esq. ; J. Brookes, Esq.; J. Morgan, 

 Esq.; W. Yarrell, Esq. 



During the continuance of the ballot, the Chairman, Joshua Brookes, 

 Esq., delivered an Address on the progress of Zoological Science during 

 the past year, which was ordered to be printed for distribution among the 

 Members of the Linnean Society. 



December 9. — The Chairman, N. A. Vigors, Esq., entered into a 

 series of remarks in illustration of the importance of attending in zoolo- 

 gical researches to characters apparently minute, and therefore frequently 



