508 Zoological Proceedings of Societies. 



curvirostra Linn ,, and pointed out its peculiarities. He explained par- 

 ticularly the form of the condyle and the mode of articulation of the 

 lower jaw, and showed that these were adapted to admit of a considera- 

 ble extent of lateral motion, while in various other crania of birds which 

 he exhibited the motion was vertical alone. He also pointed out the 

 means by which the lateral motion was confined within certain limits. 

 In further illustration of the subject, he exhibited drawings of the mus- 

 cles of the head and jaws, which were considerably larger on the side to 

 which the lower jaw inclines, and of the tongue of the bird, and dwelt 

 on the important uses to which they were applied in the obtaining of its 

 food : the jaws spreading apart the strobiles of the cone, and the tongue, 

 strong and scoop-like at its extremity, raising the seed from the depth in 

 which it is imbedded. 



Mr. Yarrell also exhibited specimens of the various species of Clupea 

 inhabiting the British coasts, including the Herring, the Pilchard, the 

 Sprat, the Shad, and the Whitebait, and remarked on the differences 

 existing between them, and on their habits, adverting especially to those 

 of the latter species, recently described by him in the Zoological Jour- 

 nal as the Clvpea alba. He also exhibited specimens of two fishes not 

 hitherto admitted into our Fauna, the Cottus Buhalis, Euphr., and the 

 Solea Pegusa, Pleuronectes Pegusa, Lacep, The former appeared to be 

 common on our coasts, and had probably been hitherto confounded with 

 the Cottus Scorpius, Linn. Of the Sole a single specimen alone was 

 yet known to have occurred, which was obtained by Mr. Yarrell at Brigh- 

 ton. He further stated his opinion that there existed in England two spe- 

 cies of fresh- water Eel, Murcena jinguilla, Linn., and exhibited speci- 

 mens remarkably distinct in many respects, and particularly in the form 

 of the head, which in one was thick and blunt, and in the other was 

 narrow and pointed. 



