Dr. J. E, Gray on the Species o/Hyrax. 35 



jected to the anaesthetic action of ether, becomes insensible to 

 the disturbances produced l)y induction-currents, even when 

 these are very powerful. We wished to see whether this 

 would be the case with the Sensitive Plant. 



For this purpose we placed our plant under a bell-glass 

 with two tubulatures, through which penetrated the copper 

 wires serving to pass the induction current through the plant. 

 A few drops of ether were poured into the interior of the bell- 

 glass, and in a short time the plant had undergone the anses- 

 thetic effects of the liquid; for, when shaken, it no longer 

 closed its leaflets or manifested any sensibility. In this state 

 we subjected it to the action of the induction-cun-ent ; and then 

 it gave no sign of sensibility : the petioles remained straight 

 and the leaflets continued open. 



These fresh experiments harmonize with all those which have 

 been made upon this subject, and furnish an argument in favour 

 of the opinion of those who think that the movements observed 

 in these plants are efl*ected by the intermediation of organs 

 analogous to those possessed by animals. 



VI. — Revision of the Species of Hyrax, founded on the Speci- 

 mens in the British Museum. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., 

 V.P.Z.S. 



The species of the Hyraces are well marked both externally and 

 anatomically ; but there is great confusion as to the names 

 that have been given to them in the systematic catalogues. 



Prosper Alpinus, in his list of animals of Egypt and Arabia, 

 indicated a species oi Hyrax under the name of Agnus fiUorum 

 Israel^ which Shaw regarded as a large Jerboa ; but Bruce 

 corrected this error in his account of the Ashkoko. 



Pallas described and figured the Cape species under the 

 name of Cavia capensis^ and Buffon as the Marniotte du Cap. 

 It is well known to natm-alists as Hyrax capensis. 



Bruce notices a Hyrax under the name of Ashkoko, which 

 he described as coloured like a wild rabbit, with scattered 

 black bristles and white beneath. This well agrees with a 

 Hyrax, now found in Abyssinia, Dongola, and Upper Egypt, 

 which is in the British Museum. Bruce states that the 

 animal is also found in Mount Lebanon and Arabia Petrsea. 



Schreber, who only knew the animal from Bruce's figure 

 and description, applied to it the scientific name of Hyrax 

 syriacus. The Asiatic species is very like the African ,• but 

 I believe it is distinct ; and in that case Schreber's name is 



3* 



