186 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
March 1, 1877.—Prof. Attman, F.R.S., President, in the chair. 
Mr. Robert Gillies (of Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand), Mr. Herbert Goss 
(The Avenue, Surbiton), Dr. Albert Giinther, F.R.S. (British Museum), 
and Mr. Matthew Moggridge (8, Bira Gardens, South Kensington) were 
elected Fellows; and Mr. W. C. Cooke (2, Grosvenor Villas, Junction 
Road, Holloway, N.)—well known for his researches on Fungi—was elected 
an Associate of the Society. 
The only zoological paper read at this meeting was one by Mr. Edgar A. 
Smith, viz., “ Description of a new Form of Ophiwide.” The specimen in 
question was collected by the late Mr. Cuming in the Philippines between 
thirty and forty years ago, and was deposited in the British Museum, where 
its peculiarities seemed to have escaped notice until recently, when com- 
parison with other later additions from a neighbouring locality directed 
attention to it. This remarkable species partakes more of the character of 
the genus Ophiomastiz than of any other. The soft skin covered with 
minute scales, the mouth-organs, and the character of the arm-plates and 
upper series of spines agree precisely with those of that genus; but the 
absence of tentacle-scales is perhaps sufficient to separate it subgenerically. 
The author has therefore named it Acantharachna mirabilis, the subgeneric 
name being suggested by its fancied resemblance to a thorny-legged spider. 
A highly important communication, “On the Flora of Morocco,” was 
read by Mr. John Ball, F.R.S. (Pres. Alpine Club), special attention being 
called to the fact that, although but a few days’ sail from London, the 
fauna and flora of that country are comparatively unknown to Europeans. 
Much remains to be done, but considerable difficulty attends exploration, 
especially in the mountainous districts, from the strong opposition of the 
inhabitants, descendants of the once warlike and fierce Berbers. 
Mr. J. G. Baker gave the gist of his researches “On the Angolan 
Liliace@,” as represented in the valuable herbarium of the late Dr. Wel- 
witsch, the proportion of new species being very great; Mr. W. P. Hiern 
exhibited and made remarks on the embryo of Embryopteris, Gaert.; and 
Dr. Maxwell Masters brought before the meeting a series of specimens illus- 
trative of what is commonly known as “ burrs” or “ witch-knots.” These 
examples were collected by Mr. Webster, gardener to the Duke of Richmond 
and Gordon, from the neighbourhood of Banff Castle ; and their nature and 
cause of production formed the subject of an interesting discussion. 
March 15, 1877.—Prof. Aruman, F.R.S., President, in the chair. 
The Rev. R. Gardner Smith, of Manningham, Bradford, and Mr. Alexander 
Young Stewart, Superintendent of the Apothecaries’ Hall, were elected 
Fellows of the Society. 
The Secretary read a paper forwarded by the Rev. Thomas Powell, 
iissionary, resident in the Navigator's Islands, “ On the Poisoned Spears 
