SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 277 



reasoning from his fresh material, is inchned to modify his previously 

 stated views as to the predominance of a supposed tropical element in the 

 Longicorn group in question, the relative number of absolutely new genera 

 now turning the scale in favour of Palfearctic or Nearctic affinities. 



The last zoological communication taken was " On three new species of 

 Metacrinus" by P. Herbert Carpenter, with a note on a new Myzostoma 

 by Prof, von Graff. Mr. Cai'penter describes Metaciinus rotundus from 

 Japan, dredged there by Dr. Doderlein, of Strasburg, and M. superbus and 

 M. Stewarti, two remarkable forms obtained by the Telegraph Company on 

 picking up a cable near Singapore. Tiie Myzostoma cirripedium was formed 

 on the Japan Crinoid. — J. Murie. 



Zoological Society of London. 



June 3, 1884. — Prof. A. Newton, F.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair. 



The Secretary read a report on the additions that had been made to the 

 Society's Menagerie during the month of May, and called special attention 

 to a Tree Porcupine, purchased May 1st, probably referable to SpJiinyimis 

 sphiosus, which was new to the Society's collection ; to four Soft-billed 

 Ducks, Hymenolcemus malacorliynchm , received May 17th from the Accli- 

 matization Society of Canterbury, New Zealand; and to two pairs of 

 Francolins of different species, obtained by Mr. E Lort Phillips on the 

 Somali coast, and presented by him May 23rd. 



A letter was read from Mr. Albert A. C. Le Souef, of the Zoological 

 Gardens, Melbourne, giving an account of the unusual occurrence of two 

 young ones being produced from one egg laid by a Black-necked Swan. The 

 writer described the appearance of these cygnets, which were much smaller 

 than a companion bird of the same age. 



Mr. ¥. E. Beddard read a paper upon the visceral anatomy oi HapaJemur 

 griseus, and called attention to the various points of difference between this 

 species and Hapalemur sinius. 



Mr. A. D. Bartlett read a paper on some singular hybrids of Bovine 

 animals bred in the Society's Gardens. 



Mr. G. E. Dobson read a paper on the unimportance of the presence or 

 absence of the hallu.\' as a generic character in Mammalia, as evidenced by 

 the gradual disappearance of tliis digit within the limits of a single genus 

 ( Tolpa ). 



A communication was read from Mr. H. W. Bates, containing a list of 

 the Coleoptera of the families Carabida and Scarabaida collected by the 

 late Mr. W. A. Forbes on the Lower Niger. Of these three appeared to be 

 previously undescribed. 



Dr. Carl Lumholtz read a paper containing notes upon some mammals 

 wliicli he had recently discovered in Queen!>land. — P. L. Sclaier, Secretary. 



