SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 73 
Prof. St. G. Mivart read a paper on the convolutions of the brain in the 
Carnivora and Pinnipedia, describing for the first time in detail the brains 
of Nandinia, Galidia, Cryptoprocta, Bassaricyon (from a cast of the skull), 
Mellivora, Galictis, and Grisonia. Confirming the views of previous 
observers, the author gave additional reasons for a three-fold division of the 
Carnivora into Cynoidea, Alluroidea, and Arctoidea, though he remarked 
that amongst the A‘luroids the section of Viverrina formed a very distinct 
group, judged by the cerebral characters. He specially called attention to 
the universal tendency amongst the Arctoidea to the definition of a distinct 
and conspicuous lozenge-shaped patch of brain-substance defined by the 
crucial and precrucial sulci. This condition, which he found in no single 
non-arctoid carnivore, he also found in the brain of Otaria Gillespii, and 
afterwards in Phoca vituliua, where it is very small and much hidden. 
This fact he adduced as an important argument in favour of the view that 
the Pinnipedia were evolved from some Arctoid, probably Ursine form of 
Land Carnivora. 
In illustration of some ornithological notes, Mr. T. E. Gunn showed an 
interesting series in varied plumage of the Blue-throated Warbler (Ruticilla 
suecica, Linn.) The examples in question were procured by Mr. G. E. 
Power at Cley, on the Norfolk coast, in the second week of September last. 
Mr. Gunn also exhibited an immature female specimen of the Little 
Bittern (Botaurus minutus), shot by Mr. E. N. Benningfield at Broxbourne 
Bridge, Herts, on October 15th ; as likewise a hybrid between a cock Gold- 
finch and hen Bullfinch, possessing the marked characteristics of both 
parents.—J. Murtz. 
ZooLogicaL Society or Lonpon. 
January 20, 1885.—Prof. W. H. Frower, LL.D., F.R.S., 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 December, 1884, and called 
attention to a Muntjac from Ningpo, China, deposited by Mr. H. E. 
Dresser on December 20th, which appeared to belong to a species distinct 
from any yet described, and which was proposed to be called the Hairy- 
fronted Muntjac, Cervulus crinifrons, sp. n.; and to a young male Nubian 
Ibex, Capra nubiana, presented December 30th by Mrs. Laing, of Thorn- 
hill, Sunderland, which was stated to be new to the Society's Collection. 
Mr. Sclater called attention to the breeding of a pair of the Chinese 
Blue Magpie in the Society’s Gardens in 1884, and exhibited specimens of 
their eggs. 
Prof. Bell exhibited some models illustrating a paper by Rathke on 
the development of the great blood-vessels in the Vertebrata. 
ZOOLOGIST.—FEB. 1885. G 
