SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 153 
is supported on a cylindrical pointed peduncle. Among other remarkable 
and significant forms is one of which the author gives the name of Thuraria 
heteromorpha. In this are found combined in the same hydrophyton no 
less than three morphological types, which if occurring separately would 
be justly regarded as representing three genera, Thuraria, Dermoscyphus, 
and Sertularia. Notwithstanding this singular combination of forms, the 
author does not believe that the characters of the specimen justifies the 
construction of a new genus; and he regards the generic position of the 
hydroid as determined by that one of the three forms which most decidedly 
prevails in it. Thuraria heteromorpha thus shows in a very marked way 
the indefiniteness of the boundaries between different zoological groups, 
and calls to mind a phenomenon known to occur among plants, as in 
certain epiphytical orchids, in which the same stem has been observed to 
carry flowers referable to several generic types.—J. Murine. 
ZooLocicaL Socirty or Lonpon. 
March 3, 1885. — Prof. W. H. Frowrer, LL.D., F.R.S., President, 
in the chair. 
Dr. E. Hamilton made some remarks on the supposed existence of the 
Wild Cat, Felis catus, in Ireland, as stated at a former meeting, observing 
‘that there was no record of the Wild Cat being indigenous to that country. 
‘Dr. Hamilton believed that the cat shown at the meeting in question was 
only the offspring of domestic cats born and bred in the woods of that 
district. 
A letter was read from Mr. J. H. Thomson, giving the locality of Helix 
(Hemitrochus) filicosta, which had been previously unknown. 
Dr. A. Giinther exhibited and made remarks on the skin of a singular 
variety of the Leopard which had been obtained in South Africa. The 
back in this specimen was black and the tail reddish grey, while the usual 
characteristic spots of the ordinary Leopard were nearly altogether absent. 
Mr. H. H. Johnston gave a general account of the principal animals 
observed by him during his recent journey to Kilimanjaro and his stay on 
that mountain. 
Mr. Oldfield Thomas read a report on the Mammals obtained and 
observed by Mr. Johnston during his expedition. 
Capt. G. E. Shelley read a report on the birds collected by Mr. H. H. 
Johnston in the Kilimanjaro district. The collection contained examples 
of fifty species, six of which were believed to be new to science. 
Mr. Charles O. Waterhouse read a paper on the insects collected in 
Kilimanjaro by Mr. H. H. Johnston, and gave the descriptions of six new 
‘species of Coleoptera, of which examples occurred in the collection. 
Prof. F’. Jeffrey Bell read a description of a Nematoid Worm, Gordius 
ZOOLOGIST.—APRIL, 1885. N 
