76 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



There was exhibited for Mr. W. Bancroft Espent an albino specimen of 

 Bat (Molossus obscurus, Geoffr., from Jamaica, albinism in the Cheiroptera 

 being said to be extremely rare 



Dr. T. Spencer Cobbold called attention to living examples of Leptodera, 

 shown under the microscope. 



Mr. W. Percy Sladen read a paper on the Asleroidea of the 'Challenger' 

 Expedition (part i. family Pterasteridce). After some preliminary remarks 

 and a synopsis of the genera, he observed that hitherto this family has 

 been represented by a very limited number of forms, only nine species being 

 on record. Eight of these belonged to the genera Pteraster and Retaster, 

 and the ninth was the type and solitary representative of Hymcnaster — 

 a genus established by Sir Wyville Thomson for an extraordinary asterid 

 discovered during the cruise of H.M.S. 'Porcupine.' Thirty-four species of 

 Pterasteridw have been obtained by the 'Challenger,' only two of which were 

 previously known. Of the thirty-two new species three belong to Pteraster, 

 four to Retaster, and the remarkable number of twenty to Hymenaster, a 

 genus which is now found to possess a world-wide distribution in deep 

 waters. The remaining five species are the representatives of three new 

 genera — viz. Ma/nipaster, two species; Benthaster, two; and Calyptraster, 

 one. Thereafter the author referred to the terminology used by him, and 

 there followed a description of the new deep-sea forms. — J. Murik. 



Zoological Society of London. 



Jan. 17, 1882.— Prof. W. H. Flower, 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, 1881, and called 

 special attention to a young male Guemul Deer, Fwcifer chilensis, from 

 Patagonia, and a Germain's Peacock- Pheasant, Polyplectron Oermaini, 

 which were new to the Society's Collection. 



Prof. Newton exhibited (by favour of Messrs. Hallett & Co.) the skin of 

 an example of Notornis Mantelli recently received from New Zealand. This 

 was stated to be the third example of this almost extinct bird which had 

 been yet obtained. 



Mr. W. K. Parker read a memoir on the structure and development of 

 the skull in the Crocodilia. 



Mr. Oldfield Thomas gave an account of a series of Rodents lately 

 collected by Mr. Stolzmaun in Northern Peru. The chief interest in the 

 collection was stated to lie in the fine series of Mice of the genera 

 Hesperomys and Holochilus contained in it. 



A communication was read from Mr. T. E. Buckley on the variability 

 of plumage exhibited by the Red Grouse. 



A communication was read from Mr. G. B. Sowerby, juu., containing 



