1865.] LETTERS FROM MR. R. SWINHOE. 677 
might be mentioned a fine Indian Tapir (Tapirus indicus), a pair 
of scarce American Deer (Cervus gymnotis) received from Venezuela, 
examples of two rare Spizaéti (S. isidori, Des Murs, from Bogota, 
and S. bellicosus (Vieill.) from Zanzibar), and a fine specimen of the 
the rare Guinea-fowl (Numida vulturina, Hardw.) from the eastern 
coast of Africa (about 4° S. lat.), received likewise from Zanzibar. 
At Rotterdam the Zoological Gardens, under the care of Mr. 
P. H. Martin, were stated to contain a pair of the rare Bovine 
animal of Celebes, Bubalus depressicornis (Antilope depressicornis, 
Temm.). 
At Amsterdam Mr. Sclater had had the pleasure of inspecting a 
fine young male Hippopotamus, born in the Gardens of the Royal 
Zoological Society ‘‘ Natura artis Magistra”’ on the 9th of July 
last. Under the special care of the excellent director, Mr. G. F. 
Westerman, this little animal (of which several photographie por- 
traits were exhibited) was stated to be rapidly increasing in size and 
strength. Although several previous instances of the birth of a 
Hippopotamus in captivity had occurred, both in Antwerp and Paris, 
this was the first instance of one having been successfully reared. 
The following abstract of a letter of Capt. J. M. Dow, C.M.Z.S., 
addressed to Dr. Albert Giinther, was read :— 
“ New York, Oct. 30, 1865. 
“You will be gratified to see amongst the collection two fine ex- 
amples of Thalassophryne which I obtained at Panama. One of the 
specimens was picked up on the sand beach of one of the small islands 
in Panama Bay, cn which our American seamen have their dépots ; 
the second example I purchased in the native fish-market in the City 
of Panama. I took advantage of the occasion of the purchase of the 
fish to inquire of the native fishermen as to the effect produced in a 
human subject on being wounded by one of the spines of Thalasso- 
phryne. The natives seemed quite familiar with the existence of 
the spines, and of the emission from them of a poison which, when 
introduced into a wound, caused fever, an effect somewhat similar to 
that produced by the sting of a Scorpion; but in no case was a 
wound caused by one of them known to result seriously. 
“‘T had no opportunity, myself, to try the effect of the poison on 
another fish or small animal. The slightest pressure of the finger 
at the base of the spine caused the poison to jet a foot or more from 
the opening of the spine.” 
The following extracts were read from letters received from Mr. 
R. Swinhoe, F.Z.S., H.M. Consul for Formosa :— 
* Takow, Formosa, May 18, 1865. 
‘«T have lately been very energetic on the Society’s behalf, and have 
forwarded two Deer for shipment home. They are two females of 
the Cervus taévanus. I have also on hand eleven Swinhoe’s Phea- 
sants (Euplocamus swinhoii), which I am preparing to ship away. 
They are cocks and hens, in nearly equal numbers. The cocks are 
