SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 239 



exact localities being noted, as well as for the new species it contained. 

 Ninety-four species were represented, eight of which were described by the 

 author as new to science. 



A communication was read from Mr. T. D. A. Cockerel], containing 

 some remarks on Atavism, with reference to a paper on the same subject 

 read by Mr. J. Bland Sutton at a previous meeting of the Society. 



Prof. G. B. Howes gave an account of the vocal pouch of Rhinoderma 

 darwini, and described in detail the mode of its attachment, and the position 

 of the embryos in it. The author controverted the idea of Espada that the 

 alimentary functions were arrested during the development of the embryos 

 in this Batrachian. 



Mr. Oldfield Thomas read a paper describing a new genus and species of 

 Muridce obtained by Mr. H. 0. Forbes during his recent expedition to New 

 Guinea. The author proposed to call this form, which was characterized by 

 the possession of a prehensile tail, Chirurornys forbesii, after its discoverer. 



Lieut.-Col. Godwin-Austen read the first of a proposed series of papers 

 on the Land-Mollusca of Burmah. The present communication gave an 

 account of the shells collected by Capt. Spratt, R.A., in Upper Burmah, 

 amongst which were specimens of several new and very interesting species. 



A communication was read from Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, containing the 

 sixth of his series of notes on the specimens of the Hume collection of birds. 

 The present paper treated of certain species of the genus Digenea. 



May 1, 1888.— Prof. W. H. Flower, C.B., LL.D., F.R.S., President, 

 in the chair. 



Colonel Irby exhibited (on behalf of Lord Lilford) a specimen of Aquila 

 rapax from Southern Spain, believed to be the first authentic specimen of 

 this species known from the Peninsula. 



Prof. Flower exhibited, and made remarks on, a specimen of the Japanese 

 Domestic Fowl, with the tail-feathers enormously elongated, the longest 

 attaining a length of nine feet. The specimen had been presented to the 

 British Museum by Mr. F. D. Parker. 



Mr. C. M. Woodford made some general remarks on the Zoology of the 

 Solomon Islands; and read some notes on the nesting-habits of Brenchley's 

 Megapode, which lays its eggs in the sands on the sea-shore of these 

 islands. 



Mr. G. A. Boulenger read the description of a new Land Tortoise of 

 the genus Homopus from South Africa, based on specimens living in the 

 Society's Gardens, which had been presented to the Society by the Rev. 

 G. H. R. Fisk. The author proposed to name the species H. femoralis. 



Mr. F. E. Beddard read the second of his series of notes on the visceral 

 anatomy of birds. The present paper treated on the air-sacs in certain 

 diving birds. 



