470 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



interesting accessions which had been received during that period. Amongst 

 these were specially noted a red and white flying Squirrel (Pteromys albo- 

 rufiis), from the province of Szechuen, in the interior of China, presented 

 by Mr. Percy Montgomery, of Ichang, China ; and an Urva ichneumon 

 {Herpestes urva) and a young male gorilla {Anthropopithecus gorilla), being 

 the first gorilla acquired by the Society, obtained by purchase. 



A communication was read from Herr W. v . Nathusius, of Konigsborn, 

 on a microscopic Acarus {Symbiotes equi), a parasite of the horse, causing 

 what is called " greasy-foot," of which he sent specimens for exhibition. 

 The same Acarus was regarded by the author as being the cause of skin 

 diseases in other domestic animals. 



The Secretary read a letter addressed to him by Dr. Emin Pacha, dated 

 Wadelai, April 15th, 1887, referring to some communications on Natural 

 History which he was preparing for the Society. 



A letter, enclosing photographs, was read from Surgeon-General George 

 Bidie, referring to a case of the breeding of the Elephant in captivity. 

 The usually received date of twenty-one months as the period of gestation 

 was confirmed. 



Prof. F. J. Bell made some observations on the " British Marine Area," 

 as proposed to be defined by the Committee of the British Association, and 

 opposed the idea of omitting the Channel Islands therefrom. 



Prof. A. Newton exhibited (on behalf of Mr. W. Eagle Clarke) a speci- 

 men of Bulwer's Petrel [Bulweria columbina), believed to have been picked 

 up dead in Yorkshire. 



Mr. H. E. Dresser exhibited (on behalf of Lord Lilford) specimens of a 

 new species of Titmouse, allied to the Marsh Tit (Parus ater), obtained by 

 Dr. Guillemard in Cyprus, which he proposed to designate Parus guillemardi. 



Mr. Boulenger exhibited a living specimen of a rare African batrachian 

 [Xenopus la:vis), which had been sent to him by Mr. Leslie, of Port 

 Elizabeth, and also gave a description of a new species of Hyla from Port 

 Hamilton, Corea, living in the Society's gardens, which he proposed to 

 name Hyla stepheni, after its discoverer. 



The reptiles, shells, Lepidoptera, and mammals collected by Mr. H. H, 

 Johnston at the Cameroons and the Kio del Key, were described by Messrs. 

 Boulanger, E. A. Smith, A. G. Butler, and G. E. Dobson respectively. 



Prof. Flower exhibited a photograph of Rudolphi's Whale [Balmnoptera 

 borealis), taken in October in the Thames near Tilbury. This species was 

 formerly regarded as one of the rarest of the Cetacea. A few years since 

 750 were captured in one season off the coast of Scandinavia ; but, after 

 two seasons, the shoals disappeared. Of the geographical distribution of 

 this and other species of Whales much remains to be discovered. 



The next meeting of the Society will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 0th. — 

 P. L. ScLATER, Secretary. 



