1869.] MR. ST.GEORGE MIVART ON PACHYBATRACHUS. 227 
Aun. des Sci. Nat. 1864, t. 4. f. 2). It appears to be common to 
the species of the genus Tragulus, but, I believe, does not occur in 
the genus Meminna. M. Alphonse Milne-Edwards (loc. cit. t. 10. 
f. 7) figures the pelvis of that animal without any bony disk. 
April 8, 1869. 
Dr. E. Hamilton, V.P., in the Chair. 
A communication was read from Dr. George Bennett, F.Z.S., 
dated Sydney, January 26th, enclosing a copy of an article upon the 
Tuatera Lizard (Sphenodon punctatum*) of New Zealand, contri- 
buted by him to the ‘Sydney Herald’ of January 19th, which was 
read to the Meeting. It appeared from this article that so recently 
as December 1851 this Lizard was abundant in one of the islands in 
the Bay of Plenty, in New Zealand. The island in question was 
stated to be one of four small volcanic islands, distant about eight 
miles from the coast and situated opposite to the mouth of the Waka- 
tane river. The party of officers who visited it upon the occasion 
in question are stated to have collected in half an hour nearly forty 
of these Lizards of different sizes, varying from two feet long to 
three inches. They stated that the island seemed to be swarming 
with them and with another Lizard called the Moko-moko (Tiliqua 
zeelandica).’ In the daytime these Lizards are seen basking them- 
selves in the sun on the bare rocks. Noon is therefore the best time 
to visit the island. It was stated that there were four small islands, 
on two of which Tuateras are found. They are called Rurima and 
Montoki. The largest is about half a mile in circumference at high 
water. They are all of volcanic origin, and are scantily covered 
with soil, but it is sufficient to grow a few of the most hardy New- 
Zealand shrubs and creepers, among the latter of which was observed 
the delicate flower of the Pohne or Panapa (Calystegia sepium), the 
long fleshy root of which was formerly a source of food to the New 
Zealander. There was no fresh water on the island but what was 
contained in the crevices of rocks from rain. 
The following papers were read :— 
1. Note on Pachybatrachus robustus. 
By Sr. Gzorce Mivart, F.Z.8. &e. 
I had the honour to read before the Zoological Society on the 
12th of November, 1868, a paper which was published in the 
* Olim Hatteria punctata. Cf. Gray, Ann: Nat. Hist. 4th ser. vol. i. p. 167 
(1869).—P. L. 8. 
