1882,] PROF. ST.-GEORGE MIVART ON THE ^LUROIDEA. 459 



In Capt. Salvia's letter to the ' Field ' on this subject (vol. lix, 

 p. 693, May 2, 1882) it was stated that the young were only fed in 

 this manner by the male bird ; but Mr. Bartlett had assured himself 

 that both male and female parent had been seen to feed the young 

 in the same way. 



Mr. 11. J. Elwes, F.Z.S., made some remarks on his recent 

 expedition to the Aures Mountains of Algeria, and exhibited a 

 specimen of a Stonechat (Saxicola) obtained there, which he 

 believed to be new to science. 



The Secretary placed upon the table a series of the Diurnal and 

 Nocturnal Lepidoptera bred in the Insect-House during the past 

 month, and called special attention to specimens of Attacus roylei 

 and Cricula trifenestrata, both from India, as not having been 

 reared in 1881. 



The following papers were read : — 



1. Notes on some Points in the Anatomy of the ^hiroidea. 

 By St. -George Mivart. 



[Eeceired May 9, 1882.] 



In studying the ^luroidea for the purpose of trying to ascertain 

 the number and nature of the groups into which that suborder 

 might be best divided, I noted, as carefully as I could, such points 

 in the anatomy of a number of species as I had an opportunity of 

 examining. I now venture to lay before the Society some selections 

 from these notes as a supplement to, and further justification of, the 

 conclusions I lately had the honour of submitting to the judgment 

 of the same Society*. 



It is only the osteology which I have had the opportunity of 

 studying with any approach to completeness ; but I have made such 

 notes on the other systems of organs as I have been able to collect. 



OSTEOLOGY. 



The Axial Skei-eton. 



The Vertebral Column. 



The greatest number of vertebrae of which I have found the 

 spinal column to be composed is GO (Arctictis) and .59 (Crt/ptoprocta 

 and Paradoxurvs). The smallest number is 33 (in a Manx Cat). 



The general range is from 50 (Suricata) and 51 {Cynogale) to 

 56 and 57. 



» P.Z.S. 1882, p. 135. 



