1056 REPORT—1885. 
6. Report of the Committee for promoting the establishment of Marine 
Biological Stations on the coast of the United Kingdom.—See Reports, 
p. 480. 
?. Report of the Committee for promoting the establishment of a Marine 
Biological Station at Granton—See Reports, p. 474. 
8. Report on recent Polyzoa.—See Reports, p. 481. 
9. Report on the Record of Zoological Literature. 
10. Report on the Bibliography of certain Groups of Invertebrata. 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11. 
The following Papers were read :— 
1. Recent Observations on the Habits and Instincts of Ants and Bees. 
By Sir Joun Lussock, Bart., F.R.S. 
2. On the Carpal Bones in various Cetaceans. By Professor StrurHERs, 
M.D., LL.D. 
Dissections exhibited of the carpal bones and cartilages in Hyperoodon, Beluga, 
Globicephalus, Narwhal, Balenoptera musculus, B. borealis, B. rostrata, Megaptera 
Zongimana, and Balena mysticetus, The various carpal cartilages, more or less 
ossified, shown to be mapped out by fibrous and occasionally by partially synovial 
articulations. The general conclusion of the author is, a diminution in the number 
of the second carpal row from Hyperoodon to Mysticetus. In Mysticetus, second 
row reduced to one cartilage or bone, partially ossified in a 35 feet-long male, 
entirely cartilaginous in a full-grown female. Sections display these facts fully. 
The pisiform varies in its development. In some it appears as if partially con- 
tinuous with the cartilaginous epiphysis of the ulna. In B. borealis the trapezoid 
is wanting, in contrast with B. musculus. 
3. Account of the Dissection of the Rudimentary Hind-limb of 
Balenoptera musculus, By Professor Srrurners, M.D., LL.D. 
A careful dissection was made of the anatomical relations of the femur, &c., in the 
whale from Nairn, and full-sized drawings were made as the dissection proceeded. 
The femur is imbedded in fibrous tissue, belonging to transverse and longitudinal 
aponeuroses. Only a small part of a superficial muscle is attached to it. It is 
loosely held to the pelvic bone by ligaments. No synovial membrane, but an 
acetabular cartilage is present, concealed by the periosteum. The terminal fibrous 
band from the femur expands in fascia some inches forwards. The author’s con- 
clusion is, that the femur in B. musculus is to be regarded as entirely a rudimentary 
structure. The paper embraced an account of the formation of the pelvic cavity, and 
of the muscles and fibrous structures connected with the pelvic bones. 
