TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 115 



Note on the Embryo of the Date-Palm. By Prof. Alexandee Dickson, M.D» 



On the Foundation of Zoological Stations. By Dr. Anton Dohen. 



Dr. Dohm gave an account of liis exertions in Naples to construct a large 

 building close to the sea, containing waste aquariums, extensive laboratories, and 

 observatories, a scientific library, and whateTer belonged to the practical pursuit 

 of marine zoology. He asked the moral assistance of the British Association for 

 overcoming some possible resistance at Naples, as the place for the establishment 

 was to be had only by cession of territory of the VUla Eeale, the celebrated 

 park of the city of Naples. 



He added remarks on the importance of zoological stations in other parts of 

 the world, and said that his scheme was worked out with the view of facilitating 

 the foundation of such stations. 



On the Habits of the Iiulian Rock-snalce (Python molums). 

 By Sir "Walter Elliot, F.L.S. 



The Rock-snake (Python mohtrm, L.) inhabits the whole of India, but prefers 

 the dense forests clothing the base of the mountain-chains and extending, according 

 to Mr. Swinhoe, even to China. In these haunts it attains its greatest size ; and 

 the statements made relative to its bulk and power of swallowing its prey, current 

 among the natives, require to be carefully scrutinized, and only received with the 

 gTeatest caution. Credible instances have been related by Capt. (afterwards Sir) 

 Murray Maxwell of a specimen on board the ' Alceste ' which swallowed a goat, the 

 horns of which were seen distending the skin for many days afterwards. Lord 

 Walden, President of the Zoological Society (when Lord Arthur Hay), described, 

 in the ' Madi-as Journal of Literatm-e and Science,' an individual 17 feet long 

 which had swallowed a gravid axis deer. The case which I wish now to mention 

 rests entirely on native testimony ; but it was carefully sifted and tested by a very 

 competent judge, the late Sir Mark Cabbon, K.C.B., Commissioner for the kingdom 

 of Mysore. A Parsi merchant whom he had long known as a contractor for the 

 commissariat when he (General Cabbon) was Commissary-General, called on him 

 at Bungalore in 1835 or 18.36, and in course of conversation mentioned that on 

 landing at Coompta, from Bombay a few days before, on the Malabar coast, he had 

 seen a rock-snake that had just been kiUed, having swallowed a bison {Bos gaurus). 

 Although his informant was a person deserving of credit, the General detemiined 

 to investigate the matter fully, and sent for the evidence of the most respectable 

 eye-witnesses and who appeared most trustworthy. The sum of their testimony 

 showed that the snake had been upwards of 30 feet long, that it had swallowed a 

 young bison cow with the horns fully developed, and that it had been so completely 

 gorged in consequence, that it had been unable to retire to its lair, which led to its 

 discovery and easy destruction. The relation is given for what it is worth. It rests 

 on what is allowed to be a sufficient amount of evideuce for the establishment of a 

 matter of fact, viz. the concurring testimony of a large number of eye-witnesses, 

 recorded with care immediately after the event. 



A specimen 11 feet long, kept in captivity for several days, showed no fear of man. 

 It tried to seize fowls, dogs, &c. which approached it, but was checked by the rope 

 which confined it. When the cord was lengthened it used to glide perpendicularly 

 with the greatest ease up the smooth stem of a tamarind-tree near which it was 

 picketed, and lie all day coiled on a branch. At lenglh, wishing to destroy it, the 

 basket in which it was secured at night was sunk for 36 hours in the river ; but on 

 being taken out it was found to be as lively as ever. Dumeril and Bibron, how- 

 ever, state that aU the PythonidoB are aquatie in their habits, and P. molunts the 

 most so ; but its continued vitality after such prolonged immersion shows it to be 

 amphibious. 



Abnormal Petals on Flowers of Eanunculus aquatilis. By Thomas Gibson. 



A clump covering some 6 or 8 feet in diameter, showing from 150 to 200 full- 

 blown flowers, the principal part of which were beneath the surface, at depths 



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