—so 
TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 111 
by the form of the leaves, the only method hitherto tried, is in no way natural, and 
is therefore of no value. By the careful study of the stem-structure I hope that it 
will in future not be more difficult to determine the species of these two now so very 
confused genera, than those of Saxifraga or any other very large genus. It is to be 
regretted that the earlier botanists have never in their descriptions or figures given 
any particulars of the structure of the stem. Had they done so, many mistakes 
would have been avoided. For example, it would never have been possible to 
confound the Serjania triternata of Willdenow with the Paullinia curassavica of 
Jacquin, or the Serjania lupulina of Schumacher, as has so often been done, The 
only instance in which I have met with a recognizable figure of stem-structure in 
the copious literature of Sapindacez is in Pavon’s figure of his Semarillaria alata, 
the Paullinia alata of Don. 
There is yet another structural peculiarity which will probably afford a good 
character for distinguishing the species of Serjania, which I find nowhere noticed. 
Tt is the epidermis of the leaves, which in some species is formed of what is called 
“Collenchyma,” like the epidermis of the seeds of Linwm. My observations on 
this point being still in progress, I content myself here with the mere notice of the 
fact. 
On the Extinction of the Great Bustard in Norfolk and Suffolk. 
By H. Stevenson, F.Z.S. 
__ After referring to some very early allusions to the existence of the bustard in 
this country, and to the gradual diminution and extinction of the species in the 
different English counties, the author said that Norfolk was the last county to 
reckon the bustard amongst its resident species. The two latest “ droves” had 
their headquarters in the open country round Swaffham and in that near Thetford. 
The Swaffham droye formerly consisted of twenty-seven birds, but the number 
subsequently decreased to seventeen, sixteen, and eleven, and finally dwindled 
down to five and two, All accounts agreed in stating that the last remaining birds 
were hens. One great cause of the extinction of the bird was the introduction of 
improved agricultural implements, which destroyed the eggs. The precise time of 
extinction could not be determined with accuracy. The last known specimens 
were seen about the year 1838; but it had been stated that some of the birds had 
lingered on till 1843 or 1845. The other drove, near Thetford, consisted of thirty 
or forty birds; but the number gradually declined to twenty-four, eighteen, fifteen, 
nine, seven, six, five, and two, the last survivors being hens only. Some persons 
suppose that the bird could be taken by dogs, but this was not confirmed by the 
testimony of trustworthy eye-witnesses. The author referred to the local distribu- 
tion of the bustard in the county, and to the appearance of occasional immigrants 
from the Continent. 
On the Tusks of the Walrus. By Dr. Orro Torrett. 
Notes on the Flora and Fauna of the Seychelle group of Islands. 
By Professor E, Prronyan Wrient, M.D. 
ANATOMY AND Puystonoey. 
On certain Effects of Alcohol on the Pulse. 
By Francis KE. Anstre, M.D. 
The author described certain effects of alcohol upon the pulse which he had ob- 
served with the aid of Marey’s sphygmograph. This instrument, which writes the 
form of the pulse-waves upon paper or smoked glass, has recently been rendered 
more exact in its indications by the application of a principle originated by Dr. 
Burdon-Sanderson, by which the precise weight with which the tactile spring 
