TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 103 



greater tenderness of the vegetation in those countries which accounts for the 

 disparity observable between the vegetable growths of New Guinea and those of 

 Australia. In the centre of New Guinea there is a high range of mountains, which 

 attract and impart moisture to the surrounding country ; while the interior of 

 Australia consists of great barren plains, which harbour no moisture. The plants, 

 as they have not had the means to protect themselves available to animals, have 

 gradually altered their form to accommodate themselves to circumstances. A 

 curious creature, covered with prickles, living on ants and other insects, and 

 unprovided with means of militant operations, is found on both sides of the Straits. 

 Two kinds of Echidna have also been discovered in New Guinea, and corresponding 

 with them is one in Tasmania and another in Australia. These creatures could 

 not travel over water, and so there must have been land communication at the 

 period of their original distribution. Quite lately an Echidna has been found in 

 the south-west corner of New Guinea, and sent to Professor Rolleston by the 

 Rev. Mr. Lawes, the discoverer, accompanied by a letter, in which the statement is 

 made that this is the first ever found. For this species the name Echidna lawesi 

 is proposed. The Cassowary has also been found on both sides of Torres Straits. 

 Proof of the existence of the Tree-Kangaroo, both in Australia and New Guinea, 

 Professor Rolleston also considered reliable. At its conclusion the paper treated 

 of the Admiralty-Island pig, in the fore part of which Professor Rolleston pointed 

 out the peculiarity of a glabella. 



Specimens of Philongria rosea exhibited. By J. B. Rowe, F.L.S. 



Much of the interest attaching to thi3 minute Crustacean was due to the fact 

 that hitherto it has been captured in one locality only in England, and in an area, 

 of only a few yards. It was first found by Mr. Spence Bate in Plymouth ; but 

 specimens were soon after discovered by Mr. Rowe in a garden at the back of his 

 house, and four of these organisms were captured on a fern by him on the previous 

 Sunday, three of which he exhibited. His observations confirm the remarks of 

 Messrs. Bate and Westwood about the insect. 



On the Roses of the Neighbourhood of Plymouth. 

 By T. R. Akchee-Bkiggs, F.L.S. 



The author illustrated his paper by means of a map of the district of which he 

 treated, and specimens of many of the plants referred to. The author had 

 endeavoured to identify the roses flourishing within a radius of twelve miles of 

 Plymouth with those species and varieties classified by Mr. Baker. This involved 

 extensive research, both on the Continent and at home ; and, among others, M. 

 DCs6glise, of Geneva, one of the first authorities on the genus, had rendered him 

 valuable assistance. From his inquiries, he found it advisable to divide the area 

 over which he extended his observations into six districts, four in South Devon and 

 two in Cornwall, viz. the Erme, Yealm, Plyni, Tavy and S.E. Tamar, S.W. Tamar, 

 and Notter, Tiddy, and Seaton districts. The result of the investigations was the 

 discovery of the following varieties of indigenous Roses : — spinosissima ; tomentosa 

 (Sm.), tomentosa (type form), tomentosa subglobosa, tomentosa scabriuscida, tomentosa 

 sylvestris; rubiginosa; micrantha, micrantha pedunculo nuda ; canina hdctiana, 

 canina sphccrica, canina senticosa, canina dumalis, canina biserrata, canina urbica, 

 canina frondosa, canina arvatica, canina dumetorum, canina obtusifulia, canina 

 tomenteua, canina andevagenm, canina vertieiUacantha (latehrota and aepernata), 

 canina collina, canina concinna, canina coriifolia ; stylosa systyla, stylosa kucochroa ; 

 arventis, and arvemit bibracteata. 



