176 
species of Cormorant, apparently the Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pyg- 
maeus), purchased January 31st, and said to have been received from Sierra 
Leone. — Mr. Sclater laid on the table and made some remarks on a copy 
of the lately issued Guide to the »Calcutta Zoological Gardens«. — Mr. 
W. T. Blanford, F.R.S., made some observations on the collection of 
drawings of Himalayan Birds lately presented to the Society’s Library by 
Brian H. Hodgson, Esq., F.Z.S. — Prof. F. Jeffrey Bell read the second 
part of his contribution to the systematic arrangement of the Asteroidea. In 
the present communication the author treated of the species of the genus 
Oreaster. — A communication was read from Mr. Fernand Lataste, 
C.M.Z.S., containing the description of a new species of Gerbille from Ara- 
bia. This new species was founded on specimens living in the Society’s 
Gardens, which had been hitherto referred to Gerbillus erythrurus Gray. 
M. Lataste considered the species to be undescribed, and proposed to call it 
Meriones longifrons. — A communication was read from Mr. J. Wood- 
Mason, F.Z.S., in which he gave the description of a new species of the 
Neuropterous genus Corydalis. The first example of this insect (a female) was 
captured by Lieut.-Col. H. H. Godwin-Austen, F.R.S, on the Naga Hills, 
N.E. frontier of India; but male specimens had since been obtained. The 
author proposed to call this species Corydalis asiatica. — A communication 
was read from Dr. J. Gwyn Jeffreys, F.R.S., on the Mollusca procu- 
red during the ‚Lightning‘ and , Porcupine‘ Expeditions 1868—70, forming 
the seventh part of his series of papers on this subject. The present part 
comprised the genera from Rissoa to Acirsa, with 74 species, of which 
14 were new to science, as was also one new genus. — P. L. Sclater, 
Secretary. 
2. Linnean Society of London. 
6th March, 1884. — Announcement was made of an International Orni- 
thological Congress to be held under the Auspices of the Austrian Government 
in Vienna during April next. — There was exhibited for Mr.J.E. Gunna 
male variety of the Waterhen (Gallinula chloropus) which had been shot last 
spring near Norwich. — Prof. St. G. Mivart read a paper »On the Relations 
between Instinct and other vital processes«. In this he contended that Instinct 
can not be divided by a very hard and fast line from such vital processes as 
reflex action, processes of repair after injuries and the process of develop- 
ment of the individual; and that these latter were more readily explained as 
activities especially instinctive than that Instinct could be explained by 
reflex action or by lapsed intelligence. ‘The vital processes referred to were 
also shown to have an important bearing on the question of the origin of 
species. — Prof. J. S. Cobbold gave a verbal account of a paper received 
from Dr. P. Manson of Hong-Kong (China) in which the author furnished 
fresh evidence as to the role of the Mosquito considered as the intermediary 
host of Filaria sanguinis-hominis. Dr. Manson has verified his previous 
observations in the most complete manner and he now recognises six well- 
marked stages in the growth of the Filariae whilst they are dwelling within 
the body of the insect. In the discussion which followed Dr. J. R. Lewis 
confirmed Manson’s statements in many particulars. — J. Murie. 
Druck von Breitkopf & Hartel in Leipzig. 
