63 



June 28, 1836. 

 William Yarrell, Esq., V.P. in the Chair. 



A note addressed to Colonel Sykes by Lieut. Henning, R.N., was 

 read. It noticed the capture of an Albatross by a hook ; and stated 

 that the bird, while so attached, was fastened on by another of the 

 same species, but whether with the intention of endeavouring to re- 

 lease it, or with the view of taking advantage of its helpless condi- 

 tion, the writer did not attempt to determine. 



Some observations were read by Mr. Gray " On the genus Mos- 

 chus of Linnaeus, with descriptions of two new species." 



The only character, Mr. Gray remarks, by which this genus, as 

 established by Linnaeus and others, differs from the genus Cervus, 

 consists in the absence of horns ; for the elongated canines are com- 

 mon to it and most of the Indian species of Cervus, especially the 

 Cerv. Muntjac. The character of the fur, the degree of hairiness or 

 nakedness of the metatarsus, and the presence or absence of the 

 musk-bag in the male, offer, however, good characters for the sub- 

 division of the group into three very distinct sections or subgenera. 



The first of these divisions, for which Mr. Gray would retain the 

 name of Moschus, comprehends only the Thibet Musk, Moschus mos- 

 chiferus, Linn. In common with the Deer and Antelopes it has the 

 hinder and outer side of the metatarsus covered with close erect hair ; 

 like many of the Deer also, its fur is quill-like and brittle ; it has, 

 moreover, a throat entirely clothed with hair; and the males are 

 provided on the middle of the abdomen with a large pouch secreting 

 musk. Its young, like those of most of the Deer, are spotted, while 

 the adult animal is plain- coloured. 



The division to which Mr. Gray in the year 1821, in a paper in 

 the Medical Repository, gave the name of Meminna, also consists of 

 but a single species, the Moschus Meminna, Linn. In this group the 

 hinder edge of the metatarsus is covered with hair, but there is on 

 its outer side, a little below the hock, a rather large smooth naked 

 prominence, which is flesh-coloured during life ; the fur is rather 

 soft, spotted and varied with white, which becomes less conspicuous 

 in the older specimens, but does not appear ever to be entirely lost; 

 the throat is entirely covered with hair ; and there is no musk-bag 

 in either sex. The false hoofs are distinct, although denied to the 

 animal both by Linnaeus and BufFon. 



The third and last subdivision is characterized by Mr. Gray, under 

 the name of Tragulus, as having the hinder edge of the metatarsus 

 nearly bald and slightly callous, a character which distinguishes them 

 at once from all other Ruminants ; the fur is soft, and adpressed like 

 that of Meminna, but not spotted even when young ; the throat is 



