169 



November V2, 1839. 



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



A letter was read from Lady Shelly, relating to the manners, 

 whilst in confinement, of a Black Spider Monkey {Ateles ater), re- 

 cently presented to the Society. 



From this letter it appears that the animal in question was ex- 

 tremely gentle and partial to some persons, but disliked others. It 

 learnt many little tricks, and exhibited a considerable degree of in- 

 telligence. 



A letter from Sir Thomas Reade, Hon. Memb. Z.S., H. M. Consul- 

 General at Tunis, dated Tunis, Sept. 30th, 1 839, was read. It stated 

 that that gentleman had forwarded as a present to the Society a 

 living Bubaline Antelope (Antilope Bubalis, Pall.), three Numidian 

 Cranes (^Anthropdides Virgo, VieilL), and a young Lynx. 



A letter from R. J. Bourchier, Esq., Corr. Memb. Z.S., which was 

 also read, states that the above-mentioned specimens are safely ar- 

 rived at Malta, and that he will take the first favourable opportunity 

 of forwarding them to the Society. 



A letter from Lieut. J. Frembly, R.N., Corr. Memb. Z.S., dated 

 Gibraltar, Oct. 17, 1839, was read. This letter relates to some 

 specimens of Fishes which Mr. Frembly had forwarded to the So- 

 ciety. 



The specimens referred to in this letter were exhibited. 



Professor Owen exhibited the bone of an unknown struthious 

 bird of large size, presumed to be extinct, which had been placed in 

 his hands for examination by Mr. Rule, with the statement that it 

 was found in New Zealand, where the natives have a tradition that 

 it belonged to a bird of the Eagle kind, but which has become ex- 

 tinct, and to which they give the name " Movie." Similar bones it 

 is said are found buried in the banks of the rivers. 



The following is an abstract of Profesor Owen's paper upon this 

 bone : — 



"The fragment is the shaft of a femur, with both extremities 

 broken off". The length of the fragment is six inches, and its small- 

 est circumference is five inches and a half. The exterior surface of 

 the bone is not perfectly smooth, but is sculptured with very shallow 

 reticulate indentations : it also presents several intermuscular ridges. 

 One of these extends down the middle of the anterior surface of the 

 shaft to about one-third from the lower end, where it bifurcates ; two 

 other ridges or lineae asperae traverse longitudinally the posterior 

 concave side of the shaft ; one of them is broad and rugged, the other 

 is a mere linear rising. 



No. LXXXIII. — Proceedings of the Zoological Society. 



