284 



name for this large bird, and therefore propose one somewhat familiar 

 to all who have paid any attention to the subject, and apply the name 

 oiDidus Nazarenus to this the largest species of the genus. In doing 

 this, I may remark that Mr. Strickland, in his work before alluded 

 to, has considered the Didus Nazarenus to be a phantom species, 

 which he says has haunted our systems of ornithology from the days 

 of Gmelin downwards. 



The conclusions which I have arrived at from the examination of 

 the bones to which I have just called your attention are these : — That 

 there existed formerly three distinct species of Apterous birds in the 

 island of Rodriguez ; namely, one which is apparently identical with 

 the Bodo (Didus ineptus) of the Mauritius ; a second, which was 

 well described under the name of Solitaire ; and a third, which was 

 much larger than either of the above. 

 12 College Street, Camden Town. 



2. Description of two new species of Mammalia of the 

 GENUS Antechinus. By John Gould, F.R.S. etc. 



One of these species is remarkable for being spotted on the under 

 instead of on the upper surface, and the other for its very dimmutive 

 size : both rank among the smallest members of the genus. For the 

 former I pro^pose the specific appellation of maculatus ; it may be 

 thus described : — 



Antechinus maculatus. 



Fur short, dense, and closely apphed to the skin ; general tint of 

 the upper surface dark blackish brown, minutely grizzled with yellow- 

 ish brown ; lower part of the flanks and under surface of the body 

 dark brownish slate-grey, ornamented with oblong spots of greyish 

 wliite arranged in irregular rows in the direction of the body ; down 

 the centre of the throat a streak of white. 



inches. 

 Length from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail 3^ 



of the tail 2A 



from the tip of the nose to the base of the ear ^ 



of the ear ^ 



of the tarsi and toes -j^ 



Hab. Brushes of the river Clarence, on the east coast of Australia. 



The other species I propose to name 



Antechinus minutissimus. 



Fur short, dense, and closely applied to the skin ; upper surface and 

 flanks brown, slightly grizzled with black ; under surface pale buff, 

 approaching to white on the throat ; tail brown above, lighter be- 

 neath ; feet bufiy brown, toes covered with hairs of a somewhat lighter 

 hue. 



