74 ON THE MUSCLES OF THE AVIAN SYRINX. [Mar. 6, 



3. A male Blyth's Tragopan (Ceriornis blythi), presented by 

 Capt. "W. Brydon, of tlie 42iid Assam Light Infantry, and received 

 through the kind mediation of the Zoological Gardens, Calcutta, 

 February 17th. 



The only example of this splendid species previously received was 

 that presented by Major Montagu in 1870 ^ 



The Secretary exhibited, on behalf of the Rev. F. O. Morris, a 

 drawing of a bird shot in Hampshire in November 1882, and lately 

 described in 'Land and Water' (vol. xxxv. p. 90, 1883), and re- 

 marked that, as there suggested, it certainly represented a Tinamou, 

 (perhaps Nothura boraquira), which must have escaped from cap- 

 tivity. 



Mr. J. E. Ady exhibited some microscopical preparations of bone, 

 in one case showing the growth of blood-vessels into cartilage 

 previous to ossification, and in another case piesenting a hard section 

 in which the lacunae and canaliculi were extremely well shown. 



Dr. Hans Gadow, C.M.Z.S., communicated an outline of a series 

 of observations, which he is now undertaking, on the arrangement 

 and disposition of the muscles of the avian syrinx. He directed 

 especial attention to the fact that there is an absolute continuity 

 between these muscles and those of the upper larynx and the hyoid 

 apparatus. The innervation of all these parts was found to be hypo- 

 glossal pharyngeal, the special nerve-branches accompanying the 

 trachea throughout its length. He pointed out that the conclusion 

 to be drawn from these facts was that the syringeal muscles are 

 derived from the system of sternohyoid muscles. 



The stages intermediate between the arrangement seen in certain 

 birds, where some of the muscles of the upper larynx have no 

 connexion with the skin, and in others, in which the same muscles 

 come into close relation with the integument, were explained with 

 the aid of diagrams. Dr. Gadow had, in consequence, been led to 

 believe that at least such of the cutaneous muscles in tbe cervical 

 region as are striped belonged primitively to the common layer of 

 skeletal muscles. 



Some difficulties in the characters of the nerve-supply of these 

 parts, cervical as well as hypoglossal nerves taking a share in 

 this duty, were pointed out ; and further investigations on this obscure 

 point were said to be in hand. 



The following papers were read : — 



» P. Z. S. 1870, p. 162, pi. XV. 



