262 MR. p. L. SCLATER ON A LEAF-INSECT. [May 21, 



The radius and the ulna of Theriodestnus are of a simple generalized 

 type, in some points resembling those of Reptiles ; but the olecranon 

 has more or less mammalian characters. 



So far as this specimen carries us, Theriodesmus cannot be said to 

 belong to any known order of Mammals, but it is also not a Reptile 

 in the modern sense of the word. This animal shows, in its forearm, 

 its caudal vertebras, and its centralia, such very low (although mam- 

 malian-like) characters, that it ought to be placed between the 

 Reptiles and Mammals. If not the " Promammal " of Haeckel, it 

 may perhaps have been a near relative of some such transitional form, 

 whose existence and characters may be thus postulated on retro- 

 spection. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE XXX. 



PrrepoUex and Prseballux of Mammals. 

 Figs. 1, 4, 5, nat. size. Figs. 2 & 3, slightly enlarged. 

 Fig. 1. Right manus of Pcdetes capensis, palmar surface. 



2. The supporting skeleton of the same. 



3. The supporting skeleton of the corresponding manus of Baihyergus 



maritimus. 



4. Right manus of Theriodesmus phylarchis, Seeley. 



5. Restoration of the carpus of the same. 



Eeference letters. 

 cc^., re.^, centralia. ««., cuneiforme. e/i., epiphysis, fo., lunare. wi^., magnum. 

 Jti., pisiform (postminimus). pi.d., distal bone of pisiform, pi.p., proximal 

 bone of pisiform. Pp., piajpollex. rp).d., distal bone of pra>pollex. Pp.p., 

 proximal bone of pra'pollex. ii'., radius. Sc, scaphoid, td., trapezoid, tm., 

 trapezuim. u., unciform. U., ulna. I, II, III, IV, V, metacarpals. 1, 2, 3, 

 phalanges. 



May 21, 1889. 



Prof. Flower, C.B., LL.D., F.R.S., President, in the Chair. 



Mr. Sclater exhibited and made remarks on the mummy of a 

 Falcon which had been obtained at Thebes in Egypt by Mr. Arthur 

 J. Scott, F.Z.S., last winter. It was beheved to be that of a Kestrel 

 {Tinnunculus alaudarius). 



Mr. Sclater exhibited and made remarks on a series of photo- 

 graphs, taken at Antipodes Island, south of New Zealand, by Messrs. 

 Dougall, of Invercargill, New Zealand, and representing groups of 

 the marine birds (Penguins, Cormorants, and Albatroses), and of 

 the Sea-lions, which frequent that island for breeding-puri)oses. 



Mr. Sclater exhibited a drawing of a Leaf-insect living in the 

 Society's Insect-house, and probably referable to a not quite adult 

 stage of Phyllium gelonus. Gray. This specimen has been received 



