12 DR. SCLATER ON SPECIMENS FROM CAPT. SPEKE. [Jan. 28, 



grub. The hind limb is longer than the fore limb, and is terminated 

 by a more perfect hand — the ' hallux ' or thumb being stronger, 

 and set at a more open angle with the other toes, and these being 

 more similar to each other in length and thickness : the thumb has 

 a flat, broad nail." Prof. Owen observed that, from the external cha- 

 racters of the Aye-aye, it might be inferred that it was of arboreal 

 habits, the limbs being constructed chiefly for grasping, especially the 

 hinder pair, as in all good climbers. The circular open eye, large 

 iris, and wide pupil, reducible to a minute point when contracted, 

 indicated a climber of nocturnal habits. The large and perfect ears 

 bespoke the acuteness of their sense. The tail, long and bushy, but 

 not prehensile, might add to the protective non-conducting covering 

 of the well-clothed body during sleep. Prof. Owen then proceeded 

 to describe the skeleton of the Aye-aye. 



The reading of the conclusion of this paper was adjourned until 

 the next meeting, to take place on the 28th instant. 



January 28, 1862. 



Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair. 



Dr. P. L. Sclater stated that he had received under his care a 

 second collection of specimens of natural history forwarded by Capt. 

 J. H. Speke, Commander of the East-African Expedition, from his 

 camp at Duthumi, October 22nd, 1860. The contents of the col- 

 lection were as follows : — 



1 . Heads of the following Antelopes : — The Pallah (Antilope me- 

 lampus) ; the Waterbuck {^Antilope ellipsiprymna) ; the Brindled 

 Gnu {Catohlepas gorgon) ; and the Reed Antelope {Heleotragns 

 reduncus). 



2. Head of a Wart-hog {Phacochcerus eeliani). 



3. Portions of the skin of a Monkey (Cercopithecus, sp.) in a bad 

 state, not determinable. 



4. Skins of birds : — 



Ixos aurigaster, Vieill. Turtur delalandii. 



Coracias caudata. Peristera chaleospilos. 



Treron delalandii. Nmnida mitrata. 



5. Two skins of fishes — a species of Clarias and a fish belonging 

 to the family Characini. 



The following note was sent with them : — 



" These were all shot in the countries of Uzaramo and Ukhutu, 

 near the junction of the Kurgen with the Mgeta rivers. 



" Note. — Great numbers and varieties of animals are to be found 

 in these districts, as also to the northward and southward, where the 



