19 



anterior sliou.lders of the brain-case. Broadly speaking, the 

 external and cranial characters of tnaogillivrai are those of 

 immature exsul, which here persist with very little modification 

 throughout the life of the individual. 



The authors propose to divide the Western European members 

 of the agrestis group into two species, viz, : {!) M. agrestis, 

 with the subspecies agrestis, macgillivrai, exsul, levei'nedii, and 

 neglectus ; (2) M. hirtus, with the subspecies hirtus (Southern 

 Britain) and haiUoni (France). M. agrestis is the older inhabitant 

 of the region, and the subspecies macgillivrai is regarded as its 

 most primitive known form ; 31. hirtus is a new immigrant, 

 which, in the southern, lowland, or non-insular districts, has 

 replaced M. agrestis. 



In conclusion, the authors argue that the evidence shows that 

 Islay, and perhaps Jura, was separated from the old Hebridean 

 land -area as well as from the mainland of Scotland earlier than 

 were the other islands. Secondly, they think it likely that the 

 severance of the Hebridean district transpired before that of 

 the Orkneys. Lastly, they consider that the evidence of the 

 mammals supports the suggestion of a former direct land-con- 

 nection between Western Norway and the Hebrides, put forward 

 by Stejneger. 



Mr. E. Lydekker, F.R.S., F.Z.S., described, under the name 

 of Buhalis caama selhornei, subsp. n., a mounted male hartebeest 

 from the Transvaal, in the British Museum, which differs from 

 the typical £. caama by the yellowish -fawn body-colour, the 

 admixture of tawny hairs in the dark markings, the small extent 

 of the face-blaze, which is interrupted by a large tawny interval 

 in the region of the eyes, and by the dark markings on the front 

 of the lower part of the fore legs forming only a cap at the knea 

 and a small patch on the shank, 



The next Meeting of the Society for Scientific Business will bo 

 held on Tuesday, April 22nd, 1913, at half-past Eight o'clock p.m., 

 when the following communications will be made : — ■ 



Exhibitions and Notices. 



S. F. Harmer, M.A., Se.D., F.R.S. , F.Z.S. 

 The Polyzoa of Waterv/orks, 



