319 



Although the species of Fregata are not us vet very accurately 

 determined, it is believed that the same species {Fregata aquila)u 

 found on both the Pacific and Atlantic shores of Central America. 



The eggs of the Crocodile of Jamaica (OrocodiltU OCUttui) were 

 also obtained by my In-other early in the present Tear, <>n that island. 

 They presenl the elongated oval" form peculiar to the Crocodilian-. 

 They are of a shining white colour, and measure 3\ inches in length 

 by 2 inches in breadth. 



8. On Charadella and Lichenkm.a, m:w forms of Polyzoa 

 from Australia. By Dr. J. E. Git w . 



The first coral which I wish to bring before the Meeting is nearly 

 allied to the genus Amathia — indeed some naturalists may be inclined 

 to regard it only as a section of that genus ; but as it presents a I li- 

 ferent mode of growth and habit, I think it is desirable that it should 

 be distinguished by a distinctive name. 



I may premise that the name of the larger group to which it lie- 

 longs is the subject of a very unpleasant discussion. Lamouroux and 

 Lamarck both published the genus in the year 1812 under two dif- 

 ferent names, the first calling it Amathia and the second SeriaHa, 

 as is also the case with many other genera established in the same 

 works. 



There can be no doubt that these authors studied their subject, 

 and found out what they considered natural groups, and named them, 

 independently. Lamouroux presented his memoir on the subject to 

 the Institute in 18 10, and Lamarck was named one of the Commis- 

 sioners to report on his paper ; so that he had the opportunity of 

 knowing what Lamouroux had done two years before the publication 

 of his own work ; and this has given rise to Lamarck being charged 

 with pirating the labours of Lamouroux. 



But I think any one who has known anything of the character of 

 Lamarck must consider such a charge as groundless ; and I merely 

 cite this as an instance of the very unpleasant position in which a 

 naturalist is placed by being called upon to examine and adjudicate 

 on an unpublished paper of another author engaged on the same 

 branch of study; and an opinion on such a subject by one not so 

 engaged i- '_■•< aerally worse than useless. I consider this one of the 

 great objections to the system of reference which is so commonly 

 adopted in this country, France, and America. 



In France and America they do their besl to obviate the evil, by 



making the names of the referees public, and requiring them to send 

 in a written report, while lure the referee i< often only known to 

 (he officers of the society. Neither Bystem obviates the evil which 

 laid Lamarck open to the unpleasant, and, 1 believe, ungrounded 

 charge, which has been broughl against him, and which mai be made 

 against any scientific man who is called upon to read the m8S. com- 

 munication of another labourer in the same field <>f >ludv. 



LamOUrOUX named one of the -pec.e- of Amntfiui, COTHUta, 



