Anniversary 'Meeting of the Zoological Club, 207 



review of the genera of the same group of Fespertilionidae, by 

 Mr. John Edward Gray, has appeared in the volume of the 

 Philosophical Magazi?ie pubhshed within the past year. * 



Among the subjects of zoology lately elucidated, the history 

 of our own species has not been neglected. In a late number 

 of the Zoological Journal we have some extremely interesting 

 observations, by Dr. Scouler, on the artificial deformities pro- 

 duced on the bodies of the aborigines of the American conti- 

 nent and islands, and more particularly on the skulls of the 

 North American Indians. 



But, as far as regards the elucidation of imperfectly known 

 species, the exertions of our learned friend and secretary, Mr. 

 Bennett, during the last year, are above all praise. I shall 

 not be deterred by any false delicacy from stating, even in 

 his presence, the vast debt of gratitude which we owe him. 

 If the establishment of the Zoological Club had produced 

 no other advantage than that of having secured his co- 

 operation in the cause of science, its work would havQ 

 been done. I need only mention to you his two produc- 

 tions, the Tower Menagerie, and Gardens of the Zoological 

 Society delineated, of which three parts have appeared within 

 this year, as a proof of my assertion. It is one of the promi- 

 nent features of the present times, that naturalists aim at ^ 

 happy union of true science with popular attraction. The 



* I am here reluctantly compelled to make one remark upon an observ- 

 ation contained in the above-mentioned paper, where the writer speaks of his 

 having named a certain species when " engaged in arranging the Mammalia 

 and Reptiles in the Museum of the Zoological Society." Having had the 

 honour of holding the office of Secretary to that Society since its establish- 

 ment, and having superintended in the course of my official duties the 

 arrangement of the subjects in the Museum, and the published Catalogues, 

 I am enabled to disclaim all assistance on the part of that gentleman, how- 

 ever valuable his services might have been had the Council or Officers 

 found it necessary to have solicited them. In justice to those confidential 

 friends of the Institution who have lent their aid to the scientific arrange- 

 ment of the different collections, under the authority of the Council, I shall 

 here mention their names, and the departments they have superintended. 

 In arranging and cataloguing the Mammalia I have had the valuable coope- 

 ration of Mr. Bennett and Mr.Yarrell ; the Birds have been chiefly attended 

 to by myself; the Reptiles and Amphibia have been exclusively under the 

 surveillance of Mr. Bell ; the Fishes under that of Mr. Bennett and Mr. 

 Yarrell. The Mollusca have been consigned to the care of Mr. Broderip 

 and Mr. G. B. Sowerby. The Annulosa have not as yet been set in com- 

 plete order ; the Insects only having been partially arranged by myself, with 

 the occasional advice of Mr. Kirby and Dr. Horsfield. We look, however, 

 to Mr. Broderip and Mr. Stokes for assistance in the Crustacea among this 

 latter great division, as well as in the succeeding divisions of Radiata and 

 A'crita. The department of Comparative Anatomy has chiefly devolved 

 upon Mr. Yarrell, who has had much assistance from Mr. Holberton, as well 

 as fi-om our active friend and colleague, Mr. Morgan of Guy's Hospital. . ' 



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