k 



Anniversary Meeting of the Zoological Club, 209 



Before I conclude my references to the Mammalia, I must 

 mention the recent acquisition of two living animals of con- 

 siderable interest, by the Zoological Society. The first is a 

 specimen of the animal referred to by my predecessor at our 

 last anniversary, as recently described and figured by Dr» 

 Horsfield, under the name of Mustela HardwickzV. The 

 description was made from a preserved skin which had been 

 one of the numerous results of the indefatigable labours of 

 our friend and colleague, General Hardwicke *, in India. The 

 animal had been previously but imperfectly noticed by Pen- 

 nant. The acquisition of the present beautiful specimen in 

 its living state fully establishes the species, f The second 

 animal belongs to the rare species described by M. Desmarest 

 as Cynocephalus niger. We are enabled by the specimen in 

 our possession to restore the species to its proper station; 

 which is in that division of the genus Macdcus Lacep., that 

 includes the Magots. It accords with this latter group, and 

 essentially differs from the Cynocephali, by the facial angle 

 and the shape of the nostrils, as observed by our secretary, 

 Mr. Bennett. The tail, the existence of which seems to have 

 been a matter of doubt among the French zoologists, is 

 reduced, as in the Macdcus Sylvanu5, to a mere tubercle. 



In turning to our acquisitions in Ornithology, I hope I 

 shall be excused if I dwell with some particularity on a 

 favourite department. The number of birds added to our 

 Catalogues in the past year has been extensive ; although not 

 equal to that added to our collections. It is almost impos- 

 sible, in fact, to keep pace in our descriptions with the over- 

 powering influx of new subjects. The Transactions of our 

 parent society may be in the first place quoted, as presenting 

 some valuable new species to our notice. Mr. Douglas has 

 not confined his observations to the Mammalia of North- 

 tvestern America, but has added to the list of the birds of 

 that country four species of grouse ; viz. the Tetraones Uro- 

 phasianellus, Sabin/, Franklin?/, and Richardson//; and two 

 species of the genus O'rtyx, the Ort. picta and Douglas// ; 

 the latter bird having been previously named by myself in 



* I am happy to observe that, since the delivery of this Address, a number 

 of General Hardwicke's Illustrations of Indian Zoology^ has been published ; 

 a work which will prove the extent of his zeal and ability in the promotion 

 of our science. 



t From a comparison of the animal now living in Bruton Street with 

 the description given by Pennant of his white-cheeked marten, they have 

 been ascertained to be identical : and thus another species, rejected by 

 modern writers as doubtful, has been restored to science. Dr. Horsfield's 

 name, ikfustela Hardwlckw, sinks consequently into a synonyme of the 

 -Mustela flavigula Bodd'dert. . . : 



