490 Proceedings. 



Tlie President stated that there were yet thirteen papers on the list for 



that evening, but, as the important discussion just concluded had occupied so 



much time, they would, of course, have to be delayed. The number of papers 



on the list showed the growing interest in the proceedings of the society, and 



it would probably suggest itself to members that they should meet more 



frequently than usual. 



* 

 Second Meeting. 26th July, 1874. 



Charles Knight, F.R.C.S., President, in the chair. 



New members. — Edward Osborne Gibbes, Thomas E. Young, A. J. 

 Woodhouse (London), Captain Gudgeon. 



A number of valuable presentations were on the table, among them a 

 magnificent folio volume of the Flora of Central Africa, presented by J. A. 

 Tinne, Esq., of Ayburth, near Liverpool. 



1. Dr. Hector drew attention to the articles with which the Museum had 



been enriched by the " Challenger" expedition. These consisted of specimens 



of different fishes, etc. The first was that of a large fish — the Ceratodus 



fosteri, Krefft, or Barramunda, of the Queensland rivers, of which Dr. Hector 



gave the following account : — 



The fish to which I have now to draw your attention is one of the most 

 interesting additions that has been made within modern times to this branch 

 of zoological science. The first specimen was discovered in the beginning of 

 1870 in the north of Queensland, where it is known by the native name of 

 the " Barramunda." It appears not to be uncommon, as specimens have been 

 obtained in several of the rivers, not only in the upper parts where the water 

 is quite fresh, but also near the sea where it is brackish. It is a vegetable 

 feeder, living on decaying leaves of gum trees and other myrtaceous plants, 

 and yet, strangely enough, its flesh is described as excellent eating and 

 resembling salmon. The chief interest attaching to this fish arises from the 

 circumstance that it is the living representative of an intermediate class of 

 amphibious animals from which in early times sprung fishes on the one hand, 

 and true reptiles on the other. Unlike any other fish, it has a lung, but has 

 also gills, thus possessing two distinct modes of purifying and oxygenating its 

 blood. 



We know that this is the embryonic condition of the lower forms of 

 reptiles, and the persistence of this double breathing apparatus is probably 

 suited to the condition under which this curious animal exists. 



Thus Dr. Gunther describes* that whilst Barramunda is in water sufl[i- 



* A memoir of the entire organization of this interesting ilsh was presented to tbo 

 Royal Society by Dr. Albert Giintlier, F.IJ.S., of which a short rcsum«5 will be found at 

 page 222 of the Ann. and Mag. N. II. for March, 1871. 



