426 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



(iii) Institution of Experimental Biology. 



The fine building in the Prater in Vienna formerly called the 

 "Vivarium" is now occupied by an institution for zoological 

 and botanical research attached to the university, and financially 

 supported by the State. A full and most interesting account of 

 this institution and its work has been recently published by Dr. 

 Hans Przibram,* and a shorter notice by Prof. Gustave Loisel.t 



I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my thanks 

 to Prof. Wilhelm Figdor and his colleagues for their kindness in 

 allowing me access to all parts of the building, and for answering 

 my many questions about its contents, while I was in Vienna in 

 the spring of 1910. It is very encouraging to see that there is 

 a place where the scientific staff are really able to devote their 

 time to watching the live animals under their care, instead of 

 (as in most zoological institutions) being only able to do so in 

 intervals snatched from administrative business. 



While referring the reader to Przibram's and Loisel's papers 

 for a general account of this institute, eight points may be 

 specially noted here : — 



(i) Adelsberg Cave Fauna. — Specimens of Proteus anguinus, 

 Crickets, Beetles, Crayfish, and Isopod Crustaceans from the 

 caves of Adelsberg are living under natural conditions of tem- 

 perature, darkness, &c., in a crypt under the building. Dr. 

 Megusar, carrying an electric lamp, very kindly conducted me 

 through this crypt and pointed out its interesting inhabitants. 



(ii) Batrachians. — I saw ten species of Batrachians alive here : 

 including two Menobranchs {Necturus maculatus) received in 1905, 

 so nearly five years in captivity ; one American Hell-Bender 

 {Cryptobranchus alleghaniensis) ; the Proteus mentioned above, 

 which breed here ; one Siren lacertina ; and a female Toad {Bufo 

 vulgaris), from Greece, which measured, from snout to vent, 

 about 155 mm. {6^ in.), thus rivalling Fatio's Sicilian giantess 

 (see Boulenger, ' Tailless Batrachians of Europe,' 1898, p. 217). 



(iii) Fishes. — A small Electric Cat-Fish {Malopterurus elec- 



* Przibram, " Die Biologische Versuchsanstalt in Wien," ' Zeitschrift 

 fiir biologisclie Technik und Methodik.' Karl J. Trilbner, Strassburg, 1910. 



f Loisel, " L'Institut de biologie experimentale de Vienue," ' Nouvelles 

 Archives des Missions scientifiques,' t. xv. Imprimerie Natiouale, Paris, 

 1907. 



