Entomological Society. 6935 



where llie s1{in was of a more flexible nature, evidently iuteuded for the creature's 

 locomotion, screw-like, tlirough the water. But its most remarkable feature was 

 a series of eight long thin spines of a bright red colour springing from ihe top of ilie 

 head and following each other at an interval of about one inch ; the longest was in the 

 centre: it is now in the possession of Colonel Munro, the acting governor of the 

 the colony; and I had the opportunity of examining it very closely. It is two feet 

 seven inches long, about three-eighths of an inch in circumference at the base, and 

 gradually tapering, but flattened at the extreme end, like the blade of an oar. The 

 shell of these spines is hard, and, on examination by a powerful glass, appeared to be 

 double, some red colouring matter being between the shells; the outside, which to the 

 touch and natural eye was smooth, being rough and much similar to the small claws 

 or feelers of the lobsier or crayfish. The centre was a white pith, like an ordinary 

 quill. The three foremost of these spines were connected for about half their length 

 by a greasy filament ; the rest being unconnected, the serpent had the power of ele- 

 vating or depressing this crest at pleasure. The serpent was carefully examined by 

 several medical and scientific gentlemen ; the head, dorsal spine, and greater part of 

 the crest are in the possession of J . M, Jones, Esq., an eminent naturalist, who will, 

 doubtless, send home a more learned description of this " wonder of the deep." I 

 regret that the immediate departure of the mail for England prevents my preparing 

 you any more careful drawing of this " great sea serpent " than that I enclose. 



[Written by Captain Hawtaigne, of Her Majesty's 39lh Foot. I place implicit 

 reliance on the narrative, except as to the animal being identical with that seen 

 by Captain M'Quhae, of which I think there is no evidence. Mr. J. M. Jones is an 

 old subscriber to the 'Zoologist,' and a most intelligent naturalist; but the query 

 occurs to me, " Is not this sea serpent a ribband fish ? '' — E. iV.] 



Proceedings of Societies. 

 Entomologtcal Society. 



Anniversary Meeting, January 23, i860. — H. T. Stainxon, Esq., F.L.S., Vice- 

 President, in the chair. 



The Chairman read a letter from the President of the Society, Dr. Gray, slating 

 his absence was caused by indisposition. 



Messrs. J. W. Douglas, W. W. Saunders, F. Walker and J. O. Westwood were 

 elected Members of the Council, in the room of Messrs. J. S. Baly, F. P. Pascoe, 

 F. Smith and G. R. Walerhouse. 



J. W. Douglas, Esq., was elected President; S.Stevens, Esq., Treasurer; and 

 Messrs. Edwin Shepherd ami Edward W. Janson, Secretaries. 



The Chairman delivered an address on the present stale and future prospects 

 of the Society and Entomology, for which the Meeting passed a cordial vote of 

 thanks. 



Mr. Saunders, one of the Auditors of the Treasurer's accounts, read an abstract 

 .thereof, and congratulated the Meeting on the favourable state of the Society's 

 finances. 



The Report of the Library and Cabinet Committee, adopted by the Council as its 

 Report to the Society, was read and received. 



