02 StoliczJca, on Indian Batrachla. [Mat, 



20. Pelamis platukus, L. ( = hicolor, Schneid.). Karachi. 

 A young sj^ecimen is uniform yellow, tinged with dusky along the ver- 

 tebral region ; tail spotted and reticulated with black. 



V. — Observations on Indian Batrachia, — hi/ Dr. F. Stoliczka. 



The author referred to several interesting points in the similarity of 

 the structure of various species, particularly in connection with their 

 geographical distribution. 



The paper will appear shortly. 



At the conclusion of the meeting, the President invited the attention 

 of the members to one of Mr. Schwendler's ' Insulator and Joint Detectors,' 

 which had been manufactured on the principle explained before the Society 

 in March, 1871. — (See Proceedings, 1871, p. 71). 



Several of the members tested the apparatus, and satisfied themselves 

 of its efficiency. 



Mr. Schwendler stated that the instrument had already been introdu- 

 ced with the most gratifying results in India. One of the lines connecting 

 Bombay and Surat contained so many defective insulators, as to reduce the 

 insulation to about 0*5 Meg-Ohms per mile, and render through communica- 

 tion with Karachi extremely imperfect. It was tested by the detector, and 

 about 3°/q of the insulators were rejected, the effect being that the insula- 

 tion per mile Avas increased sixty fold, or raised to 30 Meg-Ohms per mile, 

 as high an insulation resistance as can be expected from this line under 

 existing circumstances. 



Mr. Schwendler said he felt confident that this instrument would 

 henceforth prove of the highest practical value in Telegraphy for maintaining 

 the efficiency of Telegraph lines ; and he v»^as glad to be able to add that its 

 portability and economy in use had been already acknowledged, and that the 

 Italian Government had expressed their intention of introducing its use in 

 Italy. 



The President in laying before the meeting the first number of Part II, 

 of the Jom'nal for 1872, also drew the attention of the members to the slight 

 alteration in tlie size which the Council have deemed advisable to adopt for 

 the publications of the Society. He (the Pres.,) thought that the increased 

 size greatly improved the appearance of the Journal, and that it was particu- 

 larly advantageous for the larger space allotted to the illustrations on the 

 plates. 



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