Zoological Society. 3005 



November 26. — R. H. Solly, Esq., in the chair. 



A paper by Mr. Strickland ' On the Birds of Kordofan,' was read. It enumerated 

 1 12 species which had been collected by Mr. Petherick ; and of which three were al- 

 together new, and several not previously enumerated as natives of North-east Africa. 

 Mr. Strickland also distinguished those species which are common to West Africa, 

 determined principally by reference to Dr. Hartlaub's valuable list of West- African 

 birds in the ' Verzeichniss Hamburgischen Gymnasium.' 



Mr. Gray read a synopsis of the species of deer, including the description of a new 

 species of Cariacus from California, presented to the Society by Lieut. Jones, R.N., 

 and now living in their menagerie. The most interesting portion of the paper had 

 reference to the Brockets of South America ; of which two species are now living in 

 the menagerie, and three or four at Knowsley. These ispecies were illustrated by 

 drawings from life, which had been executed for the Earl of Derby by, Mr. Wolf. 



Mr. Gaskoin communicated an account of suspended animation, during four years 

 at least, in a specimen of Helix lactea now living in his possession. A remarkable 

 feature in this case is, the fact that utero-gestation was suspended, and resumed its 

 process with the resumption of vitality. 



Mr. L. Fraser communicated descriptions of five species of undescribed birds in 

 the collection of the Earl of Derby. The most conspicuous of them is a beautiful 

 species of curassow, now living at Knowsley, which was acquired during the present 

 year. Mr. Fraser gives to this bird the name of Crax Alberti : having on a previous 

 occasion dedicated a fine species of crowned pigeon to Her Majesty under the name 

 of Goura Victoria;. 



The next paper read was, ' An Account of Fishes discovered or observed in Madeira 

 since the year 1842,' by the Rev. R. T. Lowe. The number of species enumerated is 

 eighteen ; of which it will be sufficient to mention a new type of Muraenidae, obtained 

 by the Duke of Leuchtenberg during his late residence in Madeira. It is described 

 under the name of Leptorhyncus Leuchtenbergi. 



Dr. Hartlaub communicated a figure and some account of Turdus vulpinus, de- 

 scribed by him in the ' Revue et Magazin de Zoologie ' in 1849. The only known 

 example of this bird exists in the Museum at Hamburgh. 



Monthly General Meeting, December, 5. — Admiral Bowles, M.P., V. P., in the 

 chair. 



Thomas Brooksbank, Esq., James Busaiii, Esq., and Captain Gimblett, were 

 elected Fellows. James Crowdy, Esq., and Lancelot Dent, Esq., were proposed as 

 candidates for the Fellowship. 



The Report of the Council stated that the visitors to the Gardens during Novem- 

 ber, exhibited an increase in their number of 4060 as compared with the corresponding 

 month of last year, making a total excess of 186,887 in 1850 over 1849. A compa- 

 rison of the income showed an improvement of £5,801 1 5s. lid., which will be further 

 increased by the receipts of the current month. The Council have received commu- 

 nications from Lord Harris, Governor of Trinidad, and from Lieut.-Col. Butterworth, 

 C.B., Governor of Singapore, of their respective intentions to transmit several valuable 

 additions to the collection in the course of the ensuing spring. — D. W. M. 



