3148 Zoological and Entomological Societies. 



opening in the upper lip, assisted by the tongue, so as to form a sort of whistle. The 

 reptile often puts out ils tongue when silent, but I am persuaded that when the snake 

 hisses, the tongue contributes to form the sound, which is louder or fainter, according 

 to the temper or rage of the reptile. I have the same to observe concerning the vi- 

 per, which rather blows than hisses ; but not so of our smallest serpent, the slow-worm, 

 which has no opening in the upper lip. I strongly suspect that this harmless reptile 

 is entirely dumb, for though when provoked it puts out' its tongue, I never heard it 

 utter a sound. — John Wighton. 



Proceedings of the Zoological Society. 



Evening Meeting, April 8, 1851. — Professor Bell in the chair. 



Mr. Gould read a communication upon the genus Hapalotis, of which he exhibited 

 several species to the meeting. 



Mr. Tomes read a paper, in which he gave an account of a peculiar structure in 

 the teeth of the genus Tapirus. 



The Secretary read a paper by Dr. Nicholson, upon the habits of a supposed new 

 species of Agama, and the probable use of the highly coloured gular pouch, from ob- 

 servations made by himself in India. 



Mr. Gray communicated the description of a new species of coral, allied to Gor- 

 gonia : and the characters of a new genus of bivalves, to which he gave the name of 

 Vanganella. 



May 1, 1851. — A quorum not being formed, no meeting took place on this day. 



Proceedings of the Entomological Society. 



May 5th, 1851.— J. O. Westwood, Esq., President, in the chair. 



The following donations were announced, and thanks ordered to be given to the 

 respective donors : — ' The Zoologist ' for May ; by the Editor. ' On the Probable 

 Kelation between Magnetism and the Circulation of the Atmosphere ; ' from the ' Ap- 

 pendix to the Washington Astronomical Observations for 1846: ' Washington, 1851. 

 * Bericht iiber die Leistungen in der Entomologie wahrend des Jahres 1848, von Dr. 

 H.Schaum; Berlin, 1850:' presented by the author. ' Entomologische Zeitung' for 

 March and April ; presented by the Entomological Society of Stettin. ' The Athe- 

 naeum ' for April ; by the Editor. 



The President announced a Resolution of the Council, that during the Great Ex- 

 hibition any foreign entomologist might see the Society's collection on any day of the 

 week, if accompanied by a member or subscriber. 



Mr. S. Stevens exhibited a species of Curculionidas, of which he had not been able 

 to determine the name, but which was new to Britain ; also an Adela cuprella, the se- 

 cond known British specimen : both captured recently on sallows at Fenny Stratford. 

 Ifc likewise exhibited a living specimen of Callidium sanguineum, caught at Bow, 



