X PREFACE. 



same time what firm confidence ! Surely a Snail is an exalted sym- 

 bol of mind slumbering deeply within itself." — p. 657. 



Enough of this ! Let me in conclusion suggest that the Society 

 should suspend the collection of its enormous revenue until it can 

 find a rational, if not useful, mode of expending it. As now con- 

 ducted the Ray Society is the opprobrium of Science. 



The present volume of the ' Zoologist ' fully equals those which 

 have preceded it, both in the present interest and permanent value of 

 its contents. In quantity of matter it far exceeds either of them, ow- 

 ing to the great preponderance of the smaller type. 



In Quadrupeds, the discussion on the gigantic deer of Ireland 

 (Zool. 1589 and 1620) has been pronounced by an accomplished 

 geologist to be " of the highest possible interest." My own opinion 

 was so fully given in my last year's address that I need not repeat it 

 here. 



In Birds, three important additions have been made to our Fauna. 

 Fuligula ferinoides (Zool. 1778), a duck of which three undoubtedly 

 British specimens have occurred, and which was at first figured by 

 Mr. Yarrell as the Fuligula mariloides of Vigors ; Larus Rossii (Zool. 

 1782), a single specimen of which was shot at Tadcaster; and Sterna 

 velox (Zool. 1878), killed near Dublin in 1846. Accurate and detailed 

 descriptions of all the three will be found at the pages to which I 

 have referred. 



In Reptiles, the communications and quotations about " the Sea 

 Serpent" are well worthy of attentive perusal : it is impossible to sup- 

 pose all the records bearing this title to be fabricated for the purpose 

 of deception. A natural phenomenon of some kind has been wit- 

 nessed : let us seek a satisfactory solution rather than terminate 

 enquiry by the shafts of ridicule. The grave and learned have often 

 avowed a belief that toads can exist some thousands of years without 

 food, light or air, and immured in solid stone : surely it is not requiring 



