British Association. 1837 



dorsal to the ventral surface, was one inch ten lines ; from the right to the left only 

 one inch. This part was proved, by dissecting it, to be formed by the union of four 

 unusually developed tentacular slips ; one of which was shorter and more free ; the 

 three others chiefly composed the singular body. This part occupied a great space in 

 the interior of the tentacular circle of the head ; and, perhaps, its great development 

 may be the cause of the more imperfect state of the other three pair of labial pro- 

 cesses. 



Prof. Owen regarded the observations of Prof. Van der Hoven as of more im- 

 portance than those of Valenciennes. The difference of number in the tentacles 

 proved that there was a range of variation in this respect ; and, therefore, not to be re- 

 lied on. He had examined a second specimen of the Nautilus, and had found that 

 the labial processes were inferior, and not interior, as stated by Prof. Van der Hoven. 

 He felt deeply indebted to the Professor for the kind manner in which he had brought 

 forward the points in which he differed from himself. 



Mr. H. E. Strickland pointed out the various characters, external and internal, 

 which prove the dodo to be an aberrant genus of the family Columbidae, and to have 

 no connexion whatever with the vultures. His arguments were chiefly drawn from the 

 form of the beak, the position of the nostrils, the form of the palatine bones, of the na- 

 sal fissures, and of the zygomatic bones, the muscular gizzard, the shape of the feet, 

 the structure of the calcaneal processes, and of the posterior metatarsal, — all of which 

 closely agree with the pigeons, and especially with the genus Treron.* 



Dr. Melville, who has lately made a minute examination of the head and foot 

 of the dodo, drew attention to some additional characters, which confirmed Mr. 

 Strickland's view of the affinities of that bird to the pigeons. — The Prince of Canino 

 stated that he was convinced that the dodo was neither a vulture nor an ostrich ; but 

 he must differ from his friend, Mr. Strickland, in placing it amongst the pigeons. He 

 believed it was as much like the Gallinacea?. The stones found in its gizzard did not 

 prove it a pigeon. The sternum resembled more that of gallinaceous birds or even the 

 struthious than that of the pigeons. — Dr. Melville maintained that the sternum of 

 the dodo more nearly resembled those of the pigeons than of any other family. The 

 skin of the dodo proved that it was a pigeon. — Mr. Philip Duncan stated that the 

 notices of the habits of the dodo were, quite opposed to the notion that it was a pigeon. 

 It was evidently not a frugivorous bird, as when first taken its flesh was so distasteful 

 and smelt so badly that no one would attempt to eat it. He believed it a bird 

 sui generis. 



Prof. M. Edwards read an elaborate and learned paper 'On the Circulation of 

 the Blood in the Crustacea,' in which he entered into an historical criticism on this 

 subject; and stated the conclusions at which he had himself arrived. He also ex- 

 hibited some specimens of beautifully dissected insects prepared by M. Blanchard, in 

 which the existence of an exterior peritoneal tunic was found to exist around the cen- 

 tral vessel of the circulatory system of insects. 



Dr. Melville inquired if all the blood in Crustacea passed through the bran- 

 chial cavities ? — Prof. M. Edwards replied in the affirmative. — Mr. G. Newport ex- 

 pressed his pleasure at seeing the preparations of M. Blanchard ; and believed that 

 they explained some of the difficulties which he had formerly pointed out iu the 



* This is a very old hypothesis, first started by Bernhardt, if I recollect right. — Ed. 



v 2n 



