Zoological Society. 4279 



The Crustaceans have been represented throughout the year by 

 several of the smaller British species, among which the young 

 of the hermit crab have also recently appeared in considerable 

 numbers. 



None of the Mollusca which have been obtained are more interest- 

 ing or have lived more successfully than the species which belong to 

 the Nudibranchiate genera, iEolis and Doris. 



Ribands of spawn have been deposited by the last-named, and 

 as the water in which they live is never disturbed, there is very little 

 doubt that the whole existence of these animals will be here subjected 

 to observation. The elaborate monograph of Messrs. Alder and 

 Hancock, published by the Ray Society, facilitates the study of this 

 group in the most delightful manner, and places a complete know- 

 ledge of it within the reach of every one who chooses to consult their 

 work. 



The curious group of Ascidian Polypes (which take an intermediate 

 station between zoophytes and Mollusca) have been copiously illus- 

 trated, frequent specimens of Botryllidse, or compound Ascidians, of 

 Ascidiadas, or simple Ascidians, having been received, although from 

 their sluggish leathery appearance they may not have attracted 

 so much attention as their peculiar organization deserves. 



Giant Anteater. 



Among the Mammalia, nothing can be more interesting than the 

 giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga jubaia) , of which the first adult speci- 

 men was obtained in September last. The nearest existing analogue 

 to the Great South American Edentata of the Palaeozoic periods, the 

 most singularly organized animal of the whole group to which it 

 belongs, — the anteater of Brazil, had long been one of the most im- 

 portant desiderata to the collection. With the exception of two very 

 young specimens received by the late Earl of Derby, the anteaters 

 now in possession of the Society are the first which have reached 

 England alive ; and as, from the period of the year, it has been im- 

 possible for many of the Fellows to have had an opportunity of visit- 

 ing the Gardens since their arrival, there is no doubt that a great 

 share of attention will now be given to these animals. 



All the experiments which were tried, in the first instance, to find 

 an artificial substitute for the Termites having failed, it became very 

 doubtful whether so singular a rarity could be preserved during the 

 winter. The treatment which Azara mentions as having been prac- 

 tised with the animals formerly sent to Madrid, has at last proved so 



