270 tHE ZOOLOGIST. 



and still later it presents a chequered or tesselated appearance. Numerous 

 illustrations of the development of other food-fishes were submitted for 

 comparison, and attention was directed to the chief points of interest 

 presented. 



REPTILIA. 



Average Length of Viper. — I should be very glad to know the 

 average length of the adult Viper. Bell, in his ■ British Reptiles,' does 

 not give it, nor is it mentioned in Cooke's ' British Reptiles.' Early in 

 May I found a Viper on the Quantock Hills, which measured twenty-five 

 inches, but this seems an unusual size. This specimen was a fine " black" 

 variety. Above, the colour was very dark, and the dorsal line almost 

 black. The under parts were a glossy uniform black. The Viper was 

 very torpid and very fat, from which I conclude that either it had just 

 finished a full meal or was a female on the point of gestation. The 

 countryfolk of Somersetshire have a profound belief that the bite of a Viper 

 proves fatal on the anniversary of the day of its infliction. — E. P. Larken 

 (Gatton Tower, Reigate). 



[According to our experience, the British Viper usually does not exceed 

 twenty or twenty-two inches, but some allowance must doubtless be made 

 for the age of the specimens measured. — Ed.] 



SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES, 



Linnean Society of London. 



May 24, 1889, Anniversary Meeting. — Prof. Stewart, President, in 

 the chair. 



Messrs. W. D. Crotch, C. Wilson, and Prof. R. Wallace were admitted 

 Fellows of the Society. 



The Treasurer presented his Annual Report, duly audited, aud the 

 Secretary having announced the elections and deaths during the past twelve 

 months, the usual ballot took place for new members of Council, when the 

 following were elected : — Messrs. C. B. Clarke, G. B. Howes, Arthur Lister, 

 St. G. Mivart, and F. W. Oliver. The President and officers were re-elected. 



The usual formal business having been transacted, the President 

 proceeded to deliver his annual Address, taking for his subject "The 

 Secondary Sexual Characters of Animals and Plants," of which he gave 

 several interesting examples, illustrating his remarks with graphic sketches 

 in coloured chalks. On the motion of Mr. H. Druce, seconded by Mr. C. 

 Tyler, a vote of thanks was accorded to the President for his able address, 

 with a request thut he would allow it to be printed. 



