5724 Zoological Society. 



Mr. R F. Tomes communicated a paper on two species of bats inhabiting New 

 Zealand. The first notice of the occurrence of Cheiroptera in New Zealand was given 

 by Forster in 1772 — 74, who recorded the occurrence of a bat flying over the sea-shore 

 near the margin of a wood in the estuary of Queen Charlotte. It was shot, but being 

 struck only in the wing, lived for two days. To this species Forster gave the name of 

 Vespertilio tuberculatus. Having some time since had occasion to examine some 

 species of bats in the Museum of the College of Surgeons, Professor Quekett showed 

 Mr. Tomes one which had been recently received from New Zealand. It was not 

 until he had been assured that it came directly from that country that he could be 

 persuaded that no mistake as to the locality had been made, the example being so 

 entirely unlike the only New Zealand species he had seen. Mr. Tomes shortly after- 

 wards inspected three of this supposed new species in the Leyden Museum ; and 

 finally he detected five other examples in the British Museum. Being thus satisfied 

 of the existence of two species of bats in New Zealand, he was anxious, if possible, to 

 determine to which of these Forster had given the name of V. tuberculatus. The 

 kindness of Dr. Gray speedily placed in his hands all the necessary materials. There 

 could be no hesitation, the supposed new species was undoubtedly that from which 

 Forster's drawings had been made, whilst the description indicating the number 

 of incisors, and other peculiarities, pointed unequivocally to the same conclusion. 



The Hon. E. Chitty read a paper on the Jamaican species of Cyclotus, and the 

 descriptions of twenty-one proposed new species and eight new varieties of that 

 sub-genus from Jamaica. The new species and varieties were exhibited to the 

 meeting. 



The Secretary read a paper by Dr. Gray containing the description of a new 

 species of antilope from Bombay, lately living in the menagerie of the Society, it 

 was characterized under the name of Oryx Beatricis. 



The Secretary also read a paper by the same author, containing descriptions of 

 two new genera of Gorgoniadag ; they were named Sarcogorgia and Subergorgia. 



The Secretary then read a paper by Mr. A. D. Barllett on a rabbit said to be 

 originally brought from the Himalayan Mountains. This animal is smaller than the 

 domestic rabbit, being shorter and more compact, its body is pure white, the nose, 

 ears, feet and tail are of a dark brownish black, the eyes dark red. The fur is much 

 shorter and more nearly equal in length than in the common rabbit. Mr. Bartlett 

 has not yet examined the skull of this animal, but stated that, upon so doing, should 

 he find sufficient difference, upon comparison with the skulls of the other known 

 species, he should then propose for this animal the name of Lepus nigripes. 



Tuesday, July 14, 1857.— Dk. Gray, F.R.S., V.P., in the chair. 



Mr. Gould having returned from a visit to N. America, whither he had proceeded 

 for the purpose of studying the habits and manners of the species of Trochilus fre- 

 quenting that portion of America, detailed some of the results of his observations. 

 Having remarked that he arrived just prior to the period of the migration of this bird 

 from Mexico to the North, and having had ample opportunities of observing it in a state 

 of nature, he noticed that its actions were very peculiar, and quite different from those 

 of all other birds; the flight is performed by a motion of the wings so rapid as to be 

 almost imperceptible ; indeed, the muscular power of this little creature appears to be 



