1854.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 211 



of a doe Bara Singha Deer, (Cervtts duvaucelei, F. Cuy., v. C. elaphoides, 

 Hodgson.) A Wood Partridge (Perdix gularis, Tern.) : a Lory new to 

 the museum (Eos guebiensis) ; and a young specimen of the great Indian 

 Crane or Sarrus (G-rus antigone), with feathered head and neck, as seen 

 likewise in young Turkeys, Gruinea-fowls, and most other birds of which 

 the necks are bare of feathers in the adult. 



2. From the Barrackpore Menagerie. An adult male Monkey (Maca - 

 cus cynomolgos), since prepared as a skeleton; a fine adult female 

 Nilgai (Portax pictus) ; and a Pelican Ibis (Tanlatus leucocephalus). 



3. J. W. Payter, Esq., Jeypore. A skin of a Bat (Kerivotjla picta), 

 identical in species with examples from Java, Ceylon, and the vicinity 

 of Dacca. 



E. Bltth. 



P. S. — I shall here append a short note to my paper on the Orang-utan 

 genus, Vol. XXII, p. 369 et seq. 



Prof. Owen, to whom I had sent sketches of the skulls of (adult females 

 of) the four presumed species, writes word — "that my S. Wurmbii and 

 S. Abelii are one species does not surprise me : I have always wanted 

 further evidence of their relations. That the female skulls, of which you 

 sent me outlines, of Mias Papuan, and M. Rambi belong to distinct 

 species, would be very probable, were the character from nasal bones 

 constant. I do not place so much stress on the parietal ridge or ridges, 

 seeing the difference in the wear of the canine teeth in the two drawings." 



Prof. Owen here evidently conjectures that the parietal ridges might ap- 

 proximate and finally unite with age : but a glance at the actual specimen 

 figured would, I feel satisfied, convince any competent observer to the 



World Quadrumana, like Mycetes, Ateles, Cebus, and affined forms of S. Ame- 

 rica; nor Rodentia, like the American Prehensile-tailed Porcupines and affined 

 genera: and again, even among the Edentata of the same continent, the same 

 power is shewn by the little Ant-eater. In the Kinkajou (Cercoleptes), a S. 

 American genus not distantly affined to the Binturong, the prehensile power of 

 the tail is much less perfect, as I can aver from personal observation- of both 

 animals. It is again completely exhibited by various marsupial genera, as the 

 Opossums of America, and the Phalangers of Australia, N. Guinea, the Philippines 

 and Moluccas. Among reptiles, in the Chamseleons and arboreal Snakes ; and 

 among fishes, in the Hil'pocampi. The plumed tail of many birds is made to 

 serve as an effective prop in climbing, as familiarly exemplified by the Wood- 

 peckers and Tree-creepers, certain Swifts, and even by all the Pelicanid^e in a 

 remarkable degree (as I have witnessed in Cormorants, Anhingas, Gannets, and 

 Phaetons or ' Tropic-birds'). 



