Zoological Society. 



345 



that two Rheas in Sir Robert Heron's menagerie had laid thirteen 

 eggs ; but as they showed no inclination to set upon them, eight of 

 them were placed under four turkeys. " When the young Rheas 

 were hatched," observes Sir Robert Heron, " the turkeys appeared 

 to think them monsters, and in every instance attacked them ; but 

 upon their being placed under the turkeys the ensuing night, they 

 took proper care of them." But one, however, of the young Rheas 

 survived, and this was allowed to range loose with the turkey. It 

 employed its time in catching insects, which is remarkable, since the 

 adult Rhea does not feed upon insects. 



The eggs of the Rhea were hatched in five weeks, whilst the Emu 

 sits nine weeks, and Sir Robert Heron supposes the difference of 

 time required to hatch the eggs of these two species may perhaps 

 arise from the difference in the thickness of the shell of their eggs, 

 the shell of the Rhea being thinner than that of the Emu. 



Mr. Gould exhibited four new species of Kangaroos from his col- 

 lection, and pointed out their chief distinguishing characters. These 

 four species Mr. Gould proposed to name Osphranter Antilopinus, 

 Osphranter (?) Isabellinus, Halmaturus agilis, and Layorchestes conspi- 

 cillatus. The first of these Kangaroos is of large size, and remarkable 

 for the great expanse of the nasal cavity, and consequent dilatation 

 of the bones which inclose that cavity. The bony palate is desti- 

 tute of the large posterior openings found in the skulls of the ty- 

 pical Halmaturi. The incisors are comparatively small ; the fore- 

 most incisor on each side is rather broader than the second, and the 

 posterior incisor is about equal in width to the other two taken to- 

 gether. On the outer surface of the first and second incisors may 

 be perceived faint traces of longitudinal grooves, and the hindermost 

 of these teeth has a distinct vertical fold situated rather in front of 

 the middle of the tooth. The adult skull presents false molars 

 ; true molars, ~^ ; and the skull of an aged individual has the 

 false molars ; true molars, |^|. 



The muffle is broad and naked ; the muzzle is broad and rather 

 short ; the ears are moderate and rounded at the apex. The fore- 

 limbs are comparatively long and stout, and the toes and claws are 

 very strong. The hind-limbs are short and muscular ; the middle 

 toe of the hind-foot is very large, whilst the lateral toes are but little 

 developed ; the two small inner toes (which are united in one com- 

 mon integument as in other Kangaroos) terminate in a line with the 

 small outer toe, or very nearly so. The under surface of the feet is 

 very rough, being covered with small horny tubercles. 



These characters, especially the great expansion of the muzzle and 

 the comparatively small development of the lateral toes of the hind- 

 feet, and increase in size of the central toe, Mr. Gould is of opinion 

 should be regarded as generic, or subgeneric, rather than specific ; 

 he therefore proposed for the animal the new sectional title of Os- 

 phranter. The specific name Antilopinus was suggested by the pe- 

 culiar texture of the fur, which resembles that of an Antelope. The 

 principal characters are as follows : — 



Ann. Mag. N. Hist. Vol ix. 2 A 



