On the Occurrence of the " Rosy Feather Star." 81 



an inch in height, and the same in breadth, at the occipital 

 spine, and others of a less size in the line of the lambdoidal 

 suture and at the mastoid angle. In the specimen 301, 

 marked Chilian, from Valparaiso, the os wormianum at the 

 occipital spine is 2 inches broad and 1 inch in height, and 

 there is great irregularity in the line of the lambdoidal 

 suture. In this skull a remarkable horizontal depression, 

 above the superciliary ridge in front, is observed. Five of 

 the skulls are marked Peruvian, from Huacas, near Lima, 

 and in which no trace of ossa ivormiana can be seen, thus 

 confirming, in a very conclusive manner, the observations 

 of Dr Archibald Smith. In the month of February last, Dr 

 Smith read an interesting communication on this subject to 

 the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, entitled " Observa- 

 tions on the Inca and Yunga Nations, their Early Eemains, 

 and on Ancient Peruvian Skulls." 



He then exhibited six specimens of Peruvian skulls dis- 

 interred from ancient burying-grounds, and in only one is 

 there to be found a trace of ossa ivormiana, nor is there to 

 be seen the slightest appearance of a furrow marking a line 

 of obliteration. The specimens are now preserved in the 

 Museum of the Antiquaries here. It may therefore be con- 

 sidered as satisfactorily established, that ancient Peruvian 

 skulls, although occasionally found with wormian bones of a 

 considerable size in the line of the lambdoidal suture, are 

 more frequently destitute of this peculiarity, and that the ex- 

 istence of a so-called interparietal or supraoccipital wormian 

 bone can in no respect be regarded as a special character- 

 istic of the race. 



III. On the Occurrence of the " Rosy Feather Star" (Comatula rosacea), 

 on the Eastern Shores of Scotland, especially on that of Caithness. 

 By Charles W. Peach, Esq., Wick. Communicated by John Alex. 

 Smith, M.D. (Specimens were Exhibited.) 



In the description of the " Kosy Feather Star" at page 16 

 of the "British Star Fishes" by the late Professor Edward 

 Forbes, he, after mentioning its occurrence in several places 

 in England, Ireland, and Wales, adds, " And on the west 

 coast of Scotland by our distinguished zoologist Pennant. 



VOL. III. L 



