EXHIBITS FROM THE CAIRD INSECT HOUSE. 333 



Amongst the additions special attention may be directed 

 to :— 



3 Coypus (Myocastor coy pus), from South America, presented 

 by Sir Edmund G. Loder, Bt., F.Z.S., on September 20th. 



2 Yucatan Blue Jays (Cissolopha yucatanica), from Yucatan, 

 presented by Guy Falkner, F.Z.S., on September 29th. 



1 White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), from Ceylon, 

 presented by J. B. Lee Booker on September 1st. 



6 Anacondas (Eunectes murinus), born in the Menagerie on 

 September 19th. 



Effect of Captivity on the Cranial Form of the Lion. 



Prof. F. Wood Jones, M.B., D.Sc, F.Z.S., exhibited the skull 

 of a Lioness which had lived for 17 years in the Gardens. This 

 skull presented marked changes when compared with the crania 

 of wild animals shown at the same time for comparison. The 

 changes involved the whole contour of the skull and depended, 

 for the most part, on loss of function. The parts concerned with 

 actual mastication of food were but little changed ; but the whole 

 mechanism for seizing and holding living prey had undergone an 

 atrophy in the menagerie animal. This atrophy was especially 

 marked in the facial contour related to the canine teeth, and 

 manifested itself by the production of a somewhat ursine appear- 

 ance of this portion of the skull. At the same time the cranial 

 capacity had undergone a marked diminution. The brain of this 

 specimen was also exhibited. 



The skull of a cub which was recently born in the Gardens 

 was also shown ; but no skull of a wild-born cub was avail- 

 able for comparison. The wild-born cub is a desideratum, the 

 examination of which might possibly yield exceedingly valuable 

 information. 



Exhibits from the Caird Insect House. 

 (Text-figure 1.) 



Miss Evelyn Cheesman made remarks on the feeding habits 

 of the Long Water-Scorpion, Ravatra linearis, on the burrows 

 made by the Mole-Cricket, Gryllotalpa vulgaris, and on the 

 formation of the case by the Caddis- worm Phryganea grcmdiosa, 

 based on observations made in the Caird Insect House, and 

 exhibited examples of the living insects to the Meeting. 



Ranatra linearis 



has the first pair of legs modified to form instruments for seizing 

 prey. These are kept scrupulously clean and ready for action. 

 The morning toilet is an elaborate ceremony, each limb being- 

 minutely overhauled with special attention to the joints. 



