COUNCIL FOU 1876 . 
13 
Tlie Curator has added a list of a few of the most apparent 
gaps in the series, in the hope that some of our friends, as 
opportunities arise, may secure and present them. 
Monotremata; Echidna. 
Marsupialia ; Wombat , (Phascolomys) Petaurus. 
Solidungula; Skeleton of a celebrated Pace Ilorse , Skull of an 
Ass. 
BiUminantia ; Skull of Sheep and Goat. 
Bodentia; Hare , (Lepus timidus.) 
Cheiroptera ; Any kind of Bat. 
Quadrumana ; Semnopithecus , Colobus. 
The principal donation during the year has been a remark¬ 
ably fine series of Dinornis bones from New Zealand, for which 
the warmest thanks are due to Dr. Gibson. They are of 
several species, the principal being the Dinornis elephantopus. 
A number of bones, discovered in the railway excavations, 
with other Boman remains, doubtless of the same age, are 
now in process of arrangement, and will shortly be placed in 
the cases. These will be interesting as affording data for 
comparison with existing types, and may possibly prove to 
have important bearings on the variations of animals under 
domestication. 
The Curator of Botany reports that W. H. Buclston Bead, 
Esq., has presented to the Society during the past year, 
twelve different species of Plants, and that Mrs. Plenry Watson, 
of York, has given to the Society a Tree Fern from New 
Zealand. 
The Curator of Ornithology has only to notice the gift of 
four eggs of the common Snipe ( Scolopax Gallinago). 
Mr. Wakefield in his remarks states that the excessive Bain- 
fall during the past year has not been confined to England or 
Europe, but has extended over the greater part of the globe. 
It appears, from statistics, that damp moist weather has a 
prejudicial effect on the health when not accompanied by a 
very heavy rainfall, but whenever a heavy rainfall prevails, 
