98 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 
Prof. Owen then gave the results of the report he had been requested to draw 
up on the Marsupiata. He referred his observations to three heads:—1. The 
Zoology of Marsupice ; 2. Their relation to other animals; 3. The peculiarities 
of their reproductive economy.—1. In their zoological characters they presented 
as great variety as almost all the other Mammalia put together. In their food 
they were various. Those of New Holland were carnivorous. Some are insec¬ 
tivorous. Some inhabit trees, as the Didelphes and Parameles; and one has 
been described by Capt. King as having a divided hoof like Ruminantia. Many 
are strictly herbivorous, as the Kangaroo-rats, &c.—2. In their relation to other 
animals, he thought they ought to be looked upon as one group. For although 
they differed greatly amongst themselves, they had so many points of resemblance 
that they could not well be separated. Of these points the most remarkable 
were the development of the hind legs, the existence of the marsupial bag, the 
circulatory apparatus being less perfect than in the rest of Mammalia, the blood 
being returned to the heart by two veins, as in the heart of reptiles and birds; 
and in the heniispheres of the brain, which are not united by a corpus callosum ; 
in this last respect, they are like the oviparous division of vertebrate animals, a 
fact first pointed out by Mr. Owen. In this they have the same relation to 
Mammalia, that the Batrachian have to the Ophidian, Saurian, and Chelonian, 
divisions of reptiles.—3. The reproductive economy was only slightly referred to. 
The Professor then entered into an account of their geological distribution. They 
had been found in the stonefield strata by Dr. Buckland ; and Major Mitchell 
possessed many remains of these animals, some of them of a gigantic size. 
Mr. Yarrell then read a paper “ On a new species of Smelt.” This fish was 
sent to the author by Mr. Wm. Ewing, of Glasgow, and was caught near Rothsay, 
in the Isle of Bute, where the fishermen were accustomed to see it, but not often. 
It was interesting as being a second species of the genus Osmerus , only one 
having been before known. He proposed to call it 0. Helindicus. 
Dr. Richardson, the secretary, read a letter from Mr. Jerdan, recommending 
the study of Botany in connexion with Agriculture. There was nothing new in 
these suggestions; but they led to a discussion on the propriety of forming a 
Section exclusively devoted to Agriculture. 
The Rev. F. W. Hope read a paper “ On noxious insects occurring in the year 
1838.” The author stated that the remarkable Apple-blight this year was 
produced by two insects; the first a little Beetle (Anthonomuspomorum), which 
attack's the blossoms in bud, and hinders their u setting”; the second is the Aphis 
or Plant-louse. This insect is well known, and has produced ravages this year 
on the Hops and Wheat as well as Apple. Pie thought the Aphides were more 
abundant in those Springs in which vegetation commenced under favourable cir¬ 
cumstances, but afterwards suffered from cold and uncongenial weather. He 
