Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/212

186 March 1, 1877.—Prof. , F.R.S., President, in the chair.

Mr. Robert Gillies (of Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand), Mr. Herbert Goss (The Avenue, Surbiton), Dr. Albert Günther, F.R.S. (British Museum), and Mr. Matthew Moggridge (8, Bira Gardens, South Kensington) were elected Fellows; and Mr. W.C. Cooke (2, Grosvenor Villas, Junction Road, Holloway, N.)—well known for his researches on Fungi—was elected an Associate of the Society.

The only zoological paper read at this meeting was one by Mr. Edgar A. Smith, viz., "Description of a new Form of Ophiuridæ." The specimen in question was collected by the late Mr. Cuming in the Philippines between thirty and forty years ago, and was deposited in the British Museum, where its peculiarities seemed to have escaped notice until recently, when comparison with other later additions from a neighbouring locality directed attention to it. This remarkable species partakes more of the character of the genus Ophiomastix than of any other. The soft skin covered with minute scales, the mouth-organs, and the character of the arm-plates and upper series of spines agree precisely with those of that genus; but the absence of tentacle-scales is perhaps sufficient to separate it subgenerically. The author has therefore named it Acantharachna mirabilis, the subgeneric name being suggested by its fancied resemblance to a thorny-legged spider.

A highly important communication, "On the Flora of Morocco," was read by Mr. John Ball, F.R.S. (Pres. Alpine Club), special attention being called to the fact that, although but a few days' sail from London, the fauna and flora of that country are comparatively unknown to Europeans. Much remains to be done, but considerable difficulty attends exploration, especially in the mountainous districts, from the strong opposition of the inhabitants, descendants of the once warlike and fierce Berbers.

Mr. J.G. Baker gave the gist of his researches "On the Angolan Liliaceæ,' as represented in the valuable herbarium of the late Dr. Welwitsch, the proportion of new species being very great; Mr. W.P. Hiern exhibited and made remarks on the embryo of Embryopteris, Gaert.; and Dr. Maxwell Masters brought before the meeting a series of specimens illustrative of what is commonly known as "burrs" or "witch-knots." These examples were collected by Mr. Webster, gardener to the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, from the neighbourhood of Banff Castle; and their nature and cause of production formed the subject of an interesting discussion.

March 15, 1877.—Prof. , F.R.S., President, in the chair.

The Rev. R. Gardner Smith, of Manningham, Bradford, and Mr. Alexander Young Stewart, Superintendent of the Apothecaries' Hall, were elected Fellows of the Society.

The Secretary read a paper forwarded by the Rev. Thomas Powell, missionary, resident in the Navigator's Islands, "On the Poisoned Spears