Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/90

64 Prof. Garrod read a paper on the osteology and visceral anatomy of the Ruminantia, in which many facts concerning the anatomy of the Cervidæ and the Cavicornia were brought forward, especially with reference to the shape of the liver and the structure of the generative organs in these animals. Among the most important of these was the observation that the uterine mucous membrane of the Musk Deer (Moschus moschiferus) presents no indications of the presence of cotyledons, the contrary being the case in all other Ruminants. Professor Garrod likewise made a suggestion as to a proposed method of expressing the relations of species by means of formulæ.

A paper by Messrs. Sclater and Salvin was read, containing the descriptions of eight new species of South-American birds, namely, Euphonia Finschi, Pheuticus crissalis, Octhæca leucometopa, O. arenacea, Chloronerpes dignus, Celeus subflavus, Chamæpelia Buckleyi, and Crax erythrognatha.

Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe read a paper on some new species of Warblers from Madagascar, which had been recently added to the collection in the British Museum, and were proposed to be called Apalis cerviniventris, Bæocerca flaviventris, and Dromæocercus brunneus, the last-named being a new genus.

A communication was read from Mr. G.S. Brady, containing notes on Freshwater Mites which had been obtained from lakes and ponds in England and Ireland.

January 16, 1877.—Prof. F.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair.

Capt. H.W. Feilden exhibited and made remarks on some of the birds collected by him in the Arctic Regions during the recent North Polar Expedition. Sixteen species were enumerated as having been met with on the shores of the Polar Basin, and north of 82° N.L., but some of these only occurred as stragglers.

The Rev. Canon Tristram exhibited and made remarks on a specimen of a rare terrestrial Dormouse (Eliomys melanurus), obtained by him in Southern Palestine, where it is found in desert places.

Mr. P. Sclater exhibited and called attention to a collection of Mammals, Birds, and Insects, which had been made by the Rev. George Brown during his recent residence in Duke of York Island, and during excursions to the neighbouring Islands of New Britain and New Ireland.

Prof. A.H. Garrod read a note on a variety of the Domestic Swine in the Society's collection, and pointed out that the presence of rudiments of a supplementary digit between the third and fourth digit might be the cause of the consolidation of the hoof, observable in this variety.

A communication was read by Mr. Henry Durnford containing notices of the habits of some small mammals obtained in the neighbourhood of Buenos Ayres.