Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/134

112 anamallayana. The second contained the descriptions of some new species of Uropeltidæ, from Southern India.

February 19, 1878.—Prof. F.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair.

The Secretary exhibited the skin of a fine adult Cassowary, which had been obtained at Wandammen, on the Eastern Coast of the Bay of Geelvink, New Guinea, and had just been acquired by the British Museum. The species to which it belonged was believed to be undescribed, and was proposed to be called C. altijugus, from its peculiar high-peaked helmet.

Mr. P. Geddes read a memoir on the mechanism of the odontophore in certain Mollusca. In this paper the view of Cuvier—that the movements of the radula depend upon those of the underlying cartilages—was substantially revived, arguments being adduced against the more recent theory of Professor Huxley, that it runs like a chain-saw, the cartilages merely forming a pulley-block. The use of bacteria as food by Lymnæus was also described by the author in this paper.

Professor A. H. Gar rod read some notes on the anatomy of Tolypeutes tricinctus, and gave remarks on other Dasypodidæ. A new form of Tolypeutes, allied to T. conurus, was proposed to be called T. Muriei.

A communication was read from Mr. J.H. Gurney, containing notes on a specimen of Polyborus, lately living in the Society's Gardens.

A communication was read from Mr. D.G. Elliot, containing the results of his study of the Pteroclidæ, or family of Sand Grouse. Nine species of Pterocles and two of Syrrhaptes were recognized as composing the family.

Messrs. F. Du Cane Godman and Osbert Salvin gave descriptions of new species of Diurnal Lepidoptera from Central America.

A communication was read from Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, giving an account of a small collection of birds from the Ellice Islands.

Mr. Edward R. Alston read a note on the dentition of Cuscus.

A communication was read from Mr. T. F. Cheeseman, containing the description of three new species of Opisthobranchiate Mollusca from New Zealand.

Dr. F. Day communicated some remarks on the paper read by Mr. Whitmee at the last meeting of the Society on the manifestations of fear and anger by fishes.

A communication was read from the Marquis of Tweeddale, containing an account of a collection of birds made by Mr. A.H. Everett, in the Island of Negros, Philippines.

A second communication from the Marquis of Tweeddale contained the description of a new species of the genus Buceros, proposed to be called B. semigaleatus, from the Island of Leyle, Philippines.— Secretary.