that he agrees with Mr. Gould that the birds in question are distinct and well-marked species.
The second paper was on Crustaceans, by Mr. E.J. Miers, of the British Museum—"A Revision of the Hippidea." The determination of the species of this small and peculiar group of Anomoiirous Crustacea, and their identification with the brief descriptions of the earlier authors, is both difficult and uncertain. Mr. Miers gave a resumé of the literature on the subject, and, in opposition to the views of the American naturalist, Mr. Dana, supported the older view of the affinities of the group. He remarked that, "Although in their elongated carapace and antennæ the Hippidea have a considerable resemblance to certain of the Corystoidea, as will be seen, e.g. by comparing the Chilian Blepharopoda spinimana and Pseudocorystes sicarius, their true affinities are with the Oxystomatous Brachyura, through the Raninidæ. As regards their geographical distribution, they inhabit all the warmer temperature and tropical seas of the globe. Until recently little has been known of their life-history and habits, but Mr. S.I. Smith, of Connecticut, has lately furnished a detailed account of the development of the common species of the eastern shores of the United States. H. talpoidea lives gregariously, burrowing in the loose shifting sands near low-water mark. Albunea Guérinii and Blepharopoda spinimana have been obtained from deep water, the former in the Gulf of Algiers and the latter in the Bay of Valparaiso."
Mr. Miers concluded by giving a descriptive list of the species of Hippidea, showing the geographical range of each.
A series of interesting botanical specimens were exhibited by different Fellows, and remarks made thereon:—Among others the late Mr. Hanbury's collection of Cardamoms, and a fungus in a sugar cane, by Mr. Holmes, of the Pharmaceutical Society; grape within grape, i.e., adventitious fruit in place of seed, by Dr. Masters; Australian gum trees grown in this country, exhibited by Mr. Alfred O. Walker; and examples of the curious South American genus Colletia, by the Rev. T.H. Sotheby.
Two botanical papers were read:—One "On the Source of the Winged Cardamon of Nepal," by Dr. G. King; the other "On the Self-fertilization of Plants," by the Rev. G. Henslow, wherein the author arrives at conclusions opposed to those expressed by Mr. Charles Darwin in his well-known work on the subject.—J. Murie.
Zoological Society of London.
November 6, 1877.—A. Grote, Esq., Vice-President, in the chair.
The Secretary read a report on the additions that had been made to the Society's Menagerie during the months of June, July, August and September, 1877.
A letter was read from Mr. R. Trimen, containing remarks on the African species of Sarcidiornis.
