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Show 1868.] LETTER FROM MR. E. P. RAMSAY. 49 1 he teeth of the old male are greatly deformed, the grinders being absent on one side of the upper and on the opposite side of the lower jaw, the teeth working into cavities in the alveolar surface. The nose of the skull below the base of the canines is much broader and more rounded and arched in the males than in the females. The upper canine teeth are nearly of the same form in the two sexes; those of the males are much the thickest. The skull from the Cape Verde is longer in proportion to its width than any of the other skulls, the line along the upper surface of the skull being full three times the length of the width between the upper edges of the orbits. In other skulls it is twice and a half, or rather more than twice and a half, the width at the same part of the skull. I cannot see any other character to separate it. The Wild Pigs of Obbo, Central Africa, live under ground; they take possession of the holes made by the Manis; these they enlarge and form cool and secure retreats. (Baker, 'Albert N'yanza,' ii. 66.) January 23, 1868. John Gould, Esq., F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair. An extract was read from a letter addressed to Dr. Gray by Mr. Gerard Krefft, Corr. Memb., dated Sydney, 23 Nov. 1867, stating that amongst other fossil remains which he was now arranging for the Australian Museum he had discovered a portion of the humerus of an extinct species of Echidna from the Darling Downs, indicating the former existence of a gigantic form of this Monotreme in Australia. The following letter, addressed to the Secretary by Mr. E. P. Ramsay, Corr. Memb., was read:- " SIR,-Seeing that great interest has been taken in the arrival of a living specimen of the New-South-Wales Lyre-bird (Menura superba) in England, I thought it m y duty to investigate the subject, and to endeavour to procure some for the Society. I have therefore, during this last breeding-season, paid much attention to their habits and mode of nidification, and by sending men for that purpose have obtained three young birds, which, as soon as they are strong enough, shall be forwarded to the Society with all due care. At present these young birds are doing remarkably well, and are just able to run about and feed themselves. I have also obtained several of their nests and eggs, in the latter of which I find three distinct varieties. The nests also differ, according to the locality frequented by the birds:-some PROC. ZOOL. Soc-1868, No. IV. |