OCR Text |
Show 1878.] THB M A R Q U I S O F T W E E D D A L E O N A N E W H O R N B I L L . 277 3. ACLESIA GLAUCA, n. sp. (Plate XV. fig. 4.) Body from 3 to 5 inches long, about ovate when at rest, but capable of considerable extension, a little contracted behind the head, then elevated, and suddenly sloping to a point posteriorly; entirely covered with numerous simple and branched tentacle-like processes, the largest of which are sometimes eight lines long. Colour on the sides pale greyish-brown, passing on the back into a dull sea-green; the whole surface with numerous irregularly shaped black blotches that are longest on the back. Along the back there is also a double row of from 8 to 12 emerald-green specks, each surrounded with a zone of umber. Dorsal tentacles f inch long, folded down the outer side so as to appear tubular, beset with filiform appendages. Labial tentacles similar in shape, but rather larger. Branchial cavity large, protected by the folded-in edges of the mantle, branchiae quite internal; foot long and narrow, pointed behind, without side-lohes as in Aplysia, sole pale sea-green ; mouth roundish, placed under the head ; odontophore with very numerous rows of simple hooked teeth ; gizzard strengthened with large triangular calcareous plates ; shell none. Like many of the species of the allied genus Aplysia, this animal possesses the power of emitting a purple fluid from the edges of the mantle, but only in small quantity ; and it may often be handled without any thing of the kind being observed. All m y specimens are from Auckland Harbour, and were obtained from rather sandy localities near the extreme verge of low-water mark. EXPLANATION OF PLATE XV. Fig. 1. Pleurobranchus ornatus. 2. Shell of tbe same. 3. Pleurobranchcea nova-sealandice. 4. Aclesia glauca. 8. On a new Species of the Genus Buceros. By ARTHUR, Marquis of TWEEDDALE, F.R.S., President of the Society. [Eeceived February 2, 1878.] In a collection of birds made at Amparo (in the extreme south of the Philippine island of Leyte), and sent to m e by Mr. Everett, are some examples of a Hornbill of the genus Buceros, which differ from the two other known Philippine speciesl sufficiently to require description. The characters which differentiate the large Buceros of Mindanao, B. mindanensis, from the one which inhabits Luzon were stated some months ago before this Society (see P. Z. S. 1877, 543). But in those two species the form and general contour of the bill and casque are alike, whereas in this second representative form of B. hydrocorax the form of the casque is very different. The colouring of the bill resembles that of B. mindanensis; and in 1 B. hydrocorax and B. mindaiensis. |