OCR Text |
Show 1885.] THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE. 71 7 November 3, 1885. Prof. W. H. Flower, LL.D., F.R.S., President, in the Chair. The Secretary read the following reports on the additions made to the Society's Menagerie during the months of June, July, August, and September, 1885:- The total number of registered additions to the Society's Menagerie during the month of June was 172, of which 78 were by birth, 59 by presentation, 9 by purchase, 21 by exchange, and 5 were received on deposit. The total number of departures during the same period by death and removals was 103. The following are of special interest:- 1. A Spurred Chameleon (Chamaleon calcarifer), presented by Major J. W . Yerbury, R.A. Major Yerbury writes from Aden (April 8th, 1885) that this fine Chameleon was caught a few miles from Aden. He had previously sent an example of this Chameleon to the British Museum, so that Mr. Boulenger has been able to determine its specific name. The typical example described by Dr. Peters (' Reise nach Mossambique,' Zool. vol. iii. Amph. p. 22, Taf. iv. «) is said to have been obtained in Madagascar; but it can hardly be believed that a Chameleon of the same species can occur in two such different localities. 2. A fine series of Australian Reptiles, received in exchange from the Zoological Society of New South Wales on June 11th, and containing examples of two species of Lizards and six species of Snakes ; of the latter, three species (viz. Diemenia psammophis, Hoplocephalus curtus, and Dendrophis punctulatus) are new to the collection. 3. A female of the Pleasant Antelope (Tragelaphus gratus) from the Gaboon, purchased June 18th. This scarce Antelope, remarkable for its elongated hoofs, whereby it approaches T. spekei, has lately been figured and described in the Society's "Proceedings' (P.Z.S. 1880, p. 253, pi. xliv.; 1883, p. 34, pi. viii.) from examples living in the Jardin des Plantes at Paris. The present example is the first of this species received by the Society. 4. Twelve Cascaduras (Callichthys littoralis) from Trinidad, presented by Mr. J. Franks Chittenden, of Port of Spain, C.M.Z.S., and received June 23rd. Mr. Chittenden writes that in Trinidad these fishes are considered one of the delicacies of the table, and have a constant place in the market. The registered additions to the Society's Menagerie during the month of July were 10G in number ; of these 66 were acquired by presentation, 3 by purchase, 29 by birth, and 8 were received on deposit. The total number of departures during the same period by death and removals was 91. P R O C . Z O O L . Soc-1885, No. XLVII. 47 |