OCR Text |
Show 316 CAPT. H. G. C. S W A Y N E O N T H E [Apr. 3, April 3, 1894. Sir W. H. FLOWER, K.C.B., LL.D., F.R.S., President, in the Chair. The Secretary read the following report on the additions to the Society's Menagerie during the month of March :- The registered additions to the Society's Menagerie during the month of March were 69 in number. Of these 47 were acquired by presentation, 13 by purchase, 2 were born in the Gardens, and 7 were received on deposit. The total number of departures during the same period, by death and removals, was 86 :- Dr. Giinther exhibited specimens of Lepidosiren paradoxa, collected by Dr. Bohls in the backwaters of the tributaries of the Upper Paraguay River (swamps of the Chaco). He pointed out a peculiar modification of the skin of the upperside of the hind limbs, which is beset by tentacle-like papillae. These, when fully developed, are arranged in fan-like sets with from 2 to 7 branches each. This structure, he stated, is peculiar to the male sex, and is fully developed only in sexually mature specimens. Dr. Giinther expressed his doubts as to the validity of the species recently described by Professor Ehlers ' as Lepidosiren arti-culata, from Dr. Bohls's specimens. The specimens exhibited to the meeting did not bear out the constancy of the characters on which Professor Ehlers relied for the distinction of two species of Lepidosiren. The following papers were read :- 1. Further Field-Notes on the Game-Animals of Somaliland. By Capt. H. G. C. S W A Y N E , R.E., C.M.Z.S.2 [Eeceived February 24, 1894.] WATERBUCK (Cobus ellipsiprymnus). Native name " Balanka " of the Adone (Webbe Negroes), corrupted to " Balango" by the Somalis. I believe there are no Waterbuck in the whole of Somaliland, except on the banks of the Webbe Shabeyli. The only other place in Somaliland which might possibly contain Waterbuck would be the Lowei Nogal, near the east coast. There are none on the Tug Fafan, at any of the points where I have crossed it. There are said to be plenty all along the Webbe Ganana (Juba), the course of which lies chiefly through Gallaland. 1 Nachrichten der k. Gesellsch. Wiss. Gottingen, 1894, No. 2 (March 10). 2 In continuation of his paper " On the Antelopes of Northern Somaliland," P. Z.S. 1892, p. 300. * |