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Show 526 DR. G. E. DOBSON ON THE [Julie 20, Dr. Giinther stated that not only the living tortoises, but also the shells of the specimens described in the foregoing letter, with a large and highly interesting collection of other zoological objects had arrived. There had not been sufficient time to examine the whole of the contents ; so that a full report must be deferred to a future meeting of the Society. At present he exhibited the largest of several specimens of Amblyrhynchus cristatus (4| feet long), and carapaces of the Abingdon and Albemarle Tortoises. The former was probably identical with Testudo ephippium; the latter came nearest to Testudo elephantopus. However, the skulls had not been extracted from the skins, and therefore could not yet be used in the determination of the species. Of the living examples collected by Commander Cookson at Tagus Cove, Albemarle Island, four had safely arrived in England, and were now living in the Gardens of the Society-two large ones, a pair, brought in H.M.S. 'Peterel,' and two smaller ones, probably both females, transferred by Commander Cookson to H.M.S. ' Challenger,' in which ship they arrived some weeks ago. None of the specimens put on board the ' Repulse' had arrived in England ; and it was reported that all had been lost during a storm encountered by that ship on her voyage home. Dr. Gunther also mentioned on this occasion that he was now convinced that the two Aldabra Tortoises which were obtained last year, and which, owing to the excellent arrangements made at the Gardens, were doing very well, belonged to two distinct races (as pointed out in the forthcoming second part of his paper on these animals), viz. the male to Testudo elephantina, and the female to T. hololissa. The following papers were read :- 1. On peculiar Structures in the Feet of certain Species of M a m m a l s which enable them to walk on smooth perpendicular surfaces. By G. E. D O B S O N , M.A., M.B., F.L.S., &c. [Received May 26, 1876.] (Plate LV.) The peculiar apparatus in the feet of Geckoes, by means of which these animals are enabled to run about securely upon smooth perpendicular surfaces, has often been referred to; and every one has observed the facility with which the common house-fly and many other species of insects can walk upon the ceiling of a room ; but the occurrence of analogous climbing-organs in some species of Mammals is not generally known, or, at least, has been but imperfectly described in two instances only-namely, in Hyrax, and in the very remarkable species of Bat, Thyroptera tricolor, from Tropical America. Several travellers have described the remarkable climbing-powers of the species of Hyrax, some of which live in holes in trees, upon |