| OCR Text |
Show 1869.] MR. ST. GEORGE MIVART ON PACHYBATRACHUS. 227 Ann. des Sci. Nat. 1864, t. 4. f. 2). It appears to be common to the species of the genus Tragulus, but, I believe, does not occur in the genus Meminna. M. Alphonse Milne-Edwards (loc. cit. t. 10. f. 7) figures the pelvis of that animal without any bony disk. April 8, 1869. Dr. E. Hamilton, V.P., in the Chair. A communication was read from Dr. George Bennett, F.Z.S., dated Sydney, January 26th, enclosing a copy of an article upon the Tuatera Lizard (Sphenodon punctatum*) of New Zealand, contributed by him to the 'Sydney Herald' of January 19th, which was read to the Meeting. It appeared from this article that so recently as December 1851 this Lizard was abundant in one of the islands in the Bay of Plenty, in New Zealand. The island in question was stated to be one of four small volcanic islands, distant about eight miles from the coast and situated opposite to the mouth of the Waka-tane river. The party of officers who visited it upon the occasion in question are stated to have collected in half an hour nearly forty of these Lizards of different sizes, varying from two feet long to three inches. They stated that the island seemed to be swarming with them and with another Lizard called the Moko-moko (Tiliqua zeelandica). In the daytime these Lizards are seen basking themselves in the sun on the bare rocks. Noon is therefore the best time to visit the island. It was stated that there were four small islands, on two of which Tuateras are found. They are called Rurima and Montoki. The largest is about half a mile in circumference at high water. They are all of volcanic origin, and are scantily covered with soil, but it is sufficient to grow a few of the most hardy New- Zealand shrubs and creepers, among the latter of which was observed the delicate flower of the Pohne or Panapa (Ccdystegia sepium), the long fleshy root of which was formerly a source of food to the New Zealander. There was no fresh water on the island but what was contained in the crevices of rocks from rain. The following papers were read : - 1. Note on Pachybatrachus 7'obustus. By ST. G E O R G E MIVART, F.Z.S. &c. I had the honour to read before the Zoological Society on the 12th of November, 1868, a paper which was published in the * Olini Hatteria punctata. Cf. Gray, Ann. Nat. Hist. 4th ser. vol. iii. p. Ib7 (1869).-P. L. S. |
