| OCR Text |
Show 1882.] PROF. ST.-GEORGE MIVART ON THE ALUROIDEA. 459 In Capt. Salvin's letter to the 'Field' on this subject (vol. lix. p. 693, M a y 2, 1882) it was stated that the young were only fed in this manner by the male bird; but Mr. Bartlett had assured himself that both male and female parent had been seen to feed the young in the same way. Mr. H. J. Elwes, F.Z.S., made some remarks on his recent expedition to the Aures Mountains of Algeria, and exhibited a specimen of a Stonecbat (Saxicola) obtained there, which he believed to be new to science. The Secretary placed upon the table a series of the Diurnal and Nocturnal Lepidoptera bred in the Insect-House during the past month, and called special attention to specimens of Attacus roylei and Cricula trifenestrata, both from India, as not having been reared in 1881. The following papers were read :- 1. Notes on some Points in the Anatomy of the iEluroidea. By ST.-GEORGE MIVART. [Eeceived May 9, 1882.] In studying the iEluroidea for the purpose of trying to ascertain the number and nature of the groups into which that suborder might be best divided, I noted, as carefully as I could, such points in the anatomy of a number of species as I had an opportunity of examining. I now venture to lay before the .Society some selections from these notes as a supplement to, and further justification of, the conclusions I lately had the honour of submitting to the judgment of the same Society1. It is only tbe osteology which I have had the opportunity of studying with any approach to completeness ; but I have made such notes on the other systems of organs as I have been able to collect. OSTEOLOGY. THE AXIAL SKELETON. The Vertebral Column. The greatest number of vertebrae of which I have found the spinal column to be composed is 6Q (Arctictis) and 59 (Cryptoprocta and Paradoxurus). The smallest number is 33 (in a Manx Cat). The general range is from 50 (Suricata) and 51 (Cynogale) to 56 and 57. 1 P.Z.S. 1882, p. 135. |
