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Show 560 PROF. BELL ON THE BRITISH MARINE AREA. [Nov. 15, Symbiotes, containing (as labelled):-(1) 3 (not quite perfect) in copulation with 2 imperfect; (2) three perfect 3 s; (3) one very young 2 • The last-named object is not easily to be found in the Canada balsam, it is therefore marked by a red circle. The male and female in the act of copulation, the female being yet in the so-called larval state, are perhaps interesting. " With due respect to Prof. Brown's opinion, I beg leave to observe that since m y publication Prof. Pflug, Director of the Veterinary Institution at Giessen, and other veterinaries, have expressed their surprise at the necessity of reminding the public of a fact so well known as of Symbiotes being the cause of Fussrande (i. e. grease). " From what I find in Stonehenge,' British Rural Sports,' 2nd ed. 1856, and Stephens's ' Book of the Farm,' 2nd ed. 1855,1 a m under the impression that the first stages of the infection (i. e. the dry excretion) are frequently overlooked in England ; but I own frankly that the peculiar liability of cart-horses to grease may easily foster the idea of the existence of a constitutional disease. Evidently these Acari find a comfortable existence only on horses' feet that are covered by a voluminous cutis and furnished with coarse hair. Experience has shown, in the mange of Man, that in such cases of parasitism opposing convictions are not easily overcome. " Perhaps artificial infection, by applying the dry excretions, the existence of Symbiotes having been ascertained in them by microscopical investigation, to the feet of a sound horse, would be the strongest test. Of the importance of a decision there can be no doubt, I think." The Secretary read the following extract from a letter addressed to him by Surgeon-General George Bidie, C L E . , C.M.Z.S., dated Ootacamund, 8th October, 1 8 8 7 :- " I a m sending you by this mail, by book-post, a photograph of a male and female Elephant in sexual congress, an incident very rarely seen by human eyes and one which, so far as I know, has never before been pictured by the camera. Both animals belong to the Commissariat Department, and at the time of contact were at Thayetmyo, a Military Station on the frontier of Lower Burmah. The sexual intercourse of the pair of animals was fruitful; and Capt. L. J. Torrie, w ho was in charge of the stud, tells m e that gestation lasted for about 21 months. The calf when born was of a very pale colour, which led to a rumour getting abroad that a White Elephant had been born. This created a great deal of excitement amongst the Burmese; and as the mother refused at first to have anything to do with her young one, the native ' milky mothers' from the bazaars volunteered to draw and give the calf milk from their breasts !" Prof. F. Jeffrey Bell, F.Z.S., read the following observations on the "British Marine Area," prepared by Mr. Edgar A. Smith, F.Z.S., and himself. By the courtesy of Professor Haddon, who acted as its Secretary, |