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Show 1890.] ON THE ANATOMY OF PODICA SENEGALENSIS. 425 species for comparison; they include immature stages, but all are different from the species n o w described. As the immature C. echinipes closely resemble the adult, it is probable that even if the specimen from which the above description is taken be not quite mature, the adult would not differ greatly. EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. PLATE XXXVII. Fig. 1. Notaspis burrowsii, x50, p. 418. 2. , first leg, xllO. 3. , fourth leg, XllO. 4. , pseudostigmatic organ, X300. 5- aqualis, x80, p. 419. 6. Eremaus fimbriatus, X100, p. 422. 7. Cceculus spatulifer, x 50, p. 423. , claw, x 200. PLATE XXXVIII. Fig. 1. Damans phalangioides, X 50, p. 421. 2. flagellifer, x65, p. 422. 3. patelloides, X 70, p. 420. 2. O n the Anatomy of Podica senegalensis. B y F R A N K E. B E D D A R D , M . A V F.R.S.E., Prosector to the Society, and Lecturer on Biology at Guy's Hospital. [Received May 6, 1890.] (Plate XXXIX.) As so little is known about the anatomy of the Heliornithidce and as, in consequence of this, the opinions with regard to the systematic position of the family are so diverse, I a m particularly glad to be able to offer to the Society a contribution towards the settlement of this question. I am able to do this through the great kindness of Dr. Jentink, who permitted m e to dissect and study a fine example of the bird well preserved in alcohol. Dr. Biittikofer, to w h o m , as the curator of the Bird department of the Leiden Museum, I applied for assistance, was good enough to mention m y wants to Dr. Jentink, offering on his own account to let m e have the use of a rather imperfect skeleton brought by him from Africa. To both these gentleman I desire here to tender m y hearty thanks. Although jnany families and genera of birds have not yet found a definite resting-place in the system, the Heliornithidce have been perhaps more tossed about from pillar to post of the ornithological edifice than most. They have mainly oscillated between the Divers and Grebes on the one hand, and the Rails on the other. On the whole, the opinion of ornithologists has been in favour |