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Show 4 DR. J. F. GEMMILL ON [May 12, 2nd series, 1870, pp. 2049-2052), has given several instances of the abnormal extension of red in this species, some forms of wnicn appear to be fairly common. "Some attention has been directed of late to a variety of the Ruff which has the head and neck white or nearly so, even in winter plumage when the ornamental plumes are absent. < lne specimen exhibited died recently in the Zoological Society s Gardens, having made, at any rate this year, little progress m putting out a ruff. Specimens of the variety kept in the Calcutta Zoological Garden, however, have produced the nuptial plumage, which was as white as the same parts had been m winter. There were two of these birds, which differed in their back-feathering as much as other Ruffs, one being rufous-mottled, while the other was grizzled. The variation is evidently albinistic, as it may, though very rarely, affect the Reeve as well as the Ruff. There is such a specimen in the Indian Museum, procured half-a-century ago by Blyth. I myself have obtained several specimens of the form in the Calcutta Bazaar, which, without exception, were adults, as shown by the colour of their feet; so that the variation in question would seem to supervene late in the life of the individual possessing it. The white-headed birds kept alive did not seem at all deficient in vigour, and no doubt under especially favourable circumstances this very beautiful variety might become quite common. It has, however, the obvious disadvantage of being very conspicuous, which may, perhaps, account for its restriction to adult individuals." Mr. F. E. Beddard, F.R.S., exhibited and made remarks upon some preserved and injected brains of Mammalia which had been prepared from specimens formerly living in the Society's Gardens. The following papers were read :- 1. A Contribution to the Study of Double Monstrosities in Fishes. By J A M E S F. G E M M I L L , M.A., M.D., Lecturer in Embryology, Glasgow University *. [Keceived May 12, 1903.] (Plates I.-IV. f) This paper contains an account of the anatomy of a set of double monster Trout embryos, studied from serial sections and illustrated by reconstruction drawings. For purposes of comparison, a similar but shorter account of the anatomy of normal * Communicated by P. G. PAESONS, F.Z.S. f For explanation of the Plates, see p. 21. |