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Show No. 28. ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.* March 6th, 1906. CHARLES S. TOMES, Esq., F.R.S., Vice-President, in the Chair. Mr. G. A. BOULENGER, F.R.S., Y.P.Z.S., exhibited a specimen of Pana goliath, obtained by Mr. G. L. Bates at Efulen in South Cameroon. This frog measured 10 inches from snout to vent and was much larger than any frog hitherto known. Mr. R. SHELFORD, M.A., C.M.Z.S., read a note on " flying" snakes, and made the following remarks :-The power of " flyino- " has been recorded by natives to be possessed by three species &of snakes in Borneo, viz. Chrysopelea ornata, C. chrysochlora (Opis-thoglypha), and Dendrophis pictus (Aglypha), All three species have the ventral scales with a suture or hinge-line on each side; by means of a muscular contraction these scales can be drawn inwards, so that the whole ventral surface of the snake becomes quite concave and the snake itself may be compared to a rod of bamboo bisected longitudinally. By experiments on C. ornata it was seen that the snake when falling from a height descended not in writhing coils, but with the body held stiff and rigid, and that the line of the fall was at an angle to a straight line from the point of departure to the ground. It is highly probable that the concave ventral surface of the snake helps to buoy it up in its fall; it can readily be shown that a longitudinally bisected rod of bamboo falls more slowly than an undivided rod of equal weight. * This Abstract is published by the Society at 3 Hanover Square, London, W „ on the Tuesday following the date of Meeting to which it referg. It will be issued, free of extra charge, to ail Fellows who subscribe to tl e Publications, along with the ' Proceedings' ; but it may be obtained on the day <»f publication at the price of Sixpence, or, if desired, sent posi-frce for the sum of Six Shillings per annum, payable in advance. |