Abstract
LONDON. Zoological Society, June 18.—Mr. G. A. Boulenger, F.R.S., vice-president, in the chair.—The growth-forms and supposed species in corals: Dr. F. W. Jones. The author showed that the growth-form of the colony was the outcome of the conditions of the environment, and was not a specific draracbir. The growth-form was largely the result of the method of division.— The zooids of the lonian Islands which had been named Lacerta ionica by Herr Philip Lehrs: G. A.Boulenger. The author stated his opinion that this lizard was not entitled to specific rank, and that it was merely a variety of Lacerta taurica, Pallas. —Neotropical Lycænidæ: H. H. Druce. A large number of new forms were described, and the synonymy of many others discussed.—Descriptions of Velifershypselopterus and of a new fish of the genus Velifer: C. T. Regan.—The anatomy, classification, and systematic position of the teleostean fishes of the suborder Halotriognathi: C. T. Regan. The paper showed that the Lamprididae, Veliferidæ, Trachypteridæ, and Lophotidæ formed a natural group closely related to the Beryciformes, from which they differed especially in the structure of the mouth.—Monkeys of the genus Cercopithecus: R. I. Pocock. All the known forms of this genus may be arranged into groups typified by the following species:—patas, aethiops, petaurista, cephus, nictitans, leucampyx, albigularis, mona, neglectus, Vhoesti, and diana.—Some African species of Felis, based upon specimens exhibited in the society's gardens: R. I. Pocock. Special attention was directed to some interesting points connected with F. nigripes, F. serval and servalia, and F. aurata (=chrysothrix). A specimen of the last-named species from Sierra Leone changed from red to dusky grey while living in the gardens, thus proving that the differences in colour between individuals of this species were not of specific or subspecific value.—The jelly-fish of the genus Limnocnida collected during the third Tanganyika expedition: R. T. Giinther. The material, was obtained on four distinct dates in September, November, and February, by Dr. W. A. Cunnington, and therefore during the season of the great rains. The greater number of specimens in all the collections showed a vigorous growth of young medusa-buds on the manubrium, and that therefore the theory that asexual reproduction occurred during the dry season only, which was propounded by Mr. Moore, must be abandoned. Dr. Cunnington's material threw new light upon the order and succession in which the tentacles developed, and had enabled the author to record all the stages of tentacle development as exhibited by individuals ranging from 2 mm. to 22 mm. Certain variations in the arrangement of radial canals and of sense-organs were discussed. So large a percentage as 24 per cent, were found to possess five or more radial canals, the greatest number being seven instead of the normal four. The Victoria Nyanza form of Limnocnida collected by Sir C. Eliot, which was also dealt with in the paper, was believed to be a variety, which differed from the Tanganyika form in that the tentacles were more deeply embedded in ridges of jelly of the exumbrella than in the Tanganyika form. All the individuals in a collection from the Victoria Nyanza were females. The result of a re-investigation of both Limnocnida and Limnocodkim led the author to the conclusion that both genera were to be referred to the Trachomedusæ, in spite of the fact that no other known trachomedusan had gonads on the manubrium. Reasons for this view were given, as also for the association of both fresh-water medusas with the Olindiadæ. It was considered exceedingly doubtful whether either Limnocodium or Limnocnida ever passed through a hydroid stage at all.
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Societies And Academies . Nature 76, 286–288 (1907). https://doi.org/10.1038/076286a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/076286a0