Zoological Society. 47 teresting observations on what have been termed by Dutrochet 'Embryo Buds.' A notice, by Mr. Forbes and Mr. Goodsir, of Zoological Re-searches in Oikney and Shetland, the result of a journey made in June last, in which twenty-three new species were described, chiefly Mollusca, Radiata and Zoophytes, and many new facts stated in re-gard to some of the rarer British marine animals. A notice, by Dr. Wilde, on Peruvian Mummies ; — and on the preservation of Fish. A paper on the same subject, by Mr. Lankester, who exhibited specimens, well preserved by a very ready and expeditious method. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. November 13, 1838. — Professor Owen, in the Chair. A letter from Alexander Gordon, Esq. was read, begging the Society's acceptance of the animal described by Mr. Waterhouse under the name of Myrmecobius fasciatus, and also the Perameles la-gotis. Both of these animals, Mr. Gordon stated, were from Swan River and not from Van Diemen's Land as had been supposed. A paper entitled " Observations on certain modifications observed in the dentition of the Flying Opossums (the genus Petaurus of authors)," was communicated by Mr. G. R. Waterhouse. " In the * Dents des Mammif^res ' of M. F. Cuvier, the dentition of the Flying Opossums and that of the Phalangers is described under the two heads 'Petaurus' and * Phalangers proprement dits.* Both the groups termed Petaurus and Phalangers by M. F. Cuvier contain certain species of Flying Opossums, and likewise species of Phalangers. Those species, however, which have the flank-membrane extended from limb to limb, enabling them to sail in the air like a parachute, are now with universal consent separated from the Phalan-gers (Phalangista) , and arranged under the generic title Petaurus or Petaurista. " In grouping the Phalangers and Petaurists as above mentioned, M. F. Cuvier was guided only by the characters off*ered by the den-tition ; that of Petaurus Taguanoides certainly bearing a very close resemblance to that of Phalangista Cookii. The teeth of Petaurus sciureus, however, do not bear so close a resemblance to those of Phalangista vulpina and P. maculata, although the three animals mentioned are placed in the same division by the author alluded to. Regarding the Petauri as a distinct genus from the Phalangers, I will proceed to describe their dentition as I find it in the skulls before me, which I may observe consist of two specimens of each of the
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