and for the fabrication of musical instruments and touchwoods; but the major part is floated to the lower countries for timber and for fuel. Large quantities of the timber are sent annually to England and Hamburg for ship-building. Rapacious animals, as bears, wolves, and lynxes, were formerly very abundant in the Böhmer-Wald, but have been exterminated. Α bear, the last of its race, is supposed to be still haunting the Jokuswald, near Salnau. The beds of peat or bituminous turf, locally denominated “ Auen' or "Filze," may be considered in connexion with these old forests. The whole upper part of the Moldau Valley, as far up as the neighbourhood of Ferchenhaid, for an extent of 7 Austrian miles [=32.998 English miles], and with an average breadth of Austrian mile [= 1.178 English mile], is one continuous peat-bed, traversed by the windings of the Moldau, whose waters assume a brownish tint by dissolving the extractive substances of the peat. In the mountainous parts the peat-deposits are more isolated, amid surrounding forests. The dense vegetation of pumilous birches and pines covering their surfaces attests their antiquity, and points to their analogy with the primitive forests. Lakes occur in the centre of the peat-beds near Innergefild and Ferchenhaid. A swimming island, probably owing its origin to the central swelling and bursting of the peat, is seen in the last-named locality. Cultivation is busy converting the peat-beds into forests, meadows, and arable-fields. These deposits, however, are of great importance in the economy of nature, and it may become a question of national economy how far this cultivation may proceed without injurious consequences. The climatal and meteorological influence of the peatbeds is the same as that of the forests; they even act with more energetic and concentrated effect. By acting as natural sponges in periods when water is abundant, they attract the superfluous humidity, and so prevent inundations. In seasons of drought they give their accumulated waters. They are the real water-reservoirs in mountainous regions; generally giving rise to the rivulets and rivers, and keeping their water-level constant during every season. up OCCURRENCE OF DIODONTA FRAGILIS AT WEYMOUTH. To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History. Weymouth, October 23, 1855. GENTLEMEN, I beg to record Weymouth as a habitat for that very local Mollusk, Diodonta fragilis, having some short time since picked up a living specimen on the sands in front of the Esplanade. It measures 1 inch in width, and is in excellent condition. I should have announced it before, but the fact was, it had been placed in a drawer with other shells to be examined, and I was not aware of the prize I possessed until it was pointed out by my friend Mr. H. Adams. I have also lately taken alive, attached to a piece of Eschara foliacea by a byssus, a fine specimen of Galeomma Turtoni. Mr. Coode has also dredged a specimen of Tritonia (? Hombergii). The following were my rough notes on its appearance :— "Tritonia (? Hombergii). A specimen 4 inches in length, taken by Mr. Coode and Mr. Stanley in fifteen fathoms water, off Lulworth. Colour marble-brown. Head-veil at times bilobed, at other times entire. The margin of veil not fimbriated, but closely set with tentacular points. Branchiæ in about a dozen tufts on each side of the back. Dorsal tentacles issuing from sheaths having their edges jagged. It appears to me to be intermediate between T. Hombergii and T. plebeia." I am, Gentlemen, yours obediently, WILLIAM THOMPSON. Description of a second species of the genus Procnias. I have seen several examples of Procnias in collections from New Grenada, and have never doubted their being different from the Brazilian species. But being aware that a second member of the genus had been described by Dr. Cabanis in the Museum Heineanum under the appellation Procnias Heinei, I applied that name to these birds without much inquiry. Having lately, however, had the opportunity of examining the beautiful collection which contains the type of Dr. Cabanis' description, I find that I was in error in so doing. The specimen there designated Procnias Heinei is a female or young male of Calliste atricapilla, Lafr., and belongs therefore, according to my ideas, to a different family of birds. I therefore propose the name Procnias occidentalis for this new species, which may be distinguished from the older one by its smaller size, the less amount of black on the throat, and by the white belly not extending nearly so high towards the breast. PROCNIAS OCCIDENTALIS, Sclater. P. læte viridis: fronte anguste et lateribus capitis cum mento gulaque nigris: ventre medio crissoque albis: lateribus nigro radiatis: alis caudaque intus nigricantibus. Long. tota 50; alæ 3·3; caudæ 2.9 poll. Angl. Hab. in Nova Grenada.-Proc. Zool. Soc. Nov. 14, 1854. Descriptions of some New Species of Birds. 1. Lanio auritus. Mas. L. nigerrimus, subtus nigro-fuliginosus; supercilio tenuissimo albo, pone oculos in penicillum auricularem rubro-igneum prolongato; humeris et tergo flavissimis; tectricibus alarum inferioribus, fasciculoque plumarum elongatarum axillari candidis. Rostro et pedibus nigris. Fem. Nigro-fuliginosa, in dorso subvirescens; subtus cinereo-ardesiaca; supercilio, penicilloque auriculari nullis; tergo flavo; tectricibus alarum inferioribus, fasciculoque axillari candidis. Total length 16 centim. (about 6 inches). Hab. Columbia. Only three true species of Lanio are yet known. The present bird appears to me to be best placed in this genus, although, in some respects, it differs a little from the other species. It is distinguished from these by a different coloration, and is especially remarkable from the superciliary streaks, which are white at their origin near the nostrils, become fiery-red on a level with the eyes, and extend backwards at the sides of the nape in the form of little tufts of somewhat elongated plumes, which the bird probably elevates at pleasure. 2. Pipilopsis cristata. P. supra flavicanti-olivacea, uropygio paulum dilutiore; capite cristato supra griseo, jugulo et genis griseocanescentibus; pectore et abdomine læte croceo-flavis; remigibus et rectricibus brunneis, olivascente extus limbatis. Rostro corneo ; pedibus fuscis. Total length 17 centim. (about 64 inches). This species, a native of Columbia, has somewhat the colour and form of Arremon rubrirostris, Lafr., by the side of which, it appears to me that it should be placed. It is larger and more robust, and its head is adorned with a crest. 3. Buarremon latinuchus. B. supra obscure cinereus; pileo toto et cervice rufis; lateribus capitis nigris; subtus viridi-flavus, ventre dilutiore, hypochondriis et crisso cinereo-flavidis; alis et cauda subnigris; remigum primariarum basi albida. Rostro nigro; pedibus fuscis. Total length 18 centim. (about 7 inches). This species, which I believe to be new, comes from Columbia and Peru. It has all the characters of a well-circumscribed small group of birds inhabiting those countries, including Arremon schistaceus, pallidinuchus and albofrenatus, Briss., and A. gutturalis, Lafr., as well as Embernagra rufinucha and albinucha, D'Orb. It will therefore form the seventh species of this group, and is positively distinct from all the others, although it presents a good deal of resemblance to some of them, especially the A. pallidinuchus, Briss., and the E. rufinucha, D'Orb. Its particular distinction from the latter is the absence of the black streak on the sides of the throat at the base of the upper mandible. It differs from the first especially in having the red of the top of the But I regret * All the species above mentioned are well known to me. that I have not been able to procure the Atlapetes pileatus, Wagl., the type of its genus, and the A. rubricatus, Cab., which I have never seen, and which, although natives of Mexico, would appear to belong to the same genus as the seven species here indicated. If this be the case, the genus Atlapetes would now consist of these nine species. head bright and uniform, and instead of being narrower, it widens in descending upon the nape and the back of the neck. 4. Nemosia torquata. Mas. N. supra, cum capite toto, nigerrima; semi-torque collari postico nitide flavo; interscapulio medio, tergo, jugulo, pectore et hypochondriis nitide virescenti-flavis; abdomine medio et crisso albidis; tectricibus alarum minoribus et mediis cyaneis; remigibus et rectricibus nigris, cæruleo extus limbatis. Rostro corneo, mandibulæ basi pallida; pedibus obscuris. Total length 11 centim. (about 43 inches). The native country of this pretty species is New Granada. It has all the characters of the true Nemosie, but with a rather more slender and very slightly arched bill. Its colours are brighter and resemble the glossy and brilliant tints which adorn some species of the genus Calliste, especially the C. cyanoptera, Sw. 5. Euphonia longipennis. Mas. E. nitens, viridis; semi-torque postico, uropygio et oculorum margine cyaneis; interscapulio et tergo cyaneo-maculatis; abdomine cum hypochondriis et crisso lætissime aureo-flavis; remigibus rectricibusque nigris, viridi extus limbatis. Rostro nigro, basi cærulescenti; pedibus fuscis. Fem. Interscapulio et tergo viridibus, absque maculis cyaneis; uropygio dilute cyanescenti-viridi; epigastrio et hypochondriis flavescenti-viridibus; ventre et crisso flavidis. Total length 9 centim. (about 33 inches). Hab. Antioquia, in New Granada. This little Euphonia is so nearly allied to E. viridis, Vieillot, that it is difficult to distinguish it, without comparing individuals of the two species. However, it appears to me to be sufficiently characterized by its small size, the difference between the two species being at least a fifth, whilst its wings and tarsi are longer in comparison, as they are of the same actual length as those of the other species. Thus in repose, the point of the longest primary feather in E. longipennis reaches the extremity of the tail, whilst in E. viridis it does not attain half the length of the tail. The Chlorophonia frontalis, Bp., is also very similar to the two species above mentioned; but it is less difficult to recognize, because the forehead is always yellow, and the back is never blue. 6. Euphonia plumbea. E. griseo-plumbea, viridi micans; abdomine et crisso aureo-flavis. Rostro albicante, apice corneo; pedibus cinereo-fuscis. Total length 8 centim. (about 3 inches). Hab. New Granada. This is one of the smallest, if not the smallest species of the genus. It is very easily recognized by its uniform grey colour, except on the belly. In this respect it resembles E. jamaica, Linn., but differs widely from it in its small size, and especially in the form and proportions of the bill, which is slightly depressed, and presents a considerable resemblance to that of E. chlorotica.-Bull. de l'Acad. Roy. de Belgique, 1855, vol. xxii. pp. 153–156. Description of a new species of Petrogale. By Dr. J. E. GRAY, F.R.S., V.P.Z.S. &c. Yellow-legged Rock-Kangaroo, Petrogale xanthopus. Pale brown, minutely grizzled; chin and beneath white: streak on side from the back of shoulder, and along the side of the face under the eye, whitish; dorsal streak narrow, brown; legs, feet, and tail bright yellow; end of tail more bushy and varied with brown. Australia (Richmond River?) This species has all the markings as in Petrogale lateralis, but differs in being of a much paler and yellower colour, and in the bright yellow colour of the legs and basal part of the tail. It is about the same size as P. penicillatus, or rather between it and P. lateralis. There are two specimens of this species (male and female) procured by Mr. Strange.-Proc. Zool. Soc. Nov. 14, 1854. : METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR SEPT. 1855. Chiswick.-September 1. Clear and fine: cloudy. 2. Cloudy. 3. Clear: slight shower fine. 4. Cloudy. 5. Fine: cloudy: clear and cold at night. 6. Clear: cloudy. 7. Very clear: cloudy: fine. 8. Dense fog: clear and very fine. 9. Very fine. 10. Foggy: fine: very clear. 11. Very fine. 12. Slight fog: very fine: clear: 'rain at night. 13. Rain. 14. Constant rain. 15. Uniformly overcast : fine. 16. Overcast clear and fine. 17. Rain: hazy: overcast. 18. Hazy: overcast. 19. Slight haze : fine. 20-22. Foggy in the mornings: very fine. 23. Fine: cloudy very clear. 24. Overcast. 25. Fine: cloudy: clear: frosty at night. 26. Slight haze: very dry air: frosty at night. 27. Foggy very fine: loudy. 28, 29. Cloudy: rain. 30. Hazy: cloudy: rain at night. Mean temperature of the month Mean temperature of Sept. 1854 Mean temperature of Sept. for the last twenty-nine years Average amount of rain in Sept. Boston.-Sept. 1. Cloudy: rain P.M. 11, 12. Fine. 13. Fine: rain A.M. Cloudy. 23. Fine. 24. Fine: rain A.M. rain P.M. 29. Cloudy: rain A.M. 30. Cloudy. P.M. 56°11 56.93 56 .98 2.503 inches. 2-6. Cloudy. 7,8. Fine. 9, 10. Cloudy. 14-18. Cloudy. 19, 20. Fine. 21, 22. 25. Cloudy. 26, 27. Fine. 28. Fine: 11. Sandwick Manse, Orkney.-Sept. 1, 2. Bright A.M.: cloudy P.M. 3. Cloudy A.M. and P.M. 4. Bright A.M.: clear P.M. 5. Showers A.M.: clear P.M. 6. Drizzle A.M. and P.M. 7. Cloudy A.M.: showers P.M. 8. Clear A.M.: showers 9. Bright A.M.: showers P.M. 10. Cloudy A.M.: showers, aurora P.M. Showers A.M.: cloudy, aurora P.M. 12. Rain A.M.: clear, aurora P.M. 13. Cloudy A.M.: clear P.M. 14. Cloudy, hoar-frost A.M.: clear, aurora P.M. 15. Bright, hoar-frost A.M.: cloudy P.M. 16. Showers A.M.: clear P.M. 17, 18. Showers A.M. and P.M. 19. Cloudy A.M.: drops P.M. 20. Cloudy A.M. and P.M. Showers A.M.: drizzle P.M. 22. Damp A.M.: drizzle P.M. 23. Cloudy A.M.: clear, fine P.M. 24. Clear A.M.: fine, cloudy P.M. 25. Cloudy A.M.: fine, drops P.M. 26. Drops A.M.: fine, clear P.M. 27. Drops A.M.: cloudy P.M. A.M. and P.M. 29. Rain A.M.: fog P.M. 30. Fog A.M. and P.M. Mean temperature of Sept. for twenty-eight previous years Mean temperature of this month Mean temperature of Sept. 1854 Average quantity of rain in Sept. for fifteen previous years.. 21. 28. Drops 52°-42 55 07 2.81 inches. |