THE REV. G. BROWN'S ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 68, 13 June 1877, Page 3

THE REV. G. BROWN'S ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS.

The fine zoological collections made by the Rev. George Brown, m New Ireland^ New Britjan, and the Duke of York Islands, which were the subject of smuch interesting comment m the Auckland newspapers last year, have occasioned a considerable amount of attention among naturalists at Home. On the 20fch February last there was quite a field night at the Zoological Society's Rooms over, these collections, the whole of ihi evening sitting being occupied by remarks on the different groups represented^ and of the new species. .Mr Salvin, F.R.S 4 ., commenced with an account of the Duke of York. Island, and exhibited, a series of draw--ingstaken during Hunter's voyage to Australia^ m 1788-92, wherein that island as it then existed was depicted, together- with various objects of natural Mstoryv;; Mr^Sclater then read a paper on. the birds. in Mr Brb^n's collections, ... and descrißed eleven spebies that were tiew to science, among which were a new kingfisher, proposed to be called' Tany■sipterq miyric&ps, and; a new pigeon to which thV'ri&ine' lltacrdfyygia browni Was assigried m coriipliment to - the reverend gentleman who had discovered it; Dr. -Dobs on read a y paper on the bats, four of which he pronounced en : * tifely newj one of :theril belonging to a . hitherto unkripwri genus of the fruiteating bats, for which he, pi'oposedthe name of Meldnycteris. Mr Alston described the rodents and marsupials . The species of these-, six m number, Wereeithe^ identical with New Guinea forms, , or nearly relafced to them. For one of the fbrnieir^ hoWerer, new to sciericej.thejriaime'ofj Miis browni was proposed. Messrs. Salvin and Godman described the -mbths and • butterflies, numbering 86 genera and. 54 species. Mj^' MierS tead; a; ; description of the crustsßcea, of which there were 44 specinieiisiiri: the 'cbllectibn. 'Dr. Gunther .described .; the reptiles and r fishes.' Amongst the former Were three ne^r snakes and one new lizard, and amongst the latter ca nevf .genus/ and species of Erycidoß, proposed to be called Erebopbis Exchange. ,