PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATUEAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW VOL. L 1858-18G9. GLASGOW: PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY AT THEIR ROOMS IN ANDERSON'S UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS 18 6 9. CONTENTS. Vol. I.— Sept. 1859, to May 1869. Pagb Acantholeheris curvirostris, Mr D. Eobertson on, - - - - - 41 Acarus, A new species of, Mr T. Chapman, Mr D. M'Lellan, and Mr D. Bowman on, 102,111,121 Ailsa Craig, on the Geology of , by Mr W. N . MacCartney, - - - 151 Alcadae frequenting the shores of East Lothian during winter, by Mr John Nelson, , 50 Algae of the Firth of Clyde, Investigations into the distribution of the, by Dr John Grieve and Mr D. Eobertson, 14 Alpine and sub-alpine forms (botanical) near the sea level in insular situations, Remarks on the occurrence of, by Mr John Shaw, - 158 Alteutha bopyroides, On the occurrence of, by Mr D. Eobertson, - • 104 AnipMura chiojii, Mr D. Eobertson on, ...... wq Aneitum, New Hebrides, On the natives of, by Eev. James Copeland, - 45 Angel fish (Squalina angelus), Mr D. Eobertson on the, ■ - - 99 Animals and Plants familiar to the ancient Greeks and Eomans, repre- resented on their Coins, On the, by Mr John Gray, - - - 38 Anoinia ephippium, Mr D. Eobertson on, - - - - • - 14 Anthracosia, Anthracomya, and Anthracoptera, found in the Lanarkshire Coalfield, On, by Mr John Young, 84 Apteryx owenii, Mr Eobert Gray on, - - - . _ - - - 254 4 rcAaeocicZan's Mm, Mr John Young on, 94,178 Ascidiae found in the West of Scotland, On the, by Dr Scouler, M.D., LL.D., r.L.S., 122 Aster ina gihbosa, Mr D. Eobertson on, - 41 Azeca tridens, Mr John Young on, 240 Balanus vulgaris found in St. Enoch's Square, Mr John Young on, - 130 Balaenoptera rostrata found near Stirling, Dr Scouler on, - - - 89 Bathgate disti-ict. Notes of Geological excursion to the, by Mr John Young, 167 Bathyporeia robertsoni, Mr Eobert Gray on, 74 Birds, Himalayan Eaptorial, Mr L. C. Stewart on, .... 57 Birds in Aberdeenshire, Notices of the recent occurrence of rare, by Mr W. C. Angus, cor. mem., 237 Birds (New Zealand), Notes on the habits of certain, by Mr John Buchanan, 185 397S3 VI CONTENTS. Page Birds of Ayrshire and Wigtonshire, On the, by Mr Robert Gray and Mr Thomas Anderson, 269 Birds of East Lothian and Berwickshire, On the, by Lord Binning (Earl of Haddington), 150 Birds of Prey mentioned by Greek writers, On the, by Dr Scouler, • 143 Birds of Scotland, On the distribution of the rarer species of the, by Mr Robert Gray, 146 Birds of Stirlingshire, On the, by Mr J. A. Harvie Brown, cor. mem., - 173 Birds, rare British, Mr James Hamilton on, 16 Birds (Scansorial) of the Himalayas, On some of the, by Mr L. C. Stewart, 68 Blight affecting the Naples variety of the Black Currant, On the recently noticed, by Mr Duncan M'LeUan; Mr David Bowman on, - 111, 121 Botanical Excursion to Canlochan and Glas Mhiel, in July, 1865, Notes of a, by Dr James Stirton, 142 Botanical Tour to Ben Lawers, Notes on a, by Dr James Stirton, - - 231 Boulder Clay Period, The life of the, as represented in strata near Croft- head, by Mr James A. Mahony, 252 Brachiojjods, Carboniferous, Mr James Thomson on, - - - - 69 Brachiopod shells found in the main Limestone of the Campsie valley, On the various genera and species of, by Mr John Young, - - - 95 Bryology of Ayrshire, Additions to the, by Mr John Shaw, - - - 110 Bryology of the Campsie Hills and neighbourhood, On the, by Dr James Stirton, 115 Bute, Notes on the Natural History of, by Mr John Blair, communicated by Mr J. Eaton Reid, 54 Buzzard, Rough-legged {Buteo lagopus), Mr Robert Gray on the, - - 184 Calamites nodosus, Mr John Young on, -------- 379 Camarophoria, Mr John Young on the genus, 86 Candona simplex, a new Entomostracan, Mr D. Robertson on, - - 130 Canoes recently found at Renfrew, On ancient, by Mr W. N. MacCartney, 168 Carboniferous Fossils collected on the Dunbar coasts by Mr R. Gray and Mr D, Robertson, On the, by Mr John Young, - - - - 94 Chough (7^rf^?7MS r/racHZits), Mr Robert Gray on the, - - - - 42 Ccrianthus lloyd'd, Mr D. Robertson on, 72 Claybeds of Ross Arden, Loch Lomond, On the, by Mr D. Robertson, - 92 Conversazione and Exhibition, November 24th, 1863, - - - - 77 Cormorant (PJialacrocorax carlo), On the Habits of the, by Mr Robert Gray, 74 Coronella laevis, a new British Snake, On, by Mr E. R. Alston, - - 55 Coivphium lon;jicorne, Notes on, hy Mr D. Robertson, - • - - 104 Corystes cassivclaunus, Mr D. Robertson on, 1 Courser, Cream-coloured [Curswius europoeus), exhibited by Mr Charles Walker, 238 Crania from Engis, Belgiiim, and Neanderthal, Germany, Dr Scouler on, 97 Crinoidea, from the neighbourhood of Glasgow, Mr John Young on, - 112 Crocodilus frontalis, Dr Scouler on, 103 CONTENTS, Vll Page Crustacea from the Silurian Eocks at Girvan, On new forms of, by Pro- fessor John Young, M.D., F.G.S., 169 Cuma, ]\Ir David Eobertson on a new species of, 97 Cyclones experienced on the Island of Anietyum, A short account of two, by Eev. J. Copeland, cor. mem., Cytheridea rohertsoniana, a new Crustacean, IVIr D, Robertson on, - 142 Diatomaceae, Notes on Coeconeis, Nitzschia, and some of the allied genera of, by Professor G. A. Walker- Arnott, 211 Discina ostreoides, Mr John Young on, 146 Diver, Great Northern (Colymhus glacialis), Mr Eobert Gray on the, - 43 Dredging in the Bay of Eothesay, Notice of the most suitable localities for, by Dr John Grieve, -•---.--•- 57 Dredging, On Marine, by Mr D. Eobertson, 179 Dredging, On the results of a Summer's, by Dr Scouler, - - 8, 9, 10 Duck, Long-tailed Ice {Eardda glacialis), Observations on the, by Mr Eobert Gray, 87 Duck, SteUer's Western [Somateria stellerii), Mr James Hamilton on, - 15 Dunbar, An account of a visit paid to the shores of, in February, 1864, with descriptive notes on the Natural History of the district, by ■ Mr Eobert Gray and Mr D. Eobertson, 89-93 Dunlin, Common {Tringa variabilis), Mr Eobert Gray on the, - - 197 Dytiscus lapponicus, collected in Ireland, Notes on, by Mr James E. Sommerville, B.D., 231 Echinocardium pennatijidum, Mr D, Eobertson on, .... 99 Echinm spJiaera, Mr D. Eobertson on, 110 Edivardsia callimorpha. On the occurrence of, by Mr D. Eobertson, - 45 Entomostraca and Foraminifera from the Paisley clay-beds, Mr D. Eobertson on, 90 Entomostraca from Gilmorehill, Mr John Young on, - - - - 379 Entomostraca from the Carboniferous Limestones and Shales of the West of Scotland, Descriptive notes on several new and rare forms of, by Mr John Young, 122 Entomostraca from the Ironstones and Shales of the Lanarkshire Coal- field, On Fossil, by Mr John Young, 68 Entomostraca in Silurian Shale, near Girvan, Mr Eobert Gray on, - 230 Entomostraca, Marine, Mr D. Eobertson on, 227 Ermine or Stoat {Mustela erminea). Notes on the habits of the, by Mr Eobert Gray, 129 Eurypterus scouleri, from Dunse, Dr Young on, 378 Falcon, Greenland {Falco groenlandicus), Dr Dewar on the, - - - 47 Falcon, Greenland, Mr Eobert Gray on the, - - - - - - 254 Ferns, Hardy, from the Lake District, Mr G. J. Combe on, - - - 167 Fishes of the Firth of Clyde, On the habits of some of the, by Mr John Eaton Eeid, 45 VIU CONTENTS. Paoe Fishes, various species of, Professor J. Young on, - - • - - 186 Foraminifera and Entomostraca from Girvan, Mr John Young on, - 148 Foraminifera from the Atlantic Sea-bed, Eev. H. W, Crosskey on, - 147 Fossil Fruit from High Blantyre, Mr John Young on a, - - - 203 Fossil Trees in Arran, discovered by Mr Wunsch, Mr John Young on, - 1 23 Fucaceae, Chemical notes on, by Mr J. A. Mahony, .... 186 Gallinule, Purple [Porphyrio hyacinthus), Dr DeM^ar on the, - - - 81 Gasteropod Mollusca of the Carboniferous Limestones of the West of Scotland, On the, by Mr John Young, - - . - - - - 70 Geological Changes in Scotland from the Glacial epoch to the present day, On the succession of, by Eev. H. W. Crosskey, .... 112 Glacial shells from Cardross, Mr Home on, - - - - - - 91 Glacial shells from Fairlie, Mr John Young on minute, - - - - 88 Glacial shells from Langbank, Mr D. Robertson on, - - - - 87 Glasgow Naturalists' Society, Amalgamation with the, March 27, 1866, 129 Goniatites, Mr John Young on, 236 Goosander {Mergus merganser), Mr Robert Gray on the, - - . 239 Goose, Bernicle {Anser bernicla), Notes on the, by Mr Robert Gray, - 46 Goose, Grey-lag { A )iser 2Mlustris),'!^ otes on the, by Mr Robert Gray, - 39 Goose, White-fronted (Anscr albifrons), Mr Wm. Lorrain on the, - - 198 Graptolites from the Silurian shales of the Moffat district, Mr James Daii'ou on, 268 Grouse, Black {Tetrao tetrix), female in male phimage, Mr J. Gilmour on, 230 Grouse Disease, On certain asjjects of the, by Professor J. Young, . 225 Grouse, Pallas's Sand (Syrrhaptes paradoxus), Dr Dewar on, - - 76 Guaguanato, Mexico, a collection of the fauna of, by Dr Dug^s, Profes- sor J. Yoimg on, 203 Guillemot, Ringed, or Bridled ( Uria lachrymans) , Mr Robert Gray on the, 224 Gull, Ivory (Larus eburneus), Mr Robert Gray on, - - - - 168 Helicidae in Bute and in the vicinity of Largs, On the distribution of the, by Mr WUliam Had^in, 247 Herring Fishery at Dunbar, Mr John Jaflray on the, - - . . 103 Herring, Notes on the, by Mr D, Robertson, - - - - - 240 Heterophyllia hjelll and H. mirah'tlis of Duncan, Remarks and notes of correspondence on the identity of, by Mr John Young, - - - 256 mpolyte sccurifrons, Mr D. Robertson on, ...... §2 Hipolyte p)Usiola, Mr D. Robertson on, ....... 86 Eypericum anglicum, Dr Walker-Arnott on, 6 Jungermannia saxicola, Mr Alexander M'Kinlay on, .... ig8 Kittiwake (Larus tridactylus), Mr Edward R. Alston on the, - - 103 Labyrinthodont (Parahatrachus), On the so-called, by Prof. J. Youno-, - 174 Zaminaria digitata var., Mr J. A. Mahony on, 230 CONTENTS. IX Page Land and Fresh- water Mollusca found within ten miles around Glasgow, On the, by Mr John Dougall, 188 Land and Fresh-water Shells from Egypt and Palestine, Notes on some, by Mr J. E. Somerville, 237, 382 Latent Vitality of a species of EqvAsetum from the Blairdardie Clay- field, On the, by Mr W. N. MacCartney, 165 Lattice Leaf (OMwrancZrrt/enes^ra^is), Mr Peter Clark on the, - - 52 Lepidopterous Insects from Congo, On some, by Mr Thomas Chapman, 325 Lepidopterous Insects from Loch Lomond, Mr Thomas Chapman on, - 21 Leptaena yoiinjiana, a new Silurian Brachiopod, Mr Eobert Gray on, - 229 Library, EstabUshment of the Society's, 11 Lingula, a series of the genus, Mr James Thomson on, - - - - 67 Loch Ryan, Bay of Luce and Portpatrick, On the Marine Zoology and Botany of, by Dr John Grieve and Mr D. Piobertson, - - - 21 Longipedia, Mr D. Robertson on the genus, 108 Luidia fragilissima, Mr D. Robertson on, ...... 36 Li/nceus jpectenatus (Anchistropus emarginatus), Mr D. Robertson on, - 43 Marine Invertebrata of the Firth of Clyde, Notes on some of the, by Dr John Grieve, 57 Marsh Harrier (Circus acruginosus), Dr Dewar on the, - - - - 52 Microscope, Mr David Bowman on a new Object-finder for the, - - 121 Mosses. Mr Walter Gait on habitats of Glyphomitrium davisii, - - 208 Mosses, On some of the rare, recently detected in the West of Scotland, by Mr Alex. M'Kinlay, 38 Mosses from Ben Voirlicb, Mr Alex. M'Kinlay on, - - - - 91 Mosses, Mr Alex. M'Kinlay on, 38, 75, 91, 100, 107, 115, 118, 124, 126, 208 Mosses of the Valley of the Girvan, On the Distribution of, with notes on interesting and rare species, by Mr John Shaw, - - - 36 Mosses, Mr John Shaw on, 15, 3G, 69, 120, 127, 148 Mosses, Dr James Stirton on, - 112, 123, 126, 142, 145, 197, 199, 202 Natural History Society of Glasgow, its plans and progress in 1863, Mr Robert Gray on, ----------79 Nudibranchiate Molk;sca, Notes on some of the, by Dr John Grieve, - 11 Nudibranchiate Mollusca of the shores of the Cumbraes, On the, by Mr D. Robertson, ---------- 204 Observations in various branches of Natural History, by Mr Robt. Gray, 100 Oil Shales, On the Natural History of some of our Scottish, by Mr John Young, - - - - -•- - - - - 132 Ophiolcpis gracilis, Mr Robert Gray on, ------ 86 Opliiura affinis, Mr D. Robertson on, -------85 Orme's Head, Notes on (Marine) Specimens from, by Mr D. Robertson, - 148 Ornithological Notes from Ardrishaig, by Mr Henry D. Graham, - - 7 Ornithology of the Suburbs of Glasgow, On the, by Mr Robert Gray, - 106 Orthotricha of the Valley of the Girvan, On the, by Mr John Shaw, - 15 X CONTENTS!^ Pagb Owl, Hawk {Surnia funerea), Mr William Boyd on the, ... 236 Owl, Snowy (Surnia nyctea), Dr Colquhoun and Dr Dewar on the, - 55 Owl, Snowy, exhibited by Mr J. A. Harvie Brown, .... 202 Oyster Fishery of Loch Ryan, etc., On the, by Dr John Grieve and Mr D. Robertson, ----26 Pa^ztrws ^5r/fZraMx/i, Mr D. Robertson on, ...... 10 Palaeontological discoveries in the Coal-fields of the West of Scotland, On recent, by Mr John Young, - - - . - - -117 Parrot, Owl (Strigops habroptilus), Mr Robert Gray on the, - . - 255 Peachia hastata, Mr T>. Robertson on, .--....69 Permanence of Species and the Limits of Variation, On the, by Dr Scouler, - ----77 Petrel, Fork-tailed [Thalassklroma Icachii), Mr Robert Gray on the, - 228 Petrel, Storm (Thalassklroma pelayica), Mr Robert Gray on the, - - 48 Phalarope, Red-necked (Phalaroptis hyperboreus) , Mr Robert Gray on the, 42 Pheasant, Common, female of the, in male plumage, Mr Robert Gray on a, 166 Plants, British, On some facts in the Physical Geography of, and their Geological Inter2:)retation, by Mr John Shaw, - - - - 131 Plants, rare, in the West of Scotland, Mr James Ramsay on, - 91, 125 PorceUklium fimhriatum of Glaus, On, by Mr D. Robertson, - - - 98 Post-tertiary Shells from a clay -bed at Inch Lonaig, Loch Lomond, exhibited by Mr A. M'Niven, cor. mem., . - - - - 238 Poterwccras sp., Mr John Young on, - - 239 Poteriocrinus crassus, Mr John Young on, ------ 111 Powan (Coregonus lacepcdei), Mr A. M'Niven on, - - - - 48 Prince Albert, Address to the Queen on the death of, - - - - 15 Pteronitcs, sp., Mr John Young on, - - - - - - -145 Purpura lapillus, Mr Robert Gray on, -.-..- IQO Raised Beaches at Irvine, On the, by Mr Adam Sutherland, - - 127 Roedeer (Cervus caprcolus), On the History and Habits of the, by Mr E. R. Alston, -----------176 Royal Great Crest {Megaloplius regius), Mr Robert Gray on the, - - 20 ^uS (Machetes pugnax), Mr TLohevt Gray on the, - - . - 184 Sandpiper, Green (Totanus ochropus), Mr WiUiam Sinclair on the, - 237 Scoter, Velvet (OiVZem?a/us«(), Mr Robert Gray on the, - - - 239 Sea Fowl, the mortality amongst, Mr D. Robertson on, - - - 2, 3, 4 Seal, Harp (Phoca groenlandka), Mr H. D. Graham on the, 51, 53 Seaweeds in the Paisley Clay-beds, On the occurrence of, by Mr J. A. Mahony, - - - - - 199 Shells showing Colour Markings, from the Carboniferous Limestone strata of the West of Scotland, On the occurrence of, by Mr John Young, ..-..--.-. 185 Shrew, Oared {Soirx remifer), Mr E. R. Alston on the, - - - 70 Silurian Brachipoda from near Girvan, Mr Robert Gray on, - - 124 CONTENTS. XI Pagb Silurian Fossils of the Girvan Valley, Mr Robert Gray on, - - - 101 Skua, Pomarine (Lestris pomarinus), Mr Robert Gray on the, - - 178 Sparrow, Tree (Passer mow««'/M«s), Mr W. Sinclair on the, ... 85 Sparrow, White-throated (Zonotrichia alhicollis), Notice of the occun-ence of the, in Aberdeenshire, by Mr W. C. Angus, cor. mem., - - 209 (SipiVor&is, various species of, Mr John Young on, - - - - - 101 Starling, Common (Sturnus viihjaris), Notes on the, by Mr Robert Gray, 13 Synapta inhaerens, Mr D. Robertson on, ------ 73 Terehellides slraemii, Mr D. Robertson on, - - - - - - 84 Thysanopoda, Mr D. Robertson on, ..---.. 119 Tomopteris scolopcndra, Dr John Grieve on, ------ 3 Transmutation of Species, On the Darwinian Hypothesis of the, by Dr Scouler, ..._------- 47 Trocjou resplendtns (of Gould), Notes on the Habits and Geographical Distribution of, by Mr Robert M 'Dowall, surgeon, Taboga, cor. mem., 137 Urus, White, or Caledonian Ox (Urus scoticus), Dr Dewar on the, - 56 Vascular Plants of Great Britain, On the distribution of the, more par- ticularly those of the East and West of Scotland, by Mr James Ramsay, .-----.----17 Venus's Flower-basket (Euplectella aspergillum), Mr J. E. Somerville on, 380 Virgularia mirahilis, Mr D. Robertson on, ------ 67 Vole, Bank (Arvicola pratensis), Mr E. R. Alston on the, - - - 130 Warbler, Marsh {Calamoherpe palustris), Mr WiUiam Hamilton on the, - 110 Waxwing, Bohemian [Bombycilla garrula), Mr Robert Gray on the, - 165 Windmillcroft Beds, Notes on the Botany of the, by Mr J. A. Mahony, 159 Woodpecker, Great Sjjotted [Picus major), Mr William Lorrain on the, 230 Woodpecker, Great Spotted, Mr Robert Gray on the, - - - - 378 Writing Paper, Spots in, caused by copper, exhibited by Mr T. S. Hutcheson, 187 Zoological Research, On the present character of, by Professor J. Young, 229 Zoophytes from Dunbar, exhibited by Mr John Jeffray, cor. mem., - 142 Zoophytes from Girvan, Mr T. Anderson on, - - . . 126, 186 Zoophytes from Peterhead, Rev. James YuiU on, - - - - 186 PEOCEEDINGS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. SESSIOI^T 1859-60, THE EIGHTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, ANDERSON'S UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS, SEPTEMBER 27th, 1859. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the session: — John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., etc., President; Alexander Lindsay, M.D., Vice-President; Eobert Gray, Secretary; Matthew P. Bell, Treasurer; John Grieve, M.D., Messrs John Black and David Eobertson, Members of Council. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr David Eobertson exhibited a living specimen of Corystes Cassivelaunus, which had been in his possession upwards of seven months, during which time he had favourable opportunities of observing its habits. In bringing these under the notice of the society, he remarked that this crab, in burrowing into the sand, lies buried for weeks without seeking to change, and that the antennae clasp into each other when the creature is so situated, forming a tube through which it breathes, and otherwise main- tains a communication with the surface. Mr Eobertson also stated that he had seen the ova cast up through this opening — the inference being that the animal had placed it, by means of its claws or pincers, within the influence of the current. Mr Eobertson likewise exhibited specimens of Nereis bilineafa, and made some remarks upon its habit of living in univalve shells, in company with hermit crabs. U PROCEEDINGS OF THE Some facts were then stated, and a discussion ensued respecting the excessive mortality which had occurred last month amongst the sea birds of the Firth of Clyde, Belfast Lough, and several other places chiefly in the West of Scotland. From information communicated by one or two gentlemen connected with the society, it would appear that the stricken birds were found floating literally in thousands — dead or in a dying state — many parts of the coast being strewed with their bodies. An opinion seemed to prevail among the members that the epidemic — if such it could be called — had set in about the time of the birds leaving Ailsa Craig, and the breeding places off" the coast of Ireland; and that, during the course of the few intervening weeks, they had, probably from a diminution or entire absence of their usual food, fallen into a condition favourable to the development of a species of entozoon — the common tapeworm, for example — which, as in the case of the grouse some years ago, would, no doubt, on dissection, be found to be the ultimate cause of death. October 25th, 1859. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. SPECIMENS exhibited. Mr David Robertson exhibited the following specimens: — PaguTus Forbesii. — Dredged off" the Cumbrae Islands. Cuma unguiculata. — A new crustacean, from Cumbrae, and named by Mr C. Spence Bate. Sepiola Rondeletii. — Dredged by himself off" Cumbrae. Podocerus falcatus. — Dredged by himself off" Cumbrae. Mr Eobertson also made some remarks upon the additions made to the list of Crustacea found in the Firth of Clyde, for 1857, '58, and '59, enumerating 24 species, besides referring to others which were doubtful. The subject of the recent mortality among the sea-fowl of the Firth of Clyde having been resumed at this meeting, the following facts were elicited from some of the members present who had been engaged in its investigation: — The birds which had fallen victims to the so-called epidemic were of four species, viz., the common guillemot (Uria troile), the NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 3 puffin {Mormon fratercula), the razor-bill (Aka tarda), and the common gull (Larus canus). It would, therefore, appear that the larger species of gull, aud the solan goose — birds of vagrant habits, and possessing strong powers of flight, have been exempt. The razor bill was found in extraordinary numbers, being in the pro- portion of ten to one of the other species included in the mortality list; while the guillemot predominated over the puffin, and the species of gull referred to. They were all found much further up the Firth than usual — as if in search of food, many birds being obtained even at Eenfrew, and other places, in waters at a distance from the sea. In these situations they darted eagerly at any food which came in their way, rushing at baited hooks on a hand-line, and otherwise exhilnting a tameness more like the result of starva- tion than the effects of disease. They were all in a wasted condi- tion, being almost reduced to skin and feathers, and were found floating in thousands over a wide extent of sea from the mouth of the river Clyde to the Irish coasts. PAPER READ. On the Physiology of Reproduction. By Dr Alexander Lindsay. November 29th, 1859. Alexander Lindsay, M.D., Vice-President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected members: — Messrs Eoderick A. Couper, Thomas Eussell, Stuart Manford, W. D. Hall, and James Carsewell. SPECIMENS exhibited. Dr Dewar exhibited a specimen of the black-throated diver {Colymhus arcticus), and its eggs, from a loch in Argyleshire. Mr David Eobertson exhibited specimens of Pagurus cuanensis, from Cumbrae. Dr John Grieve exhibited specimens of Tomopteris Scolopendra, of Eschscholtz, three of which he had obtained during the past summer, along with Sagitta bijmndata, and also exhibited sketches of parts of the animal. The largest was about an inch in length, and one-third of an inch at its greatest breadth, whence it gradu- ally became narrower to the tail. The colour is a clear white, with red and orange dots scattered all over. The smallest was of 4 PROCEEDINGS OF THE a pink hue. The anterior antennse are very like those of a mol- lusc — the posterior are as long as the animal, and the basal end projects into the lobe, where it receives the insertion of a levator and depressor muscle, by wliich they are moved. The body shows no signs of segmentation, but there are fourteen or sixteen lateral lobes, and six undeveloped pairs of tubercles on the caudal extremity. Each lobe is divided into two lobules, which pass off more or less obliquely, so that the one is anterior to the other; and by means of these it is propelled backwards or forwards with equal velocity, as it swims with a curious wriggling motion. PAPERS READ. I. — Report on the Mortality amongst the Clyde Sea-Foivl during the month of September last. By Mr David Eobertson. In this paper it was shown that nothing unusual was observed among the birds until a few days after the storms in the early part of the month; and that they were then in a state bordering upon starvation, may be proved from the fact of so many hundreds — even thousands, resorting to estuaries, heedless of danger, and con- trary to their usual shyness. The testimony of the fishermen of various places showed that the common dog-fish was uncommonly abundant, while the small herring-fry, and other fishes constituting the food of sea-birds, had entirely disappeared. Favouring the hypothesis of death by starvation, Mr Robertson observed that no traces of organic disease could be found on examination, and that, moreover, an epidemic does not attack indefinitely, but is confined to one species- — the prominent symptoms of which, viz., disturb- ance of organic functions, loss of appetite, etc., being opposed to what had been observable in the birds — an empty stomach, keen appetite, heedlessness of danger to secure food, tameness, feeble- ness, and death occurring at the extreme point of emaciation; — in other words, the universal symptoms of hunger. The mortality, therefore, not being confined to one species, as is constantly the case in epidemic diseases, and which have been known to occur in other sections of the animal kingdom, the author of the report stated his belief that it was attributaljle to the extreme scarcity of food, causing an emaciation resulting in death. The Chairman took the opportunity of saying that Mr Robert- son's ingenious and apparently satisfactory explanation, might be NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 5 looked upon as a final contribution towards the elucidation of the mystery which had lately attracted so much attention. II. — Notes on the Laridce of Western Scotland. By Mr Eobert Gray. December 27th, 1859. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected members of the society. — Messrs James Thomson, William Thomson, John Mollison, and John Coats, M.D. PAPER READ. Observations on some new Fossil Crustacea from the vicinity of Glasgow. By Dr ScouLER. January 31st, 1860. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected resident members of the society: — Messrs James Hamilton, Alexander Dallas, and Dr James Morton. Mr John Levack, Millport, was elected a corres- ponding member. Dr Scouler read a continuation of his paper entitled. Observa- tions on some new Fossil Crustacea from the vicinity of Glasgow. February 28th, 1860. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. Mr Robert Mason was elected a member of the society. PAPER READ. On the Dredging Features of the Bay of Rothesay and adjacent Shores. By Dr John Grieve. This paper was illustrated by a large series of starfishes and Echini, etc., the result of the author's experience in the various dredging grounds referred to. 6 proceedings of the March 27th, 1860. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The Rev. James Copeland, Tana, New Hebrides, was elected a corresponding member, and Mr Alexander Murray a resident member of the society. PAPER READ. On the CUissification of Animals. By Dr Alexander Lindsay. April 24th, 1860. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Professor Walker Arnot exhibited a specimen of Hypericum, Anglicum of Bertolini, along with one of the common Hypericum Androscemum, in order that the difference between them might be appreciated. His attention had been drawn to it while preparing the eighth edition of the British Flora, and in his own herbarium he did not possess anything that agreed with H. Anglicum. He had also examined the British herbarium (now in his possession), which had been amassed by the late Mr Brodie, without any trace of this species; but in another herbarium which also belongs to him, and had been collected by his late friend, Mr D. Stewart of Edinburgh, he found one specimen so perfectly accordant in every respect with the characters given, that no doubt could exist that this was the plant he was in quest of. This specimen was mixed with specimens of H. Androscemum, obtained from various parts of Scotland and Wales; it bore the station, " Hills behind Greenock," but whether it had been collected there by Mr Stewart himself, or presented to him by some friend, was not mentioned on the label. As Dr Balfour met with it, about five years ago, on the banks of the Crinan Canal, it may yet be detected in other places on the West of Scotland. The foliage and general appear- ance are very much the same as in H. Androsmmum, but the flowers were pointed out to be considerably larger, and the styles, instead of being short and recurved — in fact, buried among the stamens — were flexuose, but otherwise straight, and much elon- gated. As a species, it appeared to Dr Walker Arnot to be quite distinct from H. Androscemum, but was, perhaps, a variety of H. Elatum, of Aiton, with larger flowers than usual. The native NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 7 country of H. Elatum itself is involved in doubt ; for long it was supposed to have come from North America, but it is quite unknown there in a wild state. It is therefore not improbable that Hypericum Elatum is a cultivated form of H. Anglicum. On the other hand, it remains to be proved that H. Anglicum is not itself an escape from cultivation, so that the attention of collectors is earnestly called to this species. May 26th, 1860. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Dr Grieve exhibited a specimen of Conferva JEgrophila, from the Outer Hebrides. PAPERS READ. I. — Ornithological Notes from Ardrishaig. By Mr Henry D. Grahajvi, Corresponding Member. The species chiefly dwelt upon in this paper were the Great Northern Diver {Colymhus glacialis) and the Sclavonian Grebe (Podiceps Cornutus), respecting the habits of which the author gave an interesting account from personal observation. II. — Notes on the Naked-eyed Medusae, with some BemarJcs on the more interesting points of their structure and economy. , Bv Dr John Grieve. 8 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIESSIOIsr I86O-6I: THE NINTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, ANDERSON'S UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS, SEPTEMBER 25th, 1860. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the session: — John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President; John Grieve, M.D., Vice-President; Eobert Gray, Secretary; Matthew P. Bell, Trea- surer; Messrs Thomas Chapman, John Gray, and John Black, Mem- bers of Council. Mr G. C. Smith was elected a resident member. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr David Robertson exliibited specimens of Chordaria divaricata, from the Cumbraes. PAPER READ. On the Results of a Summer's Dredging. By Dr Scouler. This paper was fully illustrated by numerous specimens of the objects described, among which the following species may be con- sidered worthy of enumeration : — FISHES. Localities. Remarks. . Ardrishaig, . . Rare. . Loch Fyne. . Oban. . Oban. . Tarbet, . . . Rare. . Loch Fyne, . . 07ie specimen. CRUSTACEA. Lithodes maia, Loch Fyne, . . Common. Hyas coarctatus, Oban. Inachus Dorynclius, .... Oban. Stenorhynchus j)halangium, . . Oban. Rorcellana longicornis, Very common. Munida Rondeletii, .... Loch Fyne, , . Common. Galathea nexa, Oban and Loch Fyne. Idotea tricuspidata, .... Kyles of Bute, Rare. Cymoihoa vestrum, .... Kyles of Bute, Rare. , Aspidopliorus Europceus, Gohius Rufhensparri, Lepidogaster himaculatus Motella quinquicirrata, Morrhua minuta, Raniceps trifurcatus, . natural history society of glasgow. 9 October 30th, 1860. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected members: — Messrs Paul Cognet Bertete, William Irwin, David Bowman, James Thomson, and John Pinkerton, M.D. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr David Robertson exhibited specimens of Sagartia nivea, and Portunus holsatus, both from Cumbrae; also, specimens of Trio^a clavigera from the same locality. PAPER READ, On the Results of a Summer'' s Dredging — Part II. By Dr Scouler, illustrated Avith specimens of rare Annelids and Nereids from Oban and Loch Fyne. November 27th, 1860, John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected members of the society: — Messrs John Manford, James Miller, William Couper, Joseph Campbell, and Walter Gardner, SPECIMENS exhibited. Dr Scouler exhibited a specimen of Labrus trimaculatus, from the Firth of Clyde, Mr David Robertson exhibited a curious and interesting annelid, with its case, which he had dredged off Gourock. The tube, Hke that of many built by allied species, was composed of fragmentary pieces of shell, adhering together by a secretion of the animal ; but on close comparison, this annelid, which Mr Robertson could not in the meantime refer to any British species, appeared to have selected these materials of a particular shape — being concave on the one side, and convex on the other, and arranged longitu- dinally, with each piece laid so as to cover the seam or joint of the preceding layer, thereby presenting a device in which we could recognize the soundest principles of architecture, as practised by animals of superior intelligence. B 10 PROCEEDINGS OF THE PAPERS 'read. I. — On the Anatomical Strudnre of the Crocodile and Alligator. By Dr Scouler. II. — Notes on the Raptwial Birds of the West of Scotland. By Mr Egbert Gray, the Secretary. December 18th, 1860. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected members of the society : — Messrs John Wilson, James Morton, and John Graham. specimen exhibited. Mr David Eobertson exhibited a specimen of Pagunis Prideauxii, invested with its usual parasite, Adamsia palliata, to illustrate the difference existing between the size of the two hands amongst many of the crustaceans, particularly the Paguridce, or soldier crabs — a disparity in which we recognize some purpose subservient to the wants of the animal. The hermit crabs, as Mr Eobertson observed, feed principally with their small hand, and hold their prey Avith the greater claw, which they also employ as a support to the body, thus allomng the little hand freedom for its opera- tions — a series of quick movements in conveying atoms to the mouth, etc. The large hand is more powerful in itself than two moderately-sized hands would be, and appears to serve the double object of procuring prey, and forming a strong door of defence to the animal in its shell. PAPER READ. On the Results of a Slimmer' s Dredging — Part III. By Dr Scouler. This paper, like the two previously read on the same subject, was amply illustrated by specimens, including the following molluscoid zoophytes from Shetland : — Petcjwra retiformis, Molgida tuhulosa, and Oijnthia rustica. January 29th, 1861. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. Mr Alexander Napier and Mr William Struthers were elected resident membei's. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 11 SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr David Robertson exhibited a large specimen of Polyporus ignianus, from the island of Cumbrae, where it had been found by Mr Levack, of Millport, one of the society's corresponding members. Mr Thomas Chapman exhibited a box of Lepidoptera, from Calabar Eiver. PAPER READ. Notes on some of the Nudibninchiate Mollusca. By Dr John Grieve. The author of this paper took occasion to refer to the successful researches of Mr D. Robertson, in the Firth of Clyde, amongst this interesting class of animals, and notified the occurrence of two uncommon species dredged by that gentleman off Cumbrae, viz., Hermia hifida and Triopa davigera. Before the close of business, it was announced that Messrs John Black and Thomas S. Hutcheson had handed to the society up- wards of one hundred volumes, as a donation from themselves and other gentlemen connected with the society. The secretary having read over the catalogue, the thanks of the society were tendered to Messrs Black and Hutcheson for their special efforts to secure the estabHshment of a library. February 26th, 1861. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. Mr James Ramsay was elected a member of the society. specimen exhibited, Mr D. Robertson exhibited an unusually large specimen of Hyas Coardatus, taken at Cumbrae. PAPER read. On the Organography of Animals. By Dr Scouler. The Secretary announced the following donation to the library : — "Genera of British Moths." By H. Noel Humphreys, Pre- sented by Dr Hugh Colquhoun. March 26th, 1861. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. Messrs Alexander M'Kinlay and WiUiam Sinclair were elected members of the society. 12 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Dr Grieve exhibited a specimen of TrifoUum elegans, found in the month of July last in a corn-field at Blairmore, Argyleshire. It had probably been imported with the seed, as it is not regarded as a British plant, being a native of the South of Europe. Mr David Kobertson exhibited a specimen of Oniscoda maculosa, from the Cumbrae Islands; the species being an addition to the list of Crustacea found in that locality. PAPER READ. An account of Ailsa Craig and its Birds, from personal ohservation: By Mr Robert Gray, the Secretary. April 30th, 1861. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. Mr Alexander Malcolm was elected a member of the society. SPECIMEN exhibited. Dr Dewar exhibited a specimen of the Egyptian goose (Anser ^gijptiacus), which was recently shot on Loch Lomond. Five of these birds had been observed in a flock, apparently wild, and two of them were killed. May 28th, 1861. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. Messrs John Shaw and James Martin were elected members of the society. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 13 SESSIOIST 1861-62. THE TENTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, ANDERSON'S UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS, SEPTEMBER 24th, 1861. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the session: — John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President; Mr John Gray, Vice-President; Mr Robert Gray, Secretary; Mr Thomas Chapman, Treasurer; Mr Thomas S. Hutcheson, Librarian; Messrs James Eamsay, John Knox, 9,nd James P. Eraser, Members of Council. October 29th, 1861. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. PAPER READ. Notes on the Common Starling (Sturnus Vulgaris). By Mr EoBERr Gray, the Secretary. In this paper it was shown that, from being a comparatively rare bird in many parts of Scotland, the starling had, in the course of the last twenty years, been gradually increasing, until in some localities it was now found in great abundance. This was in some measure accounted for by the wide-spread protection now given to the bird, especially in the vicinity of large towns, where it had become a recognized favourite. As one result of this undue pro- tection, however, Mr Gray mentioned that starlings had become destructive to the skylark, and other birds building on the ground, the nests of wliich were rifled of their contents, even when the eggs were newly hatched, as had been repeatedly witnessed by trustworthy observers. The author of the paper likewise alluded to the myotherine habits of the starling. In frequent instances, especially in sultry weather, he had observed hundreds of these birds hawking for flies perseveringly for half an hour at a time without alighting, and snapping at their prey in the air in the same way as swallows. 14 proceedings of the November 26th, 1861. Mr J. Gray, Vice-President, in the chair. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr David Robertson exhibited specimens of Anomia Ephippium, on which he remarked that many of the margins of the lower valves of this shell are turned up and lined by nacre, the same as the under surface; and that, frequently, this turned-up portion is laid closely down, as if done by pressure. But as this hole neces- sarily increases with the tooth that passes through it, Mr Robertson stated that he was not aware of any mention having been made of the process by which the widening of the hole takes place — whether by softening, absorbing, or by the friction of the increasing tooth; and he therefore appealed to the members in the hope of ehciting information on tins question. PAPER READ. Investigations into the Distribution of the Algce of the Firth of Clyde. By Dr John Grieve and Mr David Robertson, The result of an examination of the piers at Millport, Largs, Wemyss Bay, and Skehnorlie, appears in the following table : — At Millport there were found, . 19 genera and 26 species. At Largs, 16 genera and 23 species. At Skelmorlie, 12 genera and 18 species; And at Wemyss Bay, .... 10 genera and 14 species; thus showing a gradual decrease as the Fii-th becomes narrower. January 7th, 1862. Mr J. Gray, Vice-President, in the chair. William Parker, M.D., Ningpo, was elected a corresponding member, and John Stuart Gentle, M.D., a resident member of the society. specimens exhibited. Mr Thomas Chapman exhibited a small collection of North American Lepidoptera, cliiefly Bomhyces, which had been reared in tliis country, having been sent to Glasgow in the pupa state. PAPERS READ. I,— The Limitation of the Area of Organic Beings from Cold. By Dr Scouler. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 15 II. — Researches on the Ayrshire Coast — Irvine, Ayr, and Girvan. By Mr David Robertson. Tliis paper was illustrated by a series of beautifully-prepared specimens of algse, and other marine objects described in it. January 28th, 1862. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D,, F.L.S., President, in the chair. A communication from Mr Keddie, Secretary to the Philosophi- cal Society of Glasgow, was read, submitting a proposal that a joint address of condolence to the Queen on the death of the Prince Consort, be presented by the various scientific societies of the city, and requesting the co-operation of the Natural History Society, by sending delegates to the general meeting of representatives, for the purpose of appointing a committee for the preparation of the address. It was therefore agreed to adopt the recommendation of the council — that Dr Scouler, Mr Robert Gray, and Mr Thomas Chapman, should attend the said meeting, and a notification be sent to Mr Keddie accordingly. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr James Hamilton exhil^ited two specimens, male and female, . of Stellers' western duck (Somatcria Sfellerii), a rare and interesting species obtained from North America. A specimen of this bird, killed in Denmark, was, at the time Mr Selby wrote his History of British Birds, considered the only one on record ; and although it has since been occasionally found in Northern Europe and on the northern coast of America, collectors have still the greatest difficulty in furnishing their cabinets with a specimen. Mr Hamilton also exhibited the eggs of the following birds : — Egyptian vulture, honey buzzard, rough-legged buzzard, wood- cock, Caspian tern, Sandwich tern, and fulmar petrel. PAPERS READ. I. — O71 the Limitation of the Area of Organic Beings from Cold. By Mr Alexander Sutherland, being a reconsideration of Dr Scouler's paper on that subject. II. — On the Orthotricha of the Valley of the Girvan. By Mr John Shaw, of the Free Normal Seminary. 16 PROCEEDINGS OF THE The author described the above locality as a deep valley, well wooded, and of a south-west exposure — facts account- ing for the humidity of its atmosphere — the valley, on summer evenings, being steeped in the bosom of dense fogs, having an important effect on vegetation. Nowhere are there seen larger trees and more luxuriant woods. Lichens, in endless profusion, cover wall, shrub, and tree, and fungi abound in every brake. The mosses are magnificent in size and strength ; and the orchids, and other plants which delight in a moist soil, are everj^iere in abundance. Of 28 British species, 19 are to be found in the parish of Dailly alone : of these, one is new — Orthotrichum Shaioii — and two are new to Britain — 0. Slurmii and 0. jMiens — these having been confirmed by Professor Schimper, Mr Wilson, and Dr Wood, well-known authorities on the subject. In speaking, therefore, of this region of moss-covered trees, it may well be called the metropolis of the Orthotricha. After taking a general survey of the various species, from which it appeared that some of those accounted the rarest are found at Dailly in considerable abundance, Mr Shaw concluded by observing that great difficulties beset the student of this intricate genus, and that it is only after long experience many of the so-called species can be satisfactorily determined. February 25th, 1862. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected resident members: — William Leishman, M.D., A. K. Irvine, M.D., and Mr Alexander M'Donald. specimens exhibited. Dr Alexander Lindsay exhibited a small but carefully-prepared collection of serpents, and a species of mantis, from Trinidad ; also, an unusually large specimen of Arcturvs lonrjicornis, procured from deep water off" Cumbrae, by Mr David Kobertson, and measuring in length two inches and a-half, the ordinary dimensions being rather less than an inch. Mr James Hamilton exhibited fine examples of the following rare European birds, specimens of which have already been recorded as having been found in the British islands : — Surf scoter (Aidemiajoerspicillata), spotted sandpiper {Totanus macularia), belted kingfisher (Alcedo alcyon), and the three-toed woodpecker {Picas NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 17 tridadylus). He likewise laid ou the table the eggs of the purple sandpiper, avocet, turnstone, black tern, BaLllon's crake, and little owl. PAPER READ. On the Distribution of the Vascular Plants of Britain, more particularly those of the East and West of Scotland. By Mr James Rajvisay. I fear the following remarks, which are more suggestive than instructive, will prove anything but interesting, as I have confined myself almost entirely to an enumeration of facts, for the simple reason, that I find myself wholly unable to account satisfactorily for the distribution of the majority of the species I have mentioned. The physical laws that regulate the distribution of plants over such a limited area as that of the British Islands, are in many instances easily understood, but they are as frequently involved in great obscurity. Observation has taught us that plants will increase only when growing under conditions that are favourable to them; and when these conditions are local in their character, they account in a satisfactory manner for the extremely limited distribution of some species. The character of the vegetation on the lofty range of the Grampians, compared with that of the fertile valleys of the lowlands, is not greater than we might reasonably expect, and the mind is satisfied that elevation and other concomitant circumstances sufiiciently account for all the diff'erences existing in the natural productions of localities marked with such strong features of contrast. The variety of climate, resulting from the few degrees of latitude that intervene between the northern and southern extremities of our island, also afford a satisfactory solution of the problem why certain species are found in the north and not in the south, and vice versa. But besides these there are a good many species confined to one or a few localities at most, the unequal distribution of which cannot always be satisfactorily accounted for, either by difference of soil, climate, elevation, or exposure. The number of species that abound in East Lothian, for instance, and rarely, if at all, to be met with in Ayrshire, is very great, if we consider how closely the one locality resembles the other in most of the conditions that Ave would suppose necessary to the production of a similarity of vegetation. Climate appears to be the most powerful, if not the only influence, in determining the habitat of such plants as SlUhorpla Euroepea, C 18 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Arbutus Unedo, Erica ciliaris, TricJwmanes radicans, Gymnngramma leptophjlla, etc. These are found with us only in the soutli and south-west of England and Ireland, and as they are all natives of the warmer parts of continental Europe, they may be regarded as having reached their utmost northern limit in the southern parts of Britain. On the other hand, Linncea borealis, and the beautiful little Primula Scotica, both denizens of a colder climate, appear to have reached their southern limit in the northern half of Scotland. There are others, such as the orchids of the chalk counties, the distribution of which appears to be regulated wholly by the nature of the soil. Diijitalis purpurea furnishes us with a more common illustration of the influence of soil in determining the habitat of a species. It abounds on all the trap-hills of Scotland, but entirely disappears wherever the substratum is composed of limestone. Proximity to the sea appears to be a powerful element in regulating the distribution of a large number of plants. Glaux maritima, Salsola Kali, Brassica monensis, Cahjstcgia Soldanella, Eryngium maritimum, and many more, may be looked for in vain anyTvhere else than in the immediate neii^hbourhood of the sea. Armeria maritima, Cochlearia officinalis, etc., likewise grow abundantly on our shores, but they entirely disappear a few yards beyond high water mark, and, strange to say, make their appearance again on the tops of our liighest mountains — ^as Benlawers, for instance, a locality as far removed from the sea as any within the bounds of Scotland. Is it not possible they may be more under the saline influence of the ocean, on the mountain tops, than they would be anywhere else, except on the shore? The mountains, too, have their OAvn peculiar flora. Saxifraga cernua, nivalis, stellaris, opposiiifolia, Veronica saxatilis, Alchemilla alpina, etc., etc., never descend from their elevated position of their accord ; yet they all bear transplanting well, and will flourish in any garden without the least care being bestowed on them. The distribution of all tliese — and many more might be added — is pretty satisfactorily accounted for, either by soil, climate, exposure, or elevation, with the exception of the few anomalous sea-side species that are likewise to be met with on the mountain tops. There are others, however, the distribution of which can be satisf;xctorily explained neither on the principle of latitude, temperature, chmate, or soil, but which appear to depend on some other law or laws not easily to be perceived or understood. Scandix Pecten- NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 19 veneris and Hordcum murinum are both common plants in England; the former an annual weed in every corn-field, the latter a wayside grass. How does it happen that both of these plants penetrate into Scotland on the east coast and not on the west 1 Latitude would appear to have nothing to do with it, for the small difference that is between the latitude of Ayrshire and East Lothian is in favour of the former, and the climate of the west coast is milder than that of the east, the cold east winds being neither so frequent nor so severe. All these taken together, should, one would think, be in favour of such plants penetrating farther north on the west than on the east side of our island; but the very reverse is the truth. Can it be possible that these plants, having nearly reached their utmost northern limit, are arrested in their farther progress by such apparently trifling impediments as the Solway on the one side and the Forth on the other 1 Hwdeum mnrinum is not found in Ayrshire, although it is common all along the south side of the Firth of Forth, and forms a large proportion of the vegetation on the Calton Hill at Edinburgh, which appears to be about its northern limit in the east. We are almost forced to believe that these two arms of the sea, penetrating into the very centre of the island — one on the east, and the other on the west — form a sufficient barrier to prevent their farther progress northward. Malva Sylvestris, Knautia arvensis, Silene inflata, etc., all al^ound in the Lothians, but occur only sporadically in the west, and other species of the genus Silene, as nutans, noctiflora, and conica, are, as regards Scotland, confined to East Lothian alone. Carduus tenuiflorus abounds along the Firth of Forth, but you will look for it in vain along the Firth of Clyde. As a set-oflF against this, we have Cotyledon Umbilicus plentiful on the shores of the Clyde, but whoUy unknown in the east. Why does this plant abound on Ailsa Craig, while it is not to be found on the Bassl Why does it frequent every crevice in the cliffs of Culzean, and yet refuses to grow on the cliffs of Tantallan'? These are questions much easier asked than answered. An eastern exposure will not account for it, because it is common enough on the east coast of Ireland. Again, in the east every wheat-field is gay with Papaver Elmas, a species all but unknown in the west, where its place is usurped by a nearly allied species, P. duhlum, which is as rare in the east as the other is in the west. I have been astonished, when in the Lothians, where so much care is bestowed in keeping the fields clear of 20 PROCEEDINGS OF THE useless and noxious weeds, to find almost every oat-field sprinkled round tlie border with Avena fatua, a plant that I have never seen in the west, except in a poor, ill-cultivated patch of oats in Arran. The eastern counties rejoice in the presence of Centcmrea Cyanus, which, in the west, never gladdens the eye with its bright blue blossoms, unless from the flower-plot of the cottage garden. To balance this we have in the west Chrysanthemum segetum, a plant that I never observed in the east but once, and that was as an orna- ment in a garden at North Berwick. The Lothian farmers say that Chrysanthemum segetum abounded in their fields at one time, and they boast that they extirpated it by high farming; but how does it happen that they have been so successful with this pest, while the Papaver and Centatirea still defy them? Fapaver, Chrysanthemum, and Centaurea, are essentially corn-field genera; and when we consider the frequent transportation of seed corn from one side of the island to the other, Ave are astonished that the plants of the one district make their appearance so seldom in the other. In reality they do appear here and there every season, but they fail in effecting, a permanent settlement, a sure proof that there are causes at work which we, as yet, have been unable to detect, and telling us plainly that we have much to learn before we can understand those physical laws that regulate the distribution of species over siich a limited area of the earth's surface as that comprehended within our own little island. March 25th, 1862. Mr John Gray, Vice-President, in the chair. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. The Secretary exhil)ited a specimen of Megalophus regius (the Royal Great Crest of Swainson), an inhabitant of Guiana and north of Brazil, accompanied by a beautifully executed drawing of the bird, in an attitude of life, by Mr Wm. Sinclair. This specimen, it was observed, was possessed of an unusually fine crest, besides being in other respects a desirable example of a rare species, respecting the habits of which nothing appears to be known. There were also exhibited two other birds, natives of Brazil, not of common occurrence, namely, Aglaia striata (figured in the " Zoology of the Beagle " as Tanagra Darwinii), and NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 21 Phibalura flavirostris, a very curious species allied to the swallows, cotingas, and tyrant fly-catchers. Dr Alexander Lindsay exhibited some specimens of gold from the gold-fields of Otago, and a cranium of the four-horned antelope {Tetracerus quadricoimis) from Guzerat. Some nardoo seeds, from the interior of Australia, were exhibited by Mr Gray, to whom they were forwarded by a correspondent as possessing an interest, on account of their having been almost the sole subsistence of Messrs Burke and Wills and their party during their perilous and unfortunate exploring expedition. Dr D. Dewar exhibited a large specimen of the marten cat (Martes foina) which had been killed near the banks of Loch Lomond. Mr Thomas Chapman laid on the table for the inspection of the members two boxes of lepidopterous insects, chiefly obtained by himself around the shores of Loch Lomond. The collection embraced specimens of the following moths, all regarded as scarce species in Scotland: — PentJiina prcelongana, P. ochromelana, CeropacJia or, Notodonta cameliim, N. dromedaria, N. dictcea, N. didceoides. PAPERS READ. I. — On the Marine Zoology and Botany of Loch Ryan, Bay of Lv^ce, and Portpatrick, from, observations made during a recent excursion. By Dr John Grieve and Mr David Robertson. Having made an excursion for a few days to Loch Ryan, in the beginning of November, 1861, a short account of observations made on the shores of the loch, and on the oyster fishery, was suDmitted to the society, from which the following abstract has been made : — Loch Ryan, like many of our Scottish valleys, belongs to the N.W. — S.E. system, and lies nearly due north and south. Its length is between eight and nine miles, and its breadth varies from two to five. At the mouth it is three miles across, with a depth of from 4 to 5 fathoms of water; the general depth over the oyster ground is 8 fathoms. Steep precipitous cliff's guard the entrance — those on the northern shore extending round to Ballantrae. In the high rocky jiromon- tory on the south are a number of caves, tenanted by the rock- dove, and in which the Asplenium marinum grows to a large size. At the base of these cliff's the shores are rocky, with numerous 22 PROCEEDINGS OF THE boulders lying around, piled here, and scattered there, where left by the last storm which rolled them. For seven or eight miles up the loch the shore on either side is flat, and sandy, or gravelly, with numerous winding bays. On the west shore, at Kii'kcolm, there is a long, narrow, shelving bank of sand, called the Scaur, running obliquely into the loch about a mile, and not entirely covered by the sea at spring-tides. Between the point of the Scaur and the opposite shore is the narrowest part. Looking down from Stranraer at the head, Ailsa Craig in the distance appears almost to block up the precipitous portals and shut in the loch. One day was devoted to the eastern shore, and two to the western — at least, so long as the short hours of November afforded light, while the tide was by no means favourable, it being low water from 4-30 to 7-30 — too early in the morning, and too late in the afternoon to permit of objects being distinctly visible; conse- quently, there was no opportunity of examining the shores beyond half tide, and our collections cliiefly consisted of sj)ecimens floated in or washed ashore. I. — Marine Alg^. The effect which a slight change of locality produces on their distribution was brought very prominently into notice on our first walk along the shore. Laurencia obtiisa, a plant liitherto unknown to us in the upper waters of the Firth of Clyde, was found in very great abundance floating in or washed upon the beach ; hardly a piece of Fucus serratus was seen without more or less of this species growing upon it. When fresh, it is of a dark purple colour, which is apj^arently very soon lost on exposure to the light, assuming a pretty orange tint, which gradually fades into yellow and white as the bleaching process goes on. All the specimens we observed on the shore had been washed in ; for, though very abundant on Fucus serratus, it was more rarely observed on F. vesiculosus — a plant growing at a higher level, and, at the same time, less common in the loch than F. serratus. It was also seen attached to stones, and most abundant on the oyster bed; hardly a shell came up without being orna- mented with tufts of it. It was not so common at Kirkcolm, near the mouth of the loch, nor on the eastern shore — but this may have arisen solely from the strong north-easterly wind drifting all the NATUR^VL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 23 plants across to pile them up on the western sliore. It is probable that this Laureucia is pre-eminently a Loch Eyan plant, growing in great abundance in the upper part; and though generally dis- tributed on other shores, appears to be very rare on the Clyde. On the small boulders, at half-tide level, Porphyra vulgaris and P. laciniata were very abundant, with tufts of EnteromorpTm ramulosa, Lynghya majiiscula, and Edocarpus silkulosus. Among the red plants floated in were Ceramium ruhrum, CalUthamnion corymbosum, Ddesseria alata, and Polysiphonia violacea. On some stones and oyster shells Gracillaria confervokks, and Chorda filim were growing. Great quantities of Furcellaria fasiigiata were strewn on the beach, and presenting so many different forms, both in the young and full grown state, that we examined it carefully, in the hope of finding Polyides rotundus, but without success. These plants were frequently infested with Sphacelaria nodosa; those of the same size exhibited considerable difference in the thickness of the stem and branches — the stout stems of some contrasting remarkably with the slender forms of others. Along with these, the gale had washed ashore masses of Chorda fihm, Fuci, and Zostera. The latter formed extensive meadows at the head of the loch, affording a rich harvest to the farmers, who were busily removing it from the beach. The Scaur, which runs for a mile into the loch at Kirkcolm, forms an extensive bay on its southern shore, and here the Zostera was also piled up, while on the northern, or seaward side, the ordi- nary Fuel, and other algse were washed ashore, so that either side of this spit presented quite a different aspect. In one spot, a great quantity of the little bladders of F. vesiculosus lay in a heap, just as if they had been hand-picked. F. nodosus not being very common, Polysiphonia fasiigiata was equally rare. The absence of the common Laminaria saccharina was also strik- ing — so far as we remember, not one plant having been observed. Gigartina mammillosa, Desmarestia aculeata, and Chondrus crispus — the latter large, and finely divided — were not uncommon. On the pier at Stranraer, an old friend, previously found on the piles of several of the Clyde piers, Edocarpus crinitus occurred ; it was also got on the pier at Stairhaven, in the Bay of Luce. At the head of the loch great masses of Phyllophom nihens were washed ashore, and it was afterwards found growing abundantly on the oyster shells. 24 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Rhodymenia bifida, in small quantity, Rhodomela lycopodioides, Pohjslphnn'm elongata, in very robust condition, and Hahjdris siUquosa, were also floated in. Fucus ceraiioidcs was gi"owing where a small burn entered at the head of the loch. The shore at this end was abundantly covered with Enteromorpha compressa, with tufts of E. ramulosa, E. intestinalis, Ulva latissima, and U. Linza. Another rare plant, growing on an oyster shell, and also floated in, was Spyridia filamentosa. Professor Harvey says of this plant, that it is " interesting in a geographical view, being a native of warm latitudes, and reaching to its northern limit in this country. Until very recently, when Mr Kalfs discovered it on the Welsh coast, it had only been found in Britain, on the extreme southern shores." Its occurrence in Loch Ryan brings it still farther north. The uniform dejjth of the loch, its comparative shelter from storms, and other circumstances, may render it a suit- able haliitat for the growth of similar species of Algse. This slight examination of the shores would go far to prove that the loch would be well worthy of more exact and careful research at low water, and at more favourable seasons of the year. II. — Marine Mollusca. Loch Ryan is stated to be the only habitat in Scotland where Tapes aurea is found in any abundance. It is somewhat singular that all along the western shore of the loch this shell should be generally distributed — water-worn specimens lying scattered around in all directions; while on the eastern shore, on the other hand, it is comparatively rare, and Tapes decussata there takes its place. This may perhaps arise from the nature of the bottom on either side being more suitable for the one than the other. At all events, for one specimen of T. aurea, on the eastern shore, twenty of T. decussata may be picked up; while on the western, again, twenty of T. aurea may be collected for one of T. decussata. Psummobia mspertina is by no means uncommon. Pecten varius is very plenti- ful, and much diversified in colour; purple, orange, speckled, banded, and pure white specimens were observed. The living ex- amples of this mollusc which came up in the dredge were con- stantly attached to some substance by their byssus. In Cumbrae we have not found them to be so uniformly attached. Anomia ephippium, the lady-oyster of the dredgers, is brought up in quantities at every haul of the dredge, only to be thrown NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 25 overboard with other rubbish. They are not uncommon on the oyster shells. While generally moulded on the object to which they are attached, and similar in form, yet when adherent to small ■stones, or the edge of a stone, many have the upj)er valve most beautifully curved over at the edge, and often grooved and ribbed. The inner surface is brilliantly iridescent, as is conspicuously dis- played in the numerous valves strewn on the beach. Many are also met with which appear to have become separated from the early object of their attachment, and, having been tossed about in many ups and downs, want the grace and elegance of those which have been well settled in life. In such, the perforation in the under valve is usually closed by a small scale of slate or stone. The following list of shells collected by us contains 45 species. »*«,^To these we are able to add 6 from a list kindly drawn out by the Rev. A. Urquhart, Portpatrick. We have marked all Ids species with an asterisk: — . . Very abundant, . . Common, . . . . Not uncommon, *Pholas Candida, . . *Mya truncata, . . — arenaria, . . Solen ensis. — siliqua. *Psammobia vespertina, *Tellina solidula, . . *Mactra subtruncata, — solida, . . *Tapes aurea, . . . * — decussata, . . * — puUastra, . . Artemis exoleta, . . — lincta. *Venus striatula, , . *Cardium edule, . . — echinatum, — Norvegicum, — pygmaeum, Pectunculus glycimeris, *Modiola Modiolus, *Mytilus eduHs, . Crenella marmorta, *Pecten maximus, West shore. East and West shores. East most abundant. Common, . . West shore. Not uncommon, „ Common, . Abundant at Kirkcolm. „ . . West, abundant. „ . . East, abundant. >> Kirkcolm. Not uncommon. Common, East, abundant. Kirkcolm. Dredged. Common. „ . Head of loch, abundant. Abundant in Ascidia mentula. Rare. D 26 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Common. Frequent on oyster beds. Abundant. Rare. Abundant. Finely coloured. Abundant on oyster beds, and small. Common. Common. *Pecten opercularis, * — varius, . . *Anomia epliippium, *Ostrea edulis, *Cliiton fascicularis, Patella vulgata, Trochus magus, * — cinerarius, * — umbilicatus, * — zizypliinus, — tumidus. *Littorina littoralis, . * — littorea, * — rudis, . . *Turritella communis, Natica nitida. ^Purpura lapillus. Nassa reticulata. *Buccinum undatum. *Fusus antiquus. * — Islandicus. The following are the six referred to : — *Diodonta fragilis, Eare. *Tapes virginea, Not uncommon. *Lucina borealis, Eare. *Acm3ea testudinalis, Common. *Cerithium reticulatum, .... Common. *Chiton marmoreus, Eare. In the Statistical Account of the parish of Kirkcolm, 24 of these species are named, along with the 5 following, not found by us : — Psammobea Ferroensis. Lutraria ellijitica. Littorina neritoides. Aporrhais pes-pelicani. Bulla lignaria. III. — The Oyster Fishery. The oyster (Ostrea edulis) is by no means uncommon on the shores of our Firth, and may be found almost everywhere attached to the rocks about the low-water mark of spring tides. Usually a NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 27 single one here and there, sometimes of a large size, is seen; but in several situations more favourable to their growth in early life — as in Loch Goil, Loch Long, the Kyles of Bute, and Bulloch bay in Cumbrae, — they are found in small quantities attached to the rocks by the under valve, sometimes by its entire surface, where they attain a great age, as may be supposed from the thickness of the shells. Wliile so far commonly distributed, the quantity is yet small, and the nature of the bottom, and, perhaps, of the currents, such as to prevent their increase to an extent that would repay the trouble of collecting them. Loch Ryan is the only loch in the West of Scotland where they are found in any abundance, and there oyster dredging is regularly prosecuted for the supply of the market. Whether they are found on the rocks at low water, we are not in a position to say; but on the dredging ground, which is formed chiefly of small stones and gravel, they almost always occur per- fectly free and isolated. Not unfrequently they are brought up adheri]ig to each other in groups of three or four on some old Buccimim or Fusus, but very rarely are they attached to gravel or stones. They present no marks or scars of any adhesion which might have taken place in early life, and from which they had somehow been subsequently separated. Whether the shifting character of the small stones and gravel prevents the young fry from settling down to adhere, the currents must be such as to prevent them all being swept out of the loch to sea. It does not seem likely that they could voluntarily detach themselves like other byssiferous mollusks. On the gravel of the spit running out to the perch off Inellan we have picked up a few also quite unattached. Oyster dredging is carried on from the first of September to the first of May. During the close time, spawning takes place, and the young fry are not disturbed. The chief beds begin about three or four miles down the loch, and extend across its entire area. At special times particular localities are prohibited, and each day the boats change their ground, so that the loch is equally dredged throughout. The oyster fleet consisted of 1 7 boats, each with four men, who were paid by the hundred of oysters. The number of boats varies with the supply dredged. They are also restricted to a size, and being large and heavy, require a main-sail and jib, so that a steady breeze is necessaiy for a successful fishing. 28 PROCEEDINGS OF THE The locli being well slieltered, tliey are able to work in almost any weather. In November they went out about 7 A.M. and returned at sunset. The dredge used is the old form, with the scraper on one side only, forming a tiiangle with the two side arms, which are con- nected by a ring for the rope. The under side of the bag is made of iron rings, all joined together, and attached to the scraper, and the upper side of corded network; its edge, however, is free, with corks placed at a small distance apart to keep the mouth of the bag open. The stern being clear, the boat is put before the wind, and the dredge thrown over. After a run for some distance, she is brought to, and it is hauled up. The side arms are used as a lever, and the scraper tilted upon the gunwale, when the contents are emptied into the stern. After one or two hauls, the oysters are picked out from the rubbish, and thrown into the centre of the boat and sorted — the practised eye of tlie dredger at once recognising all that will not pass through the guage. This is a two inch ring, and such as pass longways through it are returned to the water till they attain a more respectable size. All the crabs, anemias, shells, etc., go overboard with the stones and gravel, under the name of rubbish. On returning to Stranraer, the inspector takes a look that none are below the minimum size, and fines are inflicted if such is the case. The oysters are then counted into baskets, get one farewell dip in the loch, and are hauled up to the pier, where they are emptied into barrels (1000 per barrel), and transmitted by railway and steamboat to the market. The largest are obtained on the East, or Cairnryan side, but the most fertile ground is above the Scaur at Kirkcolm. Much larger oysters are obtained at Drummore, near the Mull of Galloway. The average breadth of a full-grown four-year-old oyster is four inches, and up to that age the animal growth is readily seen. The shell then begins to increase in thickness as well as size, and its age thereafter can only be approximated. The ruljbisli brought up by the dredge consisted chiefly of stones of small size, and very seldom of gravel, or sand, or mud; the bottom therefore seemed to be tolerably smooth and firm. The great mass of sea-weed was Latorencia ohtusa, variously attached to shells, stones, and other algte. Fucus serratus and NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 29 Chorda filvm were not unfrequent, wdth occasional tufts of Ceramium ruhruvi. In a bucket of the rubbish dredged on the west side of the loch we found few Eckmoderms, or Zoophytes, only two star-fishes (Uraster violacea and Grihella octdata), one heart urchin (AmpJddotus cordatus). The only Crustacea were the spider crabs, Imcchus Dorsettensis and Stenorhynchus jyJialangium, and numbers of Por- iunus armat'us and Pagurus Barnlmnlus. In a bucket off the Cairnryan side we found Echinus sphcera and Solaster papjwsa; and in addition to the crabs mentioned we obtained some large Hyas araneus. The zoophytes were Flustra foliacea, F. truncata, Seriularia abieiina, Gemellaria loriculata, and Antenmdaria ramosa, of a reddish colour, with the horny egg-case of the spotted dog-fish (Scyllium canicula) attached to it. The only fish that had come up in the dredge was the armed bull-head or sea-poacher (Asjndoj^horus Europams). On the eastern shore we observed several large fishing-frogs {Lophius piscatorms) over four feet in length. The Anomias, as already stated, were very abundant, Pecten varius of many colours, and Trochus cinerarius also ; Cardium pygmceum and Turritella communis. Ascidia menhila was very abundant, and the tunic studded with Crenella marmorata. Another species, probably Molgnla tuhdosa, free and unattached, with the tunic covered with small pieces of shell and sand, also occurred. Such was the result of one or two examinations of dredgers' rubbish. With more time at our dis- posal, and more favourable weather, a larger list would easily have been made out. No attempt has-been made to increase the number of oysters by artificial culture. With the fishery in the hands of a single pro- prietor. Loch Eyan is well adapted for carrying out such a scheme; and if attended with that measure of success one would naturally expect, the benefits resulting therefrom would certainly be very great. Oyster culture might not be so easily carried out in the upper waters of the Firth, where there are so many small feuars attaching a right to everything that comes out of the sea; still, in the less frequented lochs of the west coast, there are doubtless many places where the experiment could be favourably made, and the supply of this nutritious shell-fish maintained when other natural banks have been exhausted. It is to be hoped that the success of oyster culture in France and England will be such as to 30 PROCEEDINGS OF THE induce sliore proprietors to lay down oyster beds and nurseries, and that not many years will elapse before real natives, raised on our own shores, appear in the market. IV. — Bay of Luce. Taking the train to Glenluce, situated about a mile from the head of the bay on the eastern side, we spent a few hours on the sands walking to Stairhaven, about two miles down on that shore. The head of the bay embraces a sweei? of perhaps five miles, presenting an extensive tract of sandy dunes, which appeared to extend along the western side. The river Luce enters at the eastern angle. Eocky and j)recipitous cliffs, with intervening bays, form the boundary on that side. Crossmg the shingly margin at the base of the rocks, we got on to the sands, from which the tide had receded to about half-ebb. Wlien nearly opposite to the headland which opens out the curve in which Stairhaven is situated, we observed what seemed to be a low, flat reef of barnacle-covered rocks, enclosing numerous pools. At the base of this cliff, which rises nearly peri)endicidar, the upper margin of the barnacles was eight feet above the shore at the bottom, so that at high water the tide must cover this reef to a depth of eight or ten feet. This reef was raised from six inches to a foot. On getting out to it we were surprised to find no barnacles, but a honey-comb looking surface on the sand. On breaking off a piece, it consisted of a mass of sand -tubes filled with annelids, and the reef, in fact, was one great colony. — A mass of sand, closely agglutinated together, surrounding and enclosing the boulders, and firm to walk upon, except where rock-pools or sand-pools at the base of boulders had been nearly filled up, and a treacherous hollow left below into which one's foot went down. In these pools the sand tubes were curved upwards from the margin, so that the surface became broader, and would gradually fill up the pool, leaving a conical hollow lielow. Around the orifice of each tube there is a finer and wider margin with a curved outline, which gives the honey- comb appearance to the surface of the sand. Perhaps this cup-shaped margin serves to collect the loose grains of sand washed over them, and which the annelid, stretching itself out of the tube by means of its bristles, lays hold of, and builds into the new margin, and so increases the height of NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 31 the mass of sand. The margin is quite thin and easily broken, crushing under the foot. On such an exposed position one woukl suppose them to be often buried, from the shifting nature of all sandy bottoms, but there was no appearance of any recent calamity, the margins of the tubes being all quite perfect. This annelid is the Sabellaria alveolata. It is nearly allied to the Pedinaria JBelgica, commonly found on our sandy coasts, each individual of which lives in a single tube formed of grains of sand — a self-contained marine villa. Sabellaria, on the contrary, forms a colony of greater or less extent, each individual tube being joined to its neighbour, and so forming an extensive terrace, with fine crescents of self-contained houses. Each annelid has a double plume of golden-coloured bristles, and when, again covered by the advancing tide, each looks out at its own door, the reef must present a scene of great beauty, from the metallic brilliancy of their coronets. This reef, in extent about 50x20 feet, interested us exceedingly. The Sabellaria we had not previously seen, and so vast a multitude our reading had not led us to exj^ect. But on rounding the head- land, and finding that for half-a-mile the whole shore was tenanted by them, and the loose boulders, which became more numerous as we receded from the precipitous point towards the pier at Stair- haven, were all filled up by the sand driven among them, and, though worn into numerous pools, completely cemented and bound together by these annelids, our admiration was still more excited. It was a sand reef, formed by annelids, analogous, so far, to a coral reef formed by zoophytes, yet, of course, differing as to formation, the coral, or carbonate of lime, being secreted by the zoophyte, while the free shifting sand is only agglutinated by the sabellaria. When the animals are dead, and the sand becomes dry, we have found it very friable. Allotting four individuals to every square inch, some idea may be formed of the immense multitude in the half-mile over which we walked. Tlie following list of mollusca, found in the Bay of Luce, was furnished by the Eev. A. Urquhart, Portpatrick. A f is affixed to those obtained by us : — Mya truncata, Not uncommon. t — arenaria, „ Ceratisoleu legumen, .... Rare. fSolen siliqua, Common. t — ensis, „ ■ 32 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Donax trunculus, . . . Very abundant. Diodonta fragilis, . j> Tellina fabula, . . . . Not uncommon. — solidula, ;> fMactra solida, . . . Common. — truncata, . 33 t — sub-truncata, 33 + — stultorum, 33 fTapes pullastra, 33 + — decussata, . . 33 fArtemis exoleta, . 33 Venus striatula, . . . Not uncommon. — fasciata, . . 33 CyiJrina Islandica, . 33 Ampliidesma compressum, 33 fCardium echinatum, . Common. t — edule, . . 33 — Norvegicum, . Eare. Modiola Modiolus, . Common. fMytilus edulis. 33 Ostrea edulis, . . 33 Bulla liguaria, . . . Not uncommon. — aperta, . . . Common. tLittorina littorea, . 33 f — littoralis, 33 + — rudis, , . 33 fTurritella communis, 33 Scalaria, sp. , . . . Eare. Natica monilifera, . . Common. Trochus magus, . . , ZIommon at Mull of Calloway Troclius umbilicatus, . Common. — cinerarius, 33 — umbilicatus, 33 — zizypliiuus, 33 Nassa reticulata, . . 33 tPurpura lapHlus, . 33 tBuccinum undatum, 33 tFusus antiquus, . , 33 Aporrhais pes-pelicani, . Eare. Pileopsis Hungaricus, 33 NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 33 To this list we add Pectunculus glycimeris, and Pecten varius. Purpura lapillus was dee^jly striated, and beautifully marked — the striae banded black and white, or brown and white, alternately. V. — PORTPATRICK. Driving over to Portpatrick from the placid waters of Loch Ryan, a great change has taken place ; a bold, storm-beaten coast appears; steep cliffs, some rising perpendicularly to a height of 130 feet, deeply cut into narrow ravines and gullies, up which the waves rush in great fury, and rebounding at the top, are dashed into clouds of spray. Nestling at the base of these cliffs, where they recede a little back from the sea, lies the town, built to all appearance in an old quarry, a resemblance which the stones hewn out of the rocks, and the excavations made for the harbour works going on, do not lessen. A little to the south stands Dunskey Castle on a precipitous cliff 100 feet above the sea, and accessible only by proceeding along the cliffs. Cautiously descending a steep grassy slope, a shingly bay at its base on examination yielded twenty-two species of algae. Then going along the cliffs to the north of the town we descended to a fine sandy bay — Port Murray — at the head of which stands an iron-pillar — the exit of the Irish submarine cable, — and crossing a narrow cliff to the north of this we came to another bay — Port Kale— composed of shingle and fine gravel. On such an exposed coast, where boulders and gravel are con- stantly rolling, shells, algse, and other organisms, are speedily pounded into a fragmentary condition. Among the algae washed ashore and scattered on the beach in these bays, we collected thirty-seven species, all common on rocky coasts. Some of the stems of Laminaria digitata were six feet in length, and one and a-half inches in diameter, and very few of them had the fronds attached. The following zoophytes were obtained :- Sertularia abietina. — argentea. Plumularia falcata. — cristata. Flustra foliacea. Antennularia antennina. E Crisia eburnea. Cellepora pumicosa. Eudendriun ramosum. Tabularia indivisa. Laomedea geniculata. Membranipora pilosa. 34 PROCEEDINGS OF THE The Rev. A. Urquhart adds the following: — Haleciuni halecinuin. Cellepora cervicornis. Membranipora membranacea. Flustra chartacea. — truncata. — avicularis. . . . Very abundant on the iron plates of the " Orion." — hispida (Fleming). Of shells we obtained very few, but have much pleasure in inserting the folloAving list found by the Eev. A. Urquhart, Free Church, Portpatrick, to whose kindness we are much in- debted : — Teredo navalis, . . . In harbour worl :s. Pholas crispata, . . Very abundant in the clay, . Harbour. — Candida, . . >) >} — dactylus, . . Eare — only one found. Pholadidea papyracea, 5> Saxicava rugosa, . . Not uncommon. Tellina fabula, . . Eare. Venerupis irus, . . . Eare. . . . . From deep water. Venus casina, . . . Not uncommon. » — fasciata, . . 5) 5> Astarte sulcata, . . Eare. . . . 5» Cyprina Islandica, „ ... » Kellia rubra, . . . Common. Tapes pullastra. » In harbour. Pectunculus glycimeris , Eare. . . . . Deep water. Modiola modiolus, ,, ... » Mytilus edulis, . . . Not uncommon. Lima, sp. Pecten pusio, . . Eare, ... . Deep water. Anomia ephippium, . Common. Ostrea edulis, . . Eare, . . . . Deep water. Diodonta fragilis, . ,, ... )> Chiton ruber, . . ,, ... . In harbour. — marmoreus. „ .In harbour and bays to north Patella vulgata. Common. — pellucida, . j> NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 35 Once in Labrax Bay, 3| m. to N. Common. Rare, Common. In deep water. In deep water. In deep water. AcmEea testudinalis, . Rare, .... In harbour. — virginea, Pileopsis Hungaricus, Emarginula reticulata, lantliina communis, Trochus cinerarius, — magus, — umbilicatus, — zizyphinus, Littorina littorea, — littoralis, — rudis, Lacuna vincta, Rissoa parva, . . Aporrhais pes-pelicani Natica monilifera, . Cyprsea Europoea, . Purpura lapillus, . Nassa reticulata, — incrassata, . Buccinum undatum, Fusus antiquus, — Islandicus, . Murex erinaceus, . Ceritliium reticulatum, Rare List of Land Shells Zonites cellarius, Common. Helix sericea, — caperata — aspersa, „ — arbustorum, „ — nemoralis, Bulimus acutus, Zualubrica, Rare. Vitrina pellucida. Pupa muscorum, Common. Clausilia nigricans, Limnaeus palustris, — truncatulus. — pereger, Common. Not uncommon. Common. Not uncommon Common. Rare, Common, /. ^/ 36 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Physa fontinalis, Not uncommon. Ancylus fluviatilis, Common. Cyclas cornea, „ II. — On the Distribution of Mosses in the Valley of the Girvan, with notes on interesting and rare species. By Mr John Shaw. Mr Shaw, in the course of his remarks, showed that this district, which was so famous for the special genus Orthotrichum, was very rich as a general moss region. There were 44 genera and 170 species represented. Of these there were new to Scotland — Tortula recurvifolia, JBryum ohconicum, Bryimi murale (Wilson MSS.), Leskea pulvinata, Hypnum irrigmim, Tm4ula papil- losa, Toiitda Hornschuchiaiia, and the male plant of the not very uncommon Ryjmum undulatum, was got there for the first time in Britain. These additions he stated on the authority of Wilson, the author of the " Bryologia Britannica." He said, in examining a district it was necessary to know first its physical geography. In connection with this general statement it was indicated what might be expected from such a district as Dailly parish, with its streams, extensive woods, and glens, vieing with any in picturesque beauty in Scotland, and appearing to be rich in all forms of vege- tation, but more especially in mosses, on account of the shade and moisture they enjoy. April 29th, 1862. Mr John Gray, Vice-Pi'esident, in the chair. James Dunlop, M.D., was elected a resident member. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr David Robertson exhibited the following specimens, with remarks upon their habits and occurrence : — Luidia fragilissima. — From recent observations I am inclined to think that this starfish is not alike fragile at all seasons of the year. We all remember Professor Forbes' very graphic description of Luidia' s disintegrations. In the summer months I rarely bring one to the surface in the dredge entire. They have generally begun, or are beginning to break up, and all attempts to frustrate their suicidal purpose are of no avail. Occasionally in these montlis they may be found near NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 37 to the shore in shallow water, in which case I have never found any difficulty in drying them. Those found in this way are always thin, being probably in a sickly state. This spring I have three in good full condition. The first I brought up in the dredge with a number of large urchins {Echinus sjjhcera), with strong sharp spines, no doubt causing considerable irritation to Luidia. It was placed in a little water in the bottom of tlie boat, and lay there fully two hours, then carried home exposed to the air, and finally paid the last debt of nature, and still remained whole. Another was brought me by a fisherman in a basket, having been several hours out of the water, with the same result. A tliird was brought in the same way, but it began to break up when being taken from the fisherman's basket. I learned that this one had been nearly seven hours out of the water, from which we may reasonably infer, that had I got it a little sooner, or had a little more tenderness been used by the fisherman, who handled it very roughly, it might also have been preserved whole, — shoAving that in some conditions or seasons they are not pre-eminently brittle. These were all above a foot across, and of the seven-rayed variety. Crihella rosea. — The rays of this beautiful star-fish, in common with Uraster glacialis, have a tendency to break close off" by the disk — a fact I have not seen noticed. Solaster endeca. — A specimen with six rays — the usual number being from nine to eleven. Gohius bqmndatus and Crenilahrus nvpestris. — These are additions to our list of the fishes of the Clyde. Pagurus Thomjjsoni. — Bell gives, as the habitat of this hermit crab, the entrance of Belfast bay at fifty fathoms, where it was dredged by Mr Hyndman. I have got two this season on a scallop bank off" the Bute shore, opposite the south-west end of Cumbrae, and believe that they may be found common along the whole bank. Inuchus lejHochmis. — This crab is also found moderately common on the Bute side on scallop banks, but is, I believe, rare on the Cumbrae side on similar banks, thus confirming the importance of investigating the wJwle shores of the Frith of Clyde in getting our lists of marine plants and animals completed. Edwardsia car-ma. — This small anemone, which is new to Scot- land, I have taken at Cumbrae. 38 PROCEEDINGS OF THE PAPERS READ. I. — On the Animals and Plants familiar to the Ancient GhxeJcs and Romans, re^oresented on their Coins as Types and Mint-marks. By Mr John Gray, Vice-President. This paper was illustrated by a series of examples, ciidc and regal, of these ancient coins; and the remarks upon them were confined to the proof they afforded of the attention which the ancients directed to the natural objects which sur- rounded them. The coins of Velia, Thurium, and Agrigentum, were specially noted as evidencing the correct and spirited way in which the artists engraved the subjects represented; the whole subject tending to show that natural history was cultivated then, and that perhaps in a more general way than now, as at least a study of observation ; and that the genius of a Landseer, a SAvainson, or a Wolf, was not reserved for modem days alone. II. — On some of the rare Mosses recently detected in the West of Scotland. By Mr Alexander M'Kinlay. He commenced by stating generally that few branches of crypto- gamic botany had made such strides recently as bryology. This was due not only to the greater zeal of its votaries, but also to the introduction of a more enlightened system of classification. In Scotland, however, which was wont to take the lead in tliis de- partment, there has been very little done for many years. The present position of British bryology is almost entirely owing to the exertions of Englishmen. With the exception of districts sur- rounding large towns, the Breadalbane mountains, Airth rendered famous by Mr Lyle, and Dailly by Mr Shaw, there is no district in Scotland satisfactorily explored. The west of Scotland has fared worse than the east; indeed, bryology at its present stage seems altogether to be ignored by our botanists. Mr M'Kinlay, to cite an example of this, referred to a recent list of the jjlants of the Cumbraes, where the mosses represented are, with the excep- tion of perhaps three, such as may be found in any maritime dis- trict. He stated that there were at least 30 found in these islands not named in the catalogue. Having introduced his subject by these remarks, he went on to name and describe some of the rarest species he had observed, — among others. Sphagnum Mougeotii, from Milngavie ; Nechera Philippeana, from Lanrick Castle in Perthshire, with numerous forms linking that species to Ncckera Pumilas. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 39 Dicranodontium lo7igirostre, known only formerly in British bryology to grow near the Lakes of Killarney, he had found in three differ- ent places. Among the interesting species alluded to besides the foregoing, there were an arboreal form of Dicrmmm polycarjmm, Brijum Duvalii, and a new variety of either Orthotrichum crispimi or Orthotrichum crisjmhtm, of such a nature as to lead to the union of these two species. May 24th, 1862. Mr John Gray, Vice-President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected members: — Messrs James Bain and A. C. Millar, resident; and Mr Alexander Fisher, Galashiels, corres- ponding. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr David Robertson exhibited a very remarkable specimen of Haliclwndria Ventilabrum, which he had procured from deep water off the Cumbrae Islands. It measured 12 inches across the mouth of the funnel. Another specimen of this fine sponge, perfect in condition and of unusual symmetry, was also laid on the table, both objects exciting a considerable share of attention. Mr James Thomson exhibited several interesting specimens of sandstone, burrowed into by annelides. These specimens were procured from the neighbourhood of Bathgate, to the north of Bathgate Hill, the sandstone occurring in thin layers, in the midst of bituminous shale of 20 feet in thickness, overtopping several bands of limestone. The specimens showed the overlying bituminous shale deposited in the burrows of the creatures. Mr John Gray, the vice-president, exhibited three species of cir- ripedia, two of them parasitic on the South Sea whale, namely — Coronula halcenaris, and Tubicinella halcenaris — the latter burrowing in the blubber; and Chelonobia testudinmia, parasitic on the back of turtles. PAPERS READ. I. — An Account of Ailsa Craig and its Birds, from personal observation. II. — Notes on the Grey Lag-Goose (Anser palustris), Fleming. By Mr Robert Gray, the Secretary. In concluding his notices of Ailsa Craig, a locality he had many times visited under the most favourable circumstances, Mr Gray gave an account of the mode of fowling practised there eight years ago. 40 PROCEEDINGS OF THE when Ailsa was leased by a tacksman, as observed by Mr William Sinclair, a member of the society, who had lived night and day upon the rock during a part of that season ; and enumerated, on the same authority, a list of the birds, visitors as well as those which breed, observed during his visit. Among the more im- portant of these were the golden eagle and white-tailed sea-eagle, both of which are now but rarely seen. Mr Gray also dwelt at some length on the dates for the arrival and disappearance of the various sea-fowl frequenting the rock during the time of incubation, and contrasted the habits of some of these with the same species found on the Bass Rock — a bird-hive with which he was equally familiar. Illustrative of his second paper, the secretary exhibited a well- preserved specimen of the grey lag-goose, and two of its eggs, which had been forwarded by a correspondent in the outer Hebrides, and expressed his belief that although recent writers on British ornithology stated the species to be rare, and that it no longer bred in any part of Britain, it still exists in considerable numbers in places suited to its habits. In former times, according to our older writers, it haunted the fens of Lincolnshire, and the moor- land bogs of our own country in prodigious flocks, but had gradu- ally retired, through the wide-spread improvements by drainage, etc., and fallen back upon countries yet undisturbed by these influ- ences. In the Hebrides, however, as now found out, there is a safe asylum for this interesting species, as well as for other aboriginal water fowl. Throvigh the courtesy of Mr Dugald M'Donald, of Nunton, he was enabled to state that on one of the Hebridean islands at least, it had the exclusive occupancy of the breeding places. He then read some interesting remarks on the habits of the bird, as observed by Mr M'Donald, to whom he (Mr Gray) acknowledged his obligations for assistance, by means of specimens and otherwise, in drawing up his account of the species. Dr Dewar then stated to the meeting that he could bear testi- mony to the fact of the grey lag-goose being still a native bird in Britain, having found both birds and eggs during an ornithological tour he made to the Hebrides in 1858; after which the chairman declared the session of the society to be closed. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 41 SESSIOIsT 1862-63. THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, ANDERSON'S UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS, SEPTEMBER 30th, 1862. John Scoiiler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the session: — John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President; Hugh Colquhoun, M.D., Vice-President; Robert Gray, Secretary; Thomas Chapman, Treasurer; Thomas S. Hutcheson, Librarian; Messrs James Thomson, David Robertson, and Donald Dewar, M.D., Members of Council. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr David Robertson drew the attention of the meeting to a series of star-fishes he had laid on the table, selected from various species, and presenting abnormal appearances in the number of rays, and their reproduction when lost by accident. One of the specimens of Uraster rubens showed a curious feature in having a newly developed limb bifurcated. Mr Robertson likewise contributed the following notes on two specimens exhibited: — Acantholeheris curvirostris (Miiller). — This crustacean was gath- ered in a small tarn on the larger Cumbrae, the bottom of which was covered with confervse and moss. It seems to be fond of the shelter of weeds, though it is often seen actively swimming with a jerking motion, occasionally mounting to the surface of the water, and then dropping slowly to the bottom, rarely making any motion when sinking, except when disturbed. I have also cap- tured it in Arran, above Whiting Bay. Asterina gibhosa (Pennant). — Found in a rock pool, adhering to the under side of stones, in the smaller Cumbrae, the only locality I am aware of in the Firth of Clyde. F 42 PROCEEDINGS OF THE The Secretary exhibited a fine specimen of the chough and its egg, Avhich had been forwarded by James Stein, Esq., of Port- Ellen, accompanied by some interesting notes on the habits of the species as observed at Islay, where it is still found in small flocks. In the course of his remarks, Mr Gray mentioned its gradual disappearance from localities in this country where it formerly existed in great numbers. The majestic cliffs of St Abb's Head, and the high precipices of some parts of the Isle of Man, are now untenanted by this beautiful bird; and the abrupt coast of the south of Ayrshire cannot now boast of the flocks it once gave shelter to. Its scarcity, indeed, there and elsewhere, cannot well be accounted for. The inroads of man, which banish many other British birds from their accustomed haunts, can have no share in its extirpation, for it dwells in places too solitary and inaccessible to be aff"ected by such influences. Mr Gray likewise exhibited a specimen of the red-necked phalarope (Phalarojms liyperhoreus) in the summer plumage, a bu'd which breeds commonly on shores within the Arctic Circle. It was at one time found on some of the Orkney Islands, nesting on the margins of fresh water lakes there in limited numbers. Of late years, however, it has become so scarce as to be difficult of acquisition — a result owing chiefly to the rapacity of dealers in natural history objects. This specimen was obtained from one of the outer Hebrides — a safe refuge, in the meantime, for refugees of a like rarity. It settles by the side of small inland lochs on the island referred to, and is known among the natives by the name Dearg-an-allt — the red bird haunting the stream. During the breeding time it swims lightly and gracefully on the smooth water, continually dipping its bill, and uttering a clicking note, %vithout betraying any fear on the approach of an intruder. It is, consequently, a well-known favourite among those whose occupa- tion leads them into its haunts, and at once arrests their admira- tion by the beauty of its movements when floating about and calling its diminutive young ones together, gathering them under its wings as a hen does with her chickens. Though but the size of a lark, it is easily observed on these moorland tarns, without a fringe of vegetation for concealment; and, as Mr Gray observed, it would be rash, indeed, to put any idle col- lector in the way of invading the solitude of the asylum it now inhabits. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 43 October 28th, 1862. Hugh Colquhoun, M.D., Vice-President, in the chair. Mr Henry Smith was elected a resident member. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr David Eobertson exhibited a new Entomostracan, and read the following note: — This little entomostracan, as far as at present known, is new to science. It was taken in the Paisley Canal, in September, and has been provisionally named by the Eev. Alfred Merle Norman, Lynceus pedenatus. Tliere is one particular connected with this little animal that may be worth noticing. In the gathering that they were found in there might be about a dozen. Suspecting that they were strangers, I went next day to the same place to procure more, but on examining over the gathering, I had not one. Day after day I searched diligently for them, but as yet without seeing another. Had I at first got but one, I would have had less hope in finding another, believing them to be rare and sohtary animals; but they must have been in abundance at the place and the time that I got them, which leads me to infer that their sudden dis- appearance is connected with their natural habits.* Mr Eobert Gray exhibited a very fine specimen of the golden ■ eagle, wliicli was recently shot in Glencoe; also a specimen of the ring-necked loon, or great northern diver {Colijmbus gladalis), in the brilliant summer plumage, from Benbecula. Examples in tliis state are rarely met with on our shores, as it is a species which is not known to breed in any part of Britain. Mr Gray thought it possible that in some of the Hebrides it might be found incubating, as many birds remained near these islands tiU the first week of June, a season when all other species had been some time at their breeding stations. It would appear, however, to be much later in retiring, as a body, than the usual summer migrants to colder latitudes, being found Hngering around the extremities of Scotland generally until the end of May. In the Firth of Forth it is usually seen in winter following the herrings, of which it destroys great quantities. In foUowuig such * This crustacean is now (1868) named Anchistropm emarginatus by Heir G. 0. Sars, who has found it in Norway, but as yet these are the only habitats known. 44 PROCEEDINGS OF THE shoals into the sea lochs of the West Coast, it swims vigorously after its prey, and is in many instances overtaken by night at a great distance from where it set out. At the close of these expeditions it generally rises on wing to return to the open sea. It may then be seen flj'ing at a great height in the air, with a direct, rapid flight, its comparatively small wings giving it a curious appearance when contrasted with the sea-gulls, which, although fast fliers, are soon overtaken and passed by the engine- like speed of the diver. When the birds return at the end of autumn, many of them are seen with the spotted plumage yet visible, but which falls off" like flakes of snow on the hand being passed along the back. Mr Gray concluded his remarks by observing that the great northern diver would appear to be invested with a greater interest than most sea birds. At certain seasons it may be seen in small companies of four or five, fishing by day, which are heard shouting to one another at nightfall with loud, hoarse cries. At other times a single bird will startle the ear with a strange, melancholy cry, as of a man in distress — " The wild scream of one whose life is perishing in the sea." It has also been likened to the howling of a wolf, when storms are approaching, portending disasters to seafaring men, among whom the bird is generally regarded Avith but little favour. Dr Dewar stated to the meeting that this species of Cohjmbus is known to frequent the shores of North and South Uist all the year in limited numbers, and that, having made inquiries on the spot, he had no reason to doubt the accuracy of their information, although all writers on British birds agree in saying that the ring-necked loon is strictly migratory. As the nest, however, had not yet been found, it would be unsafe to infer that these stragglers had remained to breed, as their movements may have been influenced by other causes. The Secretary likewise exhibited a specimen of Sirex Juvencus, from Aberdeenshu-e, an insect belonging to a genus especially destructive to plantations and forests, but happily of uncommon occurrence in our own country. Tliis specimen had been captured during the present month. PAPER READ. On Zoological Classificatmi. By Dr Alexander Lindsay. natural history society of glasgow. 45 November 22d, 1862. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. Mr William Mathieson was elected a resident member. PAPERS READ. I. — Dr Lindsay read a communication from the Rev. James Cope- land, Aneitum, New Hebrides, one of the society's corresponding members, descriptive of the natives of that group of islands. In this paper Mr Copeland announced the singular fact, that among the albiuoes which had occurred within his observation, there were several piebald varieties, having their bodies covered with large black and white spots. II. — On the occurrence of Edwardsia callimorpha. By Mr David Eobertson. Last spring I exhibited a specimen from Cumbrae of a small anemone — Edwardsia carnea — which is new, as far as known, to Scotland. This last summer, in company with Dr Grieve and Mr Keddie, we dredged between the Cumbraes and south end of Bute another member of this interesting family — Edwardsia caUimorpha — which I now exhibit. It is also new to Scotland, not having been known before further north than the south- western coast of England. III. — On the habits of some of the fishes of the Firth of Clyde, embracing facts in connection with those species frequenting shallow water. By Mr John Eaton Eeid. In speaking of the common dab (Platessa limanda), Mr Eeid mentioned having on one occasion, while becalmed in his yacht, observed a strange commotion in the water, and found it was caused by about a hundred of these " flounders" — many of them but the size of a man's hand — springing along the surface, and rushing confusedly from the spot where they first appeared. In a few seconds a large angler, or fishing-frog {Lophius piscatorius) rose also to the surface, from which circumstance it would appear that in capturing its prey it does not always resort to its well- known lure— stirring up the mud or sand at the bottom, and waving its dorsal fishing-rod, which has something like a bait at the end, till the inquirmg fishes assemble over the obscured angler, and are quietly swallowed — but occasionally leaves the bed of the 46 PROCEEDINGS OF THE sea, following a slioal of flounders, and obliging them even to spring out of their element in the heat of the chase. IV. — Notes on the Beimcle Goose (Anser Bernicla). By Mr Robert Gray, the Secretary. This species is much less frequent in occurrence than its ally the Brent goose {Anser Brenta); and in connection with the two species it is somewhat remarkable that on the East Coast the Bernicle should be rare, the other being common ; while on the west side of Scotland the Brent goose is very scarce and the Bernicle well known. This fact appears all the more curious when we know that the geograpliical range of both species extends to latitudes much further west. The Bernicle is observed regularly to frequent the Hebrides at the beginning of Avinter, remaining near the sea shore till the middle of April, when it migrates. It feeds upon grasses growing for the most part in saline marshes; the Brent goose living almost exclusively on Zostera marina, and algse of various kinds, from which its flesh derives a rank taste. The Bernicle has been found in Aberdeenshire, Sutherlandshire, and Forfarshire. It is also included in a catalogue of the " Birds of Haddingtonshire," by John Nelson, Esq., Broomhouse, Dunbar, two specimens having occurred within that gentleman's observa- tion of late years. In a curious work published about 300 years ago, tliis bird is noticed as frequenting the Firth of Clyde in large and noisy flocks, near Dumbarton Castle. The following quotation will be of in- terest to those who take pleasure in ancient chronicles : — " In the northern seas of Scotland are great clogges of timber found, in the which are marvelously ingendred a sort of geese called clayk-geese, and do hang by the beake til they be of perfec- tion; ofttimes found, and kept m admiration for their rare forme of generation. " At Dumbartan, directly \Tider the castle, at the mouth of the riuer of Clyde, as it enters into the sea, there are a number of claik-geese, blacke of colour, which in the night time do gather great quantitie of the crops of the grasse, growing upon the land, and carry the same to the sea. Then they assemble in a round, and with a wondrous curiositie, do offer euery one his owne portion to the sea-floud, and there attend vpon the flowing of the tide, till NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 47 the grasse be purified from the fresh taste and turned to the salt ; and lest any part thereof should escape, they labour to hold it in, with labour of their nebbes. Thereafter orderly euery fowle eats his portion, and this custome they obserue perpetually. They are verie fatte, and verie delicious to bee eaten," V. — O71 the Darwinian Hypothesis of the Transmutation of Species. By Dr Scouler. He remarked that the doctrine was by no means a new one, but had occupied the attention of naturalists from the earliest times. In this respect there was nothing new in the views of Mr Darwin, although at the same time there was much both new and valuable in his work, which would be a permanent acquisition to science. The doctrine, however, respecting the transmutation of species was that of Lamarck, with the weak points skilfully eliminated; and the hypothesis of a prototype animal had been long ago proposed by Robinet aud Dr Erasmus Darwin, author of the " Zoonomia." The basis of Mr Darwin's speculations was that animals pass, by insensible gradations, into each other, and consequently there is no such thing as a species. In opposition to this, it was shown that throughout nature there were abrupt transitions, and voids which cannot be filled up. It was also stated that, in opposition to Mr Darwin's views, there were arrangements and structures in the animal kingdom which had no relation to utility, nor were neces- sary to the existence of species, and consequently these were inexplicable on the principle of natural selection. January 6th, 1863. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair, SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Dr Dewar exhibited a fine specimen of the Capercailzie (Tetrao Urogallus), from Breadalbane forest, where it was shot last month ; also, a specimen of the Greenland falcon {Falco Gh'eenlandicus), from Islay. This handsome bird, which is the Falco Candicans of Schle- gel, is a species of very rare occurrence in the British islands, and sufiiciently attractive to excite more than a passing notice. At various times white falcons are recorded as having; been shot, and these chiefly in the north of Scotland, under the name of 48 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Gyr Falcon. Such birds are for the most part referrible to the species now under consideration, the Greenland falcon being the only one which is white from the nest. Immature specimens are difficult to distinguish, the young of the Iceland, Norwegian, and Greenland falcons being closely alike in plumage and general markings. The adult birds, however, are easily recognised — Gh-eenlandicus having white feathers with dark spots, while the general plumage of the Iceland bird, a specimen of which Dr Dewar had on the table, is dark, each feather ha\ang a white mark. Mr J. Barclay Murdoch exliibited a storm-petrel (Thalassidroma pelagka), from Ailsa Craig, a sjiecies which, during the recent gales, was observed as far up the Firth of Clyde as Port-Glasgow. It was also noticed off Cumbrae. It was remarked by Mr Gray that in recording the occurrence of these birds, it was of great importance to ascertain the exact species — the name storm-petrel being a convenient term for at least four different species found on the British coasts. Petrels are of nocturnal habits, unless in rough weather, when they occasionally venture from their retreats ; con- sequently it is difficult, under any circumstances, to observ'e species when on the wing. The secretary also stated that he had known the storm-petrel as a native of Ailsa Craig for many years ; but from its habit of incubating under the large and immovable blocks of stone which he scattered round the base of the Craig, the eggs have been taken in only a few instances. Three years ago he had seen several petrels issuing from their retreats under these large boulders in a dull day at the beginning of June. The morning was temptingly fine, but on the party nearing the rock, it became evident that a storm Avas at hand. At the moment, however, of observing the birds leaving their burrows, there was but a slight breeze stii'ring the sea, although to the south there were unmis- takeable signs of a coming storm. The sky darkened, and sea and cloud were observed to mingle in the distance. Half-an-hour after- wards, while the party were engaged in gathering eggs, the tempest broke out, and they hurriedly set sail for Girvan about mid-day. When about half way across, four or five petrels were observed following the boat, approaching so near as to be at once recognised as the bird now exhibited. Mr Alexander M'Niven of Shemore, one of the society's corres- ponding members, exhibited two specimens of the Powan {Cwegonus Lacepedei), from Loch Lomond. Sixty years ago this fish was first NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 49 discovered by Mons. Noel, and described as a distinct species by Lacepede in his " History of Fishes," under the name of Coregone Cliipeoide. Dr Parnell has subsequently given a full account of it in the "Annals of Natural History," Vol. I., an account which has since been transcribed into the works of Mr Yarrell, Dr Hamilton, and others. The powan is very common in Loch Lomond, and excites atten- tion by its habit of approaching the shore towards nightfall, the shoal making a commotion in the water with their fins. On these occasions great quantities are taken with draught nets. Although Dr Parnell states that the powan will not touch a bait, Mr M'Niven has occasionally caught it with a common worm when fishing for perch. One of the most curious facts connected with this species is that of its being found in Loch Lomond and no where else. Mr Alexander M'Kinlay laid on the table a valuable series of rare Breadalbane mosses, and others, from Ben Nevis, the specific differences of which he carefully described. Many of these speci- mens possessed considerable interest. PAPERS READ. I. — On Light in its relation to the Colours of Marine Plants and Animals. By Mr John Shaw. IL — On certain species of Mosses undescrihed in the "Bnjologia Britcm- nica,'' o-ecently added to the Moss Flora of the West of Scotland, illustrated hy the jjlants themselves and their varieties. By Mr Alexander M'Kinlay. January 27th, 1863. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected resident members : — Messrs William Euing, Robert Balloch, Rev. James Dodds, and Alexander Greenlees, M.D. ; and Lieut. Edward William Hawes, R.N., a corresponding member. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr David Robertson exhibited a specimen of Caryophjllea Smithii, from the lesser Cumbrae, an interesting species of coral G 50 PROCEEDINGS OF THE by no means common in Scottish seas, a few localities only being known for it. This specimen afforded an illustration of that cuiious reproductive power, spoken of by Mr Gosse, in the forma- tion of a new disk, mouth, and tentacles at the lower end of the corallum, which had been broken at the base. Mr Robertson also exhibited a new sessile-eyed crustacean, discovered by himself at Cumbrae — Stegoccplialus celticus. This communication acquired a double interest from the fact of the genus being new to Britain, and the species new to science, affording another proof of Mr Eobertson's diligence and excellent powers of discrimination. He likewise brought forward a specimen of Cypridina tetrs, from the same locality, where it is not uncommon, and which he had recognised as a distinct species about four years ago. It remained, however, undescribed until 1861, when the Rev. A. M. Norman published an account of it in the " Annals of Natural History," from a specimen dredged at Oban. Mr James Thomson exhibited a series of carboniferous Brachio- pods, including Streptnrhynchus crenistria, with all the varieties of that shell yet found in the carboniferous beds of Scotland, including racUalis, Kellii, senilis, and rohusta — the latter, which was found in the neighbourhood of Campbeltown, being new to this country. The Secretary exhibited two specimens of the rotche or little auk; one from the collection of Mr J. B. Murdoch, the other forwarded by Mr John Nelson, from East Lothian, with remarks on the Alcadce frequenting the shores of that county during winter; from which it would aj^pear that the puffin (Mormon fratercula) is found at all seasons, the place of those which migrate southwards in autumn being supplied by flights of both young and old birds from higher latitudes. Mr Gray stated that he had observed puffins regularly frequenting the Firth of Forth during Avinter, in company with guillemots and razor-bills, for many successive seasons, and further remarked that these winter flocks never extended their flight beyond Berwickshire — a circumstance which may partly account for such an interesting fact in the migrations of this species being overlooked by Selby, Yarrell, and subsequent writers. Every year, throughout the Avinter months, the coast near Dunbar is frequented by the little auk, the puffin, guillemot, and razor-bill, specimens of which were procured during the present month by Mr Nelson to illustrate his remarks. The NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 51 locality, from its proximity to the Forth estuary, is unusually attractive to birds requiring shelter and abundance of their natural prey, the latter especially being obtainable even in the depth of winter. Mr Clark exhibited, alive, a large and interesting spider — Olios Castaneus (Walck.) — which was found a few days ago in one of the plant stoves of the Botanic Garden, Glasgow, and explained that it must have been imported in a box of seeds from Old Calabar. The Secretary read a communication from Mr Henry D. Graham, Lochgilphead, one of the society's corresponding members, in which he mentioned, as interesting additions to the Ornithology of the West of Scotland, the occurrence of the Gadwall (Querquedida strepera), on one of the outer Hebrides, and the red-crested whistling duck [B'uligula rufina) near his own residence. He also made the important announcement of having seen, recently, three specimens of the Greenland or harp seal [Phoca Grcenlandica, Miiller), at the Island of Jura. The supposition of this seal being even a rare visitor to British waters, is grounded on the fact of two skulls of individuals captured in the Severn, upwards of forty years ago, appearing to belong to this species; and, also, that the cranium figured by Sir Everard Home, in the Transactions of the Eoyal Society of London, was taken from a seal shot in the Orkneys in 1822. PAPER READ. On the Darwinian Theory of the Transmutation of Species. By Mr James Eajvisay. February 24th, 1863. Hugh Colquhoun, M.D., Vice-President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected resident members: — Messrs Edward Alston, James MacGregor, Edward Wiinsch, George Stodart, William Kidston, and William G. Milne, Old Calabar, a corresponding member. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Lieut. Hawes exhibited a collection of ferns and algse acquired by himself in New Zealand; and the Secretary exhibited a series of 62 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ornithological drawings, by Mr William Sinclair. These dravangs were distinguished for great beauty of colouring and accuracy of delineation, being original figures of interesting species, drawn with a skill seldom equalled. Mr David Robertson exhibited specimens (male and female) of Bodotria Goodsirii, a species new to Britain, found by himself at Cumbrae. Dr Dewar exhibited two specimens of the marsh harrier (Circus ceruginosus) — one of them in the chocolate-coloured j^lumage, with a cream-coloured head and chin; the other, which was shot by himself in the Crimea, being in the plumage figured by Gould and Yarrell in their respective works, but which is seldom, if ever, observed in specimens killed in this country. Respecting the latter, Dr Dewar observed that it appeared, on close exami- nation, to be a younger bird than the British specimen — a fact at variance with Mr Gould's statement that all old birds (the species, as he says, being long in attaining maturity) are coloured as represented in his figure. The two birds, indeed, would appear to be distinct, inasmuch as Continental specimens, and those occurring in the British Islands, preserve, as a rule, their dis- tinctive colours, without much variation; and Mr Gould's admis- sion of the fact of this bird breeding before arriving at maturity is not sufficient to account for the entire absence, in this country, of specimens in the plumage of what is called the perfect hvery. The following plants were exhibited by Mr Peter Clark, of the Royal Botanic Garden: — Ouvirandrafcnestralis (lattice leaf); Good- yera discolor, a beautiful specimen, with upwards of fifteen flowering stems, all in fall bloom; and Urostigma elastica (India-rubber tree). Regarding the first named, Mr Clark informed the meeting that this remarkable plant — one of the most interesting which has been raised in the garden — was grown from seeds obtained from Mr Norman M'Leod, of Dalvey, to whom the garden has been much indebted for many rare and valuable donations, and quoted the following remarks from the Rev. William Ellis, Avho was first the means of bringing the species in a living state to this country, about eight years ago: — " The most rare and choice acquisition which I made in Madagascar during this visit was the beautiful aquatic plant Ouvirandra fenestralis, which I have been able, with much ease, to bring safe home. From the work of Du-Petit Thouars, in M. Bojer's possession, I copied the Ouvirandra, and, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 53 by exhibiting the drawing to the natives, at length found one man who knew where it grew. His master, who had shown me many acts of kindness, allowed him to go and search for it, and, after two or three days, he returned, saying he found the plant growing in a stream of water, but could not get it, owing to the number of crocodiles in the stream. At last, however, the man brought me many fine plants, and I was happy to reward him for his trouble." Professor Walker Arnott also made some observations to the members on the foregoing species. PAPERS READ. I. — On the occurrence of the Harp Seal (Phoca Grcenlandica) in Loch Tarhert, Jura, with remarks on the habits of some other species frequenting the Western Islands. By Mr Henry D. Graham, Lochgilphead, Corresponding Member. Read by the Secretary. Mr Graham had seen three of these rare visitors to British waters in the above-named locality, while exploring the loch in company with a friend. The seals were observed among a herd of the common species, occupying a series of shelving rocks about 300 or 400 yards off shore. One of the keepers, who was of the party, having an excellent telescope used in stalking deer, Mr Graham and his friends could distinctly make out the markings which characterise the harj) seal; and as the animals remained in full view for three hours, constantly watched, the utmost care was taken to note down the necessary particulars for after discrimi- nation. Since observing these animals, Mr Graham, after repeated inquiries, satisfied himself of at least other three authentic cases of the capture of white seals of extraordinary size, one of these occurring in Loch Scridan, Mull, under the obser- vation of Mr M'Kinnon; and as a result of these inquiries, he had besides acquired some highly interesting information respecting the habits of the larger species of seal to be found on the outer islands. These he communicated in his excellent paper, from which it would appear that, under the name of Tapvaist or Tabeist, the islanders are familiar with at least three different species attaining a large size. Last spring he had received from a friend — a native of the Hebrides — the skin of a recently-killed young seal of about a month old. It was pure white, and measured four feet in length without the flippers. This skin was accompanied 64 PROCEEDINGS OF THE by a few notes, stating that the species is well known, and tliat in an adult state it is seven or eight feet long, the body being fully thicker than a herring barrel. The female has her young in November, and it is found three or four yards above high-water mark, sometimes quite among the ferns and heather. The young do not take the water till six weeks old, when they weigh seventy or eighty pounds. If disturbed, however, the old one will make off with her calf, which she does by taking it up on her back, and so plunging into the sea. Even after a long dive, on rising to the surface, the young one remains securely on its mother's back. She comes to suckle it regularly at high-water; but her instinct teaches her to choose such spots as render it impossible for any one either to approach or lay in wait for them without being seen or scented. Mr Graham observed that the description of the markings of this white seal agreed exactly with that of the harp seal, which is not likely to be mistaken, at least in the adult state, for any other British species; but at the same time he expressed his belief that, among the islanders generally, there were three large seals confounded with each other — the grey seal (Halichcerus gnjpkus); the great seal (Phoca barbata); and the Green- land seal (Phoca Grcenlandica of Miiller). Mr Gray also communicated some facts of interest in connection with the cormorant and oyster catcher, selected from Mr Graham's correspondence. II. — Notes on the Natural History of Bute, From a manuscript of last century, written by Mr John Blain, Commissary of the Isles, communicated by Mr John Eaton Reid. Tliis paper contained many interesting records of the fauna and flora of that island, showing the changes that have taken place since the time of Mr Blain's researches, many of the birds especi- ally being now either extinct as British, or driven to remote districts. March 31st, 1863. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected resident members: — Messrs James Wingate, James M'Pherson, Mungo Campbell, Peter Clark, William Young, and Bruce Barclay, M.D. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 55 SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Dr Colqulioun exhibited a specimen of the great snowy owl (Surnia nijcfea), recently shot near Kilmarnock, and forwarded by Mr D. C. Gairdner When this bird was shot, it was claimed by the master of a trading vessel at Ardrossan, who presumed it to be the same owl that had alighted on the rigging when off the coast of Newfoundland, and accompanied the ship part of the way across the Atlantic. There can be no doubt of this and other species being indebted, during their migratory flights, to vessels at sea for occasional rest; but there are some interesting facts in connection with the habits of the snowy owl which encourage the idea that the bird is more attracted by the novelty of a solitary ship on the waves, than from any desire for shelter or food, when they flutter round it, or alight in crowds on the spars. Instances have been recorded, by the late Mr Thompson, of as many as forty of these large and magnificent birds hovering about ships nearly 800 miles from the nearest land. At other times they have been observed in similar situations during severe storms, showing no signs of fatigue, but skimming the deep trough of the rolling waves, and cresting the billows with as much freedom as if merely coursing the surface of their native hills. Dr Dewar also exhibited three fine specimens of this splendid owl, having selected them out of a consignment of upwards of twenty from Canada, where they had been shot during the past wunter by a collector from this country; and he mentioned that this Kilmarnock bird was not the only one which had occurred in the West of Scotland, a specimen having been shot on the Isle of Skye by his friend, Captain Cameron. The species is a well- known winter visitor to the Orkney and Shetland Islands, and, being a day-flier, it preys upon hares, rabbits, and ptarmigan, which it hunts do^vn, and clutches with its foot like a peregrine falcon. A specimen of Coronella Imvis, a new British snake, was exhibited by Mr Edward R. Alston, who made some interesting remarks on the species. It appears to have been first recorded in September last, by Mr F. T. Buckland, a specimen having been at that time taken in Hampshire by Mr Fenton, who presented it to the Zoological Gardens. It was there identified by Dr Giinther, of the British Museum. Frequent examples of this snake have 56 PROCEEDINGS OF THE since been taken in the same county, one of which, while in Mr Buckland's possession, gave birth to five liAdng young, thus con- firming the statement of Von Tschudi, and other Continental naturalists, who had asserted that this species is not oviparous, like the common ringed snake. Mr Alston observed, further, that it is a local, though not uncommon, species in many parts of Europe, preferring dry to marshy ground, and living mostly on lizards. It is found in Austria, and is indigenous to Switzerland, where Von Tschudi says it occurs on the Alps at an elevation of upwards of four thousand feet. He concluded his remarks by observing that all the specimens yet obtained in the British Islands had occurred in Hampshire, a peculiarity arising probably from its having been confounded with the ringed snake {Natrix torquata), but that further investigation might prove it to be a species more generally distributed. Mr David Robertson exhibited specimens of Doris j^Ianuta, Eolis olivacea, and Eolis gracilis, taken by himself at Cumbrae, under stones at low water. Dr Lindsay drew the attention of the members to an unusually large specimen of Astrophjton sciitatum (Euri/ale of Lamarck), wliich he exhibited from the cabinet of Dr Thomas Paterson. The following plants were exhibited by Mr Peter Clark, of the Royal Botanic Garden: — Laurus camphora, Ficus religiosus, Cycas circinalis, and Oncidium graminifolium, all in the finest condition; and Dr Scouler made some observations on each of the species. Mr Clark also exhibited a specimen of Melopsittacus widulatus (the warbling grass paraquet), a young bird wliich had been reared in Glasgow. Dr Dewar exhibited a head of the white urus, or Caledonian ox {Unis Scoticus, Sm.), and read a short paper on the species as it at present exists in Cadzow forest, the only preserved habitat in Scotland. Old writers speak of these cattle, which, in their own time, haunted the ancient Caledonian forest, extending from Stirling to Atliol and Lochaber, as large and furious animals; and, in more recent times, Gesner and Sir Robert Sibbald allude to them as either degenerated or extinct, except in the district of Cumbernauld. The breed at Hamilton, which is carefully pre- served, is one of great interest, and is looked upon as directly descended from the herds of wild cattle kept by our ancient Scottish kings; and as the Cadzow enclosure yet retains much of NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 57 its original aspect, the white urus, now roaming over its 1300 acres, is presumed to be in the same state as when it ran wild in the primitive woods of our country at the time the Romans first visited it. Mr Alston also contributed some interesting informa- tion relative to the habits of the species. Dr Dewar then made some remarks on a specimen of the Canada or cravat goose (Anser Canadensis), which was shot a few days ago within ten miles of Glasgow, and which he had brought to the meeting for exhibition. This bird was considered an important addition to the ornithology of the West of Scotland, as it presented no marks whatever of having at any time been in confinement. The Secretary afterwards drew the attention of the meeting to a magnificent series of Himalayan raptorial birds from the collec- tion of Mr Ludovick C. Stewart, Staff Surgeon-Major, which were arranged on the table. Mr Stewart, who was there- upon introduced to the members, gave a highly interesting account of the species forming his valuable collection, which included three specimens of the Lammergeyer (GypaUos harhatus), Falco Bondlii, Homatornis undulatus, Buleo Canescens, Falco chicquera, Syrnium monticolwn, Ketupa flavipes, Bubo coromander, Athene Bramah, and A. Brodiei, etc. On the motion of the President, a cordial vote of thanks was awarded to Mr Stewart for his communications. PAPER READ. Notes on some of the Marine Invertebrata of the Firth of Clyde, toith a Notice of the most suitable localities for Dredging in the Bay of Rothesay. By John Grieve, M.D. Though unequal in zoological richness to Millport and Kames Bay, with its outlying islets, the Bay of Rothesay and the adjacent shores present some features worthy of attention, and would doubtless, on careful examination, yield some of those rarities which have hitherto been confined to the Cumbraes. With a view to point out the most likely places in which additional species might be obtained, and so to facilitate the means whereby our knowledge of the marine fauna of the Clyde district might be increased, we propose to combine, with the follovring remarks on a few marine animals, a brief sketch of the localities in that bay we have found most favourable, noticing, in a general H 58 PROCEEDINGS OF THE way, wliat one might there expect to obtain. Our dredgings, hoAvever, have as yet been too few, and tlie results too incomplete, to enable us to enter into further detail, and to draw out such a list as one would desiderate. The Bay of Rothesay is covered with an abundant deposit of soft bluish mud, which few at first sight would be inclined to interfere with ; but on getting to the east of the Old Battery it will be found much harder, with stones and gravel; and upon dredging opposite to this shore, and down towards Huntly Place, among other objects which are generally distributed and usually brought up in every locality, one is pretty sure to obtain several ascidians. Of these the most common was Ascidia mentula, often occurring of large size, and clustered together in great numbers. In many of them the tunic was thickly studded with Crenella mar- morata, set close to each other, and imbedded in its texture. The existence of such a crowd of parasites would lead one to suppose that they cannot be very injurious to the health of the ascidian, and proves the tunic to be very insensible to irritation; were it otherwise, so many large examples would be more rarely met with, and such would be more or less free of them, whereas the size of the ascidian seems only to offer more room for the accommo- dation of the Crenella. Though they may obtain sufficient aliment for themselves, it is possibly liberally increased by a portion of that which the powerful branchial currents of the ascidia brings in for its own use. With these dependants on its outer surface, this ascidia, like Pinna and Modiola modiolus, has occasionally a crustacean residing within its branchial sac, a little entomostracan, NotodelpMs ascidicola. Whether or no the little Pinnotheres ever comes out from between the gills of the Modiola, our first acquaint- ance with Notodelphis was made on observing it emerge at the branchial orifice of this ascidia, and proceed on a tour of inspection over the surface of the tunic. Our desire to lay hold of it, how- ever, was too urgent to wait till we saw whether it would return again within the sac. That its ova are hatched in this situation is highly probable. On examining one of the compound ascidians, a species of Amoiiroiiciimi, i:)To\)ab\y A. proliferiwi (common at low water, on stones and in crevices of the rocks on the islets off Millport), and on dissectmg it under the microscope, the individual animals may be readily extracted. From the side of the branchial orifice a NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 59 curious process projects, beneath which is the common anal and genital orifice, and close to this process the nervous ganglion is situated. At the bottom of the branchial sac lies the mouth, stomach, and intestines, heart, and large vessels. The rectum passes up along one side of this sac to the orifice. Beneath the process, and in close proximity to it, one or two ova in an advanced stage of development may be frequently observed. The caudal portion of the animal contains the reproductive organs. In what part the ova are fertilized is not easily made out, but there could be no doubt of the presence of sperm cells. The more advanced ova contained the curious little tadpole-larvae, ready to be extruded. They are of an orange-red colour; a dark triangular patch repre- sents the stomach, and the tail is curved, on one side of the ovum, towards the head. Eound this front portion of the larva is a semicircle of cells, mth three button-shaped processes on the sur- face next to the outer membrane of the ovum, which are con- nected, in some examples, by processes extending towards the centre of the semicircle of cells. By these button-shaped pro- cesses the larva, after passing some time swimming about in the free state, is said to settle down on a shell, stone, or some other object, where, like its parent, it adheres firmly for life. Some of the ova are of a dark brown, with a white nucleus ; others again are of a yellowish tint, witli granules in the centre of an orange hue. A progressive development is observed in each as they ascend from the lower portion towards the common orifice. In one or two of these animals what appeared to be an ovum was filled with a number of little ovules, in each of which was a bright red dot; or, in other words, in the same situation, and beside the other ova which contained the tadpole-larvae, there was a cyst or sac of precisely similar size and form, filled with these red-dotted ovules; and in another animal we found the same cyst, with the ovules not so far advanced, and wanting the red spot. On slight pressure the sac gave way, and these o^^.lles were dis- charged. Each of them was then found to present a red eye-speck, like an entomostracan, and there appeared to be a stomach-mass filled with reddish-yellow granules. When the envelope of the owile iDurst, the limbs wliich had been previously pressed close to the side of the body were expanded ; three pair were observed to be given off" from the upper half of the body; of the first pair, each was terminated by two setse; the number of articulations, how- 60 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ever, could not be distinctly made out. The second pair were undoubtedly bifurcated — the upper one terminated by two, and the lower by four setse. The third pair lay close to the side, each with one long seta. There were two little setse given oflf from the tail. In these instances the ovisac presented the same shape as the ovum of the Amouroucium, near ivhich it was situated. One, however (observed by itself, on the sHde), had the usual pyri- form shape of the entomostracan ovisac, and contained some 200 ovules with the red eye-speck; so that probably in the former the pyriform shape was merely concealed by its position in the Amoiir- oaciwn; but whether attached to the wall of the branchial sac at the side near the common orifice, or placed within the substance of the ovary, or in the oviduct, where the young could easily find their way out, could not be clearly ascertained. This entomos- tracan ovisac was found to occur in four of the animals we dis- sected. The species to which it belonged is, of course, unknown ; but its presence in such a situation would seem to show that this little Amouroucium, like its larger relation, has also an attendant entomostracan. Ascidia virginea. — In this species the tunic is crystalline, of a clear, transparent texture, through which the internal structure of the animal can be easily seen. The cells of the branchial sac are coloured with brilliant orange-red or scarlet pigment cells, not uniformly laid on, but rather in broken and scattered patches. Just below the stomach-mass the heart is situated, and through the transparent tunic the circulation of the blood is readily seen — more so on one side of the body than the other. In most orders of mollusca the blood is propelled by the heart through the arterial vessels, and returns again by a system of veins and sinuses, thus completing a circle. In the tunicata, to which order the ascidians belong, the circulation bears a special interest. In them it is propelled through one set of vessels, and returns again through the same, the course of the circulation being reversed — the same vessels which fulfilled the function of arteries serving also as veins to carry it back to the heart. In none is this observed with such facility as in Ascidia virginea. At intervals the circulation is more rapid, but the time and number of the pulsa- tions seem pretty uniform. After sixty waves have passed, the current gets slower, and gradually ceases about the seventieth. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 61 Immediately on stopping the current is reversed, beginning again slowly, as if with an effort, then gradually increasing in rapidity. In this way the circulation is carried on, first in one direction, the blood flowing in one set of vessels, then stopping, and returning in the same; and so, now backward, now forward, every two minutes the flow of the current is reversed. Apparently the effort required to propel it towards the rectal side was much less than that required to' propel it back; still the time occupied by the seventy pulsations was about the same in either direction. Within dead bivalves, Ascidia intestinalis is usually found, apparently protected thereby, as it retreats within them whenever touched. Though at first sight appearing only about an inch in length, it will elongate about three or four times as much when fully distended and lying stretched out with its orifices open. In this species the number of pulsations before the current is stopped is far more numerous than in the preceding. With the towing-net we once obtained what appeared to be Appendicularia flagellum, if this species is not probably the tadpole- larva of some other ascidian. It was in every respect very similar in appearance, though considerably larger than the larva in the ovum, and propelled itself by a wriggling motion of the tail, very like an ordinary tadpole. Dredging opposite the Bogany Farm and towards the Point, an extensive meadow of Zostera marina is crossed, the feeding-ground of numberless Asteriadce, Buccina, and other mollusca, but more especially of the Brittle-stars. Here the dredge has frequently come up with the bag stuffed full of them, and with nothing else, just as if they had been gathered by some mermaid's fingers. Three species, Ophiocoma granulata, 0. hellis, 0. rosula, will be found — the first in greatest abundance. Solaster papiposa is occasionally met with; and the common star-fish, Uraster ruhens, is everywhere abundant. On the fishing-ground opposite the Catholic Church, beyond Ardbeg Point, very large Urasters have come up, and also the Luidia fragillissima. Two specimens of the latter had respec- tively seven rays ; in one the rays were seven inches in length, in the other nine inches; and the breadth, from where it came off from the disc or central part of the body, was one and a-half inches ; the length across, from the tip of one ray to the tip of the opposite, being nineteen inches. 62 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Passing over any reference at present to the more common moUusca and dead valves, with their interesting contents, obtained in these and the following localities, and which are everywhere abundant, a more successful dredging-ground in the coralline zone will be found opposite Craigmore, the bottom there consisting of fine small gravel. Here there is more chance of obtaining Crus- tacea. Several species of Hermit crabs will turn up — Pagurus Bernhardus, P. Icevis, P. cuanensis, and P. Prideauxii, invested with the Adamsia palliata; besides the following — Carcinas mcenas, Por- iimus depurator, Platycheles longicornis, Hyas araneics, and perhaps a Spider crab. Masses of the gravel will be found matted into longitudinal balls, much longer than broad, and forming a tube, smoothly lined with byssal fibres. Within this tube or nest, as it is called, the beautiful Lima hyans resides, and probably never leaves it till dis- turbed by the dredge and brought to the surface, when some of them fall out accidentally, and the nest is left empty. In the aquarium they are easily kept; their swimming powers, and the process of constructing a new abode out of any kind of materials supplied to them, and even with byssal fibres only, afi"ording con- siderable interest. Opposite Huntly Place, already referred to, these Lima nests are also occasionally brought up, made of gravel ; but on the western shore of the bay, opposite the houses near Ardbeg Point, they are found in great numbers in the Nullipore coralline. This fine, small coral seems to suit, and the nest (or rather house, not being used as such in its ordinary acceptation) is, to outward ajipearance, not so coarse and clumsy as when con- structed of gravel. To the west of Millport Bay, off" the Tan Spit, they are very abundant in the same coralline ; while to the east again, ofi" the Fairland Point, they occur in gravel, as they do also off Gourock. The Ardbeg ground is not generally so rich as Craigmore, though yielding all the Crustacea named. A httle to the east of the rocks off" Ascog Church there was an old bed of the Pecten opercularis, which should also afford good dredging, and might be tried with advantage. On the outside of the Lima's nest, and among the loose gravel or coral brought up with it, an annelid with green bristles, Flemingia plumosa, is not unfrequently seen. Within the nest itself, another, a species of Sipliojiostoma, is almost constantly met with. It will be seen, on tearing open the NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 63 nest, and sometimes among the loose coral outside of it, but we do not remember ever observing it in any other situation. It always accompanies the Lima. It is a greenish-yellow looking worm, the colour being derived from the green blood which is conspicuous in the gills. It does not form any tube of its own, but crawls over the inner surface of the nest. To the eye, it appears to be enclosed in a sort of loose bag, to which it is attached by narrow cross lines — these are the bristles of the feet, and are consequently opposite to each articu- lation. These bristles pass to this loose external integument, and project a little beyond it. The intervening space between each bristle, that is, between each pair of feet, is filled up by a close band of fine hairs, each of which is swollen at the extremity — the "polls renfl^s" of Quatrefages. They resemble filiform curled filaments, each attached to a fusiform body, and are not unlike a large thread-cell with the thread discharged. These peculiar hairs approach more or less towards the margin of the loose external envelope, some of them quite up to it, and are found in this situation all over the body of the animal, and even in the green concave fans. These are placed on each side of the head, and are composed of numerous bristles. When crawling over the nest of the Lima, the loose external skin gives it very much the appear- ance of being enclosed in some sort of jelly. This species does not seem to be S. uncinata, which, according to Quatrefages, has the body naked, and without the " polls." In addition to the Asteroidea already named as occurring in these localities, OpMura texturata, often of a large size, will be found; also 0. alhida, Cribella oculata, Amj^hidotus cordatus, Echinus miliaris, and E. sphmra. Pentadapentades and Syrinx nuda have been got, and the dead shells of Denkdium frequently contain a species of Sipunculus. So far as one can see, the shell of the male Echinus does not present any perceptible difference from that of the female, but to the eye of an urchin some peculiarity must undoubtedly exist between the two. The curious larval form, Plutens, somewhat resembling a painter's easel, and so remarkably dissimilar to the future spherical shell of the urchin, we have only seen by chance under the microscope, when examining some luminous or phos- phorescent water taken near the shore. After observing several of the Protozoa, so abundant when sea water presents that appear- 64 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ance, the next drops we placed on the slide were found to con- tain this Pluteus. From the great quantity of ova contained in an animal so generally distriliuted on all our shores as the Echimts, this larval form at certain seasons must be very abundant, and would probably be found on one of those brilliant nights, when the sea, shining with phosphorescence, is full of animal life — of luminous Radiata and Protozoa. When out on the rocks off Millport at low water, in the month of July, we observed a pair of these urchins engaged in spawning. They were seated side by side on the rock-face in the water. Close at hand we could not distinguish whether ova were dis- charged by one only or by both, though at a little distance the impregnated ova, when more scattered, could be readily discerned as they floated away and sank. On removing both, the micro- scope soon revealed that the one seated to seaward was the male. Both, as to external appearance, size, and weight, were about similar, but the male had rather more purple spines, while those of the female were of a greenish yellow. The fronds of Laminaria saccharina are often a great nuisance when the dredge is put down too close to them, as they stuff the mouth of the bag, and so prevent anything from going in. Still they are well worth an occasional inspection, for on them might be found the Pentacrmus Europmis, the diminutive representative of the stone lilies of former eras — the link connecting the crinoids of the present seas with those of the past. On one of these fronds a little stem may be seen rising from a small plate to about half an inch in height, and terminated by a minute, cup-shaped body, with five double pinnated arms. From this curious position, in course of time, the young Pentacrinus falls off, and growing in size as it moves more freely about, and perhaps obtaining a more liberal diet, it has changed its name and become, what at one time was considered a distinct species, the Comatula rosacea, the rosy feather star, usually of a fine rose colour, but sometimes tinted with yellow, and, in general appearance, by far the most beautiful star-fish that inhabits our seas. Though very apt to throw off portions of the arms and their pinnae, it may be kept alive for some time in an aquarium, where its beauty alone would make it a welcome addition. So long as it remains entire, few marine animals present more graceful and magnificent attitudes. Perched on some pointed NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW, 65 stone, as it did in early life on its stem, the rosy plumes are curled and waved in the water, backwards and forwards, in every direction. Sometimes a single plume alone is moved through it, at other times several. Now all are exjianded to their utmost extent, as far as they can be stretched; again they are curled up close in over the back, in a little while to be slowly unfolded like the petals of a flower; and so, ever and anon, the position of one and all is constantly being changed, individually and collectively. Soon, unfortunately, they begin to break, and piece after piece falls off, till little more than the disk alone remains. Our first Comatida was got below Gourock. On the coast of Bute we have never been so fortunate, not one having come up; but off the Cumbrae one or two were got at intervals. Lamlash Bay alone has been considered their head-quarters, where they might readily be obtained in abundance. Though numerous at one time, it does not follow that such is constantly the case, for much depends on the chance of the moment. Probably in some seasons they are more common than others, or one's luck is greater at one time than another on such a narrow strip of the sea bottom as is touched by the dredge. When off the north end of the Little Cumbrae, about the end of June, 1861, in company with our Secretary and Mr Eobertson, we put the dredge overboard for a trial of the ground in from five to ten fathoms. On hauling it in, one or two Comahdas came up clinging to the rope, and though the net seemed empty, a few were found in the inside. Several hauls were made over the same ground, and each time the dredge brought up numbers of these beautiful creatures. They appeared to have been crawling over the Laminaria, as they came up adhering to the outside as well as the inside of the netting, and, by our remaining at that spot, they could have been got in hundreds. Hardly anything else of im- portance was obtained; an urchin or two, one Uraster ruhens, one U. glacialis, some hei'mit crabs, and a TrocJms tumid/us completed the bag, so that, with the exception of the Comatulas, that spot did not offer much inducement for further operations. We set it down, however, as a sure place for obtaining them. In the month of September following, we went over again to the same ground, expecting to be equally fortunate, but not a single one came up, and, after some half dozen hauls, we gave up the attempt. Again in the following summer, on two different occasions, we dredged 66 PROCEEDINGS OF THE most zealously over the same spot, "nitli no better success.* These repeated failures, where vre had at first been so successful, would appear to warrant the inference that this species may migrate in shoals, and live in societies, one of which had obviously been met with when they came up clinging iu such numbers to the netting. Their occurrence on the Laminaria, on which the young Penfacrinus may be sought for, would seem further to point out the purpose for which this migration takes place. A haul through the mud of Eothesav Bay, however disasrreeable the process of examining it be, will repay the trouble. Such a habitat, from its unattractive nature, conceals many objects which are accounted rare, but which, on ordinary ground, would not long escape notice. Tuhularia indirisa, with its beautiful scarlet polypite and tenta- cles, will be found in considerable abundance. Sometimes the little heads, having dropped off, will be seen lying curled up, so as at first sight to resemble some small £oIid. Ophiura texturata and 0. aUAda also occur, but the most char- acteristic and most abundant star-fish is 0. fiUformis — the thread- rayed star. It is found only in the mud, and is common on such ground in the Gareloch, Gourock, Largs, and elsewhere in the Firth. Wlien brought up, their long delicate rays will be seen moving through the mud, from which it is hopeless to extricate them, as they break into fragments on any attempt to pull them out; but if it is allowed to stand for some time in a bucket, then the most brittle of brittle-stars will all come to the surface, and may be lifted up very entire. An instantaneous plunge into a cold fresh bath is the only way to keep them so. "We were not so fortunate, in one or two trials, as to find Bryssus lyrifer, the Fiddle Heart-urchin, which was first described by Edward Forbes, from specimens found in this district. We obtained it, however, in the mud ofi" Ashton, Gourock: and shortly after, in dredging ^vith Messrs Eobertson and Keddie in the Bay of Largs, several were brought up, and it would seem there to be very abundant. This species is the only British Heart-urchin inhabiting mud, in wliich it probably lies concealed, like the common Heart-urchin, Amphidotus cordatus, in our sandy bays. * Since that, Mr Eobertson has tried it several times, but not till last year, 1 867, did the Comatvlas re-appear, when they were abundant, aa also was the Peritacrinus, one frond being thickly covered with them. natural history society of glasgow. 67 April 28th, 1863. Joliu Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the clicair. The following gentlemen were elected resident members: — Messrs James Watson, James Rae, David Haire, William T. Wilson, James Home; and, as corresponding members, Mr Ludovick Charles Stewart; Colin MacKinnon, Ardlamont; Eev. James Dewar, Glendaruel; and Norman A. MacLeod of Orbost, Isle of Skye. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr David Eobertson exhibited specimens of Virgiilaria miraUlis, which had been dredged by Mr Keddie and himself in the Gare- loch — a locality previously recorded for this zoophyte. Its fre- quency and small size on this station, however, may be worthy of remark. A considerable numl^er were dredged, none of Avhich exceeded three inches in length, while many were not over half the dimensions. They were found in ten fathoms water on a mud bank, a habitat which, on the same occasion, jielded them Cucumaria pentades in great abundance. Dr Scouler exhibited a specimen of a rare crustacean, j^ga tridentata of Leach, from Lochfine; also a number of specimens of the unctuous sucker (Lijxiris vulgaris), from the same locality, where it has recently been found in extreme abundance in rock pools, and mentioned that his attention had been drawn to this unusual circumstance by James Hamilton, Esq., a member of the society, resident on the banks of Lochfine. Mr James Thomson exhibited a series of the genus Lingula, from the coal fields of the West of Scotland, embracing the fol- lowing species: — Lingula mijtiloides, Sow.; L. squamiformis, Phd.; L. Scoticus, Davidson; L. margiiiata; and Lingula Thomsonii, the last being a species new to science, and named by Mr Davidson in honour of Mr Thomson, who discovered it near Campbeltown. Tliis locality, in which Mr Thomson has been prosecuting liis researches, has furnished two species — Thomsonii and marginata; the others which were exhibited having been found in the coal fields of Dairy, Carluke, East Kilbride, Bishopbriggs, Castlecarry, Beith, etc. A slab of shale from Dairy was also exhibited, showing a number of L. Mijtiloides, embedded. The shells were in an erect position, instead of Ijing horizontally compressed; and, although of delicate structure, were seen to be in a beautiful state 68 PROCEEDINGS OF THE of preservation, proving the habitat of these animals to have been quiet and shallow water. Dr J. Grieve exhibited a species of Serpula provided with two opercula, each being as large as the normal single one; also various species of Sabella, with the leathery and calcareous tubes which they inhabit. Dr Grieve mentioned that the whole of the gills, around the head, after being thrown off, were completely regene- rated in the space of a month, and exjjlained how respiration was carried on during the progress of reproduction; at the same time describing in what manner the calcareous tube is extended, and repaired in cases of fracture. A quantity of Piassava was exliibited by Mr Michael Connal, who made some interesting remarks on its introduction into this country, and the economic uses for which it is available. PAPEES READ. I. — On Fossil Enfomostraca from the ironstones and shales of the Lanarkshire Coal-field. By Mr John Young. Mr Young, who appears to have minutely studied these organisms, carefully described the numerous genera and species which had come under his notice while exploring the coal-fields around Glas- gow, and closed his remarks with a few directions as to the best mode of extracting and preserving specimens for the cabinet^a method shown to be most successful by the perfect state of those which he exhibited. Mr Young had on the table a large collec- tion of specimens illustrating the follo"wing genera: — Cy there, Cythereopsis, Bairdia, Leperditia, Beyrichia, Kirkhya, Daphnia, Ento- mocauchus, Ostheria, and Dithyrocaris. II. — On some of the Seansorial Birds of the Himalayas. By Mr Ludovick C. Stewart, Staff Surgeon-Major, with illustrative groups of parrots, Avoodpeckers, etc., and some of the allied genera. The series of specimens on the table illustrating this paper possessed considerable interest, the specimens having been selected out of a most extensive and carefully prepared collection; and the author made some very graphic observations on the structure and habits of the more interesting species. Mr Stewart also exhibited specimens of the spine-tailed swift {Acanthylis nudipes), NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 69 Alpine swift {Cypselus melha), and Himalayan tree swift (Dendro- chelidon coronatus); giving, at the same time, an account of their habits, as observed by himself. May 26th, 1863. Hugh Colquhoun, M.D., Vice-President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected members: — Messrs Robert Ker Watson, Robert Brodie, resident; and John Ferguson, Oak Bank, Mull, corresponding. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr David Robertson exhibited a specimen of Peachia hastata (Gosse) — a somewhat rare species of sea anemone — which he had dredged off Cumbrae. It had not previously been obtained in Scotland, and Mr Robertson explained that it had probably escaped notice from the fact of its having no adherent base, and from its habit of burrowing, which made its capture difficult by the ordinary dredge. Mr Robertson also exhibited a specimen of Bodotria concava — probably a new species; and one of the Diasty- lidce, with five spines, but whether a variety or a new species has not yet been decided. Mr James Thomson exhibited an elaborate series of the follow- ing genera of carboniferous brachiopods, distinguished for the perfection and variety of the specimens forming the collection: — Terebratida (recent and fossil), Spirifera, Sjnriferina, Atlujris, Retzia, Bhynchonella, and Crania. The recent specimens of Terebratulina and Crania, which are far from common on our shores, were dredged by Mr Thomson in Kilbrannan Sound, and near Oban; and respecting the fossil species of many of the foregoing genera, it was observed by Mr Young that some of them were extremely rare, especially those which had been found in the coal fields around Glasgow, and afforded the most satisfactory proofs of Mr Thomson's diligence and discrimination as a collector. Mr John Shaw exhibited specimens of a very rare moss — Glyphomitrium Daviesii — from Kilpatrick Hills. He stated that, on account of the very meagre supply got from the north of Ireland — the only important station for the moss — during the last few years, it Avas becoming very scarce among bryologists. He was glad, however, to know that Messrs Gait and MacCartney had 70 PROCEEDINGS OF THE gathered tliis species in great abundance near Bowling, a locality noticed by Dr Hooker and others. Tlie specimens exhibited by Mr Shaw were from a new locality discovered by Mr M'Kinlay in August last year. Mr Shaw also exhibited Hi/jmum eugyrium from Campsie Glen — the first notice of its occurrence in the West of Scotland. This moss was but recently discovered to be distinct from its ally Hyjmum pahistre, although it had been gathered some years ago by the late Dr Nichol. Mr Peter Clark, of the Eoyal Botanic Garden, laid on the table several interesting plants for exhibition, including specimens of Pinus hahpensis, Artocarpus incisa, etc., accompanied by remarks on each of the species. A specimen of the oared shrew (Sorez remifer) from the Upper "Ward of Lanarkshire, was exhibited by Edward R. Alston, Esq., who stated that he captured it near the banks of the river Nethan, in August, 1861. He had since taken another specimen of this rare shrew, on which the white spots on the ears were wanting — a character, however, which is variable, and may depend upon sex or age. The species has occurred but in a few instances in the British islands, and it is not improbable that Mr Alston's specimens are the only examples of its occurrence in the West of Scotland. Dr Colquhoun exhibted a large centipede, alive, and measuring six inches in length, which had been recently taken from a ship at the Broomielaw, but he was unable to distinguish the species from Walckenar's work on the Myriapoda — a group on which no com- prehensive Avork exists, making it, therefore, a difiicult matter to discriminate in a case like the present. PAPER READ. On the Gasteropod Mollusca of the Carboniferous Limestones of the JFest of Scotland. By Mr John Young, illustrated by a numerous series of genera and species from liis own cabinet. Mr Young, in introducing his subject, observed that, as a general rule, the gasteropoda of our Scottish coal formation are found only in the limestones, ironstones, and shales forming the true marme division of our coal measures. They are met with in greatest numbers and perfection, along with other marine shells, in certain shale beds that alternate with our limestones ; and he had himself found in one locality (Craigenglen, Campsie) twelve genera NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 71 and upwards of forty species. In illustrating his paper, Mr Young brought forward, among others, the following genera: — Naticopsis, Eul'ma, Loxonema, Macrocheikis, Euomphalus, Pkuroto- maria, Murchisonia PlaUjceras, Dental mm, Chiton, Chitonellus, Por- cellia, and Bellerophon. These embraced a large number of species admirably preserved and mounted. In the case of Naticopsis it is interesting to find the colours yet visible in the shells; and among the Euompjhali, Mr Young mentioned in connection with Carbon- arius, that he had collected in one evening, at a quarry in Een- frewshire, one hundred and forty specimens. In concluding his remarks, he alluded to the necessity that exists for a thorough investiffiition of the British carboniferous univalves, as in their present state of classification it is not easy to fix the precise limits of many of the genera, and still more difl&cult to refer to doubtful species, owing to the varieties of form they often assume in diffe- rent districts. Mr Young also drew attention to a specimen of Conularia qiiadri-sulcatus, in the collection upon the table, as a rare shell in Scottish districts. Dr Lindsay then addressed the meeting at the close of the busi- ness, and made some remarks on the success which had attended the meetings of the session now concluded. He observed that since the formation of the society, twelve years ago, its prospects had never been in so satisfactory a state. While acknowledging the many valuable contributions of those gentlemen who had, by the exhibition of specimens and the reading of papers, aided the advancement of the society's interests, he would now state what he believed all the members already felt, that much of that success had resulted from the exertions of their Secretary, who had lab- oured successfully to place the society on a more satisfactory posi- tion than it had hitherto occupied. He begged, therefore, to move the following resolution: — "That the members of the Natural History Society of Glasgow, on this the last meeting of the Session 18G2-3, unite in expressing a sense of their obligations to Mr Robert Gray, their Secretary, for the continued and sustained efforts he has made to secure and advance the Society's interests; in acknowledgment of which they tender him their cordial thanks, and further move that the same be recorded in the minutes of the society." The resolution having been seconded by Mr Thomas Chapman, was cordially and unanimously agreed to. 72 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SESSIOlsT 1863-64. THE TWELFTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, ANDERSON'S UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS, SEPTEMBER 29th, 1863. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the session : — John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President; Michael Connal, Vice-President; Eobert Gray, Secretary; Matthew P. Bell, Trea- surer; Thomas S. Hutcheson, Librarian; Hugh Colquhoun, M.D., John Grieve, M.D., and Alexander Lindsay, M.D., Members of Council. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Dr Dewar exhibited two specimens of Buffon's skua (Lestris Buffonii), from a small island off Benbecula, one of the Hebrides, and gave a short account of the bird, with a description of the locality whence it and other rare species have been obtained. Mr Gray exhibited a specimen of the bee hawk or honey buzzard (Pernis ajnvorus), which was shot at Broxmouth Park, East Lothian, by Mr Henderson, and, at same time, mentioned several other recent instances of its occurrence in Scotland, the bird being considered a rare species in this country. Mr David Eobertson exhibited the following objects, with remarks: — Cerianthus Lloydii. — This tube-inhabiting anemone, so far as I know, is new to Scotland. It was first obtained at Menai Strait by Mr Lloyd, in 1856, and again at the island of Herm, near Guernsey. I took the living specimens wliicli I now exhibit at Cumbrae, at low water, and have observed that they are not con- fined to the margin of low tide, as I have occasionally brought up from deep water portions of their tubes cut off a few inches below the surface of the muddy sand. A piece of one of them was dredged this summer in Loch Goil by Mr Keddie and myself, and it is only by meshing such portions of their outer tunics that we gain a know- ledge of their deep water habitat, as it is hardly possible to obtain NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 73 the animal itself from deep water, by any means at our command, owing to its liabit of darting- suddenly into its tube on the slightest alarm. The precaution taken by Mr E. Edward, of Menai Bridge, for its capture, gives a good idea of the animal's vigilance. He says, "The plan I take is to surround it with two or three spades, each acting at the same moment, so as to undermine it in an instant, and press the ground, which makes its escape more difficult." I believe the chief means by which the animal escapes from its pursuers is the great length of its tube. The great disproportion between the length of the tube and the animal has not, so far as I know, been hitherto noticed. The animal itself, in its con- tracted state, rarely exceeds two inches in length, and I have dug out more than fourteen inches of the tube without finding its termination. Halcampa clirysanthellum. — This small anemone is also new to Scotland. It was taken at Cumbrae in the sand at low water. What makes the discovery of this little zoophyte in the Clyde province more interesting is, that it has not been met with before further north than Cornwall. Ophiocoma brachiata. — I found this star-fish, in sand near low water, Little Cumbrae. The late Professor Forbes, in his work on British Star-fishes, gives no Scotch habitat for this species. Yet I believe it is by no means rare. Mr Keddie and I dredged it this summer on the north-east side of Cumbrae, and had several of its stray members from Loch Long and the Holy Loch. Synaptic inhcerens I find between tide mark in muddy sand. Little Cumbrae, and in sandy gravel, Holy Isle, Arran. The Eev. Alf. M. Norman tells me that it is this species which is met with at Belfast. At Little Cumbrae I find it associated with Synapta digitata (Chirodota digitata of Montagu), which seems to be more widely distributed than S. inhcerens. Previous to this summer, I had dredged two or three specimens of Synapta digitata when in company Avith Dr Grieve and Mr Keddie. Dr Scouler had it from Loch fine, and the Rev. A. M. Norman from Dublin and Shetland. Still they have been considered hitherto rather rare. Professor E. Forbes, when speaking of this species, says, " he had never seen a living example." Nevertheless I found them this season at Little Cumbrae in great abundance, and of large K 74 PROCEEDINGS OF THE size, many of them measuring more than eight inches in length. I have since seen the fishermen at the same place filling their cans with them for bait, and have tried to find them in similar localities but without much success. I have, however, little doubt they will yet be found not uncommon round our coast. Mr Robert Gray exhibited a number of specimens of a new amphipod, recently discovered by Mr Robertson, and named Bathijpoi'eia Rohertsoni by Mr Spence Bate, in his work now being published. This curious crustacean is found at Cumbrae on sand from two or three fathoms depth up to high water mark, and lives in spots over which streams of fresh water run into the sea, remaining for hours at a time subjected to their influence, a somewhat remarkable circumstance, as the animals are not wholly confined to within tide mark, but found at a depth of some fathoms. Besides its habit of burrowing, this am^^hipod is often found on a warm day darting about in the small sand ripple pools. Mr John Young exhibited some fossil organisms, supposed to be the plates of two undescribed species of carboniferous chitons, obtained from strata in the neighbourhood of Glasgow, and read some very interesting notes on fossil chitonidse, giving a history of their discovery in British strata. These specimens, which have been confirmed by Mr Kirkby, to whom they have been sub- mitted, are entirely new to the carboniferous beds of Scotland. A specimen of the palmated newt (Lissotrilon lyalmipes) was exhibited, having been forwarded from Glenderar, near Stirling, by Roger J. R. Aytoun, Esq. This species is there found in con- siderable numbers; and, although it has been hitherto accounted rare, it "vvill probably be found far from uncommon in various parts of the country. PAPER READ. On the Habits of the Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carlo). By Mr Robert Gray, the Secretary. This communication contained many observations of interest connected with the two species to be found in the British islands. He gave an account of a visit to a fresh water loch in Wigton- shire, where, in the breeding season, the cormorants hatch in thousands on the banks, building their nests in the coarse heather. The distance from the sea is about eight miles, and Mr Gray was NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 75 attracted to the spot by observing great flocks of these birds flying from the sea in a straight line, at some height in the air, across the hills Avhere the loch is situated. He also introduced a description of a line of sea caves and rocky platforms, another set of breeding stations, between Ballantrae and Loch Kytin. In some of the caves the cormorants enjoy the strange companionship of marten swallows and pigeons, birds whose gentle habits but ill harmonise with such dismal haunts. In one case the swallows swarmed round the mouth like bees at a hive, the rocky shelves of the interior being occupied by great numbers of rock pigeons and green-crested cormorants, the whole scene forming a some- what unusual picture of bird Life. October 27th, 1863. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. Before the commencement of business, Dr Lindsay rose to observe that, since the last meeting, the society had sustained a loss by the death of one of its valued members, Mr James Hamilton, and moved that the Secretary be instructed to record in the minutes the high estimate which the members had formed of his talents and acquirements, and their deep and sincere regret at the loss which they, as a society, had sustained by his early and unexpected death. The Chairman stated that no member of the society could feel more acutely this loss than himself, and passed a warm and deserved eulogy on his merits as a naturalist, as well as his individual worth, remarking that many of those who knew him would long remember the manly and kindly disposition for which he was distinguished. Mr William Martin was elected a resident member. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr Alexander M'Kinlay exhibited specimens of the following rare mosses from new localities in Scotland: — Didymodon recurvi- folius, from Ben Voirlich, the second known station; Campylopus brevipilus, var., from Doune, Perthshire, these having not been previously observed in Scotland; Splachnum vasculosum, Mnium 76 PROCEEDINGS OF THE cinclidioides, and Hypnum ardicum, with fruit, from Ben Challum; Neckera Philippeana, gathered on a tree near Inverarnan, Hijpnum dimorphum, H. ochraceum, with fruit, and Hypnum moUi, with fruit, which Dr Stirton and he had found in various stations in Clova. He also intimated that he had discovered, on Ben Voirlich, Dicranum circinnatum (Wils.), wliich had not been any- where observed since first found on that hill by Dr Greville many years ago. It occurs on Ben Voirlich in some quantity, assuming various forms, some closely approaching to Dicranodonti, numer- ous specimens of which he exhibited, some having male in- florescence. Mr James Ramsay exhibited a specimen of Lastrea cristata, from a Renfrewshire locality, in connection with which the Secretary mentioned that he had received a communication from Mr Peter Clark, a member of the society, stating that he had discovered this plant in the same county ui 1861. Dr Dewar exhibited a specimen of Pallas' Sand Grouse {Syrr- haptes paradoxus), from the outer Hebrides, an object of some interest, as showing that the flocks of this rare and interesting species, which have recently occurred in the British islands, have extended to all parts of the country. It has been found in Ren- frewshire, Perthshire, the Lothians, and most of the north-eastern counties of Scotland; and as the present specimen was found on the 19th of this month, there is some reason to hope that the birds, having now been observed upwards of four months since their first arrival, will continue in their British habitats, and thus form a very important addition to our ornithological catalogues. Mr John Young exhibited a fine specimen of the Porbeagle (Lamna cornvbica), from the Minch, and made some observations upon fossil species of shark, illustrating his remarks with an extensive series of the teeth of these fishes. Mr Young like- wise exhibited a grey phalarope (Fhalarojms lobatus), and a Hoopoe (Upupa Epops); the former having been shot near Gourock, the latter at Langbank, both during the present month. The Secretary (Mr Gray) exhibited a specimen of the short- nosed hippocampus {Hippocampus hrevirostris), from Banff'shire — a fish which has not hitherto been met with in Scotland, the locali- ties quoted by Yarrell and other authors being the Channel Islands and the southern shores of England. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 77 PAPERS READ. I. — On the Permanence of Sjoecies and the Limits of Variation. By Dr Scouler. The author of this paper remarked that when naturalists confined themselves to merely descriptive monographs, the tendency was to confound the distinctions of species and varieties. The true method to be adopted was the physiological, in which we begin by tracing the development of a species from its first formation, and observing all its changes in form and structure, from the ovum to maturity, and then taking a survey of the species in its relations to time and space. The study of the molluscous animals was by far the most favourable for this purpose, as many of them had existed from a remote geological antiquity, and were still living over wide geographical areas. This view was illustrated by exhibiting an extensive series of varieties of some of the more common species, and a comparison with the varieties of the same species from the tertiary strata. From an extensive series of comparisons, he inferred that there was no ground for presuming that species were transitory, or mere changing varieties. II. — A Short Account of Two Cyclones experienced on the Island of Anietijum. By the Rev. Joseph Copeland, one of the Society's Corresponding Members. Eead by Dr Alexander Lindsay. This communication contained minute and highly interesting details of the incidents connected with these hurricanes, besides being illustrated by an elaborate series of barometric observations. November 24th, 1863. CONVERSAZIONE AND EXHIBITION. On Tuesday evening, 24th November, 18G.3, a Conversazione and Exhibition took place in the Queen's Eooms. In the lower halls a fine collection of British mosses was exhibited by Mr Alex. M'Kinlay. Mr John Shaw also exhibited a complete series of the genus Orthotrichum — a genus to which he had devoted special attention. In another part of the room, Mr John Young exhibited a collection of the Carboniferous Fossils of the West of Scotland, 78 PROCEEDINGS OF THE containing nearly four hundred sjDecies of the organic remains found in that formation. In the same halls there was a large collection of beautifully pre- served British plants, by Mr John Robertson, St Vincent Street, and a selection from the herbarium of the late Mr William Gourlay, chiefly Leguminosce. On various tables there were excellent micro- scopes, and mounted objects of interest, exhibited by Mr White, Buchanan Street, and Mr John Stone, West Nile Street; and at other tables a number of those instruments belonging to the members were provided for the use of visitors. A display of j^lants from the Botanic Garden, including an interesting collection of Coniferae from various parts of the world, was arranged by Mr Peter Clark, who had undertaken this section of the exhibition. The upper room presented the appearance of a museum. One of the centre tables was wholly covered by a remarkably good collection of birds belonging to Dr Dewar, including fine examples of Raptorial birds, British and Continental. Con- spicuous among these were the bald eagle and tawny eagle, the latter having been shot in the Crimea by Dr Dewar himself — a somewhat important capture, being the second instance of the bird's occurrence in Europe — the sno"\vy owl, Iceland falcons, goshawks, buzzards of various species, ospreys, etc. Mr Thomas S. Hutcheson, the society's librarian, exhibited a number of relics of Alexander Wilson, the American ornithologist, including a folio volume of the plates of his celebrated work on the birds of that country. Mr J. Mossman contributed one or two elegant pieces of statuary, all bearing on natural history — one of which, a model for Wilson's statue intended for Paisley, was much admired. On the side tables were laid out an extensive collection of British and foreign lepidopterous insects and beetles, by Mr Thomas Chapman, whose cabinet is well known as the richest in the West of Scotland; a complete series of crustacae, echini, and star-fishes from the Firth of Clyde, by Mr David Robertson ; and a collection of foreign shells by Mr Thomas Gray, a gentleman whose cabinet is acknowledged to be one of the finest in Britain. The Secretary exhibited three cases of objects somewhat novel — these being a striking collection of sea-fowls' eggs from Ailsa Craig, a number of birds' nests and their eggs, and cabinet skins of British birds, the last conspicuous for their beauty and perfec- NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 79 tion. The gallery was hung with a set of diagrams, kindly- contributed by Mr Page of Edinburgh, representing extinct plants and animals; while at intervals there was suspended some noble heads of deer, and other ruminants, from Dr Dewar's collection. Mr John Alexander contributed three cases of rare foreign birds; Dr Colquhoun a very fine series of mounted algse from the West Coast — a department in which were also very con- spicuous another series by Dr John Grieve. Mr M. P. Bell's collection of minerals created much interest by the large size and value of the specimens; and at the end of the room a large table was occupied by a selection from the geological cabinet of Mr James Thomson — a section of the exhibition which, in common with Mr Young's specimens, gave abundant proofs of the care and discrimination of both gentlemen. At nine o'clock, the Council and some of the members having assembled on the platform — Mr Michael Connal, Vice-President, in the chair — the Secretary of the society, Mr Eobert Gray, gave a short sketch of the society — its plans and progress. The Natural History Society of Glasgow was instituted in 1851 by a few naturalists in this city who felt desirous of establishing in Glasgow a society for the pursuit of their mutual studies. The roll of members at that time included the names of two well- known citizens — Mr William Gourlay and Dr William Lorrain — whose loss the society still deplores. Both took a prominent share in its transactions, and, by their kind and genial manner, they enlisted many others into the study of subjects Avhich have since been investigated with the most satisfactory results. By their influence and talents the society was enabled to take a place among the scientific bodies of this country; and while the mem- bers at this moment lament their untimely loss by death, they are proud to think that the sapling which they planted has now become a strong and vigorous tree. The objects of the society, as stated in its constitution, are — to meet for the exhibition of speci- mens, both native and foreign; the reading of communications; excursions for mutual improvement; and the encouragement, in all its branches, of the pursuit of natural history. During the twelve years it has been in existence, the proceedings have been characterised by many valuable papers on the fauna and flora of the West of Scotland, some of which have already appeared, through various channels, before the public. The geological, 80 PROCEEDINGS OF THE entomological, ornithological, and botanical departments of this exhibition amply deiVionstrate the zeal of those whose collections have been displayed, and will prove to any one acquainted with these studies that the members have done well in their investi- gations. The committee venture to say that the collections are worthy of Glasgow, and do the city no discredit. In the marine section, the society refers Avith much satisfaction to the successful labours of one of its members who, by his own unaided efforts, has opened up, in a remarkable degree, the zoology of the Firth of Clyde. Many animals, hitherto accounted rare, are now known to exist as common objects, while the annals of science have received many important additions of animals altogether new to natural history records — discoveries which have caused the Firth of Clyde, and more particularly the C umbrae Islands, to become one of the best explored and most mdely-known districts of Britain. The society also points with pleasure to the extremely valuable collections of its geological members, whose recent researches have developed new fields of investigation, and who have earned for themselves well-merited honours. The numerical strength of the society is gradually progressing. About 150 diplomas have been granted to resident members, and there are now on the corresponding list about 30 members, five of whom are foreign, and two honorary. Finally, the Committee desire to make it known that the members have made full investigations into the natural history of the West of Scotland — materials of great importance to local students, and to those Avhose summer leisure may be employed in collecting objects for after study; and it will be at all times a pleasure to them to communicate, in their respective departments, the fullest information to those who desire to participate in the advantages to be obtained from the results of their labours. Dr Scouler, the President of the Society, then came forward, and exhibited some fine remains of the moa or dinornis, from New Zealand, and gave an outline of the process by which the anatomist arrives at a knowledge of an extinct animal from the study of such fragments as have been preserved. The exhibition, in compliance with a generally expressed "\vish, was continued throughout the following day and evening, and was attended by a large number of visitors. natural history society of glasgow. 81 December 29th, 1863. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected members: — Messrs William Hamilton, Geo. Hamilton, John B. Wingate, John Alexander, John Mossman, William Ker, James Sinclair, Robert Mason, Duncan M'Lellan, and George W. Eainey. SPECIMENS exhibited. Dr Dewar exhibited a specimen of the tawny eagle (Faico ncevioides), which had been shot by himself in the Crimea — the second recorded instance of its occurrence in Europe, a specimen ha\dng been obtained a few years ago from the same locality by Lieutenant Blakiston. Dr Dewar also exhibited the following rare birds, obtained during the present month from various localities in the West of Scotland : — The snowy owl (Surnia nydea) — Renfrew- shire; the hawk owl [Surnia funerea) — near Maryhill, its third occurrence in Britain ; the fork-tailed stonn petrel (Thalassidroma Leachii), two specimens — from Firth of Clyde and Benbecula; and the purple gallinule (Porphyrio hyacinthiis), a species which has not hitherto been recognised as British — from near Campbeltown. The last-named bird bore no traces of having been in confinement; and as it is abundant in some parts of Europe, its occasional occurrence in this country should excite less surprise than that of many other species whose geographical range is not so extensive. The hawk owl, for example, being a native of North America, is more out of the limits of its distribution, and has a much wider distance to travel ; while the purple water-hen, being found as near us as France and Germany, could easily perform a journey to the British islands, possessing as it does both powers of flight and swimming. The Secretary, Mr Robert Gray, exhibited a specimen of the parrot crossbill (Loxia pytiojmUacus), from Wemyss Bay — a rare species, which has not occurred in Scotland for upwards of 30 years. The specimen formed one of a flock seen recently at the place mentioned. Mr Thomas Chapman exhibited a Bohemian wax- wing {Bomhycilla garrula), from Tarbert, where it was found last month. Mr David Robertson exhibited specimens of two rare fishes — Muller's topknot {Rhombus hirtiis) and Bloch's topknot {R.imnctatus), both from the Cumbraes ; also, a recently described crustacean— L 82 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Galafhea Andrewsii — from the same locality, where it is found plentifully. At same time, Mr Kobertson exhibited an annelid, new to the British fauna — Clymene lumhricalis — from two different localities in the West of Scotland. This gentleman, one of the most successful investigators of our Scottish marine fauna, was especially thanked by the President and Members for his valuable contributions to the society transactions, and it was announced that among the results of his recent observations many new and impor- tant additions to the local lists would shortly be forthcoming. PAPERS READ. I. — On the remains of a Fossil Elephant found at Airdrie. II. — On the occurrence of a rare cetacean — {Hyperoodon hidentatus) — in the Gareloch. By Dr Scouler. January 26th, 1864. Mr Michael Connal, Vice-President, in the chair. The Rev. Henry W. Crosskey was elected a resident member; and Tottenham Lee, Bynya, Narandra, New South Wales, corresponding. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr Duncan C Brown exhibited a specimen of the pintail {Dafila Caudacuta), from the River Cart, near Glasgow; and Dr Dewar exhibited a bittern (Botaurus stellaris), shot recently in Possil marsh, and a fine osprey (Pandion haliceetus), shot near Campsie. The society's ornithological records are now believed to be very complete as regards the West of Scotland — the additions of the past and present session having been not only numerous, but of great value and interest. Mr Thomas Chapman exhibited a miscellaneous collection of insects from Porto Rico; and Mr John Young submitted to the meeting a curious variety of the shore pipit (Anthus rupestri^), from Islay, the bird being of a rich cream colour. Mr David Robertson exhibited specimens of Hippolyte securifrons, a crustacean new to the Firth of Clyde, on which he made the following remarks:— This species was first dredged by Mr Jeffreys and the Rev. Alf M. Norman, in the summer of 1861, in seventy or eighty fathoms of water, about sixty miles east of Shetland, and was briefly described in a paper read at the Manchester Meeting of the British H. SECORIFRONS. Teeth on the carapace and upper mar- gin of the rostrum all simple. Posterior eight teeth on the carapace and rostrum nearly alike in size. Posterior dorsal centre of the third segment obtuse. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 83 Association. It has since been taken, about sixty miles off Tynemoutli, and also at Berwick Bay, and recently another speci- men was obtained by Mr G. S. Brady from a fishing-boat at Sunderland. So far as the habits of the species have been observed, it would seem chiefly to frequent deep water, often at considerable distances from the shore. As the species may readily be mistaken for Hippolyte spinus, of Sowerby, which it closely resembles, the following may be given as the prominent distinguishing characters of each:— H. STINUS. Teeth on the carapace and upper mar- gin of the rostrum all double serrated. Four posterior teeth on the carapace are greatly larger than the teeth anterior to them. Posterior dorsal centre produced back- wards into a conspicuous tooth-like process. I may here remark, however, that I find the spines of the cara- pace and ro.strum are very unstable characters, requiring to be coupled to others of more permanence to give them reliable value. In this same species the Eev. Alf. M. Norman gives figures of seven different conditions of the teeth in the rostrum and carapace. But with all the characters taken together, he establishes a good •species in Hippolyte securifrons. The same inconstancy occurs in the spines of the carapace of some of the Diastijlidce. Some time ago I exhibited at one of our meetings a specimen of a five-spined Cuma; afterwards I found the same species with one spine only, and others having two, three, four, five, and up to seven spines, and individuals having, in addition to the larger spines, a very minute serration along the central ridge of the dorsal segments. Yet all these proved to be only variations of one species, Cuma tri-spinosa, of Goodsir — a name that the animal still enjoys on the good faith of the constancy of the three spines. These irregularities of the rostrum are not confined to the Macroura and Stomopoda, but are extended to the Decapods. In the case of the velvet swimming crab, Porhmus puber, scarcely two will be found with the frontal armature of the carapace alike. Fortunately, in this instance, there are so many decided charac- ters, that there is no way of getting wrong. I may further remark, that I find the terminal tail plate and appendages in the Macroura and Stomopods much more constant 84 PROCEEDINGS OF THE in their characters than the armature of the carapace or rostrum. Any deviation detected from the normal form in the caudal appendages of these animals is always a good reason for further scrutiny of all their parts. Mr Robertson at same time exliibited a specimen of Terehellides strcemii — an annelid new to the British fauna, also from the Firth of Clyde, where it is by no means rare. He had first dredged it, when in company \n.i\\ Mr Keddie, in the Kyles of Bute, in the summer of 1862, and found it last summer in Lochlong, Lochgoil, and off Cumbrae — ^the habitat in each case being a dark-coloured mud. Mr Eobertson likewise gave a description of its habits, as observed by himself. PAPER READ. On the Fossil Shells, Anthracosia, Anthracomya, and Anthracoptera, found in the Lanarkshire Coalfield. By Mr John Young. Specimens from his collection, belonging to various species of these genera, were exliibited; also specimens of the rock known as the Cambuslang marble, at one time worked in this district for ornamental purposes, and which is principally made up of shells belonging to this family, showing that they must have swarmed over certain tracts during the coal period, as thickly as the Mijtilidce- in our present seas. He stated that for many years these shells were regarded as nearly allied to the Unios, or fresli-Avater mussels of our present lakes and rivers, and that they were thought to indicate a fresh-water origin for the various coal strata in which they are found. But the investigations of the last few years have shown that they differ in several of their characters from true Unios; and, from the finding of marine shells associated with them in various districts, the strata in which they are found is now regarded as not so exclusively of fresh-water formation as was once supposed. He further stated that geologists had much to learn regarding the life of the coal period, before they could state definitely whether the beds in which these shells occur are truly of marine or fresh water origin. He, however, hoped that the day was not far distant when a more complete knowledge would be obtained of the varied conditions under which many of the beds connected with our coal strata were deposited — a result which could only be satisfactorily accomplished by a more careful study of the animals and plants found in these strata. natural history society of glasgow. 85 February 23d, 1864. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected as resident members: — Messrs William Henry Hill, Thomas Warden, James Pearson, and John William Burns, jt. of Ealmahaw. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. The President drew the attention of the meeting to an interest- ing addition which had been made to the British fauna by Mr David Robertson, namely, Omiphis Eschrkhtii, and exhibited the animal, -Nvith its ingeniously constructed tube. Mr Robertson had first found it when dredging in the Firth of Clyde in company with Dr Grieve of Glasgow. Mr William Sinclair exhibited an eared grebe (Podiceps auritus) and a tree sparrow (Passer montaiia), both from East Lothian. The former is not uncommon at Dunbar, although it is considered one of the rarest species ; the latter far from rare in many parts of the country where it breeds. It was first observed near North Berwick, and appears now to frequent many of the surrounding farms — a record of some interest, as it has not hitherto been recognised as a Scotch species in ornithological works. Mr George Brown exhibited a red-necked grebe {Podiceps rubricoUis), shot in the river Cart, near Glasgow; and the Secretary exhibited a specimen of Podiceps minor, Avhich had been found breeding by Mr Sinclair on the summit of Ben Eadden, at an elevation of nearly 2000 feet. Mr David Robertson exhibited specimens of a small star-fish, Ophiura affinls (Liitk), (0. Norman of Hodge,) from the col- lection of Mr George Hodge, Seaham Harbour, who first described it as a British species in the transactions of the Tyneside Naturalist's Field Club. Mr Hodge had dredged it at Seaham in 1861, on a sandy bottom from 6 to 26 fathoms water, associated with Ophiura texturata and 0. albida, but a single specimen had been taken some years previous, by the Rev. A. M. Norman, in the Firth of Clyde ; and by that gentlem^an a few sjoecimens were taken at Shetland in the summer of 1861, but having given them only a passing glance, they had been laid aside as the young of 0. texturata or 0. albida, to which they bear a close resemblance. 0. a^inis is readily distinguished from 0. texturata and 0. albida, by a 86 PROCEEDINGS OF THE crescent of short spines at the base of the rays close to the disc. Mr Eobertson at same time exhibited a small crustacean, Hippolyte pusiola of Kroyer {H. Andrewsii of Kinahan, and H. Barlii of Sp. Bate), for the identification of which he had been indebted to the kindness of the Rev. A. M. Norman. It was taken at Cumbrae, on a sand and gravel bottom from ten to fifteen fathoms deep. H. pusiola is very like H. Cranchii, and may be readily mistaken for that animal, but is easily distinguished from it by having the apex of the rostrum simple instead of bifid. Mr Robertson also exhibited a little auk {Mergulus alle), which had been captured at Millj^ort, and forwarded to him by Mr Levack, one of the society's corresponding members. Mr John Young made some remarks on the genus Camarophoria, a small groujD of bivalve shells, found as yet only in the Permian and Carboniferous formations, and stated that in Scottish strata they were so extremely rare that until the last few weeks only one specimen had been known, a single example, Avhich was found in the limestone of West Lothian by the late Professor Fleming. Mr Young has lately identified three other specimens of these rare shells from the main limestone, Campsie, the species being C. crumena, in which he was fortunate in developing tlie internal characters on which the genus is founded. He also referred to another small species, C. glohdina, discovered by Mr James Thomson, one of the society's members, at Brockley, near Lesmahagow. The Secretary exhibited a slab from the Westbarns clay- field, near Dunbar, containing numerous remains of a recently discovered fossil star-fish {Ophiolepis gracilis), described as a new species by Professor Allman of Edinburgh. The slab excited some interest — the sjDecimens of the star-fish being in excellent preservation. In the brickfield at Westbarns, they are found in great numbers ; in a single horizontal bed, Avhich extends about a 100 yards, as far as yet exposed, they are all of one species, and appear to have died suddenly, none of the rays being separ- ated from the disc, or in any way mutilated. In dimensions, the specimens varied from one to four inches. Mr Gray mentioned that among the many thousands of these star-fishes, there did not appear to be a vestige of any other organism, a fact which leads to many curious speculations. I NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 87 Mr Robertson then directed the notice of the members to a living Doris which he had on the table for exhibition, and which at present could not be referred to any British species. PAPERS READ. I. — On the Skeleton of Oviparous Vertebrates. By Dr Scouler. II. — Observations on the Long-tailed Ice-Duck (Harelda glacialis). By the Secretary. Two very beautiful specimens of the bird from Dunbar were exhibited, and an account given of the habits of the species as ob- served by Mr Gray, during the present month on the East Coast. March 29th, 1864. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. Mr George Brown was elected a resident member. SPECIMENS exhibited. Dr Dewar exhibited two specimens of the gadwall (Anas strepera), male and female, which had been shot during the present month on the Island of Benbecula, one of the outer Hebrides, a locality of very great interest to the ornithologist, as being the haunt of many rare species; also, a specimen of the spotted crake {Crex porzana) from Mid-Lothian. Mr Edward R. Alston exhibited the eggs of a few rare British birds from various localities, and likewise made some observations on the eggs and breeding habits of Uria Brunnichii and Uria Lachrymans. Dr Scouler exhibited a specimen of Polyclinum constellatum, a compound mollusc, and made some remarks on its structure. He also exhibited a cranium from an ancient tumulus in North America, and at same time directed the notice of the members to several other skulls on the table, showing the results of artifical pressure as practised by some of the tribes of that country. Mr David Robertson exhibited a specimen of Montagu's Sucker (Liparis Montagui), from Cumbrae, with remarks on its distribution in the British islands. The same gentleman exhibited a very fine series of glacial shells from a new locality he had discovered in September last, at Langbank, and the shore at West Ferry, opposite Dumbarton Castle. This collection embraced several of 88 PROCEEDINGS OF THE the rarer shells characterising the glacial dejDosits of the Clyde district, and contained about thirty species. The most abundant of these are Cyprina Islandica and Peden Islandicus, the latter being extinct as a recent shell in the British seas. Mr John Young made some remarks on Mr Robertson's interesting discovery, stating that the collection exhibited was acquired during several visits to the locality by Mr Robertson, Mr R. Gray, and himself. The clay beds containing the shells had been found to extend a considerable distance along the shore, their existence being easily traced by the washed-out fragments on the beach for upwards of a mile east of the village. At some places the specimens are in excellent preservation, those of Panopma Norvegica being quite entire. There were also numerous fragments of the plates and spines of an Echinus, which, so far as can be made out, appear to be portions of Echinus lividus — a species not now found alive in any part of Scotland. Mr Young then drew the notice of the meeting to a series of beautifully preserved minute organisms from the glacial beds at Fairlie, near Largs. The material from which they were collected was found filling up the interiors of some of the larger shells — Pecten mciximus, etc. — obtained from that locality by Mr Robertson. From these shells Mr Young had taken specimens of the following genera of Foraminifera : — Polystomella, Rotcilia, Lobatula, Numulina, and Miliola; also, four or five forms of Entomostraca, and several species of univalve and bivalve shells, none of which have hitherto been recorded as occurring in the glacial deposits of the Clyde. He also referred to the discovery of other shells and minute organisms in the same beds by Mr Robertson, observing, in concluding his remarks, that the list of glacial shells was likely to be greatly augmented by a more minute investigation of the beds in all the localities where they occur. This section of the proceedings appeared to possess a great degree of interest. Mr Thomas Chapman exhibited two cases of North American Lepidoptera, which he had just received from a correspondent, containing many species identical with those of this country, after which the President referred to three fine plants on the table which were exhibited by Mr Peter Clark, of the Royal Botanic Garden, the species being Ainaryllis Johnsoni, Aloe ccesia, and Vriesia speciosa, all in flower. natural history society of glasgow. 89 April 26th, 1864. Hugh Colqulioun, M.D., in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected members:— Mr Alexander B. Stewart, resident; and Mr John JafFray, Dunbar, corresponding. specimens EXHIBITED. Dr Scouler gave an account of the remains of a whale found at Cornton, near Stirling. The remains belonged to genus Balcenoptera, and were probably those of B. rostrata, a species still found in our seas. The specimen occurred in brick clay, at about eight feet below the surface. No part of the whale was found except the cranium, wliich Dr Scouler exhibited; whence it appeared that after being stranded and decomposed, the bones of the skeleton had been separated and scattered by the action of the tides or currents of the river. The whale had not been of great size, as the head was but seven feet in length, which would give about twenty-eight feet for the entire skeleton. The head had not been transported, but still remained in the place where it had been decomposed, for one of the small bones of the internal ear was found within the tympanic cavity of the temporal bone. The brick clay in which the bones occurred was not a glacial bed ; at least no shell characteristic of the glacial beds was found in it. From the elevation at which it was found, the whale in this instance was probably of older date than the canoes found in the river deposits of the Clyde near the Broomielaw; but this remark applied only to these instances. PAPER READ. An account of a visit to the sliores of Dunhar in February last, tvith Descriptive Notes on the Natural History of the District. Part I. By the Secretary and Mr David Eobertson. This paper was illustrated by numerous specimens of the various objects collected. The zoological lists furnished by these gentlemen possessed great interest, as affording comparison with similar catalogues prepared in the West of Scotland, many strik- ing differences being apparent. These will be more appreciated as the investigation proceeds, the present paper being but the commencement of a series from which, it is expected, much curious information will be elicited. In the Ornithological Sec- M 90 PROCEEDINGS OF THE tion they acknowledged their obligations to Dr C. Nelson, Pitcox, one of the society's corresponding members, resident near Dunbar, whose collection contains many rare species obtained by himself in Tyne Estuary, and elsewhere in East Lothian. The following birds have occurred recently in that county: — Eough- legged Buzzard {Buteo lagojms); Honey Buzzard (Pernis upivwus), four specimens; Grey Slirike (Lanius excuUf or), three specimens; Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pirns majm-); Black-throated Diver (Colymbus ardicus); Grey Phalarope (Phalarojms lobatus); the Smew {Mergus alhellus), male and female; and the Shore Lark {Alaucla alpestris), three specimens of this very rare British bird having been shot on the banks of the Tyne Estuary by Mr Evans, one of which is in Dr Nelson's collection. The latter gentleman also communicated the occurrence in the same place of the King Eider [Somateria spectaUUs), another species of extreme rarity in this country. Among the fishes exhibited were Puinkeps trifurcatus, found on Belhaven Sands, and the Viviparous Blenny, (Blennms viviparus), which is a common species in the tide pools at Dunbar. In the list were enumerated the greater weever (Trachinus draco); the green cod [Merlangiis virens) ; the Ballan wrasse (Labnis maculatus) the sea horse {Hippocampus hrevirostris), a living specimen of which Avas found in the harbour of Dunbar by one of the society's corres- ponding members, Mr John Levack of Cumbrae. May 31st, 1864. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The folloAving gentlemen were elected members : — Messrs Walter Rutherfurd, and Louis C. Jarnaque, resident; John Mason, jun., Dunbar, corresponding. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr David Robertson exhibited an extensive and carefully- prepared collection of Entomostraca and Foraminifera from the Paisley clay beds, nearly all of which are identical in genera and species with those found in similar dej)osits at Fairlie, Helensburgh, and Langbank. Their occurrence, however, at Paisley removes all doubt as to the time when they were imbedded, and affords satis- NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 91 factory evidence of the correctness of Mr Young's previous researches on the clay beds at present washed by the tides. At the same time, Mr Robertson exhibited several genera of Polyzoa, and numerous remains of Crustacea, which he had also obtained at Paisley, associated in the same beds with these minute organisms. Mr Home had on the table a large collection of glacial shells from a portion of the Clyde beds, occurring between Cardross and Helensburgh, in connection Avith which it is somewhat remarkable that a large projjortion of the shells are found quite entire, both valves being united in the case of the Pedens, Cyprinas, and Pano- pceas. Mr Home had obtained hundreds in this state of preser- vation; and he remarked that the same fact could not be observed at any of the other beds he had visited. Mr James Ramsay exhibited specimens of Bromiis secalinus from Braidbar, near PoUokshaws, where he had gathered it apparently in a wild state; also an abnormal form of Athyrium Filix fcemina from Buchanan Woods, near DrjTuen, presenting a most extraordinary deviation from the usual form of the species. To illustrate the singular variety to which this fern is occasionally subject, Mr Peter Clark, of the Royal Botanic Garden, had on the table seven abnormal forms of a plant in a living state, one of the most inter- esting of which was from the banks of Lochfyne. Mr Alexander M'Kiulay exhibited the following mosses from Ben Voirlich, by Loch Lomond : — Fissidens rupestris, Wils. MSS., a new species recently detected in North Wales, by Mr Wilson, author of the "Bryologia Britannica;" it is closely allied to, and has probably been confounded with, F. aclimiMdes, but is of much smaller size, grows in drier situations, and has more pellucid leaves, having the margins below distinctly thickened ; also, a new species of Campylojms (C. aurimlatus), which he had discovered in September last, and on a second visit to Ben Voirlich this month, had again found in many places profusely, particularly near the summit of the hill. This species is intermediate in many of its characters between C. Jlexuosus and C. fragilis, but more resembles the latter in habit, and sometimes also in colour; the nerve is generally very broad, and has a layer of large cells over the front, and is lamellated on the back, appearing in a cross section regularly and distinctly crenate; the alar cells, of a bright red colour, are expanded into articulate processes. It propagates itself by throw- 92 PEOCEEDINGS OF THE ing off tlie apices of the branches, which are often provided with rootlets, and even a branchlet before reaching the ground. Mr M'Kinlay stated that he had observed the same mode of pro- pagation in C. lon.gi^nlus, a species, like the preceding, not found with fruit, and communicated to the society a second locality for C. auriculatus — Ben Ledi, where he had gathered it a few days ago.* PAPEKS READ. I, — On Clay Beds of Boss Arden, on the banks of Loch Lomond. By Mr David Eobertson. A box of clay from Ross Arden was placed in my hands for examination a week or two ago by our Secretary, who obtained it from our corresponding member, Mr M'5[iven, of Shemore, Loch Lomond. I found the mass chiefly composed of vegetable matter, packed with marine shells. Althougli the shells are in great numbers, I have not observed over four or five species in all. The common mussel, the common cockle, the common whelk; and, I may say, the common Tellina solidula and the common Bissoa idvae. The mussels are very soft, and greatly crowded to- gether, and scarcely one of them to be seen entire. The other shells are in a better state of preservation. Still they have suffered much, and are very brittle. I could not detect any entomostraca or polyzoa, although I looked for them with great care, I met with a few of one species of foraminifera in very fine condition. Being desirous of seeing the beds, Mr Gray and I arranged to go to Loch Lomond on Saturday last. Mr M'Niven provided us with the means of transport from Balloch to the beds of Eoss Arden, a distance of about eight miles up the Loch, and, with a workman and utensils, zealously superintended the operations himself. The shells are in a small bay, at Eoss Arden, lying nearly north and south. They are covered by a soft vegetable mould about twenty inches thick ; the shell bed itself is fully that thickness, and is resting on what seems to be vegetable mould; the shell stratum is said to extend thirty or forty feet into the loch. Mr M'Niven * Tliis species is the same as C. Schimrzii, Scliimper, which was not then published. Has since been found in very many localities both in Scotland and Wales. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 93 informed us that it was discovered many years ago by a fisherman when cutting a canal fiu'ther into the bay, for the better accommoda- tion of his boat. Mr M'Niven also told us that about eight years ago he procured a barrel full of the clay containing the shells, and forwarded it to our late Secretary, Mr Fraser, who appears to have altogether overlooked the circumstance. There can be little doubt but the shells have been drifted to where they are found, but probably from no great distance. Although marine shells, they are met with in brakish water; the Rissoa ulvae and Tellhia solidula are purely estuary shells. Per- haps the best mussel fishery we have in the West of Scotland is between Greenock and Port-Glasgow, where there is a great admixture of fresh water. Regarding the whelk and the cockle, I am not prepared to say what they could bear; but as all littoral shell fish are often exposed to heavy rains, it is most likely that they could also endure a considerable admixture of fresh water; and there is little doubt, at the time they lived, the tide supplied the salt water. II. — An account of a visit to the shores of Dmibar in February last, with Descriptive Notes on the Natural History of the District. Part II. By the Secretary and Mr David Robertson. Among the numerous objects exhibited in illustration of the paper, there were several slabs of clay from the Westbarns clay- field, containing very distinct tracks of some molluscous animal, or a crustacean. These tracks were distinguishable only on the thin layers of sand occurring in various parts of the bed, and, after the closest examination, no trace of any other animal could be perceived. Regarding the extreme abundance of the recently discovered fossil star-fish, Ophiolepis gracilis, in this clayfield, it was stated that Mr Robertson had, during a recent dredging excursion, in the Firth of Clyde, brought up two successive hauls of star-fishes — the dredge in each case being literally full of a single species of Oj.)hiura, without a fragment of any other creature, showing the ground on which the dredge was acting to be completely covered by these animals alone. This fact, while suggestive of the gregarious habits of certain species, throws some light on the conditions under which these fossil remains are found in the brick clay; and it would appear their immense numliers contribute in 94 PROCEEDINGS OF THE some way to the extiriDation of other animals in their feeding ground and immediate neighbourhood. III. — On the Carhoniferovs Fossils collected on the Dvnbar Coasts hy Mr Robertson and the Secretary. By Mr John Young. Mr Young ilhistrated his remarks by many sjiecimens of great interest, conspicuous among which were several slabs covered by the remains of a Cidaris — the Archoeocidaris Urei, one of the oldest forms of sea urchin known to geologists. This organism, with its plates and spines (the latter often nearly six inches in length), are among the most valuable of the Dunbar fossils, and are there found in a greater state of preservation than has yet been observed in any other locality in Scotland. Several specimens of sandstone were exhibited, containing curious tracks, of various designs, so to speak, made by some animals; and several speculations were offered as to whether these were the marks of annelids, crustaceans, or molluscs. Mr Young concluded his paper by stating that, from the variety of geological phenomena to be met Avith on the Dunbar coast, and from the abundance of organic remains in the strata, it was well worthy of a visit from the student of geological science. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 95 SESSion^ i8S4:-e5 THE THIRTEENTH ANNUAL GENEEAL MEETING, ANDERSON'S UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS, SEPTEMBER 27th, 1864. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the present session: — John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President; William Euing, Vice-President; Eobert Gray, Secretary; Matthew P. Bell, Treasurer; Thomas S. Hutcheson, Librarian; Messrs Michael Connal, John Young, and Alexander M'Kinlay, Members of Council. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr John Young exhibited an interesting series of specimens of the genus Fenestella, a group of lace-like organisms which he had lately obtained in great perfection at Newfield Quarry, High Blantyre. One species, with its beautiful feather-like fronds, appears to be undescribed, and is almost peculiar to that district. From the same quarry he also exhibited a fine specimen of Stenopora tumida and Ceriopom interporosa, which showed the habit of growth in these organisms in a more complete state than any specimens which have yet been figured. PAPERS READ. I. — On the various genera and species of hrachiqjod shells found in the main limestone of the Campsie Valley. By Mr John Young. In this paper Mr Young contributed the following list of species, some of which are very rare, and do not seem to have been recorded from Scottish carboniferous strata up to the time when he commenced his researches in that district : — Terebratula hastata, Sowerby. — sacculus, Martin. Spirifera duplicicosta, Phillips. — bisulcata, Sowerby. — trigonalis, Sowerby. 9G PROCEEDINGS OF THE Si)irifera ovalis, Phillips. — glabra, Martin. — tJrii, Fleming, — lineata, Martin. Spiriferina octoplicata, Sowerby. Athyris ambigua, Sowerby, — plano-sulcata, Phillips. — Royssii, L'Eveille. Ehynchonella pugnus, Martin. — pleurodon, .... Phillips, Camaraphoria cruniena, .... Martin. Strophimena analoga, Sowerby. Ortliis resupinata, Martin. — Michelini, L'Eveille. Streptorhynchus crenistria, . . . Phillips. — (var.) radialis, . . Phillips. Chonetes Hardrensis, Phillips. — Buchiana, D'Koninck, — polita, McCoy. Productus giganteus, Martm. — latissimus, Sowerby. — cora, D'Orbigny. — semi-reticulatus, . . . Martin. — (var.) Martini, .... Sowerby. — longispinus, Sowerby. — undatus, Defrance. — costatus, Sowerby. — Youngianus, .... Davidson, — scabriculus, Martin. • — spinulosus, ..... Sowerby. — fimbriatus, SoAverby, — punctatus, Martin. — aculeatus, Martin. — mesolobus, Phillips. Crania quadrata, McCoy. Discina nitida, , . Phillips, Lingula squamiformis, Phillips. — mytiloides, Sowerby. Mr Young also pointed out the stratigraphical position of this NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 97 limestone in our coalfields, and the various districts wliere it has long been extensively worked for economic purposes. He stated that the Campsie district was not rich in fossils, yet it had yielded as great a variety of this class of shells as any other limestone with which he was acquainted. II. — The Secretary read a communication from Mr John Mason, Dunbar, descriptive of a marine deposit extending from Belhaven to Hedderwick, accompanied by a carefully prepared section showing the various strata. The entire depth of the deposit is about sixty feet, and consists of alternate layers of sand and laminated clay. Mr Mason referred to the abundance of shells in these beds, and also to the occurrence of the remains of seals and other animals among the clay, concluding his paper with a few observations on the general features of the district. III. — On Alternate Generations. By Dr Scouler. The author carefully illustrated his subject by diagrams and a large collection of specimens. October 25th, 1864. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. Mr Alexander M. Lang was elected a resident member. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr David Eobertson exhibited an undescribed Cuma; and, as far as known, a species new to science. It is nearly allied to Cuma Edwardsii, but differs from it chiefly in having the carapace terminating in front, in an acute point; in the first joint of the caudal appendage being plain; in the internal terminal scale being single jointed; in the external terminal scale having a short and long joint; and in both the scales tapering to the base of the terminal spine, Dr Scouler introduced to the notice of the meeting two casts of the ancient crania found at Engis, in Belgium, and Neanderthal, in Germany. These crania were interesting on account of the antiquity assigned to them, as well as from their remarkable N 98 PROCEEDINGS OF THE conformation. Omitting, however, the question of their antiquity, he confined himself to instituting a comparison between them and an extensive series of crania from difierent countries, wliich he had on the table. The peculiarities of the Neanderthal cranium were shown to exist in other crania, although not to the same degree, and there was no ground for admitting that it was anything but a genuine human cranium. With respect to the degree of intellect which the owner of this peculiar skull possessed, nothing could be inferred, as classification of the brains and nervous system of animals would never give a scale of intelligence. Dr Scouler also exhibited an interesting collection of fossil boues from Gibraltar. PAPER READ. On Porcellidmrn fimhriatum of Claus. By Mr David Robertson. This entomostracan, which is new to Britain, and was only last year introduced as new to science, I have been well acquainted with for the last four or five years. The specimens which I now exhibit were mounted on the slide as far back as 1859. I had sent specimens to several parties who are interested in various branches of the small Crustacea, but as little was known of the family in this country, and that scattered among periodicals, there was nothing conclusive come to regarding it till this autumn, when the Rev. Alf. M. Norman wrote me stating that he believed one which I had sent him was of this species. On referring to Glaus' Fig. of the animal, there was no difficulty in identi- fying it. There is one feature in the arrangements of its segments I may notice, which seems to separate it from all the members of the family in which it is placed. That is, the fourth segment is prolonged into two hooks, one on each side; whereas in allied genera it is the fifth segment that is so jDrolonged. It is a tenacious sucker. Wlien fixed to the side of the vessel in which I had it placed, I have had sometimes to rub a little spirits on the brush to get it removed. I take it with the dredge at Cumbrae, in a few fathoms of water, generally on Melobesia and old shells, among the roots of Laminaria saccharina. natural history society of glasgow. 99 November 29th, 1864. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following; jjentlemen were elected resident members: — Messrs Walter Gait, George Eutherfurd, and Alexander A. Dennistoun, Eow, Helensburgh. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Dr Dewar exhibited a male specimen of the Iceland falcon {Fako Islandicus), which was shot a few weeks ago, on North Uist. The occurrence of this fine species, which is not included in any- published Avork on British birds, was remarked as a circumstance of considerable interest. Dr Dewar also exhibited a specimen of the Turnstone (Strepsilus inierpres) in summer plumage, from the Hebrides, where it probably remains all the year, specimens having been seen as late as the second week of June. Mr DaAdd Robertson exhibited a specimen of the angel fish (Sqmxlina angeliis), which had been procured from a fisherman at Cumbrae, and forwarded l)y Mr John Levack, corresponding member. It is said to be plentiful on the southern coasts of England, and not uncommon in the Forth, and along the eastern coast. It has been taken on various stations in Ireland, and is included in Mr John Eaton Reid's list of the fishes of the Clyde. Still, it appears to be a rare fish on the west coast. YarreU does not mention its occurrence in the West of Scotland. Couch alludes to it having been found at Shetland. But perhaps the best proof we have of its local rarity, is the opinion of some of the old and experienced fishennen of the place, who pronounced the fish to be a stranger. Mr Robertson likewise exhibited an undescribed species of Eckinochrm which he had dredged at Cumbrae. The Rev. Alf. M. Norman had previously taken a specimen of this animal on the coast of Durham. Barret referred it to AmjMdotus gihhostis of Agassiz ; but Mr Norman, finding that it does not agree with Agassiz's species, proposes to name it Echinocardium pennatifidum. The specific name refers to the remarkable form of the pedi- • cellaria. It is clearly allied to Amphidotus roseus of Forbes, but diff'ers from it especially in the pedicellaria, which do not bear the slightest resemblance to each other. A. roseus may be readily known from its smaller size. It also soon acquires a red tinge on 100 PROCEEDINGS OF THE some parts of the dorsal surface soon after being taken out of the water and exposed to the air, which does not take place, so far as I have noticed, "wdth E . pennatifidum, which may, in most cases, be distinguished from A.roseus the momefnt it is taken from the dredge l^y its darker colour. Mr Alexander M'Kinlay exhibited the following mosses: — Atriclmm angustatum,, with fruit, not before observed in Britain, from Doune, in Perthshire, where it is not uncommon; and where he had first observed it in April last; CincUclium stygkim, an interesting species, from Ben Ledi, its first occurrence in Scotland ; Dicranuvipcdustre, with fruit ; and also from near Doune; Campylojms brevipilus, from the Islands of Bressay and Unst, in Shetland. Regarding the last named Mr M'Kinlay observed that Perthshire liitherto had been considered the most northern limit in Europe for the species, and that its occurrence in the northern extremity of Shetland Avas a fact of much interest, proving its wide distribu- tion in the British Islands. Mr M'Kinlay also laid on the table several scarce and interesting flowering plants from the same localities, whence he had procured them last summer, during a tour through Shetland in company with his friend Mr John Shaw — an excursion which had resulted in the accumulation of many important botanical observations. PAPERS READ. I. — Observations in various branches of Natural History during the past Summer. By Mr Robert Gray. The author referred to the occurrence of the shoveler duck (Anas clypeata) near Girvan, and the nesting habits of the common cross- bill in Ayrshire. He likewise exhibited, in illustration of his paper, an extensive variety of Pwpura laptilhos, collected in various 2)arts of Scotland, and gave an account of the habits of the species, mode of preying on other molluscs, etc., as observed by himself. Among the specimens on the table were a number of beautiful striped and coloured varities from the Bay of Luce, and some curious black and wide-mouthed varieties from a mussel bed in Fifeshire. Mr Gray had also obtained some very large examples of the shell from the claybeds at Langbank, contrasted with which those he had procured from Caithness were but pigmies, although representing the true characters of the species as they now exist in the northern districts of Scotland. In further illustration of NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 101 his notes, Mr Gray exhibited an interesting series of fossils, forming part of a large and valuable collection of specimens obtained during the present year, by himself and Mr Thomas Anderson, from the Silurian rocks of the Girvan valley, and embracing a number of rare organisms which have not yet been recognised. In referring to tliese, he remarked that as the collec- tion included some thousands of specimens, it was impossible at present exactly to define its contents ; but that as far as it had been exanuued the following genera were represented, viz.: — Univalve shells — Bellerophon, Orthoceras, Murchlsonia, Plewotomaria, Turbo, Eiiomplmlus, Platijceras, etc. Bivalves, including the Conchifera and Brachiopoda — SanguinoHtes, Nucula, Pterinea, Axinus, Rhjnchonella, Pentamenis, Atrypa, Orthis, Leptana, Lingida, Discina, etc. Among Trilobites he had procured the folloAving: — Asaphus, Ccdymene, Cheirurus, Encrinurus, Illmnus, Phacops, Agnostus, etc. The collection also contained several species of corals and graptolites, and one or Iavo slabs with annelid or molluscan tracks. The whole of the fossils exliibited were in excellent preservation. II. — On the Natural History of Serpents. By Dr Scouler. Illustrated by a numerous series of specimens. December 27th, 1864-. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected resident members: — Messrs Archibald Edmistou, William Edmiston, and William Lawrence Hislop. SPECIMENS exhibited. Dr Dewar exhibited a specimen of the solitary snipe, {Scolopax majoi-), from Ardrishaig — a species which is rarely met with in Scotland. It had been lately shot near that locality, and for- warded by Mr Colin M'Kinnon, corresponding member. Mr Geo. Brown exhibited a specimen of the spotted crake {Crex piorzana), from Stewarton, in Ayrshire. Mr John Young exliibited various species of Spirorhis and an Entomostracan, from the carboniferous beds of the West of Scotland. He remarked that specimens of Spirorhis and of Serpula, some of 102 PROCEEDINGS OF THE them unclescribed, were occasionally found attached to the stems of crinoids, corals, and shells, but in general they were rare in the limestone series of our coal measures. Two of the species, how- ever, to which he called the attention of the meeting, are much more abundant in our upper coal measures, viz., Spirorbis carbon- arius and S. helicteres. Of the former, he exhibited upwards of 300 specimens attached to the stem of a coal plant from Airdrie coalfield, the portion of the plant being four inches in length by one inch in breadth. The latter species had not been recognised from this district before, and Mr Young stated that they occur in great abundance, along with shells of the genus Anthracosia, forming a thin mussel band at Newton, near Cambuslang. The large entomostracan which he exhibited belongs to the genus Cypridina, a rare form in our strata. From one fish coprolite, obtained by a friend from strata near Carluke, he had extracted upwards of 300 specimens of the shells, most of which were in a fine state of preservation, showing that many of our carboniferous fishes must have preyed largely upon these minute crustaceans. Mr Colin Brovni exhibited the lower jaw of an undescribed species of coal reptile, from one of the Airdrie blackband ironstones. This fine specimen was obtained about twelve years ago, but was thought to belong to a fish. The discovery, however, of undoubted reptilian remains in the same district within the last two years, has thrown much light on the specimen, which appears to be different from any that has yet been found. This jaw measures about nine inches in length, and has a closely set row of formid- able curved teeth, seventeen i)i number, showing in their structure the same labryinthic character in the teeth of the genus Anthroco- saurus, to which it is apparently very closely allied. Mr Thomas Chapman exhibited a number of liAdng specimens of a new species of A cams found in the young flower buds of the black currant (Naples variety), and forwarded to him by Mr David Doig, Hafton, near Dunoon. Mr Doig had about twelve months ago submitted specimens of diseased buds to Mr David Bowman, through whose microscopic researches the existence of the Acarus was first made known. Mr Chapman read a communication from Mr Doig, in which he stated that, although he had observed the effects of this so-called disease about thirteen years ago, he was unable to refer it to its true cause until Mr Bowman made his discovery. He likewise NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 103 remarked that the ravages committed by this minute insect were becoming wide-spread — so much so, indeed, as to cause most persons to root up their black currant bushes and abandon the cultivation of this fruit entirely. Dr Scouler exhibited specimens of the Crocodihis frontalis — a species recently described by Mr Murray, from specimens sent home by the Rev. Mr Thomson, from Old Calabar, on the West Coast of Africa. Mr Murray's description chiefly referred to the external characters; but an attentive study of the cranium tended to bring out more clearly the distinctive marks of the species. Tlie new crocodile differed from all the others which Dr Scouler had an opportunity of examining, in having a bony septum wliich divided the nostrils. This peculiarity existed, however, in tlie alligator of the Mississippi. The bones of the head were also very massive, especially those of the lower jaw. It is likewise remarkable from the shortness of the snout, and in this respect approaches more to that of an alligator than of a crocodile. In- deed, it is more obtuse than that of the Alligator sclerous of South America. PAPER READ. The Secretary then read a communication on the crab and herring fisheries at Dunbar, by Mr John Jaffray, one of the society's corresponding members. This paper contained a some- what graphic description of the Dunbar Drave, and included many valuable and interesting statistics connected with the fisheries there, involving one or two questions of public utility. January 21st, 1865. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. Mr William Ellis was elected a resident member. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr Edward E. Alston exhibited a specimen of the Kittiwake gull (Larus tridactylus) , which was shot, out of a flock near Girvan, on the 4th of January ; and made some remarks on the occasional occurrence of the species on the Scottish coasts during winter. The Kittiwake has hitherto been considered a strictly migratory 104 PROCEEDINGS OF THE bird; but Mr Alston observed tliat limited numbers remain in various Scotch localities both on the eastern and western shores, an opinion shared in by Mr Gray, the Secretary, who stated that he had observed this gull repeatedly in the Firth of Clyde in raid- winter. Mr Thomas Chapman exhibited a small case of moths recently obtained from New York; and Dr Scouler exhibited specimens of the Axolotl, giving some account of the structure of that curious animal. Mr Alexander M'Kinlay exhibited sj)ecimens of Mnmm sjnnosum, a new British moss from Ben Lawers, where he had first gathered it in 1861. PAPERS READ. I. — Notes on CoropJiium Longicome, and on the occurrence of Alteutha Bopyroides. By Mr David Eobertson. Mr Spence Bate, in his work now being published on the British Sessile-eyed Crustacea, says of Corojihwm longicome: — "It dwells in tubular galleries, excavated in the mud over which the tide flows and ebbs. It has not, however, been ascertained whether the channels in the mud are perforated by these Crustacea, or by the numerous annelids that they prey upon." He likewise quotes Quaterfages in his pleasant " Eambles of a Naturalist," where he says, at Saintonge: " About the end of April they come from the open sea in myriads to wage war with the annelids, which they entirely destroy before the end of May. They then attack the mollusca and fish, all through the summer, and disappear in a single night about the end of October, and return again the following year." In order to test the accuracy of these obser- vations, I put a number of them in a vessel with mud, and soon saw that they had the power of burrowing. In doing so they bring the points of their long antennae together, and push them into the mud; the fore feet help in widening the hole, and in turning the mud side-ways; the hind feet throw it backwards; the tail is placed nearly at a right angle downwards, which it presses against the excavated mud, and forces itself forward. Last summer, at Oban, I found them burrowing in stiff blue clay. On digging a portion of it up to ascertain the depth of their perforations, I discovered that each burrow was provided with two openings; the one shaft descending perpendicularly. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 105 turning sharply at the bottom, and ascending near and parallel to the other. In no instance that came under my notice, out of hundreds, was any one of the excavations driven into another. Seeing this form of burrow, I question much whether they ever adopt or usurp the burrow of annelids. There is another circumstance connected with the burrows of marine worms that goes far to identify tliem with their true owners ; that is, the inner wall of their burrow is generally dis- coloured with an exudation from the body of the worm, which I have never seen in the burrow of corophium. I have tried on several occasions to bring about one of those famous encounters said to take place between the corophiums and annelids, by placing them in a vessel together, but without ever observing the least attitude of aggression, defence, or fear on either side. I have tried them with the smallest worms I could find (always taking them from the same mud as the corophiums), as tit-bits fit to provoke the most indolent appetite, but not one of the corophiums seemed to take the least notice of them. The truth of their migratory habits appears to be equally un- certain. I meet with them on our shores in all seasons of the year. Last year, about the end of January, Mr Robert Gray and I met with them plentifully at Langbank, where the ice sheets lay thickly packed along the line of high water; again, in Feburary, we took them under the ice at Belhaven, and in the estuary of the Tyne at Dunbar. From their reputed deep water habits in winter, we expected to find them more plentiful as we approached low water; but the very reverse was the case ; not one was found at low water, while they were swarming near high water mark. From what we have seen of their habits, and the specimens of their work before us, there can be little doubt of their burrowing powers ; and whatever roving or warlike propensities they may have at Saintonge, we have much reason to believe that they are more staid and peaceful in their habits with us. Alteutha hopyroides (Glaus N.S.) Leipzig, 1863, The genus alteutha was first constituted by Dr Baird, and recorded in the transactions of the Berwickshire Naturalist's Club for 1845, and hitherto, in this country, contained only one species — AUeutlia depressa. The occurrence now of Alteutha hopyroides adds another British species to the genus — the sole addition of the last twenty o 106 PROCEEDINGS OF THE years. This was taken by myself at Cumbrae in the dredge and dip net. II. — On the Ornithology of the Suburbs of Glasgow. By the Secretary. Suburban ornithology, he remarked, was a subject less trivial than some naturalists might suppose, as many suggestive birds were still to be found within the bounds of the city itself; and although their occurrence so near the loud din of machinery, and in the midst of the smoke and bustle of one of the largest towns in this country, may be thought strangely out of place, yet it shows a hardihood among the birds themselves — a refusal, so to speak, to succumb under the inroads of man — which is by no means an insignificant feature in their history. To understand this more clearly, we had but to consider the disappearance of species from many places yet comparatively solitary — the chough being a well- known example. Thirty years ago this bird was abundant on almost all the rocky headlands of Scotland; also on the Isle of Man, and the rugged cliffs on some parts of the Welsh coast; but now it is known that it has entirely disappeared from these localities except a few pairs in the south of Ayrshire and Wigtonshire, and moderate flocks in the islands of Islay and Mull. It can hardly be supposed that the former haunts of this species are less retired at the present time than they were thirty years ago, there being no perceptible change to account for the bird's disappearance. Wliile, therefore, we find rooks, jackdaws, and magpies clinging tenaciously to the town, subjected to the confusion, turmoil, and clamour of a city life, we have to bear in mind that one of their nearest allies— the chough — although not coming within the range of these influ- ences of man's interference, is fast losing ground. In its structure it is even hardier than its congeners, its feet being peculiarly adapted for perching on rough rocks such as form its chosen haunts. Yet these advantages apparently cannot save it from being hustled off" the stage and sharing the fate of the great auk, another bu"d common at one time in Scotland, but not now found in any part of the world, the species being utterly extinct. Mr Gray then enumerated the various genera and species to be yet found in the suburbs — a list which included many interesting birds whose occurrence in and around the city furnished ample illustration of the remarks with which he introduced and concluded the subject. natural history society of glasgow. 107 February 28th, 1865. Jolm Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected resident members: — Messrs William Lorrain, James Eobertson, James Brown, and James Stirton, M.D.; and Mr Adam Sutherland, Irvine Academy, corresponding. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr Alexander M'Kinlay exhibited an abnormal form of Breutelia arcuata, with two sessile capsules on one seta, and of Atrichum xindulatum, with the calyptra attached to the seta. . He remarked that abnormalities of any kind seemed to be of rare occurrence among mosses, and among the lower Cryjitoganis generally, the comparative simplicity of their structure not admitting of much variety of modification; whereas, among the more specialized forms of Cryptogamic plants — such as ferns — and among flowering plants, many interesting and instructive anomalies were frequently displayed. Berkeley, in his " Introduction to Cryptogamic Botany," does not mention any abnormal forms whatever among mosses; but Hofmeister (" On the Higher Cryi^togams," Ray Society, p. 181), quoting Bruch, who details the observations of Giimbel, records several instances of abnormal fructification. Of the two additional instances brought forward by Mr M'Kinlay, the first, Breutelia arcuata, with two sessile capsules on one seta, is, in the meantime, chiefly interesting on account of the apparent rarity of the occurrence. Hofmeister records a similar one in Milium serratum, and the deduction he draws from it is, that such occurrences " seem to indicate the possibility of a bifur- cation of the growing upper end of the fruit rudiment." Mr M'Kinlay expressed the opinion that two sessile capsules on the same seta is simply a more developed form of two stalked capsules on one seta, the union being only of greater degree in the one than in the other. The union of two seta may be considered some- what analogous to, though, of course, in origin widely different from, the union of two stems in flowering plants, and in such cases the common stem is invariably more or less flattened out. It is not stated that any peculiarity of that kind was observed in Giimbel's " double fruits." In the present instance, however, the seta carrying the two capsules is obviously thicker than that on the 108 PROCEEDINGS OF THE same stem bearing one only. This latter fact would lead us to adopt, instead of the theory of the bifiurcation of the fruit rudi- ment, rather that which supposes the cause of the abnormality to lie in the archegonium itself. But in the absence of the calyptra, as in the j^resent case, it would be impossible to say whether such an abnormality was the production of two germinal vesicles in one and the same archegonium, or of twin archegonia. If there were but one calyptra covering both capsules, the former probability might be assumed, while if each of the twin capsules was provided with a perfect calyptra, we might reasonably believe them to have been produced from twin archegonia. Referring to the specimen of Atrichum unclulatnm with the calyptra attached to the seta, Mr M'Kinlay observed that the calyptra not unfrequently takes up that anomalous position, especially in young plants of this species. In such cases, also, owing, no doubt, to the want of the protection afforded by the calyptra to the growing point, the capsule itself seems invariably to be al)normal in shajDe — short and ovate as in Atrichum tenellum, and with a much shorter lid than usual. Mr M'Kinlay likewise exhibited specimens of a rare and little known moss — Campylopns densus (Schleicher), gathered by himself on Ben Challum in September, 1863, and again, in company mtli Mr Shaw, on the island of Unst, Shetland, in great profusion, in June last. This species has not hitherto been recorded as a native of Britain.* Mr David Robertson exhibited, from Cumbrae, an entomos- tracan of the genus Longijiedia, recently named by Claus, and read the following remarks: — This little entomostracan, taken at Cum- brae, is new to Britain. It belongs to a new genus, Longipedia, constituted by Dr Claus in his work recently published on the "Copepoda of Germany, the North Sea, and the Medi- terranean." In this genus he has but one species, L. coronata, but whether this one from Cumbrae is identical, I am not quite sure, there being- some slight difference of structure between them. Claus' figure is * The specimens exhibited were afterwards found to be the same as C. compactus, Schpr., which was not then published. It has since been found in very many places in the Highlands of Scotland. C. densus, which was at this time believed to be a distinct species (Schimper's Synopsis, 1860, p. 99), is now united with C. frayilk. — A. IM'K. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 109 taken from a female, and I think my specimen is a male; the difference, therefore, may be sexual. I have only met with two specimens, both occurring at the same time; one of these I have submitted to Mr Brady of Sunder- land, whose intimate knowledge of these minute fonns is well known, but have not yet had his opinion. I am unwilling, in the meantime, to break up this, the only specimen I possess, for closer examination, in the hope of meeting with a further supply, especially as one specimen might go only a very short length in fulfilling our purpose. When captured, and in life, I took careful outlines of the animal, and characteristic parts of its structure. On comparing them with Glaus' figure of Longij) edict, I had no doubt in referring it to that genus; but finding the terminal setae of the first and second thoracic feet in Glaus' figure plain, and. in this chiefly plumose, with other slight diff"erences, I hesitate to refer it to coronal a, until I have further confirmation. I believe this little crustacean will be found to be rare on our coasts, unless it should turn out that it is diflficult to dislodge from the roots of the plants among which it is found. I have searched such material from the same locality for years past, with care, without seeing one, till last autumn, when I found the two. I may mention a circumstance connected with their capture that may not be without interest. The usual mode of searching for these small forms got amongst sea- weed and debris at the bottom of the sea, is to put the material that you expect them in into a vessel with water, and allow it to stand for a short time, when the small animals will be seen to crawl or swim out to the sides, where they may be easily laid hold of with a small camel-hair brush. The operation may be continued with more or less success for a few hours, but in the course of a day many of the more tender animals die, the water becomes putrid, and the whole has to be thrown out. However, in this state many of the animals live and survive the total extinction of their weaker companions. It was after the material had been kept over two days that I found the Longipedia emerging from their obscure retreats, doubtless in a state of suffocating oppression, to seek a purer element. If it should really turn out that they are difficult to dislodge, their apparent rarity may thus be accounted for. Mr Robertson also made some remarks on the forms of the 110 PROCEEDINGS OF THE spines of Echinus sphcera, showing that, instead of being, as is generally supposed, all of one form, they are, to a great extent, on the lower side of the animal, flat pointed. His attention had been drawn to this hitherto-overlooked character, by finding portions of similar spines in the glacial clay beds at Fairlie, and also among the debris brought up by the dredge in various parts of the Firth of Clyde. The peculiar form of these fragments had puzzled himself and other naturalists, a greater share of attention having been bestowed upon them as glacial fossils, in the belief they might prove to be portions of an unknown species. Subse- quently, however, Mr Eobertson discovered that these flat-pointed spines existed in constant numbers on the lower surface oi Echinus sphcBra, not accidentally, or on a single individual, but as a steady, specific character, although not noticed by Forbes or other writers on radiated animals. Mr William Hamilton exhibited a specimen of the marsh warbler {Calamohcrpe ijcilustris) which was shot near Cambridge — the only recorded instance of the occurrence of the bird in Britain. The distribution of the species throughout Europe is extensive, ranging over Russia, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland. It is also found in North and South Africa, and the south-west of Asia. From its resemblance in general char- acters to the other British sylvidfe, its occurrence in this country may have been overlooked by ornithologists, and it is not unlikely that a closer observation, especially in the south of England, would result in the species being ranked among our regular summer visitants. It is a bird of shy habits, frequenting solitary marshes, fens, and slow rivers, on the banks of which its nest is usually found. It sings by night as well as by day, and delights the ear at all hours by its own natural notes, as well as its powers of imitating other birds^ — a faculty which it possesses in a remark- able degree, running over with great exactitude the notes of the goldfinch, the chaffinch, and the blackbird, as well as all the other birds wluch frequent its neighbourhood. PAPERS READ. I. — Additions to the Bryology of Ayrshire. By Mr John Shaw. The author of this paper mentioned having found in the lioch Doon district, plentifully, many species which had been previously considered rare. He drew special attention to NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. Ill Orihotrichum calvescens (Wils. MSS.), recently discovered in the Killarney district by Dr Carrington; Ness Glen, where he gathered it, being the second extra Irish station for this moss. He further stated that he had found Hypnum albicans, in fruit; Breutdia arcuata, in abundant fruit, and several others of less rare occurrence, in Ayrshire. In illustration of his remarks, Mr Shaw- exhibited specimens of all the mosses which he enumerated. II. — On the Recently Noticed Blight affecting the Naples Variety of the Black Currant. By Mr Duncan M'Lellan. Mr M'Lellan observed that the disease, which was now known to be caused by the ravages of a sj)ecies of Acarus, was almost exclusively confined to this variety, and that in the West of Scotland, where it had been plentifully cultivated, the injury committed was very considerable. The so-called blight had been known for many years, and it was thought the variety referred to was unsuitable for growth in this country. Mr David Bowman remarked that he had been investigating, for some months, the nature of this blight, and had, by means of a microscope, dis- covered immense numbers of an unknown insect in each of the shrivelled buds. These had been submitted, through Mr Chap- man, to Professor Westwood for examination, and he was unable to refer the new Acarus to anything he had ever seen. Further research, however, was necessary to make out the mature form of the insect, and both Mr Bowman and Mr Chapman expressed a hope of being able, in a few months, to trace the creature through all its various stages of development. March 28th, 1865. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. Mr David Hay was elected a resident member. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr John Young exhibited an interesting slab of shale, enclosing five of the long terminal fingers belonging to the head of a crinoid — Poteriocrinus crassus — which he had found recently at Newfield Quarry, High Blantyre, a locality which has yielded many fine and well-preserved carboniferous fossils. He stated that the 112 PROCEEDINGS OF THE remains of tliis crinoid are often found in a dismembered and fragmentary condition in the limestone quarries of the West of Scotland, but that this specimen which he now exhibited was the finest example of the serrated tapering fingers which he had yet seen, the species being very rarely procured in so perfect a state. The fingers averaged about five inches in length, and at their base showed a portion where they had been attached to the body of the animal. Mr Young also exhibited a large collection of other species of Crinoidece from the neighbourhood of Glasgow, belonging to the following genera:— ~Acti7ioc7inus, Platycrinus, Rhodocrinns, and Hydreionocrinus, and at same time drew the attention of the meeting to a series of bivalve entomostraca, from the same shales at Newfield Quarry, including a number of species, some of them being much more minute than he had yet observed from any other strata in the West of Scotland. Dr James Stirton exhibited specimens of Grimmia commutata, a moss new to Great Britain, from Moncrieff Hill, near Perth. Its habitat is within very circumscribed limits, and apparently con- fined to one spot, where it spreads from a centre of growth. It was in a barren state, and, being dioicous, there is little likelihood of its fruiting, more especially as neither male nor female plants have been detected. On the same hill, Dr Stirton had discovered the beautiful Hypnum Crista-Castrensis, and also Hypmim rugosum. Leucodon sciuroides was also discovered in great profusion, and, after diligent search, two or three tufts were secured bearing capsules in an immature state — a fact of some interest, fertile specimens being very rare in this country. Lastly, Tortida inter- media (Bridel), which in several phxces covered the rocks in such dense tufts as to exclude every other form of vegetation. PAPER READ. On the Siiccession of Geological Changes in Scotland from the Glacial Epoch to the Present Day. By Eev. Henry W. Crosskey. The author stated that the object of his paper was to group together certain facts, the recognition of which is believed to be im- portant for the determination of the modern series of geological changes in Scotland, rather than to elaborate any of those larger generalisations which, in the present state of investigation, must necessarily be tentative; and that the conditions of the pro- blems involved would be more dwelt upon than their solution. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 113 The oldest series of facts involved in the succession of changes to be considered was connected with the Elephant Bed at Kilmaurs, originally examined by Dr Scouler, and recently re-opened by Dr Bryce, and those beds of sand, with little doubt coeval with it, beneath the boulder clay at ChajDelhall, described by Mr Geikie. Between this period when Elephas primogenius roamed over tliis district, and came to drink at the large rivers, in the gravels of which its bones are found at the present day, the land has been depressed beneath the sea and again uplifted, while varied climatic changes had taken place. At present, we have no measure in Scotland of this great depression of land. In Wales, an Arctic shell-bed has been found at Moel Tryfaen, at the height of 1 360 feet above the sea, containing fifty-six species ; but our highest known bed in Scotland is at Chapelhall, 510 feet. The height of the boulder clay is generally taken for the measure- ment of the depth of depression; but although some portions of boulder clay have certainly been sunk beneath the sea, and placed in a position in which they might possibly become the abode of a spare fauna, yet its original formation must be attributed to terrestrial rather than marine agencies; and it cannot be argued that wherever there is boulder clay there is a clear proof of sub- mergence beneath the sea. With regard to the fauna of the clay beds, investigation intensifies the proof of its Arctic character. In conjunction with Mr David Eobertson, he had been engaged in microscopic examination of the clays, with very curious results. Many species have been discovered — some new to science, and some identical with new forms discovered by Dr Brady in mud obtained from Baffin's Bay. Some species of a highly Arctic character have also been added to the general lists, such as Cyclostrema costulatum, which has never been found living south of the Arctic circle, and Balanus carosus, a Spitzbergen species described by Darwin. He added that he hoped to be able to complete a full Ust of the fauna classified according to the various beds, as we are now working upon this field. From the period of extreme depression, the rise of land has been very gradual. The proof of this is both physical and zoological. The physical con- dition and position of the glacial shell beds invalidates the idea of a violent upheaval. They rest in hollows of the old boulder clay, and these hollows occur so rapidly within a limited area that any sudden upheaving force would have almost uniformly covered the P 114 PROCEEDINGS OF THE shell bed with boulder clay debris. The consistency of the beds composing the series in any section is so different — the boulder clay, the fine laminated clay, the shell bed — are so unequal in resisting power to any pressure, that the immense strain of a sudden upheaval must have confused and contorted them in their relationship to each other. Passing from the physical argument, we find slow stejDS of upheaval distinctly traceable in the existence of littoral and comparatively deep water beds of shells, both in the glacial and more modern deposits. The older clays at various localities present fauna belonging to various depths. We have abundantly, for example, Mija trwicata, and, in equal abundance, Leda pernula. It is the same with many other forms. They represent various depths. While the upheaval of the land was gradual, there are some slight signs that it was possibly undula- tory rather than persistent. This remai"k is not made positively, but as a hint for further observation. He had been surprised to find a Mytilus edulis bed, at the base of a shell bed, rich with Trophon dathratus, Natica clausa, and allied fonns. In one or two cases, where this has been the case, it may have resulted from some accidental accumulation through currents and tides; but it is a point worth watching, as sections are opened at the different clay pits of one locality. The uplifting force Avas not exerted with a uniform power over even limited areas. Take the various heights, from Bute to Airdrie, at which glacial shells are found, and the uplifting force will be seen to have been exerted very variably. There is a littoral shell bed in the clay near the summit of Jordan Hill, 145 feet. The clay bed at Chapelhall, with Tellina jjroxima, is 520 feet above the sea, while the same shell bed occurs at Paisley, Kilchattan, and in the half-tide clays all along our coast. Now, the distance between Jordan Hill and Paisley, in direct line, is very slight, yet there is a difference of 145 feet of level in the height of the same littoral shell bed. The upheaval of the land being accompanied with a gradual amelio- ration of climate, this amelioration was subjected to those self- same seasonal variations which occur at the present day. These were oscillations of waiTnth and cold. One curious suspicion may be mentioned as a hint for further inquiry. Mr Jeffrey mentions that at an extensive deposit near Uddevalla, the upper bed gives a similar result. Mixed with the universal Trophon dathratus are many shells of rather a southern type, such as Ostrea edulis, Tapes NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 115 pallustra, Corhula gibba, Aporrhais pes-pelicani. Among the Clyde beds I have also found a layer containing shells, in which those of the more southern type appear to exist in greater profusion and perfection than even in our present seas. It is an open subject for inquiry whether our climate was not slightly warmer than it now is between the glacial epoch and the present day. Mr Crosskey concluded his paper by sketching a classification of the various clay beds according to their fauna, indicating the climatic changes of the several geological epochs. April 25th, 1865. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. William Loch Stuart, M.D., was elected a resident member. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr John Shaw exhibited a collection of European Orthotricha, with remarks on some of the species. Mr Alexander M'Kinlay exhibited specimens of the normal form of OrtMricliwn Sturmii, from Stirling Castle rock and Abbey Craig. In the former place he had found it plentifully, sometimes intermixed with 0. rupestre. Among other rare species from new localities, he likewise exhibited Eurhynchium crassinervmm, with fruit, from the Abbey Craig, and Ambhjstegiam irriguum from near Doune. Mr David Eobertson exhibited a new species of Cuma, which was discovered last month on the shores of the Isle of Man by Mrs Eobertson, and for which the Eev. A. M. Norman now pro- posed the name of Cuma pygmcea. Dr Scouler exhibited a specimen of Thalassema Nepkmi, from the Kyles of Bute. This species, according to Forbes in his work on the British star-fishes, has been found hitherto only in the south of England. PAPER READ. On the Bryology of the Campsie Hills and Neighbourhood. By James Stirton, M.D. In illustration of this paper, the author exhibited specimens of Orthodontium gracile, from Lennox Castle woods. Hitherto this moss has been known to grow only in Abyssinia, and IIG PROCEEDINGS OF THE in three or four places in England; the present is the only other known station. Also Zygodon Mo^igeotii, the only speci- men, in a fertile state, detected in Great Britain, with the exception of Professor Walker Arnott's solitary capsule secured on the Glova Mountains; Hijimum rugosum, barren, which occurs very sparingly, and is a]3pareutly confined to one spot; Bartramia cakarea, fruiting freely, with abundance of male plants showing the distinguisliing characteristics in the perigonial leaves; Bar- tramia arcuata, a fertile specimen ; and several others of secondary importance, which, although deserving of notice, are yet to be met with sparingly throughout the country. Dr Stirton also exhibited, from the Trossachs, specimens of a rare and beautiful moss, Dicranum spurium. I May 30th, 1865. Mr William Euing, Vice-President, in the chair. M. Hunter, M.D., was elected a resident member, SPECIMENS EXHIBITED, Mr David Eobertson exhibited specimens of Amj)hiura Chiajii (Forbes) from Cumbrae, and remarked that, during his dredging expeditions, he had found the species off Largs, and at Wemyss Bay, Oban, Inveraray, Gairloch, Loch Long, Loch Goil, Holy Loch, Rothesay Bay, and west of Bute. He characterised it as the most common star-fish on all the mud banks, ranguig from a depth of 20 to 40 fathoms, round the shores of the West of Scot- land, and commented on the extraordinary fact of its being entirely overlooked by one of the keenest observers — the late Professor Forbes — in his numerous dredgings in the Firth of Clyde. This distinguished naturalist had, in all likelihood, passed it over as Ophiocoma fiUformis, with which it is invariably found associated in the same habitat. Mr Robertson also exhibited specimens of Tanais hirticaiidata (S. Bate) and Priniza ohesa, both from Douglas Bay, Isle of Man, where they had been discovered by Mrs Robertson. He stated that this Tanais had long been familiar to him at Cumbrae, but he was unable to distinguish the species. He had, however, submitted his specimens to Mr Spence Bate for determination, and had now to record both these animals NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 117 as new to the British Fauna. Praniza ohesa has not yet occurred in the Firth of Clyde, but was found in great abundance on Douglas pier, associated with Praniza coindeata, Tanais hirticaudata, and Anceiis maxillaris. PAPER READ. On Recent Palceontological Discoveries in the Coalfields of the West of Scotland. By Mr John Young. Mr Young referred to the great importance of many of these discoveries to the palaeontologists at present engaged in the investi- gation of the past life of our globe. He noticed in review the various classes — consisting of reptiles, fish, shells, Crustacea, echinoderms, corals, plants, etc., remarking the excellent preser- vation in which many of them are found, and concluded by urging upon those who are occupied in the various fields of investigation not to cease in their labours while so much remains to reward the discoverer, so that our lists of by-gone races of life, which flourished during the deposition of our coal strata, may be made of equal interest to those obtained in similar strata from other localities. 118 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SESSIOIsT 1865-S6. THE FOURTEENTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, ANDERSON'S UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS, SEPTEMBER 26th, 1865. Mr John Young in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the session: — John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President; William Euing, Vice-President; Eobert Gray, Secretary; Thomas S. Hutcheson, Treasurer and Librarian; Matthew P. Bell, John Young, Alexander M'Kinlay, and Eev. Henry W. Crosskey, Members of Council. October 31st, 1865. Jolin Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. Mr Henry M 'Donald was elected a resident member. At this meeting it was agreed to increase the number of mem- bers of council to eight — the names of the following gentlemen being added to the list: — Dr Colquhoun, Dr James Stirton, Messrs John Shaw, James Home, and David Eobertson. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr Alex. M'Kinlay exhibited specimens of Hahrodon Notarissi from the neighbourhood of Killin, in Perthshire, where, during a botanical excursion Avith Professor Schimper and others, in July last, he had found it on trunks of trees, especially sycamores, ash, and elms, extending over a wide area, and occurring in great profusion. This rare moss had been found previously only in Sardinia and in the south of Italy, and in but two locahties, growing on olive and hoUy trees. It i)roperly belongs to the region of the Mediterranean — the Meridional Zone of Schimper — where, and in the north of Africa, its nearest allies, Anisodon and Fahronia, are found. That region has a cryptogamic flora widely different from that of the middle of Scotland, which resembles the Scandinavian, and belongs, like it, to the third European Zone — NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 1 1 9 the Northern or Septentrional Zone. There is no parallel instance as yet among Scotch mosses of a species found in the Northern and Southern Zones without a locality also in the intermediate zone.* This species — new to Britain — is an addition also to our list of British genera. He also exhibited specimens of Campylopus hrevi- folius, Sell., and Campylopus alpinus, Sch., two recently published species new to Britain; but he remarked that the latter, though differing in some slight particulars, was probably identical with C. inter medius, Wils. MS., found some years ago in Wales. Both of these he had found on Succoth Hill, near Arroquhar, in June last, and again in July, when in company with Professor Schimper — the localities being Craig-na-Gour and Glen Dochart. He had lately observed female flowers on the specimens of Campylo'pus alpinus, these having been previously unknown. Mr David Eobertson exhibited specimens of a Thysanopod, and made the following remarks: — I have just learned that this animal will likely turn out to be, not Thysanopoda Couchii, but Thysanopoda Norvegica, a species lately described by Prof. Sars. Strange to say, the same post that carried one of my ]5ackages of them to the Rev. A. M. Norman took other specimens of the same animal to him from the Moray Firth, this being, so far as I know, the first met with in Britain. Mr Bell's specific character of Thysanopoda Couchii quite agrees with this species, so far as his description goes, and might include a dozen more, it is so brief and vague. Thysanopoda is placed in the family Alysidce, but diflers from the Alysis proper in having well developed branchial appendages attached to the base of each pair of thoracic natatory legs, which places it closer to the Squilidoe., especially as the last joints of the first thoracic feet are furnished with a mixed and compli- cated arrangement of spines, which gives these organs, in some degree, the prehensile character of the anterior feet of the Squila. The first that I observed was from the stomach of a sea bream, (Pagellus centrodontus), which was taken by Mr M. P. Bell atCumbrae, on the 12th of July last. From one fish I took 121 Thysanopods, * The late Jolm Nowell, the well-known bryologist of Todmorden, to whose indefatigable exertions the Enghsh moss flora owes so much, had gathered this moss some years before in two locaUties in England, but his specimens having been referred, by mistake, to Pterogoaium gracile, attention was only directed to the matter in consequence of the discovery at KiUin. 120 PROCEEDINGS OF THE besides a large bundle of Comatula. I examined other three of the same species of fish, taken in the same locality a few days afterwards, but found four or five in one only. Ten or twelve days later, I examined several others, but failed to find any Thysanopods, and further examinations a month later were followed by the same results. Finding them only in the earlier part of the season, shortly after the bream had begun to make its appearance on our coast, I was beginning to suspect that the breams from which they were taken had just arrived, bringing the crustacean cargo with them, from what distance it might be difficult to say, as forty or fifty miles an hour might be only a very moderate speed for these finny navigators. Fortunately, about the middle of September, I captured a few in the surface net at Cumbrae, proving satisfac- torily that they were at least visitors to our coasts, if not perma- nently inhabiting our shores. It is most likely that the apparent rarity of this animal, and of many others, does not arise from their being thinly distributed round our coasts, but rather from our want of the knowledge of their habits. This season it occurred to me to try the surface net after dark, and I was surprised to find many species oi Amphipods, Cumas, Bodatrias, etc., abundant, that I had never met with in the surface-net by day; many of them rare, and several that are likely to be new to the Clyde. I believe this is but one of the many obscure side tracts that are yet lying thickly around us unobserved, and while the sea rolls over her treasures, our pro- gress in reaching them -wall ever be perplexing and slow. Mr Young exhibited portions of the stem of a curious crinoid belonging to the genus Platycrinus, in which the anal stem reverses its axis in the course of every six joints from right to left. This form of crinoid stem is very rare in most localities, but is abun- dant in limestone shale at Muirkirk. Dr Scouler exliibited specimens of Halichondria ramosa and Atelecydus heterodon from Loch Eribol. Mr John Shaw exhibited several interesting mosses, among which were Orthotrichum pumihim, 0. fastigiatum, and 0. Rogeri, from various Scottish localities besides Dailly in Ayrshire — all new to the British flora. 0. fastigiatum, although a very distinct species, had hitherto been confounded with 0. affine, specimens of that moss having been detected by Dr Schimper as representing NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 121 0. fastigiatum in British herbaria. Mr Shaw also exhibited Orthotrichum Sturmii and 0. calvescens, the former from Bowling, the latter from Dailly; Dissochn s])laclmoicles, from Ben Lawers; LesJcea pulvinata, in fruit, from Dailly; Leucodon morensis, in fruit, from near Killin. He likewise laid before the meeting specimens of Bryum Schleicheri (a var. of L. turhinatum), from Unst, in Shetland, where he and Mr M'Kinlay had gathered it in June, 1864. Mr David Bowman exhibited, under the microscope, specimens of the recently discovered insect infesting the buds of the black currant, showing an additional stage of its development; also, a species of acarus found on the same buds. Mr Bowman likewise submitted to the meeting a new form of an object-finder for the microscope, which is constructed by affixing to a glass slide-bearer, three inches -long, four scales, each an inch in length, divided into 50 degrees. These are placed along the central portion of the upper and lower edges of the bearer, and across the bearer, half an inch distant from each end. Two lines are engraved on the stage of the microscope at right angles to each other, running across the aperture of the stage, these lines intersecting each other on the field of view. These form lines of longitude and latitude. The slide to be examined is then placed on the bearer, and put under the microscope; and if any minute object, such as a diatom, comes into the field which it may be desirable to see again, the points at which the degrees on the scales are cut by the intersecting lines on the stage may be recorded for future reference. This may be done in a fractional way. If, for instance, the perpendicular line on the stage cuts the horizontal scale at degree 32, and the hori- zontal line cuts the perpendicular scale at degree 34, they may be set down thus — 32.34. At any future time the object may be found by placing the slide on the bearer, and bringing it to the position in which the lines on the stage cut the recorded degrees, and if the observation has been correctly taken and recorded, the object will be found in the field of view. Mr Bo-mnan also explained another way of finding out an object when the stage of the microscope is fitted with intersecting lines as already de- scribed. In order to examine a slide, it is placed on the stage, and pushed up by the sliding bar on the stage, or lowered with it, as the case may be, so that the slide may be parallel to the horizontal line on the stage. When an object is found in the Q 1 '11 PROCEEDINGS OF THE field which, it is desirable to see at another time, a mark is made on the top edge of the slide where it is intersected by the perpen- dicular line upon the stage, and another mark on the end of the slide where it is intersected by the horizontal line. If the slide is not covered, this may be made on the glass with a writing diamond, or with ink, if covered with paper. Should a diamond not be at hand, narrow slips of paper could be put on the glass, and the marks made on them, and, by placing the slide exactly in the position indicated by these marks, the object can at any time be readily found in the field of view. PAPERS READ. I. — Descriptive Notes on several new and rare forms of Entomostraca from the Carboniferous Limestones and Shales of the West of Scotland. By Mr John Young. This paper was illustrated by a large series of specimens and magnified drawings. The m_ost of the species exhibited by Mr Young were new to science, and had been discovered by himself and his associates during the past year. From the limestone shales of Orchard Quarry, near PoUokshaws, he had obtained the following new species, in excellent preservation: — Beyrichia ragiata, B. symmetrica, Eichwaldia Upartita, Bairdia sub- mucranata, Cythere cornigera, Cythere ventricornis, and Kirkbya Per- miarm, the last species being new to carboniferous strata, having been first described from the Permian formation of England. From the limestone of Campbeltown he had procured Eichwaldia Scotica; from the shales of East Kilbride, Beyrichia bituhercidata, B. multiloba, Kirhjba Urii; and from the limestone of Craigenglen, Campsie, Cythere Rankineana, C. pungens, C. secans, and C. fabulina. II. — On the Ascidice found in the West of Scotland. By Dr Scouler. This paper was illustrated by an extensive series of specimens obtained by the author when dredging in various localities. Among the species which he exhibited were the following: — Clavellina Savigniana, C. lepadiformis from Oban; Botryllus pohjcyclus, and B. Schlosseri, and an undescribed species of the same genus, from Loch Eribol; Molgula tubulosa, Amcercscium argus, and A. albi- cans; Peloncea corrugata, Le'poclinuvi gelatinosum, Aplidium fallax, etc., etc. natural history society of glasgow. 123 November 28th, 1865. Hugh Colquhoun, M.D., in the chair. Mr David Calderwood was elected a resident member. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr E. A. Wiinsch exhibited a series of fossil trees recently discovered by himself in the island of Arran. Mr John Young, in referring to Mr Wiinsch's interesting dis- covery, stated that he had visited the district in company with Mr Wiinsch, and made an examination of the strata in which the plant remains had lieen found. These, he observed, are distinctly stratified; and, although termed trappean ash, are completely different from the ordinary trap-rocks of Arran. They are, in fact, aqueous deposits, formed of materials derived from j)lutonic sources, and are largely developed in many districts of central Scotland. The present instance, however, is among the first in which they have been found enclosing organic remains, or en- tombing old forests of the coal period. Mr Young also stated his conviction that aU these ash beds and ordinary bedded traps seen upon this portion of the Laggan shore were formed contem- poraneously with our lower coal measures, and were overlaid by the carboniferous limestone series of the island. They are, there- fore, of much greater age than the dykes and great sheets of igneous trap which cut through and overlie the upper red sand- stone of the south end of Arran. All the trees which he saw in the ash beds referred to, retained their original erect position, showing that the material had accumulated around their trunks much in the same way as sandstones and shales are found enveloping erect stems of fossil trees in the coal measures of other parts of the world. It is probable, however, that the beds accumulated much more rapidly than ordinary sedimentary strata. The plants, as at present identified, belong to Lepidodendron, Halonia, and Sigillaria; and as their original structure is wonder- fully preserved, it is expected that these Arran fossil trees will help to throw much light upon some of the vegetable organisms of the coal period. Dr James Stirton exhibited specimens of Ghimmia subsquarrosa, Wils., which he had gathered in August, 1864, on MoncriefF Hill, near Perth, where it grows in considerable abundance. He stated that Dr B. White had also, in May of this year, found the same 124 PROCEEDINGS OF THE moss on Kinnoul Hill and Balthayock. Although this is the first notice of the moss occurring in Great Britain, it is not unlikely to be found in other localities, as from its general resemblance to a form of Giimmia pulvinata, it is apt to be overlooked. Dr Stirton exhibited specimens of Camfijlopus compadus and Bryum gracile. In addition to these, Dr Stirton laid on the table specimens of Stylostegmm ccespiticmm, from Ben Lomond, the second locality in Great Britain, where it is found in great abundance, and Tricho- stomum crispulum, from near Cardross, Bowling, etc. — a very characteristic moss, apparently common on our seaboards, but strangely overlooked in Scotland. Mr David Robertson exhibited specimens of Cypridina marice and Philomedes longicornis, both from the Firth of Clyde. Mr Robertson stated that he had procured the latter in great abund- ance in the surface net; and with regard to the former, although previously recorded as rare in the three localities where it had occurred, he noticed the fact of its being very common at Cum- brae. He likewise mentioned a curious diversity in the habitat of these animals, namely — deep water at Plymouth, in tide pools at Herm, and on the surface in the Firth of Clyde. Mr Alexander M'Kinlay exhibited the following mosses new to Britain: — Didymodon daldinianus (De Notaris), in fruit, from Ben Voirlich — a species closely allied to D. cylindricus; Barhula fragilis (Wils.), from near the summit of Ben Lawers — a very distinct species, first discovered by Drummond in the Rocky Mountains, and found in various localities on the Alps of Europe, from Switzerland to Scandinavia; and Myurella apictdata (Sch. Syn.) from Craig Challeach, growing sparingly, interwoven with Enca- lypta commufata. The latter has been overlooked as a form of its congener, M. julacea (Leskea Tnoniliformis), but is distinct in its spreading, concave, papillose leaves, with long apiculus. It also is a Scandinavian species. The Secretary exhibited a series of Silurian Brachipoda from the neighbourhood of Girvan, embracing about twenty-five species, one of which was undescribed. Among these were Lingula Ramsayi, and L. attenuata, Discina perrugata, and several others of equal interest. natural history society of glasgow. 125 December 26th, 1865. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. Mr James Dairon was elected a resident member. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr James Ramsay exhibited specimens of Trisetum flavescens and Alopecurus agrestis, both gathered by himself in the immediate neighbourhood of Glasgow during the past summer. He stated that he had never before seen the former within ten miles of the city. The latter he had observed in 1854 in great abundance on the south bank of the Clyde, a short way above Eutherglen Bridge, at a spot wliere the embankment had lately undergone repair; that he had examined the place the season follomng, and had found only one imperfect specimen. Since then he had failed to find it — although he had searched for it every season — till the past summer, when it again appeared in considerable quantity, though not so plentiful as in 1854. Mr Ramsay likewise read the following list of plants that he had found during one visit to the old filters of the Water Company, beginning wdth those most common in the district: — Jasione montana, Silene inflata, Anthyllis vulneraria, Myrrhis odorata, Trago- jpogon pratensis, Reseda luteola, Potentilla reptans, Papaver Argemone, Senecio viscosus, Echium vulgare, and Saponaria officinalis. All these, he observed, were rare in the district, the two last named being unknown for many miles round Glasgow. The only explanation he could offer for so many rare plants being crowded into a space so confined, was the probability of sand having been brought from various and distant parts of the country to renew the filters when the works were in operation. Dr Scouler exhibited specimens of Nicothoe astaci adhering to the gills of a lobster, and made some remarks on its structure and that of allied species. January 30th, 1866. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr David Robertson exhibited specimens of Bodotria longipes, Norman, a species new to science, which he had secured in some plenty around the Cumbraes, in the Kyles of Bute, etc. 126 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Mr Alexander M'Kinlay exhibited specimens oiAtrichum tenelhim, with fruit, gathered by liim near the base of Ben LaAvers in September last. Although this species has been of late several times reported as British, it is very doubtful, owing to the absence of fruit on the specimens, whether any of them be genuine. Two capsules, however, found in 1850 (I) by the late Dr Nicol, between Lochgoilhead and St Catherine's, appear undoubtedly to belong to this species. Dr James Stirton exhibited specimens of Bryum barbatum, Wils. MSS., a new species gathered by him and Mr M'Kinlay on Ben Ledi in June, 1864. Dr Stirton then gave a brief outline of the bryology of Ben Ledi and neighbourhood, exhibiting, among others, specimens found by him in that quarter of Campyloptis com^Mctus, Dicranum virens, Encahjpta streptocarpa, with a capsule, and Leucodon scuiroides, with abundance of male flowers. February 28th, 1866. Mr James Home in the chair. Dr W. P. Schimper, Professor of Geology, University of Strasbourg, was elected an honorary member. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. The attention of the meeting was drawn to a collection of Zoophytes of various species, which had been forwarded from Girvan by Mr Anderson. Many of the specimens were dis- tinguished for their luxuriant groAvth, showing a marked contrast to the same sj)ecies found on the east of Scotland, those of the west coast generally being much larger. The most abundant zoophyte collected by Mr Anderson apjieared to be Anfennularia ramosa, a species which on the east coast is comparatively uncom- mon, its place there being occupied by A. antennina, which is closely allied to it. Some of the specimens exliibited were of a fine coral red, others yellowish, both varieties preserving their distinctive colours. The collection also embraced unusually fine examples of Plumularia myriophyllum and Sertularia rosacea, the former being twenty-four inches in height, the latter seven inches. In every instance — and numbers were obtained— *S'. rosacea was growing upon the Plumularia referred to, the habit in this locality being very noticeable. The other species exhibited belonged to NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 127 the genera Flustra, Cellularia, etc., etc., the whole collection having been gathered from a depth of eighteen to twenty fathoms off the coast, a few miles to the north of the town. The following mosses were exhibited by Mr John Shaw, the species having been gathered by himself: — Campylojms polytrichoides, from the island of Unst, Shetland; Campylopus compadus, from the island of Bressay ; and Cinclidium stygium, from near Balquhidder. Mr Shaw also exhibited a series of flowering plants, mainly from the Channel Islands, the South of England, and South-West of Ireland. PAPERS READ. I. — On the Raised Beaches at Irvine. By Mr Adam Sutherland. After giving a general description of these, the writer exposed the fallacious opinions expressed by a writer in the North British Review, who holds that the sea is making rapid approaches on the land in Ayrshire. There is the strongest evidence to the contrary. In the bay of Irvine several acres of land have been "added by the sea" to the farms adjacent within the memory of persons now living. The sea is known, too, to be retiring at the Links of Ayr. This is caused partly by upheaval, and partly by the silting up of the debris deposited from our rivers and oceanic currents on the shore; and hence the Irvine and the Garnock — the two rivers in the district — which must have flowed into the sea, at a period not long since, in a geological point of view, at least three miles apart, find now their exit into the ocean by the one channel. A mile inland, at a place called the Water Meetings, where the " Irvine " exposes a considerable part of the raised beach, no fewer than four beds of shells may be seen, the one immediately over the other, the highest and lowest being fully six feet apart. Bones of a huge whale (Balcemis mysticelus), which must have measured, judging from the size of the occiput, about seventy feet in length, were dug up a few years ago in tliis spot. Here, then, we have proof not only that the waves dashed on tliis old shore, but that a gradual sinking of the land took place previous to its final emergence; for this is the only satisfactory way of accounting for the presence of so many seams of shells in the positions in which they are here found. Two seams of shells have occasionally been observed by Professor Jamieson near Micklewood, in the upper reaches of the 1 28 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Forth. Skeletons of whales have also been found at Blair Drum- mond, and at various other places, generally twenty feet above the reach of the tide. At Blair Drummond and at Airthrey, lying beside the skeletons, were found rude spears of deer's horn, broken, and with a round hole through them, as if they had been used by the natives in their battles with the monsters of the deep, and had been broken in the encounter. This is the first evidence of the presence of man in this country. Mr Geikie is of opinion that at least a great part of the old beaches have been raised within the Roman period of our island, and perhaps he is right; but that the upper reaches of the Forth, and this old beach at Irvine, had finally emerged from the water long before the Roman period began, hardly admits of doubt. If the sea has been steadily retiring at its present pace, we must allow a period of some 4000 years to have elapsed since the waves washed this part of the old Irvine coast. This would still bring us within the human, but far past the Roman period, and it is very improbable, to say the least of it, that the natives would have employed such rude instruments as the horns of a deer at a time when the Caledonians, as we are credibly informed, were already in their iron age. The beds at Irvine seem to indicate that the climate has been gradually changing from the intense cold of an Arctic region to the mild summers and winters we now experience. In the first peat deposits Avhich overlies the glacial clays are found the remains of a sparse vegetation, such as one might expect to meet with in the north of Russia, telling of long winters and short summers. The presence of the large Greenland whale on our shores, and the remains of those cetaceans we find in the beds above the peat, together with species of shells now extinct on our shores, but still met with in the Arctic regions, point to a climate much colder than we now have. In the Highlands, and other parts of the country, during the younger days of our fathers, the snow used to be level with the eaves of the house-tops; and then in spring all the ploughing had to be done early in the morning and late in the evening from the intense heat. It is remarkable, too, that the lapwing, which used to migrate before the winter set in, has, for some years, resided with us all the year round. This change in our climate is still further corroborated by meteo- rological observations made lately in sixty different parts of NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 129 Europe, cand tlie conclusion come to is that our climate is approxi- mating more and more to that of the steppes of Eussia— the seat of the rinderpest. II. — Notes on the Habits of the Ermine or Stoat (Mustela erminea). By Mr Eobert Gray. He narrated occurrences, within his own observation, showing the extraordinary daring and rapacity of the species and its allies. His remarks were illustrated l^y a wild duck with one of these animals clinging to it in the position in which both were observed Avhen shot by Mr Colin Ferguson, Kirriemuir, from whom he obtained the specimens. The duck was observed flying at a considerable height, but making erratic deviations from its course, which attracted the keeper's attention, and, on waiting until it came within reach, he found that the bird had been pounced upon by a stoat while on the ground, and had taken flight with the little savage holding on with its fore legs partly entwined round the neck, and its teeth fastened to the back of the head. Mr Ferguson had communicated to Mr Gray a somewhat similar instance which came under his notice a few years ago— the assailant in this case being a weasel, and the victim a heron. The weasel was observed, during the bird's flight, to be hanging by its jaws to the heron's neck, and, on after examination, it was found that a large hole had been torn in tlie neck, leaving the bone exposed. Several other well authenticated examples were given of the sanguinary habits of the weasels, and the writer of the paper concluded with some remarks on the distribution of the various species in Scotland, and the changes which take place in the colour of their fur in connection with their haunts, and occasionally under climatic influences. March 27th, 1866, John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected members of the society : — Messrs James Miller and William 0. Crawford, resident; Mr Robert M'Dowall, surgeon, Panama Steam NaAdgation Company, Tobago, Panama, corresponding. A proposal of amalgamation, from the members of the Glasgow Naturalists' Society, was submitted to the meeting, and accepted. r 130 PROCEEDINGS OF THE The following gentlemen were accordingly admitted resident mem- bers : — Messrs James Coutts, George J. Combe, Charles Eadie, A. E. Horn, William Milne, James A. Mahony, D. L. Macnab, J. C. M'Nair, W. Newton MacGartney, John Eae, E.N.Kae,M.A.; James Robertson, Arthur Sutherland, Robert Stevenson, James E. Somer- \dlle, M.A.; John Small, Theodore C. Walker, Thomas Walker. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr E. R. Alston exliibited two specimens of the bank vole (Arvicola pratensis of Baillon) from the Upper AVard of Lanark- shire. The most northern locality in Britain hitherto recorded in connection with this species appears to be Roxburghshire, where it is not uncommon, and Mr Wheelright states that it occurs in Scandinavia, reaching even to the Arctic Circle. Mr Alston had taken six specimens near Lesmahagow, and stated that this little animal would be found common in other parts of Scotland. He likewise made some interesting observations on the habits of the species, as observed by himself. Mr David Robertson exhibited specimens of a new Entomos- tracan, which he had discovered in the Paisley Canal, near Glasgow, and for which Mr G. S. Brady had proposed the name Candona simplexr' These he had found to be common in the habitat referred to. As an instance showing how little this and nearly allied species are aflfected by the condition of the Avater in which they live, Mr Robertson mentioned the curious fact, that 'he had this season observed swarms of these minute organisms at the end of the wharf in Egiinton Street, where the water is hot by the refuse supplies from neighbouring factories, the surface clouded with patches of oil, and wdth foul gas from below. In the mud brought up, which was quite black and slimy, being mixed with every conceivable kind of rubbish, and having a very offensive odour, he had found great numbers of Ostracoda, particularly Cypris compressa, plump and clean, as if reared in a habitat of the greatest purity. Dr Dewar exhibited an albino variety of the common guillemot (Uria troile) which had been shot last month in the Kyles of Bute. The specimen, which was perfectly white, was interesting from the fact of albinoes being particularly rare among sea bii'ds. Mr John Young exhibited specimens of Balamis vulgaris, ob- * Now named by Miiller, Candona detecta. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 131 tainecl by Mr James Dairon from a thick bed of brick clay- recently cut through in St Enoch's Square. He remarked that this discovery, along with facts recently observed, proves clearly that the Eiver Clyde down to the period of the deposition of our brick clays, must have been an arm of the sea at Glasgow, and of considerable width, as these recent marine shells indicated, possibly receiving (according to Mr Robert Chambers) the waters of the river not lower down than Bothwell Bridge. PAPERS READ. I. — On some facts in the Physical Geogmi^hj of British Plants, and their Geological Interpretation; with sjMcial reference to recent Botanical and Geological Investigations in Scotland. By Mr John Shaw. He stated that although the flora of the British Islands did not rank as a separate botanical province, it was an extremely inter- esting one in its past history and general character. Europe was divided into three botanical zones:— Zonse septentrionalis, inter- media, and meridionalis; Britain had plants belonging to all three. He pointed out the mistake Edward Forbes had been led to commit when he divided the south of Britain and Ireland into three assemblages of plants, viz.: in Kent, in the south-west of England and south-east of Ireland, and the south-west of Ireland. Although the last named had some more southerly and delicate forms than the others, their existence was probably owing to its very mild climate. The isotherm of 41° Fahr. in the month of January passes through the south-west of Ireland and south of France, Italy, and Greece. Mr Shaw therefore believed that all the southern forms found m the whole south of Britain, and in stray nooks throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland, came into the country at one period, and that they were all wanderers from the Mediterranean shores. The author then mentioned some particulars of the intermediate or German flora, and entered fully into the Alpine and Arctic floras of Great Britain. He showed that the latter were necessarily, from the lowness of our moun- tains, and the influence of the Gulf Stream, not fully represented. By far the most interesting feature, however, in the flora of Britain was the number of species it embraced in common with North America. The floras of Europe and America have a con- spicuous community of species, but it was a noticeable fact that 1 32 PROCEEDINGS OF THE the Mediterranean flora of Europe had little or nothing in common with America. Having thus given a cursory view of the physical geography of plants in Britain, Mr Shaw then attempted to give the geological history of their introduction. He showed that there must have been a land connection between Europe and America at some date or dates during the glacial epoch. The community of species could not be well referred to periods before or after that great age; for how otherwise could we understand why the mountains and plams alike of Northern and Central Europe, and the Alps and other mountain systems of the South, should have species in common with North America? When the ■ ice had retreated from Britain, and the land had risen after the glacial epoch, so as to be connected with the continent, the Arctic and Alpine, the intermediate or German floras, and lastly, when the climate became very much warmer than at present, the Mediterranean flora entered. This last had travelled considerably to the north, for we find traces of it in the middle regions of Scot- land. The climate of Britain was such then, that trees grew at a greater elevation by 1200 feet than they do at the present time, as is indicated by the remains of trees found in bogs on our mountains. II. — On the Natural History of some of our Scottish Oil Shales. By Mr John Young. I have thought that a few remarks upon the Natural History of our Parafiin Oil Shales, illustrated by specimens, might be of some interest to members of this society, especially as these same shales are at present exciting, among certain classes of our commercial men, a considerable degree of attention, and are likely to prove of economic value to this country in the future. Ever since the discovery of those rich paraffin products in the Boghead cannel coal, or Torbanehill mineral, certain parties have been investigating our other cannel coals for the purpose of obtain- ing similar products; but the present restrictions of Mr James Young's patent prevents those parties from distilling from these cannel coals. They therefore were driven to investigate some of the highly carbonaceous shales for these paraffin oils, to which Mr Young's patent did not apply. The result of these investigations has led to the discovery of the very interesting fact that there are certain beds of strata in our NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 133 coal-fields at present not included under the acceptation of the term coal, which are charged to a greater or lesser extent with similar organic products to those in the Torbaneliill land. These are our paraffin oil shales — and they are now being eagerly sought for in every district of our Scottish coal-field. . Every one knows that nearly all our ordinary seams of common coal — such as the free, cherry, and sphnt coals, are now acknow- ledged by geologists to have been formed from great accumulations of vegetable matter that has grown upon the spots where these coal beds now exist — somewhat like our present peat-mosses, only the vegetation of the coal period was of a totally different kind from that forming our present mosses. In our coal measures, how- ever, we liave other varieties of coal besides those above-mentioned. These are our cannel or gas coals. They differ in their structure from ordinary coal, and show that the vegetable matter of which they are composed did not always groAv upon the spot where we now find tliem. They are the result, in fact, of deposits of fine macerated vegetable matter, which has been swept off from certain coal-tracks, and deposited in a sedimentary condition over the area of some old sea or lake bottom. We find in our cannel coals what we hardly ever find in our ordinary free coals — that is, the remains of certain shells, fish, and fishcoprolites, clearly pointing to their sedimentary origin. Our cannel coals also contain a much greater proportion of volatile in- gredients, and are, therefore, more valuable for oil and gas-produc- ing purposes. As the cannel coals during deposition were liable to get mixed with other earthy matter, such as sand and clay, we therefore find them of every degree of purity ; — that is to say, we find them ex- isting in every variety — from that formed of a nearly pure vege- table pulp, to ordinary bituminous shale, with a strong clayey or sandy base, and with but a small amount of carbonaceous matter. It is therefore very difficult, in some varieties, to say wliether they should be considered as cannel coal, or bituminous shale — for the question is often one of degree as to the amount of hydro- carbon they may contain. It was this great difficulty that some years ago led to that great law-suit as to what should he considered a cannel coal, or bituminous shale; for the Torbaneliill cannel — the disputed band in question — has a strong clay base. You all know that tlie evidence adduced on Isoth sides was very unsatis- 134 PROCEEDINGS OF THE factory, and must always be so wherever we have to deal with mixed sedimentary materials, for we have every amount of purity between what we consider a cannel coal, and bituminous shale, according to the presence or absence of earthy impurities in the deposit. I have dwelt upon this point in order to show how impossible it is to draw a line between these coaly shales and the cannel coals themselves. Many of these shales, which owe their hydro-carbon to the presence of vegetable matter only, are at present being worked for the oil they contain, and afford a lighter and better paraffin oil than that distilled from some of the cannel coals. This may be owing to the clay base of the shale retaining more of the original volatile products, which in the other case have escaped from the cannel coals, leaving in them only the heavier products obtained by distillation. Besides these coaly shales of vegetable origin, we have another class in our Scottish coal-field which appears to owe its oil to the great amount of animal organisms that have died in the beds. They are in general of a dark grey, or brownish colour, and are known to the miners of the West Calder district as the Fern-spore, or seed-cake beds, from the immense number of minute shells which dot their surface. The organisms which make up the great bulk of these beds are Entomostraca — a family of small bivalve crustaceans — and a few scattered fish and plant remains. The Entomostraca of the West-Calder shales belong principally to one species — the Cypris Scoto-Burdigalensis; or, it has been more correctly determined by Professor Jones to be, the Leperdita OJceni of Count Miinster. These little Crustacea seem to have swarmed in vast numbers in the seas of the carboniferous period, as their remains, in some cases, make up certain bauds of these oil shale strata, which, on distillation, yield a paraffin oil of fine quality. As far as I am aware, no one has hitherto noticed the animal origin of the soil in these shales. It was while I was engaged in the working-out of the Entomostraca of our other coal-strata, that I was struck by their very great abundance in the beds in question, and have come to the conclusion in my own mind that these shales owe their oil to the amount of these minute Crustacea which have died upon the sea or lake bottom, and not to the decay of plants, as in the vegetable oil shales. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 135 These Entomostracan oil shales, if we might so term them, are found principally in the lower coal measures, and carboniferous limestone series, and are often unassociated with any beds of coal. Their range extends from the horizon of the Burdiehouse lime- stone to the top of the lower limestone; they vary in thickness from a few inches to one or two feet; but in the West Calder district, where they are best developed, the beds are not all of one quality, there being layers of the shale less rich in oil than others. The idea is not new to geologists that many beds of strata in other portions of the earth's crust, owe the bituminous ingredients with which they are now impregnated, to the various animal organ- isms that have died over those tracts during the formation of the beds. It is also well known that there are strata aboutiding in organic remains which now contain no oil, nor other bituminous ingredients — but these may have escaped from the strata by the action of heat, or otherwise, leaving us nothing to testify to their former abundance but their hard skeletons. It is surprising, how- ever, to note how many strata in our carboniferous system still retain a portion of the organic substances by which they were once impregnated, many of the limestones being quite foetid from this cause ; and from their odour on being struck, or breathed upon, are termed swine-stones, or stink-stones. The only Entomostracan oil shale that I know of in the neigh- bourhood of Glasgow, occurs on the south hill at Campsie, in the Hosie limestone series. There are two bands, varying from three to six inches in thickness, yielding, by distillation, from twenty to thirty gallons of oil to the ton of shale. The shale is of a very tough durable character, and was formerly worked near Craigen Glen, in connection with some clay-band ironstone. After the volatile matter is burned out of it, the residue yields some 50 per cent, of lime, and is found to consist of the minute calcareous tests or shells of the Eniomostraca, felted closely together, the species of which the bands are composed being Cijthere fabulina, C. ])ungens, and C. secans. They also occur in some of the limestone strata of that district. I have in the foregoing remarks indicated what appears to me to be two distinct varieties of oil shales — vegetable and animal. Those of animal origin are said to yield an oil of lighter specific gravity than that found in the vegetable oil shales, or cannel coals, 13G PROCEEDINGS OF THE and are, therefore, better adapted for the manufacture of paraffin products. There are other shales in our coal measures which seem to have received their oil, or hydro-carbon, from a mixture of both vege- table and animal remains, the oil in these cases being of a mixed quality. To this class belongs the Kiltongue mussel-band shale, which is being worked in several localities for the purpose of distillation. This bed is of a brownish-black colour, hke some of the vegetable oil shales, but contains, in one layer, a gTeat abund- ance of bivalve moUusca belonging to the genus Anthracosia. I think there can be little doubt but that these shell-fish have yielded, during their decay, a considerable amount of the oil with which this bed is now impregnated. The brown shales found in some parts of our coal measures, as well as some brown and black sandstones containing hydro -carbon, but with few traces of organic remains, incline me to the behef that they may, in many cases, have received their oil by absorp- tion of the vegetable ingredients driven off by heat, or some other chemical agent, from beds of bituminous coal strata that may once have existed in their neighbourhood. The brown sandstone from one of the Cadder pits near Glasgow, of which I exhibit speci- mens, has all the appearance of having received the oil which it is seen to contain by the process of distillation, the oily particles lodging in the cold porous rocks, in their passage through the strata. As examples of this slow process of distillation still going on, in some of the coal strata, from the effects of internal heat, I have only to refer to the American oil-wells, and to the con- tinuous escape of inflammable gases in the deeper mmes or pits of our own country. In Scotland, oil shales yielding from twenty to seventy gallons of crude oil to the ton occur in nearly all tlie various coal basins, and, as the search for them goes on, we may expect to hear of many valuable beds being discovered, because that in many tracts of country which may have been formerly explored for coal and ironstone, these entomostracan and other broAvn shales were not likely to be much noticed before the discovery of their oil-yielding qualities. As the work of research goes on, I hope that our chemists may yet discover a means of utilising, to a greater extent, the heavier hydro-carbon with Avhich many of these shales are charged, so NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 137 that this new branch of industry which is springing up in the midst of our coal-fields may yet prove a great source of prosperity and wealth to Scotland. April 24th, 1866. Mr James Home in the chair. A letter to the Secretary, from Professor Schimper, the author of the " Bryologia Europse," accept- ing the honorary membershij) of the society, was read to the meeting. specimens exhibited. Mr Alex. M'Kinlay exhibited specimens of an unpublished species of sphagnum (*S^. mrvifolium — Wils. MSS.) This species much resembles *S'. subsecundtim, and as such has probably been overlooked, but is essentially distinct from that species in having the branch leaves entire and curved upwards, and in the structure of the stem, wliich has three or sometimes four layers of cortical cellules. The hyaline cells of the branch leaves are also much more elongated, and almost destitute of pores. It may be safely distinguished from S. subsecundum at first sight by the pale, reddish stem. The specimens exhibited were gathered by him in Glen Falloch, in September, 1863. PAPER READ. Notes on the Habits arid Geographical Distribution of Trogon resplen- dens {of Gould). By Mr Robert M'Dowall, Surgeon, Taboga, Corresponding Member. The province of Chiriqui is the most northern part of New Granada, or the United States of Columbia, as it is now styled, forming, at the same time, the southern limit of the republic of Costa Eica. Its lands principally lie between the Chiriqui Lagoon on the Atlantic, and the coast of the Pacific on the west. The high range of Cordilleras, which, between Colon and Panama, becomes lowered so as to afford a summit level to the railroad of only 115 feet, here rises again from 6000 to 8000 feet above the sea, keeping, in its course through the province, nearer to the Atlantic than the Pacific coast. Between the base of these moun- tains and the latter, the land descends gradually to the sea, inter- s 1 38 PROCEEDINGS OF THE rupted near Da^d(l, the capital to\vii of tlie pro^dnce, by a lower and nearly parallel range of hills. On these plains feed numerous herds of cattle and horses, forming the principal source of industry of the inhabitants. When the grass grows scanty during the dry- season, the animals betake themselves to the valleys of the Cordilleras, returning, however, each one to his grazing ground on the approach of the rains. The whole aspect of the country, seen from an elevation near the Pacific coast, is very picturesque and beautiful. It is one of those spots so charmingly arranged by the hand of nature, that few travellers, having once passed through it, would soon forget it. In its zoological and botanical physiognomy it shows a great many forms similar to what we see in the warmer plains of Central America. David, the capital of this province, is a small town of 5000 or 6000 inhabitants, about a league distant from the mangrove swamps and inlets of the Pacific; its latitude being 8° 28' north, and longitude 82° 28' west, about fifteen miles, in a direct line, from the sea coast. On arriving at this place, somewhere about 1845, I often heard the natives speak in high terms of the beauty of a bird in the Cordilleras, called Guahita de Montana, literally mountain macaw, probably so called from having a long tail like the red and blue macaw, which is very common in the plains. It was not until M. de Warsenrtz, a Prussian naturalist, arrived there, and proceeded to the Cordilleras in search of Orchids, where he shot two or three sjiecimens, that the bird was recog- nised to be the Trogon resjjkndens of Gould, a species which he had often seen in Guatemala, the only locality where it was sup- posed to be found. This indisputable fact I have not yet seen mentioned in any notice of the bird since published, yet it gives us a certain data as to the extent of the geograpliical distribution of the species. From the base of the volcano of Chiriqui in the Cordilleras, where we find it, to the high table lands of Quezal- tenange in the republic of Guatemala, is a distance of at least 300 miles, or from eight degrees of latitude to fifteen degrees north. Lately, I have been informed that the bird has been found on some of the volcanic mountains of Costa Kica. A certain eleva- tion on extinct volcanoes seems to be necessary for its favourite residence. In Chiriqui, as soon as you arrive at the oak region, about 3500 feet above the sea, you find them generally in pairs, flying from one tree to another. They seldom show themselves NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 139 in tlie clear, open air; and if so, only during a short flight from one clump of forest trees to another. The volcano of Chiriqui is about 11,500 feet in height, and forms a very conspicuous object in the landscape. It stands out somewhat apart from the bulk of the Cordilleras. At the time of the conquest, there is some tradition about its being in a state of activity, but at present all appearances of activity have ceased. The distance from David to its base is about twenty miles. With a guide and a horse, the journey can be very comfortably made. You pass the night, if you choose, at a cattle farm, about half-way, where you will be treated to jerked beef, maize bread, milk, and sugar-cane. A few hours' journey next morning will take you up to another cattle farm, in a line with the base of the volcano. The plain gradually narrows as you ascend, and is bounded on each hand by a river, whose bed has been worn many fathoms deep. At last these two rivers come so near as to be within a hundred yards of each other. Now covered with long grass, and honeycombed rocks, the plain still ascends, and disappears at last behind the volcano, to be lost in the range of Cordilleras. From the plains, at a mean temperature of 80° Fahr., you find the air and water at about 56°, so that in the miserable cane hut of the cattle herd you would pass a bad night without a couple of blankets. In the short twilight come the lowings of the cattle, and the cries of the goat- suckers. Once dark, the air around seems alive with the chirps of innumerable insects, which seem to make audible, as it were, the loneliness of a great mountain region. Just before sunrise, our guide called out, " Don't you hear the capachos (Cajnimulgi) telling you it is day-light;" and really we heard the repeated calls of a bird pronouncing clearly, ya-es-de-dia — ya-es-de-dia ; but, above all, there was the clatter of many sounds, which we were told were made by the mountain partridges or quail. The deep valleys were filled with vapoury fog. When they had cleared away, the scene before us was very fine. Looking towards the Pacific, the great sea occupied nearly two-thirds of the horizon, sweeping away from Golfo Dulce and Punta Burica, on our right, towards the lands of the next province of Veraguas. The vast plains which intervened between us and the sea were mottled by large patches of meadow, and dark lines of forest. Having breakfasted on venison and roasted plantains, we travelled higher up, and soon came to the forest of oak trees which skirted the base of the volcano. The 140 PROCEEDINGS OF THE guide listened, and said he heard the Guaquitus; and soon we were delighted at the sight of a magnificent male bird, with his long, graceful tail feathers, crimson breast, and metallic green plumage. With a sort of hurried flight, he crossed over before us, in the dim light of the oak trees, and alighted. When shot, we could not help regretting that so much beauty of colour and grace of form could not be taken alive. Next to the celebrated bird of Paradise, in the islands of the Eastern ocean, I know no sight more calcu- lated to excite to its liighest pitch the enthusiasm of the ornitho- logist. We always found them in pairs, and on the S.E. side of the volcano. The herdsman told us that for a time they disappear, and return about the time for incubation, in March, the time we were there. They lived, he said, on the fruit of a tree called Almacigo — but, I think, more on that of a species of Fecus, the fruit of which is about the size of a small cherry, and very good to eat. The seed was found on the stomach. The fact of these trees descending some five hundred feet towards the plain, may be a motive for the birds leaving their mountain solitudes in search of the fruit. Judging from the contents of the stomach, I should say this species, at least, was more frugiverous than insectivorous in its habits. They make their nest, we were told, in some old tree, well perforated by wood-peckers, and manage so that the hole should pass through and through, so that the male bird can enter and go out of the nest without endangering his long tail plumes. By seeing these feathers protruding, the Indians were led to dis- cover the nest. They could tell us little about the eggs, or other particulars of their nidification. Their note is a short, harsh cry, easily distinguished when once heard. A gentleman in David had a young one brought to him by an Indian. It lived for some time, and seemed to thrive on ripe plantains. Unfortunately, it got stung by a scorpion, and died. WHiile the Trogons of the plains court the sunlight, sitting, apparently uneasy, in an open branch, uttering now and then a short note, this species seeks rather the shade and retirement from the glare of the sun ; it seems not to be timid, but sluggish, and so is easily approached and killed. In the plains near Panama, I have often seen the native paths under the trees strewed with the beautiful crimson and green feathers, the birds having evidently fallen a prey to the hawks. The Trogons have been described as " solitary nocturnal birds." I have never seen anything in their habits to corroborate this opinion. In NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOWJ Ul Central America, the Trojon resplendens is known by the name of Quezal, or bird of the Incas, royalty alone being privileged to wear their tail plumes. In the aviaries of the Mexican Emperors, these birds were found by Cortez. Were they brought from Central America, or have they yet to be discovered in the forests of Mexico 1 The ornithological details of both male and female of these fine birds are now well known. At Panama, we frequently see the male brought from Guatemala by the passengers of the steamships, though not very Avell preserved. I was told they were purchased at from five to eight dollars. I do not see why they might not be caught when young, and brought home, just as well and easily as the parrot-tribe. The geographical distribution of this species is scarcely less interesting than the bird itself. It is at least curious that, not a representative, but identical species should be found at points so far apart. It evidently follows the line of the Cordilleras, and seems to affect the vicinity of volcanic mountains. The oak region, below which it is never found in Chiriqui, according to Humboldt's rule of decrease of temperature in the Cordilleras within the tropics, would give a mean temperature of 69° 7', allowing 341 feet for each degree. The fact of its having lately been discovered near other volcanic mountains, somewhat farther north in the Cordilleras of Costa Eica, would point to some local cause other than mere isothermal limitation. It is probable that the state of the soil produced by remote volcanic action favours the development of its favourite food, besides maintaining a meteorological condition of the atmosphere favourable to its habitvides. At Nicarag-ua, where the great bulk of the line of the Cordilleras becomes broken up, giving rise to its large lake and detached ranges of hills, we have no notice of its presence, nor in the neighbouring States of Salvador and Honduras, although abounding in volcanoes of great violence and activity — conditions of the mountain systems, however, more naturally repugnant than attractive to the bird. Whether the Avide dis- tribution of this species along the line of the Cordilleras, and its absence in the immediate low lands, is to be explained on the views of Professor Forbes, as connected with the geological changes that have affected their area, is not for me to determine. The presence, however, of the species at points and intervals so 142 PROCEEDINGS OF THE far apart go far to illustrate the law, "that climatical zones of animal and vegetable life are mutually repeated or re- presented by elevation and latitude," although, according to the author just named, the species in this case being identical, and not representative, proves an accident not necessarily dependant on the law. But how the transportation has been effected, and whether from north to south, or vice versa, further investigations alone can determine. May 29th, 1866. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. Messrs WUliam Muir and John Dougan were elected resident members. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr David Eobertson exhibited sj)eciDiens of a new crustacean recently discovered by himself, and named by Mr Brady Cytheridea Rohertsoniana.^ He mentioned that he had first met with the species in the beginning of the present year, in the Glasgow and Paisley Canal, between Eglinton Street Wharf and Pollokshields Bridge, and had subsequently found it also in the Forth and Clyde Canal, near BowHng. He had never observed it among plants, where many of its allies are commonly met mth, but always at the bottom, in mud, which is probably its proper habitat; and it appears to prefer sandy or gravelly mud to the very fine soft mud in which others of the same family are found abundantly. The Secretary then drew the attention of the meeting to a col- lection of zoophytes forwarded from Dunbar by Mr John Jefii'ay, correspondmg member — the most prominent species being Thuiaria thuia, Antennularia antennina, Sertularia JiUcula, Flunmlaria falcata, Campanularia dumosa, Sertidaria cd)eithm, Halecium muricatiim, etc. PAPERS READ. I. — Notes of a Botanical Excursion to Canlochan and Glas Mhiel in July, 1865. By Dr James Stirton. He illustrated liis remarks by a collection of mosses from Can- lochan — a deep and narrow glen in Forfarshire, and the source of the River Isla. Amongst these Sjjlachnum vasculosiim was found * Named by G. O. Sars Cylhcridca hcustris. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 143 in great abundance, and fruiting luxuriantly; Mnium cindidioides in extensive patches, but barren; Grimmia spiralis with fruit in considerable abundance, and in excellent condition; Hypnum catemdatum (Schwaeg) at the head of tlie glen, covering the per- pendicular face of a huge rock in such continuous masses as to exclude every other form of vegetation; Hypnum atrovirens, also in fruit, from rocks in the same locality. Above these rocks, and at a level of 3500 feet, was found Hypnum albicans — an unusual situation for the species, its habitat having been hitherto confined to sandy flats on the sea shore. On Glas Mhiel, the highest mountain in the district, Dr Stirton had found Polytrichum sexangulare occupying a site usually covered by a mass of snow, but wliich had last summer been thawed by the excessive heat. The moss was in great abundance. Dr Stirton also enumerated other rare mosses which he had gathered in the district, viz.: Bryum Ludwigii (Wils.) in fruit, Tetraplodon angusfatus, Hypmcm umbratum, AmUyodon dealbatus, Bryum Wahlenbergii var. glaciale, etc. He likewise mentioned having seen on the same mountain the rare and curious flowering plant, Midgedium alpinum, but in a station quite inaccessible, unless by means of ropes, etc. II. — On the Birds of Prey mentioned by Greek Writers. By Dr Scouler. The author referred particularly to the Natural History of Aristotle, with a view to ascertain, as correctly as possible, the species, and to reduce the names which occur in that author to their corresponding modern appellations. The subject is one which, since the restoration of learning, has occupied the attention both of scholars and naturalists; but the investigation is attended with extreme difficulty from the very brief and often unsatis- factory notices of the classic writers, and from the necessity of comparing and bringing together the passages bearing on the subject which are scattered through their works. As to this aspect of the inquiry, our labour was now greatly abridged, as, from the compilations of Gesner, Bouharet, and their successors, all that antiquity could afford had been brought together, and only required to be verified and illustrated by the criticisms of modern scholars. But even if the preliminary critical labour was accomplished, we have only arrived at the commencement of our task. We have to deal with things as well as words; we are 144 PROCEEDINGS OF THE naturalists as well as philologists — and this latter quality is indis- pensable. Even the ablest scholar, when liis author treats of physical science, will, in spite of his learning, find difficulties apparently insoluble, which can be readily solved by any one acquainted with natural history. What would perplex a Scaliger might be no difficulty to a Cuvier. Hence, besides an acquaint- ance with the ancient authors, a knowledge of the natural history of the south of Europe is equally indispensable, and it is to the absence of this that many failures are to be attributed. In the middle of the sixteenth century, Belon, the French naturahst, exhibited a fine example of the true method by wliich these in- quiries should be pursued. With an adequate knowledge of the older authors, he undertook a journey to the Levant, studying the animals in the country where they had been described, and collect- ing the vernacular names used by the modern Greeks, which are not unfrequently the same as those which we find in Aristotle or Athenseus. It may appear strange to some that the names of animals which occur in the Greek writers should be so obscure, and their true import so difficult to ascertain; but we must remember we are treating of the beginning of science, and not of its perfection, and as an ancient writer, as if in anticipation of such on objection, has remarked, " Nulleras consilmmata est, dum incipit." The number of animals known to the Greeks was small, and they wrote as if their language was to last for ever, and required no definitions. There was no difi^erence between the scientific and the common language. It is also to be remarked that the history of animals by Aristotle is not a work like that of Buffbn, or the Systema Naturce of Linnaeus, and contains neither long dissertations, nor systematic arrangement and minute description. It is rather a philosophy of zoology based on comparative anatomy and physiology. It takes a survey of the animal kingdom as then known, and for that pur- pose institutes natural groups under which animals may be classi- fied, but nowhere enters into the details of specific descriptions. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 145 SZESSIOlsT 1866-67 THE FIFTEENTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, ANDERSON'S UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS, SEPTEMBER 25th, 1866. Mr John Young in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the ensuing session: — John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President; William Euing, Vice-President; Robert Gray, Secretary; Thomas S. Hutcheson, Treasurer; James A. Mahony, Librarian. Eev. Heniy W. Crosskey, Hugh Colqu- houn, M.D.; James Stirton, M.D.; John Shaw, James Home, David Robertson, Walter Gait, and W. Newton MacCartney, Members of Council. Messrs James Barclay, and Archibald Robertson, Garelochhead, were elected members. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Dr James Stirton exhibited sijecimens of Timmia Megapolitana — a moss new to Britain — from Ben Lawers, with remarks on the locality. Mr Arthur Sutherland exhibited a specimen of Blechnum stridwm (a variety of Blechnum horeale) from Ross-shire; and Mr Peter Clark mentioned having found the same plant in Dumbar- tonshire four or five years ago. October 30th, 1866. Mr W. Newton MacCartney in the chair. The following gentle- men were elected members: — Messrs Alexander Donaldson and John A. Craigie, resident ; Mr William P. Turnbull, Philadelphia, corresponding. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED, Mr John Young exhibited some slabs of carboniferous shale from the marine strata of Craigenglen, Campsie, containing numerous specimens of an interesting bivalve shell of the genus Pteronites. Being unable to identify it with any described species, T 146 PROCEEDINGS OF THE he had submitted it to Mr Etheridge, F.G.S., who considered it a new species, and, with Mr Young's consent, had provisionally named it P. fluctuosus, on account of the wavy character of the ribbed striae by which it is adorned. Mr Young made some remarks on the genus Pteronites, which, he said, was established by Professor M'Coy to designate certain wing-shaped shells found as yet only in carboniferous limestone strata, and which are inter- mediate in charater between Avicula and Modiola, and distinguished from Pterinea by the absence of the cardinal teeth in the hinge. Four species of the genus occur in our Scottish beds, and are considered rare shells. The new species exhibited had as yet only been found in Craigenglen, where it seems to be confined to a very thin band of shale not exceeding a quarter of an inch in thickness. Mr Young also exhibited some specimens of a recent brachiopod shell, which had been found inhabiting the crevices of a coarse vesicular stone, brought to the harbour of Glasgow as ship's ballast. They were discovered by Mr James Bennie, an active member of the • Glasgow Geological Society. Specimens of the shell had been submitted to Mr Davidson, F.R.S., etc., who referred them to Discina ostreoides of Lamarck — the typical species upon wliich that naturalist had founded the genus Discina. Among other remarks, Mr Davidson had stated that we possess no certain information as to the exact habitat of the species, and that, indeed, all we know of the shell is the curious fact of its being brought to England and Scotland among ballast, and pro- bably in ships coming from the north-west of Africa. Mr Thomas S. Hutcheson exhibited a specimen of the red- winged starling (Sturnus prcedatorius, "Wilson) which had been shot near Banff, and forwarded by Henry Alex. Eannie, Esq., corre- sponding member. Not more than six specimens of this rare bird had pre-\dously been recorded as occurring in this country. PAPER READ. On the Birds of Scotlmul. By Mr Egbert Gray, the Secretary. This paper showed the distribution of the rarer species through- out North Britain, from the southern counties to the Orkney and Shetland Island. The communication also included a critical examination of the accounts hitherto published on the occurrence and habits of certain birds for which new localities have been dis- covered, and wliich have been till now regarded as mere stragglers. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 147 While almost every English county had been investigated, and a record given of its avi fauna, very little had been published about districts north of the Tweed. The field, therefore, promised a full reward to any one willing to undertake the task of describing the ornithology of the most attractive portion of the British Islands. Its firths, and forests, and lone sea-shores, were yet in- habited by many interesting birds, whose habits and history could nowhere else be studied with greater advantage. The author of the paper then gave in detail a notice of the occurrence in the various counties of upwards of thirty rare species, some of which he had traced to permanent habitats, especially in the West of Scotland, where he had for many years paid close attention to the subject. November 27th, 1866. The Rev. Henry W. Crosskey in the chair. The following donations to the library were announced: — "Description of Calamoichthys, a genus of ganoid fish from Old Calabar," by John Alex. Smith, M.D. (from the author); and a quarto volume of original drawings of zoological objects, col- lected at Taboga, by Mr Eobert M'Dowall, surgeon, Panama Steam Navigation Company (from himself). SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. The Rev. H. W. Crosskey exhibited a series of Foraminifem, obtained from the mud brought up from the Atlantic sea-bed in the soundings made by Captain Anderson, of the Great Eastern, at a depth of 2000 fathoms. The series embraced the following species, determined by Mr Brady: — 1. Biloculina ungens. 2. Quinquelocuhna agglutinans. 3. Uvigerina pygmoea. 4. Globigerina bulloides. 5. Cassidulina loevigata. 6. Pulvinula canariensis. ' 7. Planorbulina ungeriana. 8. Rotalia Soldanii. 9. „ orbicularis. 10. Peneroplis pertusus. 148 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 11. Nonionina crassula. 12. „ umbilicatula. 13. Operculina ammonoides. 14. „ complanata. 15. Polystomella „ (?) Of these species, GloUgerina buUoides was very abundant; two or three specimens only of each of the others was found. The Secretary exhibited specimens of the Bird's-foot sea-star (Palmipes memhranaceus), which were procured by Mr Anderson at Girvan, from thirty fathoms water, off the coast near that town, in the s^jring of the present year. Mr John Young exhibited a large series of Foraminifera and Entomostraca obtained from the roots of Antenmdaria, dredged in the same locality. Among these, the genus Texhdaria seemed to be abundant. Mr Young, in his remarks, pointed out the geolo- gical range of this genus, and stated that two species had been found by him in the carboniferous limestones of the Lanarkshire coalfield. He likewise referred to its occurrence in the bed of the Atlantic, as shown by various soundings, at a depth of 2000 fathoms and upwards. Mr John Shaw exhibited the folloAving mosses: — Myuriwii Hebridarum (Schr. Syn.) from the first and only station — North Uist; Campylopus Shaivii (Wilson MS.), from the outer Hebrides — a new species; Campylopus brevipilus, fragilis, from the same islands; Hypnnm chrysophjlhim, from the first Scotch station — North Uist; Grimmia spiralis, DisticMa inclinatum, etc., from the outer Hebrides; also Campylopns jjolytrichoides, from Tigh-na-bruaich — the third British station; Grimmia atrata, from Ben Lawers; and Glyphomitrium Baviesii, from Skye, PAPERS READ. L — N'ofes on Specimens from Orme's Head. By Mr David Robertson. A two quart bottle of mud was obligingly sent to me by Mr Moore, of the Liverpool Free Museum, which had been dredged by the trawlers about twenty miles off Orme's Head. About two- thirds of the bottle was filled with black, slimy mud ; above that was a thick layer of light coloured muddy sand and shelly debris. This, again, was overgrown with a layer of sponge — the whole reaching within an inch or so of the neck of the bottle. Tlie NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 149 bottle itself appeared, from organisms attached to it, to have lain in the sea for a considerable time. The black mud of the lower layer was rich in Ostracoda and Foraminifera, but not so diversified in animal remains as the light coloured upper portion, which contained the spines of echini, the spines and jilates of star-fishes in great profusion, beside the remains of other organisms of less frequency, as larval balani, the limbs and plates of two crabs (Porcellana longicornis), fragments of zoophytes, etc. Of the zoophytes, there were ten species met with, so far as they could be made out. They were: — Endendrium ramosum. Sertularia abietina. „ filicula. Plumularia falcata. Antennularia ramosa. Cellularia scruposa. Gemellaria loricata. Membranipora membranacea. Bowerbankia imbracata. Lepralia. (1) These species were all so fragmentary as to make it doubtful whether any of them had ever lived in the bottle, with the excep- tion of Bowerbankia, which was in very j)retty condition. Along with these were a number of fish bones, seemingly belonging to the same animal. Some of the ribs that were attached to a portion of the vertebrae were nearly as wide as the mouth of the bottle, showing that the entrance was no more than sufficient to admit a fish of that size. It is most likely that it got in alive head foremost, and not having room enough to turn, and from the smallness of the bottle's mouth, and the elevation of the fins, it would be unable to get out backwards, and consequently perished in the trap. The shells that had the appearance of having lived in the bottle were all young, and in the black mud. They were: — Anomia ephippium, . . . . (Linn.) Pecten varius, . . . . . (Miiller.) Lucina flexuosa, (Brog.) Nucula nitida, (Lamk.) Cardium echinatum, . . . . (Linn.) Mya truncata, (Linn.) 150 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Eleven species of Foraminifera were met with; and I have no doubt, with further search, a considerable number more could be added. As I was pressed for time, I did not do them justice. Ostracoda are more numerously represented. Eighteen good species have been identified, besides one or two less or more doubt- ful varieties. There is one species very interesting, Cytheridea Mulleri, which I have liitherto never met with recent, if this be so. Brady gives Australia as its habitat, in his new, or imperfectly known species of marine Ostracoda. Jones figures it amongst his tertiary Ento- mostraca. It is not uncommon in the glacial clays in the east of Scotland, but rarely met with in the west. It is just possible that this may be a fossil waif; but from whence, or how it got there, may not be so easily accounted for. I believe that it is of exceed- ingly rare occurrence to meet with fossils in the dredge, except where it comes in contact with the deposit to which they belong; and that can seldom happen, considering the general covering of the sea bottom of mud, sand, gravel, and other debris. But as there has been only one example met with, and that only being one valve, it is yet wanting in sufiicient rehable grounds to establish its recent character. Perhaps some of the members will be able to throw some light on the probable source of Ostracoda in that district. From these large numbers of species in such comparatively small space, we may be inclined to conclude that the bottle afforded more than usual protection, both from their enemies and the tumults of the sea; but I am inclined to think that it is no unusual proportion in ordinary favourable localities. In an ounce or two of mud from the bottom of the sea, I generally find a profusion of animal life; the same in our canals, and often in small patches of water only a few feet in extent, entomostraca may be met with in thousands. II, — On the Birds of East Lothian and Berwickshire. By Lord BiNNiNG. Several very interesting notices were given in this paper of the occurrence of rare species in both counties. Conspicuous among these were the sea-eagle {Haliaetm albicilla), shot at Tyninghame; the honey-buzzard (Fernis apivonis), also shot there — both birds being now in Lord Haddington's collection; the great spotted NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 151 woodpecker (Picus major), shot at Archerfield, and now in the possession of the Right Hon. R. C. Nisbet Hamilton, at that place; the smew (Mergus albellus), and the Egyjjtian goose (Anser Egijptiams), both shot by Lord Binning at Tyninghame; the shoveller [Anas dypeata); the gad wall (Anas strepera), etc. In connection with many of the species included in the list, Lord Binning communicated highly interesting notes on their occurrence and habits; and closed his remarks with a very spirited account of a live specimen of Pallas' sand grouse (Syrrhapfes paradoxus) which he had kept in confinement about eighteen months. IIL—On the Geology of Ailsa Craig. By Mr W. Newton MacCartney. According to the Ordnance Survey this island attains a height of 1114 feet. Dr Bryce makes its length 3300 feet, and its breadth 2200 feet. The circumference of the island is nearly three miles. The north and west faces are very steep; while the south and east assume terraced forms, and, to ordinary climbers, are very easy of ascent. On the steep faces vegetation is barren, and consists almost entirely of small wiry grass; while, on the sloping ascent, many wild flowers and mosses may be culled. The visitor, in climbing the rock, ascends a sloping pathway to the terrace, on which stands a ruined castle. Above this terrace is another called the Castle Walk, and again a larger terrace, having in wet seasons a little lochan of water, and in all seasons a soft wet mossy patch, always kept moist by the surface - draina2:e of the rock, which is shrouded often in mist and cloud. From this terrace, a winding gorge makes the climb to the top comparatively easy, from which, on a clear day, a view may be had which will repay a few hours' sea sickness, and a good hour's stifi" climb. The rock is columnar syenite, composed of felspar, horn-blende, and small quantities of quartz. I am certain that there is no amorphous rock on the island, except the trap dykes, mentioned hereafter; and the errors made by MacCulloch and Bryce can easily be accounted for when we make allowance for the shortness of their visits, and the great difficulty there is in tracing out the columnar form under the heaps of stone which cover the southern and eastern slopes of the rock, but if such a particular examination is made, the columnar structure can easily be noticed. The rock 152 PROCEEDINGS OF THE is very close-grained, and is capable of taking a high polish, and is, therefore, much sought after for cvirling stones. The columns are said to be devoid of the ball-and-socket-like arrangement prevailing among those of the Giant's Causeway; but in the smaller columns I have seen it distinctly, though in the larger it is not noticeable ; and, in my opinion, in these we might rightly expect it to be absent, for larger masses in the molten state would be more likely to present flat surfaces than concave and convex ones. That this rock was thrown up molten there can be no doubt, for in the rock itself there are minute crystals of quartz, not found in " drusy " cavities, but really imbedded in the body of the rock, placing the matter past doubt that they were formed when the rock was protruded from the " fiery depths profound." The columns into which the rock is formed attain to various proportions. The largest one which I measured Avas seven and a- half feet in diameter, and eighty feet in length, without visible break or joint. In some cases these immense monoliths are found lying upon the shore at the foot of the cliff, from which they have fallen, while as large masses would seem desirous of following their example, for some that I examined were supported only on the base, and had a distinct lean outwards. You may be assured this leaning appearance does not add either to the security or the comfort of the visitor, as he jumps from one rock to another on the beach below. The mass of the columns do not stand straight up. As far as I could judge, they have a lean outwards to the north ; and at a place called the Barestack, where the cliffs start from the water's edge, and soar upwards for some 600 feet, the visitor is in momentary dread of being crushed by some huge column which overhangs the deep. At the base of the cliffs great masses of columns have fallen, and assumed in some cases grotesque forms. The terraces and caves to be afterwards mentioned are both alike due, in a great measure, to trap dykes which intersect the island from north to south. Where the trap divides the columns, the character of the syenite is changed considerably, being more liable to crumble; in fact, by mere pressure of the hand it breaks down. Where these trap dykes traverse the length of the island, and penetrate to the surface, the terraces are formed, and in some cases, as in those seen by the map, their wear, by means of water, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 153 ice, and other agencies, have produced gorges. At the places where they appear at the foot of the chfifs, caves are formed, some of but little extent, while others, two especially, penetrate to con- siderable distances. On the west, where the tide divides, and where the abrading action of the waves is at present going on, one cave, called the Water Cave, may be visited at low water. A trap dyke has been worn away, and into tliis the waters rush, wearing down and making further progress day by day; the height of the entrance at high water will be from fifteen to twenty feet. Karely have I enjoyed a prettier sight than once, when pulling round to see the cave at high water, I rowed in between the two cliffs, and there lay in the boat as it heaved up and down on the breast of the sleeping ocean. Around and above me wheeled and screamed thousands of birds, beneath me waved tangles and weeds; but nothing gave me such delight as did two kittiwakes, who had built their nest on a broken column at the entrance to the cave, and there sat in peaceful security, displaying their graceful forms, and lending some living interest to that cave, into which, with long prolonged boomings, the sea dashed. Tliis cave is above the low tide level, and is guarded during low tide by a reef of columns which are slowly wearing away. On the opposite side of the jutting headland to the south, another cave of considerable dimensions may be seen. At present the entrance is more than fifty feet above the sea level, but in the interior it is much less, as waste of the cliffs falling from above, and the debris from the trap dyke, has almost filled up the entrance. The trap dyke that has been worn away to form this cave (M'lnall's) is more than twelve feet in breadth, and is joined, a little above the entrance to the cave, by another dyke which is nearly as broad; the column enclosed between these dykes is much changed in its character. On the south face, at what is called the Main Craig, a curious freak of a trap dyke was examined. For a considerable distance from the base of the cliff it keeps on one side — the east — of a column, and then abruptly bends, divid- ing the column, and continues on the other side — viz., the west — as far as the eye can reach. These dykes may be traced the whole leng-th of the Craig from north to south, and make those natural terraces which add so much beauty to the eastern slopes of the island. The path of these dykes is always covered on the hill by immense heaps of stones and abrupt precipices, in some u 154 PROCEEDINGS OF THE cases of considerable height. On the top of the Craig there are some very large rocks, weather and water-worn, covered with lichens, and what caused ray wonder was how they ever assumed the boulder shape. They cannot be erratic rocks, because they are at home, being part of the rock. If they belonged to some other formation, I could easily understand how they could be transported there, but they belong to the rock, and I cannot account for their presence, except that the various abrading agencies have performed their work, and kept them on their bed at the same time. I particularly searched all over the island for any other rock than syenite and trap, but failed, except in two instances. I found on the shore, at the landing-place, some Irish lime, which must have come ashore from some wreck, as must have been the case with a small piece of copper sheathing. The other rocks I found were brought to the island by a con- veyance not made by human agency— a means of transit which has been of considerable use in our country before our race occupied it— I mean icebergs. On the north, at the height of about 600 feet, I came upon a deposit of boulder clay, which lay in a slight depression, guarded in some degree by a boss of rock from the currents which, when the Craig was submerged, set in from the north-west. In this red earth, composed of sand and clay, I gathered a goodly quantity of pebbles, both large and small, a con- siderable number of which, both from their form and markings, prove that their origin was such as I have hinted, fashioned by the ice-king, and carried hj the iceberg. The pebbles were gathered indiscriminately, as I thought it better to do so than to pick them. About a third of them bear indisputable marks of glacial action, though these marks are, owing to the weathering action of winds and rains, and the careless turnings over of the conies, somewhat rubbed, and a good deal deficient of those finer striee which pebbles gathered in situ would present. The coarser strise are, however, remaining, to prove that they once upon a ftme were firmly planted in the ice that formed the bottom of a glacier, and were pushed and drawn 1)y it as it slid over the rocky bed of the valley through which it flowed, and were thus scratched or scored by the surface over which they moved. Before passing from this part of my observa- tions, I may mention that great heaps of stones of various sizes are piled up, and have streamed down from the lower face of the NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 155 terraces tlirougli openings, and strew the face of the eastern front of the island. All these stones are rough, sharp-edged, and belong- ing to the syenite of the Craig. In the deposit of boulder clay, I found only two pieces of this syenite, all the rest being specimens of other formations — some of pure quartz, others probably meta- phorised sandstones, while a few of them are derived from shale, as they have the distinctive clay nodulite character of that formation. These facts, in brief, are what I observed during my stay on the Craig, and from these, I think, we can justly draw some deductions Avhich, when viewed with those theories which are generally re- ceived, will add some Httle interest to the solitary rock of Ailsa. As you are aware, the relative positions of land and water have changed considerably during a comparative short period of geologic time. The Craig, like unto some monolith, marks in some degree those changes which I will try briefly to lay before you. Without any great stretch of imagination, we must suppose the Firth of Clyde to be filled with successive stratas of silurian, old red, and carboniferous ages ; then from Ayrshire coast to Kintyre, the strata developed on either side will be continuous. From out these strata the peaks of Arran, and the silurian lulls of the Southern Highlands will rise, and the centre, but as a boss of rock, Ailsa will be noticed. The formations in those parts, left exposed, fully bear out this arrangement, for in Arran the shale band is esti- mated to be 2000 to 3000 feet thick, while in that island, in Bute, Cumbraes, and along the coast, the old red, and the carboniferous are developed to considerable thickness. On the opposite coast of Kintyre, Mr Thomson has found the carboniferous strata. That these strata once filled Avhat is now occupied by the waters of the Firth, we will take for granted, but a time came when the sub- sidence of the land took place; then began the action of those abrading agencies of water and ice, which gradually wore away the strata, and carried it out to be deposited in the " silences of the central sea." The powerful currents oj)erating from the north- west tore against the peaks of what we call Arran, and, sweeping round, were carried in full force upon the intermediate land, and probably, aided by the uptilting of the strata, slowly but surely revealed the bluff, bare front of Ailsa. Successive years rolled on, and still the action of waves, aided by glaciers from the Highlands, 156 PROCEEDINGS OF THE and icebergs, continued the Avork of abrasion. In process of time, the rock of Ailsa became solitary, and existed under the waves, often, no doubt, acting as an anchorage ground for some of those monster icebergs which floated along, laden with cargoes of waste lands. Nothing more easy to suppose that during the deposit of the boulder clay, one of these icebergs stranding upon the summit of Adsa, dropped its cargo, which, deposited beliind a boss of the rock, sank into comparative security. That the currents which operated were from the north-west, the summjt of the Craig bears certain proof, for the length is from N.W. to S.E. After a time of great abrading agency, the land slowly began to emerge from the sea, and no sooner did the bare scalp of the rock rise above the surface, than nature crowned it with glaciers, which began their work in tearing down clifts, and grooving great gullies, one of which, from near the summit to the first or uppermost terrace, is a very beautiful example of the glaciers' path. Contracted at the mouth, it emptied itself upon the plateau in an easterly direction, and then deflected right and left to the north and south, and probaljly threw ofi" icebergs on each side. Another elevation occurred, and over this new summit the glacier puslied itself till it met the sea, leaving great moraines of stones of various sizes, broken splinters of the pi'otruding rock which the ice tore of and laid in its path. Elevation succeeded elevation, and still the glacier wore down, and sloped the eastern side, leaving evidence of its continued progress as it moved over the rocks. Each successive upheaval is registered on its sloping form, in the terraces Avith their moraine of stones, and the gorges with their narrow-tlu-oated embouchures. The last upheaval but one seems to have been followed by a long period of rest, for then the beach of rolled and polished stones was raised, and the largest caves hollowed out. Then came a time when the rock, with Kintyre, Axran, and all the surrounding land, rose about forty feet; a change in the temperature occurred; the glaciers left the Craig; the iceberg, " like the baseless fabric of a vision," vanished, and AUsa was left a place for the sea bird to breed, while the perished land, with which it was once surrounded, now forms "the dust of continents to be." Durmg this time the sea still con- tinued its work, and bared the north-west face, wearing away both the surrounding strata, and making the cliffs steep and frowning. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 157 Then stopiied — and that during the time that our Scotland, risen from the waves, was peopled by our fathers — this period of elevation, whether to continue rising, or to perform a retrograde movement, who can tell. The Craig, monumental and sohtary, marks some of the changes in our country's history which, if we could only picture to ourselves, would give such an estimate of the forces and powers at work in modifying the form of our earth as would excite our wonder and awe. How different would be the view presented to the spectator standing overlooking the scene before these changes began. A comparatively level plain, bounded on the north and east l3y hills of but small size, rising ground to the west, with long surging billows breaking the eternal silence; then, as he looks, the sudden subsidence of the land, and the rushing in of that sea Avhicli dashed agamst the Ivintyre coast. Then, for long ages, those highlands to be covered with eternal ice, moving in slow, powerful force down the slopes, carrying clay and rock to the sea level, their avalanches breaking in upon the stillness of the scene, and possibly assisting the detachment of the laudfloes and icebergs, which, floating away, carry wdth them remains of the denuded land, pebbles lop-sided and striated, which they drop into the depths beneath. One eternal scene of sea and ice presents itself, and nothing else; but these agents are doing great work, for when again the scene is changed, what was before-time solid earth is now gone for ever, and the only remnant of that perished land are the islands of Arran, Cumbraes, and the Craig. Still the scene is icebound, and continues so as successive upheavals take place, till a change again comes over the landscape. Warmer seas and brighter skies supervene, the glacier leaves our hills, the iceberg sails no more upon our seas, the scoring and grooving ceases, and soon the lowlands wave with forests, the heather covers the sides of the mountains, and, bathed in the glories of a summer sun, the peaks and passes of bonny Scotland appear. How much truth, therefore, is contained in Keat's lines ! how much sound geology when he addresses Ailsa ! " Dread rock, thy life is two etemities- The last in air, the former in the deep ; rirst with the whale, last with the eagle skies; Drowned wast thou till an earthquake made thee sted Another cannot bow thy giant size." 158 PROCEEDINGS OF THE IV. — Remarks on the occurrence of Alpine and Suh-alpine Forms near the Sea Level in Insular Situations. By Mr John Shaw. The author of this paper first referred to the various facts which he had observed in such places as Lochgoilhead and the outer Hebrides. Some Alpine species there flourished at fifty or a hundred feet above the sea level. Negative evidence is, how- ever, afforded by the entire absence, in such localities, of the delicate ephemerals of the plain. Only the more hardy species prevail. He then showed that the mean summer heat of such places was lower than that of inland regions, and that, from the nature of exposure to the sea, the climate Avas subject to greater vicissitudes, and was more severe — causes which undoubtedly brought about such apparent anomalies in distribution. After stating that island floras in any one region were less varied than inland floras in the same region, and speaking of the great paucity of forms in all insular places, Mr Shaw pointed out the application of the whole theory to some anomalous facts in the mountain distribution of plants. He thought it was possible to explain the occurrence of such plants as the sea pink (Aremeria maritima), the scurvy grass (CocJilearia officinalis), on mountain summits in tliis way, by reference to the period when the area of Great Britain was considerably less. The theory also gave the best explanation of facts known to all practical botanists familiar Avith mountain floras, such as the occurrence of species belonging proj)erly to the plain being found in the neighbourhood of springs far up the mountain side, in the tracts occupied by Alpine forms, and the correlative fact of the descent of Alpine species to the plain in the immediate vicinity of, or in contact with, water. December 18th, 18G6. Mr John Shaw in the chair. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr James Coutts exhibited a series of eggs of the common lap- wing {Vanellus cristatus), showing many curious deviations from] the ordinary shape and colouring, with a selection of other species! from his OAvn cabinet, on which he made a few remarks, pointing] out the necessity of having oological collections properly authenti- NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. \59 cated. The Secretary also laid on the table a number of speci- mens bearing on the same subject, among which was a cream- coloured variety of the merlin's egg, besides a few others of like interest. PAPER READ, Notes on the Botany of the WindmiUcroft Beds. By Mr James A. Mahony. Much has been done of late in extending our knowledge of the fauna of the local sands and clays, and many hitherto deemed quite azoic, are shown to contain abundant remains of minute life. Little or nothing, however, has been done for the botany of these local strata; audit is with the hope of inducing further research in that direction that I now call attention to the subject. Glasgow is built on a series of sand, gravel, and clay beds, which are referred to three groups — the boulder drift, the boreal clay, and the Clyde drift. Of the lowest of these — the boulder clays — I have little to remark. Full of interest as that epoch is for the geologist, it has little attraction for the botanist. In some of the sections exposed there were remains of roots in abundance, but as these were clearly traceable to recent plants which had merely made the clay a place of growth, this fact has no significance. During the excavations at WindmiUcroft, the two latter groups were well exhibited; and I now propose to describe the botanical remains found in them during a series of visits. In the boreal clay, which, with a deep bed of fine white sand interposed, overlies the boulder clay, there were great numbers of strange root-like fonns, the exact nature of which I have been recently trying to determine. They do not occur in the clay proper, but in an upper stratum composed of sand and clay, which seems to be merely a continuation of the clay bed beneath. Whenever a natural face of this sandy clay was exposed, numerous examples of these roots were sure to be seen standing out, sharp and distinct, against the grey matrix in which they were jilaced. They were of nearly uniform calibre, about a line in diameter, and were not traceable to any distinct ending, for both upwards and downwards they merged indefinitely into the sand. In length they were very various, the greatest being about 2 feet 9 inches, while some showed a small fragment only. They were all disposed vertically, or nearly so, and many had offshoots here and there equal in diameter to the main root, and often inserted at right-angles to it. 160 PROCEEDINGS OF THE In tlie absence of recognisable characters for determining the nature of these objects, I had recourse to the microscope, and com- pared the tissue with that of many pLants, terrestrial and aquatic, but generally selecting root fibres. I was led, as a result of these examinations, to regard them as fibres of the rhizome of some species of Equisetum, the elongated cells being well marked, and of the usual brownish colour. Similar vegetable tissue — sometimes in a comminuted state — was revealed on an examination of clay from West-thorn, from Paisley, and from a cutting at the head of Eglinton Street. There is nothing in the geological history of the sandy clay in which these roots are found to militate against their equisetal origin ; on the contrary, such an idea is confirmatory of the supposed conditions under which this stratum was formed. It marks the last day of a glacial epoch, when the land was slowly rising, and although the clay beneath is clearly shown to have been of marine origin, from the discovery of a few species of shells, we have no data to indi- cate a similar origin for this upper deposit. It must be remem- bered, too, that the plants themselves existed only very near to the surface of the bed, where the waters would be only shghtly, if at all brackish, and forming extensive shallow marshes. There is abundant evidence that considerable denudation followed the com- pletion of those strata, and this would account for the disappear- ance of the stems of the Eqnisetm, while the roots beneath remained. How long this process of denudation continued, caused, as it probably was, by considerable alterations of level, no one can tell. Consequent on it, however, the Clyde seems to have assumed its present course, flowing in a much wider channel, and much more rapidly, than now. The coarse gravel wliich rej^resents this period! contains nothing of botanical interest beyond a few decayec branches, wliich lie here and there throughout its extent. The] land would as yet be naked and bare, but slowly preparing for] that abundant vegetation Avhich we find in the later strata.! Animal life is represented solely by the fresh water mussel, Unio margariiifera, the epidermis of which was first discovered byj Mr Bennie, and he has, in a limited area of Windmillcroft, found | seventy of these skins, thus indicating a notable al)undance of the species. In many instances a sandy cast in the gravel showed where the mollusc had lived and died — the position of the NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 161 epidermis proving that it had lain with the unibone lowermost, as we find them to-day. The remaining strata of sand, mud, and gravel, nine to ten feet in depth, are most interesting, alternating, as they do, with layers of vegetable debris of thicknesses varying from a quarter of an inch to twelve inches. The most prominent vegetable remains found in these strata were great trunks of trees, which occurred at different depths, and all bearing evidence of having been long knocked about in the water before finally sinking. In every specimen I examined the wood was of oak, and always denuded of the bark; but I am informed that willow and Scotch fir have also been exhumed. The inner wood of these old trees was invari- ably sound — only an inch or two on the outside being decayed. The lower bed of vegetable drift contained very few leaves, being mostly composed of worn twigs, hazel nuts, and acorns. The larger twigs were rounded and worn to a greater extent than would seem possible from mere floating about as drift wrack; and I believe their present pebble-like form was attained only after much rolling about at the bottom ©f the river, subsequent on their sinkino- from over-saturation. The hazel nuts, which were found in great plenty, had sometimes distinct marks of the incisor teeth of some rodent, probably the squirrel. I found one worn fruit in this bed that seemed to be the seed of the alder — Alnus glutinosa. In a similar deposit at Hutchesontown Mr Bennie found a cone of the Pinus sijlvestris. A noteworthy chemical action was observed in connection with these plant remains. "When they lay in little pools, the iron with which the water was impregnated had combined with the tannic acid of the vegetable tissues, and formed tannate of iron, or ink, which not only dyed the nuts and twigs of a deep black colour, but also blackened the water in which they lay. Where this phenomenon was observed, the drift generally lay in a " nest," or shallow basin, formed seemingly by an eddy in the swollen river. It was in the largest of the leaf beds that, resting on a bed of sand and gravel, the mosses were found in greatest abundance, and in best preservation. On separating the layers, the mass was seen to be composed in great measure of decayed leaves, with a notable proportion of sand intermixed, and generally a sprig of moss would show itself, fresh and green, between the laminae. After exposure to the air and drying, the mosses lost this verdure, V 1 62 PROCEEDINGS OF THE although some of the specimens now shown retain much of their original hue. The leaves, with few exceptions, were too much decayed to present any recognisable features, but from those some- what more perfect, I was able to determine the presence of oak, ash, birch, hawthorn, wych-elm, and hazel. A further acquaint- ance with the old Clyde drift will doubtless extend this number. It has been observed that no remains of the beech, either leaves or nuts, have been found, although they form a considerable proportion of the modern drift. This, however, is not remarkable; for the beech can scarcely be recognised as an indigenous Scottish tree, and these relics of old Clydesdale vegetation are of an age long anterior to the time when its introduction was possible. There are other plants, however, which we might expect to be represented, but which we look for in vain, such as sloe, ivy, mountain ash, the poplars, etc.; but even in the drift of to-day, many trees that we know to be common in the upper reaches of Clyde are represented onlj^ by a leaf at long intervals. The great bulk of withered leaves brought down by spates consists of oak, beech, ivy, and rhododendron.* The mosses found in the leaf beds were: — Brachythecium rivulare. Mnium serratum. Neckera pumila. „ complanata. (?) „ crispa. Hypnum tamariscinum. „ filicinum. „ uncinatum. Isothecium myosuroides. Climacium dendroides. Philonotes fontana. Nomalia trichomanoides. Polytrichum commune. Fontinalis antipyretica. * In Lyell'a "Antiquity of Man," the following plants are named as having been found in the forest beds heloxv the glacial drift of the Norfolk cliffs, and therefore must have existed long before the Clyde vegetation: — Scotch fir. Spruce, Yew, Oak, Birch, Alder, Nuphar lutea, Nymphaa alba, Prunus spinosa, Menyanthes trifoliata, Ceratopkyllum demersum, and a species of Potamo^eton. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 163 Tlie first of these, B. rividare, existed in greatest abundance, and its tissue seemed better adapted for resisting decay than any of the others. Being strictly an aquatic species, its presence here is easily accounted for. Mnium serrahim is a more fragile species, and sub-alpine in its character, like Neckera ctispa. N. immila, and N. complanuta, luxuriate in moist places by the side of streams.''' N. pwnila is not a common species, although I found it to be pretty abundant in the leaf bed. Hijpnum tamarisdnum is found abundantly in shady places at the roots of trees, and is corre- spondingly frequent here. CUmacium dendroides and Philonotes fontanel are also moisture-loving species; indeed, it is to be remarked of all the mosses yet found, that they are such as grow at the present day by the banks of Clyde, and such as would be torn from their bed by every winter flood. There are other aquatic species, the non-appearance of which is not remarkable, such as the Sphagna, which prefer inland boggy situations; but such mosses as hothecium alopecurum, Hijpnum pal'ustre, etc., are conspicuously absent; as are also the Hepaiicce and Ferns. In order to ascertain the relative proportions of leaves and sand in this three-inch bed, I operated on a known quantity, and found it to consist of:— ,^^,,^,. Organic matter, - - 32 "0 Sand, - - - - 49-5 Water, - - - 18-5 100-0 I have hitherto spoken only of the Windmillcroft beds, but the same botanical relics are found at numerous other localities around Glasgow. In digging for the foundation of the railway arch at Salisbury Street, a bed of sand was laid bare, seemingly the equi- valent of the root-bed in Windmillcroft. There was very little clay in its composition, and it was darker in colour than that at Windmillcroft, but the same equisetal roots were found. It con- tained in addition, however, numerous pieces of drift-wood, and I got two mosses after some searching, viz., CUmacium dendroides and Neckera complanata. Again, in digging graves at the Southern Necropolis, they came on beds of nuts, acorns, and twigs, at certain places, clearly water * I am indebted to Mr A. M'Kinlay for revision of these names. 164 PROCEEDINGS OF THE deposited. Similar deposits have been found at Barrowfield, Crownpoint, Port-Eglinton, and many other localities. I would point out that this vegetable debris has nothing of the character oi peat about it, but is a true drift, carried along a stream till, over- saturated by water, it sank, and became covered up by sand, only to be exhumed after the lapse of centuries. I conclude, from the preceding ol^servations on the river drift — first, that the Clyde at one time flowed over a much wider channel than it does now. This is demonstrated by the occurrence of these plant remains over the "wide area that I have indicated. Indeed, all the evidence yet gathered goes to show that the old Clyde we speak of was somewhat of an estuary, widening gradually from the gorge at BlantjTe Priory; and the conformation of the land above that at Hamilton and Dalserf would indicate that Blantyre was the base of another great delta which overspread the plain above. I content myself with merely referring to this view in the meantime. I infer, secondly, that the conditions that existed during the for- mation of the leaf beds were persistent over a very long period. Many of those localities spoken of are much higher than Wind- millcroft. Some are ten feet, some forty-five feet higher, so that here we have evidence of a withdz'awal of the waters from that high level, which, even at a moderate computation, would take many centuries. I conclude, thirdly, that the flora of the Clyde, as represented in the leaf beds, was of a distinctly Scottish or British type. None of the trees that are regarded as introductions from England are to be found; all are of that primitive type that exhibit nature as per- fectly natural — no aliens or introductions being yet visible. The fact of objects of human workmanship being found in these same strata, lends a peculiar interest to this subject, and incites us to recall the probable condition of things then existing. The untutored Caledonian roamed through the old forests of Clydesdale untroubled by Roman invaders, or any thought of a country beyond his own. He made his stone anchors, worked the rude armlets and ornaments, or laboriously fashioned a boat out of an oaken log. He hunted the denizens of the wood that then roamed in numbers; he fished in the broad waters of the Clyde many a long summer day — and then, as the rays of sunset illuminated the spreading foliage of the oaks, and birches, and NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 165 alders of that time, he paddled his canoe homeward, to be welcomed by the smiles of his little ones. January 29th, 1867. Mr Walter Gait in the chair. Dr John Young, Professor of Natural History, Glasgow University, was elected a resident member; and the Hon. Lord Binning, Burntisfield House, Edin- burgh, and Mr John A. Harvey Brown, Dunipace, Falkirk, corresponding members. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Dr James Stirton exhibited specimens of Dicranum longifolium from Ben Lawers, the first authenticated occurrence of the species in Britain, and also made some remarks on the botanical features of the district. The Secretary exhibited two specimens of the Bohemian wax- wing {Bombycilla garrula) from the neighbourhood of Lanark. He remarked that about the beginning of December, before there v/ere any signs of such weather as we have recently experienced, large flocks of waxwings were observed in various parts of Britain. These migratory flocks had greatly exceeded in numbers those of recent years, and had spread themselves over a large tract of country. paper read. On the Latent Vitality of a species of Equisetum from the Blairdardie Clayfield. By Mr W. Newton MacCartney. In the Blairdardie claybeds, roots of an Equisetum, probably Equisetum palustre, are found at depths varying from three to fifteen feet. These roots, where embedded in the clay, retain their freshness, and, when placed in water, throw out buds and grow. When a section is made, the starch cells retain their normal form, and, on the iodine test being applied, starch in quantity is apparent. The same root, if traced as it lies hori- zontally in the deposit, will be found fresh and perfect where the clay is comparatively pure; but where it passes through sand, nothing but the dark-coloured epidermis remains. From this fact it is inferred that the clay retards the process of decay, which takes place when the root is in sand. The silex entering into the 166 PROCEEDINGS OF THE composition of the epidermis, and an adventitious crust containing iron, derived from tlie clay which surrounds the rhizome as it lies in the deposit, contribute to the retention of that vitality at once observable when the roots are placed in the fit condition for growth. The fact of their resuscitation has been placed beyond doubt; but the age of the plants is a more difficult matter to determine. February 25th, 1867. Hugh Colquhoun, M.D., in the chair. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. The Secretary drew the attention of the meeting to a specimen of the common pheasant, a female, showing the complete assump- tion of the plumage of the male bird, which had been forwarded for exhibition by Lord Binning, one of the society's corresponding members. This remarkable specimen had been shot last month at Tyninghame, in East Lothian, and now belonged to the Earl of Haddington's collection. Placed in contrast with other speci- mens of a like character, it presented some unusual features — the whole of the plumage being as brilliant as in many males, and the white ring surrounding the neck especially well defined, being, in fact, much broader than what is observable in most male pheasants. The scarlet patch encircling the eyes, hoAvever, was of small extent, but in almost every other respect the bird would, at first sight, have deceived even an experienced eye. Dr Dewar had also on the table three specimens of female pheasants from his own collection, one of which showed the darker plumage of the male faintly perceptible through its own normal colouring; a second having this change still more developed; while the third approached completion. None of these, however, showed any spot of Avhite on the neck. Mr John Young, at same time, brought forward two examples from the Hunterian collection; one with the change apparent only on the head and neck, the other much more complete, and having also a few white feathers on one side of the neck. Yet the whole of these specimens, although highly interesting, had an expression, so to speak, clearly indi- cating the female bird in an assumed garb; while the specimen sent by Lord Binning was so completely transformed as to dis- tinguish it at once from ordinary examples. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 167 The Secretary remarked that since the time of Aristotle the fact of female birds assuming the plumage of the male bird had been well known, and that the recorded instances had chiefly occurred among the gallinaceous birds. Mr Gray also stated that this change would, in all likelihood, be observed in other families of the feathered tribes, if proper attention were directed to the subject. Mr George J. Combe exhibited a very beautiful and interesting collection of hardy ferns, principally from the lake district. The collection embraced specimens of Athyrium filix-fcem. var. Vidorice; Lasfrea thylepteris; L. f. m. remota, L. Barnes'd; Scolopendrium vulgare, var. excurrens, etc., on all of which Mr Combe made some remarks. Mr Alexander M'Kinlay exhibited specimens of a lichen, Thelopsis rubella, and of a moss, Andrecea alpesiris, both new to Britain, having been gathered by himself in the West of Scotland. PAPERS READ. I. — Notes of Geological Exmrsions to the Bathgate District. By Mr John Young. Mr Young referred to the Boghead cannel coal, which he considered as only a local variety, and pointed out the changes it undergoes in its mineral composition as it passes out of the district, becoming the middle slaty blackband ironstone of the Lanarkshire coalfield. He likewise remarked that it could be nearly matched in all its important characters by other varieties of cannel now known to exist in our Scottish coalfield — the amount of hydro-carbon which they contain being only one of degree, and even this is shown to be variable in the Boghead coal itself. Mr Young next referred to the richly fossiliferous lime- stones of the Bathgate hills, and noticed the important lessons which the student of geology might learn from the careful study of the organic remains in the limestone strata, which are associated with volcanic ash and other interbedded trap rocks. He also indicated the relation which the Bathgate limestone holds to other strata of the same nature in the Lanarkshire and Ayr- shire coalfield, and stated his belief tliat the thick-bedded lime- stones of the district around Beith in Ayrshire, and of Corriebum on the Campsie hills, belong to the same geologic period, as is indeed evident from the organic remains of the strata. 1 68 PROCEEDINGS OF THE II — On Ancient Canoes recently found at Renfrew. By Mr W. Newton MacCartney. Mr MacCartney gave an account of the discovery of two of these interesting relics on the banks of the Clyde, near the ferry, in 1863. Both were found at a depth of fourteen feet in the sandy gravel. The largest specimen was about twenty-five feet long, and was in excellent preservation. These two canoes had remained on the river bank uncared for till the workmen broke up the remains for firewood and other uses. Several pieces had been taken to Een- frew and converted into walking sticks. Mr MacCartney sug- gested that the society should memorialise the Clyde Trustees, with a view to the future preservation of those or similar objects of interest, should they 'be discovered. Various animal remains had from time to time been obtained during the excavations carried on at different parts of the river, and these, under proper instructions, might in future be made to serve the purposes of science, instead of being destroyed by the hands of the careless or ignorant. It was, therefore, agreed that a representation should be made to the Trustees on the subject.* March 26th, 1867. Mr James Home in the chair. The folloAving gentlemen were elected members: — Rev. James T. Graham, Govan; Eev. Robert Small, Caddenfoot Manse, Galashiels; Rev. John R. Secular; and Mr Thomas H. TurnbuU, resident ; Dr John Alston, late of the Province of Maranam, Brazil; and Mr Thos. Edward, Banfi", corresponding. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. The Secretary exhibited a beautiful specimen of the ivory gull {Larus eburneus) which was shot near Campbeltown last month, and preserved by Mr Martin, Buchanan Street. The species is one of great rarity in the British Islands, and is known to have occurred only in a few instances in Scotland. Mr Gray, however, remarked that solitary birds might probably be found lingering occasionally on Ailsa Craig, as pure white gulls had been oftener than once observed there. Mr Alexander M'Kinlay exhibited specimens of Jungermannia * In July, 1868, near Dunglass, on the Clyde, other two canoes were found. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 169 saxicola, Sclirader, which had been gathered by himself on Rona's Hill, Shetland, in July, 1864. This very distinct species had not' previously been known as a native of the British Islands, although not rare in subalpine regions on the Continent from Switzerland to Lapland, and found also in Greenland. The deeply bifid leaves having the lobes conduplicate, give the plant the appearance of the genus Scapania, a species of which {S. irrigua) was sparingly inter- mixed with the specimens shown. Mr John Young made some remarks on four species of Silurian Brachiopoda, new to Ayrshire, which had been found by Mr Eobert Gray — Siphmiotreta miada, Ortliis galea, 0. alata, and Lingula Eamsayii. PAPERS READ. I. — On New Forms of Crustacea, from the Silurian Bocks at Girvan. By Professor J. Young, M.D., F.G.S. Plate I., Figs. 4, 5, 6a, 6&. Among the Crustacea placed in my hands by Mr Robert Gray, more than one form has been added to the previous lists ; and several specimens, whose description follows, are new, specifically, if they have not subgeneric value. The parts for determination are the glabella and fixed cheeks. No body rings nor pygidia can be as yet connected with the heads. It is, therefore, probable that the posterior portions of the body have been wrongly referred to other species. This, however, can- not at present be ascertained. The following are the measure- ments of the best preserved specimens, in fortieths of an inch: — 1. 2 (fig. 4). 3 {fig. 5). Glabella, length, „ breadth. Cheek, length, „ breadth, „ spine, length, Glabella spine, length of fragment, probably. The glabella is globular, but dips little towards the cervical fold, so that when the animal is placed in its natural position, the median portion corresponding to the basal lobe is nearly horizontal, and the fixed cheeks are in line with the anterior inferior margin of the head. W 31 23 24 31 22 23 11 7 12 8 6 11 17 11 30 170 PROCEEDINGS OF THE The sides of the ghil)ella are nearly parallel, and its surface divided by three equidistant furrows, of which the anterior is shal- lowest (sometimes almost invisible), shortest, and most transverse. The middle one — that bounding the ocular lobe in front— is better marked, directed slightly backwards, and occupying on either side about one-third of the transverse breadth of the glabella ; the pos- terior pair of grooves, marking off the basal lobes, leave one-fourth of the glabella as a median ridge. They are deep, and after pass- ing directly inwards, curve abruptly backwards, parallel to the axis, towards the cervical fold, from which they are separated by a narrow neck. The deep cervical fold lies in front of the cervical ridge, whose breadth is one-seventh of the length of the head. The fixed cheek is equal in antero-posterior dimensions to the basal and cervical lobes; its anterior margin is in line with the posterior of the three furrows, and its gently arched surface is well marked off by a slight longitudinal depression from the prominent glabella. The outer margin is not straight, but bends slightly in- wards posteriorly; the greatest width is, therefore, where it joins with the free cheek. The posterior angle is produced into a spine, which rapidly tapers in its proximal fourth, and thence continues of nearly the same width. The posterior margin of the cheek slopes obliquely outwards and backwards to the angle; it is raised, having in front of it a groove continuous with the cervical groove. The spine itself is directed outwards, so as to form an acute angle with the axis of the body, and is curved, so that its convexity is dorsal, and the tip does not descend below the level of the under edge of the head when the animal is placed in its natural position. The most remarkable feature is the production of the cervical fold into a median sjiine, as strong, and i^robably as long, as the angular spines, and curved in the same fashion. The whole surface of the glabella, cheeks, and spines, is covered with tubercles, very coarse, and elongated, on the central ridge posteriorly; equally coarse, but rounded on the basal lobe; smaller on the remaining portion of the glabella, and still smaller on the cheeks and spines. On the largest specimens fine tubercles are scattered among the coarser on the lateral and anterior parts of the glabella. The form just described clearly belongs to the Cheiruridm, sharing with them the characters — first, a trilobed glabella, the basal lobe nearly circumscribed; second, the facial suture ending in the outer NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 171 margin. The distinctive feature of our specimen, namely, the cervical spine, is not found in any member of that family. Similar sj)ines are present in Trimideus concentricus, Eaton ; and Triarthrus spinoms, Billings — both American species; the latter, also an American genus, possessed, moreover, the additional peculiarity of a spine projecting from one of the dorsal axial body rings. In CyjjJmsjns only the latter spine is present. In the absence of the eyes, body, and tail — or rather, while it is impossible to identify any of the still undetermined bodies with this head, it is safest to leave it as a species of Cheirurus. It may hereafter be found to form the type of a separate genus, but the analogy of the TrinucUiis above-mentioned, forbids the separation, on account of the cervical spine. I propose to name it Cheirurus trisjnnosus. Locality — Silurian, Penkill, AjTshire. The small specimen, Plate I., Figs. 7a, 7b, presents, at first sight, all the characters of a bivalve shell of the Solenoid group; but Mr Young detected at the posterior part of the hinge line the peculiar ornament which is comparable only to that found in Crustaceans, and is never found in Lamellibranchs. The test is o1)long quadrilateral, one cjuarter of an inch in length, and one fourteenth in breadth. The anterior extremity is truncated vertically, the posterior is gently rounded. The outer surface, on which an eye spot is visible, is divided into two nearly equal parts, of which the lower is slightly the smaller, by a shallow furrow which, starting from the anterior superior angle, cuts the lower margin in front of the lower posterior angle. The area anterior and inferior to this furrow is traversed by nine or ten longitudinal ridges, of which the lowest is more elevated than the others, and forms a thickened rim to the test. The posterior and ujiper triangular area is divided by a triangular ridge, which, narrow at its anterior superior end, gradually widens backwards, and covers more than the lower half of the posterior extremity of the test. Above this ridge is a gently convex surface, bounded superiorly by the slightly thickened dorsal margin. This area is traversed by famt concentric strise, the continuation of some of the coarser anterior ridges. It is on this area that the ornament above mentioned is seen. It consists of very close-set, minute tubercles, arranged in linear series opposite each other. The contours of the surface are in several planes. The anterior 172 PROCEEDINGS OF THE vertical margin is everted; the remainder of the antero-ir^^rior area is in one plane. The middle of the postero-superior area projects considerably, in consequence of the prominence of the elevated ridge, the upper surface being flattened slightly towards the hinge line; but posteriorly the surface is flattened very markedly towards the posterior rounded margin, so that the two valves would be approximated pretty closely. Its resemblance to a gaping bivalve is thus considerable, but on closer comparison the diff"erence will appear well marked. No Lamellibranch has the anterior greater than the posterior gape; when the relation is not one of equality, the posterior is the larger. Orthonotus, the nearest in form, is not one of the gapers, nor is its hinge line linear with parallel bounding areas; its oblique, lateral ridges, moreover, cut the inferior margin, not the posterior outline, as in the specimen before us. The ornament, again, is not that of Lamellibranchs; its granular surface has a corresponding obverse surface seen when the shell has iDeen removed, and exactly similar to that in the internal casts of Dithijrocaris. The lateral position of the beak removes the Brachiopoda at once from consideration, though, in some respects, the outer and inner surfaces present appearances not unlike those of Procluctus. No other conclusion is open except that this form is a crustacean, and, so far as I am aware, of an undescribed type. Those which are known from the Silurian rocks are Hymenocaris, Peltocaris, Discinocaris, and Ceratiocaris. In all these the extended carapace forms a shield, with rounded outlines. Our specimen would give a quadrilateral shield. The character of the ornament is wholly peculiar; no less so is the want of the definite emargination seen in the Crustacea above-mentioned. The absence of distortion in any of the other fossils from the same locality, and the presence of the eversion of the anterior margin in all the specimens, forbids the supposition that this character is accidental. The beds from which the specimens were obtained are in the Silurian series in Penwhapple Glen, near Girvan. The determina- tion of their position is still under consideration by the officers of the Geological Survey — the difficulties in the way of a decision being partly stratigraphical, partly due to tlie remarkable mixture of fossils, which in England belong to distinct stages. The burden of NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 173 the e%'^'lence, however, goes to support the belief that the Pen- Avhapple rocks belong to the lower Llandovery series. This interesting form has been named by Mr Young and myself Solenocaris sohnoides, on account of its remarkable resemblance to the bivalve Solen. EXPLANATIONS OF PLATE I., FIGS. 4-7. Figure 4. — Cheirurus trisjiinosus. Glabella and right fixed clieek from above, natural size. Figure 5. • Glabella and left fixed cheek, lateral view. Figures Qa, 66. — ■ Diagrammatic restorations, superior and lateral aspects. Figure 7a. — Solenocaris solenoides. Left valve. x 8|. Figure 76. — ■ Horizontal section of 7a, through the middle of its height. II.— 6*71 the Birds of Stirlingshire. By Mr John A. Harvie Brown, Dunipace, Corresponding Member. This paper contained a series of very interesting notes on the habits and nidification of the various species enumerated, some of wliich were rare birds in Scotland. The communication, which was distinguished for its careful preparation, gave an account of 171 species, nearly all of which had been observed by the author himself. April 30th, 1867. Hugh Colquhoun, M.D., in the chair. Messrs J. Gilmour, and James Macalester, were elected resident; and Messrs R. Scott- Skirving, Camptown, Drem, Haddingtonshire, and Tliomas Anderson, Girvan, corresponding members. Dr Hugh Colquhoun, Grosvenor Terrace, was, by the unanimous desire of the members, elected an honorary member of the society. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Professor Young showed a female specimen of the nimble lizard Zootoca vivipara, caught near Loch Skene, at about 2000 feet above the sea level. The colouring in the specimen differed slightly from the description given by Bell in his History of British Eeptiles. He also exhibited a drawing of the head of a pike caught in Loch Lomond, by Mr Macniven, of Luss. The facial bones were so 1 74 PROCEEDINGS OF THE shortened, and tlie vertical depth of the head so much increased, that the profile resembled that of a gurnard. The lower jaw, how- ever, projected nearly an inch beyond the snout. Mr W. NeAvtou MacCartney drew attention to some bones of a raptorial bird, found at a depth of fourteen feet in the Blairdardie clay. These bones, from the collection of Dr Robertson, Renfrew, consist of the humerus, radius, and ulna of a bird about the size of a buzzard. The occurrence of bird remains in our clays, he remarked, was rare, this being the third known instance — the first being in Aberdeenshire, and the second at Bridge of Johnstone, near Paisley. A larger number of bones, of the same specimen, might have been gathered at Blairdardie if any one interested in such remains had been present; only the large ones, however, were retained by the workmen, who cast the others away as useless. PAPERS READ. I. — On the so-called Labyrintliodont, Parabatrachus. (Owen.) By Professor J. Young, M.D., F.G.S. Plate I., Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The specimen described by Professor Owen in 1853 as Para- latrachus, a new genus of carboniferous Batrachia, was believed to have been obtained from Carluke, in the Lanarkshire coalfield — a belief which the character of the matrix amply confirms; more- over, similar bones of various sizes are frequently found in that neighbourhood. Having examined several of these bones, as well as the original specimen above mentioned (which is now deposited in the British Museum), I have come to the conclusion that it is not batrachian at all, but the maxillary of a Megalichthys, or other ganoid closely related to that genus. Inspection of the fossil shows that it has been much fractured; that, in fact, the bone is incomplete posteriorly; and that it terminates anteriorly, not by a smooth face as in the original figure, Geol. Journal, IX., PI. II., or in the copy reproduced in Plate I., Fig. 1, of tliis volume, but by a rough surface as in Plate I., Fig. 3, suturally united with the pre- maxiUary. The small equal teeth are, further, small only because large part of their length is still embedded in the fine shaly matrix. Finally, the scale which is seen on the same slalD is not Holoptychius, but Megalichthys. The value of this last fact lies in the frequency of this coincidence, and in the frequent enamelling of the bone in question. Thus, Fig. 2, Plate I., shows a jaw on which a patch of NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 175 ganoin still remains, while a scale of Megalichthjs is impacted in the anterior angle. Fig. 3 is a view of the inner surface of a jaw, of which the hinder part is lost as in Fig. 1; but of the missing portion the cast is still perfect, and shows a glossy surface, the counterpart of the smooth ganoin of Megalichthys. The conical teeth are not so small in proportion to the size of the jaw as would appear from Fig. 1. The specimen, Fig. 3, shows them to be of ordinary megalichthyc type. So far there is no reason for believing that the bone in question is other than the jaw of MegaUchthys. But Prof. Owen puts forward certain positive characters as indicating labyrinthodont nature. Thus he considers the maxillary to be of " greatest height al^out one fourth from maxilla-premaxillary-suture; thence it diminishes in height, at first rapidly, afterwards gradually, termi- nating in a point far behind the orbit, as in the Labyrinthodont Making abstraction of these two bones, mx and pmx, there remains an area made up of " the portions of the bones that seem best to answer to the lachrymal and malar in Archegosaurus and Labyri7ithodo7i" and " the portions of the bones which best corre- spond with the post-frontals and squamosals in the above- mentioned reptiles." Of the six bones here mentioned, I can recognise only one — tlie maxillary; and I unhesitatingly assert that it alone makes up tlie whole of the fossil, and that it is, after all, incomplete in the fossil so circumstantially described. There is no good reason for inferring the fusion of so many parts, since the Leeds specimen of MegaUchthys furnishes evi- dence of a similar single maxilla, and in the Hunteriau Museum there is a specimen in which this bone is seen in place; while, on another slab, we have the isolated bones scattered amidst a great mass of scales belonging to that genus. In the former, as well as in the Leeds specimen, it appears that the orbit lay entirely anterior to the position of Owen's lachrymal; that it was bounded inferiorly and posteriorly by more than one plate, forming a suborbital chain, and that to the margin, named by Owen malar, was ajjplied a supra-temporal bone (or bones) as in Polypterus. The ascending process,* near the anterior extremity, passed upwards and inwards, to be. attached to the pre-frontal, * Is this process the "left maxillary," said by Owen to lie across the speci- men ? My notes written before reading the paper cited, do not suggest the presence of two specimens. 17G PROCEEDINGS OF THE which lay in front of the orbit, and not at its antero-superior ano-le. The inner inferior margin of the maxilla is grooved, as sho-ttai in Fig. 1 and 3; the groove dies out at the posterior limit of the teeth. If the batrachian character of the fossil is denied, this groove ceases to correspond to an air passage; but, on the other hand, it appears, from specimens in Jermyn Street, and in the British Museum, that the roof of the mouth was closed in by dentigerous palatines, which fitted to the inner margin of the maxilla, as in Pohjpferus and the Coelacanths. Importance seems to l)e attached, by implication, to the fact that the outer surface of the jaw in the British Museum had a reticulate ornament; but it has since been shown that the enamel may be deficient to a slight extent (as in Fig. 2), or largely, or may even be wholly wanting over the cranial plates, the scales of the trunk retaining abundant enamel. For these reasons, then, I submit that the genus Parahafrachus ouglit to be expunged from our lists of British fossils, being a synonym of Megalichthys, or of some allied genus, and especially because it suggests an erroneous interpretation of the systematic position of the animal to which the jaw belonged. EXPLANATIONS OP PLATE I., FIGS. 1, 2, 3. Fig. 1 . — Parabatrachus Colei, Owen. One f oiu-th natural size. Copied from Quarterly Journal Geological Society, "Vol. IX., PI. II. Fig. 2. — Megaliclithys. Maxillary bone, outer surface, natural size; im- perfect posteriorly, surface much worn. Patches of enamel showing deficiencies, partly due to abrasion, partly to originally imperfect development. A char- acteristic scale is impacted between the maxilla and its pre-frontal process. — Hunterian Museum, Glasgow. Fig. 3. — MegaUcldhys. Maxillary bone, inner surface, showing outline of bone completed by area of cast surrounded by solid line, and restoration of top with dotted lines, — Cabinet of Dr Ranldne, Carluke. II. — On the History and Habits of the Eoedeer (Cervus capreolus). By Mr Edward R. Alston. After remarking on the incorrectness of the accounts of this species {Cervus capreolus) given l^y most authors, Mr Alston observed that the history of its gestation and breeding had long been a puzzle to German naturalists; for, though the buck was known to seek his mate in July and August, no frnti were ever found -before January, and then of very small size. At last, in 1854, Professor BischofF of Giessen, an anatomist of European TroTisJT'at Soc &lasQow IS68V0I I FIl fpi:fi\m.^ffri 6t. 4. /■ / ?¥^ 7i- 7t. I'll T'PXlt Prank BoU, LiU: P A L^ Z I C F0 5b I LS NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 177 reputation, cleared up the mystery in a work entitled, " Ent\vick- lungs-geschiclite des Relies." He clearly proved that the rutting time, or breeding season, is in July; but instead of the ovum or germ rapidly developing, as in other animals, it remains dormant, and of very minute size, until the middle of December, when it suddenly quickens, and is developed with the usual rapidity, the whole period of gestation being forty weeks. The Roedeer is not so strictly monogamous as is usually described, more than one buck often disputing for the favours of the doe^ Either one or two fawns are born in May, and, if undisturbed, they remain with their parents until autumn, or even until next spring. The first indication of horns are two rounded knobs, which are succeeded by straight, single points. Next spring these give place to forked antlers, which in turn are succeeded hj others bearing three points each; but these changes are not always regularly gone through. Six tines are the usual maximum, but there are roe heads, in some of the German collections, with ten and even twelve branches. Often the horns are strangely deformed (of which a fine example from Dr Dewar's collection was exhibited, as well as drawings of many others). These abnormalities may, perhaps, be divided into four classes — 1st, stunted growths, caused by insufficient food, and also found in old and decrepit bucks; 2d, those caused by an injury to the horn while in a soft state; 3d, the effects of injuries or diseases of the generative organs; and, 4th, genuine deformities, perhaps owing to "breeding in-and-m," or to a constitutional defect in the animal. The roe usually conceals itself by day, feeding in the morning and evening on various kinds of herbage. Mr Alston has found quantities of fungi of various kinds in their stomachs. Its speed is not very great, but its leaps are often wonderful and beautiful. It is also a bold s-wimmer, and in Loch Lomond passes freely from isle to isle. Its voice is a short, harsh bleat, almost resembling a bark. In a state of nature, it never attacks man, even when wounded, but tame ones are dangerous pets. The roe is generally distributed throughout central Europe, and is very common in the forests of France and Germany; in Switzer- land, however, it is almost extinct, as also in most parts of Scandinavia. In this country it was confined to the Scotch Highlands when Pennant wrote, but now, owing doubtless to strict preservation, and the increase of plantations, it is not X 178 PROCEEDINGS OF THE uncommon in most wooded parts of Scotland and the north of England. May 28th, 1867, Professor John Young in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected corresponding members: — M. Auvert, Interne k I'Hospice, Havre; Godfrey Howdtt, M.D., Melbourne; and the Eev. Patrick Gordon, Duncansburgh Manse^ Fort- William. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Mr John Young exhibited a slab of shale, containing two speci- mens of Archceocidaris Urei, in which the test or shell had been preserved, with the long muricated spines attached in nearly their natural position. These interesting and unique specimens of one of our oldest Echinoderms were found recently by Mr Eraser Christie, one of the members of the Glasgow Geological Society, at Sculliongaur limestone quarries, on the north hill of Campsie, and were presented by him to the Hunterian Museum. One of the specimens showed thirty-seven of the long primary spines an-anged round the test in a radiating form, besides numerous smaller secondary spines wliich were arranged upon the outer row of tubercles that border the larger plates, and which were only recently known to have been borne by this particular species. Mr Young also exhibited other specimens of Archmociclaris from diiferent localities to show the condition in which their remains are generally found scattered throughout our limestone strata. The Secretaiy exhibited a specimen of the Pomarine skua (Lestris pomarinus), which had been caught alive, in a disabled state, near Larkhall, Lanarkshire. He remarked that many of the specimens mentioned by Yarrell and other writers as havhag occurred in the British Islands, had been captured in a similar way. Mr Gray, however, observed that although the pomarine skua was stated to be a rare species, it was not so in many localities, especially the shores of the eastern counties of Scotland, where it was frequently recognised in autumn and winter chasing the smaller guUs. On the west coast it had likewise been seen by Mr David Robertson, at Cumbrae. PAPERS READ. I. — On Division of Scientific Labour. By Professor YouNG. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 179 II. — On Marine Dredging. By Mr David Robertson. Plate II. The foUomng remarks are intended only to point out a few conditions necessary to successful dredging, in the hope that they will, in some measure, aid the student who has included the dredge in the programme of his approaching holiday excursions, and show how he may avoid some of the common sources of disappointment. The remarks apply only to the use of the dredge in a small boat, rowed by one or two men. The dredge to many may not appear the most pleasant instrument of research. With its fittings it is cumbersome, and it is wet and toilsome to work; but still, to the marine zoologist, it is indispensable and full of interest. None but those who have experienced the glowing excitement caused by the turning out of a well filled dredge, can know any- thing of the pleasurable suspense till the next haul is drawn up. It would he difficult to lay down rules for dredging operations, however simple, that would not be subject to modification; our success at all times depending less or more on our aptitude to meet varying circumstances as they arise. First of all choose a good day, as little or no progress can be made with the dredge in a small boat when the sea is rough. The Boat. — The size of the boat should be from fourteen to sixteen feet keel, but not less than thirteen feet. The objection to a smaU boat does not wholly apply to its capacity, for it may be large enough for one person when he chooses to go by himself, but there is great difference of power on the dredge in the large compared with the small boat. A small boat will be stopped short when the way is on it by an obstacle that would be readily overcome by a larger boat. Although it is desirable at all times to have strong arms at the oars, when the dredge is tugging doggedly behind, still I have had many successful dredgings by myself. It is surprising what can be done by a single person in a boat, pulling at his ease, taking what advantage he can of both wind and tide, with nothing to control him, sitting, leisurely and carefully examining the contents of each haul. The way on the boat is, meanwhile, making some progress with the dredge, which has been again cast overboard, and is at the same time preventmg the boat from drifting off the proper ground till the oars are applied. In regard to the build of the boat, if you have a choice, prefer one with a 180 PROCEEDINGS OF THE good broad beam; it gives freedom and security in dredging operations. A pulley on the stern for tlie rope lightens the labour of pulling up the dredge. Dredges. — These are of various sizes and forms, according to the uses that they are appHed to. A prevailing opinion is, that all that can be acquired by the dredge may be met with on the surface of the sea bottom, and dredges are generally constructed in accordance with this view. The dredge in common use by naturalists is one of this kind, with a scraper on both sides, so as to prevent it from falling with the Avrong side down, and is very efficient for general Avork. Believing that many valuable objects might be obtained if a dredge could be made to dip deeper into the soil than the one in common use, I had one constructed of galvanized iron, which penetrated five or six inches into the subsoil, and reached the class of animals found burrowing beneath the surface, at the same time securing much in common with the flat-rimmed dredge. As an auxiliary to the common dredge, this form of construction is particularly useful in mud and sand, being compact with solid sides, holding no more than can be conveniently examined in a small boat, besides being clean and expeditious to work with. It sinks and takes the ground readily, and soon fills; its small size offers little resistance to the currents, and is easily pulled up. In favourable weather it can be wrought in ten or twelve fathoms by one man with ease, and in thirty or forty by two men without difficulty. It has been objected to, on the ground that it dips suddenly into the soil and is filled at once, without raking over a sufficient por- tion of the sea-bottom, thus lessening the chance of a good haul. This so far is true, when surface animals are only taken into account; but the special province of this dredge is not the surface, but beneath it, which will be found by no means thinly tenanted. No one who has examined mud, sand, or gravel, dug from near low water, can have failed to find them abounding with multitudes of hving creatures ; and we may infer that the same holds good in deeper water The result of experience with this dredge, is to prove that the subsoil round our shores is the habitat, ambush, or retreat of myriads of the invertebrate fauna, summer and Avinter. The subsoil equalities of this dredge, instead of being objection- able, aff"ord jn reality an important advantage to the naturalist — for by pulling it at once on the spot where it descends, he is able M^^m -. ■k. ■■ n f V- , S 1- )^ s ^■■ > ', 18 inches, 10 H 11 ^ 7| H If 12 lbs. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 181 to establish the habitat of the animals there found, thus obviating all doubt on that point that might be caused by the dredge being dragged over many hundred yards. The body of the dredge is in two pieces, which are held together by the arms passing down through the dovetailing at the sides, and each fixed at the bottom by a screw. The bottom is made of coarse canvas, stretched over a hoop, which fits into the dredge. By these arrangements the whole can be readily taken asunder and packed into very small space. Dimensions : Length of body, . . . Diameter at point of lips. Depth of lips, _ _ . Longer diameter at lower angle of lips, Shorter, do., do., Longer diameter at bottom, - Shorter do., do.. Circumference of arm rods, - Weight of dredge, . - - The rope is connected to the dredge by ten feet of small chain, which tends greatly to keep down the machine, by counteracting the buoyancy of the rope. The next thing to be taken into consideration is the weight of the dredge. The ordinary weight used for a small boat is about 15 lbs.; but whatever the weight may be, it must be sufficient to take with ease the rope required for its use to the bottom, and to keep its place there against the ordinary speed of the boat, which has a tendency to raise the rope, and with it the mouth of the dredge. When the sea is found a little too rough, or the currents a little too strong, preventing the dredge from taking the ground, a few stones put into it will generally succeed in keeping it down, or a small bag, with a stone, fastened to the rope a fathom or two forward from the dredge, will answer the same purpose, and not interfere with its contents. The Rope. — This, of itself, seems to be a trifling matter — yet in a small boat the character of the rope may be of much importance. The first quality is its strength; and as the way on a row-boat need scarcely be taken into account, a rope to resist the strain that could be put upon it by three or four men, may be considered sufficiently strong. A too thick rope adds unnecessarily to the 182 PROCEEDINGS OF THE bulk and weight, making it much less portable, and that of itself is often no small inconvenience. In working the dredge, the more important objection to a thick rope is the greater action the cur- rents have upon it. On the other hand, the rope must not be too small, independent of its strength, as it is difficult to get a finn grasp of a small roj)e. One an inch and a half in circumference answers very well, and is strong enough for any strain likely to be put upon it, and is not over half the weight of ropes usually employed for dredging purposes. Wlien the dredge is thrown overboard, allow it to sink to the bottom before commencing to pull; pull with, the tide; or, if to suit circumstances, pull across it, but never against it, if such can be avoided, particularly in deep water. When working with both wind and tide in your favour, much labour is saved. When the dredge is found not to grip, more rope may be used with advantage, but when too much is given, it becomes difficult to pull the dredge, which may become fast altogether, and have to be relieved by shortening the rope ; or instead of more rope, the same purpose may be gained by pulling less strongly, or by ceasing altogether for a few minutes till the dredge settles down. If it is wished to alter the course of the boat while the dredge is down, do not try to do so with a tight rope; pull the boat back over the dredge, and the slack of the rope thus made will allow it to be done with ease. The Board. — I may now allude to the board that is generally used for examining the contents of the dredge, and which is indispensable for comfortable dredging. It should be as long as to extend a few inches over both sides of the boat near the stern. A board measuring four feet long by one and a-half broad, having a slip of wood about an inch high along each side, will, in most cases, be found suitable. The board is further serviceable for packing dredge, ropes, and other traps upon for transmission. Another useful auxiliary to the dredge is a pair of sieves — a coarse and a fine — the former to put within the latter, with which the obscuring mud can be washed away, and the coarse material separated from the fine; thus clean and assorted examination is rendered comparatively easy. AVhen the more minute objects are wanted, a successful plan with dredged material, laminaria roots, shell debris, etc., is to take them home in a pail of water, and transfer them to a white NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 183 basin, and in a short time many of the small animals will be seen making their way towards the sides of the vessel, and others to the surface, from which they may be easily picked up. The material may be occasionally stirred up, which will cause a new series to appear. This process may be repeated with success for a day or two. When the water has even become offensive, and many of the animals have died, a few may still be found on the surface, which do not appear at an earlier time. Collecting Vessels. — These need not be noticed particularly here, as their form, size, and number will always depend on what objects are chiefly intended to be secured. A pail, three or four glass pickle bottles, a few phials and glass tubes for small things, a white saucer to examine them in, and a hair pencil to pick up minute objects, will go far to meet all wants in ordinary cases. 184 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SESSIOJisT 1867-68. THE SIXTEENTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, ANDERSON'S UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS, SEPTEMBER 24th, 1867. Mr William Euing in tlie chair. The follomng gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the ensuing session : — Hugh Colquhoun, M.D., President; William Euing, Professor John Young, Vice-Presidents; Eobert Gray, Secretary; Thomas S. Hutcheson, Treasurer; James A. Mahony, Librarian. John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S.; James Stirton, M.D.; Alexander M'Kinlay, Walter Gait; W. Newiion MacCartney; Donald Dewar, M.D.; E. A. Wiinsch; and David M'Kinlay, Members of Council. Messrs James Hamilton and David Hamilton were elected resi- dent members. October 29th, 1867. Hugh Colquhoun, M.D., President, in the chair. The follow- ing gentlemen were elected members : — Mr John Dougall, resident; Messrs Alex. Innes Grant, Beaumont Station, Dunedin, Otago; and John Buchanan, of the Government Geological Survey, Wel- lington, N.Z., corresponding. The Librarian announced, as a donation to the library, a copy of " The Birds of East Lothian," by Mr W. P. Turnbull, Phila- delphia, one of the society's corresponding members. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. The Secretary drew the attention of the meeting to a Very fine specimen of the rough-legged buzzard {Buteo lagopus), which had been shot near Bishopbriggs during the present month; also a specimen of the ruff (Machetes pwgnax), from the banks of the Clyde, near Erskine. The latter species, although tolerably common on the eastern shores of Scotland, is very rarely met with on the west. Mr Gray remarked that the rough-legged buzzard was also a much commoner bird on the east coast than NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 185 in other parts of Scotlaiifl. Both birds had been obhgingly lent to tlie society, for the purpose of exhibition, by Mr M'Culloch, taxi- dermist, Sauchiehall Street. PAPERS READ. I. — Observations on the Habits of certain New Zealand Birds. By Mr John Buchanan, of the Government Geological Survey, Wellington, New Zealand. A very graphic account was given of the e very-day life of many very interesting species, which were exhibited in illustra- tion of this paper. In speaking of the parroquets, the writer remarked that two species, the Platijcercus Pacificus and Platycercus avriceps, are found flying in immense flocks, sometimes appearing in cultivated districts Hke an Egyptian plague, and devastating the lands of the farmer. On these occasions they have been known to destroy whole crops in spite of every means that were used to drive them off". Regardless of danger, they could be shot in hundreds, the flock rising but for a moment when fired at, and alighting again among their dead comrades. Among the Inrds frequenting gardens, Mr Buchanan described the habits of the little wax-eye or blight bird, Avhich is both an enemy and friend to the horticultu- rist. Having a penchant for cherries, a flock will alight on a tree and destroy the whole of the fruit by eating the softer parts, leav- ing the stalks and stones, thus converting the cherry tree into a horticultural curiosity. As an offset to this destructive propensity, however, the wax-eye destroys the aphis, which causes the Ameri- can blight in apple trees and cabbages — a service which is perhaps cheaply purchased by a crop of cherries. II. — On the occurrence of shells showing colour marhings, from the carboniferous limestone strata of the JVest of Scotland. By Mr John Young. This paper was illustrated by specimens from Mr Young's collection belonging to the genera Orthoceras, Naticopsis, Aviculo- pecten, Mijalinu, Mactra, Terebratvla, Lingula, etc., which showed, in different degrees of preservation, bands as well as zig-zag and wavy lines of colour,wliich once adorned the living shells. The author stated that although it was an interesting fact to geologists that shells, from so old a formation as the carboniferous lime- stone, should be found retaining traces of their original colour — Y 186 PROCEEDINGS OF THE affording thereby a sort of clue to the probable depth of the seas in which these niollusca lived — yet the absence of coloured shells in any group of strata was not always to l)e taken as a safe test, for much depended on the nature of the sediment in which they became entombed, and the mineralogical and chemical changes which the shells have undergone during fossilisation. III. — Chemical Notes on the "Fiicacece." By Mr J. A. Mahony. The author referred to the composition of these sea-weeds, and described the varying readiness with which the different salts became separated from the organic matter by dialysis. November 2Gth, 1867. Hugh Colquhoun, M.D., President, in the chair. Mr George Thomson was elected a resident member. specimens exhibited. A specimen of the Little Bittern (Ardea minuta), shot at Luffness, in East Lothian, in June last, and forwarded by Lord Binning, corresponding member. Mr Eobert Gray exhibited a specimen of the Eared Grebe {PocUceps cmritm), in spring plumage, shot in Loch Sunart, and made some remarks on the geographical distribution of the species. A series of zoophytes from Peterhead, beautifully mounted, and forwarded by the Rev. James Yuill, corresponding member. The series embraced about thirty species, including specimens of Thuaria ariiculata, Plunmlaria frutescens, Sertularia tamarisca, Sertu- laria fusca, Flustra carbasea, Flustra Murrayana, Cellularia ternata, and a beautiful variety of Sertularia jwlyzonias. Another collection of zoophytes, from Girvan, which had been forwarded by Mr Thomas Anderson, corresponding member, and several specimens of a Felella, which is probably new to British seas. These had been found on the south beach of Girvan, in considerable numbers, on the second week of September last. Professor Young exhibited several fisheg recently added to the Hunterian Museum. 1st, A^sturgeon from the coast of Labra- dor, presented by Mr R. Grieve, St John's, through the Provost of Greenock. This fish was not known to the fishermen. It NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 187 belongs to tlie sub-genus Antaceus, but Dr Young mentioned that its characters did not correspond with those of any described species. Its nearest ally and representative is A. mecUrostris from San Fran- cisco. The northern limit assigned to sturgeons is 54 degrees north latitude. This specimen must therefore have been found beyond the customary range of the group. 2d, Amia canina, a ganoid fish from New Orleans, presented by Mr Taylor Denegre, Edinburgh. Two specimens of this fish were sent, which are intended for dissection and description. Professor Young com- mented on the afiinity said by Agassiz to exist between this genus and the Ccelacanths — extinct ganoids which range from the lower carboniferous to the chalk — and jjointed out the important differ- ences which separate the two genera. 3d, CalUonijmus lyra, the gemmeous dragonet, a specimen caught at Tigh-na-bruaich, and pre- sented by Principal Barclay. 4th, The Hebridean smelt (Osmerus Hehridicus), determined l)y the late Mr Yarrell, from a specimen sent him by Mr William Euing, to whom it had been brought as an unknown fish. The present specimen was caught at Kilcreggan. The species seems very rare still, as it was sent as a curiosity to Mr M'Kenzie, of the Greenock Advertiser, by whom it was presented to the museum. The Secretary exhibited beautiful casts of the leg bones of the Dinornis, an extinct New Zealand bird, and jaw bone of a Di]^- rotodon, which had been forwarded from Melbourne by R. Brough Smyth, Esq., Secretary of Mines for the colony of Victoria. Mr T. S. Hutcheson then laid before the meeting a quantity of writing paper showing defective spots in its manufacture, about the origin of which, little aj^pears to have been known until recently. Professor "Walker Arnott, one of the society's members, had examined the paper with a view to ascertain whether the marks were of vegetable origin, but being unable to refer them to this source, he had submitted specimens of the paper to a dis- tinguished chemist in the city, who reported as follows: — "I have often noticed the little spots on paper, and I think have seen it stated that they are vegetable, and have never had reason to doubt this. On examining them, however, I find they are mineral, and apparently consist of copper, but in what form of combina- tion I cannot say, as the quantity is too small to admit of any- thing like minute examination. I presume the copper comes from the apparatus used by the paper maker, in which there is 188 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE a good tleal of brass wire gauze. I imagine that small spots of oxide may be produced on this which may adhere to the paper, but how it should take on the dendritic form is not so easy to see. I found a quantity of printing paper with such spots, and it was only by cutting out a great many of them that I got enough to test. Copper has been found in paper by Berzilius, but, as I understand, it was unifonnly distributed through it. It is men- tioned iu books as a proof of his skill with the blow-pipe that he could detect mth it copper iu the ash of a single sheet of paper." PAPER READ. On the Land and FresJi-Water Mollusca found within Ten Miles around Glasgow. By Mr John Dougall. I have divided the suljject into four parts, the 1st being a synopsis of what I have accomplished in the way of collecting; the remaining three are more practical in their bearing, and em- body the details of my experience as a collector^ They are — 2d, When to collect ; 3d, "VMiere to collect ; 4th, How to collect. The 2d implies that there are certain seasons to collect in; the 3d, that there are certain localities to collect in; and the 4th, that there are certain ways of collecting, in order that it may be done economically and successfully. With reference, then, to the 1st, I find from memoranda, that I made altogether fifty-four excursions, beginning early in March, and ending about the middle of July, visiting, in the interval, besides several localities in the suburbs, Cadzow Castle and forest, Bai'ucluith Gardens, Blantyre, Blantyre Priory, Bothwell Castle, Calderwood Glen, East Kilbride, Cathkin, Carmunnock, Busby, Gorbals Gravitation Reservoirs, Barrhead, Crookston Castle, Glen- iifer Braes, Canal at Paisley, Auclu>ntorlie Glen and Bell's monu- ment. Bowling, Old Kilpatrick, Dalmuir, Spout of Ballagan, St Germain's Loch, Possil Marsh, Kelvin, Bardowie Loch, Monkland Canal from Blackhill Locks to Baillieston, Forth and Clyde Canal at intervals from Bowling to Hungryside Bridge, Craigenglen, Campsie Glen, Skilengow old limestone quarries North Hill Campsie, Hogganfield, Frankfield, with Bishop and Johnstone Lochs, Gartcosh. Most of these localities have been visited more than once, many of them several times, yielding in all twenty-one genera and forty-seven distinct species,* besides numerous varieties * The collection has been placed in the Hunterian Museum. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 189 and a few aberrant forms. Every two excursions have furnished nearly a genus, and forty-seven of the excursions a si^ecies each; the results of seven being nil. The localities may be condensed into twenty-three districts, and in this view each district has yielded about one genus and two species. Of the land shells Helix rotundata, Zonites cellaria, and Z. alliaria are most plentiful, and seem equal in numl^er ; then //. hisjnda; then Fupa umhilicata, Clausilia riigosa, and Succinea ])utris; then Cari/chium minimum; then H. nemoralis and its variety hortensis; then H. arhistorum, Z. fiilms, radiatula, and Vitrina pellucida; then Z. crystallinus, and Cochlicopa luhrica. The following also are in the order of their apparent quantities, viz. : H. aspersa, H. lamellata, H. aculeata, Bidimus ohsmrus, H. caper ata, j^ulchella, and rufescens; and last of all ff. fusca and Balia perversa — a single individual of each of these two species being all I could procure. Of the fresh- water molluscs there can be no doul)t that Limnaa pieregra is the most widely and plentifully distributed, as it exists in great quantities in almost every canal, ditch, pool, pond, or river; and, what seems inexplicable, varying exceedingly in dimensions in different localities, while to all apj)earance the conditions of its habitat are identical. There is a great paucity of individuals and smallness of size of those Peregrce found in lochs where there are pike, and this seems partly to explain the matter, there being none of these fish either in the Campsie Pond or the Gorbals' Reservoir, where I obtained the largest specimens, those from the latter place being very large. In extent of distribution, number of individuals, and variety of form, the Pisidia probably equal the Peregrce. Physa fontinaUs is found also in the same habitat as L. peregra, and although equalling it in distribution, it is less in the number of individuals. Ancylus fluviatiUs seems to equal Physa fontinaUs in number, but has an entirely different habitat. Bythynia tentacvlata ranks next, and although it be somewhat sj)aringly distributed, yet it is very pletitiful where it occurs; the Paisley Canal teems with it, and at Coats' Works, where the temperature of the water is heightened by the condensed steam from their engine, it could be taken by the bushel. In the Forth and Clyde Canal also it seems very plentiful. Cyclas cornea, Planorbis contm'tus, alhus and spirorbis, also Limiuea palustris, and truncahda, seem pretty equal in number and distribution. Next we have Cyclas lacustris, Amdon cygneus, Uiiio niargariiifer, Dreissena polymorp)ha, 190 PROCEEDINGS OF THE and Vahata piscinalis ; then Valvata cristata, Planorbis nitidus, and Limrma glabra, and last of all Limncea auricularia. It appears, so far as I have investigated the ten mile area, that its existing aquatic mollusca consists of 11 genera and 22 species, viz., — 5 genera and 8 species of Lamellibranchs, 2 genera and 3 species PerJinibranchs, and 4 genera and 12 species Puhnono- branchs, while the terrestrial (not including the Limacidce) consists of 8 genera and 24 species, all of which are Pidmonobranchs. Thus, while the aquatic molluscs exceed the terrestrial by three genera, the terrestrial exceed the aquatic by two species; showing thereby in the aquatic a greater generic diversity of structure than in the terres- trial; and in the terrestrial, a greater specific diversity of structure than in the aquatic. However, in comparison to the number of genera and species, I think these differences are small, and it seems to me remarkable that the two kinds should approximate so closely in number, more especially when we consider that all classification is necessarily more or less arbitrary; and probably this is a proof of the correctness of the investigation of those naturalists who arranged these mollusca into genera and species, as it appears more in harmony with the laws of nature, that these two great classes should nearly balance other with regard to numbers, than that the one should greatly surpass the other in the same respect. I now come to the second part, "\dz., Jflien to collect. — As both land and fresh water mollusca hybernate, it would be comparatively a waste of time to attempt collecting either early in spring or late in autumn. I have tried it at both periods, and have no hesitation in saying that I could find as many species in a week, about the end of June, as could be found from the beginning of Septem- ber till the end of April; besides, supposing that during March and April there are some fine days, the specimens which you may then find are mostly young, and the shell therefore only partly formed; or should you secure adults tliey are often empty, or, if alive, much weatherworn, the epidermis being either entirely rubbed ofi", or so defaced as to spoil their appearance. I would therefore say that the most profitable as well as pleasant time for collecting is from the beginning of June till the middle of August; but even during this interval, should the weather be dry and hot, you will make little progress with the land shells except in the early morning or late in the evening, at which periods the vegetation is NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 191 usually more or less wet with dew, when they can be easily secured, as they then come out of their hiding places to feed. But the best time for procuring land shells, during midsummer, is after a shower that has been preceded by a drought; specimens will then be found easily, which in ordinary circumstances would require a deal of perseverance and miimte searching to obtain. On the other hand, the best time for securing aquatic kinds is during dry weather, for two reasons. First, if the weather has been wet for a time, the extra accumulation of water is likely to pass considerably over the bounds of their habitat, and thus pre- vent you from finding them. Second, should it be simply a shower, the disturbance to the surface of the water which the rain-drops occasion is an obstacle to your seeing the bottom, however shal- low, where many of the gasteropods are easily found. What seems to me the best method, therefore, and the one which experience taught me to adopt, is to search for the aquatic sorts during dry weather, and the terrestrial during wet. Let me now advert to the third part, viz.. Where to collect, which implies a description of habitat ; and probably I cannot do better than run over the various species in the collection, stating the localities where, and the ckcumstances under which they were found. Unio margaritifer, is from a deep pool in the Clyde at the Chemical Works, Cambuslang, which seems literaUy filled with it. I may remark that those specimens which are broad at the beaks, and shorter than usual in their long diameter, are almost always pearl-bearers. This shell is generally found on the banks of pools in clear rivers, such as the Tay, Clyde, Doon, and Teith. Anodon cygneiis is from Paisley Canal. I found also a pair of dead valves in Bardowie Loch ; and the banks of the Cart at Car- donald Mills are strewed with broken valves. All my attempts to procure this shell alive were futile, and these specimens I found in a heap of mud recently dredged from the canal. Cyclas cornea and lacustris are generally found in company. They are plentiful along the southern boundary of Possil Marsh, and in the canals. I have not found lacustris in the Paisley Canal. They are taken principally at the roots of aquatic plants. Jeffreys says he has not observed 0. lacustris in Scotland, nor seen any notice of its having been found there. 192 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Tlie Pisidki need not engage our attention much, excejit it be to reflect how every Httle bit of marsh and stagnant pool becomes so ra})idly and so numerously filled with them. The specimens in tlie collection are from the vicinity of Torrance, and were found in a small hollow which had every appearance of being caused by the subsidence of the old workings of a coal pit, which had got filled with rain water. By pulling up the grass they will be found adhering to its roots. Drcissena j^oh/morpha, from Lambhill Bridge eastward, on the towing side of the Forth and Clyde Canal, adhering to the stones, about a foot below the surface of the water, very plentiful and easily procured. Bythynia tentaculata. — Anywhere on the Forth and Clyde or Paisley Canals, on stones and aquatic plants. Val'vata piscinalis. — Inshot on Paisley Canal, a short distance east of second bridge. I also found it in an old lade at Dalmuir, where the glacial shell bed crops out, forming,. along with Ci/rlas cornea, the larval case of the May fly. Falvnta cristata. — "The Splash," on Forth and Clyde Canal, and at Springbank, on roots of plants. Pla7iorbis nitidus. — Same as last. Planorhis alhus. — Very plentiful in the drain running from Frankfield to Hogganfield Loch; and in Bishop and Johnstone Lochs, Gartcosh, on j^lants. Flanorhis spiwrhis. — Small marsh on Eutherglen Road; very plentiful in Bishop Loch, on plants. Planorhis contortus.- — Numerous in Frank- field Loch, on plants. Physa fontinalis. — Very common anywhere in the canals or stagnant water, on plants and stones. Limnma peregra. — ^Same as Physa, but more often found on stones and on the bottom at the maririn of the water. The larce specimens in the collection I found in a deep and sheltered pond in which there is a slow current, and which is the principal feeder of the npper reservoir of the Gorbals Gravitation Water Works, all of them Avere adhering to stones quite near the side. L. auricularia. — Noi-thern bank of the Monkland Canal, on the ground in shallow water close to the side, at the western ex- tremity of the first plot of sedges going east between the third and fourth bridge, counting the bridge crossed by the Cumber- nauld Road the first. L. trnncatula.— Very plentiful on the mud at the margin of Clyde, Dalmuir, and in such situations; this NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 193 species seems amphibious. L. pahistris. — Bardowie and Frank- field Loclis; extremely numerous in a ditch at the north-western angle of the latter, on plants. L. glabra. — Frankfield Loch, mingled with L. jmlustris and as numerous. Jeffreys says, " this shell is sparingly distributed in this country," and gives no Scottish locality. Ancylus fluviatilis. — Common in rivulets and clear streams, adhering to stones in the currents onhj; very large in Clyde in the rapid opposite Dalbeth. A. lacustris. — I had very great difficulty in procuring tliis shell, and latterly found a single specimen in Bishop Loch. Since then I have gathered them in quantities in the Forth and Clyde Canal at Old Kilpatrick. They are said to be found principally on the under side of the leaves of the water lily, but they seem to prefer the blades of the iris, and are found at their lower part. Limax maximus. — The largest of the slugs has its shell internal, which requires to be dissected from beneath the mantle. The best situations for this species are beneath blocks of decaying wood in damp places, where they will often be found five or six inches in length. Succima jndris. — This species is found adhering to the dry parts of stones in stagnant water, and is very generally distributed. Old lade, Dalmuir; upper part of Gorbals Gravitation Water Works, etc. Vitrina pellucida. — Corrieburn, Campsie Glen, and such places, beneath stones and among decaying leaves. I have never found the live specimens of this shell nearly so large nor so numerous as the dead ones. Zonites cellaria, Z. alliaria. — It would be difficult to mention a place where there is vegetation in which some one or both of these species are not found. They seem gross feeders, and capable of living under very adverse conditions, even amongst the smoke and dust of the city, there being specimens in the collection from the College Green. They are found under stones, on old walls, and pieces of decaying wood. Z. radiatulus. — Calderwood Glen ; very plentiful in small glen in Cadzow Forest; roots of moss and decaying leaves. Z. crystaUinus. — North Hill, Campsie; East Kilbride, Bothwell Castle, Auchentorlie Glen, etc. Amongst dead leaves, roots of grass, and under stones. Z. fidvus. — Old limestone quar- ries. East Kilbride; Barncluith Gardens, Hamilton; Auchentorlie Glen. Under decaying wood, leaves, stones, etc. z 194 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Helix lamellata. — Extremely numerous on tlie western slope of Calderwood Glen amongst dead leaves. I found it also in Auch- entorlie Glen under stones. H. rohmdata. — Abundant every- where. //. aculeaia. — Same localities and situations as lamellata. H. aspersa. — Rocks round Henry Bell's monument, wall facing the Clyde at Old Kilpatrick, Catlicart Castle. In crevices. H. nemoralis and hortemis. — The former very plentiful and varie- gated, on a bank that slopes into what appears to be an old lade running parallel with the Clyde between Carmyle and Kenmuir; on young nettles. H. hortensis is more common at the root of a hedge leading to Cathcart Castle than at the former place. H. ai'bustorum.—Hnngvyside Bridge on Forth and Clyde Canal, Car- myle, etc. This species is generally found in company with R. nemoralis. H. rufescens. — Under tufts of grass on the rocks at the eastern side of Henry Bell's monument, Bowling. Not mentioned by Jeffreys as occurring in Scotland. II. hispida. — Lime quarries, East Kill)ride, Busby, etc. Very common under stones, logs of wood, etc. H. fusca. — Very rare ; Auchentorlie Glen is the only locality, and though I visited it three times, it only yielded a single specimen. I cannot say in what situation it was found. H. caperata. — Old lime quarries, East Kilbride, under stones. H. pulchella. — Old lime quarries. North Hill, Campsie, at the roots of grass in moist places. Bidimus ohscurus. — Bothwell old castle, adhering to the lower part of the walls, where they are covered with grass. I found an adult and young specimen in Auchentorlie Glen, beneath a piece of trappean ash. Pupa umhilicata. — Campsie Glen, Bothwell Castle, Calderwood Glen, Auchentorlie Glen. Pretty common, in shady parts, on walls, rocks, and stones. Balia jMrversa or fragiUs. — Auchentorlie Glen; on the perpendi- cular surface of a projecting trap rock, along with Chnisilia rugosa. Clausilia rugosa. — Very common and numerous. Cambuslang Glen, and all sucli places, on old walls, rocks, trunks of trees, and beneath stones. Cochlicopa liihica. — Conieburn, Crookston Castle, East Kil- bride, etc., under stones and in damp places. Cari/chium minimum. — This exquisite little form, the smallest of the land shells, is to be found in all our glens, under stones, dead leaves, and also at the roots of grass. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 195 Arriving now at the fourth part, viz., How to collect, I will first refer to the metliod of procuring the aquatic kinds generally. In order to obtain the greatest number of these in the shortest possible time, it is necessary that one should be provided with a wire sieve, to which can be joined a common walking- stick when required. Then, when collecting, with the stick joined to the sieve, you reach the latter as close to the roots of the plants as possible, and sweep it along quickly for a yard or two, keeping it well down, when any shells hanging by the plants are either jerked or swept into the sieve. In cases where the water is very deep it is not necessary that the sieve should be kept more than twelve or eighteen inches down. Another way is by uprooting the plants and then examining them closely. The Pisidiums, Planorhis nitickis, Cyclas cornea, and lacustris, are found principally at the roots, the others on the stems. Several species are also found on stones and mud; Ancijlus fluviatilis is always on the former in shallow and broken currents of clear water while Linmcea peregra is found in stagnant water on both. In collecting land shells the following requisites should be carried— viz., a botanical lens for viewing the smaller specimens, a glass cap box for holding them, and a small wide-mouthed bottle for containing the larger sorts. Stones and pieces of decaying wood should be turned over and carefully, examined, also the parts of old walls uncovered by moss, young nettles also, as these seem favourite food with many of the Helices. But the most economical and productive method of obtaining the minute shells is by taking home a quantity of leaves, say in a large vasculum, and after drying them on a tray, carefully searching the debris which will be found beneath. By this plan you concentrate any specimens present, while at the same time you are, as it were, coUectmg at home, and can begin and leave off as it suits your convenience. It is recommended in Jeffrey's work to examine moss for shells, but so far as I have observed very few are to be found in moss. I have taken home several times great quantities of it from various localities and different situations, and seldom found more than a specimen or two of Zonites oMarius, or Helix rotundata. It is otherwise with damp leaves, as if there be shells 196 PROCEEDINGS OF THE in the place at all where these are obtained, you will be sure to find them ensconced between their layers. I have frequently remarked that the land shells generally prefer a smooth, clean, and hard surface, to one overgrown with lichens and moss, and have no hesitation in saying, that in the former situation fifty specimens could be found for one in the latter. Instinct seems to impress the terrestrial Pulmonohranclis with the necessity of economizing their shme, and also to teach them that the best way to do so is by avoiding porous and uneven surfaces, and frequenting those that are solid, smooth, and damp, the latter implying shady places. Before concluding, I cannot avoid directing your attention specially to what you must have observed from the general remarks already made — viz., to the great number and rarity of many of the species found in Auchentorlie Glen, and all at its lower part. These are Zonites alliaria, cellaria, radiatula, crystal- linus, and fulvus; Helix nemwalis, fusca, aculeafa, and lamellata; Carychmrii minimum, Clausilia rugosa, Pupa timbilicata, Bulimiia obscurus, and Balia perversa or fragilis;* while, in the immediate locality of the glen — viz., at Henry Bell's monument, we have Helix aspersa and rnfescens, in all, sixteen species. Yet, while it is so rich in species, there is a wonderful paucity of individuals, as, for example, in three excursions, I only found three specimens of H. aculeata, two of B. ohscurns, one of H. fusca, and one of Bulla fragilis. I may also remark that there are four species in the collection which Jeffreys does not mention as occurring in Scotland — viz., Cyclas lacustris, Limnoea auricularia, Limncea glabra, and Helix rnfescens. * Since writing this paper I have found on more minute examination that the specimen of Balici fragilis referred to, is a somewhat doubtful one, and apjjears either to be an abnormal form of Balia (there being only a single indigenous species of that genUs), or an abnormal form of Clausilia ruf/osa, or a variety of 6^. rw/osa, {)robably duhia; or a species differing from Clausilia rugosa, probably " JiuljjJiii." It would be easy to determine whether it was a Balia or Clausilia by breaking the shell and observing whether" it had a clausilium, which is absent in Balia, but unfortunately there is only a single specimen, so that we must either decide from external appearances or destroy the shell. But however this may be, one characteristic specimen of Balia has recently been found in Auchentorlie Glen, thus maintaining the number of species which I stated is to be obtained there, and were the features of this undetermined individual properly studied, it is possible that it might add another to the number. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 197 January 7th, 18G8. Hugli Colqulioun, M.D., President, in the chair. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. Curlew-billed Sandpiper {Tringa snharquata) and Storm Petrel (Thalassidroma pelagica), both from the Firth of Forth, for- warded by Mr John A. Harvie Brown, corresponding member. Mr Brown also sent for exhil)ition a specimen of the Common Dunlin {Tringa variahilis), which had Ijeen procured in the island of North Uist by Mr Gray. It was in full breeding plumage, and had been shot from the nest. The bird, when contrasted with others of the same species from different localities, appeared to be little more than half the size. Mr Gray explained that from l)ersonal observation he was disposed to think that the dunlins of the Outer Hebrides belonged to a northern race of that species, and were of much smaller dimensions, resembling very much in size and general features the Little Stint [Tringa minuta). Dr James Stirton exhibited specimens of the following mosses : — Brachythecium Hunti and Hypnum Breaclalhanese, both new to science; and Leskea nervosa, new to Britain — all from Ben Lawers. Mr J. Gilmour exhibited a specimen of the common rabbit, showing a curious malformation of the teeth. Mr Gavin Miller exhibited a complete specimen of Productus scabriadus (Martin), which was obtained from a bed of boulder clay, at a depth of ten feet from the surface, in digging the foundation for a building near Windsor Terrace. The Secretary exhibited a rare Cystldean (Ischadites Kanigii), which he had collected from the silurian rocks of the Girvan district in Ayrshire. Mr John Young made some remarks on these fossils, and stated that the Productus shell in the boulder sill must have been originally derived from some of the beds of fossiliferous limestone shale belonging to the carboniferous period, which exist to the north and west of Glasgow, flanking the trap hills of the Campsie and Kilpatrick range. He had often met with boulders of the fossili- ferous limestones and ironstones of this period in the glacial drift, but he had never seen so perfect an example of a shell as the specimen exhibited. The geological relation of the Cystidean 198 PROCEEDINGS OF THE discovered by Mr Gray was next pointed out. He stated that these fossils, which are exclusively characteristic of the silurian period, are supposed by palaeontologists to have held an interme- diate position between the Crinoids and Echinoderms, and that this was the first notice of their occurrence in the silurian strata of the Girvan district. PAPER READ. The Birds of lona and Mull. By Mr Henry D. Graham, Corresponding Member, read by the Secretary. Before the close of the meeting the librarian announced several additions to the library through the donations of members, among which was a valuable quarto volume on lichens, " Lichenographia Universalis," Acharius, 1810, the gift of Dr Colqulioun, the President. January 28th, 1868. Hugh Colquhoun, M.D., President, in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected members : — Messrs John Turnbull, Mungo C. Duff, resident; and W. C. Angus, Aberdeen, corresponding. SPECIMENS exhibited. Mr Edward E. Alston exhibited a specimen of the pine marten (Maries abietum, Ray) from Inverness-shire; also, a beautiful pied variety of the fieldfare (Turdus jnlaris, L.) from Lanarkshire — on both of which he made a few remarks. Mr William Lorrain exhibited a specimen of the white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons), which was shot lately in the Vale of Leven, near Balloch. Mr Gray stated, with regard to this species, that although it had been long looked upon as one of the rarer British wild geese, it was now found to be tolerably numerous in some of the western islands, especially Islay and neighbouring isles. Dr Stirton exhibited specimens of Zygodon Stirtoni {Schimper), from Ben Lomond in August, 1865 — a moss which, it Avould appear, is comparatively common on rocks near the sea, as Mr Wilson has reported it from the coast of Wales as well as Mr Howie from near Elie, in Fifeshire. Its nearest ally is Zygodon viridissimus, from which, however, it is sufficiently distinguished NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 199 by its erect, not recurved, leaves, strong excurrent nerve, elliptical capsule, etc. Dr Stirton also exhibited specimens of JBryvm Mdhlenheckii, from Ben Nevis in August, 1866. Altliough the size and colour of tlie plant are somewhat at variance with genuine continental specimens, yet the texture of the leaves and relative lengtli of nerve (which possesses the characteristic tint) sufficiently warrant the close association if not identity of the two plants. This opinion is borne out by Mr Wilson, author of the Bryologia Britannica. Dr Stirton described at same time the situation of localities on Ben Lawers, Ben Lomond, and Ben Nevis, most prolific in rare cryptogams, and showed how they possessed many features in common, as general direction, geological formation, and degree of humidity. He likewise appealed to geologists to account for the prevalence in such spots of plants in this country which, as a rule, are only to be found at a much higher level on the continent; besides, the plants characteristic of such spots are either very rare or are confined exclusively to them. Mr James Eamsay exhibited specimens of Bryum roseum in fruit, from Cumbrae, forwarded by Mr Levack, corresponding mem- ber; and read some notes on the species by Mr David Robertson. Mr Chapman drew the attention of the meeting to a large collec- tion of Australian insects, the property of Mr Kirsop, of Glasgow, which that gentleman had sent for exhibition. PAPERS READ. I. — On the Occurrence of Seaiceeds in the Paisley Clay Beds. By Mr J. A. Mahony. The only records of the occurrence of seaweed in the glacial clays, that I am aware of, consist of a reference to their presence in some strata penetrated while digging a well at Johnstone, and Messrs Crosskey & Robertson, in the recently published Transactions of the Geological Society of Glasgow, announce the discovery of Melohesia pobjmorpha in the Dalmuir deposit. In the former instance, described by the late Mr Smith of Jordanhill, it is not stated whether the seaweed found was of the calcareous type, or soft-fronded, like the great majority of Ahjcp. The calcareous sea- weeds secrete so much carbonate of lime in their structure, that the fact of their remaining intact during the long interval of time which has elapsed since the glacial epoch is not at all extraordinary. 200 PROCEEDINGS OF THE The Dalmuir plant Meloheda is of this character, and is in equally good preservation with the shells among which it is found. A closely allied plant, Melobesia cakarea, is found at Paisley, Houston, and some other localities. The Westmarch Plants. — The seaweeds to which I would now refer are of soft membranaceous texture, with one exception, which is tough and coriaceous. This latter had attracted the notice of Mr Bennie, who directed my attention to it, and with him I visited the locality a few months ago. The stratum where they occur could only he recognised distinctly at Westmarch clay field, near the Race Course, the most westerly of the brick works, I believe. The section there consists of about one foot of soil, then two feet of yellow clay, with descending roots in it; next four feet of sandy clay, in which the seaweeds occur; then about ten feet of clay with the usual glacial shells of the district. Below this is an unknown depth of mud and boulder clay. The former reaches a depth of ninety-five feet in a bore made for Messrs Merry & Cunningham, at the adjoining Eace Course. In the four feet stratum the vegetable matter is very abundant, but most so in the upper part, where it exists in a comminuted state, rendering the colour of the clay quite dark. Animal remains are also abundant, being represented by Foraminifera and Entomostraca and the decayed fragments of Mijtilvs edulis in great plenty. The shells of this mollusc seemed to be deficient in the carlwnate and jjhosphate of lime necessary to give stability to the structure, and were correspondingly rich in animal matter, which had become diffused through the stratum, dyeing it of a distinct purplish hue. A portion of this sandy clay had been thrown up on the bank, and on the rain-washed surface, numerous samples of an irregularly branched plant stood out clearly defined. That it was a sea- weed was the immediate and natural suggestion, and this view has been confirmed on microscopical examination It bears a dense layer of cells on the surface of the frond, while the inner substance presents a granular appearance. Any attempt to identify the species of this plant would be premature, but I may meanwliile say that it seems to approach the Diciijotacece most closely. Mr Bennie subjected a portion of the clay to the washing process which has of late been so productive of information with regard to the minuter forms in these deposits. The vegetable debris so obtained was most abundant, forming a thick cake in the sieve; NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 201 and, on being dried, tlie Foraminifera could be seen in great numbers along with fragments of mussel-shell It was only when examined microscoijically that the true interest of this deposit was evolved. Portions of unmistakable sea- weed in a very fragmentary state, leaves of mosses, scraps of the tissue of vascular plants, and little bits of the epidermis of mussel-shell, were then revealed as the organic constituents of this peaty mass. From the exami- nation of a large quantity of it, I have hitherto found that there are altogether at least eleven species of marine Algce, three of which seem to be Melanosperms, six Bhodosperms, and two Chlorosperms. In the absence of fruit, or indeed of any tangible character, it would be unsafe to attempt a reference of these plants to their species. I will therefore just indicate their possible affinities. A bit of black seaweed, on being subjected to gentle pressure, emitted bodies which I recognised as the sporangia, or parent cells of the germ cells of a Fucus, likely F. vesiculosus. One small fragment shows remains of an air-vessel ; it may be a Cystoseiria, or possibly Haliclrys siliqiiosa. Among the red weeds, Callophyllis laciniata seems to be re- presented by a fragment with granular cell structure. The portions titled Polysiphonia may belong either to that genus or Ceramium, for the siphons are not well defined. The long purple weed, with opposite articulated ramuli, is most probably a Cryptonemaceous plant, but I cannot find that it agrees with any of the sj)ecies in that order. One specimen is likely a Callithamiiion. In the Chlorosperms, that named Porphyra vulgaris is probably correct, and the inflated plant resembles Enteromorp)ha intestinalis,, althousfh the characteristic colour is absent. Besides these seaweeds there were also remains of terrestrial plants. Two distinct species of mosses occurred, and also one leaf of a Jungermannia ; fragments of the tissues of Phanerogams were abundant, . and consisted of the pith of stems, with surrounding cellular tissue, parenchyma, and spiral vessels. The facts thus evolved are very suggestive of the conditions under which these strata were deposited. The intense cold of the period represented by the lower stratum had gradually given way to a more genial temperature, involving the extinction of 2a 202 PROCEEDINGS OF THE most of the boreal shells. In their place we find the mussel — a mollusc which luxuriates in estuaries or bays, where the influx of river or stream modifies the marine conditions. The leaves of mosses must have been carried down by such a stream, and deposited on this ancient shore along with the fragmentary seaweeds drifted in by the tide. That tissues so delicate and apparently evanescent should have been preserved during the undoubtedly long period which has elapsed since the deposition of these clay beds is, I think, an interesting and noteworthy cir- cumstance. II. — On the Birds of lona and Mull. By Mr Henry D. Graham, Corresponding Member. February 25th, 1868. Hugh Colquhoun, M.D., President, in the chair. Tlie following gentlemen were elected members: — Messrs John M'Kay, James W. Allan, and James Watson, Burntrigg, Cardross. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. The Secretary drew the attention of the meeting to a pair of beautiful snowy owls (Surnia nydea), which had been forwarded for exhibition by Mr John Harvie Brown, corresponding member. One of these was a Canadian specimen; the other had been taken alive on l)oard a Danish craft about fifteen miles out at sea, and nearly opposite to Montrose, on the 1 6th December last. Dr Stirton exhibited specimens of Sphagnum teres, from Ben Ledi, a species recently discovered on the continent, and one likely to be met with pretty commonly in similar localities throughout Scotland; also Grimmia subsquarrosa, in fruit, from Dumbuck, near Bowling, the first recorded instance of the moss having been found in a perfect state. Its nearest ally is Ghimmia pidvinata ; but the peculiar squarrose leaves and dioicous inflorescence render it quite distinct. On the same rocks were found Grimmia leucophcea, G. Hartnianii, G. Schultzii, and G. trichophj/lla. The first of these was first discovered on Arthur's Seat in the beginning of the present century; many years afterwards on the southern coast of Fife; and later still on Abbey Craig, near Stii'ling; the present station completes the NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 203 chain. It is somewhat remarkable that this interesting and distinct moss should be confined to this narrow belt of rocks of trap formation, stretching across the country, at intervals, be- ginning with Arthur's Seat and ending with Dumbarton Castle; the same is true of one or two others of the Grimmice enumerated. Dr Young exhibited specimens from a large collection recently presented to the Hunterian Museum. This collection, formed by Dr Dug^s, illustrates the fauna of the vicinity of Guaguanato, in Mexico, and was presented by him to the museum through Mr L. M'Gowan, British Consul in Mexico. The specimens include several hundred insects; above tliirty species of amphibia and reptiles; skins exquisitely prepared and ready for stuffing, of thirty-three species of birds and mammals. This magnificent gift will necessarily take some time to arrange; but Dr Young exhibited two species of tree frogs and a toad, remarking on their geographical distribution, and the mode in which they represent nearly allied species in the old world. Two species of horned lizard are now in the museum, one {Phrynosoma orhiculare) from Duges' collection; of the other (P. Harlenii), two specimens were kept alive for some months by Mr Young, but persistently refused food. Two out of the five species of Tropidolepis, a lizard closely related to Phrynosoma, were also shown. Dr Young promised to exhibit the rest of the collection as they were arranged and mounted. Mr Edward R. Alston exhibited a specimen of Daubenton's Bat {Vespertilio Dauhentonii), which was taken on Glasgow Green in 1864; and made some remarks on other Scottish sj)ecies of a like interest. Mr John Young exhibited a finely-preserved specimen of a fossil fruit, obtained from the marine limestone shales at Newfield Quarry, High Blantyre. This fruit somewhat resembles in size and form the Trigonocarjmns, a genus of coniferous fruits found in the coal measures, of which he exhibited some illustrative speci- mens from the Ayrshire coal-field, but diff'ers from them in posses- sing at the top of the fruit eight sharp ribs, which extend about one-third along the length of the shell, the rest of the surface being smooth, and having the calyx well marked at the base. Mr Young also made some remarks upon the very rare occur- rence of fossil fruits of this class in the marine limestone shales of Scotland, and stated that the specimen exhibited, which had 204 PROCEEDINGS OF THE been presented to him by the Kev. Dr Gloag of Blantyre, probably belonged to a new and undescribed genus. PAPER READ. On the Nudlhranchiate Mollusca of the SJiores of the Cumhraes. By Mr David Eobertson, illustrated by specimens. In bringing forward a list of the Nudibranchs of the Cumbraes, I have to remark that it must not be understood it has any i:)re- tensions to an exhaustive list of the species which may be obtained on the shores of these islands, but merely as a beginning, under- taken in the hope of enlisting more workers for the better investi- gation of this much neglected but most interesting family. One great drawback to progress arises in many cases from the necessity of identifying them Avhile they are in life, many not surviving long when removed from their natural condition. Like many other animals, they make their appearance on our shores in greater or lesser numbers at particular seasons of the year. I find them most abundant in February, March, and April, months favourable for collecting on account of the spring tides. Unfortunately, from the coldness and uncertainty of the weather of these months, few naturalists choose them for their holidays at the coast, and from this cause doubtless many of the best opportu- nities of capturing these animals are lost. The importance of low ebbs for collecting Nudibranchs will be seen by glancing over the accompanying list, when it wdl be found that more than four species have been obtained on the shore, for one obtained exclusively by the dredge. That circum- stance becomes the more prominent by the fact, that I have occupied much more time "with the dredge than Avith shore work. For working out a local list in any branch of the marine invertebrate fauna, I know no i^lace so favourably situated as the rich shores of the Cumbraes ; nor is there any place known to me where such a length and variety of shore can be reached with so much convenience and so little toil. There is not less than twenty miles of shore line to hunt upon ; and making full allowance for rough ground, twenty sc^uare miles of sea to dredge in, which, at any point, scarcely exceeds six miles from the village of Millport. In tlie valuable monograph of British Nudibranchiate Mollusca, by Alder & Hancock, ninety-one species are recorded; of these twenty-nine are from Scottish, habitats, and twenty-two of that NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 205 number are from the Firth of Clyde, the chief localities being Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Arran, and Rothesay Bay; one species, however, was obtained from Portencross, and another from Cumbrae. The subjoined list from the Cumbraes includes ten genera and thirty-seven species. Five of these are new to the West of Scotland, viz. : — • Hermcea bifida, Eolis Feachii, E. concinna, E. amoena, and E. cingulata. Regarding this last species, Mr Alder writes (August, 18G6) — '^ Eolis cingulata, I am particularly pleased you have met with, as the two specimens I got on our coast, about twenty years ago, are all that I ever heard of till now." Hero formosa is another of interest, as it is the second specimen procured in Britain (1864). The first, a single specimen, had been dredged the year before off Holy Island, Durham coast. I have been indebted to the late Mr Joshua. Alder and to Dr Collingwood for their kind assistance in determining all doubtful sj)ecies. A few specimens not in the hst died during their trans- mission to these gentlemen ; one of these I beUeve to be Thecacera pennigera, a rare species. CATALOGUE OF SPECIES, WITH THEIR HABITATS. Doris, (Linn). tuberculata, (Cuvier), Common between tide mark, on stones. Johnstoni, (Alder & Hancock). Moderately common, on stones between tide mark. repanda, (A. & H.) Once at low water, planata, (A. & H.) — D. testudinaria (Risso). Two at extreme low water. aspera, (A. & H.) Common, dredged on Laminaria saccharina and between tide mark. bilamellata, (Linn). Moderately common, on stones at low water. pilosa, (Miill). Moderately common, on stones at low water. Goniodoris, (Forbes). nodosa, (Mont.) Common, dredged, and at low water. 206 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Triopa, (Johnston). claviger, (Miill). Common, dredged, and between tide- mark. ^girus, (Lov^n). punctilucens, (D'Orb.) Moderately common, under muddy stones at extreme low water. Polycera, (Cuvier). quadrilineata, (Miill). Common, dredged on Lam- inaria. ocellata, (A. &. H.) Moderately common, under stones at low water. Ancula, (Loven). • cristata, (Alder). Moderately common, on stones at low water. Tritonia, (Cuvier). Hombergii, (Cuv.) Dredged, and at low water. plebeia, (Johnston). Common, on stones at low water. Dendronotus, (A. & H.) arborescens, (Miill). Locally common on stones at low water. Doto, (Owen). fragilis, (Forbes). Moderately rare, dredged on zoophytes. coronata, (Miill). Dredged. Eolis, (Cuvier). papillosa, (Linn). Moderately common between tide mark, Peachii, (A. & H.) One dredged. coronata, (Miill). Moderately common, dredged. Drummondi, (Thomp.) Common, dredged, and between tide mark. lineata, (Lov.) Rare, dredged on stones twenty-five fms. gracilis, (A. & H.) Moderately rare, at low water, under stones. alba, (A. &. H.) Low water and dredged, common. concinna, (A. & H.) Once under stones at extreme low water. nana, (A. & H.) Once dredged on a shell occupied by Fagnrus Bernhardus. Dr John Grieve tells me that the same species was obtained by him in Gourock Bay on a shell occupied by the same crab. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 207 Eolis olivacea, (A. & H.) Once under stones at low water. aurantiaca, (A. & H.) Moderately rare, dredged, twenty- five fms. cingukta, (A. & H.) Once under stone at extreme low water. Glottensis, (A. & H.) Once dredged on gravelly bottom, in ten fms., on zoophytes. amsena, (A. & H.) Moderately rare, in ten fms., gravelly bottom, on Sertularia polyzonias. viridis, (Forbes). Moderately common, on muddy stones at extreme low water. picta, (A. & H.) Eare, dredged, gravelly bottom, on Tuhularia indivisa. exigua, (A. & H.) Moderately rare, at extreme low water, and dredged on Laniinaria saccJiarina. Hermsea, (Lov6n). , bifida, (Mont.) Moderately common, dredged on Griffithsia corallina. This species has a strong but not unpleasant odour. Hero, (Lov6n). formosa, (Lov6n). Once dredged among Melohesia, adhering to the valve of a dead pecten. March 31st, 1868. Mr James A. Mahony in the chair. The following gentlemen were elected members of the society : — Messrs Thomas D. Moffat, resident; L. M'Gown, British Consul in Mexico; Dr Dug6s, Mexico; and Rev. DrOloag, Blantyre, Lanarkshire, corresponding. SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. The Secretary exhibited a specimen of Buarremon schistaceus (Boiss), which had been shot in Aberdeenshire, in 1863, by Mr George Mearns, and forwarded by Mr W. C. Angus, corres- ponding member. Mr John Young exhibited, from the collection in the Hunterian Museum, a new brachiopod shell, Triglesia Grayiana (Davidson), recently discovered in the silurian strata of the Girvan valley, by Mrs Robert Gray. 208 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Mr Alexander M'Kinlay exliibited specimens of the follomng mosses, recently found in Scotland, but not described in British works: — Sjjhagimm Girgensohni (Eossoio); S. teres (Sch.), Angst; S. Lindbergii (Sch.); S. curvlfoliwn {Wits. MSS.); S. Kinlayanum {JVils. MSS.); S. auriculatum {Sell.) ; S. Mueller i (Sch.) ; S.rigidum, var crassifolium ; with remarks on their structure and affinities. Mr M'Kinlay also exliibited Plageothecium M'dllerianum {Sch.) from Ben Wyvis, a species new to Britain. Professor Young exhibited some mammals from Mexico, with remarks on their geographical range and affinities. Dr Young also exhibited a specimen of Diard's pheasant {Phasianus versicolor), which had been lately shot at Skipness in Argyleshire, and sent for exhibition by Professor Gr. Ramsay of Glasgow University. Mr John Dougall exhibited a living specimen of Testuda marginata from Algoa Bay, Southern Africa, and read a few remarks on the organs of sense, food, and habits of that species. Mr Walter Gait exhibited Ghjphomitrium Dmiesii, from Craig- allion, Stirlingshire, a new locality discovered by Mr George Thomson and himself, in Marcli, 18G8. He further observed that during the last few years the stations for this moss had in- creased considerably, and it was not so rare as formerly supposed. We have now in Scotland the following habitats : — Bowling, May, 1863, Messrs Gait and MacCartney. Whangie, New Kilpatrick, May, 1863, Messrs Shaw and M'lvinlay. Ardtun, Mull, May, 1864, Mr Donald Black of lona, who examined tliis locality at the request of Messrs MacCartney and Gait. Killin, Perthshire, Rev. Mr McMillan and Mr M'Kinlay. Skye, Mr G. E. Hunt of Manchester, about 1864, and again in 1866, by Mr John ShaAV. Blairlogie, Stirlingshire, by Mr George Thomson, in June, 1865. Craigallion, March, 1868, by Messrs Thomson and Gait. Crags betwixt Strathblane and Dungoyne, Campsie Hills, March, 1868, Messrs George Thomson and Walter Gait. This interesting moss has thus been found in the counties of Dumbarton, Argyle, Inverness, Perth, and Stirling. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 209 PAPERS READ. I. — Notice of the occurrence of the JFhite-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia alhicollis) in Aberdeenshire. By Mr W. C. Angus, Aberdeen, Corresponding Member. Plate III. I have much pleasure in adding this interesting North American species to the fauna of Europe. The bird which I send for exliibi- •tion, along with this notice, was shot by Mr Mitchell on the 17th August, 1867, near the Broad Hill, on the Links of Aberdeen. It was put into my hands immediately after being procured, and I made a careful examination of the specimen before it was skinned. The following description and measurements of the bird were then taken : — Length, six inches and a half; length of tail, about three inches; wing, from carpus, nearly three inches; wings, when closed, reaching to the extremity of the tail coverts; irides hazel. Bill robust; mandibles compressed at the tips, the upper, which is longest, being hooked at the tip and darker in colour. From the nostril to the back of the head there is a distinct line, which is of a rich yellow in front of the eye and a dull white behind it. Feathers on the crown of the head reddish brown at the base, and rich brownish black at the tips, divided by a medial whitish line; feathers, on the shoulders, rich bay at the base and tipped with reddish brown, those on the back having brighter tints and a longitudinal spot of black on the tips. Rump olive brown; chin white; breast dusky; under parts dirty white; feathers on the sides somewhat darker along their shafts. Quills dusky; outer webs margined with white. First quill short; third, fourth, and fifth, about equal, and longest in the wing. First and sixth about equal in length; second, third, fourth, and fifth quills abruptly cut away on the outer webs. Secondaries emar- ginate, edged with ferruginous on the outer webs. A double bar on the wings is formed by the white tips of the greater and lesser wing coverts, the line on the smaller coverts being more conspicuous; the first feather being yellow, like the lower surface of the wing shoulder. Tail dusky, straight, consisting of twelve feathers, the outer webs being broad at the base, while the inner webs are broad at the points. Tarsus seven-eighths of an inch long; legs and toes robust; claws convex and sharp. 2b 210 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Sex, female. The stomach contained grass, sand, seeds, and insects. Variation. — On comparing the specimen described above with a male from New Brunsmck, forwarded to me by the society's secre- tary, and with other specimens obligingly lent to me by Professor Nicol of Marischal College, I find a sliglit difference in the bills — the sinus of the upper mandible being more or less distinct. The colours of the male in the New Brunswick specimen are not nearly so bright as those of the specimens belonging to the College Museum here,* the latter being, moreover, distinguished by having the whole throat mapped off by distinct straight lines. The tail feathers in all the specimens are more or less Avorn, the central feathers, which are wiry to the base, having, in some instances, merely the shafts remaining. According to Wilson, this is the largest and handsomest of the American sj^arrows, and is common from Connecticut to Savannah, particularly in the neighbourhood of the Roanoke river, and in the rice plantations. In summer they retire inland and furtlier north to breed. They remain in flocks during winter, jDreferring the borders of swampy thickets, creeks, and mill-ponds, skirted with alder bushes and rank weeds, the seeds of which form their principal food. Early in spring they have a few remarkably sweet and clear notes, which they utter a little after sunrise. " About the 20th of April," adds Wilson, " they disappear, and we see no more of them till the beginning or second week of October." Pennant gives Pennsylvania, New York, and Newfoundland as its habitat. I am much indebted to Mr Mitchell for kindly presenting me with this specimen, which has now been added to my collection. From its general resemblance to some of the female buntings, the bird might have, in less enthusiastic hands, altogether escaped observation. When shot it was perched on the top of a whin bush, and attracted Mr Mitchell's attention by its note, and the manner of flirting its tail. I have only to add that the bird bore no traces of having been in confinement, the wings, tail, and all the lower plumage, being quite clean. * These specimens were presented to the Museum by Audubon, and are labelled in the handwriting of the late Professor Macgillivray. '^ « ^ i ; '.Sy j J NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 211 The Plate accompanying this notice is from the pencil of Mr William Sinclair; the upper figure is that of the bird exhibited, the lower one represents a male from the cabinet of Mr E. E. Alston of Glasgow. II. — Notes on Cocconeis, NitzscMa, and some of the allied genera of Diatomaceoe. By Professor Gr. A. Walker-Arnott. I. — Cocconeis. In Smith's synopsis of British Diatomacece, the only systematic work on the subject of any value, this genus would appear only to differ from Navicula by the frustules being adherent, or attached by the surface of the lower valve to larger algce. Smith adds, that "the markings of the lower are less intense than those of the upper surface, but in other respects the valves are sym- metrical, and Mr West informs me that he has found the absence of a central nodule in the lower valve, as noticed by some writers, by no means a constant character." This observation is correct as to the marking of the lower valve, but there is a double error in regard to its nodule. No author known to me mentions that the central nodule of the lower valve is absent; and it is therefore probable that West meant to speak of its absence from the ^qoper valve. Kiitzing, in liis Bacillarien, p. 70, places Cocconeis among his Monostomaticce "ostiolo medio in latere secundario inferiori, in superiori nullo," or, to use Smith's terms (now generally adopted, for there is no opening), "a central nodule in the lower valve, none in the upjjer." The same structure is indicated in his Species Algarum, at p. 50, and there seems to be no exception to this character in well-known species : when such occur, the species exhibiting it will probably be found to be generically distinct. The upper valve has usually no mark- ings at the place where the nodule and median line might be expected, and when the two valves are united to form the entire frustule, we see the nodule and median line of the lower valve through the upper one, leading one to suppose that what was before us was the upper valve with a median line and central nodule. As neither Smith nor any other author has given figures of both valves of the several species, our information regarding the species is as yet very imperfect. No figures can afford good illustrations unless the specimens be obtained from the Aveed on which the species gTows, and then at least three are required : one 212 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ought to be given of tlie two valves combined, another of the upper valve only after it has been separated by the action of boiling nitric acid from the lower, and a third of the lower valve. Smith says that the markings on the lower valve are less intense, but this is not all the difference : the situation is frequently, if not always, so different, that one might easily suppose the two valves to belong to very distinct species. A familiar instance of this may be seen in C. cUrupta of Gregory. Gregory has only figured and described the upper valve; he says, "the median line is irregular, like a slit or tear down the middle of the external surface:" this is not the median line, but the part of the valve unoccupied by strise, and through which the median line of the lower valve would have been seen had the two been combined. Gregory says that " the C. diaphana occurs along with it, but concludes that the two are not the same thing, since C. cUrupta is by no means diaphanous, while its strise are consi^icuous and its colour brown, the strise of G. diaphana being very obscure, and the valve colourless." Now, what Gregory calls C. diaphana, is not the true C. diaphana of Smith, but is tlie lower valve of C. dirupta. The true C. diaphana has not yet been found in Scotland, nor even on the shore of England, properly so called. Smith's only specimen was from Pontac in Jersey, and j^reserved on mica; it is now in the British Museum; what he describes and figures as the var. /3, from Sidmouth, is, however, the lower valve of C. dirupta. My first acquaintance with C. dirupta was from a gathering made at Plymouth by MrBoswarva in 1853. On send- ing part of this to Mr Smith, he at first, looldng only at the upper valve, pronounced it a new species; but, afterwards, on observing the other one, exactly of the same size and shape, declared all to be C. diaphana. Soon after that Mr E. Kennedy, of Glasgow, found it in a growing state, on Sphacelaria cirrhosa, on the shore of Cumbrae, and a slide from that sample, supplied by me, is now the representative of C. diaphana, among Smith's slides in the British Museum. The true C. diaphana is perfectly different, both valves being diaphanous, and the upper one more convex than in C. pediculus. I may here mention that the true C. diaphana was parasitic on the antheridia of a species of Pohjsiphonia (aj^parently P. nigrescens) ; it had been previously found by M. de Brebisson on the coast of Normandy, at GranviUe, on the antheridia of Gloiosi- phonia Griffithsiana, and called by him Frustulia niduUms; but NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 213 finding tliat it belonged to the genus Cocconeis, of Kiitzing's Bacillarien, he proposed to change the name to C. amygdalina, from its resemblance in miniature to the kernel of an almond : he pubHshed neither names. Kutzing, however, had got specimens from him under the nam^ of Frust. nidulaiis, and published it in his Systema Algarum as Cocc. nidulaiis; this was done in 1849, tliree years before Smith found his specimens at Jersey; so that the name C. diaphana must, perhaps, be laid aside. Mr Ralphs, in Pritchard's Infusoria, tells us that it is got "nidulating in mucous;" this is a mere inference from the name; it is really not so. I may add that M. de Brebisson has since obtained better specimens from La Croisie, or the antheridia of Laurencia tenuissima. In the same way Gregory's C. distans figured in the Clyde Diatoms, f. 23, is merely the upper valve; the lower valve is probably very- dissimilar. C. nitida, f. 26, of the same work, is also an upper valve, the lower l^eing unknown, or, if described, it is under another name. Another circumstance with regard to Cocconeis ought to be noticed. Not only are the two valves usually very different in appearance, but in several species, perhaps in all, each valve consists of two layers or plates, which may be separated by much boiling in acid, or being long in water after the alga has decayed, as found in dredgings and deposits. As the two layers are differently marked, we are liable to make several new species on that account; the inner layer of the upper valve is generally very pellucid, and also the lower one of the lower valve; but some species have the lower valve considerably larger than the upper one, the portion or margin beyond the upper one being strongly marked, although the central part (covered by the upper) be colourless. This extension or border appears to me in all cases to belong to the lower layer of the lower valve; so that the upper layer has a nodule and median line, and is only the size of the upper valve, while the lower layer has the strongly marked border or margin, although the middle part be diaphanous with no, or only obscure stria3, and no nodule or median line. C. ornata of Gregory is an example of a valve with this border; it is difficult to say whether it represents the two valves conjoined, or only the lower. Gregory's fig. 27, C. pseudomarginata, represents a small species with both valves. His fig. 28, called by him C. major, is a larger specimen of probably the same species, but exhibits the lower 214 PROCEEDINGS OF THE valve only. For those wlio are interested about the productions of the Clyde, I may add that G. splendida, of Gregory {f. 29), is not different from C. jmnctatissima, Greville, from the West Indies, nor is either a really distinct species from C. mousii, Sm., and perhaps all of them Ijelong to C. punctata, oi Lobarzewsky. So far as my observations go — but I have obtained no specimens from the weed — the upper valve has no true median line or central nodule; and, on the other hand, G. crebrestriata, of Greville, appears to me to be the lower valve of his G. jmndatissima. In C. mousii there are 10-12 striae in -001, the dots forming the striae being 15 in -001. In the same from West Australia, the striae are 12-13 in -001, and the dots also 15 in -001. In G. pimdatissima the striae are 15 in -001, but the dots are likewise 15 in -001; so that although the striae do vary a little in number, even in the same sample, the dots comprising them are isometrical. Some species referred to Cocconeis may be here noticed. One is C. GrevilUi; Smith's figures and description are apt to mislead. He says (Syn. i., p. 22), that his figure, tab. iii., f. 35 a is the lower valve, f. 35 (V^ the upper valve, and f. 35 d the upper valve from within: this is not the case; f. 35 a is pro- bably the npper valve; but if so, the nodule and median line are a pictorial embellishment only, the upper valve possessing neither; f. 35 a* exhibits both valves combined, and, if the artist was not deceived, f. 35 a is the same again; f. 35 a is the lower valve, but not quite correct, in so far as the horizontal costae or ribs are represented as interrupted in the middle by a longitudinal rugged band, which I have never seen, and must have been accidental. .This lower valve consists of two layers; when both are united, the median line and nodule of the lowest plate are very obscurely seen; this has the striae fine and very unlike those on the upper valve: sometimes the upper layer separates; on this are the costa attached to the margin, and no striae, but these costae leave a few granules on the lower plate, marking where they adhered to it. If there be two layers to the upper valve, I have seen nothins: which I would consider the inner one. The lower layer of the lower valve has the striation, median line, and nodule of C. major of Gregory, but I have never seen it quite destitute of the granules I have noticed above : if such specimens are found, it would render it difficult to say whether C. major ought to be referred to G. GrevilUi; or, as I have done, to G. pseudomarciimta. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 215 Another species placed by all in Cocconeis, is C. hinotata of Grunow: that this is identical with C. scutellum of Eoper, is by all acknowledged, but it is not so well known that it is the same with C. Bntannka of Naegeli, described, in 1849, in Kiitzing's Species Algarum, p. 890. This I consider a very doubtful species of the scenus. I have examined it on the v/eed, and detached from it by calcining it, and with the valves separated by acid, and can see no difference between the two valves. In one instance I found the two valves so slightly separated that part of the one covered part of the other; both had the same striation, the same marginal plates at the middle of each margin, the same nodule, and median line. The presence of the small marginal plates at first sight indicates Masfogloia as its genus; but now this affinity is not without difficulty. I saw one instance, where what appeared to be the zone (which connects the valves of diatoms) had separated, carrpng with it the plates to which I allude; they are without striae, and onlj'" appear striated when attached to the valve, the striae of the valve being seen through them. In Masfogloia, the marginal plates also occasionally separate from the valve, and, according to Smith, are projections from the zone ; but in all the recognised species they are marked by costse, Avhile in C. hinotata, there are none. This, however, and its being attached to weeds by the back of the lower valve, not free and immersed in gelatine, leave doubts as to Masfogloia being its proper genus. C. fimbriata, Ehrenberg and Brightwell, is probably a species of Masfogloia; but as yet it is only known by stray valves, which are not suffi- cient to indicate the genus. As I have noticed Masfogloia, I may here mention that four of the species mentioned by Smith — M. Dansei, M. lanceolata, M. Smithii, and M. apiculafa, according to the careful measurements of my friend, Mr T. Glazebrook Eyland, of Warrington — have all the same striation and the same number of loculi in "001; in all, the striae are 41 in '001, and the loculi 20'5 in -001, so that there are two striae to each loculus — perhaps all these are therefore the same species. In M. Grevillei there is a difference. Here the loculi are about 19, the striae 24*5 in '001, and there are seven loculi to nine striae. In a species I lately observed very sparingly (I have only as yet seen three valves), the striae were so obscure that I could not see them -vvitli any of my lenses, while the loculi, of which there were only about three to a plate, were 10 in -001. 216 PROCEEDINGS OF THE This occurred in a sample I received from the late Dr Gregory. It is from Elgin, and distributed by him as E. 15; of this I have given slides to many friends as my number 156, so that those who possess such may perhaps find more; but a very careful search is requisite. The valve is oval, not unlike that of Nav. ajnculata (Nav. placentula of Lewis, but not of Ehrenberg), but has not the apiculi at the ends. Cocconeis Thivaitesii, Sm., is now by most referred to Achnan- thidium {A.flexellum,, Breb.), but the general aspect is very unlike any other of that genus. In this species the upper valve has a median line, but no true nodule; in place of this last, there is a hazy expansion apparently within tlie substance of the silex. This is sometimes small, but often assumes a nearly circular or square appearance, extending almost half-way to the margin. "W^hen this is seen, we have the Navicula, macula of Gregory, described by him from the Glenshira sand; indeed, Gregory says, of that supposed species, that it is not unlike the larger specimens ef Cocc. Thivaitesii. It is best seen in deposits (as from Watten Lake, Caithness); but in all recent samples which I have examined I have found traces of it. When the two valves are still united, both the hazy expansion and the stauros may be seen by slightly altering the focus. Another variety of C. Thivaitesii (or Achn. flexelkim) is linear oblong, with nearly parallel sides. This was described by Professor Smith in his paper on Pyrenean Diatoms, under the name of Navicula dissimilis. It has been found on Ben Lawers, near Loch Tummell, banks of Loch Leven, near Kinross, and about Hull, but is usually scarce in each locality. In it, also, I have observed the hazy expansion on the upper valve. II. — NiTZSCHIA. This genus was proposed by Mr Hassall for what he calls JV. elongata, now known by the name of N. sigmoidea,"' but the defini- tion he gives is of no value. It was adopted by Mr Smith, but not sufficiently limited. The valves, according to him, are keeled (the keel frequently eccentric) with one or more longitudinal lines * N. sigmoidea B of Smith, is quite distinct from that species, and agrees ^vith Synedra spectabilis Ehr., which, however, is a true species of Nitzschia (N. specta- lilis, E,alfs in Pritch. Inf., p. 782, but not N. spectabilis of Smith). Sigmatella. Brehissonii Kiitz. is not N. Brcbissonii Sm., as he supposed, but a slight variety, N. sigmoidea having the same difficult striation. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 217 of puncta. This is apt to mislead, and many have in consequence rested ahnost solely on the presence of puncta, and introduced species into the genus which ought to have been placed elsewhere. The great character of Nitzschia is that each valve has one con- spicuous keel or angle, sometimes near the middle, but often near the margin; but tliere is always a portion of the valve beyond the keel. The puncta are confined to the keel. The keel is best seen when the valve rests on its two margins, the keel being then elevated ; when the angle or keel forms nearly a right angle, and the valve lies on the broader half of the valve, the other half appears to coalesce with the keel. Smith's figures 115 A. and C, in Tab. XIV., will illustrate these positions. It results from this striation that the zone which connects the two valves is not parallel to either half of the valves, but is more or less oblique. Smith has shown this in his ideal sections on Plate XIV., fig. 115 and 118, although the two figures he there gives are scarcely cor- rect, exhibiting very convex sides to the valve on each side of the keel — in general, the portions on each side of the keel are nearly flat. Several species of Tnjhlionella have also got puncta at one side of the valve, but these are strictly marginal ; there is no keel or angle there, so that the zone is quite parallel to the valves. This may be seen obscurely in T. acuminata, and more distinctly in T. apiculata of Gregory, a species which, from not attending to this character, Smith referred to his Nitz. duhia B. N. tliermalis, Grun. (or Surirella tliermalis, Kg.), if I may rely on specimens from M. de Br^bisson, is a species of Tryhliondla. I have seen but sparingly what I consider the same, from the Victoria Tank at Kew, collected in Feb., 1856. This Smith considered a strongly striated variety of Nit. linearis. In Nitzschia the part of the valve on each side of the keel has neither a keel nor depression; in Tryhlionella the valve has almost always one or other. The same character will distinguish Nitzschia from Denticula, one species of which — now pretty well known, although not published, as D. clecipiens Arn. and Ryl. — was considered by Smith, Avhen I first met with it at Kew (in the sample already noticed), as a variety of Nitzschia mimitissima, with conspicuous strife. N. curvula of Smith (whether this be the Nav. curvula Ehr., I have not yet been able to ascertain, but it appears to be so, although Kiitzing's figures from French specimens seem different), or N. sigmatella of Gregory, has two keels or angles, one near each margin of the valve. It is, there- 2c 218 PROCEEDINGS OF THE fore, neither a species of Nitzschia nor of Tryhlionella, but has been correctly removed by Dr Lewis to Surirella, and called by him ^S*. intermedia, and chiefly differing from his S. anceps by the latter having conspicuous strise. Smith's section of a frustule in the centre of Plate X. is intended to illustrate TrijUionella, but it is a section of Surirella. Several species of Nitzschia have the zones marked by num- erous lines. These seem to arise from the inability of the frustule to self-divide at the proper time (this may be from want of silex in the water, or otlier causes), and these abortive attempts may go on, the zone receiving its increments and widening, until at last the new valves are formed. These lines, and the breadth of a zone, especially when marked by such lines, are therefore accidental, and cannot be admitted as marks to distinguish species. N. lanceolata of Smith is a beautiful illustration of this kind of zone. When boiled in acid, it separates at these lines; but when ex- amined before the valves be disjoined, tlie true structure may bo easily seen. By some oversight. West, in making the figaires of that species for Smith's synoi:)sis, has represented the lines as if on the valves themselves (in place of being merely seen through the valves), and the same error takes place in the specific char- acter. The lines mentioned there are not on the valve, but on the zone, where they vary from 8 to 35 in '001. N. incrustans of Grunow seems to be a small, somewhat distorted form of this species, less silicious tlian even the typical fonn is, and more common. These complex zones, as Gregory called them, are not uncommon in other genera, as in Amphiprora and Amphora, where Gregory considered them so important that he divided that genus into sections from their presence or absence — an unfortunate mistake, which will prevent many of his species being recognised, unless chance presents other specimens in a similar state. The same sort of zone occurs in Sckizonema GreviUei (and perhaps in other species), especially when, from some cause, the usual en- veloping tube is not formed. Navicula libellus of Gregory is Schizonema GreviUei in this state. His N. rhomhica is a smaller form of the same. The allied genus Ainphi])leura is in an ano- malous condition; its name alludes to supposed longitudinal ridges on the valves. This is entirely a deception; there are no ridges or keels on the valves, except in A. sigmoidea, and that is a genuine species of Nitzschia, and is a new variety of N. sigma, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 219 with the strias very faint, but when made out by an excellent microscope, these are only 47 in '001, j)recisely as in N. sigma. The supposed ridges are merely the angles formed at the union of the valves with the zone; and in A. sigmoidea the nitzschoid keel on each valve raises the supposed number of ridges to six. I have mentioned that N. ciirvula of Smith has been now removed to Surirella: to this it may be objected that SiirireUa is characterised by the presence of transverse canaliculi in (or on) the valve. If by canaliculi superficial furrows are merely meant, this is nearly correct ; but elsewhere Smith appears to indicate by that expression, tubes within the substance of the valve — as under Epithemia; "the transverse costa?, I regard as minute canals, which convey the nutrimental fluid to the surface of the internal membrane." In Surirella there are no such internal tubes, but the valve is much undulated, particularly near where the angle or keel is seen; the portion beyond the keel is also undulated close to the keel, the union of the two series of undulations at the keel causing the singular appearance, well represented by Smith, in S. biseriata, S. nobilis, S. splendida,''' and several others. This also * Allied to S. splendida, and confused with it by Smith, is a species which is now well known to collectors of slides as S. elegans, of which a broken valve was Hgured by Ehrenberg in his tab. amer. His >S'. flexuosa in that work appears to be the same species. At least I have seen narrow broken valves present the shghtly twisted appearance he represents. Both were obtained from the same samjjle from Eeal del monte. Kiitzing, in his Sp. alg., places them in a section of Surirella, corresj^onding to Campijlodiscits of others, and Eabenhorst places both in Campylodiscus, referring the last to 0. spiralis; and probably what Kiitzing obtained from Hildesheim in Germany, and considered