much needed rain, which had kept ofi during the day, began^to fallal ' 

 and continued to do so all night. '^ " 



SUB-EXCURSIONS. 



The Sub-Excursion arranged by the Botanical and Entomological 

 Leaders for the 2nd July had to be postponed on account of wet 

 weather. 



Seventh. On the 9ch of July, notwithstanding the excessive heat 

 of the day, about fifteen members of the Club, including several ladies, 

 turred up at the usual rendezvous the General Po3t Office. At 2 

 o'clock the party started in the Billings Bridge stage for Dow's swamp. 

 This locality, which lies about two miles south of the city, is one 

 possessing special attractions to the Entomologist and Botanist. The 

 Botanists were under the leadership of the President, Mr. R. B, Whyte, 

 who also delivered the address upon Botany, none of the regular 

 leaders being able to attend upon this occasion. Many plants of 

 interest were collected and their important features were drawn atten- 

 tion to in a pleasing and simple manner, by the President. The 

 magnificent white panicles of the Meadow Rue, Thalictrum Cornuti, 

 were conspicuous objects in the cleared spaces of the bog, and 

 Ijeneath the shade of the cedai'S the rare little orchids, 31icrostylis 

 mono2>hyllos and M. ophioylossoides, wei'e found. These treasures only 

 reward the patient searcher or the Botanist with a well-trained eye. 

 Another orchid of interest, b"t like the last named, possibly 

 more inconspicuous than scarce, was Lvparis Lceselii, of which a few 

 specimens were seciired. In all about forty species of plants were 

 collected in flower, Mr. Fred. Magee rei)resented the Entomologists 

 and exhibited his collections of the afternoon. Dow's Swamp is one of 

 our few localities for the beautiful 1 ''tterfly Afelitcea Phaeton, which 

 may still be found in an open glar.e to the south east of the lake, where 

 it was noted by the late Mr. B. Billings many years ago. Its bright 

 colours, rich velvety black spotted with red and white, make it a con- 

 spicuous object as it flits slowly ove^ the low bushes. Its food plant, 

 Chelone glabra, grows here in abundance. 



