58 



and their Jmbits noted. The audience seem much interested in the 

 remai-ks of tlie Leaders, and many points brought forward wei-e more 

 fully discussed on the way homeward. 



Fourth. The botanical and entomological branches visited the 

 Beaver Meadow, near Hull, on 4th June, their being present eighteen 

 persons. Tliis locality is one of the richest collecting grounds in the 

 district, and the collectors secured many interesting specimens. On 

 gathering at 4.30 p.m., Mr. Fletcher, for the benefit of several who 

 were entering u|)on the study of botany, described the apparatus 

 necessary for the preservation of specimens, and the methods of treat- 

 ment which he had found most suitable for different classes of plants. 

 Bis laige experience enabled him to give some very valuable hints as to 

 the care of specimens in special cases, as when traveling, etc. The 

 President, Mr. R. B. Whjte, then spoke on several of the plants 

 gathered, showing how the species fell into certain families, although 

 sometimes the members of a family differed greatly in appearance. He 

 took the Ranunculaceas, as being the first family in botanical classifi- 

 cation, and discussed four species belonging to it. Of the genus 

 Smilacina (Liliacete) three species had been collected out of the four 

 which occur at Ottawa. The yellow lady's slipper, the wild-rose, the 

 climbing honey-suckle, and other interesting or rare plants were also 

 exhibited. Mi-. Harrington, in his remarks on insects, drew attention 

 to specimens of Thalessa, explaining that they were the largest of the 

 ichneumons, or parasitic hymenoptera, and describing the method of 

 oviposition of the female, and the difference in the appearance of the 

 two sexes. Xipliydria albicornis was stated to be injurious to maples 

 in the city, frequently attacking small transplanted 'shade-trees. A 

 very pretty dragon-fly {Calopteryx maculata) , several specimens of 

 which had been seen flitting about the brook, had the very curious 

 habit of going down some distance beneath the surface of the water for 

 the purpose of depositing its eggs at the base of the weeds. The 

 beneficial habits of an allied insect were also mentioned. On the way 

 back to the city the members had a good opportunity of seeing several 

 specimens of Thalessa atraia and lunator ovipositing in an old sugar- 

 maple. 



Fifth. On the following Saturday lUh June a party of 



