128 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



separate species, calling it at first Tetrao intermedius, and afterwards 

 Tetrao medius. Further particulars will be found in Mr Lloyd's 

 " Game Birds and Wild Fowl of Sweden and Norway." 



Mr Lumsden also exhibited a Hare, hybrid between Lepus 

 timidus and Lepus variabilis, w^hich was shot last month near 

 Dumbarton moor, where blue hares were turned out a few years 

 ago. It is somewhat curious that the editors of the new edition 

 of ''Bell's British Quadrupeds " do not seem to have been at all 

 sure of hares of this description occurring in this country, and 

 say that hybrids are reported to be known in Switzerland, but 

 that the statement requires further confirmation. It is reported 

 that they are not uncommon in some places in Perthshire. 



Mr James Coutts exhibited examples of ancient pottery from 

 Peru, of which he gave a full description. They were formed of 

 fine clay, and in appearance resembled bronze. Of various patterns, 

 they were highly ornamented, the designs being ingenious and 

 sometimes grotesque. They are supposed to belong to the period 

 of the Incas, and after the Spanish Conquest were found in large 

 numbers in the burying places. They are still found in ancient 

 graves along Avith human remains, and various implements, such 

 as chisels, and hatchets, formed of highly tempered copper. 



PAPERS READ. 



I. — Notes on the Old World sjyecies of Athalia. By Mr 



Peter Ca]meron. 



On examining lately my specimens of Athalia, I have become 

 aware of the existence of a species new to the British fauna ; and 

 an examination of Stephens' collection has shown me that one of 

 the reputed British species must, for the present at least, be 

 deleted from our lists. It may then be of advantage to say a few 

 words regarding our native species, as well as the other old world 

 forms. 



Athalia is rather a peculiar genus, and its systematic position 

 has been by no means decided, none of the authors who have 

 studied the Tenthredinidae having placed it in the same position. 

 For instance, it is placed by Hartig between Selandria, sensu str., 

 and Allantus, sensu str.; by Stephens between Femisa and 

 Selandria; by Dahlbom between Amasis and Eylotoma; by 

 West wood between Schizocenis and Scio})teryx; and by Thomson 

 between Cryptocam^Jus and Phyllotoma. There can be no doubt 



