natural history society of glasgow. 317 



January 29th, 1878. 



Mr Thomas Chapman, V.P., in the chair. 



Captain John William Powlett-Orde, F.Z.S. ; Messrs. William 

 Dick Cleland, and AYilliam M'Culloch, jun., were elected ordinary- 

 members. 



The Secretary read a letter from Mr John A. Harvie-Brown, 

 relating to the total wreck of the Union S.S. Co.'s steamer 

 " European " on the Ushant rocks, off the coast of France, in 

 which disaster the vessel foundered with her entire cargo, the 

 passengers alone being saved. Among them was Mr A. J. Grant 

 of New Zealand, who on more than one occasion had sent to the 

 Society interesting papers on the birds of that country, and who 

 had with him two papers intended to form part of the Proceedings 

 of this session. Mr Harvie-Brown in his note gave an extract 

 from a letter received from Mr Grant in reference to his loss, as fol- 

 lows : — " Suffice it to say that I have lost everything. Amongst my 

 luggage are things of value I shall never be able to replace : a large 

 box of most valuable books, rare copies, also some very valuable 

 medical books, and a very large collection of beautiful photographs 

 of the scenery of New Zealand, the Sandwich Islands, and Madeira. 

 These things represent only a very small proportion of my loss. 

 Among the things I much regret is a really fine collection of 

 Madeira birds I had made. I had about 130 splendid skins for 

 you, besides a fine collection of plants, etc. All my work for the 

 last six months has gone for nothing. Besides all this, I had 

 worked up a great many of my notes on the birds of New 

 Zealand, and had prepared a number of them ready for printing. 

 I had also numerous notes on the birds of Madeira. It is 

 somewhat disheartening. All Ijas gone ! but I am thankful my 

 life has been saved." 



Several members expressed their regret at the loss of the 

 valuable papers which Mr Grant intended to have sent to the 

 Society, and the Secretary was instructed to convey an expression 

 of sincere sympathy with him in the misfortune which had caused 

 the destruction of so much valuable property, and by which he 

 was deprived of the results of many years' labour. 



It was resolved to enter in the minutes a notice of the death of 



Mr Charles Malloch, one of the life members of the Society, who, 



although only lately joining, had previously taken an interest 

 VOL. III. W 



