NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 321 



were elected ordinary members, and Mr John Eaton Keid a life 

 member, of the Society. 



SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. 



Mr John M. Campbell exhibited specimens of the Penguin, 

 Spheniscus demersiis, Linn., with its eggs, and the Crested Penguin, 

 Eudijptes catarades (Gmelin), from Patagonia. Mr Campbell gave 

 some interesting notes on the history and liabits of these aquatic 

 fowls, as he had observed them in South America, in many parts 

 of which they are found in immense numbers. During the breeding 

 season they frequent the land, where they may be seen in large 

 flocks, running with great rapidity in an erect position. They 

 burrow like rabbits, and swim very quickly, their webbed feet, 

 assisted by their fin-like short wings, enabling them to go through 

 the water with great speed. 



Mr Peter Cameron exhibited Slrex melanocerus, Thoms., a species 

 not hitherto found in Britain. It was taken at Crewe, where it 

 had probably been introduced in railway sleepers or pit timber. 

 Also, Taxonus fletcheri, Cam., a new species discovered last year by 

 Mr J. E. Fletcher of Worcester, near that place. It comes near 

 to Taxonus glahratis, but is much smaller, and is readily recognised 

 by having the collar white. 



The Secretary exhibited a small collection of plants received 

 from Canada, which contained a number of species widely 

 prevalent there, but comparatively rare here. Amongst these were 

 specimens of Linnaea borealis, from Quebec and Lake Superior, in 

 which districts it seems to be generally diffused, while in this 

 country it is chiefly found in the northern counties. This plant 

 must always be regarded with interest, having been selected by 

 the great naturalist to bear his name, and corresponding as it does 

 in its humble and unpretentious growth with the character of the 

 " Immortal Swede." Aconitum NapeUus, although found generally 

 in gardens here, is not considered naturalized. It is quite common 

 in Canada everywhere, the woods and fields being brilliant with 

 its handsome blue flowers. Although yielding a valuable medicine, 

 the roots are a deadly poison, and are sometimes mistaken for 

 those of a culinary plant, which they closely resemble, the 

 partaking of them being often followed by fatal eff'ects. Folystichum 

 Lonchitis, a strictly northern fern, seems to be common also. 

 Potentilla iridentataf of the British flora, stated to have been found 



