NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW 



January 28th, 1879. 

 Mr. John Young, F.G.S., Vice-President, in the chair. 



SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. 



The Secretary showed a young Albino Hedgehog {Erinaceus 

 europaeus), which had been forwarded by the Earl of Haddington, 

 corresponding member, who wrote that some time after the capture 

 of the mother (also an Albino) two young ones were discovered, but 

 they had both died, and one of these having been preserved, had been 

 sent for exhibition. Mr. James Lumsden, F.Z.S., read some notes 

 on the history and habits of the species. Mr. Murdoch stated that 

 several records of the occurrence of Albino Hedgehogs were to be 

 found in the Zoologist, notably at Norwich in 1850, in Hants in 

 1858, and at Eton in 1867. 



The Secretary also showed a tine and well-preserved skull of the 

 Great Gray Seal (Halichaerus gryphus,) sent for exhibition by Sir 

 John W. P. Orde, F.Z.S. It was found on the shore of the Island 

 of Uist, covered with wounds, supposed to have been got while 

 fighting. It is one of the largest of the Seal family, an adult 

 measuring from seven to ten feet, and is pretty common in our 

 waters from Shetland to the Isle of Wight. It is said to have been 

 found as far north as Disco, but is rather an inhabitant of tem- 

 perate than of Arctic seas, and it is recorded to have been found 

 breeding at the Fern Islands. It has a small amount of brain, 

 and is of a very fierce disposition. 



Mr. John M. Campbell, Kelvingrove Museum, showed a variety 

 of objects which had been sent to that institution from Japan. 

 Among these were specimens of the Japanese Pheasant, and a 

 number of examples of the economic purposes to which the natives 

 apply its feathers, in the formation of brushes, fans, and other 

 articles of domestic use. 



Mr. James D. Dougall exhibited a specimen of the Bittern, 

 Botaurus stellaris, shot in the end of December last on the river 

 Echaig, Argyllshire, by Mr. Duncan of Benmore's keeper. The 

 stomach contained the remains of a small rock cod. 



