192 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



plates and scales of fishes in this deposit, along with the teeth-like 

 Conodonts, would yet help us to arrive at some knowledge as to 

 the nature of the fishes to which they belonged. While there was 

 evidence of various genera of Conodonts in the Scottish lime- 

 stones, those of Prionodus and Polygnathus seem to have been 

 most abundantly represented; but doubtless more light would yet 

 be thrown upon these interesting but obscure organisms. 



Mr. Peter Ewing exhibited a specimen of Stachys palustris, 

 which showed a considerable divergence from the normal type. 

 Instead of the two opposite leaves which this species usually has, 

 the specimen showed three, the same arrangement being carried 

 out with the bracts and other portions of the plant, while the 

 stem and branches were hexagonal instead of the usual four-sided 

 form, it was found growing with others in water, which might 

 account for the divergence; but as its root could not be obtained, 

 no satisfactory cause could be assigned for the abnormal conditions. 



Mr. Robert Turner exhibited a specimen of Potamogeton zizii, 

 a species intermediate between P. luceas and P. heterophylluSj to 

 both of which it bears a resemblance. It has been observed in 

 many parts of the north and centre of Europe, but only within 

 the last few years has it been distinguished in this country, its 

 name not having been determined with certainty till the present 

 season. For its discovery in Scotland we are chiefly indebted to 

 Mr. A. Brotherston, who found it growing in shallow water in 

 Cauldshiels Loch, near Melrose, Roxburghshire. 



Mr. John M. Campbell showed a fine specimen of the Condor 

 ( Sarcorampus gryphus), which had recently been received from 

 Chili. Mr. Campbell gave a detailed description of the character 

 and habits of this vulture, which builds its nest on the peaks of 

 the Andes at an altitude of from 10,000 to 15,000 feet. They 

 measure in length from 3 to -4 feet, with an expanse of wing of 

 from 8 to 10 feet. They feed principally on dead carcasses, but 

 will sometimes unite in attacking living animals, such as the 

 Guanaco, Llama, Puma, etc. The Chilians destroy numbers of 

 them, as they frequently attack young goats and lambs. There is 

 said to be another species of Condor than the above, which Sharpe 

 names S. aequatorialis, and of a smaller size. An apparently adult 

 individual of this species was living in the Zoological Gardens, 

 Amsterdam, in the spring of 1873. Darwin, in his "Voyage of 

 the Beagle," gives an interesting account of the Condor, 



