PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 145 



Stirling an expression of sincere regret on the part of the Society 

 at the result. 



Mr. John Paterson, L.R.C.P. &S. (Edin.), exhibited a collection 

 of mosses (chiefly Norwegian), comprising all the European 

 Andrereaceae. 



Mr. Christopher Sherry showed a section of a Beech tree, about 

 140 years old, cut down recently at the Botanic Gardens, and 

 showing the initials *'C.F.'' and a date (probably "May, 1816") 

 near the heart-wood. It seemed probable that the inscription 

 belonged to the second decade of the present century, as eighty 

 rings of growth could be counted between the inscription and the 

 bark. Mr. Sherry also exhibited an Anthurium of the Scher- 

 zerianum group, with double spathes, and particularly noticeable 

 for its twisted spadix. 



Mr. G. E. Scott Elliot, M.A., B.Sc, F.L.S., F.R.G.S., exhibited 

 examples of the bark-cloth of Uganda, and described its preparation 

 by the natives. In connection with it he showed on the screen 

 a series of views which he had taken in Africa, and in his remarks 

 he referred particularly to the Euphorbias of remarkable size and 

 appearance, which characterise the Uganda region. Mr. Scott 

 Elliot also exhibited samples of cotton, and made observations on 

 their microscopic structure. He also exhibited a series of American 

 plants collected by Mr. W. Moir. 



Mr. Robert Dunlop exhibited caterpillars of Chelcnia caja^ 

 Linn., Arctia fuliginosa, Linn., and a number of photographs 

 taken chieflv at excursions of this Socieiv. 



Through the courtesy of Mr. E. H. Bostock, of the Scottisii 

 " Zoo," Mr. R. D. Wilkie exhibited eggs of the Indian Python 

 {Python molurus, Gray). This animal is about 20 feet long, and 

 about 24 inches in girth at the thickest part. The eggs, of which 

 29 were laid between a Fridav and the followins^ AYednesdav, are 

 rather larger than those of a goose. 



Mr. Wilkie also exhibited the inflorescence of Gunnera scahra^ 

 a Chilian plant, the acid leaf-stalks of which are used as a 

 substitute for rhubarb. 



The following papers were read : — (1) " On the Grasping Power 

 of Carboniferous Crinoid ' Fingers ' or ' Branches,' and a 

 Speculation as to whether the Bulk of the Carboniferous Crinoidea 

 were Fixed or Floating Animals," by Mr. John Smith, Corre- 



K 



