PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 469 



gathered in the belt between 9,000 and 10,000 feet. Some 

 plants seem to grow anywhere in these Alpine districts. For 

 instance, Saxifraga oj^positifolia, Linn., was blooming \Tigorously 

 on rock-ledges after all other plants had disappeared, and was 

 equally strong and robust in the valley near the village. On the 

 summit of the Furka pass the snow was plentiful, and, the 

 season being late, early flowering plants were still common. 

 Along the slopes here " are fields unlimited for botanical work — 

 a work full of splendid exercise for mind and body, a health- 

 giving and muscle-developing enjoyment to all who love to follow 

 nature, and learn of her in the midst of her solitary grandeur 

 and varying beauty." 



In the absence of the Hon. Editor, the Hon. Secretary 

 intimated that the part of the Society's Transactions for last 

 session (Vol. V., N.S., Part II., 1897-98) was now ready. 



31sT January, 1899. 



Mr. Robert Kidston, F.R.S.E., F.G.S., President, in the Chair. 



Mr. Anderson Fergusson exhibited Arhopalus speciodus, Say, 

 and Buprestis hcemorrhoidalis, Aerbst., South American beetles, 

 which were recently found in this district, probably introduced 

 with foreign timber. 



Mr. James F. Gemmill, M.A., M.B., CM., delivered a lecture 

 on "The Study of Marine Natural History, with special refer- 

 ence to certain living specimens exhibited." A large number of 

 aquaria, with live marine animals, had been brought from the 

 Marine Station, Millport, to illustrate the lecture. Some small 

 aquaria, belonging to Mr. George M'Crie, were also placed on the 

 tables. Those last mentioned were of special interest, as they 

 had all been "established" for long periods. The lecturer gave 

 a short account of the specimens in the aquaria exhibited, indi- 

 cating the special points of interest in the habits, structure, and 

 classification of each. The concluding portion of the lecture was 

 occupied with a discussion of some of the questions, which are 

 still unsolved, regarding the life-history of the common Limpet, 

 especially with reference to reproduction, and bearing on the 

 general question of the differentiation of sex, in the animal 

 kingdom. A number of microscopic slides, relating chiefly to the 



