NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. Ill 



In some notes on these crustaceans, Mr. Robertson stated 

 that they belong to that section which contains species that 

 frequent dry land and are consequently air-breathing animals. 

 Ligia ocean ica, however, can live under water for days without 

 experiencing any apparent discomfort. Those that inhabit dry 

 land are but a small group, not numbering more than 15 or 16 

 British species; most of them are common, and may be obtained 

 by a few hours' searching in such places as they frequent. One 

 species, Platyai'thrus Hoffniannseggii, Brandt, is found in ants' 

 nests ; others in moss about the roots of trees ; but generally 

 they are found under stones, old timber, decaying straw, and 

 dead leaves, especially in damp places near the shore. In 

 Spence Bate and Westwood's History of the British Sessile-eyed 

 Crustacea (including Isopods) only one of the air-breathing 

 section is recorded as having occurred in Scotland ; and, so far 

 as publicity shows, we are about as free from Isopods as our 

 sister country is said to have been from Toads and Frogs in 

 former days. To relieve them from such obscurity is the excuse 

 for bringing these common things before the Society. It may 

 be readily admitted that at first sight their rather repulsive 

 appearance offers little inducement for taking an interest in 

 them, and, like many other objects of Natural History, they 

 are often neglected because they are common ; yet these 

 Isopods, when closely examined, will be found not wanting 

 either in beauty or interest. 



Mr. James J. F. X. King made some remarks on Anchomervus 

 Sahlbergi, Chaud., a beetle recently exhibited by him, of which 

 several specimens had been captured many years ago on the 

 banks of the River Clyde near Bowling, but which had not 

 been taken in Europe either before or since. He exhibited a 

 second specimen of the insect, taken at the same time as the 

 one formerly shown.* 



Mr. King also exhibited a specimen of Carpnia nigra, Pict., 

 a rare neuropterous insect recently captured by him at Loch 

 Voil, Perthshire. 



8th June, 1886. 



Mr. Robert Turner, Vice-President, in the Chair. 



Mr. William Goodwin reported on an excursion made to the 

 Irvine district on 5th inst. After leaving the town, the party 

 proceeded for about two miles southwards along the sandy 

 ground adjoining the seashore, and afterwards visited Shewal- 



* See Proceedings, vol. i. (n.s.), p. lxxxvii. 



