XVI PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



v 



the proper habitat of this species. It is believed to have been 

 found in several other localities in the West of Scotland ; and 

 accordingly, although it may not be a gregarious species, it may, 

 if carefully sought for, be found to have a more extensive dis- 

 tribution and to be more common than was formerly supposed. 



Mr. A. Somerville, B.Sc, F.L.S., made some remarks on the 

 British Asterladce, and gave a short sketch of their classification. 



Mr. D. A. Boyd exhibited specimens of the following mosses 

 from Noddsdale, Largs: 



Dlcranella vufescens, Turn., in fruit. 



Mnium stellare, Hedw., barren. 



serratum, Schrad., in fruit. 



Hypnum giganteum, Schpr., barren. 



Hylocomiiun triquetrum, L., in fruit. 



Mr. R. Robertson read an interesting paper, entitled "Some 

 of my experiences in Bee-keeping," in which an account was 

 given of the appliances and treatment of stock necessary for 

 successful apiculture. Original observations were made on the 

 habits of bees, especially during the periods immediately before 

 and after swarming; and specimens of the insects and their 

 products were exhibited. 



30th November, 1886. 



Mr. Thomas King, Vice-President, in the Chair. 



Messrs. Johnston Shearer, 29 Dixon Avenue, Crosshill, and 

 William S. Tait, 38 Morrison Street, Kingston, were elected 

 Ordinary Members. 



Mr. Peter Cameron, Corresponding Member, exhibited speci- 

 mens of Nematus pallipes, Fallen, and Phyllotoma ocliropoda, 

 Klug, two species of Tenthredlnidce recently taken at Avie- 

 uiore, Inverness-shire, by Mr. G. C. Champion. The former 

 insect is found in Scandinavia, Holland, and Germany, and is 

 probably not uncommon elsewhere, although it has not hitherto 

 been observed in Britain ; while the latter, which is new to the 

 Scottish list, is of rare occurrence in England, where, in the 

 larval condition, it has been found mining the leaves of the 

 Aspen. 



In evidence of the remarkable effect which the recent mild 

 weather has had on vegetation, Mr. Cameron submitted a list 

 of wild flowers observed by him in bloom near Sale, Cheshire, 

 on 28th inst. These numbered 49 species, representing the 

 following genera: Ranunculus 4, Fumaria 1, Slnapis 1, Nas- 

 turtium 1, Capsella 1, Sagina 1, Cerastium 2, Geranium 2, 

 Trlfollum 2, Pi/rus 1, Rubus 1, Potentilla 1, Cicuta 1, Angelica 

 1, Heracleiuu 1, Hedera 1, Scabiosa 1, Sonchus 1, Crejjis 1, 



