1 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



were numerous small images of Buddha, which had been inserted 

 within the shell of the living mollusc, and had afterwards been 

 covered by the animal with pearly secretion. It was stated that 

 the valves had been lent by Mr. G. B. Sowerby, London, for ex- 

 hibition to the Society. 



Mr. James J. F. X. King exhibited specimens of the three 

 British species of Apatania, Kol., a genus of Trichoptera, which is 

 represented in the Fauna of Europe, Asia, and America. A. 

 Wallengreni, M'Lach., the only species which has as yet been taken 

 in Scotland, occurs at many of the lakes and waterfalls in hilly 

 districts. A. fimbriata, Pict., previously regarded as an alpine 

 species, was taken last summer by Messrs. K. J. Morton and King 

 in the Killarney district, where it occurred in profusion. A. 

 rnuliebris, M ; Lach., taken last August by Mr. King at Arundel, is 

 remarkable as affording an apparent example of parthenogenesis. 

 All the individuals hitherto obtained have been females ; and 

 although very careful search has been made for the male, it has 

 not yet been discovered. As dozens of females may sometimes be 

 taken in favourable localities, it is believed that the male either 

 does not exist or appears only at very rare intervals. 



Mr. William Stewart showed a very large cup-shaped Sponge 

 from Florida. The specimen, which had been lent by Mr. Robert 

 M'Adam for exhibition to the Society, was submitted to Mr. Edgar 

 A. Smith, F.Z.S., for identification, and is believed to be one of the 

 many varieties of Euspongia officinalis, the Sponge of commerce. 



The Chairman (Mr. King) exhibited specimens of Hemp, Can- 

 nabis sativa, L., and Maize, Zea Mays, L., from the South of 

 Spain, and made some remarks on the morphology, culture, and 

 economic value of these plants. 



Mr. D. A. Boyd showed some Potatoes produced from Chilian 

 tubers after five years' cultivation in this country, and he referred 

 to a series of experiments made with the view of determining 

 whether tubers imported from the native country of the Potato, 

 where the plants are not attacked by the fungus of the Potato- 

 disease (Fhytophthora infestans), would prove better adapted for 

 agricultural purposes than those ordinarily grown in this country.* 

 Although, as regards produce, quality, and disease-resisting powers, 

 the early experiments with imported Potatoes had proved disap- 

 pointing, a marked improvement was subsequently observed ; and 



* See Proceidiwjs, vol. iv., p. 4."> ; vol. v., pp. 166, 269 ; Transaction?, vol. i., pp. 21, 111. 



