NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 217 



material, and passing a magnet through it, plenty of the magnetic 

 iron sand could be collected free from the other matter. After all 

 the magnetic sand is extracted by the magnet, there still remains 

 in the deposit a quantity of black iron sand not magnetic, probably 

 lUmenite orlserite. It is found on analysis to contain arsenic in 

 its composition. Mr Young stated that this magnetic iron sand 

 from Bute resembled very much, in appearance and colour, similar 

 magnetic iron sands obtained from the gold washings of Suther- 

 landshire and Australia, which he had seen. It was not known 

 from what class of the Bute rocks this sand was derived; but he 

 thought its derivation would likely be found in the trap rocks of 

 the island, although metamorphic rocks in some districts }delded 

 magnetic iron sand in their disintegration. Mr Gray informed 

 him that it was to be found principally as a narrow band mixed 

 with the ordinary shore sand, a little above high-tide level, but he 

 had detected it likewise in small patches on lower levels of the 

 shore. 



Mr James J. King exhibited seven species of coleoptera, not 

 previously reported from the Clyde district, viz. : — AncJiomenus 

 gracilis, Notiophilus palustris, PelopMla horeaUs, Amara lunicoUis, 

 Bradycellus harpalinus, B. collaris, and Trechus ohtusus. Mr King 

 also exhibited specimens of the following tortrices, taken near 

 Glasgow : — Dicrorcuyipha herhosana and Cochylis smeathmanniana. 



PAPERS READ. 



I. — On the Reproduction of the Spines of Echinv^ sphaera {Miilhr), 

 By Mr David Kobertson, F.G.S. 



Amongst the echinoderms there are many well-known instances 

 of the reproduction of parts, as, for example, of the rays of star- 

 fishes, but I am not aware that this has hitherto been recorded as 

 having occurred with the spines of any of the sea-urchins. As the 

 one I refer to is a species exceedingly common, and of which the 

 characteristics have been frequently and minutely described in 

 works on this department of marine zoology, without any allusion 

 to this important circumstance, I am constrained to make the 

 statement of reproduction of the spines with reserve; more 

 especially as it is only on a single example that I have based my 

 observations. Yet, in this case, there appear to be so many 

 points of confirmation in favour of the view I hold, that I venture 

 to bring it forward. 



