2G0 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



The Secretary exhibited a specimen of Plantago lanceolata, 

 which showed a remarkable deviation from the normal form, 

 combining the characters of several recorded varieties of the 

 plant. The top of the scape is surrounded by a circle of leaves 

 three inclies in length, and from the centre of these there proceed 

 in a horizontal direction six medium sized spikes, all more or less 

 pedunculated ; while above these there extend perpendicularly 

 four additional scapes, each bearing a small spike of a globose 

 form. The specimen was found at Bowling in July last. 



Mr James S. Dixon exhibited specimens of alum shale in its 

 normal, and also in its decomposed form, describing the 

 position it occupies in the coal formation, and the manner in 

 which it is converted into the alum of commerce. 



PAPERS READ. 



I. — On the Development of Insects. By Professor John 



Young, M.D., F.G.S. 



In this paper, which Dr Young intended as the first of a series, 

 he gave an outline of the development of the Qgg, and pointed 

 out a difficulty in the way of accepting the views of Haeckel and 

 E-ay Lankester regarding the primitive form of the embryo. The 

 paper was illustrated by diagrams showing the position of 

 the yelk relative to the embryo, in various groups of animals. 

 From these it would appear, according to Dr Young, that, as has 

 been indicated by Sallusky, the gastrula stage is not so universal 

 in the animal kingdom as has been asserted. The mode of 

 development of the crustaceans was referred to as a crucial 

 instance, and this Dr Young p>romised to discuss in his next 

 communication. 



II. — Descnption of a new species of Nematus from Scotland. 

 By Mr Peter Cameron, jun. 



Nematus interstitialis, sp. n. 



N. niger, nitidus, ptedibus, 2)ronoti Umbo, tegnlis, ventreque testaceis; 

 tarsis 'posticis fuscis ; ore, antenniscpie subtus brunneis; alls lenissime 

 fumatis; nervo 2", recurrente interstitiali ; costa stigmateque fuscis. 

 Long, 2J tin. 



Female. Antennae, a little longer than the abdomen, rather 

 stout, covered with a microscopic down ; the third joint a little 

 longer than the fourth, the remaining joints becoming gradually 



