264 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



PAPERS READ. 



I. — On the Blind Fauna inhahiting the Mammoth Cave, Kentuchj, U.S. 



By Mr Archibald Eobertson. 



The paper was illustrated by a number of views of the interior 

 of the cave, and by a collection of specimens of the various objects 

 found in it, including examples of the blind fishes, Amhlyopsis 

 sjpelaeiis, and Typhlicthys suUerraneus, three specimens of a crusta- 

 cean, Orconectes ijellucidus, a number of insects, including ^7io/;A/A- 

 almus Mendricsii and A. Jelikampgii; also several small carnivorous 

 beetles. 



Mr Eobertson also showed several specimens of stalactites from 

 the cave, on which Mr John Young, F.G.S., made a few remarks, 

 pointing out some of the geological features of these wonderful 

 caverns, and the probable causes which led to their formation. 

 He also described the composition of the stalactites, and the 

 manner in which they are formed by the percolation of water 

 through the limestone strata forming the roof from which they 

 hang. 



Mr Robertson expressed himself indebted for the opportunity 

 of exhibiting the specimens to Mr Charles Malloch, who had 

 obtained them on a recent visit to the cave. 



'II. — On a Collection of N'orth American Birds' Eggs and Skins, formed 

 principally by the Bev. C. M. Jones, Conn., U.S. America, 

 and forwarded by the same gentleman. By Mr John A. Harvie- 

 Brown, M.B.O.U., corresponding member. 



The following notes are extracted, for the most part, from 

 the correspondence of the Rev. C. M. Jones, Connecticut, 

 to whom I am indebted for nearly the whole collection of 

 bird skins now laid before this meeting, as well as for a consider- 

 able collection of eggs sent from time to time, by far the largest 

 portion of which was formed by himself, and to which latter these 

 notes principally refer. I would also have exhibited the eggs 

 this evening, but living at a distance from Glasgow as J. do, the 

 difficulties of carriage and risk of breakage prevent me from 

 bringing such fragile things as birds' eggs, at least in any numbers. 

 These notes, however, give some idea of the nidification of the 

 different species, and their habits during the nesting season, and 

 therefore ought to be considered of some value, even when 



