344 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Mr Thomas Chapman exhibited several specimens of the 

 Colorado beetle (^Doryphora decemlineata), which had been received 

 from Canada by Mr D. C. Glen, and remarked that this insect had 

 caused great destruction to the potato crops in the ^Yestern States 

 on this side of the Rocky Mountains, but does not seem to have 

 extended to the further side, in consequence, it is thought, of the 

 moister climate which prevails there. Great fears have been 

 entertained that it might invade this country, but from what he 

 had seen written on the subject, and from the report of Professor 

 Westwood, who informed him that the insect is only found between 

 38° and 43° north latitude, he did not think there was any danger 

 of it appearing here. 



Mr Glen stated that the specimens were obtained at the southern 

 boundary of Lake Huron, in the spring of 1874, but had not been 

 brought to this country until the present year ; and on two 

 occasions, one of which was recent, upon being put for some time 

 in the heat of the sun, they had shown evident signs of vitality. 

 Mr Glen gave information, supplied by his correspondents, 

 regarding the history and habits of the beetle, and quoted statistics 

 showing the extent of its ravages among the potato crops, in some 

 instances one-third of the plants having been destroyed, the leaves 

 and stalks being eaten away down to the soil. 



Mr John Young, F.G.S., exhibited a series of specimens of 

 finely preserved Carboniferous Polyzoa from Dykehead pit. High 

 Blantyre. He stated that in the working of the two posts of 

 limestone in the above pit, the fossiliferous shale that lies between 

 them is brought to the pithead, and from it he had recently 

 obtained more perfect fronds of various Polyzoa than he had yet 

 met with in that district. Some of these belong to the beautiful 

 genus Glaiiconome, and measure 3 J inches in length by 2 inches in 

 breadth. Tliey show the branching form of the organism in a 

 condition that is seldom met with in the other polyzoa shales of 

 the West of Scotland. The species he had found belong to G. 

 elegans, G. flexicarinata, G. stdlijiora, and G. marginalis. He ex- 

 iiibited some fronds, from the same shale, oi Actinostoma fenestratum 

 (a beautiful star-pored Polyzoon), measuring 4 by 3 inches, being of 

 a greater size than any he had hitherto obtained; also, some species 

 of Fenestella, wliich he believed to be undescribed. Mr Young 

 stated that as the shale in which these delicate organisms are 

 embedded readily falls to pieces under the influence of the weather, 



