166 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



composition of the epidermis, and an adventitious crust containing 

 iron, derived from tlie clay which surrounds the rhizome as it lies 

 in the deposit, contribute to the retention of that vitality at once 

 observable when the roots are placed in the fit condition for 

 growth. The fact of their resuscitation has been placed beyond 

 doubt; but the age of the plants is a more difficult matter to 

 determine. 



February 25th, 1867. 

 Hugh Colquhoun, M.D., in the chair. 



SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. 



The Secretary drew the attention of the meeting to a specimen 

 of the common pheasant, a female, showing the complete assump- 

 tion of the plumage of the male bird, which had been forwarded 

 for exhibition by Lord Binning, one of the society's corresponding 

 members. This remarkable specimen had been shot last month 

 at Tyninghame, in East Lothian, and now belonged to the Earl 

 of Haddington's collection. Placed in contrast with other speci- 

 mens of a like character, it presented some unusual features — the 

 whole of the plumage being as brilliant as in many males, and the 

 white ring surrounding the neck especially well defined, being, in 

 fact, much broader than what is observable in most male 

 pheasants. The scarlet patch encircling the eyes, hoAvever, was of 

 small extent, but in almost every other respect the bird would, at 

 first sight, have deceived even an experienced eye. Dr Dewar 

 had also on the table three specimens of female pheasants from 

 his own collection, one of which showed the darker plumage of 

 the male faintly perceptible through its own normal colouring; a 

 second having this change still more developed; while the third 

 approached completion. None of these, however, showed any 

 spot of Avhite on the neck. Mr John Young, at same time, 

 brought forward two examples from the Hunterian collection; one 

 with the change apparent only on the head and neck, the other 

 much more complete, and having also a few white feathers on one 

 side of the neck. Yet the whole of these specimens, although 

 highly interesting, had an expression, so to speak, clearly indi- 

 cating the female bird in an assumed garb; while the specimen 

 sent by Lord Binning was so completely transformed as to dis- 

 tinguish it at once from ordinary examples. 



