14 proceedings of the 



November 26th, 1861. 

 Mr J. Gray, Vice-President, in the chair. 



SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. 



Mr David Robertson exhibited specimens of Anomia Ephippium, 

 on which he remarked that many of the margins of the lower 

 valves of this shell are turned up and lined by nacre, the same as 

 the under surface; and that, frequently, this turned-up portion is 

 laid closely down, as if done by pressure. But as this hole neces- 

 sarily increases with the tooth that passes through it, Mr Robertson 

 stated that he was not aware of any mention having been made 

 of the process by which the widening of the hole takes place — 

 whether by softening, absorbing, or by the friction of the increasing 

 tooth; and he therefore appealed to the members in the hope of 

 ehciting information on tins question. 



PAPER READ. 



Investigations into the Distribution of the Algce of the Firth of Clyde. 

 By Dr John Grieve and Mr David Robertson, 



The result of an examination of the piers at Millport, Largs, 

 Wemyss Bay, and Skehnorlie, appears in the following table : — 



At Millport there were found, . 19 genera and 26 species. 



At Largs, 16 genera and 23 species. 



At Skelmorlie, 12 genera and 18 species; 



And at Wemyss Bay, .... 10 genera and 14 species; 

 thus showing a gradual decrease as the Fii-th becomes narrower. 



January 7th, 1862. 

 Mr J. Gray, Vice-President, in the chair. William Parker, 

 M.D., Ningpo, was elected a corresponding member, and John 

 Stuart Gentle, M.D., a resident member of the society. 



specimens exhibited. 

 Mr Thomas Chapman exhibited a small collection of North 

 American Lepidoptera, cliiefly Bomhyces, which had been reared in 

 tliis country, having been sent to Glasgow in the pupa state. 



PAPERS READ. 



I,— The Limitation of the Area of Organic Beings from Cold. 



By Dr Scouler. 



