16 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



The author described the above locality as a deep valley, 

 well wooded, and of a south-west exposure — facts account- 

 ing for the humidity of its atmosphere — the valley, on summer 

 evenings, being steeped in the bosom of dense fogs, having an 

 important effect on vegetation. Nowhere are there seen larger 

 trees and more luxuriant woods. Lichens, in endless profusion, 

 cover wall, shrub, and tree, and fungi abound in every brake. 

 The mosses are magnificent in size and strength ; and the orchids, 

 and other plants which delight in a moist soil, are everj^iere in 

 abundance. Of 28 British species, 19 are to be found in the 

 parish of Dailly alone : of these, one is new — Orthotrichum Shaioii 

 — and two are new to Britain — 0. Slurmii and 0. jMiens — these 

 having been confirmed by Professor Schimper, Mr Wilson, and 

 Dr Wood, well-known authorities on the subject. In speaking, 

 therefore, of this region of moss-covered trees, it may well be 

 called the metropolis of the Orthotricha. After taking a general 

 survey of the various species, from which it appeared that some 

 of those accounted the rarest are found at Dailly in considerable 

 abundance, Mr Shaw concluded by observing that great difficulties 

 beset the student of this intricate genus, and that it is only after 

 long experience many of the so-called species can be satisfactorily 

 determined. 



February 25th, 1862. 



John Scouler, M.D., LL.D., F.L.S., President, in the chair. The 

 following gentlemen were elected resident members: — William 

 Leishman, M.D., A. K. Irvine, M.D., and Mr Alexander M'Donald. 



specimens exhibited. 



Dr Alexander Lindsay exhibited a small but carefully-prepared 

 collection of serpents, and a species of mantis, from Trinidad ; also, 

 an unusually large specimen of Arcturvs lonrjicornis, procured from 

 deep water off" Cumbrae, by Mr David Kobertson, and measuring 

 in length two inches and a-half, the ordinary dimensions being 

 rather less than an inch. 



Mr James Hamilton exhibited fine examples of the following 

 rare European birds, specimens of which have already been 

 recorded as having been found in the British islands : — Surf scoter 

 (Aidemiajoerspicillata), spotted sandpiper {Totanus macularia), belted 

 kingfisher (Alcedo alcyon), and the three-toed woodpecker {Picas 



