NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 199 



by its erect, not recurved, leaves, strong excurrent nerve, elliptical 

 capsule, etc. 



Dr Stirton also exhibited specimens of JBryvm Mdhlenheckii, 

 from Ben Nevis in August, 1866. Altliough the size and colour 

 of tlie plant are somewhat at variance with genuine continental 

 specimens, yet the texture of the leaves and relative lengtli of 

 nerve (which possesses the characteristic tint) sufficiently warrant 

 the close association if not identity of the two plants. This opinion 

 is borne out by Mr Wilson, author of the Bryologia Britannica. 

 Dr Stirton described at same time the situation of localities on 

 Ben Lawers, Ben Lomond, and Ben Nevis, most prolific in rare 

 cryptogams, and showed how they possessed many features in 

 common, as general direction, geological formation, and degree of 

 humidity. He likewise appealed to geologists to account for the 

 prevalence in such spots of plants in this country which, as a rule, 

 are only to be found at a much higher level on the continent; 

 besides, the plants characteristic of such spots are either very 

 rare or are confined exclusively to them. 



Mr James Eamsay exhibited specimens of Bryum roseum in 

 fruit, from Cumbrae, forwarded by Mr Levack, corresponding mem- 

 ber; and read some notes on the species by Mr David Robertson. 



Mr Chapman drew the attention of the meeting to a large collec- 

 tion of Australian insects, the property of Mr Kirsop, of Glasgow, 

 which that gentleman had sent for exhibition. 



PAPERS READ. 



I. — On the Occurrence of Seaiceeds in the Paisley Clay Beds. 

 By Mr J. A. Mahony. 



The only records of the occurrence of seaweed in the glacial 

 clays, that I am aware of, consist of a reference to their presence 

 in some strata penetrated while digging a well at Johnstone, and 

 Messrs Crosskey & Robertson, in the recently published Transactions 

 of the Geological Society of Glasgow, announce the discovery of 

 Melohesia pobjmorpha in the Dalmuir deposit. In the former 

 instance, described by the late Mr Smith of Jordanhill, it is not 

 stated whether the seaweed found was of the calcareous type, or 

 soft-fronded, like the great majority of Ahjcp. The calcareous sea- 

 weeds secrete so much carbonate of lime in their structure, that the 

 fact of their remaining intact during the long interval of time 

 which has elapsed since the glacial epoch is not at all extraordinary. 



