202 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



most of the boreal shells. In their place we find the mussel — 

 a mollusc which luxuriates in estuaries or bays, where the influx 

 of river or stream modifies the marine conditions. The leaves 

 of mosses must have been carried down by such a stream, and 

 deposited on this ancient shore along with the fragmentary 

 seaweeds drifted in by the tide. That tissues so delicate and 

 apparently evanescent should have been preserved during the 

 undoubtedly long period which has elapsed since the deposition of 

 these clay beds is, I think, an interesting and noteworthy cir- 

 cumstance. 



II. — On the Birds of lona and Mull. 

 By Mr Henry D. Graham, Corresponding Member. 



February 25th, 1868. 

 Hugh Colquhoun, M.D., President, in the chair. Tlie following 

 gentlemen were elected members: — Messrs John M'Kay, James 

 W. Allan, and James Watson, Burntrigg, Cardross. 



SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. 



The Secretary drew the attention of the meeting to a pair of 

 beautiful snowy owls (Surnia nydea), which had been forwarded 

 for exhibition by Mr John Harvie Brown, corresponding member. 

 One of these was a Canadian specimen; the other had been taken 

 alive on l)oard a Danish craft about fifteen miles out at sea, and 

 nearly opposite to Montrose, on the 1 6th December last. 



Dr Stirton exhibited specimens of Sphagnum teres, from Ben 

 Ledi, a species recently discovered on the continent, and 

 one likely to be met with pretty commonly in similar localities 

 throughout Scotland; also Grimmia subsquarrosa, in fruit, from 

 Dumbuck, near Bowling, the first recorded instance of the 

 moss having been found in a perfect state. Its nearest ally 

 is Ghimmia pidvinata ; but the peculiar squarrose leaves and 

 dioicous inflorescence render it quite distinct. On the same 

 rocks were found Grimmia leucophcea, G. Hartnianii, G. Schultzii, 

 and G. trichophj/lla. The first of these was first discovered on 

 Arthur's Seat in the beginning of the present century; many 

 years afterwards on the southern coast of Fife; and later still 

 on Abbey Craig, near Stii'ling; the present station completes the 



