10 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



PAPERS 'read. 



I. — On the Anatomical Strudnre of the Crocodile and Alligator. 



By Dr Scouler. 



II. — Notes on the Raptwial Birds of the West of Scotland. 

 By Mr Egbert Gray, the Secretary. 



December 18th, 1860. 



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

 The following gentlemen were elected members of the society : — 

 Messrs John Wilson, James Morton, and John Graham. 



specimen exhibited. 

 Mr David Eobertson exhibited a specimen of Pagunis Prideauxii, 

 invested with its usual parasite, Adamsia palliata, to illustrate the 

 difference existing between the size of the two hands amongst 

 many of the crustaceans, particularly the Paguridce, or soldier crabs 

 — a disparity in which we recognize some purpose subservient to 

 the wants of the animal. The hermit crabs, as Mr Eobertson 

 observed, feed principally with their small hand, and hold their 

 prey Avith the greater claw, which they also employ as a support 

 to the body, thus allomng the little hand freedom for its opera- 

 tions — a series of quick movements in conveying atoms to the 

 mouth, etc. The large hand is more powerful in itself than two 

 moderately-sized hands would be, and appears to serve the double 

 object of procuring prey, and forming a strong door of defence to 

 the animal in its shell. 



PAPER READ. 



On the Results of a Slimmer' s Dredging — Part III. 

 By Dr Scouler. 



This paper, like the two previously read on the same subject, 

 was amply illustrated by specimens, including the following 

 molluscoid zoophytes from Shetland : — Petcjwra retiformis, Molgida 

 tuhulosa, and Oijnthia rustica. 



January 29th, 1861. 

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

 Mr Alexander Napier and Mr William Struthers were elected 

 resident membei's. 



