282 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



knowledge of the fauna and flora of the sea, and, by means of 

 the lantern, showed the apparatus used in this department of 

 research. 



Mr. Alexander Ross, Delegate to the Clyde Naturalists' 

 Representative Council, read a report on the proceedings at 

 the preliminary meeting of Delegates from Naturalists' 

 Societies in the West of Scotland, held on 6th instant, at 

 which a resolution to form the Representative Council had 

 been unanimously agreed to, and a formal constitution 

 adopted. On the suggestion of Mr. Boyd, the Society expressed 

 its approval of the method indicated in the constitution for 

 defraying the expense of the Council's operations, which was 

 proposed to be met by levying on each Society represented in 

 the Council a share of the expense proportionate to the number 

 of such Society's members and the amount of revenue derived 

 from their annual subscriptions. 



28th May, 1907. 



Mr. D. A. Boyd, President, in the chair. 



Reports w r ere given on Excursions to Cartland Crags (page 

 241) and Loch Riddon (page 242). 



Mr. Alexander Ross exhibited, by favour of Mr. W. Bevins, 

 Ongar, a small collection of South African Coleoptera, mainly 

 captured on Table Mountain and in its vicinity. The speci- 

 mens were small, but beautifully marked. The insects usually 

 shown from South Africa are large and conspicuous, but Mr. 

 Bevins, in his work among the insects of smaller size, was 

 fortunate in discovering many which were new to science. 



Mr. Ross also showed a specimen of Bombylius major, L., 

 taken at the head of Loch Riddon. He stated that this dipteron 

 belongs to the " Bee-Flies," and possesses a long oral proboscis 

 with which it sucks honey from flowers. It is a rather rare 

 fly in the Clydesdale district, where it has only previously been 

 recorded from this same station. He also exhibited a living 

 specimen of the Blindworm (Anyuis fragilis, L.) captured 

 at the same place, and he described the superficial and 

 anatomical features whereby this harmless reptile is dis- 

 tinguished from the Common Adder (Pelius berus, L.) for 

 which it is often mistaken. 



