PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 301 



depth of over 300 fathoms, by means of a long line weighted and 

 provided with hooks which were dragged along the sea-bottom. 

 There was also shown under the microscope a slide containing 

 several of the beautifully rayed silicious spicules of this species. 



Mr. Ross read some notes on the Glass-rope Sponge. He 

 stated that the species was first brought to Europe about the 

 year 1830. It is a solid-looking ovoid body, from the lower end 

 of which arises the long silicious glass-rope, composed of twisted 

 strands of spicules which anchor the sponge in the mud. The 

 upper end of the glass-rope is seen to terminate in a spike in a 

 cavity in the interior of the sponge. An interesting account was 

 given of the life-historv and structure of this and other 

 representatives of the Porifera. 



Mr. Robertson also submitted a beautiful collection of Diatoms 

 v prepared as microscope slides. These included specimens from 

 New Zealand, Bolivia, California, and Madagascar, with some 

 selected forms from a tin of American oysters. 



Mr. William Rennie read a paper entitled " Notes on the Birds 

 frequenting Elder Park, Govan " (page 209). 



Mr. D. A. Boyd read a paper on " Fungus-Parasites on Plant - 

 Stems and Leaves." 



26th May, 1908. 



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



Mr. George Lunam, 14 Wilton Drive, Glasgow, was elected an 

 Ordinary M ember. 



A report on an Excursion to Campsie Glen was submitted by 

 Mr. Alexander Ross (page 255). 



A beautiful specimen of the King Eider Duck, Somateria 

 spectabilis (L.), from the neighbourhood of Tayport, was exhibited 

 by Mr. Robert Dunlop. Mr. Alexander Ross made some remarks 

 on the species, and described the features by which it is 

 distinguished from the Common Eider Duck, Somateria mollissima 



(L.). 



Mr. James J. F. X. King, F.E.S., exhibited a specimen of 

 Corymbetes ceneus, L., from Glen Callum Bay, South Bute, and 

 stated that there were only two previous records of this beetle in 

 Scotland. 



