198 PROCEEDINGS OP 80CIETIES. 



temperature in December is 41.10., and in January 36.90. The mean temperature 

 of winter at the same place Mr. Watson states to be 39.00. — of spring 47.00. — and 

 that of summer 59.03. The result of observations made at other places raries 

 little from the preceding. That Mr. Lankester has experienced a lower tem- 

 perature than 61° in March will, therefore, not appear improbable. In fact if 

 the thermometer was really the height stated (61°), Mr. L. must have had the 

 pleasure of witnessing a warm summers day (pardon the Hibernianisiri) in 

 December ! The mean March temperature is, however, much lower than 52°. 

 The "large coloured Butterfly" noticed was most probably Vanessa urticce. 

 Unimpregnated females of the last brood of this common species often exist 

 through the winter, and may frequently be observed flying about on mild days 

 in February and March (see p. 155). Vanessa polychloros is a much rarer 

 insect. 



I am, 



Yours very faithfully, 



Peter Rylands. 

 To Neville Wood, Esq., &c. 



PROCEEDINGS OF NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES. 



With a view of putting our readers in possession of the progress of Natural 

 History both at home and abroad, we intend, as opportunity offers, to publish 

 complete reports of the various Societies dedicated entirely or in part to that 

 science, supplying every particular likely to be of interest or importance. In 

 furtherance of this object, we shall always be happy to receive reports- of 

 Societies, metropolitan, provincial, and foreign, with the rules, lists of officers, 

 &c, accounts of the proceedings at the periodical meetings, and, where desirable, 

 copies of the papers read. These will be received, as hitherto, from the 

 respective Secretaries, or from any other individual interested in the various 

 Societies. 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



On Thursday, Feb. 1, the ordinary meeting was held, Mr. W.Sharp Macleay 

 in the chair. — The report of the Council announced the total receipts of the past 

 month as ,£2,373 10s. 8d. ; and of expenditure, to the farm for rent £30, to the 

 gardens £ 1,048, and the museum £138 5s. 2d. There had also been invested in the 

 Three-per-Cents. £197 16*. due to the composition account, and £200 had been 



