PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES, 89 



3. Mr. R. F, LogaK presented the Report of tlie Entomological Committee on the Order 

 Lepidoptera, and said that he had hoped it would have been undertaken this season by Dr. Lowe ; 

 and it was only at his request, in consequence of absence from home, and professional engajre- 

 ments at the height of the season, that he had been induced to enter upon the subject. He 

 then proceeded briefly to detail the results of the various excursions undertaken by the Committee 

 during the season for the purposes of investigation, and mentioned that many insects had been 

 found which were probably additions to the fauna of Scotland — several probably undescribed 

 species — and that the Committee had this j-car added twelve species to the list of Edinburghshire 

 Ix^pidoptera, viz. — Amphysa prodromana, Graeilaria auroguttella, Hoeslerstammia pijinaana, 

 Argyresthia arceuthina., Gelcchia Cirsiella, Gelechia longicornis, Ornix torqi<ilella, (?) Kcmotois 



, C?) Argyresthia dilectella, Bcprcssaria conterminella, Ulachista , (?) and 



Exapate gelatella. Specimens of these and of a variety of other species captured during the past 

 season were exhibited by Mr. Logan, who was highly complimented by the entomologists present 

 for the beautiful manner in which they were set and preserved. It was mentioned that the 

 use of chloroform is the best and easiest method of killing insects, as it at once deprives them 

 of life without in the slightest degi-ee injuring them. 



4. Mr. Rhind exhibited a drawing of a fossil animal lately found in the upper beds of the 

 Old Red Sandstone in Morayshu-e, by Patrick Duff", Esq. The skeleton is that of a vcrtebrated 

 animal, and, including the upper portion of the tail, measures about five inches in length. The 

 head exhibits teeth in both jaws; there are four legs. The first six ribs have the usual curved 

 form of the thorax of an air-breathing animal ; the next six or seven false ribs extend outwards 

 in a horizontal position; the whole stnicture of the skeleton bearing a resemblance to that of 

 the Draco Volans, or flying lizard of the East Lidies. It is to be hoped that a more particular 

 description of this singular fossil will be given to the public by its possessor. 



o. ifn. RiiiND then brought before the notice of the Society a collection of zoophytes from 

 the Frith of Tay, near the village of Newport, cliiefly with a view of pointing out a locality 

 not hitherto much explored by collectors. Five species of Sertularia were exhibited; also 

 Plumularia falcata, Gemillaria loriculata, etc.; fine specimens of Laomedca dichotoina; and 

 specimens of Laomedca gelatinosa, from eight to ten inches in length. A muddy bottom and a 

 considerable proportion of fresh Avater from the flow of the river, were supposed to have influenced 

 the foi-ms of some of the zoophytes exhibited. 



6. Mr. Alexander Bryson exhibited a suite of fine zcolitic minerals from the Bay of Fundj^, 

 Nova Scotia, collected by Professor Chipman, of Acadia College. The series comprised Chabasie, 

 Ileulandite, Stilbite, Analcime, Mesotype, Apophyllite, and Dysclasite. The crystals of Chabasie 

 are peculiarly interesting, some being hollow, showing that, instead of crystalizuig round a 

 central nucleus, the external sui'faces were first deposited. Mr. Bryson referred to similar examples 

 occurring in Garnet, Iceland spar, etc. The foot-prints of the Sandpiper, from the Bay of Fundy, 

 were also exliibited. i 



The Society then adjourned till the first "Wednesday in January, 



N'atural History Society of Glasgow — 7th. October, 1851. Mr. IIexxedy exhibited specimens 

 of Bryopsis plumosa and DrapcrnaMia nana, gathered by him in the course of the present 

 season at Gourock. The specimens were in fine condition, and the locality is interesting, from 

 its behig so far up the Frith. 



John Scouler, Esq., M. D., F. L. S., then read a paper upon the geographical distribution 

 of plants, and described the appearance of the vegetation m countries with difiercnt and opposite 

 climates which he had visited. 



4th. November, 185L It having been resolved that the Society should have a Yice-presldcnt, 

 W. B. LoRRAiN, Esa., M. D., was unanimously elected to fill that office. 



Mr. W. Ferguson exhibited a nest of the Homct, taken from the roof of an outhouse in 

 Aberdeenshire. The Honiet occurs sparingly in the south of England. 



Mr. Roger IIexnedy exhibited specimens of a species of liydra from the Old Basin of the 

 Forth and Clyde Canal. 



Mr. Thomas Ferguson exhibited a specimen of Clostcra rcchisa taken in the neighbourhood 

 of Loch Lomond, 



