38 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



the Entomological Society, which went very far to prove tliat there actually exists in India a 

 hinl-catchiug spider, little inferior in dimensions to the Mi/gale Avieularia, but belonging to ■ 

 another division of the order, and probably a gigantic species of E2)cira. Among the other 

 insects was a beautiful Mantis, and a Coleopterous Lanielllcorn Larva, three inches in length, 

 and one in breadth, of a dark olive-colour, clothed anteriorly with reddish brown hairs, and 

 with very distinct black spiracles. 



It was then mentioned that the Snakes were in the course of being examined by Professor 

 Traill, and would probably form the subject of a future communication. 



The cordial thanks of the Society were gireu to Iklr. Waddell for the interest he thus 

 exhibited in the promotion of science, and for the kind and handsome manner in which he 

 had presented his coUeciiou to iho members. 



IV. A variety of living land shells were then shown. They had been collected by Dr. 

 Knapp last summer, during an excursion in Switzerland, and he had brought them home and 

 kept them since alive in the glass globe in which they were exhibited. Dr. Greville enumerated 

 the species which were shown, and gave some interesting details relating to them. The thanks 

 of the Society were voted to Dr. Knapp for the exhibition. 



V. A Serpent from the Amatola, Kaffirland, and supposed to be identical with the Egyptian 

 Cobra, or Asp, was exhibited through the kindness of the Eev. A. Somerville, and excited 

 much interest, the fangs being fully displayed, and having the poison condensed around their 

 orifices. 



VI. An interesting paper was then read on the injurious effects of cedar wood drawers, by 

 Professor Fleming. In a conversation which followed the reading of Dr. Fleming's paper, for 

 which he received the thanks of the Society, it was stated by Mr. John Stewart, in confirmation 

 of the view taken, regarding the pernicious effects of cedar wood on Natural History specimens 

 and works of art and vertu, that, having committed to the keeping of a cedar wood drawer a 

 set of delicate photographs, he found, on examining them after the lapse of some time, that 

 they had almost all suffered, and that from most of them the images were wholly efiaced. 



VII. Note on Rclix Aspersa, by Mr. Hugh Miller. 



At the conclusion of the meeting, James Wilson, Esq., Woodville; William Brown, Esq., 

 F. R. C. S. E., Dublin Street: and John AVilliam Hadden, Esq. from Van Dieman's Land, were 

 elected nnjmbers of the Society; and the following gentlemen were unanimously chosen office- 

 bearers for the ensuing year: — 

 P/-m<;«?<*.— John Coldstream, Esq., M. D., F. R. C. P. ; Hugh Miller, Esq.; Rev. John Fleming, 



D. D., Professor of Natural Science, New College, Edinburgh. 

 Co//«c//.— James Cunningham Esq., W. S. ; Robert K Greville, L. L. D. ; Robert Cliambers, Esq. ; 



William H. Lowe, Esq., M. D.; Charles Jlaclaren, Esq.; and Andrew Murray, Esq., W. S. 

 Treasurer. — William Oliphant, Esq. Sccretari/.— John Alexander Smith, Esq., M.D. Assistant 



Seeretary. — George Lawson, Esq. Honorary Librarian. — Robert F. Logan, Esq. Library 



Co;«w/«cc.— William Rhiud, Esq. ; John Murray, Esq., M. D. ; and Patrick Dalmahoy, Esq. 



W.S. 



Natural History Society of Glasgow.— This Society held its usual monthly meeting in the 

 Library of Anderson's University, on Tuesday evening, November 2nd. William Gourlie, Esq., 

 President, occupied the chair. 



Mr. John Gray exhibited an extremely beautiful and fresh male specimen of Colias Edusa 

 from the vicinity of Largs, captured on the 12th. of September, 1852; thus proving its 

 geographical range to extend much farther north than had hitherto been supposed, and forming 

 at the same time a very interesting addition to the Scottish Fauna. He also exhibited a fine 

 reared specimen of Drepana falcataria, from Fifeshire. 



Mr. Robert Gray read a very interesting letter from H. D. Graham, Esq, of lona, containing 

 additional observations on the habits of the Stormy Petrel, and also an account of some of 

 the quadrupeds found on the island. 



An extensive series of beautifully-coloured ornithological drawings, the property of Mr. R. 

 Gray, and executed by Mr. William Sinclair, a young artist of great promise, was exhibited. 

 Most of the portraits were exceedingly characteristic, and remarkable for originality of design, 

 and their truthfulness to nature. Mr. Robert Gray also exhibited a collection of skins of 



