1 88 1 -82.] EdinbiirgJi Naturalists Field Club. 33 



to those who are not ornithologists. I strongly advise any mem- 

 ber of our Club who may have the pleasure of travelling in Swit- 

 zerland to keep a sharp look-out for these brilliant birds. I cannot 

 think they are very rare, as during our short tour I saw two alive, 

 and many stuffed specimens in the Lucerne museum. 



VIII.—NOTE ON THE MOUTH-ORGANS OF INSECTS. 



By Mr ANDREW MOFFAT, Secretary. 



{Bead Jan. 26, 1882.) 



* 



The object of this note being solely explanatory of a series of 

 microscopical preparations which was exhibited in illustration of 

 the various forms of the mouth-organs of insects, it is not thought 

 desirable to reproduce it here. 



The mouth-organs of the following insects, among others, were 

 shown — viz. : 



Telephorus dispar, Blatta orientalis, Forficula auricularia, Acheta 

 domestica. Apis mellifica, Bombus terrestris, Vespes vulgaris, Musca 

 vomitoria, Eristalis tenax, Khingia campestris, Pieris Bi'assica?. 



IX.— MIMETIC PLANTS. 

 By Mr JOHN LINDSAY. 



{Read Feb. 23, 1882.) 



There is no more interesting chapter in Natural History than 

 that which treats of the outward resemblances found to subsist 

 between genera or species far removed from each other in natural 

 relationship. The term popularly adopted to describe this curious 

 phenomenon is not entirely satisfactory, but it is the simplest which 

 has as yet been suggested. Mimicry, or the power of imitation, is, 

 in the general acceptation of the word, a voluntary act, with no 

 serviceable end, as a rule, in view, and which, being voluntary, 

 can be assumed or laid aside at pleasure. But when applied, as 

 in this instance, to plants or animals, the term " mimicry " must 

 be taken in a metaphorical sense to express an external appear- 



VOL. I. c 



