62 Transactions of the [Sess. 



93 ?), calculating the remains" obtained from Funk island by Pro- 

 fessor Milne as representing 50 birds ; eggs, 67. 



We hope these few notes may have proved interesting ; and if 

 within any of you there has been aroused an interest in this extinct 

 bird, we shall have ample excuse for having extended them rather 

 beyond what we intended. 



v.— ON A SPECIMEN OF THE POISONOUS LIZARD OF MEXICO 

 {HELODEBMA HORBIDUM, WEIGMANN). 



Exhibited, with Remarks, by Mr R. J. HARVEY GIBSON, M.A., 



November 23, 1882. 



The Heloderm is a native of the hottest part of Mexico, bordering 

 the Gulf of Tehuantepec. It is further limited in its distribution to 

 the dry parts of that region, being entirely unknown on the Mexi- 

 can Gulf side. It is nocturnal and terrestrial. Its saliva, which is 

 copious and of gluey consistence, is poisonous to small animals. 

 The teeth, like those of poisonous serpents, are perforated by a 

 canal distinct from the pulp cavity, but no special poison-gland 

 has been discovered in connection with the teeth. Its hide is of 

 extreme beauty, being of a creamy buff, with dark brown markings 

 arranged in a definite pattern. The fact of its possessing poisonous 

 powers, taken along with its known preference for eggs as food, 

 gives rise to the question. What use is the poison to the animal ? It 

 has been long known that human saliva, if concentrated, possesses 

 poisonous properties ; and the recent researches of M. Gautier of 

 Paris have demonstrated the existence of sulpho-cyanide of potas- 

 sium in saliva, of the young especially. It is of considerable in- 

 terest to find that man is not alone in this peculiarity, while, in 

 addition, it suggests a possible explanation of the origin of poison- 

 glands generally. The specimen will shortly be mounted in the 

 Science and Art Museum, to which it has been presented by Mr 

 Patrick Geddes — by whose courtesy Mr Gibson was enabled to 

 show the specimen to the club. 



VI.— BEES AND BEE CULTURE. 



By Mr A. B. HERBERT, President. 

 [Read Dec. 22, 1882.) 



These insects, and their instincts and habits, have from remote 

 ages engaged the thoughts and consideration of many eminent 



