481 



The Committee having appointed Mr. J. M. Allen to act as 

 Auditor on their behalf, the members were asked to elect some 

 other member to act for them in the matter. 



Mr. Hicks was thereupon proposed by Mr. MacKenzie, 

 seconded by Mr, O'Donohoe, and unanimously elected. 



Mr. Wesche read a paper " On the Male Organs of the Flies 

 Scatoplmga lutaria and aS'. stercorariay 



The President said this was a subject which he knew nothing 

 about; but he could not fail to notice the grip of the subject 

 possessed by the writer of the paper, and be hoped that it 

 would be discussed by those present who were acquainted 

 with it. 



Mr. Hammond said that many years ago he happened to make 

 some little studies of various insects, and amongst them Scato- 

 phaga lutaria. He had brought to the meeting, for the inspec- 

 tion of those who were interested in the subject, a series of 

 drawings, in which the ejaculatory organ was shown, and in one 

 sketch the other parts could be easily recognised. The same parts 

 had also been studied in Blatta. The study of these things was 

 very interesting, the mechanical complexity and finish of the 

 organs being very striking. 



In Tipula oleracea a different state of things existed, the penis 

 being very long, and having at its base a beautiful arrangement 

 for controlling the emission of the spermatozoa. 



Mr. Karop recommended this study to any members who had 

 not yet taken it up as being extremely interesting, as he himself 

 had found when working at the subject A\dth Mr. Lowne in 

 preparation for his book. His recollection of the penis in Tipula 

 was that it was perforated. He recommended a careful exami- 

 nation of Mr. Hammond's drawings, which were beautifully 

 executed, aud would prove very instructive. 



Mr. Hammond, in further explanation of his remarks, drew a 

 diagram on the board to illustrate the -arrangement which existed 

 for the purpose of contracting or closing the orifice of the 

 ejaculatory duct. 



On the motion of the President, a very hearty vote of thanks 

 was passed to Mr. Wesche for his paper. 



Mr. Scourfield said they had received a paper from Mr. 

 Kowley, entitled " Some Points in the Structure and Life-History 

 of Diatoms," and he gave a resume of its contents. 



