NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 253 



Sphaerophoron, but which, from certain distinct peculiarities, be 



considered should more properly be ranged under a new sub-genus, 

 and which he had named Thysanocaulon Pink&rtoni, the specific 

 term being given in honour of the late Dr. Pinkerton, an esteemed 

 member of the Society. On this species, also, pale-bluish cephalodia 

 are observed in great abundance. He then shewed, and described 

 at some length, specimens of all the known kinds of the lichen-family 

 Spliaerophoron. One of these, Sphaerophoron compre88um t is probably 

 the most cosmopolitan of all lichens, being found alike in the Old 

 World and the Xew, at the Antipodes and at home, on the tops of 

 lofty mountains and at sea-level, in icebound lands and in the 

 tropics. He brought before the meeting examples of this lichen 

 from Dunoon and from Xew Zealand. He exhibited specimens of 

 Sphaerophoron australe from the southern hemisphere, and also 

 from this country, the latter collected by the late Mr. M'Kinlay. 

 In a patch .shewn S. compressum and S. australe were growing 

 together, and from this circumstance, in connection with others, 

 Dr. Stirton said he had come to the conclusion that the latter was 

 not a true species, but merely a form of the other. 



Mr. D. Gregorson read an interesting paper on " Ben Ghnuis," 

 Arran. He described its situation and rugged grandeur, and 

 referred to the magnificent prospect to be had in clear weather from 

 its summit. Besides treating the subject from a geological aspect, 

 he made many interesting remarks with regard to the animals and 

 plants observed on the mountain. The Tawny Owl is .not uncommon, 

 and is sometimes troublesome and aggressive. The flora includes 

 Saxifraga stellaris, Alchemilla alpina, and other mountain plants. 

 Both Drosera rotundifolia and Drosera anglica are found, and he 

 had noted as a curious fact that they did not there grow together, 

 but in separate belts or patches. 



Mr. P. Cameron exhibited a collection of insects, arranged on an 

 admirable principle, so as to shew together the food-plant, the 

 larva, the imago, the cocoon, and dissections of the various organs. 



29th August, 1882. 



Mr. John Young, F.G.S., in the Chair. 



Mr. Thomas King reported that on Saturday, the 26th, the 

 members had made an excursion to Torrance Glen, East Kilbride. 



