The Scottish Naturalist. 333 



that it was largely taken advantage of by the working classes, and he believed 

 that if they had a permanent museum it would tend to further an interest in 

 scientific pursuits. 



15th Dec. — Mr. Robert Gray, Peterhead, read a paper on the Greenland 

 Whale — its nature and habits, calling special attention to such points as — 

 Whether it respired while asleep, whether it slept under water, and as to its 

 geographical range. The paper embodied the results of the writer's own 

 observations in the Arctic Regions, as well as those of his father and grand- 

 father. 



19th Jan., 1886. — The Secretary (Mr. John Roy) read an account of a visit 

 to the Lake v region in the west of Sutherland, which he made in July last in 

 company with Dr. Nordstedt, the eminent Swedish algologist. Uiricularia 

 intermedia and Lycopodium inundatum were observed in several places ; and a 

 lady showed them specimens of Vicia Orobus found in the same district. These 

 plants are believed to be new to Sutherland. Large numbers of Desmids and 

 other algse were found, of which lists were submitted. Skye was afterwards 

 visited. More Desmidian rarities were found there than in Sutherland, espe- 

 cially in the south of the Island. Saxifraga nivalis was observed in the north- 

 west at the low altitude of 1,200 feet, much lower than it has been noticed 

 elsewhere in Britain. 



Mr. Murray read an account of the Society's excursion to St. Cyrus in July 

 last, noting the chief plants found, as well as remarking on the geology of that 

 famous locality. 



Mr. Roy read a few notes on algse added to the flora of this district during 

 1885. The more noteworthy plants were — Hy drums fcetidus, detected by Dr. 

 Nordstedt, in company with the writer, in the Cluny, at Castleton, Braemar ; 

 Spirogyra peliospora, Wittr, Sp. punctata, Cleve, and Gonium social?, near 

 Dinnet ; Volvox minor, on Scotston Moor, where V. globator has long been 

 known to occur ; also, Coleockcete irregularis and Scenedesmus radiatus were 

 found near Dinnet. 



16th Feb. — Dr. Trail read a paper on the proposed Natural History 

 Museum for Aberdeen, in which he explained the present position of the 

 movement, and the steps necessary to be taken in order to promote its success. 

 Mr. Roy read a few critical notes on the Desmidian literature which has ap- 

 peared both at home and abroad during the last five years. 



16th March. — Professor Nicholson gave a lecture on the Geology of 

 Esthonia in the west of Russia, which was very fully illustrated by drawings 

 and specimens. He commenced by explaining why he went and how he got 

 there. Then followed a general description of the surface, next a detailed 

 account of the various formations of the fossils they contain; and he closed 

 with notes on the occupation and habits of the people, modes of travel- 

 ling, &c. 



20th April. — Mr. Jamieson read a paper on the food of the sea trout, 

 giving, along with his own observations, an account of all that is known on 

 the subject. 



