472 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Vol. ix. 



the insect for attacking a foe, I doubt whether this is the only, 

 or the chief purpose for which they are intended. I imagine 

 that, in the nuptial flight, they arc used for grasping the well- 

 defended neck of the female. 



C. cornutus lays its eggs on the stones and piles projecting 

 from the river, where they are soon submerged. The aquarium 

 would afford opportunities for studying the habits of the larva in 

 its native element. 



PROCEEDIXGS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY 

 SOCIETY OF MONTREAL. 



The third meeting of the Society for the Session 1S80-1SS1 

 was held on Monday evening Jan. 21st. The President occupied 

 the chair. The Secretary read the minutes of last meeting, and 

 announced the subjects of the Somcrville lectures, together with 

 the names of the lecturers. 



Dr. Dawson then delivered an address on '•' New Devonian 

 plants and other Canadian fossils." 



He first described a new species of Filoceras, a remarkable 

 chambered shell found by Mr. Macpherson in one of Dr. Dawson's 

 excursions with his class in Geology, in the neighborhood of La- 

 chute, and which, as he explained, throws much light on the 

 structure of this ancient and curious group of shells. 



He next noticed a globular organism found in great numbers 

 in the Corniferous limestone of Kelly's Island, near Sandusky, 

 and which he had described, some years ago, as a foraminiferal 

 shell, under the name of Saccammina Eriana. He mentioned 

 some new fticts respecting it, and gave reasons for adhering to 

 his former determination. The specimens described had been 

 sent to him by Prof. Perry, of New York, and by Mr. Walker, 

 of Hamilton. 



He then proceeded to describe several ferns and other plants 

 collected by 31r. Foord and Mr. Weston, of the Geological Survey, 

 in the Devonian rocks of the Bay de Chaleur. Two of them, 

 Cydopteris ohtusa and Ci/clopteris (^Platyphyllinii) Brownii, are 

 known elsewhere as upper Devonian forms. Another, Arcliceop- 

 teris Gaspiensis is new. These are from the locality of the 

 remarkable fossil fishes recently described by Mr. Whiteaves. 



