1870.] NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 77 



their object, will generally try another ; and that we find them as 

 prompt and skilful in overcoming exceptional and artificial diffi- 

 culties, as in performing the ordinary duties of their lives. The 

 habits of insects, like those of the larger and higher animals, 

 appear to be in a great measure the result of the accumulated 

 experience of many generations. The term instinct, the writer 

 said, has too general and vague a signification, and is often used 

 as a convenient way of accounting for what it is found difficult to 

 explain. 



After the reading of this paper, a discussion ensued, in which 

 Drs. De Sola and Evans, and Messrs. Billings, Ritchie, Whiteaves 

 and other members took pait. 



Fourth monthly meeting, February 28th, 1870 ; Rev. Dr. De 

 Sola in the chair. 



DONATIONS TO THE LIBRARY. 



Geology of Tennessee, Saffi)rd. Presented by Dr. A. Got- 

 tingen, State Librarian, Nashville, Tenn. 



On the Chemical and Mineralogical composition of the Dhurm- 

 salla Meteoric Stone, by Rev. S. Haughton, M.D., F.R.S., &c. 

 From the Author. 



The Principles of ^Esthetic Medicine, by Dr. J. B. Catlow. 

 From the Author. 



Le Glacier de Boium, en Juillet, 1868, par S. A. Sexe; 

 and two other 4to pamphlets. From the Royal Society of 

 Christiania. 



PROCEEDINGS. 



Mr. A. S. Ritchie read a paper entitled ''' Why are insects 

 attracted to artificial light," which will be found entire at page 

 61 of the present volume. 



Prof. R. Bell gave a verbal account of the zoology and botany 

 of the Nipigon country. Principal Dawson made some remarks 

 on this communication, and said that it was much to be regretted 

 that, when parties were sent by the Geological Survey to explore 

 distant and comparatively unknown parts of the Dominion, no 

 competent naturalist formed part of the expedition. Much prac- 

 tical knowledge as to the agricultural capabilities, &c„ of the 

 region explored was thus lost to the community. 



