XX PEOCEEDINGS OF THE 



^"ov. 18, at "Watford.— Our British Beetles : Notes on their Classification 

 and Collection ; by Arthur Cottam, F.E.A.S. 



Dec. 2, at Hertford. — Observations on Spiders ; by F. M. Campbell, 

 F.L.S.,F.Z.S.,F.R.M.S. 



16, at St. Albans. — Homology and Analogy of Plant Organs ; by the 



Rev. George Henslow, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S. 



Several short communications have also heen read, and micro- 

 scopic and other objects of interest have been, exhibited. 



It will be seen that the papers read at the Watford meetings 

 have quite equalled in number and value the average of those of 

 former years ; and it may be added that at no former period has the 

 interest taken by the members in these meetings been greater than 

 in the past year. The last meeting in the year, held at St. Albans, 

 was also eminently successful, alid the prospect of meetings being 

 occasionally held there has induced several of its residents to 

 become members of the Society. 



The meteorological and phonological reports for 1878 have already 

 appeared in the 'Transactions,' and the reports for 1879 will shortly 

 be presented. The number of observers of periodical natural 

 phenomena continues to increase, observations having been taken 

 in 1879 at Hertford and Sawbridge worth, as well as at the former 

 stations — AVatford, St. Albans, Harpenden, Ware, and Odsey. 



On Saturday afternoon, the 19th of April, a visit was paid to the 

 Museum of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, in Jermyn 

 Street, London, where the members were received by Mr. Robert 

 Ethei-idge, F.R.S., the Palseontologist to the Survey, who gave an 

 accoimt of the origin of the Museum ; showed how its chief feature 

 was to exemplify the applications of the mineral productions of the 

 British Islands and our Colonies to purposes of use and ornament, 

 hence being called the " Musetira of Practical Geology" ; explained 

 in detail the contents of what is known as the "horse-shoe case," 

 which is devoted to the illustration of non-metallic minerals and 

 their uses ; and gave information on other objects in the Museum, 

 including various modela, and boring, blasting, and other machines. 

 About two hours were thus spent in the Museum, and under the 

 guidance of Mr. Etheridge the members present had an opportunity 

 of acquiring information which they could not have had in any 

 other way, their appreciation of which was evidenced by the cordial 

 vote of thanks Mr. Etheridge received at the conclusion of the visit. 



A larger number of Eield Meetings were held than in any pre- 

 vious year, all that were projected having been carried out ; and, 

 as far as the weather permitted, all were successful. Of the six 

 meetings held, the first, second, and fourth were on fine days, and 

 the third, fifth, and sixth on wet days. The following are the 

 dates of these meetings, and the localities visited : — 



May 3. — Abbot's Langley and Leavesden. 



17. — Colne Valley Water-works, and Colney Butts and Hagden Lane 



Gravel Pits, Watford. 



31. — Rickmansworth Common Moor. 



June 14. — Harpenden, Rothamsted, and Redbourn Bury. 



25.— Tewin Water, Digswell, and Ayot Green, Welwyn. 



July 12. — Chiltern Green, Luton. 



