XXiy PROCEEDINGS OE THE 



General Douglas Hamilton, Woodside, Leavesden, Watford, was 

 proposed as a Member. 



The following communications were read : — ' 



1. "Notes on the Earth-worm." By Alfred T. Brett, M.D. 

 {Tratisactions, Yol. II, p. 143.) 



2. " On a Brood of Pochards reared by a Diver-Duck." By 

 Henry Manser. {Transactions, Yol. II, p. 144.) 



3. " On the Death of a Duck caused by a Leech." By Henry 

 Manser. {Transactions, Yol. II, p. 144.) 



Mr. John E. Littleboy made some remarks on a stuffed specimen 

 of Ilichardson's Skua which had been given to him by Mr. W. 

 Jones Loyd, and which he exhibited ; and Dr. A. T. Brett referred 

 to our want of knowledge as to whether the fruit of Aucuba Japo- 

 nica was poisonous or not, and also gave an account of Dr. Siemens' 

 new theory as to the origin of the sun's heat. 



OEDrNAET Meeting, 27th April, 1882, at Hektfoed. 



F. M. Campbell, Esq., F.L.S., F.Z.S., Vice-President, in the Chair. 



Mr. Hellier Gosselin, Blakesware, Ware, was proposed as a 

 Member of the Society, 



The Chairman said that there was a subject he wished to draw the attention of 

 the meeting to before the ordinary business was proceeded with. Within the last 

 few days this country had lost its greatest natiiralist and 2)hilosopher, Mr. Charles 

 Darwin, who was one of the earliest Honorary Members of the Society. Mr. 

 Darwin's books formed in themselves a whole library of Natural History, teeming 

 with facts which he had himself ascertained, as well as those he had gathered 

 from others with whom he had come in contact. His admirers were not confined 

 to this country, his death being lamented in all places where civilization had 

 reached. As members of the Herts Natural History Society, therefore, he thought 

 that at the first meeting after Mr. Darwin's death it was only right that they 

 should pay some slight tribute to his memory. Although they might feel that 

 the theories of Mr. Darwin were open to discussion, all must agree that he was a 

 man of extraordinary perseverance, of most wonderful talent, gifted with remark- 

 able critical acumen, and at the same time with wonderful powers of generalization. 



The following papers were then read : — 



1. "Notes on the Iliver Ash." By Hellier Gosselin. {Trans- 

 actions, Yol. II, p. 137.) 



2. "Methods by which Members can assist the Recorder of the 

 Arachnida." By E. M. Campbell, E.L.S., F.Z.S., E.R.M.S. 

 {Tra7isactions, Yol. II, p. 141.) 



Bye Meeting, 25th Mat, 1882, at Ware. 



This meeting was devoted to the exhibition of objects of interest 

 in Natural History, and to microscopical study. 



