PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. a Rays 
in 1883, and one of its vice-presidents from that date until his 
death. 
Among his varied scientific tastes, botany occupied the foremost 
place. He was present at the meeting held on 2nd July, 1851, at 
which the Natural History Society of Glasgow was instituted, 
and he was elected a member of the Society on 4th November 
following. At the time of his death he was the oldest Ordinary 
Member, and during the long period of his connection with the — 
Society he took a warm interest in its prosperity. 
He was also a member of the Glasgow Archeological Society 
from the date of its foundation in 1856, and was admitted to the 
Geological Society of Glasgow in 1866. 
He was, moreover, a Justice of the Peace for the counties of 
Stirling and Dumbarton, and was for many years an elder in 
Free St. James’s Church, Glasgow. 
In 1864 he married Helen Catherine, daughter of Mr? William 
Leckie Ewing of Arngomery. One child was born of this union, 
but died in infancy. 
Sir Michael Connal’s temperament was essentially energetic, 
and he bore well the weight of advancing years. His death took 
place at his residence of Parkhall, Stirlingshire, on the morning 
of 6th July, after a short illness. By his decease, one of the 
most notable links between the past and present life of the city 
has been broken, and a blank created in its business, social, 
educational, and philanthropical circles, which will not readily be 
filled up. As a wise counsellor and generous benefactor, his 
name will continue to be held in grateful and affectionate 
remembrance in the community with which he was so long and 
so intimately connected. 
Eee 
Reports were submitted on recent excursions to Woodside, 
Paisley, on 27th June (see page 112); Pitcon Glen, Kilbirnie, on 
Ist July (p. 113); Pollok, on mh July (p. 115); and Troon, on 
~ 5th August (p. 116). 
Mr. Robert Dunlop exhibited a series of photographs of birds’ 
nests with eggs. He also showed spores of cryptogamic plants 
from coal. 
Professor Thomas King showed a large caterpillar, from New 
Zealand, having a parasitic fungus (apparently allied to Cordyceps) 
growing from its body. 
OS 
