PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 383 
On behali of Mr. J. B. Mirrlees, Mr. George Russell exhibited 
Nepenthes ampullaria, Jack, a native of Borneo, which was intro- 
duced to this country about 1789. Mr. Russel] also exhibited a 
variegated sport of this season from a chrysanthemum, var. 
* Achievement.” In connection with this, Mr. Russell read some 
notes on the origin of sports, in which he stated as his opinion, 
~ based on the observations of thirty years, that hybridism was the 
principal cause of all sports. 
Mr. David Robertson, LL.D., F.L.S., F.G.S., communicated a 
paper dealing with the nest-building habits of Lima hians, Gmel. 
(See page 331.) 
The Rev. David Landsborough, Corresponding Member, read a 
paper entitled “An Introduction to the Botany of Ayrshire.” In 
this paper the physical features of the county were described, and 
details given of the range of temperature, annual rainfall, &c. 
The success which had attended the attempts at the cultivation 
of exotic ornamental trees was enlarged upon. A long list of 
such plants, which had been reared under Mr. Landsborough’s 
observation, and particulars of their behaviour under the influence 
of our climate, were given. 
The following gifts to. the Library were laid on the table :—(1) 
Muirhead’s “Birds of Berwickshire” (2 vols.), from Mr. H. J. 
Tennant, M.P.; and (2) Mrs. Blackburn’s “ Birds from Moidart ~ 
and Elsewhere,” from Mr. Alexander A. Ferguson, F.S.A.Scot. 
28rH January, 1896. 
Professor Thomas King, President, in the chair. 
Mr. Robert H. Read, M.B.O.U., was elected as a Corresponding 
Member. 
Mr. William Leighton, 91 Union Street, and Mr. R. Taylor, 
50 Lime Street, Oatlands, were elected as Ordinary Members. 
On behalf of the Council, Mr. R. D. Wilkie moved the follow- 
ing alterations in the Constitution:—Chapter VIII., Section 1, 
_ to read— The business of the Society shall be managed by a 
Council of twenty-one, consisting of a President, three Vice- 
Presidents, twelve Councillors, two Secretaries, a Treasurer, a 
Librarian, and an Editor of Transactions, who shall take office for 
