284 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



Itepoi'ts were submitted on Excursions to Calderwood Glen 

 (page 241), Auchaiis and Dundonald (page 241), Aucliendrane 

 (page 244), and Monkland and Woodhall (page 245). 



Dr. Thomas Beath Henderson exhibited specimens of 

 Silyhura brevis, Gunther, and S. macrolepis, Peters, two 

 species of Indian Shield-tailed Snake. After describing the 

 general features of the Uropeltida;, to which these small-sized 

 reptiles belong, he referred to the characteristics of the genus 

 SUybura, and drew attention, in particular, to the remarkable 

 formation of the tail, which is well adapted to the earth- 

 burrowing habits of the species. This was more fully 

 illustrated by means of a drawing carefully prepared by Miss 

 Henderson. 



Mr. Alexander Ross exhibited a female specimen of Didea 

 alneti, Fallen, taken on Inch Connachan, Loch Lomond, on 15th 

 June, and apparently the first record for the West of Scotland. 

 He stated that the species is but little known in England, there 

 being only three records of individual specimens given by Mr. 

 Verrall in his work on the Syrphidaj of Great Britain, viz., 

 a male in Worcestershire, August, 1894; a female near 

 Birmingham, August, 1895 ; and a female in Herefordshire, 

 August, 1895. An account was given of the characteristics of 

 the genus Didea, which is closely allied to Syrphus, and is 

 represented in Europe by three known species, all of which 

 occur in Britain. 



Mr. Ross also showed a nest of a species of Weaver-bird, 

 from the neighbourhood of Poonah, upon which he made some 

 remarks. 



Mr. John Smith, Corresponding Member, exhibited specimens 

 of Ranunculus auricomus, L., from Barwharrie, Ochiltree; 

 and a variety of Polypodium vulgare, L., with forking pinna?, 

 from Giffordland, Dairy. 



Mr. John Renwick exhibited liuincx Ilydrolapathum, 

 Huds., and Scruphularla alaUi, Gilib., from Woodhall; also 

 J£sculus flava, Ait. {— Favia flava, Moench), from Monkland 

 House. 



Mr. Peter Ewing, F.L.S., showed a specimen of Poa 

 Chaixii, Vill., from Auchendrane. 



Mr. D. A. Boyd showed specimens of Neckera cumplaiiata 



