10 



broken in two or more places ; in this state the leaf is laid in a damp 

 hothouse, on sand or very fine gravel, and after a time roots spring 

 from the broken ribs, and plants are soon formed. Specimens illus- 

 trating this process were exhibited. 



A box containing a fine series of the genus Heliconia, from 

 Cayenne, was exhibited by the President, with the object of showing 

 that, in this family of butterflies, markings and colour had little to do 

 with specific differences : red, yellow, and black, seemed to be infi- 

 nitely varied in the specimens ; and what would probably form seven 

 or eight species, when taken separately, were clearly varieties of the 

 old and well-known Heliconia Melpomone. 



He then explained and illustrated by a series of specimens, which 

 he placed on the table, the varied characters and peculiarities of the 

 organs of flight in the different families of insects, showing how 

 admirably nature has provided these small creatures with wiugs suit- 

 able to their particular method of life. 



March 9th, 1866. — Mr. Watney gave an interesting account of a 

 pair of Cockatoos, which he sent for presentation to the Club at a 

 previous Meeting. The specimens were shot near Dorking ; but 

 whether they had escaped from confinement, or had voluntarily made 

 their way to this countiy, there is no evidence to show. The species 

 is Cacatua Eos, Lees, the Ptosebreasted Cocliatoo, and is a native of 

 the interior and northern portions of Australia, also of the south of 

 Africa, and is sometimes seen in very large flocks. Mr. AVatney 

 read an interesting description of the species from a printed paper 

 which he presented to the Club. It has a peculiar flight, and the 

 whole flock turning together show the rose-colour of the under surface 

 with pretty effect. 



The President exhibited a Cucumber leaf from Clifton, near 

 Bristol, which was attacked by a small fungus appearing in minute 

 black round puff-ball looking masses spread over the leaf in many 

 places, which he believed to be a kind of Erysipbe. This minute 

 fungus had been very destructive during the winter months to the 

 forced cucumbers in the neighbourhood of Bristol. He also brought 

 for exhibition a series of Insects obtained from the north island of 

 the Japan Archipelago, which were remarkable for their great simi- 



