HOLMESDALE NATURAL HISTORTf CLUB, 7 



of the perfect female insect. He explained the cases or tents made 

 by Talaeporia and Solenobia, and related the ground of Mr. Boyd's 

 difference with Mr. Harding's surmises as to the perennial appear- 

 ance of the females in a winged state, and the position at present 

 occupied by those enquiring into the matter; and suggested that 

 the problem might possibly be solved by a similar power to that 

 belonging to the hive-bee, of the queen producing sexes at will. 

 He went through many of the Tineinse or Clothes-moth group, 

 pointing out their differences as well as consistencies of habit. He 

 also described the oval case-makers among the Long-horns, and 

 case-making Gelechidae and Antispila, closing with a detailed account 

 of the family Coleophora. He exhibited specimens of the various 

 cases and many of the perfect insects in illustration of his subject, 

 and also showed two cases made of the florets of the sea-pink, 

 Statice limonium, which he believed would prove to be a perfectly 

 new and distinct species 



Evening Meeting, March lOth, 1876. An exhibition of 

 microscopes and microscopical objects took place, to which members 

 introduced their friends. Fourteen microscopes were exhibited by 

 members and visitors, the objects shown including a considerable 

 variety. 



Evening Meeting, April 1th, 1876. Mr. J. B. Crosfield read 

 some notes on some of the less known birds occurring in the district, 

 alluding in them to the Dartford Warbler and the Black Grouse as 

 occurring atLeith Hill; also mentioning having observed the Pochard 

 and Tufted Duck on the large lake in Gatton Park, the former in 

 March 1875, and the latter in March 1876. He alluded also to the 

 frequency of the Cirl Bunting in the neighbourhood, mentioning 

 some points of difference between its nest and eggs and those of the 

 Yellowamraer. He referred to the abundance of the Hawfinch as 

 compared with some years ago, and spoke also of the Crossbill, 

 Brambling, three sorts of Woodpecker and other species. 



Dr. Bossey exhibited under the microscope the spores of Equisetum 

 arvense, each of which was seen to have four filaments, club-shaped 

 at the end, attached to it. These are so susceptible to moisture 

 that they immediately become curled up spirally if merely the 

 moistened hand is placed near them, and when the source of 

 moisture is removed they expand again instantly. 



He also showed a drawing of a crystal produced on a surface of 

 water when slowly frozen in a condition of absolute stillness, when 

 the true crystalline form is exhibited. 



