Proceedings. xlv. 
Mr. E. R. Pearce read a paper on ‘“‘ The History and Uses 
of British Medicinal Plants,” and therein described the history 
and medical properties of the Foxglove (D. purpurea), Early 
Purple Orchis (O. mascula), Common Polypody, (P. vulgare), 
Hemlock (C. maculatum), Agrimony (A. eupatoria), Henbane 
(Hyocyamus niger), Adder’s Tongue (O. vulgatum), Bitter Sweet 
(S. dulcamara), Burdock (A. lappa), White Poppy (P. somnife- 
tum), Comfrey (S. officinale), Monkshood (A. napellus), Meadow 
Saffron (C. autumnale), and the Darnel (Lolium temulentum). 
The paper was illustrated by numerous dried specimens of the 
plants described. ; 
A discussion followed the paper, in which the President, 
Mr. P. Crowley, and Dr. Shorthouse took part, the PRESIDENT 
calling particular attention to the poisonous qualities of many 
of the plants described, and to the remarkable way in which 
the same poisons often effected different animals, some animals 
being able to eat it with impunity, whilst to others it proved 
rapidly fatal. He also pointed out that nearly all the plants 
described by Mr. Pearce were to be found wild in the imme- 
diate neighbourhood of Croydon. 
The following members exhibited objects :—A. Bennett, books 
on botany; R. F. Crafton, works on medicinal botany; Thomas 
Compton, wing of lace fly, gall fly, illustration of medicinal 
plants; E. Gill, Mesogloia virescens; H. M. Klaassen, 
transverse section of Scotch fir; E. Lovett, Long-eared Owl, 
shot at Shirley, Diatomacee, from London clay, Isle of 
Sheppy; W. L. Sarjeant, British land and fresh water shells ; 
E. B. Sturge, various works on botany; A. Warner, section of 
Tape-worm. : 
Ordinary Meeting, March 17th, 1880. 
Joun Fiower, M.A., F.Z.S., President, in the Chair. 
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. 
Mr. ALFRED RussEL WALLACE read an important and 
- highly interesting paper ‘‘On the peculiar species of the 
British Fauna and Flora.’ (See p. 58). 
The following objects were exhibited :—A. R. Wallace, case 
of lepidoptera, from the Isle ef Man, showing in some species 
a remarkable diminution in the size of the wings as compared 
with the members of the same species in England ; P. Crowley, 
ser’es of stuffed birds of the peculiar British species ; E. Lovett, 
Nephrops Norvegicus, from coast of Northumberland; curious 
varieties of thetigermoth ; W. Adamson, specimens of Spence’s 
metal; J. H. Baldock, deposit in milk; K. McKean, Planorbis 
