clii Proceedings. 



F.G.S., on a "Discovery of Chert containing Radiolaria, &c., in 

 the Paleozoic Rocks," which was illustrated by some sections of 

 chert showing these organisms, which were from Scotland and 

 Spitzbergen. This discovery, which is of great interest, proves 

 the existence in these older rocks of sponge spicules and Eadio- 

 larians, which had not hitherto been known to extend so far back 

 as the palaeozoic period (Trans., Art. 80). The Rev. Geo. Bailey, 

 F.E.M.S., read a paper entitled " The Tenants of a Fossil 

 Echimis," in which he first described the process of cleaning the 

 material for microscopic examination : he then enumerated forty- 

 five species of Foraminifera which he had obtained from a single 

 silicified Echinus, all of which he had determined, and which 

 were exhibited on the table. This paper, with lists of species, 

 will be found in our ' Transactions ' (Trans., Art. 81). 



May 14(/i. — Mr. H. T. Mennell, F.L.S., read a report upon a 

 large collection of Surrey birds recently sold, but fortunately 

 retained in the county (Trans., Art. 82), Several rare specimens 

 were referred to, and the locahties where killed mentioned. The 

 risk of losing such local collections as this is a powerful argu- 

 ment in favour of forming a suitable county museum, to which, 

 it would be hoped, all such collections, or individual objects of 

 Surrey interest, would ultimately tend. I read a short paper 

 upon some simple methods of preparing marine objects, especially 

 MoUusca, Crustacea, and Echinodermata, for the cabinet : 

 pointing out that the chief point to keep in view was the 

 retention of form and colour, which could only be done with care 

 and non-exposure to heat or direct sun-light, as the former dis- 

 torts and the latter bleaches (Trans., Art. 83). 



September IQth. — The following communications were read, 

 viz.:—{l). By Mr. H. T. Mennell, F.L.S., " On the Botany of 

 Snowdon and Cader Idi-is," in which the very interesting flora 

 of these mountain spots was described and illustrated by a col- 

 lection of dried specimens (Trans., Art. 84). (2). By Mr. P. 

 Crowley, F.L.S., " On an Abnormal Growth of the Black Poplar," 

 the root shoots of which had forced up a piece of asphalt path, 

 and in its endeavour to grow had become highly subdivided and 

 bifurcated. (3). By Mr. J. Jenner Weir, F.L.S., " On some 

 remarkable points of resemblance between some flies (Volucella) 

 and some bees (Bombus)," the larvae of the former being 

 parasitic on those of the latter ; hence probably this mimicry 

 for protection, to enable the enemy to enter the nests of the bees 

 and deposit their eggs (Trans., Art. 85). (4). By Mr. Goodman, 

 " On the Geology of the Swanage and Purbeck Districts," in 

 which the interesting strata and fossils of this locality were des- 

 cribed (Trans., Art. 86). (5). By Mr. Murton Holmes, "On 

 some Glauconite Casts of Organisms from the Firestone of the 

 Lower Green sand Formation at Godstone," which were of a 



