xii Proceedings, 



did occur, and might even be perpetuated by a continuity of the 

 altered conditions. Such variation being tlie result of a struggle 

 on the part of the organism to put itself in complete correspon- 

 dence or accord with its environment (Trans., Art. 103). 



Sept. 14i/i. — "On the Composition of the Hearthstone obtained 

 from Betchworth, microscopically considered," by Mr. Murtou 

 Holmes. The stone which had been collected on the Bank 

 holiday excursion, August 1st, was when first quarried of a dull 

 greenish colour, but dries of a greyish tint, and is rather harder. 

 The microscopic organisms discovered are stated in the paper 

 (Trans., Art. 104). " Observations on the Emergence of the 

 Crane Fly, Tipula oleracea," by Mr. C. H. Goodman. In which 

 position and movements of the pupa, and the method in which 

 the imago frees itself, were carefully desci'ibed (Trans., Art. 105). 

 " On a Series of Fire-making appliances from Rajpootana, 

 India," by the President. This paper gave a description of two 

 classes of appliances, namely, the friction and the percussion 

 methods. The former were represented by the usual twirl stick 

 and hearth, and was found in use amongst the Bhiels, a native 

 aboriginal tribe, whilst the latter was illustrated by steels and 

 pieces of chalcedony, agate, and other silicate rocks. These 

 were obtained in Hindoo country villages (Trans., Art. 106). 

 Besides these papers, Dr. Franklin Parsons gave an interesting 

 account of fossil ostraeas. Mr. Kenneth McKean described the 

 occurrence of a variety of rianorbis albiis. Mr. W. Low Sarjeant 

 gave particulars of a fine series of laud and fresh water shells 

 shown by him. Mr. Berney exhibited and described a collection 

 of Lepidoptera made by him in the New Forest, and Mr. 

 Crowley showed a series of butterflies of the genus Colias from 

 the palfe-arctic region. 



Oct. 12th.—" On the Mouths of Insects," by Mr. C. H. Good- 

 man. In which the organs and general structure of the various 

 forms of mouth were described, showing how, although the same 

 general plan obtained in nearly all cases, a very decided differ- 

 ence occurred owing to the development of some particular part, 

 or the devolution through absence of requirement of another 

 part. The paper was illustrated by a large number of lantern 

 slides of micro-photographs and diagrams shown by the optical 

 lantern (Trans., Art. 107). 



Nov. 9th.— By Mr. H. M. Wallis (President of the Beading 

 Literary and Scientific Society) on "The Descent of the Bird." 

 Tlie lecturer began his discourse by a defence of the theory of 

 evolution, and said that at first sight there did not appear to be 

 much connection between a tom-fit and an alligator, yet he 

 would trace the bnd structure back to that of the great Saurians 

 of the trias and other geological epochs, thus giving to birds a 

 reptilian ancestor. After describing the earlier remains of fossil 



