94 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 
importance to distinguish it from the true V. tricolor, the one form 
passing almost imperceptibly into the other. The true V. tricolor 
is, however, a stouter plant than /. arvensis, and is often biennial, 
or even perennial: both flower from spring until very late 
autumn. 
Thus we conclude our chapter on Violets. Much could be said 
on the various references made to them by the poets—their ‘old 
associations ’’—their properties, real and imaginary: but space 
for this is wanting. "We may mention that we shall be very glad 
to receive specimens of either V. sylvatica or V. canina from any 
part of the county, in a fresh state, for examination: and should 
these few remarks lead to the discovery of V. Reichenbachiana, we 
shall, indeed, have our reward. 
JAMES BRITTEN. 
Proceedings of the Society. 
Tuirp Eventne Meetine, Jan. 15.—Held by kind permission, at the 
house of John Parker, Esq. Tea and coffee were, as usual, kindly provided, 
and there was a large attendance of members and friends. The President 
read a short paper, furnished by the Rey. W. H. Painter, on the remarkable 
caye at Brixham, Devon, which the writer had recently visited. The length 
of the cavern is estimated at 500 yards, while the height now averages 4ft. 
10in.: in it were discovered bones of the Cave Bear, Hyena, and Rabbit, 
with a large antler of a Deer, andsome flint knives. This paper was followed 
by one from Mr. Ullyett on “The Mammalia of High Wycombe.” This 
was read by the Secretary; in it our few wild animals were enumerated, 
and short descriptions of, and notes upon, the more interesting of them were 
given. After an interval for conversation, the President concluded his 
paper on Diatoms, which was illustrated by coloured diagrams; yarious 
natural substances were mentioned, into the composition of which these 
minute organisms enter very largely, as guano, &c. The objects exhibited 
were then inspected ; the President, besides his ever-attractive microscope, 
had brought a gollection of Land and Freshwater Shells, a collection of 
Spiders, a stuffed specimen of the Iguana, and several books. Miss Chandler 
exhibited a yaluable collection of Madeira Ferns, and dried specimens of 
the local Legwminose and Scrophulariacee, which were much admired. A 
fine stuffed Stoat (Mustela Erminea) was shown by Dr. Bowstead, and 
