Trnvsnrtiorifi. 87 



Srd April, 1885. 



Dr Gilchrist, President, in the Chair. Thirty-eight 

 members present. 



JVeio Member. — Dr Collie, Castle Street, Dumfries. 



Donations. — Mr Coles presented eighteen specimens of the 

 genus Hy])num. The Secretary laid on the table the Transactions 

 of the Huddersfield Natural History Society, Vol. I. of the 

 Journal of the New York Microscopic Society, gifts from the 

 respective societies ; also several pamphlets on lake dwellings as 

 a donation from Mr G. F. Black. 



Exhibits. — Mr Rutherford exhibited specimens of the Red 

 Admiral, Vanessa Atalanta, and the Painted Lady, Cynthia 

 Cardui, and remarked that these butterflies were very rare in 

 this district in the preceding summer. He also exhibited the 

 larva of the Puss Moth, Cernra venula. 



The Society's New Rooms. — The Secretary intimated that since 

 the February meeting the committee held three meetings in con- 

 nection with the Presbytery House scheme, and he submitted the 

 following minute, which the committee had unanimously adopted, 

 viz. : — " That the scheme to arrange for the use of the old Pres- 

 bytery House be approved of on the condition that sufficient 

 subscriptions be received to cover the expense of necessary 

 repairs and alterations." After a short discussion, on the motion 

 of the Secretary, seconded by Mr W. M'Dowall, vice-president, 

 it was agreed " That this meeting approves of the action of the 

 committee ; they were to further consider the sclieme, and 

 report at a future meeting called for the purpose, before deciding 

 thereon." 



Field Meetings. — It was agreed tliat the summer Field Meet, 

 ings be held as follows : — May, to Spottes Glen ; June, to 

 Parton ; July, Thornhill District ; August, Bridge of Dee and 

 Brig House Bay ; September, Burnswark Camp. 



Communications. 



I. A Leaflet from the Book of Nature. By Mr F. R. Coles. 



Nature has but one volume and one language, and reveals 

 herself to us through but one great channel of communication. 

 From the sparkling of the remotest star to the gleam of 

 ephemeral life in the lowest polyp there is for humanity but one 



