142 Transactions. 



owls, a kestrel, and a golden-eye ; a stoat; and also "A History 

 of the Birds of New Zealand," by W. L. Buller. Major Bowden 

 presented eleven volumes of the Philosophical Journal. The 

 Secretary laid on the table the Transactions of the Berwickshire 

 Naturalists' Field Club ; the Second Annual Report of the U. S. 

 Geological Survey, as a donation from the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion ; and called tlie attention of the meeting to the handsome 

 clock which had been placed in the rooms as a donation from Mr 

 J. C. M'Lean. 



Exhibits. — The Chairman exhibited a gold coin found near 

 Thornhill, of tlie reign of Robert II. Mr Wallace exhibited the 

 small tortoise-shell butterfly, and remarked that he had found 

 half a dozen of the species at Terreglestown during the past week. 



Communications. 



I. Sonic Practical Suggestions. By Mr J. G. H. Starke, 



Vice-President. 



An interesting discussion followed the reading of this jjaper. 



II. At Aberdeen with the British Association. By Mr J. Shaw. 



Mr Sliaw, in this paper, described the various interesting places 

 visited by the Association, and briefly noticed some of the iiii- 

 portant scientific papers that were read at the conference. 



III. A Gossip aboxd Lichens. By Mr P. Gray. 

 In this paper, which was illustrated by a number of specimens, 

 the author referred to the successful investigations made by Mr 

 M 'Andrew in Galloway, and regretted that so little was known 

 of the Lichens of Dumfriesshire. He suggested that the mem- 

 bers should collect as many of these as possible, and forward 

 them to Mr M 'Andrew or some other authority for identification, 

 for by so doing they would not only make themselves acquainted 

 with these interesting plants, but further the advancement of 

 science. Mr Gray next described the Lichens, their place in 

 nature, their habitats, their impatience of atmospheric and otlier 

 impurities, and remarked that their luxuriance was one of the 

 tests of the healthiness of a climate. He recommended that tlie 

 collectors should examine all the stone-dykes, and visit the 

 Lochar Moss, and the woods of Dalscone, Carlaverock, and Kirk- 

 michael. The collector of Lichens should carry a strong sharp 



