Transactions. 5 
Charles I., found at Greystone, by Mr W. Rae, Queen’s Place ; a 
Land-rail (crea pratensis) by Mr J. T. Scott. 
Lahibits.—The mummified remains of a cat and rat—the cat 
having its teeth firmly fixed in the neck of the rat—found in that 
posture after the fire at the London Stock Exchange, were 
exhibited by Mr Graham. Miss Burnet exhibited a number of 
Indian curiosities, including a brass tray, ear-rings, a necklet 
and necklace made of coral, two serpents’ skins, the nest of the 
tailor bird, and a humming bird. 
CoMMUNICATIONS. 
I. The Sociological Value of Entomology. By D. Suarp, M.B. 
Dr Sharpe read an interesting paper on the above subject, in 
which he stated that the estimated number of insects on the globe 
was nearly 2,000,000 different species, and that it would take the 
work of a life-time to investigate the life history, the distribution 
on the face of the earth, and the relation to others of a single species. 
He pointed out the great importance of entomology in being able 
to discriminate friends from foes, as well as the benefits to be 
derived by it from an educational and recreative point of view. 
Referring to the wonderful variety in the size and structure of 
insects, he exhibited a beetle (Ptiliwm eacavatum), forty of which — 
would be required to make a heap the size of an ordinary toilet 
pin’s head ; and yet it consisted of an external skeleton, com- 
posed of 150 or 200 articulated pieces corresponding to bones, 
and within the skeleton there was a vast number of muscles, a 
complicated nervous system, and complex circulatory, respiratory, 
&c., apparatus, analogous to the internal organs in the larger 
animals. 
Il. The Museums of Brussels. By Mr J. Gipson Starke, V.-P. 
In this paper, Mr Starke described the principal museums of 
Brussels, and enumerated the natural history and antiquarian 
specimens interesting to the members who might visit that city. 
7th December, 1883. 
Dr Gincurist, President, in the Chair. Thirty-seven 
members present. 
New Members.—Messrs A. Innes, Inland Revenue; W. Baird, 
