280 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



In no position of the scale could he see the studs as upstanding 

 processes, and in torn and also in uninjured scales which lay on their 

 outer surface, the first thing seen on carefully focussing down was the 

 thin and sometimes finely-beaded deeper membrane of the scale and 

 the head of the stud ; a slight alteration of focus would next bring 

 into view the base of the stud, the coarse ribs, and the delicate super- 

 ficial membrane. He consequently believed the studs to be buttresses 

 or j)illars, whose bases were attached to the superficial costate mem- 

 brane, and whose rounded heads were fixed to the deeper membrane. 

 If this interjiretation be admitted as true, he thought that the structure 

 in question might give strength to the scale. An analogous instance 

 might be seen in the wing-case of many beetles (Dytiscus, &c.). In 

 this case pillars connected the two membranes of the wing, apparently 

 to give strength, and to afford a space in which the trachea, &c., might 

 ramify ; these pillars had been mistaken by some for modified crystals, 

 but their real nature could readily be detected by examining a 

 vertical section of the wing-case. 



He fancied that the purpose served by the scales referred to might 

 be to maintain at a favourable angle for catching the light the large 

 iridescent scales ; indeed, that they might be compared to the true tail 

 feathers of the peacock, which are short, strong, and plainly coloured, 

 being used to support the brightly-coloured feathers of the back, which 

 constitute the false tail. 



Donations to the Library and Cabinet from April 3rd to May 1st, 

 1872 :— 



From 



Land and Water. Weekly The Editor. 



Nature. Weekly Ditto. 



Athenaeum. Weekly Ditto. 



Society of Arts Journal The Society. 



Journal of the London Institution, No. 14 The Institution. 



Popular Science Review, No. 43 Editor. 



President's Address and Report of the Wtst Kent Natural 



History Society for 1871 Society. 



Der Vogelschutz. Von G. R. V. Frauenfeld Author. 



Die uHscren Kulturpflanzen sch'adlichen lusektcn. Von Gustav 



Kiinstler Ditto. 



Ueber die Weizenverwiisterin Chlorops tseniopus Meig und die 



Mittel zu ihrer Bekampfung. Von Professor Dr. Max Nowicki Ditto. 

 Die Grundlagen des Vogelschutzgesetzes. Von G. R. von 



Frauenfeld Ditto. 



Die Pflege der Jungen bci Thieren. Von G. R. von Fraiienfeld Ditto. 

 Verliandluijgen der Kaiserlich-Koniglichen Zoologisch-botanis- 



chen Gesellschaft in Wien, 1871 Society. 



Bulletin de la Societe' Botanique de France, 18G9-70 and 1871 Ditto. 



Edward Harris, Esq., was elected a Fellow of the Society. 



Walter W. Reeves, 



Assist.-Secretary, 



