133 



Mr. Byerley exhibited a specimen of tbe iiudibranch Dcto Coronata, 

 found on the dock wall between Seacombe and Birkenhead. 



Dr. Thomson showed a new bark, from tlie Clarence river, which 

 contained a powerful alkaloid, the nature of which had not been 

 ascertained, from the smallness of the specimen received. It was 

 suggested that it resembled strychnia rather than quinine, but nothing 

 positive could be stated. 



The first paper of the evening was then read — 



ON COLOUR PATTERNS IN NATURAL PRODUCTIONS. 

 By the EEV. H. H. HIGGINS, M.A., Vioe-Pbesident. 



The patterns formed by colour in animals or vegetables possess an 

 interest which is in some respects peculiar. This interest is dis- 

 tinguished and heightened by our inabilty to assign the proximate 

 reasons which have determined the pattern in any particular instance. 



In peculiarities of form or structure, we are usually able to trace 

 what are termed adaptations to certain ends. For e.xample, in 

 ornithology, the bills of various birds are described as long or short, 

 blunt or pointed, hard or soft, and so forth ; and in correspondence 

 with these variations, we find one bird procuring its food under stones, 

 another from the seeds of the pine tree, another from the marsh, or in 

 the air whilst on the wing. 



We say the bill is adapted to the habits and requirements of the 

 bird ; and the observation of facts of this nature constitutes one of 

 the chief sources of delight in the pursuit of natural history. 



I do not at all question that this is a right source of gratification, 

 though to look somewhat deeper, these adaptations seem to me to 

 involve a mystery, and to take for granted far more than we really 

 know respecting the creative idea. 



If, for instance, the snipe's bill be an adaptation, then in the order of 

 the creative idea, though not necessarily of the creative act, there was 

 a sequence. A bird was to be made to feed in a marsh, and a suitable 

 bill was provided. But what was the idea of the bird before the bill 

 was thought out ? The feet and wings are adaptations too. What 

 was the idea of the bird before any of these adaptations were added? 

 But if the creative idea comprised at once the bird and its habits, then, 

 strictly speaking, no part taken by itself is an adaptation. 



It may be said that the admirers of adaptations in nature mean no 

 more than that they perceive and admire a certain fitness and propriety 

 in the construction of certain organs when regarded in connexion with 

 their uses. And this is perfectly just so long as tlie whole production 



