( scxxai >) 
panies, where each component species is admittedly protected, 
some certainly and the rest presumably, by offensive and dis- 
tasteful secretions, there did not apparently exist the same 
necessity for exact imitation as was demanded in the case of 
the Batesian mimicries, when the very existence of the unpro- 
tected edible individual and species depended on the closest 
simulation of the protected inedible form. The opinion had 
been expressed that in the latter cases mimicry had some- 
times been carried to an exactness in minutie quite unneces- 
sary; but he thought that no one, who considered the life 
conditions under which these mimicries had been brought 
about—the intensity of competition, the overwhelming fer- 
tility, the complex inter-relations of organisms, so charac- 
teristic of tropical regions, could seriously conclude that these 
special modes of protection could by any possibility be too 
perfect. We might rest assured that imitations so complete 
as many of them are would certainly not exist if they had not 
become necessary. 
In the discussion of these extremely interesting phenomena 
it was only too evident how great was the need for prolonged 
and continuous systematic study of the living forms in their 
natural environment. The collector in tropical regions, 
however able and enlightened, and however desirous of con- 
tributing to the elucidation of these and kindred problems, 
was too much hampered by the hindrances and interruptions 
incident to his main occupation to admit of his undertaking 
such a series of observations as was essential. What was 
wanted were Diological Stations dealing with the terrestrial 
fauna on the lines of late so successfully followed in marine 
biological research. 
The discussion was then adjourned till June 2. 
June 2nd, 1897. 
Mr. R. Tren, F.R.S., President, in the Chair. 
The President referred to the great loss which the Society 
had sustained by the death of Dr. Fritz Miiller, one of its 
Honorary Fellows, and to his distinguished services in the 
