139 



sac is ramified by a network of veins, which all lead into a main 

 artery, which is visible on the surface on the left side. Figs. 5 and 

 6 show gradual absorption of the sac-nutriment and consequent 

 growth of the body — the fins becoming rayed, and colour forming 

 -on the body. Figs. 7 and 8 show a further diminution of the sac 

 and enlargement of the body. The greyish colour becoming 

 stronger and the fins more developed. At this stage also the 

 ■creature begins to feed on tiny water animals, although the sac is 

 not entirely absorbed. Fig. 9. The fry has lost its sac completely 

 and is in every way a complete fish. The blotches along the sides 

 will ultimately give rise to the zebra marking of the "Parr" or 

 the second stage of the salmon. 



Mr. Step exhibited a series of fresh specimens of the discomy- 

 cetous fungus Helvella lacunosa, and pointed out that though the 

 typical colour was described as blackish- grey or dark grey, these 

 few examples showed a gradation from almost black to almost 

 white, and appeared to include the form known as Helvella fusca, 

 which was distinguished chiefly by the under surface of the pileus 

 being strongly marked with swollen veins. Helvella cHspa, the 

 commoner white species, had a stem much thicker at the base, 

 tapering upwards, and extreme forms of the black and white were 

 so distinct that they might be justifiably regarded as separate 

 species ; but where these specimens grew it was possible to gather 

 a sufficient number of examples to show a gradual transition from 

 the thick-stemmed white (crispa) to the almost black, with narrow, 

 • equal stem {laciijiosa). He strongly suspected that the three 

 " species " named were, after all, only forms of one species. 



In the general remarks on the exhibits, several members 

 ■remarked as to the occurrence of a third brood of Celastrina 

 arijiolns. That there were frequently three appearances, or an 

 emergence prolonged more or less throughout the summer, most 

 were agreed, but as to there being three successive broods in 

 nature was a matter of doubt up to the present. It was stated by 

 Mr. Rayward that it was not possible to force the species. Dr. 

 •Chapman said that its characteristic was to hibernate as a pupa, 

 and from his experience on the continent of Europe, he emphasized 

 the tendency of the insect to be continuously brooded. Mr. Bright 

 said that, in 1911, he noted the species at Bournemouth from March 

 ■to October ; while Mr. Sheldon thought that the question was a 

 matter of locality, the farther south that the species occurred the 

 nearer it attained to continuous broods. 



