112 



stomachs of the freshwater mussel (Mi/a margaritifera) in the Dee, 

 about eighteen miles inland. 



4. Notice of a New Species of Spiridens, and deceptions of two 

 New Species of Ferns from Tahiti, by Dr. Greville. This beautiful 

 moss, of which only one other species was hitherto known, has been 

 named Spiridens Balfouriana by Dr. Greville. It was sent to the So- 

 ciety by Dr. Sibbald, H.M.S. Grampus, from Tahiti. The ferns, 

 which have been named Oleandra Sibbaldii, Grev., and Grammitis 

 blechnoides, Grev., were likewise sent from Tahiti, by Dr. Sibbald. 

 Drawings were exhibited to the meeting. 



Dr. Balfour exhibited beautiful specimens of tussac grass, in fine 

 flower, from the Island of Lewis. 



Dr. Dickie sent notice of the discovery of Diphyscium foliosum and 

 Buxbaumia aphylla, in Aberdeenshire, by Mr. Alex. Cruikshanks — 

 the former 40 miles inland, and 1,400 feet above the sea; the latter at 

 an elevation of 800 feet. 



Alex. Donkin, Esq., 11, Norton Place, was elected an ordinary fel- 

 low; and Mr. D. Boyle, Geelong, Australia, was admitted an associate 

 of the Society. 



The anniversary supper afterwards took place in the Cafe Royal — 

 the President in the chair ; Dr. Balfour, croupier. — W. W. E. 



"Description of a new British Mould. By George Johnston, 



M.D., &c." 



(Extracted from the ' Proceedings of the Berwickshire Natural History Society.') 



" I am willing to believe, with my Lord Bacon, that Mould ' is 

 something between putrescence and a plant.' It settles a much 

 mooted point as well as any other theory has yet done. Organic 

 substance, in a state of decay, is mould's fruitful matrix, — life from 

 death, — the ever-yearning change from a worse to a better condition ; 

 for life, even in this its lowest state, is better certainly than sad cor- 

 ruption. And how beautiful are many moulds, when, with the micro- 

 scope, we discover Nature's handicraft in them to the eye of sense ! 

 We can scarcely but believe that they have a sort of enjoyment in 

 their life, and in the evolution of their symmetrical figures. One sort 

 is now vigorous and abundant on some plants in my little ' green- 

 house,' where it is as noxious as the green-fly or Aphis ; and it is 



