58 



adder (Viper a herns). Slides were shown to explain the posi- 

 tion, shape, and action of the poison-fangs in snakes, reference 

 also being made to the rattle-snake. 



He contrasted the heads of the poisonous and non- 

 poisonous snakes, pointing out the almost invariably sharply 

 contracted neck of the former. Then he proceeded to 

 describe the sloughing of the skin, the torpor of hibernation, 

 the long fasting periods, and the power of the digestive fluids, 

 which dissolve bones, fur, and feathers as completely as flesh 

 is dissolved. 



MAYgth, 1907. 



Mr. Lucas exhibited a plant of Lycopodium selago, one of 

 the less common club-mosses of the south of England. It 

 was found in the New Forest in April. 



Mr. Stanley Edwards exhibited the Morel, Morchclla 

 esculenta, found at Reigate by Dr. Chapman. Mr. Step 

 remarked that the species did not appear to be plentiful in 

 Surrey, though Mr. Briggs used to get supplies from Ockham. 



Mr. Tonge exhibited specimens of Eupithccia consignata, 

 bred from ova laid . by the female which he captured at 

 Hayling Island last year. 



Messrs. Main, Tonge, Lucas, and Dennis exhibited a large 

 number of lantern slides illustrating protective resemblance 

 in the various stages of Lepidoptera, life-histories of particular 

 species, ova of Lepidoptera, rare plants, trees in different 

 seasons, etc. 



May 23 rd, 1907. 



Mr. Browne exhibited the following species : 



Trachea piniperda, red, intermediate, and green varieties 

 taken at Oxshott last year. Agrotis exclamationis, a very 

 dark variety taken at Folkestone last June. Agrotis puta, a 

 very light variety taken at Deal last July. Hadena dentina, 

 taken at Folkestone last June. 



Mr. Ashby exhibited a long series of the ant-beetle 

 (Thanasimus formicarius), which had been taken plentifully by 

 Mr. West and himself at Oxshott. 



Mr. Jas. Groves, F.L.S., read a paper on the " Ch^racex" 

 which he illustrated by lantern slides and mounted speci- 

 mens. 



