80 



Mr. Malcolm Burr read a paper entitled "Orthoptera, with 

 special reference to British Species" (page 31). 



Mr. Tutt, in proposing a vote of thanks, urged Mr. Burr 

 to continue the useful work he had so well begun. There 

 were many problems still to be investigated, and he instanced 

 how little was yet known as to the migratory habits of some 

 species of Orthoptera. He said that so far as yet known 

 there seemed to be no parallel between the migration of 

 birds and the migration of locusts. The former phenomenon 

 no doubt was influenced by climatic conditions, the results 

 of glacial periods ; but as to the latter, there was an almost 

 total absence of reliable data upon which a theory could be 

 based. Mr. Enoch remarked how miserably ignorant we 

 yet were of vast numbers of even well-known insects. With 

 regard to bees, he had found it quite possible to tell the 

 genus of a specimen by the hum it made, and he wished to 

 know if such were possible in the case of the Orthoptera. 

 Mr. Burr said that it was quite possible to tell some species 

 by their chirp if sufficiently isolated to be distinguished. 



MAY nth, 1899. 



Mr. A. Harrison, F.L.S., President, in the Chair. 



Mr. J. Archer Harrison, of Forest Gate, was elected a 

 member. 



Mr. Lucas exhibited specimens of the rare plant Claytonia 

 perfoliata, from Woking, and contributed the following note : 

 — " This is really a garden outcast, of American origin, which 

 is establishing itself in many parts of England. It occurs 

 to my own knowledge at Weybridge and Woking, and I 

 believe I have seen it as a weed in Veitch's nursery at 

 Kingston Vale. North-west America is its home. The 

 generic name is derived from that of an American named 

 Clayton ; the origin of the specific name is obvious. The 

 peculiar leaves and succulent growth should be noticed." 



He also exhibited flowers of Viola palustris, from a marshy 

 common at Esher, and remarked that the plant grows 

 amongst the sphagnum on very wet ground. During the 

 winter it is not in evidence. 



Mr. West exhibited specimens of the aquatic hemipteron 

 Plcea minutissima, from Blackheath. 



Mr. J. W. Tutt exhibited a number of lantern slides to 

 illustrate the subject of " Mimicry," which he discussed at 

 some length from various points of view. 



