36 



MAY (jth, 1895. 



T. W. Hall, Esq., F.E.S., President, in the Chair. 



Mr. H. Williams exhibited a cluster of cocoons fastened 

 to a twig, apparently those of some species of Ichneumon. 



Mr. T. W. Hall exhibited a variety of Smerinthus ocellatus, 

 L,, with a typical specimen for comparison. The variation 

 was in an obscuration of the ocelli. The specimen was bred 

 from a South coast larva by Mr. W. F. Urwick some two 

 or three years ago. 



Mr. Carrington exhibited a fasciated specimen of the 

 flower stem of a Primida. There were three heads on one 

 stem, one of which was distinct and the others only partly 

 formed. 



He also exhibited a number of specimens oi Helix poniatia, 

 L., very finely banded with a brilliant chestnut colour. 

 They were from Eynsford. Also several specimens from 

 Surrey showing the winter epiphragm. He stated that it 

 had been frequently noted that the young and small repre- 

 sentatives of this species were rarely if ever observed. He 

 himself had searched the whole of one afternoon and even- 

 ing, but found none until dusk and dark, then with a lantern 

 he had lately been successful, finding the young climbing 

 the grass stems, as was the wont of the other species of the 

 genus. 



Mr. Step sent for exhibition, specimens of Scilla verna, 

 Hudson, and contributed the following note : — 



" At the opposite extremity of our little bay the rugged 

 cliffs send out a jagged foot into the water. The top is 

 covered with fine grass, and bears evident signs of having 

 once been a circular earthwork fort. The rocks push through 

 the turf here and there, and are decked with lichen and 

 stonecrop. The edge of the cliff, and every available little 

 ledge, affords foothold for the beautiful sea-pink or thrift 

 [Armeria vulgaris), just now in full blossom. On the western 

 slopes of this turfy top, the grass has now a distinctly blue 

 tinge from the presence of thousands of the flower-heads of 

 the rare Vernal Squill {Scilla venia, Huds.), a plant that 

 occurs only on the western shores of our country. Here at 

 Pedmadden it is exceedingly abundant, or I would not have 

 taken up entire plants. Those sent herewith were taken 

 from a dense patch seven or eight feet in diameter, and 

 there were several similar patches, as well as thousands of 

 plants in smaller groups around. Several years ago Mr. R. 



