29 . 



" whites" would often fly down to a piece of broken plate, 

 while the species of the genus Argynnis were equally 

 attracted by brown leaves lying on the ground. He stated 

 that the most attractive object to the Ornithoptera was the 

 exceedingly offensive decaying carcase of a python. Those 

 who were physically incapable of chasing insects could still 

 pursue their study with such an aid as this decoy. Referring 

 to the ridicule which had been thrown upon it, he remembered 

 that when " sugaring " was invented it was looked upon in 

 a similar manner. 



Mr. South said that the contrivance was of considerable 

 merit. It was not absolutely necessary perhaps to have a 

 specimen of the species desired as a decoy, because an imita- 

 tion insect, or a bait of some noxious substance, or even 

 pieces of looking-glass could be used. Many species in the 

 tropics were almost unobtainable, from their accustomed 

 haunts being at the tops of the trees in the forests, and in the 

 capture of such no doubt the trap would be of the utmost 

 service. 



Mr. Step called the meeting's attention to the flowering 

 of the butcher's broom {Rusais aculeatiis, L.), and said that 

 most authorities stated that the flowers were produced singly. 

 This, however, he had found not to be so; they were in 

 pairs on the phylloclade, but only one bud opened at a time, 

 the second appearing after the first had fallen. The flowers 

 and buds being small had aided in this interesting fact 

 remaining unknown. 



Mr. Billups made reference to bats having been seen during 

 the mild January, F'ebruary, and March, flying around St. 

 Saviour's Churcii in the Boro'. 



Mr. Winkley referred to a recent letter in the " Standard," 

 tlic writer of which stated he was positive he had seen a 

 cuckoo in the winter. Mr. Weir said it was quite impossible 

 for a cuckoo to pass the winter here ; it was an insectivorous 

 bird, feeding mainly upon larvse which everyone knew could 

 not be obtained in the winter, hence it must be starved to 

 death. Several members suggested that it was a merlin, 

 which in general appearance and habits the cuckoo con- 

 siderably resembled. 



A long discussion took place on the process and method of 

 swallowing by snakes. It was stated that a snake gradually 

 put himself outside his prey, moving his jaws forward 

 alternately, first the top and then the bottom, and also using 

 the two sides of each jaw in a similarly alternate way. The 

 hind legs of a frog were usually taken in first, but frequently 



