88 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 



that none but Members of over twelve months standing should be allowed 

 to propose or second New Members ; this was withdrawn after some dis- 

 cussion in deference to the feeling of the Meeting. The 2nd, which 

 proposed to rescind the Rule authorising Members to use the initials of 

 the vSociety (M. C.S.), was rejected. The 3rd, that the Curator, Recorder, 

 and Librarian be ex-ofhcio members of the General Council, was adopted 

 unaniiriously. 



FORMATION OF BRANCHES. 



The proceedings of the Council in relation to the formation of a Branch 

 Society in the Manchester District were read to the Meeting, and after some 

 conversation it was resolved : — That the action of the Council in relation to 

 the establishment of the Manchester Branch of this Society be confirmed. 



PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 



As to the proceedings of the Council on the question of the Society's 

 Publication, the following proposals of the Council were recommended for 

 adoption ; — I. That the Society arrange with Mr. Taylor from the con- 

 clusion of the present year for the publication of the Society's Proceedings 

 and matter, at the rate of Half-a-Crown a page, with a guarantee of not less 

 than Ten Pounds per annum (for Four Numbers), with Threepence per Copy 

 in addition, and Plates according to cost — for one year as an exjDeriment. 

 The Society's matter to be printed on a separate sheet or pages. 2. That 

 Mr. Taylor be requested to publish in each number of the Journal of 

 Coiichology a note to the effect that the authors are alone accountable for the 

 matter of their Papers. 3. That the Council arrange with Mr. Taylor 

 'some plan of dividing the Books received in exchange. 4. That for the 

 next year the Subscription remain as at present — P"ive Shillings. 



It was resolved : — That the proposals of the Council be adopted. 



SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. 



A very large number of specimens were placed on exhibition ; included 

 were the Shells presented to the Society by the Rev. J. McMurtrie, and 

 Messrs. J. Steel and G. T. Rope. 



Mr. Melvill showed the specimens described in his Paper, besides many 

 other species of Zizyphinus, for comparison with the new form, and other 

 very fine and rare marine shells. lie also exhibited a fine specimen of 

 Benibix alvina. (Lischke), a most beautifully sculptured nacreous shell, of 

 great rarity, belonging to the family Trochidis, dredged in deep water 

 off the coast of Japan. He mentioned that the type of this genus was 

 the Beinhix ceola (Watson), a much smaller species than that now exhibited, 

 dredged in the depths of the Pacific by the "Challenger" expedition; one 

 other species has also been obtained, also from the deep sea, intermediate 

 in size between Bembix aola and Bemhix alvina:, and a strong family 

 resemblance, excepting in point of size, characterizes the three. Doubtless 

 many other beautiful forms await the deep sea explorer. Gaza dadala 

 (Watson), allied to the above, is unique at the present time, also tiie 

 first of the deep sea drcdgings of 11. M.S. "Challenger." This is a wonder- 

 fully nacreous Trochoid shell, in shape like a Plelicina. Doubtless the 

 nearest affinity these possess is to the well-known forms Margarita. 



J.C., vi., Apr., iSSg. 



