14 
by Prof. J. AnrHuR THomson, F.Z.8., of which the following is a 
summary :— 
The breeding-season of this limpet extends from July to 
January. Sexual maturity is reached at a length of 20-25 mm. 
An average size for a limpet of the last season’s brood in January 
or February is 10 mm.; at the end of the first year it may be 
29 mm. Probable sizes at the end of the second and subsequent 
years are 38, 44, 48, 53mm. Shells over 50mm. may be 
considerably more than five years old. 
Sexual maturity is reached in the first year and when the 
limpet is only half-grown. The rate of growth decreases with 
age and maturity, and is slower during the colder months of the 
year. Considerable changes take place in the ratios of the shells’ 
dimensions during growth, being probably in large part the 
expression of “laws of growth” and not due to natural 
selection. 
Mr. Frank Batrour-Brownge, M.A., F.R.S.E., F.Z.8., presented 
a paper on “ The Life-history of the Agrionid Dragonfly.” 
Mr. C. Davies Surrporn, F.Z.8., communicated a paper by 
Mr. W. D. Lane, M.A., F.Z.S., entitled “‘ Growth-stages in the 
British Species of the Coral Genus Parasmilia.” 
The next Meeting of the Society for Scientific Business will 
be held on Tuesday, the 16th March, 1909, at half-past Hight 
o'clock p.M., when the following communications will be 
mace :— 
1. Grovusse-DIsEASE CoMMITIEE REPORTS: 
(a) A. BE. Suieuny, MA.) D.Se.,) FIRS.) B28: The 
Ectoparasites of the Grouse. 
(6) A, E. Suipiny, M.A,, D.Sc., F.R.S., F.Z.S.—The 
Thread-Worms (Nematoda) of the Red Grouse (Teérao 
scoticus). 
(c) A. KE, Surprey, M.A., D.Sc., F.B.S., F.Z.8.—The Tape- 
Worms (Cestoda) of the Grouse. Appendix: Parasites of 
Birds allied to the Grouse. 
2. W. P. Pycrart, F.Z.S., A.L.S.—On a Fossil Bird from the 
Lower Pliocene. 
