206 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
shells of certain Pelecypoda and the recognition of similar uniaxial crystals in 
the shell of Szccinea elegans. The presence of lime salts and phosphoric acid 
in the tissues of Z. fevegra was chemically demonstrated, and the recent 
views on the action of this acid and carbon dioxide in the deposition of lime 
salts in animals explained. Mr. Crowther gave the results of a series of 
experiments on the behaviour of some freshwater molluscs in jars of water 
during the variations of weather, the height of the barometer and temperature 
being noted. Also the effects of aérated and non-acrated waters on fresh- 
water molluscs. The paper concluded with an account of some observations 
on the vertical lifting power of HZ. aspfersa and 7. arbustorwm whilst crawling 
up a plate of glass. The extreme weight carried by the former was 689 
grams, of the latter 8°7 grams. 
LONDON BRANCH. 
INAUGURAL MEETING, JANUARY 17th, 1896. 
A Meeting, convened by the Rev. J. W. Horsley, was held at the 
Borough Road Polytechnic, 5.E., on January 17th, 1896. The attendance 
was disappointing, considering that there are about forty members residing 
in or near London. 
The Rev. J. W. Horsley exhibited a fine series of Helix virgata (to 
illustrate the great variation of this species), also some rare band varieties 
of Helix hortensts. 
Mr. J. E. Cooper showed Petricola pholadiformis, a North American 
species, found last year at Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, also specimens of 
Chrysodomus antiguus, recent and fossil. 
It was resolved that future meetings should be held at the various 
members’ houses. 
At the invitation of the Rev. J. W. Horsley, a number of members and 
friends met at St. Peter’s Rectory, Walworth, on February 21st, to inspect 
Mr. Horsley’s collections. In the British section were very fine series of 
Helix virgata, H. nemoralis, and H. hortensis, with many of the rarer 
varieties: H. elegans from near Dover, Hydrobia similis from Plumstead, 
and pretty specimens of Zzmnwa stagnalis var. vartegata. 
The foreign portion of the collection included many choice examples 
and rare species. We may mention He/ix lanceolata Pir., H. Macgregort - 
Cox, H. aphrodite Pfr., H. farafanga H. Ad., H. magnifica Fer., 7. 
Souverbiana Fisch., A. cerina Mor., H. Croftont Cox, H. Trailli Pfr., #7. 
perplexa Fér., H. Maackit Gerstf., H. polygyrata Born, 7. Bourciert Pfr., 
H. Macmurrayi C. B. Ad., H. aspera Fer., H. Cunninghami Gray, and 
H, launcestonensis Reeve. 
J. E. Cooper, Hon. Sec. 
J.C., vitl., April 1896, 
