236 



[Proc. B.N.F.C. 



The fifth meeting of the Winter session was held in the 

 Museum, College Square North, on 21st March, when an inter- 

 esting paper was given on " Spiders." The President, Mr. R. 

 Lloyd Praeger, occupied the chair, and introduced the lecturer, 

 Mr. J. A. Sidney Stendall. The lecturer treated his subject in a 

 general manner, not entering into any of the specific differences 

 which distinguish the five hundred or so different species of 

 Spiders inhabiting the British Isles. The structure and life 

 history of many of our commoner British Spiders were fully 

 explained, together with an interesting account of the manner in 

 which the common Garden Spider constructs it web — that marvel 

 of animal architecture where stresses and strains are all taken into 

 account. The method of dispersal in young spiders was explained 

 in detail, also a rather reassuring account of the poisonous pro- 

 perties of the spider's bite was given, the lecturer stating that 

 nobody need ever be afraid of handling any species of British 

 Spider, its bite being practically harmless to man. The habits in 

 courtship and nest-making, as observed in various species, came 

 in for consideration, and the lecturer concluded by giving an 

 interesting account of the many dangers besetting a Spider 

 throughout its whole life. The lecture was illustrated by a series 

 of specially-prepared lantern slides, which added considerably to 

 its interest. 



A few interesting remarks were made upon the subject of the 

 paper by the President and Messrs. A. W. Stelfox and N. H. 

 Foster. Mr. Stendall having replied to one or two questions 

 raised, a new member of the Junior Section, Mr. Samuel Simms, 

 was thereafter elected. 



ANNUAL MEETING. 



The fifty-third Annual Meeting was held in the Museum, 

 College Square N., on 4th April, the President, Mr. R. Lloyd 

 Praeger, occupying the chair. The Committee's Report was read 



