Report of Meetings. By the President. 483 



or slab of red pine or cedar, about 3 feet by 2 feet, and 3 or 4 

 inches thick, which was perforated over the whole extent of its 

 surface on one side with deep circular holes or pits, nearly an 

 inch in diameter, at the bottom of many of which was seen an 

 acorn, or the remains of one. The general appearance of the 

 piece of wood, which had been accidently recovered from a 

 marine store dealer's, was that of one at which the Teredo navalis 

 had been at work. It is known, however, that the holes were 

 made by the Eed-headed Woodpecker {Melanerpes) of North 

 America. 



I learn through a gentleman who has seen red pines in 

 California nearly covered with holes, that the acorns that are 

 found in them are generally inhabited by maggots. The 

 interesting question is suggested, whether the acorns are de- 

 posited in the holes by the birds simply to be kept till wanted, 

 or for the purpose of breeding maggots. Woodpeckers subsist 

 on acorns and nuts as well as on insects and larvae, Melanerpes 

 being the most frugivorous genus of any. 



After spending more than two hours in the Museum, members 

 again assembled in the Hail, where a vote of thanks to Dr 

 Philipson, and to the other officials and authorities who had so 

 kindly received us and conducted us through the Museum, was 

 moved by the President, and heartily accorded. 



A move was then made for Jesmond Dene under the guidance 

 of our member Mr C. M. Adamson. Passing under the splendid 

 iron bridge erected by Sir W. xlrmstrong, we walked up the 

 Dene, which has been beautifully and tastefully planted with 

 trees and shrubs, flowers and heaths. The plan of planting in 

 masses has been generally and very effectively adhered to. The 

 Dene is traversed by a burn or stream of varying width and 

 depth, which is inhabited by many beautiful ducks of different 

 species, for whom, however, we wished a purer and clearer 

 water than that of the much polluted burn. Sir William having 

 been good enough to send special permission through Mr Adam- 

 son, we proceeded to inspect the Banqueting Hall, with its fine 

 paintings. 



After that. Sir William's own private residence, with its 

 beautifully kept garden, lawns, glass-houses, and ferneries, in 

 the latter of which a large and luxuriant Selaginella [ccesium 

 arbor eum) and a splendid growth of Trichomanes radicans delighted 

 us. 



