36 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



regular in their depredations, but would appear in enormous num- 

 bers some years, whilst the next year scarcely a single specimen 

 would be seen. And in the conclusion of the paper the subject of 

 their parasites was touched upon ; and it was shown how very use- 

 ful they were in keeping down their numbers, Lophyrus pini, which 

 on the Continent frequently did great damage to the pine-trees, 

 having upwards of forty attached to it. 



26th August, 1873. 

 Mr. James Allan, Vice-President, in the chair. 



SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. 



By Mr. J. Allan. — A number of mosses collected during the 

 excursion to Ben Lawers. 



By Mr. P. Cameron. — A number of insect remains dug oiit of a 

 peat-bog at Possil, from a depth of 10 feet. They consisted chiefly 

 of wing-cases and feet of beetles, but they were not sufficiently 

 complete to enable the species to be identified satisfactorily. Most 

 of them belonged to a species of Donacia, probably aquatica, an 

 insect which frequents such situations ; and it was noticeable that 

 the colour varied from green to blue, as in the perfect specimens. 

 For the examination of these he was indebted to Mr. Thomas 

 Naismith. 



Also an acorn-gall found in the district. As the insect reared 

 from this was an inquiline, it could not be named with certainty ; 

 but it was probably the gall of Andricus glandium, Gir., which had 

 not been recorded as British. 



EXCURSION. 



Hills behind Greenock. — M'r. D. Gregorson gave an account of 

 this excursion, and stated that no rare plants had been found. 

 Mr. F. G. Binnie reported finding nine diSerent species of shells, 

 among which was Zonites radiatulus, which he had not before seen 

 in this district. 



9th September, 1873. 

 Mr. James Allan, Vice-President, in the chair. 



specimens EXHIBITED. 



By Mr. A. Watt. — Suaeda fruticosa, Senehiera coronopus, Sene- 

 biera didyma, and Carduus tenuifolia. By Mr. R,. M'Kay. — 



