GLASGOW SOCIETY OF FIELD NATURALISTS. 75 



their order of jBLowering the more characteristic plants, and after a 

 reference to the zoology concluded by asking the assistance of the 

 Society in working out its complete Natural History. 



20th November, 1874. 



Mr. Richard M'Kay, Vice-President, in the chair. 

 Mr. P. Cunningham, Maryhill, and Mr. J. Thomson, Glasgow, 

 were elected resident members. 



PAPER READ. 



Mr. James Allan made some remarks on the arrangement of the 

 genus Hypnum, in which he commented on the present unsatis- 

 factory and unwieldy character of the genus, which greatly I'equires 

 sub-division. The objections to the present division rest mainly 

 on its not being founded on field characters, and so not a natural 

 one. But as it has been arranged by the greatest living biologist, 

 it must be accepted as a correct one. He exhibited a large number 

 of mosses in illustration. 



A discussion followed on the great variation exhibited by the 

 common moss HypnuTn cupressiforme, a series of which were 

 exhibited by Mr. Allan. The extremes of these, in the absence of 

 intermediate forms, might easily pass for distinct species. The 

 similar variability of the genera Rosa, and Hieracium, and the 

 fruticose Rubi, amongst plants and various species of Mollusca, 

 were adverted to, and Mr. Darwin's observations on the subject 

 were discussed. 



4th December, 1874. 



Mr. James Allan in the chair. 



Mr. Fawcett, Crosshill, was elected a resident member. 



PAPER READ. 



Dr. Mathie read a paper on " The Leaf-beds of Ardtun." After 

 describing the geographical position of the headland of Ardtun 

 and the leading physical features of the surrounding district, he 

 proceeded to explain the order and characters of the various strata 

 of the sea cliflf of Ardtun. Commencing at the top, thei-e is first 

 a bed of basalt ; 2nd, a thin seam of shale with impressions of 

 leaves and stems of plants ; 3rd, a bed of volcanic ash ; 4th, a 



