180 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



power of paralyzing their prey, he had as yet failed to notice any 

 such power. He next explained what was termed the Alternation 

 of Generations. He then described some of the objects to be met with 

 by any person who visits the coast in the summer, for instance, 

 Lima hyans, a mollusc allied to the oyster or scallop shell, in which 

 the mantle was so large, that the shell did not protect or cover it. 

 In consequence of this it has to build a house at the bottom of the 

 sea, so as to enable it to escape from its enemies. The house is 

 composed of a series of shells, sea-weeds, stones, and sand, grouped 

 and held together by the byssus. It obtains its food by means of a 

 ciliary motion of its tentacles. He mentioned some of the chief 

 peculiarities of the Sand Goby (GoUus minutus); and lastly, he 

 described the water vascular system of the star-fish. A good deal 

 of discussion followed the reading of Mr. Harvie's paper, one 

 member stating that while bathing at Ardrossan he had come in 

 contact with a jelly-fish, and was so severely stung by it that he 

 was overpowered for some time after. 



27th June, 1876. 



Mr. J. Harvie, Vice-President, in the chair. 



Messrs. James Anderson and Robert M'Pherson were elected 

 ordinary members, and Mr. D. Blair, Campsie, as a corresponding 

 member of the Society. 



SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. 



By Mr. Andrew A, Hogarth, M.A. — The great Bladderwort, 

 Utricularia vulgaris, a plant that is exceedingly rare. He had 

 gathered it in Loch Jeorgan, near Ardrossan. This remarkable 

 plant is usually found in ditches containing putrid matter. It floats 

 on or near the surface of the water, and at no time does it possess 

 roots in order to attach it to the ground. The leaves are all 

 submerged, hence they are very finely cut or divided, and destitute 

 of stomata. They are covered with a great number of small 

 bladders (hence the popular name of the plant). These bladders 

 were at one time supposed to be of use in floating the plant, as air 

 was sometimes found in their interior, but as the plant floats quite as 

 well without them, this was found to be a wrong idea. Recent 



