GLASGOW SOCIETY OF FIELD NATURALISTS. 205 



part of the miocene flora, during which age, according to Wallace, 

 the climatal conditions of Europe simulated that of Central Africa 

 at the present day. 



The Curator of the Society, Mr. W. D. Benson, intimated that 

 he had to resign his office, as he required to leave Glasgow, having 

 to remove to Eichmond, Yorkshire. After a hearty vote of 

 thanks had been awarded to Mr. Benson for the admirable 

 manner in which he had filled the office, Mr. J. J. King was 

 unanimously appointed to fill the vacant Curatorship. 



2nd February, 1877. 



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



Mr. W. D. Benson was elected a corresponding member. 



SPECIMENS EXHIBITED. 



By Mr. E. H. Paterson. — Two abnormal specimens of the sweet 

 scented violet, which he had gathered at Helensburgh. Also speci- 

 mens of a number of fungi from Cadder Wilderness, some of which 

 were very rare. 



PAPER READ. 



Mr. F. G. Binnie read an interesting paper "On Dipterous 

 Gallmakers and their Galls," in continuation of one previously 

 given before the Society. In the present paper he treated of the 

 collecting, rearing, and preserving of the galls and their workers 

 (the Cecidomydae), giving the results of his own experience with the 

 group. He stated that in so far as collecting in the fields was 

 concerned, the perfect insect was of secondary consideration, and 

 attention had mostly to be directed to the gall. The apparatus 

 required, and the best times, localities, and situations were indicated. 

 He advised collecting the galls as near their maturity as possible, 

 mentioning the danger of collecting them immediately after rain 

 when still covered with moisture, with other suggestions for the 

 guidance of the student. The rearing of the maker from these galls 

 was fully treated, and the methods which he had found most 



