Minuter of Proceedings. 



IX 



Mr. Peringuey exhibited a number of remarkable specimens of 

 Phaspiidae wbicli mimicked surrounding objects, e.g., a blade of grass, 

 a piece of dead wood, or even a green leaf, to such an extent as to be 

 almost indistinguishable from these objects to a casual observer. In 

 spite of the protection thus afforded to the insects, he contended that 

 there was here a case of retrogression, because their ancestors were 

 more perfect, instancing specimens of Phasmidae found in the coal 

 measures of Oommentry. 



Mr. Bolus pointed out some difficulties in the way of accepting a 

 theory of retrogression ; and in connection with mimicry he instanced 

 a case of Mesemhryanthemum which imitated closely the stones 

 among which it grew. 



Mr. Gresswell was of opinion that mimicry was much more widely 

 extended than we are generally aware of, and that this mimicry 

 implied a state of fixity beyond which there can be no improve- 

 ment. 



Mr, Trimen thought that we might accept degradation in animal 

 organization as a fact, especially in parasitic animals. 



The thanks of the Meeting were voted to Mr. Peringuey. 



Mr. Gamble read, " The Storms of the Cape Colony," by Mr. A. G. 

 Howard, a precis of the paper to be read at the next Meeting. 



He also gave some notes on evaporation. From observations last 

 year at Yan Wyk's Vlei, he found that the total evaporation in the 

 year was 80 inches, and at Van Staaden's river, 40 inches. 



He also exhibited a diagram shewing the connection between the 

 discharge of the main spring at Cape Town and the rainfall. The 

 spring had recently been cleaned out, and the effect of this on the 

 discharge was very marked. 



The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to Mr. Gamble. 



Ordinary Monthly Meeting. 



Wednesday, April 29, 1885. 



Mr. J. G. Gamble, M.A., Vice-Phesident, in the Chair. 



The following donations were announced, and the thanks of the 

 Society voted to the donors :■ — 



Journal and Proceedings of the Hamilton Association, 1882-'83. 

 The Origin of the Fauna and Flora of New Zealand, by Capt. F. 

 W. Hutton, F.G.S. 



Mr. Bolus exhibited an old botanical book, one of the first in which 

 Cape plants were figured. 



Capt. Warton exhibited a variety of fungi which he had found at 

 Newlands. 



Professor MacOwan gave an interesting description of several of 

 the specimens and of their qualities — among them was the edible 

 variety of the boletus. 



Mr. Cairncross exhibited a small anemometer, designed to measure 

 currents of air for the purpose of ventilation. 



Mr. Gamble read Mr. A. G. Howard's paper on " The Isobario 

 Influences and Cyclonic Paths of S. Africa." 



The thanks of the Society were voted to Mr. Howard. 



