vi Minute.^ of Proceediug^. 



stein's, or the Konze Antelope, whicli is found near tlie Zambezi. Also 

 a specimen of tlie Lorns of a small antelope of which Mr. Dunn had 

 not seen any previous specimen, and which he beheved was new to 

 science. He pointed out that the annulations were very deep and 

 regular. The animal is found to the N.AV. of Delagoa Bay. 



Mr. Bolus exhibited specimens of Disperis Capensis, and made 

 some remarks on the fertilisation of this Orchid. Of 100 flowers 

 examined, gathered at various times and places, there were : — 



Stigma pollinated . . 1 



4 



Pollinia, both in situ . 



88 



,, ,, removed. 



10 



one ,, . 



2 



Of the flowers which had one or both pollinia removed, therefore, 

 50 per cent, were fertilised ; of those which had neither pollinia 

 removed, only 1"14 per cent, were fertilised. This seemed to point to 

 the probability that the insect agent most commonly fertilised each 

 plant with its own pollen ; and the fact that the elastic thread of the 

 pollinia curled round so as to present the pollen granules in almost 

 every direction within a second of their withdrawal, gave some 

 support to this hypothesis. He stated that he had not been able to 

 detect the presence of any nectar, or any insect in the act of fertili- 

 sation. One stigma bore a small weak dipterous insect glued to its 

 surface ; and upon another flower a curculionid beetle — Bracliy- 

 cerm tuberosiis, Wied, was found feeding. A want of viscidity in the 

 discs of the pollinia was apparent, the greater number failing to 

 adhere even when firmly touched with a pencil. 



The Secretary then read Mr. Grarwood Alston's letter on the subject 

 of his model of an ostrich camp, the wires of which form parts of 

 electric circuits enabling a dweller at the homestead to find out, 

 without leaving the house, which, if any, of several gates is left open. 

 The model was explained by Mr. Alston, Junior. 



He also exhibited a device used to find ont whether an ostrich egg 

 contains a living embryo: he stated that one addled egg in the 

 incubator will destroy th© others. His brother had been successful in 

 hatching about 70 per cent, of the eggs placed in the incubator by 

 means of it. 



He also exhibited a home-made drilling and sawing machine. 



The thanks of the Meeting were unanimously voted to Mr. Alston. 



Mr. Finlay then read his paper on the " Variations of Level of the 

 Cape Transit Circle." 



Ordinary Monthly Meeting. 



Wednesday, October 3, 1884. 



Mr. David Gill, LIj.D., F.E.S., in the Chair. 



The Eev. G. H. E. Fisk reported the safe arrival in England of a 

 large earthworm, six feet four inches in length (five feet unextended), 

 which he had received from Mr. Bidwell, of Uitenhage. 



Professor Guthrie read a note on the " Calculus of Variations," in 

 which he showed tliat tlie formula for an extreme value could be 

 deduced from tJie ordinary methods of determining maxima and 

 minima values. 



