SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 87 



beetle, showing the extremes of variation of colour observable within the 

 limits of a single species. 



Mr. J. E. Harting exhibited a photograph of an abnormally situated 

 nest of the Chimney Swallow, Hirando rustica, which had been built for 

 the second time on a swinging hook in an outhouse, and made some remarks 

 on three recorded cases of Swallows nesting in trees, a most unusual habit. 



The Botanical Secretary read a paper by Mr. W. West on the Fresh- 

 water Algae of the West of Ireland, and exhibited, by w r ay of illustration, 

 a number of preparations under the microscope and a series of beautiful 

 drawings by the author. The paper was criticised by Messrs. A. W. Bennett 

 and E. M. Holmes, both of whom testified to the excellence of the work 

 done and the value of the drawings. 



The Zoological Secretary next read a paper by Mr. W. H. Strachan on 

 the Tick Pest of Jamaica, which was characterised as of so serious a nature 

 as to demand investigation by entomologists, with a view to a remedy. An 

 interesting discussion followed, in which Mr. D. Morris gave a variety 

 of details from personal experience during a residence of seven years in 

 Jamaica, and Mr. A. D. Michael pointed out the generic characters of certain 

 West Indian Ticks which were likely to include those found in Jamaica by 

 Mr. Strachan. The question of remedy for this plague was discussed by 

 Dr. John Lowe and Messrs T. Christy, C. Breeze, and T. J. Briant. 



Zoological Society of London. 



Nov. 17, 1891.— Dr. A. Gunther, F.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair. 



The Secretary read a report on the additions that had been made to 

 the Society's Menagerie during October, and called special attention to the 

 following : — A young Buffon's Skua, Stercorarius parasiticus, captured near 

 Christchurch, Hampshire, and presented by Mr. E. Hart; and a Land- 

 Crab, Geocarcinus ruricola, from the island of Fernando Noronha, brought 

 home and presented by Mr. D. Wilson-Barker/ 



The Secretary read a letter from Dr. G. Martorelli, of Milan, enclosing 

 a coloured drawing of both sexes of a hybrid Duck bred in the Public 

 Garden of Milan, between Branta rvjina, male, and Anas boscas, female. 



Mr. G. A. Boulenger gave an account of the various forms of the 

 Tadpoles of the European Batrachians, and a statement of the characters 

 by which the different species may be distinguished in this stage of their 

 existence. 



A communication was read from Mr. Edgar A. Smith, containing 

 descriptions of new species of shells from New South Wales, New Guinea, 

 and the Caroline and Solomon Islands, based on specimens lately presented 

 to the British Museum by Mr. John Brazier, of Sydney. 



Lord Walsingham gave an account of the Micro-Lepidoptera of the 

 West Indies, based primarily on the collections made in St, Vincent and 



