SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 69 



A paper was then read by Prof. R. J. Harvey Gibson on the structure 

 and development of the cystocarps in Catanella opuntia, and critical remarks 

 were offered by Messrs. D. H. Scott, E. M. Holmes, and others. 



Mr. G. F. Scott Elliott then read an interesting paper on the effect of 

 exposure on the relative length and breadth of leaves, upon which a 

 discussion followed. 



Jan. 15. — Prof. Stewart, President, in the chair. 



Messrs. W. A. Clarke and C. M'Rae were admitted ; and the following 

 were elected Fellows : — Messrs. L. Field, E. S. Goodrich, H. S. Streatfeild, 

 J. Symons, and C. Wilson. 



The President exhibited a bunch of holly berries, which were remarkable 

 for being perfectly black instead of red, but which in no other respect looked 

 abnormal. The peculiarity was attributed to the effect of a fungus. 



Mr. J. E. Harting exhibited a male specimen of the Wigeon, Anas 

 penelope, which had been shot in Ireland, and forwarded by Mr. Williams, 

 of Dame Street, Dublin, and which had a tassel of feathers ,about an 

 inch in length, depending from the under side of the neck. The 

 explanation suggested was that it was the result of a former shot wound, 

 .when the pellet, as often happens, plugged the wound with feathers, and 

 the skin had grown round and below the obstruction. 



A paper was then read by Dr. P. H. Carpenter on certain points in the 

 morphology of the Cystidea, which were admirably demonstrated with the 

 aid of diagrams. A discussion followed, in which Mr. H. Bury and 

 Mr. Bather took part. 



On behalf of Mr. Thomas Kirk, of Wellington, New Zealand, the 

 Secretary read an interesting report of a botanical visit to the Auckland 

 Islands. 



Zoological Society of London. 



January 6, 1891.— Prof. Alfred Newton, F.R.S., Vice-President, in 

 the chair. 



Mr. Sclater exhibited some sketches made by Lieut. W. E. Stairs, R.E., 

 of the horns of a large Antelope, apparently new to science, which had been 

 met with by the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition in the forest district of the 

 Aruwimi River. 



Mr. G. A. Boulenger read the description of a new Lizard of the genus 

 Ctenoblepharis, obtained in the Province of Tarapaca, Chili, by Mr. A. A. 

 Lane, which he proposed to describe as Ctenoplepharis jamesi. A second 

 paper by Mr. Boulenger contained an account of some specimens of extinct 

 and fossil Chelonians preserved in the Museum of the Royal College of 

 Surgeons. 



Mr. F. E. Beddard gave an account of certain portions of the anatomy 

 of the Kagu, Rhinochetes jubatus, as observed in specimens lately living in 

 the Society's Gardens. 



