12 MEETINGS. 



minutely describing the plumage of the "Tit," Mr. Nicolle 

 proceeded to a description of its nest, from a specimen taken 

 on the 24th April, in the Catel parish. It was built at the 

 top of a laurestinus hedge, and so closely resembled the 

 surrounding wood and foliage that for some time it escaped 

 notice. It is composed of moss, small fragments of bark and 

 wool, and plentifully lined with feathers. It is in shape an 

 oval ball, with one small orifice near the top. It contained 

 four eggs. Through the kindness of a friend he had been 

 able to procure the nest and eggs, and now had the pleasure 

 of presenting them to the museum. From its situation this 

 wonderfully beautiful nest was in daily peril of being demo- 

 lished by egg-hunting boys, and therefore Mr. Nicolle had 

 less compunction in taking it in the interests of the Society. 

 The Honorary Secretary, Mr. W. Sharp, next read a charming 

 paper on the Echinus, or Sea Urchin, a singular creature 

 which occurs commonly on our coast. The marvellous 

 structure of the shell, the spines and the sucking-feet, as 

 well as the extraordinary dental apparatus known as 

 " Aristotle's Lantern," were minutely described in an interest- 

 ing manner, and well-preserved examples were handed round 

 to illustrate the author's remarks. Both papers were much 

 appreciated, and gave rise to a very interesting conversation. 

 A hearty vote 01 thanks was awarded to the contributors. 

 It was proposed shortly to re-commence the series of summer 

 excursions. 



Monthly Meeting held June 10th, 1890, Mr. J. Whitehead in 



the chair. 



The minutes of the last meeting having been read and 

 confirmed, the following gentlemen were proposed for election 

 at the next meeting, namely, Captain Percy Groves, Mr. H. L. 

 Humphreys, and Mr. J. Jenkins. 



Mr. F. Kose, F.D.S., then read an interesting paper on 

 " Reason, Instinct, and Reflex Action, their Mutual Relations 

 and Place in Evolution." He illustrated certain parts of his 

 paper with carefully prepared, diagrams, showing the different 

 degrees of cerebral development in different animals. The 

 paper, which was evidently the result of much reading and 

 observation, was listened to with much attention, and followed 

 by a lively discussion. 



A hearty vote of thanks having been accorded to Mr. 

 Rose for his paper, the subject of an excursion on June 25th, 

 was discussed, and eventually the place decided upon was 



