316 MEETINGS. 



ings of the Boston Society of Natural History. Mr. Luff read 

 a note from Mr. Newstead upon a species of Coccid (JJ<i<- 

 tylopius citri) found upon an orange by Mr. Luff'; it was 

 said to be the first specimen ever found on an imported 

 orange. Mr. Hocart exhibited a piece of limestone con- 

 taining Pholas borings, found at FAncresse. A curious 

 bifurcated example of the worm Glycera alba was exhibited 

 by Mr. Puttock. 



The President drew attention to the structural differences 

 noticeable in the flowers of the common Primrose — differences 

 in the relative position of the stamens, and the length of the 

 pistil, so that the flowers were popularly divided into " pin- 

 centres " and " rose-centres." An interesting discussion 

 followed on the subject, especially with regard to its bearing 

 on the evolution of the flower. 



Monthly Meeting held on March 7th, 1894, Mr. E. D. 

 Marquand, President, in the chair. 



Mr. LufF reported that the small Tortoiseshell Butterfly 

 had been seen on the wing as early as February 24th ; and 

 further noted the occurrence on the 4th inst. of a large number 

 of sea-birds, apparently Puffins, floating about dead in the bay 

 at Petit Port, the question being whether they had succumbed 

 to the recent cold and storms. The President exhibited a 

 number of dried specimens of the common Sea-horse (Hippo- 

 campus) probably from the Belgian coast, as he had bought 

 them in Brussels some years ago. 



The President then opened a discussion on the " Divining 

 Rod," tracing its use back to ancient times and quoting a 

 number of recorded instances in which its efficacy in finding 

 water or minerals was attested by credible witnesses. It was 

 largely believed in among Guernsey people, and its use fre- 

 quently resorted to. He offered no personal opinion on its 

 merits, but it was certainly not a question of wilful fraud or 

 deception. Those who practised the art of Rhabdomancy 

 generally admitted that they could not explain how it worked 

 — and yet there ought to be some simple scientific explanation 

 of the cause. Mr. Pitts said he had invited a gentleman to be 

 present whose services were in wide request in the island for 

 finding water by means of the divining rod, but unfortunately 

 a pressing engagement prevented his attendance. Mr. Pitts, 

 however, was able to show, by means of a rod actually in use, 

 the modus operandi as practised in Guernsey. Mr. Hocart 

 also demonstrated the use of the rod, a simple forked twig 



