116 MEKTIXGS. 



producing (colour. Some of the common properties of waves 

 Avere demonstrated, as evidenced in refraction, reflection, sub- 

 sidence, ike. 



The n(;xt lecture, })y Mi*. Fj. D. Manjuaud, was entitled 

 " The S})ider and the Fly." Although despised and detested 

 bj almost everybo ly, spiders possess many ])oints calculated 

 to excite our interest and wonder. The possession of eight 

 legs instead of six, serves at once to separate them from 

 Insects proper : for, scientifically s|)eaking, spiders are not 

 insects, although conveniently classed under that name. 

 Further distinctions are seen in the simple (not compound) 

 eyes, in the union of the head and thorax, and in the 

 remarkable facidty they possess of spinning silken webs 

 to capture their prey. The flies that are entrapped in 

 these webs are built up on a totally different plan, so that 

 even when divested of wings they bear no resemblance 

 Avhatever to spiders. Moreover, the latter seem to be 

 endowed with more intelligence and reasoning power, and 

 in other A\ays occupy a higher rank in the scale of animal 

 life. 



The fourth lecture was " On growing old," delivered 

 by Dr. J. Aikman. Dealing first with the age of the earth 

 on which we dwell, the lecturer proceeded to consider the 

 effects of age upon the human body. The blood vessels 

 and organs which in youth were supple, become hardened 

 and brittle with advancing years, and even the brain is 

 physically affected. The science of bacteriology opened up a 

 vast field of investigation, and it was now well known 

 that the human body was the battlefield of a mighty host 

 of conflicting organisms, upon the result of whose struggle 

 depended the manifestations of disease and decrepitude. 

 Dr. Aikman referred to the most recent theories of foreign 

 biologists as to the possibility of retarding natural decay, 

 and neutralising the symptoms of old age. 



From a financial point of view the entertainment proved 

 a very gratifying success, and a sum of over £11 was 

 added to the Society's funds, after all expenses paid. 



Monthly Meeting Iicld on Fehnuirij 21st, 1906, Mr. F. L, 

 Tanner in the chair, 



Mr. S. M. Henry was unanimously elected a member 

 of the Society. 



The Chairman, on behalf of the Soiree Committee, 

 announced the result of the entertainment given on the 6th 



