Natural History of the West Coast of Ross-shire. 87 



in our seas. It belonged to the genus Asteronyx, described by 

 Muller and Troschell in their work on star-fishes. It seemed 

 doubtful whether it was the same species which they had de- 

 scribed under the name of A. Lovenii from Norway. In the 

 main, it very closely corresponded with their description, but 

 there were one or two discrepancies, which might either be 

 specific, or variations dependent upon the age of the animal. 

 Mr Stewart had only found one specimen ; therefore, in the 

 meantime, he was not in a condition to give an opinion upon 

 this point. Mr Stewart, in conclusion, gave some interesting 

 notices regarding the pulsation of the snail as compared with 

 that of other animals ; and also some notices of peculiar 

 geological features which he had observed in Ross-shire. 



VI. A beautiful Series of Varieties (in plumage) of the common Phea- 

 sant, were exhibited, the property of Walter May, Esq. By Andrew 

 Murray, Esq. 



Wednesday, March 23, 1859. — William Rhind, Esq., President, 

 in the Chair. 



John S. Livingston, Esq., Leith, was elected a Member of the Society. 



The following Communications were read : — 



I. Extract of Letter from the Rev. Hugh Goldie, Old Calabar, to Dr 

 Greville, respecting some singular Silk " Bags" formed by Insects 

 in Africa. Communicated by W. H. Lowe, M.D. 



The following extract of the letter was read by Dr Lowe, 

 and specimens of the very curious " Bags" therein described 

 were exhibited : — 



" Last year a brother of King Eeyo undertook a trading 

 expedition to Efeet. [This is a country lying on the side of 

 the Camaroons Mountain, nearest the Old Calabar River.] In 

 the smaller box you will find something which he brought to 

 me as a curiosity, it being quite unknown in Calabar. The 

 articles are small bags, woven by what would appear to be an 

 insect of the same family as the silkworm. The insects are 

 said to form these on trees, many working at one bag ; and, 

 having completed their task, each one rolls himself up in his 



