THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 



[January 



a collection of Hymenoptera and specimens of Hylastes opacus, Er. ; Trypodendron 

 domesticurn, L., and Myelophilus pinipcrda, L. ; Mr. Newstead, nests and specimens of 

 Bombus pratorum, Megachite circumcinta, Andrena nigroanea, Colletes cuniadaria, genitalia 

 and leg of Crabvo palmipes; Mr. Stott, a specimen oi Charocampa celerio, on behalf of 

 Mr. H. S. Clark, of Douglas, where it was captured this summer; Dr. Ellis, a 

 collection of Coleoptera made in the Spanish Pyrenees; the Library and Museums' 

 Committee, nests and specimens of British and Foreign Hymenoptera; and by Mr. 

 J. T. Green, collection of Hymenoptera. — F. N. Pierce, Hon. Sec, 143 Smithdown 

 Lane, Liverpool. 



GUERNSEY NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY. 



The usual monthly meeting of the Guernsey Society of Natural Science and 

 Local Research, was held at the Guille-Alles Library on gth Decembers, the chair 

 being taken by Mr. E. D. Marquand, in the absence of the president, Mr. John 

 Whitehead. 



Thirteen new members were elected and two other members were also proposed. 



Mr, Lesbirel presented, through Mr. A. Collenette, a fine specimen of a "stone 

 muller," which he recently found at Le Bourg, Forest parish, near the site of a 

 former cromlech. As an evidence of the mildness of the season it was remarked 

 that on Sunday, 6th, numbers of Piezodonis incarnatus were noticed by Mr. Luff on 

 the furze bushes in St. Andrew's ; also honey bees and wasps on the flowers of the 

 ivy, and 25 species of flies, many in great abundance, were counted on tree trunks 

 and ivy blossoms. During the previous week several cockchafers {Melonontha vulgaris) 

 were seen flying about in Ville au Roi and King's Road. 



Mr. Luff communicated some interesting notes on the occurence in Devon of the 

 of the Guernsey Tiger (Callimorpha heraj. He also referred to the introduction into 

 Guerney of Helix pisana, the shells of which are now found in large quantities under 

 the shelter of the sea wall at Vazon Bay, and also at the Vale, near the Castle. The 

 only English localities of these shells are Tenby, in South Wales, and St. Ives, in 

 Cornwall. 



Mr. A. Collinette read some very interesting notes upon the methods of fertiliza- 

 tion by a small fly, of one of orchids, Aristolochia clematis, or birthwort, which is com- 

 mon in England upon old ruins, &c. The very complex and ingenious means by 

 which cross fertilization is secured in this small and inconspicuous flower was lucidly 

 explained by Mr. Collenette, who further illustrated it by means of a couple of dia- 

 grams which he had drawn, showing greatly enlarged sections of the flower. 



A very interesting discussion followed, in which many of the members took part. 



Mr. Sharp also handed in a short list of Guernsey proverbs, as a contribution to 

 to the newly -commenced Folklore Section. This led to an interesting conversation 

 upon local proverbial expressions, several further examples of which were quoted by 

 members present. — W. A. Luff. Hon. Sec, 



