THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 



39 



Newstead, a specimen of Vanessa antiopa captured in Cheshire in 1877 by Mr. Leather, 

 . of Vale Royal. — F. N. Pierce, Hpn. Sec, 143, Smithdown Lane, Liverpool. 



GUERNSEY SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE AND 



LOCAL RESEARCH. 



December 14th, 1892 — The usual monthly meeting of the above Society was held 

 on Wednesday last at the Guille-Allcs Library, Mr. E. D. Marquand, President, 

 in the Chair. The Attendance of members was rather small. Mr. Cecil Carey, 

 was unanimously elected member. Mr. Derrick read a letter from Capt. Wilkins 

 containing some notes on the recent appearance and capture of various birds in the 

 island. Mr. Luff read from The Field Club a paper by R. Lawton Robert, M.D., on 

 " The insusceptibility of some individuals to the stings of Wasps, Bees, and Nettles." 

 This paper was the more interesting as the particular cases therein referred to were 

 noticed in Jersey and in Herm. It is, at least, curious and unusual that a person 

 should be stung on the head, neck, arms and hands by scores of wasps and yet feel 

 no pain ; also that children should play and romp unharmed in a luxuriant bed of 

 nettles, as though they were among so much new-mown hay Mr, Z. Robert then 

 entertained the meeting with a varied collection of Guernsey proverbial sayings, and 

 scraps of local folk-lore which are at once interesting and valuable, as much of this 

 material is fast passing away as the older generation dies out. An excellent paper 

 written for this Society, by Mr. Howell, of Jersey, on " Marine Worms of the 

 Channel Islands," was then read by Mr. Marquand, who had prepared enlarged 

 drawings of two of the creatures referred to. This paper, which was the result of 

 much close observation on the part of the writer, dealt chiefly with that strange and 

 unaccountable habit among certain lower fornix of animal life, which is known as 

 ,' Commensalism." The paper was m^st interesting and was much enjoyed. 



January 11th, 1893. — The monthly meeting of the above Society was held at the 

 Guille-Alles Library last Wednesday evening, Mr. E. D. Marquand, president, in 

 the chair. Mr. Edward B. Marquand, brother of the president, was proposed as a 

 member for election at the next meeting. Mr. Derrick and other members drew 

 attention to a curious deposit of limpet shells, which has been found at a depth about 

 5ft., while digging some foundations near Fort George. The shells rest upon undis- 

 turbed rock, and the earth above them is free from rubbish and extraneous matter- 

 It is difficult to decide how these shells got into their present position. Several sug- 

 gestions were offered. Mr. Marquand, the president, then read his promised paper 

 oa " Holly and Mistletoe," treating his subject in a pleasant and popular manner, and 

 and referring to the appropriateness of the theme, just at this Christmas and New 

 Year's season. The paper gave rise to an interesting conversation in which a number 

 of members took part. Mr. Marquand afterwards brought forward a. valuable sug- 

 gestion for including in the Society's Transactions, short biographies of Guernsey 

 naturalists, botanists, antiquaries, &c, together with lists of their published works if 

 any ; the titles of any articles contributed by them to scientific or other periodicals ; 

 and any other similar information. Mr. Sharp, Mr. Luff, Mr. Derrick, Mr. Pitts, 

 Mr. De La Mare, and others spoke in favour of the project, which was referred to 

 a sub-committee for further consideration and arrangement. — W. Sharp, Hon. Sec. 



Review. 



Transactions of the City of London Entomological and 

 Natural History Society for 1892. — We believe this is the first 

 attempt made by this Society to present its members with a lengthy 



