48 THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



CLYDESDALE NATURALISTS' SOCIETY. 



The usual monthly meeting of this society was held on Wednesday even- 

 ing, 16th February, in the society's rooms, 207, Bath Street — Mr. T. J. 

 Henderson, President, in the chair. The chairman made reference in touch- 

 ing terms to the loss the society had sustained by the death of Mr. James 

 M'Grouther, who was one of the original founders of the society, and was 

 recently elected a vice-president. Mr. M'Grouther was an enthusiastic 

 entomologist; and it was mainly through his personal influence that the 

 society met with so large a measure of success. Mr. Robert Dunlop exhibited 

 some very interesting geological specimens, including entomostraca from the 

 carboniferour formation, and a well preserved specimen of a scorpian (Gh/pto- 

 scorpius minuti&culptus) from the coal measures of Airdrie. An interesting 

 letter from Mr. B. W. Peach, of the Geological Survey of Scotland, was read 

 in connection with the specimen exhibited, which, along with Mr. Dunlop's 

 comprehensive remarks on the subject, proved very interesting. Mr. Robert 

 Mason, F.L.S., exhibited a beautiful specimen of the delicate and fragile 

 sponge known as " Venus' Flower Basket" (Euplectella aspergillum), from 

 the Philippine Islands ; and also a number of microscopic slides, showing 

 fossil spicules, regarding which he made some interesting remarks, Mr. Jas. 

 Lumsden, F.Z.S., of Arden, exhibited a specimen of the Water Shrew (Cross- 

 opus fodiens, Pallus), which was found dead on a footpath, near Cardross, on 

 on 26th September, 1886. It had evidently been killed by an owl, or some 

 other bird, as there was a mark on its head which showed that it had not died 

 a natural death. Although not so nearly so common as the common shrew, 

 the water shrew is widely but locally distributed on all parts of Scotland. 

 The late Dr. Scoular, of Glasgow, was the first to add this species to the 

 Scottish fauna, the specimen first taken by him having been captured near 

 Glasgow. The species it is believed, has not before been recorded from any 

 part of the county of Dumbarton. It was intimated that at next meeting 

 Mr. D. M'Lellan, superintendent of parks, Glasgow, would read an important 

 and interesting paper, entitled " Meteorological Notes and Remarks upon 

 the Weather during the year 1886, with its general effects upon vegetation." 

 Several new members having been proposed, a vote of thanks to the various 

 exhibitors brought a most interesting meeting to a close. — John Mackay, 

 Hon. Sec. 



First Annual Supper op the Clydesdale Naturalists' Society. — 

 The first annual supper of the above Society was held on Friday evening, 

 4th February, in the Royal Restaurant, West Nile Street, Glasgow. Mr. T. 

 J. Henderson, President, in the chair. In the absence of Mr. McGrouther, 



