THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



221 



F.L.S., exhibited a number of finely-mounted specimens of the genus Plantago, 

 including a specimen of P. lanceolata, showing abnormal variety, regarding 

 which he made some interesting remarks. Mr. John Mackay exhibited a 

 number of uncommon local lepidoptera, taken by Mr. T. J. Henderson, at 

 Garelochhead and Dunblane, among which were N. dictceoides, C. umbratica, 

 E. erosaria, N. neglecia, T. interjecta, &c, and some rare micros from 

 Possil Marsh, Hillhead, and Milngavie. Mr. D. C. Glen, F.G.S., exhibited 

 a very fine specimen of opal, of great brilliancy, from the famous mines in 

 Queensland ; and also specimens of crinoid heads, and the head and stem of 

 encrinite from the Silurian formation at Dwbley. Mr. John Young, F.G.S., 

 exhibited a beautiful and interesting specimen of a pied blackbird, Turdus 

 merula, in which the plumage is finely blotched with patches of pure white 

 feathers. He stated that this specimen was presented to the museum by 

 Miss Lizzie Alexander, Dowanhill Gardens. It had frequented the gardens 

 for two or three years, and was known to many of the frequenters ; but in 

 March, 1885, it was found dead under one of the hollies, having been 

 wounded by some person. Mr. Young also exhibited a white variety of the 

 song thrush, Turdus musicus, shot on September 24th, of this year by Dr. R. 

 B. Young, at Westercraigs, Linlithgowshire. The exhibitor stated that this 

 was the first example of a white variety of the mavis that had come under his 

 notice, and the occurrence seems to be very rare. Mr. E. C. Eggleton ex- 

 hibited a number of eggs deposited by a specimen of the smooth snake in 

 one of show-cases in Kelvingrove Museum. Mr. C. B. Cross showed some 

 very interesting aquatic objects from the Clyde, demonstrating the develop- 

 ment of certain species suitable for the aquaria; and Mr. Robert Dunlop 

 exhibited under the microscope a peculiar form of parasite found on minnows 

 in his aquarium. The meeting adjourned till November 16th. — John 

 Mackay, Eon, Sec. 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 



Notes on Butterflies, in 1887. — The past summer has been an un- 

 usually good one for butterflies. P. rapcz, P. napi, and P. brassicce have 

 been excessively numerous, far more so in fact than we ever remember. 

 V. C-album, which for several seasons had been very scarce in this part of the 

 country, began to appear again in 1886, in its former numbers, and this 

 year has been still more plentiful. P. megcera, H. tilho?ius, and P. pklceas 

 were more common than they have been during the last few years, while 

 V. io and V. atalanta were as usual very numerous. — (Miss) R. Prescott 

 Decie, Bockleton Court, Tenbury. 



