18 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



less than eleven genera and seventeen species have been added. In other 

 carboniferous districts of England and Ireland, only three genera and five 

 species have as yet been determined, two of these being also found in Scot- 

 land. The exhibitor hoped that as other districts in our limestone strata 

 were being opened up the search for sponge remains would be continued, and 

 that other forms would be added to our list. Mr. Robert Dunlop exhibited 

 specimens of fossil plants from the upper carboniferous formation, including 

 a rare species, Psilotites unilateralis (Kidson), and C.folivius, C. bivalvis, 

 6 r . scutallatus, &c, also a specimen of sphurs produced by gas. Mr. John 

 Mack ay exhibited two boxes containing British specimens of the fritillary 

 butterflies [Argynnida and Melitcea), including fine series of the rare species 

 M. cinxia, from Yentnor, Isle of Wight ; M. athalia, from Plymouth ; and 

 A. fathonia, taken at Dover. Mr. Mackay also exhibited fine specimens of 

 the variety valezina of A. papkia, variety diniensis of L. sinapis, and the 

 black form of A, betnlaria, regarding which he made some interesting 

 remarks, explaining the distribution of the various species and other facts 

 concerning them. Mr. Robert Mason, F.L.S., exhibited a fine collection of 

 plants from Switzerland, which, he remarked, bore a very close resemblance 

 to our Scottish flora. Indeed, of the Switzerland flora only three genera 

 have not been found in Britain, and representing the species Rododendron 

 virugineum, R. intermedium, Solanella alpina, and Nigritella angustifolia. 

 In connection with this exhibit, Mr. Young said that it was remarkable that 

 the plants which are found on the high grounds in Switzerland are here found 

 on the seaboard. Mr. T. J. Henderson showed some specimens of micro- 

 lepidoptera, including Euposciiia angustana, and the variety Thuliana, which 

 is peculiar to Shetland ; also Mixodia palustrana and Exapate gelatella. — 

 John Mackay, Hon. Sec. 



PASSING EVENTS. 



The celebrated auction rooms in King Street, Co vent Garden, on the 13th 

 of December last, witnessed a gathering of naturalists such as is not often 

 brought together. The fact of an egg of the Great Auk coming into the 

 market, is of so rare occurrence that that alone would draw together the most 

 prominent of our oologists, whilst the South African curiosities and specially 

 selected heads and horns of various species of antelopes from the late Colonial 

 Exhibition, and two collections of lepidoptera also had their respective ad- 

 mirers. The day was certainly a good one for the auctioneers, though any 

 one wishing to obtain fine hall specimens might, with judgment, have secured 



