42 



The Naturalist. 



Heckmondwike Naturalists' Society. — Meeting August 19tli, 

 Mr. J. M. Barber, vice-president, in the chair. Specimens of local plants 

 and fossils were exhibited, amongst which was a very good specimen of 

 Echinus, found in the excavating at White Lee. 



Meeting 16th September, Mr. J. M. Barber in the chair. The 

 specimens exhibited were a number of plants, a variety of minerals, a 

 large number of marine and a few land shells, some larvse, and a 

 beautifully-marked specimen of Sphenopteris latifolia. An iron spear- 

 head was also exhibited, which had been found in the solid trunk of a 

 tree. The woodpecker was reported to have been seen between Heck- 

 mondwike and Cleckheaton. — J, Dearden, Hon. Sec. 



HuDDERSFiBLD Naturalists' Socibty. — Meeting August 21st, the 

 president, Mr. G. T. Porritt, F.L.S., in the chair. — A good collection of 

 botanical specimens, partly from Buxton and partly from this district, 

 were laid upon the table by Mr. Joseph Tindall. In entomology the 

 president exhibited specimens of Petasia nuheculosa, recently sent to him 

 from Rannoch ; also specimens of Nola alhulalis, Ephyra orhicularia, 

 Acidalia degeneraria, and Coremia propugnata, all bred by himself. Mr. 

 Samuel D. Bairstow showed a box of specimens collected by himself 

 during the previous week at Pwllheli and Penrhynduduth, in Wales ; 

 they included the beautiful pale variety of Lomaspilis marginata, Ephyra 

 porata, Oporahia filigrammaria, Chcereas gram,inis, Bryophila glandifera, 

 &c., the last he believed was new to Wales. Mr. Edward Taylor exhibited 

 a living specimen of Sirex gigas, captured in the town on a horse's back. 

 As the horse was apparently excessively annoyed by it, some surprise 

 was expressed as to the reason why a purely vegetable feeder should be 

 found in such a situation. Mr. James Varley recorded the capture of 

 Zeuzera cesculi near Almondbury Bank. This was the first record of its 

 occurrence in the district. Mr. J. P. Dore then read a paper on " The 

 Chameleon," giving a history of the habits and peculiarities of this singular 

 reptile, dwelling more particularly on its well known characteristic habit 

 of changing colour. This he attributed entirely to the action of light and 

 atmospheric influences, and not in any way to the will of the reptile ; 

 this was easily proved by placing a specimen in such a position that light 

 could have full play on one part of the body, but not any other, &c. — 

 A discussion ensued. 



Meeting September 2nd, the president in the chair. — Mr. Henry 

 M'Kenzie exhibited a fine fossilized example of some species of coral from 

 Gwrych Castle, Abergeldie. The botanical specimens included Polystichum 

 acideatmn, Hypericum Androscemum, &c., shown by Mr. M'Kenzie ; 

 Statice armeria, Plantago maritima, and others from the Isle of Man, by 

 Mr. Joseph Copley ; Meum athamanticum from Oakleigh Hill, Stirling- 

 shire, by Mr. Allan God ward. In ornithology Mr. Joseph Tindall 



