44 
example of the alte ration of a rock in consequence of volcanic heat, the 
sand being seen completely metamorphosed into granular quartz rock. 
The author concluded his paper, which was illustrated by diagrams and 
views, with a few remarks on the agricultural qualities of soils, formed from 
the weathering of different geological strata, and gave reasons for the great 
variation in fertility betweenthe natura 1 soils at the foot of the Wrekin, 
and those near other similar hills, as for instance, the Malvern range in the 
neighbouring county, and added that a complete and first rate series of 
mineralogieal specimens might easily be collected from the Wrekin. 
SECTIONAL. MEETINGS. 
BOTANICAL SECTION. 
The Members have met with regularity on the appointed evenings 
during the session, the greater part of the time being occupied in pre- 
paring, mounting, and finishing the specimens contributed to the Society's 
Herbarium. At the November Meeting Mr. Derham exhibited several 
specimens of Allium sphoerocephalum, gathered in the neighbourhood of 
Durdham Down, which was at one time a recognized habitat of this plant, 
though for some years it has been supposed to be lost to the locality. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION. 
At the February Meeting, 1869, the President, Mr. Stephen Barton, 
exhibited a box containing a large number of specimens of Coleoptera, col- 
lected in the Isle of Crete, and a few species from St. Helena. Some of 
these from the former locality have since proved to be new to science. 
During the Summer, the Section took Field Excursions to Brockley, 
Portbury, and the Sea-Mills, 
At the December Meeting, 1869, some rare specimens were exhibited, 
among which were Bryophila algre, Cucullia gnaphalii, Xylina conformis, 
Dianthsecia Barrettii, &c, and a paper was read by the Hon. Sec. on the 
supposed identity of Solenobia pomonre and Xysmatodoma melanella. 
Some of the Evenings have also been spent in perfecting a list of Lepi- 
doptera occurring in the Bristol District. 
