at the end of that period as though it had never been touched ; 
the renewal of the peat being probably caused by the sinking 
in of the surrounding parts, rather than by a new growth. 
Hence great caution was necessary in assigning ages to articles 
found in peat at considerable depths. In this region the 
botanists obtained specirrens of the ferns Osmunda regalis and 
Lastrsea thelyptei is, the delicate little bog pimpernel, a Drosera 
or sun-dew, the Eriophorum or cotton grass, the Comarum 
palustre, and many other plants, several ot which were common 
up to Clevedon. The Sphagnum or bog-moss, in its transition 
state into peat, was noticed, and many of the pools yielded 
Chara vulgaris, and other plants interesting to microscopists, 
with several animalcules ; also a fresh- water raoUusk, Succinea, 
allied to the ordinary limneea. A large marsh-spider was also 
captured, and a few insects. After spending some time in the 
pursuit of the many objects of interest afforded them, this party 
also returned to Glastonbury, along the railway, and the whole 
having met at the ajipointed rendezvous, the George hotel, they 
did ample justice to the dinner which awaited them, and which 
was very well served up. After dinner, ceremony being, as 
usual, dispensed with, some of the party returned at once to 
Bristol, others adjourned to the beautifiil ruins of Glastonbury 
abbey to enjoy a cigar in the grounds, while a third division, 
more adventurous than the rest, hired a conveyance and drove 
to Wells to see the cathedral, returning just in time for the7.20 
p.m. train to Bristol. The day was, most fortunately, beauti- 
fully fine, and from its varied interests and want of contretemps, 
we think we may safely say this was the most successful 
excursion ever undertaken by the society. 
Entomological Section. — Chairman : Mr Stephen Barton. 
Hon. Secretary : Mr. Edwyn C. Reed. Formed May 12th, 
1864. To meet on the second Tuesday in each month, at Eight 
o'clock. 
May 24. — The rules of the section were made and other formal 
business gone through. Mr. I. Barber exhibited Procris geyron 
Hlib, captured in the Gully, Clifton-down, and Mr. Fdwyn C. 
Eeed exhibited a specimen of Calosoma sycop'hanta, Lin , taken 
at Ashtou ; a pair of Asclera sauguinicoUis, Fab. , taken at 
At-hton ; and Aleochara fuscipes var. lata, Grav , captured freely 
in Leigh Wood. — June 14. — Mr. G. Hording exhibited as new 
to the district, Scoparia i)allidulalis Gn., and Adela De 
Geerella Lin.; Mr. A. E. Hudd, Platypteryx hamula W.V., 
captured at Leigh; Mr. S. Barton, a number of Australian 
Curculionidcr. The Hon. Secretary, exhibited for Dr. Power, 
corresponding member, Bembidiura Fockii, Hum., of which 
only six British specimens are known ; Stenus Kiessenwetteri. 
Kosen, new to this country — it has occured in Spain and 
Bavaria, but is nowhere common ; Homolota notha, P]r., the 
second known example ; Oxytelus speculifrons, Anobium 
pusillus Gyll, , Cis lineato-cribratus, Mellie, Scydrasenus 
Godarti Latr , and Zeugophora Turneri, Power. 
VVM. LANT CARPENTER. 
Honorary Reporting Secretary, 
