Natural History of the West Coast of Ross-shire. 87 
in our seas. It belonged to the genus AsteronyoSy described by 
Muller and Troschell in their work on star-fishes. It seemed 
doubtful whether it was the same species which they had de- 
scribed under the name of A. Lovenii from Norway. In the 
main, it very closely corresponded with their description, but 
there were one or two discrepancies, which might either be 
specific, or variations dependent upon the age of the animal. 
Mr Stewart had only found one specimen ; therefore, in the 
meantime, he was not in a condition to give an opinion upon 
this point. Mr Stewart, in conclusion, gave some interesting 
notices regarding the pulsation of the snail as compared with 
that of other animals ; and also some notices of peculiar 
geological features which he had observed in Ross-shire. 
VI. A beautiful Series of Varieties [in plumage) of the common Phea- 
sant, were exhibited, the property of Walter May, Esq. By Andrew 
Murray, Esq. 
Wednesday, March 23, 1S59. — William Rhind, Esq., President, 
in the Chair. 
John S. Livingston, Esq., Leith, was elected a Member of the Society. 
The following Communications were read : — 
I. Extract of Letter from the Rev. Hugh Goldie, Old Calabar, to Dr 
Greville, respecting some singular Silk " Bag s^' formed by Insects 
in Africa. Communicated by W. H. Lowe, M.D. 
The following extract of the letter was read by Dr Lowe, 
and specimens of the very curious " Bags" therein described 
were exhibited :— 
" Last year a brother of King Eeyo undertook a trading 
expedition to Efeet. [This is a country lying on the side of 
the Camaroons Mountain, nearest the Old Calabar Eiver.] In 
the smaller box you will find something which he brought to 
me as a curiosity, it being quite unknown in Calabar. The 
articles are small bags, woven by what would appear to be an 
insect of the same family as the silkworm. The insects are 
said to form these on trees, many working at one bag ; and, 
having completed their task, each one rolls himself up in his 
