10 
insects, and also a parasite peculiar to this species, {Melecta 
armata,) and made some interesting remarks on its habits. 
Botany. The most valuable contribution of the year, and the 
one which will also be most acceptable for publication in oui- 
Transactions, is that of Mr. Plowright, of Lynn, consisting of a 
List of Fungi gathered by himself in West I^orfolk, and comprising 
more that 800 species. Although not a member of our Society, 
Mr. Plowright has not only kindly presented us with this valuable 
addition to our county Flora, hut has liberally offered to pay for the 
illustrations ; the best thanks of the Society are therefore doubly 
due to this distinguished Fungologist for his disinterested con- 
tributions. 
A paper contributed by ]\Ir. decks, of Northampton, was read at 
the first meeting of the Society on The Law of Natural Selection 
in relation to Colours and Scents of Plants. 
IMr. decks attempted to prove (1) that the colours of plants were 
due to different degrees of absorption and radiation of different 
coloured rays of light; (2) that the scent of flowers was in an 
inverse proportion to their brilliancy of colour, i.e. that bright 
coloured flowers had less scent than dull coloured ones, which 
latter were thus more attractive to insects, which, by diffusing 
pollen, aided their propagation; (3) that dull coloured flowers 
faded less rapidly than bright coloiu'ed ones, because the tissues of 
the former did not absorb so mauj’’ bright coloured rays of light as 
the latter, and, therefore, did not radiate colour so much, and had 
tlms an advantage over the other in this respect. 
On those projjositions Mr. decks set up his theory, that dull 
colours and sweet soent, gave to plants possessing them a real 
advantage in the struggle for life, for which the Flora as well as the 
Fauna are supposed to be continually battling. 
I need scarcely remind you of the interesting discussion to Avhich 
this paper gave rise, in which Mr. H. Geldart chiefly took part ; this 
gentleman objected to Mr. decks’ data, contending that in the 
Flora with which we are best acquainted, bright coloured, i.e. 
white and yellow flowers, are more abundant than dull coloured 
ones, and that ]nire bright colour was no bar to delicious jKU’fume. 
