12 
the grand step from the lifeless to the living protoplasm 
has not been diminished. Physiologists may perhaps here- 
after discover and explain the difference between organic 
forms living and dead, but at present it is not proved that 
the phenomena of life can be reconciled with the mere 
functions of matter. 
“ On a new form of Calamitean Strobilus,” by Professor 
Williamson, F.RS. [This paper was afterwards read at an 
Ordinary Meeting of the Society, held October 19th, 1869. 
See page 7.] 
Dr. Henry Simpson exhibited specimens of Statice spa- 
thulata, gathered by himself this autumn on Hilbree Island; 
Cheshire. He remarked that the locality is the one given 
in Ly son’s “Magna Britannia,” but that the plant had not, 
he believed, been noticed there for many years. 
Mr. Tait sent a portion of the beach from near Alexan- 
dria, Egypt, consisting almost entirely of shells. He stated 
that for miles along the coast the shore was of a similar 
character. 
Mr. Joseph Sidebotham read a paper on “Varieties 
in Lepidoptera.” 
The questions as to what constitutes a species ? where 
does a species end, and a variety begin ? and whether a 
species be a natural or merely an artificial division ? are 
amongst the most difficult of solution in the whole range 
of natural history, and just at this time are very promi- 
nently before the scientific world. 
With a view to determine the influence which difference 
of food and light might have in modifying species, the 
author gives the following as the result of some experiments 
which he had made. 
I procured about 2,500 larvse of the tiger moth, in a 
young state. I divided them into six lots, keeping each in 
