42 
PKOCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
Darwin includes 80 species, while the birds consist of 450 specimens, includihg 
150 species, some of them obtained from the Gallapagos Islands, and stated by 
Mr. Gould to be entirely new forms in this country. Mr. Gould also described 
two species of Quail, from Australia, where five kinds are at present known; 
likewise, two specimens of Hcemapodii. —The Secretary read a communication 
from Mr. Bennett, “ on the luminosity and phosphorescence of the sea,” the 
writer being of opinion, that this phenomenon is produced by MoUusca.^ and other 
animals, as well as by a highly charged electrical state of the water, 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
Jan. 2.—The Rev. F. W. Hope, F. R. S., in the chair.—Mr. Rudder, of 
Bristol, exhibited numerous specimens of North American insects obtained from 
Turpentine, and several insects found in gum cepal and gum animi, the latter 
being obtained by dissolving the gum in exotic oil of Lavender, and solution of 
ammonia. The President complimented Mr, Rudder upon his labours, and 
expressed his belief, that a complete collection of the insects of North America 
might be obtained from this source. The following memoirs were also read :—1. 
Descriptions of new species of Australian Halticcs, by Mr. Waterhouse, one of 
the species being identical with the English Turnip Fly. 2. Description of the 
nest of the West-Indian Trap-deer {Cteniza nidulans)^ by Mr. Sells. 3. Some 
observations on Agoum paradoxum.^ by Mr. W estv/ood, 
BOTANICAL SOCIETY. 
Jan. 5. J. E. Gray, Esq., F. R. S., in the chair. A paper was read by the 
Curator, Mr. Cooper, ‘"On the distribution of the localities of plants in 
Battersea Fields.” The plants were characterised under the following heads : 
1. those found in meadows and pastures; 2. in cultivated fields; 3, in Osier 
grounds; 4, on commons; 5, in ponds and ditches; and 6, in market gardens. 
So numerous are the indigenous plants of Battersea Fields, that of 104 na¬ 
tural orders described in Lindley’s British Flora (1st edit.) 6l were found in 
this locality. 
Jan. 19. Mr. W. H. White, in the chair. Dr. Macintyre read a paper— 
“ On the plants to be met with on Warley Common, near Bi entwood.” Among 
them were the following:— Aspidium clilatatum.^ A. angulare, A, lihaivm, A, 
trichiomanes, and Asplennm nigrum. 
