198 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
temperature in December is 41.10., and in January 36.90. The mean temperature 
of winter at the same place Mr. Watson states to be 39.00.—-of spring 47.00.—and 
that of summer 59.03. The result of observations made at other places varies 
little from the preceding. That Mr. Lankester has experienced a lower tem¬ 
perature than 61° in March will, therefore, not appear improbable. In fact if 
the thermometer was really the height stated (61°),. Mr. L. must have had the 
pleasure of witnessing a warm summers day (pardon the Hibernianism) in 
December! The mean March temperature is, however, much lower than 52°. 
The “large coloured Butterfly” noticed was most probably Vanessa urticce. 
Unimpregnated females of the last brood of this common species often exist 
through the winter, and may frequently be observed flying about on mild days 
in February and March (see p. 155). Vanessa polychloros is a much rarer 
insect. 
I am, 
Yours very faithfully, 
Peter Rylands. 
To Neville Wood, Esq., &c. 
PROCEEDINGS OF NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES. 
With a view of putting our readers in possession of the progress of Natural 
History both at home and abroad, we intend, as opportunity offers, to publish 
complete reports of the various Societies dedicated entirely or in part to that 
science, supplying every particular likely to be of interest or importance. In 
furtherance of this object, we shall always be happy to receive reports of 
Societies, metropolitan, provincial, and foreign, with the rules, lists of officers, 
&c., accounts of the proceedings at the periodical meetings, and, where desirable, 
copies of the papers read. These will be received, as hitherto, from the 
respective Secretaries, or from any other individual interested in the various 
Societies. 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
On Thursday, Feb. 1, the ordinary meeting was held, Mr. W. Sharp Macleay 
in the chair.—The report of the Council announced the total receipts of the past 
month as £2,373 10s. 8d.; and of expenditure, to the farm for rent £30, to the 
gardens £ 1,048, and the museum £138 5s. 2 d. There had also been invested in the' 
Three-per-Cents. £197 16s. due to the composition account, and £200 had been 
