xliv 
PROCEEDINGS, 
Mr. Gr. E. Bullen exhibited a fine specimen of the goose- 
barnacle (Lepas anatifera ) from Plymouth Sound, and referred 
to the ancient legend which associated it with the genesis of the 
barnacle goose. 
Mr. A. E. G-ibbs, F.L.S., exhibited a series of the two “blue ” 
butterflies, Lycena bellargus and L. corydon, to illustrate the 
variation of these species ; an example of a death’s-head moth, 
Acherontia styx, from India ; and specimens of a brilliantly- 
coloured day-flying moth, Urania leilus, from Ecuador, which 
until recently, owing to its superficial characters, was supposed 
to be allied to the papilionid butterflies. 
Mr. Charles Oldham, F.Z.S., called attention to the recent 
invasion of crossbills in Britain, and referred to the occurrence 
of the bird in Hertfordshire during the past autumn. 
The following lecture was delivered:— 
“ A Chat about Bacteria.” By H. S. Eremlin, L.E.C.P., D.P.H. 
The lecture was illustrated by diagrams and cultures, and 
dealt with the life-history and appearance of the three classes 
of Bacteria—Micrococci, Bacilli, and Spirillse—describing the 
function of these lowly plants in preparing dead matter for 
food for animals by breaking it down into its original chemical 
constituents. The lecturer pointed out that although many 
Bacteria are inimical to life and the cause of sundry diseases, 
the presence of these minute plants was essential to the existence 
of higher forms of life. 
285th Ordinary Meeting, 2nd February, 1910, at St. Albans. 
Dr. John Morison, F.Gr.S., Vice-President, in the Chair. 
The Eev. E. D. Wright, B.A., Buckingham, St. Albans, was 
proposed for membership of the Society. 
Mr. A. E. Gibbs, F.L.S., called attention to the arrangements 
which were being made for holding the first International 
Entomological Congress at Brussels in August next. 
The Eev. E. D. Wright exhibited a clutch of the eggs of the 
Indian crow and an egg of the cuckoo called in India the “ kael ” 
(Endynamis honorata) , which is fostered in the nests of the crow, 
the eggs being almost identical in colour and markings. 
The following lecture was delivered :— 
“ The Colours of Animals.” By Charles Oldham, F.Z.S., 
M.B.O.U., Hon. Sec. 
Mr. W. E. Carter and Mr. Gregory M. Mathews were appointed 
auditors of the Society’s accounts for the year 1909. 
