Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/54

28 a white tip and the under side of the rays was also white, but tinged with pink; the ventral fin was like the pectorals, but without the white tip. The abdominal fin and the finlets were pinkish white; the tail was dark, resembling the first dorsal fin.— (Northrepps, Norfolk).

—As a note towards determining the breeding time of Sea Crayfish, I mention that I have to-day (Oct. 27, 187(3) received one with the berry fully developed.— (Penzance).

 

November 2, 1876.—Prof. President, in the chair.

Mr. Duppa Crotch exhibited a live specimen of the Norwegian Lemming, with charts showing the nature of the ground traversed in two instances in which he himself had witnessed the westerly migration of this singular little rodent.

Mr. G. Bentham read a paper on the distribution of the Monocotyledonous order into primary groups, more especially in reference to the Australian flora, with notes on some points of terminology.

Dr. Francis Day drew attention to examinations he had made on some Irish Sticklebacks (Gasterostei). Abnormal variations in the presence and absence of ventral fin and spines in specimens of the Three-spined and Ten-spined Sticklebacks induce him to consider these appendages of doubtful specific value.

Mr. H.W. Bates communicated a paper by Mr. D. Sharp on the respiratory function of the Carnivorous Water Beetles (Dytiscidæ). Experiments made by the author on numerous species show that there are wide differences in the length of time they spend submerged and on the surface for breathing purposes. Most specimens of the group are more active by night than by day.

Prof. Dickie gave a supplementary notice of Marine Algæ obtained in the 'Challenger' Expedition. Of some fifty species one only is new.

A description of Thaumantis pseudaliris and Amesia pexifascia, two new Lepidopterous forms from Malacca, by Mr. A.G. Butler, was taken as read.

The same author also had a communication on the genus Euptychia, a revision, with the addition of twelve new species being made. A case of these butterflies was exhibited in illustration of his paper.

A second communication, by Mr. D. Sharp, referred to new species of Beetles (Scarabæidæ) from Central America. These had been captured by Mr. Belt, chiefly in the neighbourhood of Chontales.

