The Zoologist/3rd series, vol 1 (1877)/Issue 7/Proceedings of Scientific Societies
PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES.
Linnean Society of London.
Annual General Meeting, Wednesday, May 24, 1877.—The customary Address on the occasion of the Anniversary was delivered by the President, Prof. Allman, F.R.S. He took as his subject, "Recent Researches among the Lower Sarcode Organisms," being a continuation of his Address of last year. He dwelt upon the important additions to our knowledge of these organisms due to the investigations of Archer, in our own country, and of Hertwig and Lesser, Franz Eilhard Schulze and Greeff, in Germany. The discovery of many new Monothalamic Rhizopods of fresh water, and the important additions made by the British and German investigators to our knowledge of their protoplasmic bodies, were brought in review before the meeting. These Monothalamic forms may be divided in accordance with the nature of their pseudopodia; in some these processes being short, thick, and finger-shaped (Lobosa); in others, long, slim and filiform (Filifera). The former were illustrated by Hyalosphenia, with its smooth, transparent shell, and of Quadrula, with beautifully sculptured shell; and the latter by Gromia, with very long filiform reticulated pseudopodia, and by Microgromia socialis, which has the curious habit of forming colonies by the association of numerous individuals which become united to one another by the mutual fusion of their pseudopodia. The remarkable form of reproduction discovered by Hertwig in Microgromia was also described. Hertwig had shown that in this Rhizopod the protoplasm divides by spontaneous fission into two segments, one of which remains in the shell, while the other forces its way out, assumes an oval shape, develops instead of pseudopodia two vibratile flagella, and becomes a free-swimming flagellate Zoospore, capable of ultimate development into the form of the adult. The very interesting discovery by Haeckel, that the contents of the so-called "yellow cells" of the Radiolaria become of a deep violet colour under the action of iodine, and are therefore mainly composed of starch, was also referred to among recent additions to our knowledge of the lower organisms. An account was then given of the remarkable and very significant researches of Messrs. Dallinger and Drysdale among the so-called "Monads"—microscopic organisms which become developed in putrefying solutions of organic matter, and which, in their ordinary and apparently adult state, swim about by the aid of vibratile flagella. These laborious and trustworthy investigators have shown that the flagellate Monads may acquire an amœboid condition, and move about by the aid of pseudopodia; that two such amœboid forms when they come in contact with one another become instantly blended together at the point of contact; that this blending becomes more and more intimate, until the two individuals become completely fused together, when their mingled protoplasm assumes the form of a spherical sac filled with particles of immeasurable minuteness. These particles are germs destined for the reproduction of the individual. Their form can be demonstrated only by the highest powers of the microscope, and by following them by means of a 1⁄50 of an inch object-glass. Messrs. Dallinger and Drysdale were enabled to trace their gradual development into the form of the adult. They further proved the remarkable and unexpected fact that these minute germs may be subjected to a temperature of 258° to 300° Fahr. without losing their vitality and power of development—a fact of vast significance in its bearing on the experiments connected with the question of spontaneous generation. Finally, attention was drawn to the quite recent discovery of Hertwig and F.E. Schulze of a nucleus in the Foraminifera. By this discovery their true systematic position can now be assigned to the Foraminifera, which must accordingly be removed from the region of Cytodes, or non-nucleated protoplasmic masses, to which they had been hitherto relegated, and placed on a much higher stage in the great division of the Rhizopoda. Resting on these facts, F.E. Schulze has attempted to represent, by the aid of a genealogical tree, the mutual affinities and derivation from one another of the various members of the Rhizopoda. The base of the tree, where its stem is as yet undivided, consists of the primitive forms—mere non-nucleated Cytodes, represented by Haeckel's Monera (Protogenes, Protamœba, &c.). From these, by the differentiation of a nucleus in their protoplasm, are evolved the nucleated forms (Amœba, fresh-water Monothalamia, Foraminifera, Heliozoa, &c.), which constitute the subdivisions into which the stem branches off. These repeat the various modifications of pseudopodia (lobose, filiform, &c.), which had already existed in the primitive forms, and which they thus derive by inheritance from their non-nucleated progenitors. Finally, through the branch of the Heliozoa, we are conducted to the ultimate twigs formed by the families of the Radiolaria, in which we find not only nuclei but a "central capsule" indicating the highest grade of differentiation attained by any of the group.
Among purely business matters, the Treasurer (Mr. J. Gwyn Jeffreys, F.R.S.) read his statement of the accounts, &c., of the past financial year. His report was very favourable, showing not only that the Society was gaining ground as to numbers and means, but extending its influence and usefulness in publications, valuable additions to the Library, &c. The handsome donation of £500 of the late Mr. Charles Lambert was duly announced and thanks accorded. During the past year twelve Fellows and five Foreign Members died; and forty-three Fellows, three Foreign Members, and one Associate had been elected.
The following gentlemen were unanimously elected into the Council:—Lieut.-Col. Grant, C.B., Mr. William Carruthers, Mr. Robert Hudson, Dr. John Millar, and Dr. R.C.A. Prior, in the room of the subjoined who retired—Mr. George Bentham, General Scott, C.B., Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, Mr. H.T. Stainton, and Mr. Charles Stewart. No change was made in President and officers, all being re-elected.—J. Murie.
Zoological Society of London.
June 5, 1877.— Prof. W.H. Flower, F.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair.
A communication was read from Dr. A.B. Meyer, enclosing a paper by the late Dr. Bowerbank, describing five new species of sponges, discovered by Dr. Meyer in the Philippine Islands and New Guinea during his recent travels in the Eastern Archipelago.
A communication was read from Mr. E.L. Layard, containing some remarks on the exact localities of certain species of birds of the Islands of the South Pacific.
A second communication from Mr. Layard contained remarks on a paper by Mr. R.B. Sharpe on the Cuculidæ of the Ethiopian Region.
A communication was read from Mr. Arthur G. Butler, containing an account of a collection of Lepidoptera, made at Cape York and on the South-East Coast of New Guinea, by the Rev. J.S. MacFarlane. Of these five butterflies and four moths were described as new to science.
Dr. A. Günther read a report on a collection of fishes made during the late Arctic Expedition by Mr. Hart, Naturalist on board H. M.S. 'Discovery.' Amongst them was a new species of Charr, from a lake near the winter quarters of the 'Discovery,' which was proposed to be called Salmo Naresi.
A communication was read from Mr. D.G. Elliot, containing a review of the genera and species of Ibidinæ or subfamily of Ibises.
A communication was read from Mr. Martin Jacoby, containing the descriptions of some new species of Phytophagous Coleoptera from various parts of the world.
Messrs. P.L. Sclater and O. Salvin read descriptions of six apparently new species of birds from collections lately received from Ecuador and Peru. Amongst these was a remarkable new duck of the genus Fuligula from the vicinity of Lima, Peru, proposed to be called Fuligula Nationi, after Prof. Nation, its discoverer.
Mr. A.H. Garrod read the third part of his series of papers on the anatomy of Passerine Birds, and treated specially of some modifications of the tracheophonine larynx, which he had lately ascertained to occur in the genera Pteroptochus and Grallaria.
Mr. George French Angas communicated notes on a collection of land and fresh-water shells from S.W. Madagascar; amongst these Mr. Angas pointed out three new species of Helix, one of Bulimus, and one of Physa, which he proposed to call Helix Watersi, H. Balstoni, H. ekongoensis, Bulimus Balstoni, and Physa madagascariensis.
A second communication from Mr. Augas contained the description of a remarkable shell from Japan, which he named Thatchera mirabilis; also the description of a new species of Leiodomus, from Kurrachi, Scinde, proposed to be called L. kurrachensis.
June 19, 1877.— E.W.H. Holdsworth, Esq., F.Z.S., Vice-President, in the chair.
The Secretary read a report on the additions that had been made to the Society's Menagerie during the month of May, 1877, and called particular attention to a Pangolin, Manis tricuspis, purchased May 24th, being, so far as was known, the first example of this remarkable form of Edentata that had ever reached the country alive; a male of the new Mesopotamian Fallow Deer, lately described and figured by Sir Victor Brooke, in the Society's 'Proceedings,' as Cervus Mesopotamicus (see 'Zoologist' for March last, p. 94): and an animal purchased on the 29th May as a Cheetah, but which appeared to belong to a new species of the genus Felis, distinct from, although closely allied to, that animal—for this the temporary designation of Felis lanea, or Woolly Cheetah, was proposed.
The Secretary read a letter addressed to him by Mr. J.M. Cornély, announcing that his female Hydropetes inermis had just produced three young ones.
Mr. J.E. Harting exhibited and made remarks on a variety of the common Snipe, intermediate in colour between the usual form of that species and the so-called Sabine's Snipe. This bird, shot in Ireland and forwarded by Mr. Douglas Ogilby, was described by Mr. Williams in 'The Zoologist' for January last (pp. 23, 24).
Mr. B. Tegetmeier exhibited a specimen of a curiously malformed sternum of the Tawny Owl.
Mr. John Murray, Naturalist to the 'Challenger' Expedition, exhibited and made remarks on a series of Sharks' teeth, Whales' ear-bones, and other specimens dredged up at great depths during the 'Challenger' Expedition.
Mr. P.L. Sclater read the first of a series of reports on the collection of birds made during the voyage of H.M.S. 'Challenger,' containing general remarks on the collection, which was stated to consist of about 679 skins of terrestrial and 198 of oceanic birds, besides a considerable series of specimens in salt and in spirit, and a collection of eggs, principally of the oceanic species.
A communication was read from the Marquis of Tweeddale, containing a report on the collection of birds made during the voyage of H.M.S. 'Challenger' in the Philippine Islands. Amongst them were examples of seven species new to science.
Mr. P.L. Sclater read a paper giving a description of the birds collected at the Admiralty Islands during the visit of the 'Challenger' Expedition to that place. Amongst these were examples of six species hitherto unknown to naturalists.
A communication was read from the Rev. O.P. Cambridge on some new species of Araneidea, with characters of two new genera, and some remarks on the families Podopthalmides and Dinopides.
A note was read by Mr. J.H. Gurney on the breeding of the Polish Swan in captivity, and on the stages of plumage of the young birds.
A communication was read from Mr. F. Moore, in which he gave a complete description of the Lepidopterous fauna of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, so far as is yet known.
A communication was read from Mr. Herbert Druce, containing a revision of the Lepidopterous genus Paphia, with descriptions of twenty-one new species.
A communication was read from Mr. E.J. Miers, containing the description of a collection of Crustacea (Decapoda and Isopoda), chiefly from South America, with descriptions of new genera and species.
Mr. A.H. Garrod read a description of the brain of the Sumatran Rhinoceros, Ceratorhinus Sumatrensis.
A paper by Mr. A.D. Bartlett contained the description of a new Guinea-fowl, from Mombassa, in Eastern Africa, based on a specimen brought home by Mr. Gerald Waller, for which the name Numida Ellioti was proposed.
This meeting closed the Session. There will be no more Scientific Meetings until the commencement of the next Session in November next.—P.L. Sclater, Secretary.
Entomological Society of London.
June 6, 1877.—J.W. Dunning, Esq., M.A., F.L.S., Vice-President, in the chair.
M. Réné Oberthür, Rennes, France, was balloted for and elected a Foreign Member.
Mr. J.W. Douglas exhibited the following insects:—
- Psylla sylvicola, Leth. On birch trees, Sevenoaks, July.
- Psylla„ *betulæ, Linn. On birch trees, Dunkeld, August.
- Psylla„ pruni, Scop. On fir trees, Addington Hills, October.
- *Psylla peregrina, Först. On mountain ash, Perth, August.
- Psylla„ costalis, Flor. On larch, Edinburgh, August.
- Psylla„ spartiophila, Först. On broom, Plumstead, June.
- Psylla„ simulans, Först., and *P. pyricola, Först. On pear trees, Perth and Roslyn, August.
- Psylla„ cratægi, Först. On pear trees, Roslyn, August.
- Psylla„ *Scotti, Löw. On fir trees, Addington Hills, October.
- Psylla„ hippophaës, Först. On Hippophaë rhamnoides, Folkestone, August.
- Trioza urticæ, Linn., T. hæmotodes, Först., and T. albiventris, Först. On fir trees, Addington Hills, October.
- Trioza„ Walkeri, Först. On buckthorn, Dartford, October.
- Aphalara polygoni, Först. On Rumex acetosella, Sevenoaks, July; and on fir trees, Addington Hills, October.
In all sixteen species of Psyllidæ taken by him during the latter half of 1876, whereof four (*) are new to Britain. Mr. Douglas called attention to the wide field the Psyllidæ offered for the discovery of new species and observation of economy, the variety in the latter being very great, some species rolling or deforming leaves, some exuding a waxy secretion, and others living free. The natural history of many species is quite unknown, and the rearing of any from the egg or larva to the perfect state was commended to the attention of entomologists, especially of those who have reared Lepidoptera, as being equally interesting with insects of that order, and furnishing an area for investigation as yet but little occupied.
Mr. F. Grut exhibited a white downy nest from Jamaica, supposed to be produced by some insect.
Mr. H. Goss exhibited a dark variety of Cleora glabraria.
Mr. C.O. Waterhouse exhibited a new species of dragon-fly from Borneo, belonging to the genus Gynacantha, which he proposed to call G. plagiata. It differed from all its congeners, not only in its great size, but in the unusual colouring of the wings, which were hyaline, with the whole anterior border as far as the stigma broadly margined with pitchy brown, and with a large patch of the same colour, only darker, across each wing near the apex; this patch on the hind wings extended a little along the posterior border. The total expanse of the wings was 6½ inches; the length of the posterior wing, 3⅛ inches. The specimen was a female.
The Secretary read a circular from Dr. Buchanan White, of Perth, asking entomologists to assist him with specimens of Hemiptera (especially exotic), as he was engaged in working out that order of insects.
Dr. Sharp communicated a note on the classification of the Rhynchophorous series of Coleoptera.
Mr. J.W. Slater communicated a paper, "On the Food of Gaily-coloured Caterpillars," in which he attempted to show that brightly-coloured larvæ generally fed on plants which were poisonous.
Mr. M'Lachlan stated that the bright coloration of larvæ was no protection from the attacks of ichneumons. He also remarked that the larva of Diloba ceruleocephala was found feeding sometimes on sloe and sometimes on laurel, and raised the question whether specimens found on the latter plant would be poisonous, and those on the former innocuous.
Mr. Meldola stated that, with regard to the chemical aspect of the question, he believed it possible for a poisonous substace derived from a food-plant to permeate the tissues of a caterpillar without undergoing any change. The evidence upon which this statement rested was to be found in the fact that the colouring matters of some plants had been found by means of the spectroscope in the tissues of larvæ which fed upon them in an unaltered condition. If colouring matters escape the digestive processes unaltered it is probable that organic poisons would do the same. On the other hand, it is well known that larvæ feeding on non-poisonous plants may elaborate poisons by chemico-physiological processes. The larva of Liparis auriflua, which feeds upon hawthorn, sloe, apple, oak, &c., and which possesses the well-known property of "urticating," was adduced as an example.
Mr. M'Lachlan remarked that it was now generally admitted that the urticating property was due to mechanical irritation, the numerous brittle hairs of the larva entering the skin.
Mr. Dunning and Mr. Waterhouse raised the question whether the hairs thus penetrating the skin might not possess some poisonous quality.
Mr. Meldola further remarked that he had observed that certain distasteful species of Lepidoptera preserved their disagreeable qualities after death, in proof of which he exhibited some butterflies found among an old collection of Indian insects, the greater part of which had been demolished by mites. The surviving specimens were all of protected species, viz. four of a Euplœa, one of Danais plexippus, and one of Papilio Pammon. Euplœa and Danais were well known to be protected genera, since they serve for models of mimetic resemblance. With regard to Papilio Pammon, Mr. Meldola stated that in his belief it was in some way distasteful, as he had seen it in swarms in the island of Nancowry, Nicobar Islands, in April, 1875.
Mr. M'Lachlan stated as a contrary fact that Cantharides is particularly subject to the attacks of beetles.
With regard to the means by which bright coloration might have become associated with poisonous qualities in a larva, Mr. Meldola reminded the Society of the experiments of Messrs. Jenner Weir and A.G. Butler, communicated to them in 1869. These gentlemen had proved that brightly-coloured, hairy and spiny caterpillars were generally distasteful, while dull species were devoured. Mr. Wallace was of opinion that the observed correlation between bright coloration, &c., and distastefulness was brought about by means of Natural Selection. Mr. Meldola quoted the following passage from Mr. Wallace's 'Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection':—"Distastefulness alone would, however, be of little service to caterpillars, because their soft and juicy bodies are so delicate that if seized and afterwards rejected by a bird they would almost certainly be killed. Some constant and easily perceived signal was therefore necessary to serve as a warning to birds never to touch these uneatable kinds, and a very gaudy and conspicuous colouring, with the habit of fully exposing themselves to view, becomes such a signal, being in strong contrast with the green or brown tints and retiring habits of the eatable kinds." (See also Proc. Ent. Soc, March 4, 1867.)
During the meeting the Rev. A. Eaton stated that he had observed a male specimen of Colias Edusa in Dorset on June 3rd. Mr. S. Stevens had likewise seen six specimens near Gravesend on June 4th.—R. Meldola, Hon. Sec.