THE PROCEEDINGS

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PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY

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UTURAL SCIENCE,

FOB SESSIOIT 1839-70.

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BY DEWAR, MITCHELL. & Co. “COURIER" OFFICE.

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THE PROCEEDINGS

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PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY.^

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NATURAL SCIENCE

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FOE SBSSIOIT 1869-70.

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PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY,

BY DEWAR, MITCHELL, & Co., “COURIER” OFFICE.

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ABVEIi TI SEME NT.

^T^HE PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL
SCIENCE was Instituted in March, 1867,
and meets on the first Thursday of every Month
(at 8.15 p.m. ), in its Rooms in St Ann’s Lane, in
which, besides the nucleus of an Herbarium, and
small collections of Stuffed Birds and Quadrupeds,
is the Library, containing upwards of 50 volumes,
chiefly standard works on Natural Science. The
Library is open on the evenings of the Second and
Fourth Thursdays of each Month, from 8 to 9
o’clock.

The Patrons of the Society are : —

The Right Hon. Lord Kinnaird, Lord Lieutenant
of the County.

Wm. Smythe, Esq. of Methven, Convener of the
County.

The Lord Provost of Perth.

The Hon. Arthur F. Kinnaird, M.P. for the City
of Perth.

The Office-bearers are : —

Dr Buchais^an White, President.

Messrs John Dawson, and James Lamb, Vice-
Presidents.

Messrs Joseph Stevenson, John Winter, and W.
C. Dewar, Councillors.

Mr A. T. Scott, St John Street, Perth, Secretary.

Mr James Henderson, George Street, Perth, Trea¬
surer.

Mr James. Stewart, Curator and Librarian.

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V.

CONTENTS.

Preface, ........

September, 1869.

The Hawk-Moths of Perthshire — by Dr Bach-
anan White, ......

October, 1869.

Exotic Plants Naturalised in Perthshire — Bv
Mr John Sim, . . . - .

November, 1869.

1. Becord of Anodonta cygnea found in the

Earn, .......

2. Shells of the Genus Helix found in Perth¬

shire — by Mr John Dawson,

3. British Nj^mph^acese or Water-Lilies — By

Mr J. Allen Harker, ....

December, 1869.

1. Becord of Anas clangula — Golden-eye Duck

— shot on Earn, .....

2. Excursion to Mamsoul, in Inverness-shire —

By Dr Buchanan White,

3. Beptilia of Perthshire — By Mr John Stewart

January, 1870.

1. Becord of Discelium nudum, gathered near

Perth, .......

2. The Gold and Gold-fields of Perthshire —

By Dr Lauder Lindsay, ....

3. The Natural History of the Salmon — By Mr

Thomas Marshall, . . . . .

PAGE.

0

3

12

15

15

19

23

23

29

35

35

48

VI.

CONTENTS.

February, 1870.

PAGE.

The Butterflies of Perthshire — By Dr Buchanan
White, . 55

Conversazione, 17th February, 1870, . . 63

Annual Meeting, 3d March, 1870, . 68

1. Election of Office-bearers, . . . .68

2. Address by the President, . . . .68

3. List of Prizes offered by the President, . 74

4. Species added to Local Lists in Session

1869-70, . 75

April, 1870.

1. Record of Vertigo anti-vertigo, . . .77

2. The Falconidse of Perthshire — By Mr J ames

Lamb, ....... 77

3. The Mollusca of the Ponds of the District —

By Mr James M‘Farlane, . . .84

May, 1870.

1. Record of Dasypolia Templi, . . .89

2. The best manner of Dividing Perthshire into

Districts — By Dr Buchanan White, . . 89

3. Contributions towards the History of the

Coleoptera of the District — By Mr J.
Allen Harker, . 92

June, 1870.

1. Report of an Excursion to Methven Woods

— By Mr John Dawson, . . . .95

fi.

2. Record of Helix lamellata on Birnam Hill, 99

3. The Waterfowls of the Tay and its Tribu¬

taries— Part I., The Waders— By Mr
Robert Baton, ..... 100

VII.

P E E F A C E.

lx contributing its mite to the scientific literature of
of the country, the Council of the Perthshire Society
of Natural Science does not for a moment imagine
that this, the first volume of its Proceedings, attains
anything like perfection. The papers here reproduced
have been arranged from the types of newspaper re-
ports, and, however unpretending the volume is, and
though it contains several typographical errors, which
have unhappily crept in, the Council believes that
the various papers published will be found — though
in some instances of a popular nature — not to contain
anything contrary to scientific truth. At the same
time, the Council does not hold itself responsible for
any of the statements brought forward by the authors
of the papers. The objects the Society have in view
are two — one to work out the Natural History of
Perthshire, and the other to promote the study of
Natural Science. Most of the papers will be
found to have reference to the County or to Scotland ;
it having been thought unnecessarj* to reproduce
those of an educational character, the matter con¬
tained in which is to be found in the various stan¬
dard scientific works.

ERRATA.

Page 7, lines 16 and 31, for “ Deiliphila^’ read
“Deilephila.”

Page 8, line 30, for “leaf” read “herb.”

Page 9, line 9 from bottom, for “Deiliphila” read
“Deilephila.”

Page 19, line 5 from bottom, for “ Nymph aeacea ”
read “ Nymphseacese.”

Page 24, line 5 from bottom, for “ Beny ” read
“ Ben-y — ”

Page 29, line 10, for “ Artyostaphylos ” read
“ Arctostaphylos.”

Page 59, line 7, before “found” insert “I.”

PERTHSHIRE

NATURAL

SOCIETY OF

SCIENCE.

A MEETING of this Society was held in the Glovers’
Hall on Friday, the 3d September, 1869 — the senior
Vice-President in the chair. The attendance was
large, and besides other business done four members
were proposed for election, and arrangements made
for a series of papers during the winter bearing en¬
tirely on the natural history of the county. Mr
Sadler of Edinburgh, one of the members, gave a
lecture on the fibres of plants used in commerce. He
pointed out the familiar products of the flax and
hemp plants, as well as the less known fibres of the
aloe, yucca, &c. He also referred to the tissue of the
common nettle, which he illustrated by a piece of
very elegant lace fabricated from it. Numerous
samples of the various textile products spoken of were
shown in the form of raw fibre, rope, lace, and hand¬
kerchiefs. and he also showed a number of bundles
of tow from Calabar, the plants producing which, and
the value of the material itself, were not yet well
known. Mr Sadler’s address was also illustrated
with diagrams. A vote of thanks was awarded to
him by the meeting. The following communication,
which was illustrated with specimens of the species
referred to, was read from the President, Dr Buchanan
White, at present absent in Im^erness-shire, entitled
“The Hawk -Moths of Perthshire.” He wrote as
follows : —

Butterflies and moths (or in science Lepidoptera) are
naturally divided into two great groups — the butterflies
with their ** clubbed antennae ” and diurnal habits,
forming one group ; and the moths, with antennae of
various forms (never, however, clubbed) and generally

4

aocturual habits comprising the other, *I say, “ generally
nocturnal habits,” for some species, and even families, of
moths are almost as great lovers of sunshine as butterflies
are.

The Hawk-moths are usually placed immediately after
the butterflies, and at the head of the moths (I refer to
the classification), a place which, by their large size, brilliant
colours, and especially by their fusiform antenuse, thick¬
ened in the middle and tapered towards each end, seems
to be theirs by right.

The term Hawk moth'" is, I imagine, derived from
their swift flight and strong pointed wings, by which they
are enabled to suspend themselves over a flower and ex¬
tract the honey without settling. For this purpose they
are furnished with a long spiral tube fitted to penetrate
into the depths of any flowers. The scientific name of
the family is the ** Sphingidoi" from the fancied resem¬
blance that the caterpillars of many hawk-moths have to
a sphinx. The resemblance only exists while the larva is
at rest, daring which it elevates its head, and the anterior
segments of its body in the air, and seems, as the great
eatomologist, Duponchel, remarks, ‘^to regard the sky.”
in this uncomfortable (as it would seem to us) position
these larvae will remain for hours, I shall now proceed
to the enumeration of the Perthshire species of Sphingidoe,

The total number of species found in Britain is only
sixteen, and of these only half are natives of Perthshire
(or are known as such at the present time.)

1. The Poplar Hawk-moth {Smerinthus populi), so
called from its food plant, is perhaps the commonest
species of SphingidcB, and at the same time one of the
least interesting. In the genus Smerinthus the tongue (or
long spiral tube for sucking honey) is almost obsolete, and
the species lazy and indolent in their habits. They are
generally to be seen sitting on tree trunks or walls. The
poplar hawk-moth measures about 3 inches across the
wings, which aregrey brown, marbled with darker, and with
a patch of red at the base of the hind wings. The cater¬
pillar feeds on willows and poplars, and is greenish
yellow, with seven oblique stripes of yellow .along each
side. I forgot to mention that most of the caterpillars of
the hawk-moths are furnished with a more or less strong
horn above their tails. This horn is variously shaped and
coloured in the various species. The boro of the poplar
hawk-moth is conical, yellow above, and reddish below.
The chrysalis is large and rough, and though generally
found underground, yet sometimes it may be seen above

5

w iGD the caterpilLu bas been too lazy to burrow below*
the surface. The of this moth resembles those of the
other Sykingidoe. It is large, smooth, and globular ; in
colour pale greenish and translucent. Smerinthus populi
is common (sometimes abundant) throughout Perthshire,
not unfrequently being found in the streets of Perth, I
^aw a fine specimen one day sitting on a wall in Princes
Street.

2. The Death’s-head Hawk-moth {Acherontia Atropos)
is in many respects very interesting. It is the largest
British moth (and indeed the largest insect); and the
only British moth endowed with a voice (if the sound it
makes can be so called), and it is otherwise interesting
from the superstitions it has given rise to.

This species often measures five inches across the wings,
which are rich brown, mottled, and banded, the hind
wings being yellow, with two black bands. The body is
yellow, with black bands, and on the thorax between the
v'ings is the representation of a skull (at least such is the
popular interpretation of a light coloured mark there.)
The tongue in this species is more strongly developed than
in the last, but still not very long. It does not appear to
have been ever observed sucking the honey of flowers,
but has the reputation of attacking bee-hives and sucking
up the honey stored therein. Indeed I believe the moth
has sometimes been found in the hive. It is also said
that the sound it makes resembles that uttered by the
queen bee, and that thus it is able, by instilling fear into
the bees, to commit its depredations without peril. Be that
as it may, the caterpillar, the chrysalis, and the perfect in¬
sect have all the power of uttering a sound resembling the
fcqueak of a-mouse; in the chrysalis and caterpillar stages,
however, it is only sometimes that it is heard. How the
sound is produced has been a favourite subject of investi¬
gation by entomologists, and even now has not been satis¬
factorily explained — each investigator arriving at a dif¬
ferent conclusion. The sound cannot be called a voice
exactly, as, of course, it is not produced in the same man¬
ner as the voice of animals furnished with a laryns.

The caterpillar of the death’s head hawk-moth usually
feeds upon the leaves of the potato plant, though
it is occasionally found upon other allied plants. It
is yellow, with minute black dots, andj seven oblique
blue stripes on each side. The horn is rough and bent
down, but turned up again at the tip. The chrysalis is
large and smooth, and is to be found below the surface of
the ground. The caterpillar is found in August and the

G

moth in October, It is rather remarkable that while the
caterpillar is often common, yet the moth is seldom found
and especially rarely when flying. From the skull on the
thorax, and the sound uttered by the insect, this moth
has, in less enlightened times and countries, been regarded
■with great awe, being considered the harbinger of troubles
and death. It is still considered by “ outsiders ” and
young eutemologists as a very rare moth. This, however,
is not the case, as it occurs throughout Europe not un¬
commonly, especially as said before in the caterpillar
state. In Perthshire it is widely spread, being found
even in the mountainous parts, such as Kannoch, but is,
as elsewhere, variable in its appearances, being common
one year and not seen in others.

3. The Convolvulus Hawk-Moth (Sphinx convolvuli)
is nearly as large as the last species, and has marbled grey
forewings and pale grey bindwingf*, with three dark bands.
The body is long and pointed, grey in the centre, and
alternately black, red, and white on each side, on each
segment or division. Tbe proboscis or spiral tongue is
very long, and the chrysalis is furnished with an especial
division or case for bolding this tongue. Tbe caterpillar
is green, with seven oblique black stripes on each side,
each stripe being bordered on one side with white ; the
horn is yellow. The egg is, as usual, smooth and greenish.
The moth flies in September and in spring, and is very
fond of flowers, over which it hovers while it extracts the
honey. It is difiScult to convey in words any idea of the
graceful flight of one of these moths. It requires to be
seen to be fully appreciated, Mr Douglas, however, has
written such a good description, that I may as well
transcribe it i — “ While you are looking at a flower, in
the twilight, between it and you glides a motion, a moving
haziness, which is before you, and yet conveys to your
eyes no definite image. Before you have half thought
what it can be, you see the flower again distinctly, and
rub your eyes, thinking there must have been an illusion,
or possibly an unsteadiness of vision, caused by the irrita¬
tion of that gnat which was buzzing about your head,
when lo ! the flower just beyond seams to shiver; you
move to see what is there, but there is a move before you,
and a dim shadow moves away like a thought. Can it be
anything real ? Stand still awhile : and now in tbe in¬
creasing gloom, as you bend over the petunias, bolding
your breath, you see a darkness visible drop down before
you ; but its presence is better made known by the hum¬
ming caused by the rapid vibration of its wings. Stir

D(>t, or this aerial boJy will float sway. Kow, yon i!-
deigns not to alight, or toacli the margin of the chalu e ;
but, poising itself in the air, stretches out its long tubular
tongue, and quaffs the nectar at the bottom,” Unlike
the last species, the Convolvulus Hawk-Moth is oftener
seen in the perfect state than in the preparatory stages ;
indeed, the caterpillar, which feeds on the bind weed and
other plants, has very rarely been seen in Britain, though
the moth is nob unfrequent throughout the country. It
is, however, variable, like many others of the hawk-moths,
appearing commonly one year, and then almost disappear¬
ing for several seasons. The year 1846 was a great year
for this moth, many hundreds having been found through¬
out the country. At Perth it occurs almost every year,
baviniz been found even in the centre of the town.

4. The Madder Hawk-Moth ( Deiliphila Galii) is about
half the size of the last, but is much prettier. The fore-
wings are olive brown, with a broad white stripe; the
biudwings black, pink, and white. The caterpillar is
very beautiful, being generally blue-green above and
pinkish below, a yellow liue down the middle of the back,
a row of ten eye-like yellow spots on each side, and the
born red. The chrysalis is brown. This moth has only
once been found near Perth, and that was in the autumn
of 1859, when about two dozen caterpillars were found
feeding on the yellow ladies-beJstraw. It has probably
nob been found north of Perth in Britain, though occur¬
ring in ail the southern parts of the country, but not
commonly, except t>erbaps at Beal. The caterpillar is
said also to feed upon fuschias, and the moth to frequent
flo wers in the early morning. The name Deiliphila signi¬
fies “ lover x)f twilight.”

5. The Silver-striped Hawk-Moth ( Cli(Brocampa Celerio )
is decidedly the rarest of the hawk-moths of Perthshire,
and is by some entomologists considered doubtfully
Biitish. It is about the same size as the la^t, and has
brown forewings, with a silver stripe running across the
wing to the extreme tip. The hindwings are pink and
pinkish brown, with two black bands. The body is long
and sharp-pointed, with three rows of white spots. The
caterpillar (which in this genus ( Cli(£rocampa ) has the
bead small and the anterior segments retractile, is green
or purplish brown ; on the fifth and sixth segments, two
round black spots circled and dotted with yellow ; the
horn brown, straight, and slender. It feeds on the vine
and the yellow ladies-bedstraw, a plant which seems a
favourite with many of the hawk luoLhs. Several speci-

mens have been founo near Perth. The first was found'
in the autumn of 1862, near Craigie ; another in July
1865, in St John Street ; one in October 1865, near Perth ;
and another in Victoria Street, I believe. This one when
found had its wings still undeveloped, so that it had just
emerged, and, however it got to Perth, certainly had not
flown there. The silver-striped hawk-moth appears not
to be common in Europe generally. I believe it occurs
abundantly in India,

6. The Small Elephant Hawk-moth [Choerocampa Por-
cellus) is a much smaller species, seldom exceeding two
inches in the expanse of the wings, which are yellowish
and rosy. The caterpillar feeds on the bedstraw, and is
brown or green, with eye-like spots on the 4th, 5th, and 6th
segments. There is no horn, but like other caterpillars
of this genus the tail-end is much thicker than the head
end. This moth, which seems to prefer the north to the
south of Britain, is not uncommon near Perth but was
formerly much more abundant Owing to the rapacity
of certain collectors who tear up the food plant by the
roots in case a single caterpillar should escape, its numbers
have, I believe, been much diminished. The perfect insect
is fond of frequenting honey suckle blossom in June.
[The large elephant hawkmoth ( Ch(Brocainpa Elpenor)
has been reported to occur in Perthshire, and there is no
great reason why it should not, but more evidence is re¬
quired before we can place it on oiir local lists. The
caterpillar resembles the last mentioned, but has a horn.
It feeds on the willow leaf as well as on the yellow bed-
straw.]

7. The Humming Bird Hawk-moth {Macroglossa stellata'
rum) \& perhaps the most frequently seen and greatest
favourite i f all the hawk-moths. This is the species which
in hot summers appears like a beneficient fairy for the
benefit of newspaper editors when the parliamentary
session is over, and “ diabolical murders ” and “ enormous
gooseberries” fill the columns of the “Dailies.” Then
it is that paragraphs entitled “ The humming bird hawk-
moth,” “ The humming bird moth,” or The humming
hirdt^ seen in Sussex (or elsewhere, as the case may be),
astonish the uninitated and cause the entomologist to smile.
Not like the other species is this a lover of dewy eve or
cool dawn — the hottest sunshine seems not to be too hot
for it ; for then it darts among the flowers, or rashes at
racing speed up and down in front of some stone wall or
warm bank. The humming bird hawkmoth measures
less than two inches across the wings, which are brown

9

^ith two transversed darker bars. The hind wings are
somewhat orange in colour, with a brown margin. Tho
body is of the same hue as the forewings, has black and
white spots on the sides, and is fringed at the sides and end
with black and white hairs which are spread out in flight.
The chrysalis is smooth and light brown. The caterpillar
is green with pinkish and white lines along the sides.
The horn is straight and sharp, dull blue with a yellow
tip. It feeds, as the name stellatarum implies, upon
various kinds of bedstraw, preferring, according to my
experience, the yellow bedstraw. The moth is found
throughout Britain almost all the year, and though
commoner some years than others, yet is not rare in
Perthshire. The caterpillar is generally found in autumn.

8. The Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth ( Macroghssa
homhylijormis) would be by the uninitiated taken for
some kind of bee ; its great likeness to a Hymenopterous
insect having acquired for it the name “Bee Hawk-
moth.” or “ bombyliforniis,’* It measures an inch and
a-half across the wings, which are quite transparent,
except the margins, which are clothed with brown scales.
I believe, however, that when hrst developed from the
chrysalis the transparent part of the wing has a few
brown scales, which soon fall off. The caterpillar feeds
on the field scabious, and is green, dotted with yellowish
white, and with two rows of dull reddish spots on each
side. The horn is slightly rough, short, pointed, and
reddish. The moth appears in May, and frequents
flowers in the daytime. It is not uocomujon in Britain,
but has be-n but seldom captured in Perthshire, though
apparently widely distributed in the county. From its
great resemblance to a bee, it may have been passed over
perhaps, thoogh the long thickened antennae and bordered
wings would at once distinguish it.

The above eight, then, are all the hawk-moths we can
at present claim as natives of the county. It is probable
that two other species (the Elephant Hawk-moth and the
Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth) also occur in Perthshire.
The Striped Hawk-moth ( Deiliphilalineata) may
turn up ; but I think it is probable that none of the
remaiuiDg five will be found in the county.

As to the best means of capturing these beautifal
insects, various methods may be followed. The Poplar,
the Death’s-head, and the Small Elephant Hawk-moths
will be best obtained in the caterpillar state, and the two
former in the chrysalis state also. The Convolvulus, the
Humming Bird, and the Bee Hawk-naotbs should be

10

looked for at flowers, the former flying at dusk, and
having also, it is said, a taste for wet linen ; the two
latter in the daytime. The Silver-striped and the Madder
Hawk-moths occur so rarely that little can be said about
capturing them. The former is reported to come to
lighted windows and lamps, or to be found at rest near
such places ; while the latter, flying over flowers at dawn,
inculcates the good of early rising : so, if the desire of
placing this beauty in his collection tempts the young
entomologist to

“ Shake off dull sloth, and early rise,”
it will be only one of numerous benefits that the pursuit
of natural history brings to its followers.

After some observations by a few of the members,
a unanimous vote of thanks was awarded to the
President for his paper.

II

MEETING ON 7th OCTOBER, 1869.

The monthly meetuig was held in the Glovers^
Hall, on Thursday last — Dr Buchanan White, Presi¬
dent, in the chair. There was a good attendance of
members. Three gentlemen were balloted for and
elected, and one proposed for election. On the
reading of the minutes of the previous meeting, a
discussion arose as to the time of the appearance of
the death’s-head hawk moth — the President, in his
paper, hawng stated that the caterpillar is found in
August and the moth in October. In support of his
views the President mentioned the names of Stainton,
Doubleday, and Newman, while Mr John Stewart,
in maintaining that the moth was found in July and
August, and the caterpillar in September and Octo¬
ber, adduced his own experience and that of nume¬
rous local authorities. After considerable argument,
the question remained unsettled, the general opinion
being that there was no stated time for the appear¬
ance of the insect in either of its stages of develop¬
ment, and that there was much to be done in the
Avay of observation before any definite conclusion
could be come to. The Council reported that they
had secured a very suitable storeroom at the Kirk-
side for the Society’s collection, and which would
also serve as a library for the exchange of books fort¬
nightly. They also laid on the table a syllabus of
seA^enteen papers, most of which Avere of local charac¬
ter, to be read at the monthly meetings for the nine
months ending in June, ; and intimated that they
expected to be able to preserA~e the reports of these
papers in the shape of “ Transactions.”

Mr John Stewart read a paper of ‘‘Observations
on the Natural History of the Estuary of the Tay,”
which he treated in a very popular manner, describ¬
ing the birds, fishes, crustaceans, shell-fish, sea¬
weeds, &c., met Avith during a stay last summer at
Carnoustie. The paper was illustrated by numerous
preseiwed examples of the families described, which
he generously handed oA'er to the Society’s museum.

12

Mr John Sim then read a paper entitled “The
Exotic Plants Naturalised in Perthshire. Mr Sim
said : —

The Flora of Perth, rich and rare, is also remark¬
able for the occurrence of many plants, not only of
unfrequent appearance in Britain, but seldom if ever
met with elsewhere in our country. These plants,
to which we shall devote a few remarks, are natives
of other countries, and have never by botanists been
considered indigenous to the British isles, though in
most instances, the time and manner of their intro¬
duction is involved in obscurity. We shall go over
them alphabetically, point out their stations in this
neighbourhood, and their habitation in other lands.

The first wFich claims our notice is Anacharis
Alsinastrum, a water plant, which was first observed
about twenty years ago in England. From being a
rarity it rapidly became a pest, threatening to block
up the canals and water courses to such a degree as
to impede the navigation. It is now Tvddely and ex¬
tensively dispersed over Britain, and was first de¬
tected here several years since by Dr Buchanan
White, our President, who found it growing in a pool
near the junction of the Almond and Tay. Within
the last two or three years it has multiplied prodi¬
giously, covering the bottom of the river opposite
Perth with a dense carpet of sombre green. This
plant is indigenous to North America, occurring
under the same circumstances as in our own country.

2. Aremoiiia agvi monoid es was detected in this
neighbourhood, about 12 years ago, by a gardener at
Scone Palace. It occurs in two or three places near
to Kinfauns, near the confiuence of the Almond Vvdth
the Tay, and likewise in the wood near to Scone
Palace. It is indigenous to Eastern Europe, being
found in moist woods and among bushes in Italy and
Carniola. It belongs to a sub-order of the order
Bosacese or Rose family, and is in close aflinity with
our common agrimony, and bears considerable
resemblance to Geum urhanum, or common avens.

3. 4. and 5. Three species of Aster fringe the
margin of our river near Perth — viz.. Aster prenan-
tJioideSy A, jouniceus^ and A. saHcifolius, all natives

13

'-of North America, but perfectly naturalised in this
locahty. When or by what means their introduction
was effected is as yet unknown.

6. Clayionia alsinoides occurs near to Scone
Palace, in a plantation at Duncrub, and also near
Murrayshall — at the latter place in great abundance.
It was introduced into Britain in 1794, and is now
quite naturalised in the above-mentioned localities.
It has recently been found in the west of England.
Its native place is Nootka Sound, on the western
coast of North America.

7. Claytonia Siberica ha^s this summer been dis¬
covered by two of our members, Messrs Dawson and
Henderson, growing in a small plamtation near Dun¬
crub, parish of Dunning, associated with Claytonia
alsinoides j both plants were in considerable quantity
and apparently perfectly naturalised. It was intro¬
duced into this country in 1768, and is a native of
Eastern Siberia.

8. Mimulus luteus — a beautiful plant, and most
abundant along the banks of our river. It is, I
believe, over 30 years since it w^as first observed in
this locality. It is now very widely diffused
throughout Scotland, and has been found occasionally
in England. Its native country is the province of
Chili, in South America.

9. Petasiies alba grows by the river side, foot of
Perth Nursery. It is an early ffowerer, its thyrsus
of white flowers attracting the attention of the prac¬
tical botanist as early as February or March. It
occurs in a wild state in several parts of continental
Europe, and is perfectly naturalised m several locali¬
ties in Great Britain.

10. Fetasites fragrans grows at the foot of a hedge
beside Barnhill, and is apparently determined to
maintain its position, as we have seen it in that
locality some 5 or 6 years. Its flowers are of a
reddish hue and sweet scented. Its native habitats
are Southern France, Italy, and the island of Sicily.

11. Rosa alpina grows on the north-west side of
Kinnoull Hill. It was discovered several years ago
by Dr Buchanan White, our President, by whose
perseverance several plants in this neighbourhood.

14

both, flowering and cryptogamic, have been dis¬
covered. Rosa alpina is a native of the Pyrenees,
in Middle Europe.

12. Rudheckia laciniata is a North American species
and is naturalised in one or two places on the margin
of the river. It grows in considerable quantity near
Orchard Neuk, on the right bank of the river below
the Friarton. Being a large showy plant it is likely
a garden escape, and has probably been brought
hither by the river floods at some remote period.

13. Sanguisorba Canadensis grows near the river
side about a mile below Perth and has every appear¬
ance of having been there for many years. It, as its
trivial name imports, is a native of Canada.

14. Senecio Doria gTOws on the left bank of the
Tay, near the railway bridge. It was discovered
this summer by one of our members, ISIr Lamb, of
King Street, and was believed at the time to be
Senecio saracenicus. We have since had an oppor¬
tunity of submitting it to an eminent botanical
authority, who pronounces it Senecio Doria and not
saracenicus as was supposed. It is a native of the
middle and south of Europe.

We have thus enumerated the exotics naturalised
in this neighbourhood. Perhaps further research
may be rewarded by the discovery of several others
which have taken up their abode in our free country.

A short conversation succeeded each of the papers.
A unanimous vote of thanks was awarded to Messrs
Stewart and Sim for their communications.

15

MEETING ON 5th NOVEMBER, 1869.

The monthly meeting was held in the Glovers’
HaU on the evening of Friday, the 5th November,
1869 — the President, Dr Buchanan White, in the
chair. One gentleman was balloted for, and
elected a member. A number of shells of the
Anadonia cygnea, comprising the type, and the
variety incrCLSsata, were exhibited and presented to
the Museum. These shells had been found in the
Earn, near the railway bridge at Hilton, and opened
along with the pearl mussel Unio margaritifer in
search of pearls. They do not bear pearls of any
value, and the shell is quite distinct from the pearl
mussel, being broader, and of an olive green colour
The existence of this shell in the locality was un¬
known until now. The thanks of the meeting were
given to Mr Herd, the donor, and also to Mr Sim,
for the whole numbers of the “ Naturalist ” presented
by him to the Society.

Mr John Dawson then read the following paper on

“Shells of the Genus Helix found in
Perthshire ” : —

Of all our land shells the Helices are the most
abundant. There exist throughout the globe more
than two thousand species, and in Britain of the
genus proper we have 24 species, forming more than
a third of the land snails of the country. It is
natural, therefore, that such a large group, so charac¬
teristic and so readily met with, should form the first
study of the conchologist.

Without entering into any minute description of
the forms and habits of the animals — with which in¬
formation, happily, our library is well provided — it
will be sufiicient to give a very short account of the
species hitherto met with in the county, and the
stations for them. It is proposed to classify them
according to Mr Jeffreys, the chief li\dng authority,
but before doing so, reference may be made to the
shell Zonites fulvv.s, which has been so named by
Jeffreys, but classed as a Helix by other authors.
This snail seems to form the connecting link between

16

the genus Zonites and Helix, The shell is pyra-
midal, very thin and glossy, and of a tawny or horn
colour. It is found under stones and decaying leaves
and moss, in woods and marshy places, and it occurs
very commonly in this district— in Glenfarg, Mon^
creiffe, Califountain, in an old quarry at Lamberkin,
and on KinnouU. Of the genus Helix proper there
are found —

1. Helix aculeata or Prickly Helix. — This shell is
very small — about the size of a mustard seed — some¬
what pyramid'Shaped, lightish brown, with a series
of sharp bristles or prickles rising from the centre of
each whorl. Under a small hand glass it is an ob¬
ject of much beauty from the perfect arrangement of
the bristles. The animal is found among dead leaves
and moss in woods. It is gathered by collecting the
dead leaves, spreading them out to dry on a news¬
paper, and then shaking them and examining the
debris. In this way I have found the shell from
leaves gathered in Glenfarg and on KinnouU HUl. It
is likely to be met with generaUy over the county, as
it extends from Aberdeen southwards.

2. Helix asjpersa, or the besprinkled Helix. — ^This
sheU in size is almost the antipodes of the former,
being nearly as large as a pigeon’s egg, globular, solid,
and marked with brownish spiral bands. It is a very
pretty shell, and, from its size, very attractive.
The animals are fond of waU-fruit, frequenting
kitchen gardens, and they are often met with cluster¬
ing together in great numbers on waUs and trunks of
trees in a state of semi-hybernation. Two summers
ago, in our infantile pursuits as a society, this sheU
was considered rare, and many members wiU recal
the rush which was made upon a colony discovered
among ivy on the rocks along the Dundee Road at
Bellwood. Since that time more stations have been
discovered, among others near the coast above Inver-
gowrie, and at Methven, Luncarty, &c. ; indeed it
appears to be a very common and generally distri¬
buted sheU. From the habits of the animal, how¬
ever, it is not likely to be met with beyond the low¬
land portion of the county, where it abounds to its
southern extremity.

17

3. Helix nemoraliSj or the Helix of the groves, is a
shell considerably smaller than the foregoing, also
globular with an infinite variety of coloured bands
running parallel with the whorls. It is perhaps the
commonest of all the Helices, frequenting woods,
gardens, hedges, and walls everywhere, and there is
no difficulty in distinguishing it after a shower of rain,
when the animal is met with in dozens cropping the
freshened vegetation. The ordinary shell has a black
lip, but in the variety hortensis it is white, which
distinction has led to the latter being considered a
species. This variety has been detected about Barn¬
hill, and wiU no doubt be found in other parts of the
county.

4. Helix arhustorum, or the Helix inhabiting
copses, has a shell rather larger than the former,
globular, solid, of a yellow-mottled with-brown
colour, and a single brown spiral band round the
middle of each whorl. I consider this shell the
prettiest of the genus. The animal inhabits moist
and shady woods, hedges, and ivy banks. It is
found at Barnhill, in the Den of Pitroddie, Glenfarg,
and very generally in the Perth district. I have a
specimen from the Hill of Tulloch at Blair Athole, in
which the shell is much smaller than usual, and the
spire more raised. I take it to be the variety
alpestris of Jeffreys. Dr Buchanan White tells me
he has spec’mens of this variety from Barnhill.

5. Helix concinna, or the neat Helix. — This shell
is much smaller than the nemoralis, and about the
size of a pea, roundish and rather flat, light grey with
reddish brown streaks. The epidermis is covered
slightly with short white hairs, which are easily shed.
This shell seems to be very common in this district ;
and, indeed, according to our President’s statement
(who has gathered it often) it would appear to be
more abundant than the hispida, to which it has a
very great resemblance. The stations recorded are
KinnouU Hill and Barnhill, although it will no
doubt be met with in many other localities.

6. Helix hispida^ or bristly Helix. — Shell same
size as last, but not so much flattened, the umbilicus
larger, and the bristles less scattered and more per^

IS

sistent. One great distinction between this species
and the concinna is in the animal of the latter being
of a reddish colour, and the foot smaller, while
the hispida has a yellowish white thick foot. This
shell is very abundant everywhere beneath stones and
among the herbage of woods and hedges. Kinnoull
and Moncreiffe Hills, G-lenfarg, Barnhill, and Quarry-
mill Hen are well known localities in this neighbour¬
hood, and it is found in the Breadalbane and other
Highland districts of the county.

7. Helix fusca, or dark brown Helix. — The shell is
about the size of the last, very thin and transparent,
glossy, brownish olive, transversely marked -with
strong irregular wrinkles. It is described as local,
but found from Aberdeenshire to Devon. Only one
shell has yet been found to my knowledge in this
district, and that by Dr Buchanan White at Glen-
farg. Mr Tate mentions in his book that he found
this shell in the glens of the lake district of Scotland,
which I suppose means the Trossachs, and which
must be set down as another station in the county.

8. Helix rotundaia^ the rounded Helix. — This
shell is smaller than the foregoing, flatter, and
rounded, of a horn colour, marked with transverse
reddish-brown streaks, and numerous curved trans¬
verse ribs. It is very common in the district, and
met with everywhere. The variety alho. of a pale
yellowish white, with greenish tinge, has been found
at Barnhill.

9. Helix rupestris, the rock Helix. — Shell much
smaller than the foregoing, slightly glossy, of a dark
brown or purple colour. It is not very abundant, but
has been found in one or two spots on the rocks of
Kinnoull, and also on Moncreiffe, and is likely to
occur on other rocks in the county.

10. Helix pygmcea, or tiny Helix, is the smallest
of the genus — in size less than a pin-head. This shell
is circular, thin, and half transparent, glossy, and of
a light brown colour. It is found in woods among
decayed leaves, and about the roots of grass and
rushes. It appears to be very common throughout
the country, and in this district is to be found in
Glenfarg, and on Kinnoull and Moncreiffe Hills.

19

11. Helix imlchella^ or pretty Helix, is consider¬
ably larger than the pygmoeo, shell flattened, glossy,
and of a light grey colour. The name seems to have
been given on account of the beautiful shape of the
shell — the mouth being circular, and the outer lip
very thick and strongly reflected, forming a ring,
gives it the appearance of a fairy trumpet. The shell
is found among dead leaves, and under stones and
logs of wood, and has been met with on both KinnouU
and Moncreifi'e Hills, and is no doubt common
throughout the county.

Such are the shells of the genus Helix, eleven in
number, which we have yet been able to discover in
Perthshire. There are strong reasons, however, to
believe in the existence of Helix caperata in the dis¬
trict. This shell, which is about the size and form
of H. liispida, of a greyish white colour, and marked
with yellowish brown bands, is very abundant in
Forfarshire along the|sands of Barry, and not being
confined to maritime districts, it is likely to occur in
dry and sandy soils inland. Specimens of a shell
have been picked up on a dry bank at Quarrymill
with some appearance of markings similar to H.
coperota, but as the animal has never been found
-alive, they are probablv rubbed and bleached shells

biLQ jri , ti'ispiacL OT izL concinna. The locality is a pos¬
sible one, however, for the shell ; and farther research
will, in all likelihood, prove its existence. Another
shell, ^ the Helix ericetorum^ will probably be met
with in the course of our investigations. It is found
in the neighbouring county of Fife, and there is no
reason why it should not occur here. Still another
shell may turn up in the county belonging to the
genus ^namely, Helix lamellata. It is common to
the north and west of Scotland and to the north of
England, and it may be found in Perthshire.

Mr J. Allen Harker read a paper on the

British Hyjmphjeacea or Water Lilies,

the three members of which are found in the county.
The principal portion of the paper was devoted
to an examination into the claim of Nuplutr
pumila to be considered a distinct and well-

20

marked species, and was the result of a summer^s
study of that plant in its various stages of
growth. After briefly describing Nymphoea alha
the white water lily, he said — Some years ago I
collected and mounted specimens of Nuphai lutea
and Nupjliar pumila, but was not aware till early
this summer that any doubt was entertained as to
the just title of N. pumila to rank as distinct from
N. lutea. Conversing with botanists in England,
and here too, on the subject, I w-as surprised to
find they considered N . pumila a small variety of
A. lutea. This induced me to pay several visits to a
loch in which both plants abound, and to compare
the two. I found that in the descriptions of the
plants given in most Florse, ma,ny important charac¬
teristics are too lighly commented on, while some of
less importance and perhaps questionable persistency
are brought forward too prominently. Nuphar
pumila is inv^ariably found growing in lochs or ponds,
and seems to prefer a sandy bottom to root in. N.
lutea though sometimes growdng in still water, is most
generally found in running streams and ditches, and
always rooting in mud. The difference in size is the
most striking distinction — N, lutea being the largest
b^^ more than one half. Size and colour are not to be

always relied upon in derermining species, but wnen
always persistent, possess a certain value. Had two
plants so different, growing together, and subject
to the same condition, been the extreme forms
of one and the same species, we should have
expected to find intermediate gradations. These do
not occur ; and the late Curator of the Glasgow
Botanic Gardens grew N. pumila for many years
there, and never found it vary in size. Of some
hundreds I examined, the variation was not more
than J of an inch. The colour of the plants is almost
the same — pumila perhaps being more of a deep
green. The colour of the stem, as seen by any one
wading amongst the plants, is very different — those
of lutea are of a sober green, while those of pumila are
of a beautiful deep reddish brown. The most im¬
portant difference betw^een the two plants is in the
form of the stigma. All the members of this order

21

have that organ rayed, and the greater number of
rays in iV. lutea have always been cited in descrip¬
tions of the plants, as forming one distinguishing
character. There appears little or no foundation for
this. In every hundred specimens of N, pumila ex¬
amined, the average number of rays was 11*5, some
few possessed nine and ten, most eleven and twelve,
and some few as many as fourteen. Hooker and
Arnot and Babington say — ^‘stigma 8-10 rayed,”
while of lutea they describe “ stigma 10-20 rayed,” a
description very apt to mislead the student. The
essential difference of form in the stigmae is caused
by these rays. In N, pumila they protrude, form¬
ing acute teeth on the margin, perceptible when in
flower, but very apparent in fruit. In N, lutea on
the contrary, the margin is smooth. The anthers of
lutea are linear, those of pumila sub-quadrate. The
leaves of the former are tough and leathery, with
approximate lobes, those of the latter less than half
the size of the former, and of much finer texture.
To sum up the evidence we have a probable difference
in locality, a marked variation in size and colour, in
the form and size of the leaves and of the stamens
and stigma. These are more than sufficient to entitle
Nuphar pumila to rank as distinct from N, Lutea^
NupTiar pumila has already been found in two or
three localities in Perthshire. Loch Katrine and
Loch Lubnaig were mentioned by Mr Dawson as
habitats. During the course of the paper, Mr Harker
took the opportunity to impress upon the society the
importance of making the Natural History of the
district the primary object of its studies and re¬
search. He said, — Few have sufficient time at their
disposal to leave the beaten tracks of investigation,
to fewer still is given the opportunity of making new
discoveries ; but in the careful compilation of a
correct history of the fauna or flora of the district,
there is room for every one to render useful and
valuable assistance, for on our knowledge of the dis¬
tribution of species and many co-relative facts, de¬
pends some of the most important problems of animal
and vegetable life.

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23

MEEEIXa ON 2xd DECEMBER, 1869.

The monthly meeting was held in the Glover’s
Hall on the evening of Thursday last — Dr Buchanan
White in the chair. An ordinary member and a
corresponding member were elected. A report was
given in by the Council as to the purchase and dona¬
tion of several books to the library, and recommend¬
ing that a Conversazione should be given next spring.
The meeting agreed to the proposals, and remitted
to the Council to carry out the same. There was
exhibited a specimen of the Golden-eye Duck Anas
clangula shot on the Earn the same day.

The following paper was then read by Dr Buchanan
AYhite, entitled —

M A M S 0 D L.

“ About forty miles west from Beauly, amidst wild and
lofty mouutains, is Loch Wain, the only phenomenon of
the kind in Britain. This lake is constantly, both in
summer and winter covered with ice ; but in the middle
of June, when the sun is most nearly vertical, a very
little of the ice in the centre of the lake is dissolved.’’

Such was the remarkable statement that met my
eyes in turning over the pages of ‘ ‘ The Beauties of
Scotland,” published in Edinburgh in 1808. As I
was about to spend the summer months in the district
said to contain such a remarkable natural object, I
at once determined, that if opportunity occurred, I
should visit this loch, thinking that it w^as likely to
be of some interest, even if, as was probable, not a
trace of ice was to be found on its surface. Accord¬
ingly on my arrival in Strathglass I made enquiries
as to the existence of Loch Wain, and found that it
was probably the same as Loch-an- Ouan — the ‘ ‘ Green
Loch” — a small lake lying among the mountains to
the north of Loch Affaric. Moreover I was interested
to learn that there existed among the inhabitants of
the strath a belief, though but slight, in its ice bearing
properties. Few of the natives however had visited
the place, and the loch was little better known than

24

those, the discovery of which in the centre of Africa
has just been announced by the adventurous Living¬
stone. I will now ask you to accompany me
(metaphorically) as I set off at sunrise one fine morn¬
ing in Augnst, hi quest of this loch of eternal ice.
As we drove slowly up the steep ascent into Glen,
Affaric, the horizontal rays of the sun were just
lightmg up the silvery stems of the birches, while the
rabbits disturbed at their breakfasts scuttled into the
wet brackens, and a roe-deer or two bounding up the
hill side paused to gaze inquisitively at those who
broke the wonted stillness of the morning.

Having reached the summit of the ascent we were
able to make more rapid progress.. Here no trace of
man is to be seen, save the road winding through the
glen. On each side high up the hills stretches the
forest of birch and pine, while beside the road runs the
river, here mirroring the hills and woods in its glassy
bosom, there forcing its way over a rugged rock, or
into a deep abyss.

I mentioned just now the forests of birch and pine.
It may be perhaps new to some members of this
Society to learn, that just as a good farmer has a
rotation of crops, so nature in like manner has her
rotation of crops of trees, and no doubt, though not
noted, of other plants also. In this district of Strath-
glass, the pines and birches seem to succeed each
other with great regularit}^— one dying out and hav¬
ing its place taken by the other, which in turn gives
way again to the first. In some places I was assured
that as many as five generations of pines could be
traced — soon I fancy to be joined by a sixth, as at
present the dynasty of the birches seem to be on the
ascendant.

Here and there in the woods a few aspens — which
there get the name of mountain or quaking ash — rear
their lofty heads, but they are but as a drop in the
ocean of birches. About six miles up the glen we
came to Loch Beny Via-n, fringed by dark pines. In
the shallows at the sides were great beds of Lobelia
Dortmanna, whose pale blue flowers nodded over the
still waters. A drive of some five miles more brought
us to Loch Affaric, and the road (for carriages at

least) here coming to a conclusion, we walked on to
the shooting lodge to make enquiries as to our further
route. The sun, which had smiled kindl}^ on us at
the outset of our journey, had now hid himself in a
thick hank of clouds, and the mist hung heavily on
the higher and more distant mountains. Still, how¬
ever, Loch Affaric appeared to great advantage,
and a more beautiful loch I have never seen. Most
mountain lakes have the mountains running parallel
to their sides, but Loch Affaric has the ends (or,
so to speak, the gables) of the mountains turned
to it, and sloping into rocky points which jut into the
loch. The lake, though several miles in length, is of
no great breadth, and entirely shut in by wooded and
rocky mountains of great height. While walking
up to the shooting lodge that is situated on what was
once an island, but is now a peninsula in the loch,
I noticed great numbers of that delicious esculent
fungus Boletus edulis ; while close to the lodge,
another fungus, but of exactly opposite qualities,
being very poisonous — Lactarius rnfus — w^as tolerably
abundant. At the lodge w’e obtained information as
to our future course, and wTat was almost necessary
on such a “ dark” day — a gillie to guide us through
the mist. One feature of Loch Affaric I shall not
readily forget, and that was the innumerable hordes
of biting midges.

W e now enter on the second part of our journey in
quest of the icy loch, and rapidly ascending the hill¬
side, find ourselves on a bleak and desolate table¬
land, sprinkled with peathags, and bounded by
several precipitous mountains. At the edge of this
tableland I gathered some specimens of a somew’hat
rare moss, Hypnuin trifarium. CrOvSsing one of the
peathags, we next begin the ascent of one of the
mountains, and on the wa^y turn aside to visit a caA^e.
This cave or rather pit has evidently been formed by
n large mass of the hill slipping forwands and doAAn-
wards. l^umerous deep holes are thus left on the
hillside, and being quite invisible till one is close
upon them, form very dangerous pitfalls. The cave
into which we entered is beautifully overgrown wdth
seA-eral kinds of ferns, while hanging from the rocks

26

overliead, I noticed some very large plants of the
greater whortle-berry — Vaccinium uliginosum. We
now began in earnest the ascent, and very steep it
was. As we get higher various alpine plants begin
to be seen. Among them we recognised with pleasure
our old friend, the Alpine Lady’s Mantle — Alcliemilla
alpina — and others, but none of any rarity. The
cause of the scarceness of rare plants is easily accounted
for by the dryness of the rocks. Slowly, but surely,
we reach the summit of the ridge, and then think
that we cannot be far from the object of our journey.
But vain hope — the gillie assures us that we have a
mile or two to go yet, and so we push on along the
ridge. We are now at an elevation of about 3000
feet, and various alpine plants are of frequent occur¬
rence. Here grows the herbaceous willow — its shining
leaves and downy cathins scarcely rising above the
moss, among which it loves to creep. Here is a bed
of the little azalea ; and here a tiny plant of the com¬
mon heather or ling, but this, bowing its head to the
storm, unlike its brethren in the valley below, and ac¬
commodating itself to circumstances, keeps its leaves
and flowers close pressed to the bare ground, However,
we must get on through the mist, and keep our way
along the ridge, now going down a few hundred feet,
now ascending the same distance, but still over the
same kind of bare rocky ground. We come at last
to some shallow pools of water, and from them get
specimens of the Arctic Agabus [Agahus Articus), a
water beetle only found high up the mountains.
When alive in its native pools it is of a pretty red
colour, which is lost with life.

The character of the ground now began to change
— instead of the bare stoney surface there was a
coarse grass. A short chase ended in the capture of
Scopula alpinalis, a moth of very local distribution
in Britain. Still on through the mist we go, till
straight before us rose the steep sides of the summit,
covered vuth grass and thickly sprinkled with the
rare Cerastium trigynum. After several rests to
recover breath, we finally reach a mossy plateau,
and making our way to a large cairn, have at last
the satisfaction of standing on the summit of Mam-

27

•^onl Here, but for the mist which hems us iu like
a wall, we might have gazed over a wide expanse of
mountain and glen — the needle-like points of the
‘Cuchullin Hills in Skye — the great mountain masses
of Assynt, or even Ben Hevis itself, the ‘‘hill of
heaven but it was not to be ; so we turn our at¬
tention to things more close at hand. Lovely little
Alpine plants are struggling for existence in the
thick carpet of that grey moss f Bacomitrium
lanuginosum ) that covers all high hill tops — the little
moss Campion [SUene acaulis) being specially con¬
spicuous, with its bright pink flowers, which con¬
trast so beautifully with the snow-white orange-
spotted petals of the starry saxipage [Saxifraga
^iellaris,) But stay : what is this that looks like a
bunch of white maggots ? and this lichen with such
a brilliant orange underside ? These are indeed two
prizes, both being rare plants, and scarcely ever seen
growing in Britain except on Ben Lawers in Perth¬
shire, amd a few other mountains. The first is Cla-
donia vermicularis, and the second Solorina crocea.

But now for Loch-an-Ouan ; so to the edge of the
precipice we go, and looking through the drifting
mist, see, several hundred feet below us, a little loch
of a strange green colour. There was the loch of
eternal ice, but how were we to reach it ? On three
sides it was surrounded by high precipices — the fourth
v/as a long narrow corrie. At length we find a
place where the precipice was less steep, and here we
managed to make a cautious descent. Half-way
down the rocks seem nice, and damp enough to
nourish some good Alpine plants. Accordingly they
are examined, but save for a few mosses, seem
strangely unproductive. What is that plant like a
rush ? Don’t knov/ it. Ergo, it must be something
good : so into the vasculum it goes, to be examined
at a more convenient place. Be quick and get on,
for if that mist that is joining down the rifts and
gullies of the rocks reaches us here, we may have to
stay I don’t know how long. How the ground gets
very wet ; but we slide dovm the rocks seme way or
other ; cross some large beds of very wet and beautifully
green moss, reach the side of the icy lake, and find—

28

no ice upon it. However, close to the water lay some
large masses of snow, so beside one of these we sit
down and look about us. The loch is nothing more
than a shallow pond of very clear water, and pro-
bably o’vyes its origin chiefly to the melting of the
masses of snow.

As I said before, it is surrounded on three sides by
precipices ; the one opposite to where we were sitting
being, though very steep, thickly covered with grass
nearly to the summit. The reflection of this green
precipice causes the peculiar colour of the loch,
whence it derives its name of *‘the^ green loch.”
Whilst listening to the dismal croaking of a raven on
one of the rocks, and watching the wild and fantastic
wreaths of mist rising and falling among the rocks,
now forming in great masses down the gullies, now
drifting slowly along the sharp rocks that covered the
ridge, suddenly, on the sky*line of the green preci¬
pice, appeared a group of mysterious-looking brown
creatures. Sheep ? No ! For a moment we are
puzzled, but only for a moment ; for in single file,
slowly descending a narrow sheep path, came a herd
of red deer. A strange and beautiful sight it was to
see each graceful form appear suddenly from amidst
the drifting mist, and then quietly make its way
down the narrow and dangerous path — one following
quick upon another, till a long line of nearly forty red
deer slowly approached the lake. At last the whole
herd has nearly passed, when limping painfully along
comes a sohtary hind, trying hard to keep up with
its comrades and yet scarcely able to keep its feet on
the steep precipice. Several times the poor beast
had to pause for breath, and several times it seemed
about to fall headlong down the bank, but at last it
seemed to get some fresh strength, and was able to
join the herd, which were now feeding along the
sides of the corrie. Soon all had passed out of sight,
and we directed our attention to a drinking cup con¬
taining a mixture of “mountain dew” and snow,
which we had placed on the table of snow beside us.
Hallo ! it is stuck on, and there not only was the cup
frozen on to the snow, but on the outside of it were
several icicles. ‘ ‘ The lake of Eternal Ice with a

29

vengeance we exclaim, and springing to our feet are
glad to find that we, too, are not frozen to the ground.

We now begin the descent of the corrie, botanizing
as we go. In marshy ground we find the Junca
triglumis, and on drier ground four species of club-
moss, (Lycopodium clavatum, Selago Selaginoides^
and dfpinum. ) Then in the peathags the little cloud¬
berry, ( Ruhus cliani(zmorus J, with its fruit like an
orange coloured bramble. Several other berry bearing
plants also turned up, the two bearberries, ( Artyosta-
phylus alpina and Uva-ursi ), the lesser whortle berry
or cowberry, ( which Sir Walter
Scott, translating the scientific name, has poetically
called the “ Idgean vine,” the blaeberry, fV.
myrtillus), and the crowberry, ( Empetrum nigrum).
Some insects, too, now ask for notice, and among
some moths that are flying commonly along the burn
side we catch a few nice dark varieties of Cidaria
populata. The next to turn up is Pamplusia montU
colana^ a little moth that we had only once met with
before— beside the dark waters of Loch Ericht ; so
taking a few specimens we hurry on, and about sun¬
set are again standing beside beautiful Loch Affaric.
A rapid drive soon brought us home, and then being
able to consult our books we make out the unknown
rush-like plant to hQ Luzula arcuata^ hitherto only
found on the Cairngorm mountains and in Sutherland.
And so ended our excursion to Mamsoul and Loch-an-
Ouan.

Dr Buchanan White illustrated his paper by nume¬
rous photographs of the scenery of Strathglass, and
with dried specimens of several of the plants referred
to, which specimens he presented to the Society’s
herbarium.

Mr John Stewart read a paper on the
Reptilta of Perthshire.

After referring at some length to the many fabu¬
lous tales which existed to the prejudice of these
animals in ancient times, and to the prevailing igno¬
rance of their habits at the present day, he said
the ReptiUa are divided into four orders- — 1st,
Chelonia ; 2nd, Sauria ; 3rd, OpMdia ; and 4th,

30

BatratKia. Several naturalists — among them Mr
Bell, regard the frogs, newts, &;c. , as a distinct class
under the title of Amphihia, while others place them
as an order, or rather a section of an order of the
Reptilia, and the recognised scientific classification
is the one now adopted. The Reptilia present the
most wonderful variety of structure, and are eonse-
quently adapted for different habits of life, localities,
and modes of locomotion. They are scientifically
described as a class of cold-blooded vertebrate
animals, breathing by means of lungs, the skin
being covered with solid shells, horny plates,
scales, &c. (with the exception of the Ampliihia,
whose skins are naked.) The heart consists of
one, sometimes tvro auricles, but only one ven¬
tricle, the limbs Variable, sometimes four, two, or
none at all. Mr Stewart said that reptiles attained
their greatest profusion and size in tropical regions,
and that they were generally distributed through¬
out the wmrld, with one or two notable excep¬
tions, namely, Iceland and Ireland. With regard
to the last-mentioned, although it had generally
been understood that St Patrick had banished
them from the Bmerald Island, lizards, frogs,
and newts were as abundant there as anywhere
else. It appeared, howmver, that the snake was
not indigenous to Ireland, and although an attempt
made to introduce it about forty years ago had
failed, it was not from any peculiarity in the climate
or soil, but rather from a rewmrd offered for its
destruction.

He then proceeded to review the different species
found in Perthshire. Of the first order of reptiles
Chelonia (including the turtle and tortoises), none
are found in Britain ; but of the second, Sauria (or
the order of alligators and lizards), there are two
specimens lound in the county namely, the
common lizard and the blind worm. The former of
these, Lacerta vivipara, is from six to eight inches
long. In colour and markings it is subject to great
variations, but in the male it is generally, on the
upper parts, of an ohve brown ; and in the female,
of a pale grey, and on the sides and under parts of

31

an orange hue. This species has no teeth on the
palatal surface of the mouth, and unlike most lizards
(which produce eggs and lay them in sand or other
places to be hatched by the heat of the sun) brings
forth living young, the eggs being hatched in the
body of the female. The number of young is com¬
monly four or five, and they are capable of rnnning
about immediately on being born, and are soon able
to exercise their powers in the capture of prey. The
common lizard frequents heaths and sunny banks, and
the senses of hearing and seeing are so accute that it
is difficult to see, and much more so to capture one
of them, as, if caught, they either wriggle away, or
if held by the tail leave that appendage behind them
and escape. The blind or slow worm ( A nguis fragilis)
is found in wood copses, orchards, and sunny banks,
and, like the lizard, is very fond of basking in the
rays of the sun. Full grown it is about a foot long ;
general colour, a brownish yellow, marked with
minute black specks ; scales small and of a shining
silvery yellow ; tongue broad and forked ; teeth
small and numerous ; feeds on worms, insects, slugs,
&c. With reference to the food of the blind worm,
Mr Stewart remarked that great misapprehension
had prevailed — rats and toads having been supposed
to form part of it. He shewed, however, that from
the smallness of the mouth, and the minute size of
the teeth, it was impossible for it to devour either
rats or toads, and, for the same reason, that it was a
mistake to suppose, as had been ignorantly laid to
the charge of such a harmless and timid animal, that it
could inflict a wound or in any way pierce the human
skin. The blind worm, when suddonly alarmed,
has the faculty of contracting its muscles so as to
become perfectly rigid and brittle, rendering it
very easily broken. The third order of reptiles
is that of the Ophidia (to which the serpents
or snakes belong), and, as far as he is aware, has only
one representative in the county, namely, the viper ;
but he is of opinion that the ringed snake is to be
found in Perthshire ; and his reason for thinking so is
that the viper is very common, and the two are to
the casual observer so much alike that they may be

32

taken for the same animal. He therefore gave the
county credit for both. The ringed or common snake
(Tropidonotus natrix) is a very harmless reptile, of
the length of three feet. It is found chiefly in low
moist woods, hedgerow^s, and damp meadows, par¬
ticularly in the vicinity of water, in which it is very
fond of swimming, and has the power of remaining
a considerable time beneath the surface. In its
fondness for water it differs from the blind wmrm
and viper. It feeds on mice, frogs, and small birds,
which it swallows whole. The female deposits her eggs
in dung-heaps or hot-beds. The snake is easily tamed,
and often acquires a strong attachment to its pro¬
tector. The viper, or, as it is called in Scotland, the
adder (Pelias Berus) is, fortunately for us, the only
poisonous reptile existing in the country. Its bite,
although poisonous, is seldom fatal. Instances of
death have been recorded, but there is Very much doubt
if the poison of the viper is virulent enough to prove
fatal to a full-grown person, although in cases of
children it may cause death. Mr Stewart then gave
a description of the apparatus by which the wounds
of poisonous reptiles are inflicted, and the process by
Ayhich the poison is applied, and then gave the following
as the distinguishing marks of the viper : — Scales much
smaller than in the snake ; tail, not tapering, but
ending abruptly ; head, thick and broad ; eyes
sparkling ; and jaws wide. The viper is very com¬
mon in Scotland and in Perthshire — frequenting dry
woods, heaths, and sunny banks. The viper is ovo-
viviparous — the female hatching the eggs in her body.
Of the 4th order or Batrachia — animals distin¬
guished by commencing their existence as aquatic
beings, and furnished with branchise or gills for
respiration in water. There are in the county four
species — 1st, the frog (Rana temporaria.) Mr
Stewart entered into a very minute description of
the distinguishing characters of this species from the
spawn onward through the tadpole state to the
perfect animal. He then referred to the 2nd species,
namely, the Toad (Bufo vulgare), a very interesting
account of which he also gave, contradicting the
many slanders promulgated regarding its poisonous

33

nature, and showing that to the farmer and gardener
it was one of the best of friends as a slug and beetle
destroyer. He also referred to the experiments of
Dr Buckland, who proved the utter falsity of the
opinion that live toads had been found embedded in
solid rocks and trees for centuries, by enclosing some
dozens of toads in sandstone and limestone, carefully
sealing them up, so as to exclude air, and the possi¬
bility of getting food, which resulted in death at
the end of eighteen months in every case. The
next species noticed was the great Water Newt
{Triton cristatus.) When full-grown it measures
six or seven inches, and lives almost constantly in
water. It is found in the county, at Cherrybankj
and near Blairgowrie, from which last place Mr
Stewart had seen some very line specimens. The
colour of the back is deep brown, the belly bright
orange with black spots. The male is distinguished
by a crest along the back. The fourth species is the
common newt Lophinus punciatus. In habits it is
much more terrestrial than the former, and much
smaller in size. It is a very harmless, but a sadly
persecuted reptile. It has been falsely accused of
going down the throats of those foolishly sleeping in
fields with their mouths open. Mr Stewart con¬
cluded his paper by remarking that he would advise
young tnembers never to be led astray by the out¬
ward appearance of any of the productions of nature,
but to try to find out for themselves for w'hat useful
purpose the most repulsive animals were created, and
what part they play in the great plan of Him who
made all for good.

The paper was illustrated throughout with diagrams
of the animals referred to, prepared by Mr James
Young.

Votes of thanks were awarded to Dr Buchanan
White and Mr Stewart for their several papers,

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35

MEETING ON 6th JANUARY, 1870.

The monthly meeting of the Society was held in
the Glover’s Hall, on the evening of Thursday last,
the 6th instant — Dr Buchanan White, president, in
the chair. There was a good attendance of members.
The President presented to the Museum a collection
of 76 species of birds eggs, and he exhibited the fob
lowing species of silk-worm moths ; — -

1. Bomhyx Pernyi, the caterpillar of which feeds on
oak, and is easy to rear.

2. Bomhyx Yama-Mai, also an oak feeder, and a
producer of valuable silk. This is a native of
Japan, and thrives best in a cool climate.

3. Bomhyx Cynthia, another good silk producer, will
feed on various plants.

4. Saturnia Pavonia-majov, a native of Europe and
not difficult to rear. Feeds on pear, plum, sloe, &c.
Eggs and caterpillars (in their season) of these, and

12 other species, can now be obtained in Britain, and
being much more handsome and larger than the com¬
mon silk-worm ( Bomhyx Mori ) ought to take the
place of the latter with those who rear silk- worms for
amusement. The President also laid on the table
specimens of Discelium nudum gathered near Perth.
This somewhat local moss was found in the same
place by Drummond, the great Scotch Bryologist,
towards the end of last century, but has not (proba¬
bly) been, found again here till recently. It is found
in other parts of Scotland and in the north of Eng¬
land.

The following communication was then read from
Dr Lauder Lindsay, on —

THE GOLD AND GOLD-FIELDS OF PERTHSHIRE.

With caution judge ot possihildy ;

Things thought unlikely, e’en impossible,
Experience often shoivs us to be true/

—Shakespeare.

For many months now the public ear has been
ringing with the fame of what are known as
^‘The Sutherland Gold-Diggings.” Not only the

36

newspapers of the north of Scotland — those of Wick
and Inverness — but those also of Edinburgh and
Glasgow, and even of London, have teemed with
reports, paragraphs, letters, or articles, relating to the
discovery, and subsequent development, of a Gold
field in Helmsdale. If we eliminate from these
newspaper narratives the ob\fious fiction from the
actu^ fact, it would appear that gold has been
found in the valley just mentioned by a considerable
body of persons, including experienced diggers from
Australia, or other indubitable El Dorados ; and
that, moreover, it has been found in such amount
as to render its collection remunerative under cir*
cumstances highly unfavourable. There can be no
doubt, moreover, that iocal excitement has been in¬
tense — and that interest in the reality of the alleged
richness of the gold field extends not only throughout
Scotland, but to Scotchmen in other lands. Con¬
sidering this general interest regarding the Suther¬
land gold field, it may not be inopportune to inquire
how far our own beautiful County is possessed of
those native golden attractions that give such an
impetus in all lands in which they occur to the pro¬
gress of civilisation !

It may perhaps be regarded as of good omen that
at Perth the first Act of Parliament was passed
relating to Gold and Silver Mines in Scotland — by
James I in 1424. If, however, we seek assistance in
our inquiry from the exhibits of the only public
Museum in Perth, we will find — or at least I did find
in November, 1862 — that while it possesses specimens
of gold from far Ophir and Australia, it has none
from its own district : to see which latter it is
necessary to inspect the mineral cabinet of His Grace
of Breaaalbane, Mr Greg of Manchester, Professor
Tennant of London, or other private collectors.
Pliny reproved his countrymen for neglecting what
was near, and pursuing what was distant : —

Proximorum iucnriosi, longinqua sect.imur.

And it is obvious that his reproach is only too appli¬
cable to too many persons and things of our ov.'n
times J

37

I have been more fortunate in other departments
of my inquiry concerning the distribution of Gold in
Perthshire ; and the results I now embody in a series
of propositions— illustrated in such detail only as at
present appears desirable.

I. Gold ornaments of pre-historic age, and

PRESUMABLY OP NATIVE PRODUCE AND MANU¬
FACTURE, ARE OCCASIONALLY DUG UP WITHIN

THE COUNTY.

Not long ago one such ornament — found in a rail¬
way cutting in the Athole district — was exhibited to
the Antiquarian Society, Edinburgh, by Sir Joseph
Noel Paton. The late Mr McCulloch, the Curator of
the Museum of the said Society, wrote me — A new
one has just been added to the Museum. It is called
an ear-ring, and was found in a short stone coffin in
digging near Dunkeld. It is 54 inches long, and when
spread out measures I4 inches in breadth. The pro¬
jecting piece in the centre went through the lower
portion of the ear. ” Possibly the ornament exhibited
by the celebrated Painter and that described by Mr
McCulloch are the same ? Gold was wrought as early
as the Stone age in Scotland : on which subject those
interested may consult Professor Daniel Wilson’s
‘‘Pre-historic Annals of Scotland,” Colonel Forbes
Leslie’s “Early Paces of Scotland and their Monu¬
ments,” or Burton’s “ History of Scotland ” (vol. iv.)
In his “ Handbook of the Industrial Department of
the International Exhibition ” of 1862, Hunt states
that in the 5th and 6th centuries the Celtic tribes
worked some districts of Scotland for gold for the
manufacture of collars and helmets to their chiefs,
and for bracelets or other sorts of ornaments. Hardy
in his “Legends respecting Huge Stones” — to wit
the so-called Druicbcal monuments — shows that
hoards of gold are occasionally found concealed about
their bases. Thus he describes the blasting of one
of these stones near Haltwhistle, on the Northumber¬
land border — “ On clearing away the earth and
fragments that resulted from the explosion, there was
revealed a cluster of urns, closely packed together,
.containing gold.^'‘ Again, “ in 1824 a gold sceptre or

38

rod of office, which may have been borne by some
ancient arch-priest or king in the great assemblies of
his people, was dug up in the circle of Leys, Inver¬
ness-shire ; and in 1838 a gold ring and an armilla of
beaten gold were found in the island of Islay, under
a large standing stone. ” Xow these ‘ ‘ Standing
Stones ” are far from uncommon in Perthshire, and it
is possible that similar caches of gold or gold ornaments
may occur in connection with at least some of them !

II. In the 14th, 15th, and 16th centukies there

WAS A GENERAL BELIEF IN THE PREVALENCE OF

GOLD IN SCOTLAND.

It was quite customary, in the title-deeds affecting
Lands at that time, specially to mclude or conclude
gold mines. I possess extracts from charters of lands
in the counties of Forfarj Lanark, and Linlithgow,
containing such clauses ; and before me is a letter of
recent date referring to an estate on the Highland
border of Perthshire, in which ‘ ‘ the gold existing in
the soil is CcTcepted from the subjects ” conveyed by
charter. Whether stimulated by this fact does not
appear ; but only a few years ago the proprietor of
the estate in question submitted to a local geologist,
for his opinion as to its auriferous quality, a specimen
of ordinary bog iron ore from his lands — a mineral
earth that is familiar on all our moorlands ! I have
little doubt that conveyancers familiar with the title-
deeds of the larger estates of Perthshire, drawn up
within the period before specified, could point out
many references to supposed or real gold mines within
its area. A special work was indeed printed in the
16th century on the subject of gold in Scotland — viz.,
“ The Discoverie and Historie of the Gold Mynes in
Scotland, written in the year 1619 by Stephen Atkin¬
son.” (Published by the Bannatyne Club in 1825).
Professor Young of Glasgow w^rote me sometime ago
— “Robert Chambers in his ‘Domestic Annals of
Scotland ’ (vol i. ) speaks of the foreign Douster-
swivels, who in the time of the Jameses overran Scot¬
land in search of minerals,” and especially gold, “ and
I think gives references to the Acts they obtained, ”
Details on this subject are also to be found in

39

Calvert’s ** Gold Rocks of Great Britain and Ireland,”
published in 1853. Moreover, information on this,
as well as on other heads of this inquiry, occurs in
the ‘‘New Statistical Account of Scotland” — quoad
at least the Highland parishes of Perthshire.

III. The physical conpighkation and geologi¬
cal BASIS OF THE GPvEATER PART OF PERTH¬
SHIRE ARE NOT ONLY THE SA]\IE AS THOSE OF
AVOWEDLY AURIFEROUS COUNTIES IN SCOT¬
LAND; BUT OP HIGHLY AURIFEROUS FOREIGN
COUNTRIES, SUCH AS NeW ZEALAND.

The most commonly auriferous rocks are the lower
Silurian slates, as these are typified in our Grampians;
and it is in the debris of these slates — the result
mostly of denudation by ice, water, and weather,
and of subsequent assortment by water — that alluvial
gold occurs in all auriferous countries.

Before I go further, let me explain that, wRere not
otherwise specified, I am writing only of alluvial,
or drift gold : of deposits, that is, of the metal in its
water- worn condition, contained in the debris of the
rocks in which it was originally embedded. It would,
I fear, only confuse my hearers, and complicate my
subject were I to do more here than merely refer to
gold in situ — in its matrix — in the quartzites, which
penetrate the schists of the Breadalbane and other
Highland districts.

In the highly auriferous province of Otago, New
Zealand, the most extensive gold-deposits are the
beds of former lakes, estuaries, or rivers, which now
form plains or terraces, occupying present valleys.
In these lake or river-beds there has been, during
long ages, a deposition of the debris resulting from
the disintegration of the auriferous slates that formed
the ancient mountain-summits. In these former lakes
and rivers there has been a natural sluicing, sifting,
sorting of material, and consequent concentration of
the gold therein contained. This material now con¬
stitutes gravel or shingle, clay, loam, or sand,
variously intermixed or interbedded, cut through by
the channels of more recent, or altogether modern
and existing, rivers and streams.

40

Ancient lake and river-beds of a similar kind ax%
common in Perthsbire. It may have been that the
Grampians at one time formed a natural barrier at
Dunkeld ; and the Ochils and Sidlaws at Perth,
damming up ancient lakes, whose waters subse¬
quently found exit towards the sea by rupture or
erosion at the Pass of Birnam, and between Moncreiffe
and KinnouU Hills at Perth, In Glenshee and many
of the minor valleys of Perthshire “flats ” of gravel
and sand occur, presumably auriferous. Also pro¬
bably auriferous are former river-beds — for example,
those of the very errant and fickle Tay herself. The
beds of many of the Perthshire rivers have a struc¬
ture closely resembling that of the so-called Riverine,
gold fields of Otago and British Columbia ; while
the terraces— of water-worn shingle— to be found in
many of the Perthshire mountain- valleys, and which
mark the varying levels of the ancient lakes, are ap¬
parently the equivalents of the “benches ” of British
Columbia.

Though most commonly found in connection with
Silurian i’ocks, gold is, hov/ever, by no means con¬
fined thereto ; for Sir Charles Lyell, in his Elementury
Manuel of Geology, points out that “ gold has now
been detected in almost eve > y kind of rock I” Whence
it may be inferred that, while gold is most likely to
occur in the Silurian area of Perthshire, it may occur
in any part of the county, lov/land as well as highland !

IV. The Minerals, with ^yhich gold is gene¬
rally ASSOCIATED, ABOUND IN PERTHSHIRE.

These minerals are especially the Metallic Sulphides
— of iron and lead-in vein stuflfs of quartz, and cal¬
careous or heavy spars. At Tyndrum, for instance,
lead occurs— and is mined — in mica slate near its
junction vdth quartz rock (Nicol) ; and a reference
to Nicol’s Geology of Scotland will show that metal¬
liferous veins are frequent in the Silurians of the
Perthshire Highlands. These metalliferous deposits
are most common in connection with penetration of
the slates by intrusive masses of greenstone, por¬
phyry, or other trap rocks ; and the latter are fre¬
quent in Perthshire— e.p., in the basin of Loch Tay,

and generally in the Breadalbane district. Sulphides.^
and especially G-alena — the sulphide of lead — are in
all auriferous countries in Nova Scotia and in

Wales) regarded as favourable indications of the
existence of gold,

V, Gold iviay occun in payable quantity in

HOCKS IN WHICH ITS PKESENCE CANNOT BE DE¬
TECTED EITHER BY THE MICROSCOPE OR THE
NAKED EYE.

This is proved by the concurrent and abundant
testimony of all auriferous countries f e.g. quite re^
cently, Wales). Calvert, an experienced Australian
mineral surveyor, found per ton of Iron-Sulphide from
Perthshire, in which the precious metal could not be
detected by the microscope, 13 dwts. of gold ! But
this circumstance has more immediate application to
auriferous quartzites — to gold in its matrix — than to
auriferous gravels and sands.

VII, — Gold has been found in recent times in

DIFFERENT PARTS OF PERTHSHIRE,

In the history of the parishes of Dunkeld and
Dowally given in the New Statistical Account of
Scotland ” (1845, p. 965), we read, “Gold ingrains
has been occasionally found in a sandbank about three
miles above Dunkeld, and fully tv/enty feet above
the level of the Tay, A few small trinkets were
made of it ; but, the quantity of gold was so small,
and the expense of exti acting it so great, that no
attention is now paid to the discovery. ” Calvert, in
his “ Gold Bocks of Great Britain f mentions its
occurrence in Glenturret, Glencoich, Breadalbane, and
at the mouth of the Tay — at ‘ ‘ Long Porglan Moor,
near Dundee. ”* Undoubtedly Glenturret and Bread¬
albane are within the auriferous area of Perthshire —
though Calvert erroneously places Breadalbane in
Aberdeenshire. Glencoich is probably Glenquech,
which runs between Amulree and Kenmore ; and if
so, it too lies in the auriferous Silurian area. Long
Forglan Moor is probably Tentsmoor — beyond the
hamlet of Forgan, near Newport, in Fifeshire — not

* Gteg and Lettsom also mention “ LfOng Porglan Moot,
near Dundee.’*

42

in Pertlisnire, as Calvert has it. If gold has been
found there, it must have been in the sands, which
constitute the finest of the debris of the Highland
rocks, washed do^^n by the Tay : and it must have
.occurred as dust, or ver^" fine gTanules — for only in
this condition could it be carried by water so far from
its place of origin. There is, however, no improba-
bihty as to the occurrence of gold in the sands at the
mouth of the Tav. Gold occurs in the sea sand at

t/ ^

Aberdeen :* as well as on the coasts of ISTew Zealand,
hTova Scotia, Africa, and other auriferous countries.

Birkmyre in his Record showing generally the
date of discovery ill Victoria and other countries of
the most remarhoMe specimens of Native Goldf Lc.,
published in the Catalogue of the Victorian Exhibition
(at hlelbourne) of 1861 — mentions a nugget “ found
in Breadalbane, Perthshire, Scotland,’’ vrhich weighed
2 oz. (960 grams). This nugget, at the current price
of gold in Australia (£4 per oz.), would be worth £S
sterhng.d

There is only one descriptive Handbook of the Na¬
tive Minerals of Scotland — viz., the ‘‘ Manual of. the
IMineralogy of Great Britain and Ireland” by Greg &
Lettsom (1858). It contains several errors, espe¬
cially as to the names of localities ; and its whole-
account of the native gold of Scotland is at least
most meagre and defective. As regards Perthshire,
it mentions (p. 236) that “at Turrich, in Glen Coich,
near Amelrie,” a nugget — now in Mr Greg’s collec¬
tion — weighing? 2 oz. 1 dvrt., was found thirtv vears

O 7 V t/

* Tin's I state on fturhority of Caiitain Leask, of the Aberdeen
iship, ’* Granit-e City,” who told me in 1S62, that many years ago
a huge wooden shed —Ftii! standing — was erec*'ed for the extrac¬
tion of gold from the sand of the shore on the Links between
the moutbs of the r)on and Dee. The operation was undertakeu
purely as a scientinc experiment — publicly reported to be the
I esult of a wage) — with, no prospect or hope of profit or remu¬
nerativeness. It was said that only a sovereign worth of gold
was extracted in twelve months ! The sand in question is
doubtless the result, of the disintegration of the Highland
granites and Lower Silurians ; and I have little doubt is capable
of yielding gold in much larger quantity than this — though
not perhaps in amount to “ pay ” extraction.

t This is probably the nugget immediately hereinafter mentioned
as occurring in Mr Greg’s collection.

43

&go. The nugget in question is larger by 5 grains
than the largest hitherto found in Sutherland — viz, :
the Rutherford nugget discovered in March last : and
this circumstance — taken in connexion with the other
facts mentioned in this section (\dz.) affords the
strongest encouragement to gold-prospectors to direct
their attention to the Highland glens of Perthshira
The “Manual” also mentions, on the authority of
Professor Tennant, gold as accompanying cubic
Pyrites in Perthshire.

In Murchison's “ Siluria ” (3d edition, p. 478^
foot-note t), it is stated that, near Locheamhead, a
metalliferous veinstone, on property belonging to the
Marquis of Breadalbane*, is slightly impregnated
with gold, which occurs in a “ gossan,” contiguous
to the junction of Trap with crystalline limestone
and schist, and is associated with arsenical pyrites
and lead ore.

The late Marquis of Breadalbane seems not only to
have taken an interest in the occurrence of gold
v\dthin his territory, but to have possessed various
specimens thereof, which he showed to Professor
Tennant of London, Sir James Simpson of Edin¬
burgh, and other scientific men well known at the
present day. Professor Tennant [who holds the
Chair of Geology and Mineralogy in King’s College,
London, and who is a Mineralogist of much experience]
— mentioned in a discussion on gold-mining at the
Society of Arts, in May, 1862, that he “ was stopping
at Lord Breadalbane’s last year, and in looking round
the neighbourhood, he found quartz -^ith gold and
iron pyrites in it. But it would probably cost 30s
for each 20s worth obtained ” [to work it] ; “ which
as a commercial speculation might not appear a
desirable one to all parties !” This last remark
applies to quartz-crushing, and the subsequent separa¬
tion of the gold by amalgamation or other complex

* The fcircumstauces under ■which iruetalliferous veins occur in

Breadalbane are fully described in an Essay ** On the Mines and
Minerals of the Breadalbane Highlands” by F. Odernheimer—
published in the ‘‘Prize Essays and Transactions of the
aad and Agricultural Society of Scotland ” for 1841, p. 541.

44

processes. The collection of alluvial or d/ ifl gold is
an infinitively more simple process. The first is a
procedure requiring capital ; the second requires
only some bodily fatigue and mental perseverance.
Sir James Simpson teDs me' that a specimen of the
Breadalbane gold shown him by the late Marquis
was also in . quartz ; — a statement of importance in
reference to the existence not only of auriferous
drifts, but of auriferous quartzites, in the Highlands
of Perthshire. Mr James Eitchie, C. E., Perth,
tells me that gold was found in mining argentiferous
galena at Ardvoirlich ; and it has been discovered
under similar circumstances in the lead mines of
Tyiidrum. Mr Eitchie pJso reports the presence of
gold in G-len Lednock, and other streams falling from
the north into Loch Earn. Again, Mr Mercer in¬
formed me some years ago, that gold had been found
in the upper valley of the Almond. Whence it would
anpear that the basins of Lochs Tay and Earn have
ah'cady proved to be auriferous. If this be conceded,
it follows that other similar lake-basins in Perthshire
are at least liJcelif to be auriferous — e.g., the Tros-
sachs and Eannoch groups of lochs.

VIII. My general coxclfsiox prom the pore¬
going DATA IS THAT AT LEAST THE HIGHLAND
PORTION OP Perthshire is auriperous.

A line dravm from Stonehaven to Eowardennan on
Loch-Lomond divides Perthshire geologically into the
Highland regio]i of the Lower Silurian slates and the
Lowland region of the Old red sandstone. The north¬
ern, Highland, or Silurian region is auriferous through¬
out ; the southern, lowland, or sandstone district may
be practicallv considered non-auriferous. The auri-
ferous area includes the basins of Lochs Tay, Earn,
Dochart, and Ereuchie ; Eannoch, Tummel, Lydoch,
Ga,rry, and Ericht ; Katrine and neighbouring lakes.
It also includes the upper waters of the Tay and
Forth, and of many of their tributaries — such as the
Earn and Almonds. The non-auriferous area embraces
the fertile plains of lower Strathmore, lower Strath-
earn, and the Carse of Gowrie.

Gold may occur s<>atb. of the Highland or geological

45

lx>undary line above specified. For, in the first place,,
it may be looked for in all the “ drifts” formed of the
debris of the Highland Silurian slates : which drifts
are frequently deposited at great distances from the
original auriferous rocks — e. g. , in the sea»sands at the
mouths of great rivers — such as the Tay and Forth,
and in the gravels found on their banks, and on those
of their tributaries, throughout their course. And,
in the second place, as already stated, gold occurs in
rocks of such different ages and mineralogical
character that there is no* impossibility as to its
occurrence in any part of the area of Perthshire !

There is good ground then for the belief that gold
is extensively distributed in Perthshire, as regards
superficial area.

IX. To WHAT AMOUNT GOLD OCCURS IN PARTICULAR
LOCALITIES, OR IN THE COUNTY IN GENERAL,
CAN ONLY BE DETERMINED BY SUCH “ PROS¬
PECTING” AS HAS BEEN RECENTLY CARRIED ON
IN SUTHERLANDSHIRE ; OR AS IS CARRIED ON
IN ALL AURIFEROUS COUNTRIES AS THE FIRST
STEP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF GOLD FIELDS.

“Prospecting” ought to be undertaken conjointly
b^ experienced gold diggers and by professed geolo¬
gists. The facts discovered by the one correct the
theories entertained by the other. By which I do not
necessarily imply that the scientific man is the
theorist, fur there is no greater theorist than the true
gold digger ; and it is his theories, based on his
experience, that lead him to “ prospect” new areas,
and thereby to the most brilliant and valuable dis¬
coveries — discoveries that are frequently pregnant
with fate to w'hole countries and peoples. It would
probably not be diffi.cult to find in Scotland many
returned diggers from Australia, Xew Zealand,
California, British Columbia, or Xova Scotia, who
would even as a mere “ labour of love” act as “pros¬
pectors” in their native country’, for there is a fascina¬
tion in gold-prospecting for its own sake that proves
irresistible to many bold and restless spirits. Nor
should it be difficult to find a geologist or mineralogist
competent to undertake the supervision of such a

46

prospecting surrey. Government has its Geological
Survey, its School of Mines, its Department of Science
and Art, its British Museum ; Scotland has her
special Geological Survey, and a couple of Geological
Societies — at Edinburgh and Glasgow respectively ;
Edinburgh has in addition its Royal and Royal
Physical Societies ; Perth has its Society of
Natural Science, and every town of any size has its
learned society of some kind ; each of the Scotch
Universities has, moreover, its Professor of Natural
History, a subject that embraces Mineralogy. With
such a machinery for the di^nsion of labour in matters
scientific — in the collection and diffusion of accurate
datain science — it would be strange could no authority
be found willing to contribute his time and energies
to the development of so attractive a department of
the natural resources of his mother-land ! ‘ ‘ Pros¬

pecting,’’ however, implies facility offered by the local
landholders ; but it is doubtful whether, in relation to
Gold-discovery, it is their interest to aid in the esta¬
blishment of the ti'uth! There must ever, however, be
a fear of this, that if the public take it into their head,
whether on right grounds or wrong, or on no grounds
at all, to “prospect” a particular locality, they may
do so in spite of proprietors, law, or justice ; and the
result may in such event be prejudicial to the inte¬
rests of the great landholders, and of society at large.

X. Till the probable amount of gold distri¬
buted IN PARTICULAR PARTS OF THE AREA OF
THE SHIRE LS DETERMINED BY ACTUAL :SIINING,
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER, TO
WHAT EXTENT, OR UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES,
IT WOULD BE REMUNERATIVE TO COLLECT THE
SAID GOLD.

The assistance of the chemist, metallurgist, assayer,
and gold miner must be called in to supplement the
data obtained by the prospector and geologist : for
it is now well known that it will — by certain modern
processes of a chemico -mechanical character — “ pay ”
to extract gold from rocks and soils that do not ap¬
pear to ordinary eyes, or under ordinary optical
instruments, auriferous.

47

XI. Meanwhile gold jnlly be looked for in
Perthshire chiefly ik the following

LOCALITIES OR UNDER THE FOLLOWING CIR¬
CUMSTANCES : —

A. At the head-waters of the rivers or streams ;

in the ravines of mountain water-sheds.

It must he remembered that the largest nuggets
are to be expected nearest their matrix ; and the
proximity of that matrix may be judged of by the
angularity or smoothness of their surface — • the
smoothest being the most water-worn and the
furthest travelled.

B. In ‘‘drifts’' (gvavels, clays, sands) — at their

base — especially where they rest on the
“ bed-rock, ” and in “pockets” or hollows
of the latter.

The fullest and most recent information concern¬
ing the “ Gold and GokbFields of Scotland,” includ¬
ing those of Perthshire, is to be found in three papers
by the author — the first submitted to the Geological
section of the British Association in 1867, and pub¬
lished in the Beport of the said Association for that
year ; the second presented to the Geological
Society of Edinburgh in 1867, and published in its
Transactions for 1868 ; and the third read before the
Ptoyal Geological Society of Ireland in 1868, and pub¬
lished in its Journal for 1869.

My mineral cabinet contains several specimens of
Scottish native gold, collected for me in one of the
southern auriferous counties of Scotland some years
ago, or sent recently from the Sutherland diggings ; and
it will give me pleasure to show them to any person
exhibiting a hona fide interest in the present subject.

Though intended, doubtless, to convey b, figurative
meaning, the following quotation from Bernard is
quite appropriately applicable to m}^ present subject
in a very literal sense : —

Men’s books with heaps of chaff are stored :

God’s Book doth golden grains afford.

Then leave the chaff, and spend thy pains

In gathering up the golden grains !”

A vote of thanks was awarded to Dr Lauder
Lindsay for his paper.

48

Mr Thomas Marshall, of Stanley, then read the
following paper on

The Natueal History of the Salhon.

Our society was formed for the purpose of en¬
couraging the study of the xv’atural History of Perth¬
shire, and as the Tay forms a very important feature
in the county, and the salmon ( Sahno Scdar) for
various reasons is entitled to take the first place
among the inhabitants of our li^er, I hav^e there¬
fore no further excuse to make in asking your atten¬
tion to this subject for a little.

The natural history of the salmon is very interest¬
ing, and I purpose in this paper to give you, so far
as I can, a description of the fish from the egg to the
time when it comes up our nver as a salmon of some
20 lbs.

I am glad to see that now-a-days we are becoming
alive to the importance of rearing and preserving
salmon ; and, in the annals of progress there are few
things of greater interest than that of fish-hatching.
In this, man takes in hand those operations which
until lately were performed under the sole guardian¬
ship of nature ; the results of which were left,
surrounded by many dangers, to take their chance of
arriving at maturity.

Pisciculture, or the cultivation of fish, is now
carried on very extensively in France, and, on a
smaller scale at Stormontfield and a few other places
in this country — so that fish-hatching is beginning to
take its place amongst the recognised sciences, and it
promises fair to become before many years a source of
national wealth, and certainly a great boon to the
public at large.

It has now been placed beyond doubt that man
can as successfully cultivate the waters as he cultivates
the land. Water, as well as land, was designed by
an all-seeing Providence to nrovide food for man, and
there is no obstacle in nature to water, like land,
being rendered a thousand-fold more productive by
the appliances of art and skill. Water may in truth
be said to be naturally more productive than land —
many kinds of fishes, including the most valuable.

49

reproducing their kind by tens of thousands per
pair every year. A salmon weighing 20 lbs., pro¬
duces about ... ... ... ... 20,000 eggs.

A trout of 1 lb.

A pike of 44 lbs.
A perch of 4 lb.
A herring of 4 lb.
A cod of 20 lbs.

1,000
43,000
20,000
20,000
4,900,000

> }

j j

> >

> )

eggs

Trout and salmon, on an average, carry 1000
to each pound v.^ eight.

From eggs we naturally come to “nests.” Fishes
ISTests ? This may seem to some of you like the phrase
one often hears, •“ finding a mare’s nest.” To this, I
merely answer that fishes do make nests. I do not
mean to say that they climb trees and build like birds
or squirrels, though the seven-spined stickleback in
salt, and the common stickleback in fresh water
make rather complicated nests. Most fishes, indeed,
do make shelters for their eggs, which are nests to all
intents and purposes. When about to spawn the
salmon selects a gravel bottom with a shallow quick
running stream, such as you see above the Perth
Bridge (where even now a few fishes may be seen
spawning). The reason being that where the flow of
water is rapid, there is a greater supply of oxygen to
the eggs themselves, and to the young ones when
hatched. The nest is easily recognised, being a
hillock or mound of gravel with a hollow sort of ditch
in front of it. On removing the gravel the eggs
appear all loose in it, and seeing the delicate looking
ova, one is naturally led to wonder that they are not
crushed by the weight of the gravel ; but, it has been
found by actual experiment that single eggs will bear
a weight of over 5 lbs. before they break.

The salmon does not, as is generally supposed, turn
up the g.:avel with its head, but by a rapid motion of
its body raises the gravel on both sides ; the female
turns on her side, and by strong undulations drives up
a heap of gravel from her tail. Stones and gravel are
easily moved under water, consequently the exertion
required to throw up a bed of gravel is not great.
The male all the time this is going on lies near at
hand, on the look-out for other males, and if any un-

50

lucky fellow less strong than himself comes too near,
he gets a pitching into, and sometimes very much
scratched and torn. This seems to be his only occu¬
pation, at least so far as I have seen — the female
always making the ridd. The spawning being finished,
the male salmon passes over the ova and sheds the milt,
after which the female again throws herself on her side,
repeats the undulating motion before mentioned, and
turns the gravel over the newly deposited spavm.
"When the fishes are left to spawn in the natural way
a great quantity of the ova is of course lost, being
liable to be carried away by floods, left high and dry
by droughts, or devoured by other fishes and birds,
and alas, too often by the parents themselves. As an
instance of the amount of ova destroyed by other fishes,
a common yellow trout weighing IJ lb. was taken at
ALmond-mouth last year, having in his gaiUet no less
than 350 ova. According to Messrs Ashworth and
Buist, only one salmon egg out of every thousand
deposited by the parent fish ever becomes a fish fit
for human food. MTien spawning, the female is often
surrounded by two or three males, who fight so with
one another that they for the time seem to forget
what they are about, and the ova is often left unim¬
pregnated altogether.

Aow this can be all remedied by artificial breeding,
and I will endeavour to explain the process as plainly
as possible. W e must first catch the female, and to
prevent her depositing her eggs in a natural nest, we
must take them from her, this is done by holding up
the head of the fish — the vent of course being covered
Avith water — the hand is pressed gently from the
head downwards, when, (if the fish is ready) the
spawn flows from her freely, we then take the male,
and in almost the same manner get milt sufficient to
impregnate the ova. The milt and ova are then
stirred about gently for about a minute, when the
milt is washed off, and the ova is put in tins to be
conveyed to the nest provided for them, which at
Stormontfield consists of 360 boxes. The size of the
boxes’ inside measurement, is 5 feet lOJ inches long,
IJ foot broad, and 1 foot deep. There are 12 boxes
in each row, and 30 rows in all. The boxes are

51

placed in double rows in the breeding pond, with a
foot-path 18 inches wide between each double row.
In each box is put first a layer of fine gravel, then
a coarser layer above — the whole being covered with
water to the depth of 2 inches. In these boxes the
spawn is deposited. The water passes by gravitation
through each row of boxes from the canal stretching
along the upper end of the pond. This canal is
copiously fed with water from the filtering pond.
The boxes are laid with a fall of 2 inches on each,
or 2 feet in the row of 12 boxes, and the water passes
from box to box by openings or notches 4 inches wide
in the middle of the divisions between the boxes.
In these boxes the spawn lies from 90 to 130 days,
according to temperature. The ova may be hatched
in a much shorter time by raising the temperature.
About a month before hatching two black specks
appear in the egg, which are the eyes of the future
fish ; and afaint line runs around nearly three-quarters
of the egg, showing the body of the future salmon.
When this is seen the egg is alive and will probably
hatch out all right. There is a curious question
about which much unceidainty prevailed, but which
Frank Buckland has satisfactorily settled, and that is,
that the eggs do not grow — otherwise, do not increase
in circumference or diameter ; but the fishes inside
them most certainly increase in bulk, till at last they
become so large that the egg-shells suddenly burst.
The head of the young fish comes out first, then the
tail, while -the egg remains attached to its body ; but,
instead of the egg or bag being round, it is now ob¬
long in shape ; and in this bag, which is called the
umbilical vesicle, it carries all the food which is to
last until it begins to eat.

The average weight of a young salmon just hatched
is nearly 2 grains, bag and all ; at a year old he is
nearly 2 oz. in weight ; at 16 months old, after the
smolt has been a few months in the sea, he becomes
a grilse of say 7 lbs. ; at two and a-half years old he
becomes a salmon of 12 lbs. to 16 lbs. weight — a very
great increase certainly in so short a time.

There is no animal, I presume, that increases so
rapidly and at so little cost, and that becomes such

o2

a valuable article of food. After birth the young
salmon for some time is in a very helpless condition,
but being provided by nature with its bag of nourish¬
ment, it does not require to search for food. It has
numerous enemies, and in order to avoid them it
naturallv hides under stones till the umbilical bag
has been absorbed, which takes place in six weeks.
The fish then leaves its hiding place and begins to
look about for food, and in a week or two it gets very
active and interesting. At Stormontfield the young
fishes are regularly fed with boiled liver gTound
small, and a very prettjr sight it is to see how they
rise and take it when thrown into the water.

Our young salmon at this stage is note known as a
pruT. Before 1836 very little was known of the young
salmon, when Mr Shaw, liead-keeper to the Duke of
Buccleuch at Drumlanrig Castle, discovered, after
careful observation, that parrs were young salmon.

Mr Shaw transferred some parrs from the river
Nith to a pond prepared for the purpose, and after a
certain period they assumed the migratory dress and
movements, in other words they became smolts.
Here it was proved that the parr is the infant of the
salmon ; unless, indeed, it was to be denied that
smolts a,re the vouth of the salmon, and in due time
become salmon themselves. Mext, Mr Shaw,
w’atching till a jDair of salmon had deposited their ova
in a stream of the Mith, transfemed the ova to an
artificial stream connected with his pond ; and after
a time the eggs were hatched and the produce was
parrs. Here it was proved that the salmon is the
parent of the parr. The case was thus proved from
both ends — the parr was shown to be salmon in
infancy, and the salmon to be parr in maturity.
However, to make this more clear if there was
any grounds for doubt at all, Mr Shaw caught in the
river two salmon about to spawn, and having
spawned them in his own stream, the result again in
due time was parrs. JSTearly twenty years later,
similar experiments on a larger scale and with the
same results were made at the Stormontfield Ponds,
where parrs and nothing but parrs were hatched
from the ova of salmon by hundreds of thousands,

53

and these experiments have been carried on to this
time with the same results. A strange fact in con¬
nection with the parr is, that the male alone arrives
at sexual maturity, and does or cam impregnate the
ova of the adult female salmon. This experiment was
fully tried at Stormontfield, where ova impregnated
with the milt of the parr, was kept bj^ itself and in
due time hatched. A most singular anomaly is
exhibited in the varying time at which parrs become
smolts, and migrate. In the breeding ponds, this has
been always observed ; about-one half become smolts,
and go off when one year old, and nearly the other
half at two years old, the only difference being that
the two-year-old parrs become smolts a week or two
earlier in the season than the parrs of one-year-old —
and even at two years old, a number remain parrs for
another year.

I have not heard any reasonable cause assigned for
this difference. Some maintain that being better
supplied with food and being kept in a state of com¬
parative confinement they have their growth hastened,
and their instincts overruled ; others think that ova
of adult salmon come sooner to maturity than the
ova of grilses. However, I am not in a position to
say which of these theories is correct, or if either of
them be correct. I suspect the matter will have to
rest as it is at present, undecided. After assuming
the smolt dress the fishes become more restless, and
gathering into flocks of sometimes as many as fifty or
sixiy, they swim round the pond for a clay or two,
and generally leave in shoals.

Having got this length with our subject we must
take farewell of our fishes for a while, as we do
not see the change that takes place between the time
they leave the pond as smolts, and return to the
river as grilses. As we cannot any longer get direct
evidence we must now have recourse to circum¬
stantial evidence, and so mark our fishes that we may
be able to recognise them again. Of the smolts that
left the pond, the first year, over 1000 were marked
by cutting off the dead fin ; of these a good many
returned to the river the same season as grilses of
from 24 to 8 or 9 lbs. in weight. The following year

54

I saw a salmon of 15 lbs. taken with the net, on the
station on the side of the river opposite the ponds ;
and a year later Mr Nicholson caught with the
rod at Stanley a salmon of 22 lbs. weight, both having
the dead fin off.

Some of you may still be inclined to ask the
question, have the ponds really done any good ? I
answer they have certainly done good. 400,000
smolts leave the ponds annually, and since these
ponds were commenced, and the close-time lengthened,
the rental of the Tay fishings has doubled.

The paper was illustrated by preserved specimens
of the salmon from a few weeks old to the full-sized
smolt.

A very interesting conversation followed the read¬
ing of Mr Marshall’s paper, and a vote of thanks was
cordially given him.

•V'

oo

MEETING ON 3d FEBRUARY, 1870.

The monthly meeting of the Society was held oil
the evening of Thursday last — Dr Buchanan Whitcj
President, in the chair, A report stating the arrange¬
ments made for the Conversazione was given in and
approved of. The chairman intimated that the paper
on “Certain Parasitic Animals” was unavoidably
postponed, and he called upon Mr John Sim, who
read a paper on the “Solar System,” which was
listened to with much attention. The President then
read the following paper on —

The Butterflies of Perthshire.

In writing this list of the Rhopalocera inhabiting
Perthshire, I have endeavoured to show — 1, The
distribution of the species throughout the county.
2, The range of the species in Scotland. 3, The
difference (if any exists) in size and coloration between
Scottish and English specimens. This, I have been
only able to do with those species of which there are
representatives from both countries in my cabinet.
In almost every instance the specimens compared are
from Southern English and Northern Scottish locali¬
ties. 4. The dates during several years on which
the butterfly has been first seen in each season.
These apply in all instances either to Perthshire or
other parts of Northern Scotland.

1. Melitoia Artemis V. has hitherto been found in
very few localities in the county, but as this butter¬
fly is of very local habits, it has probably been fre¬
quently overlooked. It has been found near Dun-
sinnane, Methven and Bridge of Allan, In the first
of these localities the larvae have been collected
rather commonly. In Scotland this species occurs as
far north as Forres, while in England it ranges
throughout. Scottish specimens are slightly smaller
and darker in colour than English ones. — 1859, June

2. A rgynnis Selene, V. is a common species through¬
out the county, in marshy places, in woods, and on
the hill sides. It is probably found in every county

9

56

in Scotland where it holds the same place as the next
species does in England. — 1858, June 6 ; 1859, June
7 ; 1860, July 12 ; 1867, June 19 ; 1868, May 16 ;
1869, June 23.

3. A. Euphrosyne, L, does not appear to be a com¬
mon species in Perthshire. It has been found in
Scone Woods near the locahtyfor Monesesg^andi flora,
and at Bridge of Allan. In Scotland it seems to be
commoner in the northern than in the southern parts,
occurring in the same kind of places as A . Selene, but
generally making its appearance earlier in the season.
In fact, when A. Selene is most abundant (about the
middle of J uly) the flight of A . Euphrosyne is nearly
over. Both species are, I think, only single-brooded
in Scotland. Scottish specimens of A. Euphrosyne
closely resemble English ones. — 1868, June 5 ; 1869,
June 4.

4. A. Aglaia, L. is rather less common than A.
Selene, being found in similar situations. It is found
on Kinnoull Hill, &c. , near Perth, as well as in many
other localities from the level of the sea up to the
high l3nLng district of Eannoch. Scottish specimens
seem to be very slightly larger than English ones.
It is found commonly throughout Scotland. — 1858,
June 21 ; 1859, June 27 ; 1860, July 12 ; 1869, July
16.

5. Vanessa Urticce, L. — This common butterfly is
as abundant in Perthshire as it is elsewhere, and is
found from the sea level up to the summit of Ben
Lawers. It is one of the few species noticed by
“outsiders” who call it the •* Emperor Butterfly,”
“ Devil Butterfly,” or “Witch Butterfly.” Scottish
examples are larger than English ones. As the ap¬
pearance of the Yanessidse, after hibernation, depends
on favourable weather, and is uncertain, I will not
give dates for them.

6. V. lo, Lin. is by no means common in Perthshire,
its sole claim as a native resting upon a few specimens
taken near the Bridge of Allan. It occurs as far
north as Forres, but is except in the very south a
rare butterflv in Scotland.

7. V. Antiopa L. can only be considered a very
doubtful native of Perthshire. A specimen has been

reported to me as having been seen near the Bridge
of Allan. There is no reason why it should not
occur here as it has been taken as far north as Edin¬
burgh.

8. Pyrameis Atalanta L. is sometimes not uncom¬
mon in the county, but is variable in the periods of
its appearance — one year being abundant, and another
year being very rare. It is found throughout the
county and Scotland, specimens from which country
are similar in all respects to English ones.

9. P Cardui^ L. — This species has the same habits
and distribution as the preceding, except perhaps that
it is even more variable in the times of its appearance
than that species, and that it is less oftener abundant.
It occurs from the sea level up to the base of Ben
Lawers.

10. Pararga Algeria L. is a very local species and
never appears to be abundant. It occurs on Kinnoull
Hill and near Muirhall, and is double-brooded. Scot¬
tish specimens are larger than English. It has not
been recorded from beyond the north of Argyleshire,
— 1858, May 6 ; 1859, July 8 ; 1860, May 1 ; 1869,
April 26, Aug. 8.

11. P. Megoera L. — This butterfly was formerly
common near Perth. I say formerly, for I have not
heard of any specimen having been captured since
1860, in which year it was common. The series of
cold summers following that year seem to have de¬
stroyed the species, though possibly (like P. Cardui)
it may again put in an appearance. It is found in
Scotland as far north as Argyle. — 1858, May 24; 1859,
May 28, Aug. 8 ; 1860, May 6, Aug. 9.

12. Satyr us Sernele L, is, though rather local, an
abundant species where it does occur. Its favourite
haunts are warm rocks, such as Kinnoull and Mon-
creiffe Hills, &c., and in such situations it is very
common. It occurs as far north as Sutherland, but
does not seem to be found in the alpine parts of the
country. Scottish specimens are slightly larger and
darker than English ones. — 1858, June 21 ; 1860,
July 16 ; 1864, June 25 ; 1865, July 1.

13. Ejpinepfiele Janira L. is a common species
throughout the country, though it was rare in the

58

Eannoch district when I was there in 1867. Its
range does not extend very high up the mountains,
Scottish specimens are similar to English — British
specimens being much inferior in size and in brilliancy
of colouration to South European ones. The same
remark applies to E. Semele. — 1858, June 21 ; 1859,
June 30 ; 1860, July 11 ; 1865, July 1 ; 1868, June
23 ; 1859, June 26.

14. E. HyperantJius L. is a local species in Perth¬
shire, and is, I think, only found in the lowland part
of the county. It occurs on Kinnoull Hill, in Glen-
farg, &c. Skye is the most northern locality in Scot¬
land at present known for this species, — 1858, June
21 ; 1859, July 1 ; 1860, July 14 ; 1865, July, 1.

15. Coenonympha Pampliilvs L. is a very common
species in open places, in woods, and on the moors.
Its range extends far up the hill-sides. Scottish
specimens are larger and darker than English. — 1858,
June 8 ; 1859, May 31 ; 1860, June 23 ; 1864, June
18 ; 1867, June 19 ; 1868, June 3 ; 1869, June 9.

16. C. Davus L. is not so widely distributed in
Perthshire as might have been expected. There are
many apparently suitable localities near Perth where
it ought to occur, but as yet it has not been detected
in these. It is common in Pannoch and other High¬
land districts, and is found at a considerable elevation.
C. Eavw^ is a very variable species, and till the dis¬
covery of the larva of the Scottish form it will remain
uncertain whether that be not a distinct species ( Q.
Typhon, Haio) from the English Ecivus. The
northern variety Isis occurs in Pannoch. C. Davus
appears to be found throughout Scotland. — 1867,
July 8 ; 1868, June 20 ; 1869, June 28.

17. Erehia Epiphron Kn. is the only truly alpine
butterfly indigenous to Britain. In Scotland it has
only been hitherto observed in Perthshire, where it
occurs at a considerable elevation on the mountains
on both sides of Loch Pannoch, and on the north of
Loch Tay. In England it only occurs in the Lake
district, specimens from which are decidedly smaller
than Perthshire ones.

18. E. Medea W. V. occurs abundantly in some of
the Highland vallevs of Perthshire ; as at Pitlochrie.

C./ *.

59

Rannoch, &c. , but is rather local. It is widely distri¬
buted in Scotland, and is also found in the north of
England. Scottish specimens appear to be slightly
larger than English. This species does not range so
far up the mountains as C. Davus, for from some ob¬
servations made last summer in Inverness-shire,
found that E. Medea was scarcely seen above 800
feet, while G. Davus attained an elevation of up¬
wards of 2000 feet, both'species being found together
from 200 feet up to 800 feet above the sea level.
Both species are found, I believe, at the sea level. — •
1867, July 30 ; 1869, July 21.

16. Pieris Brassicm L. is as abundant in Perthshire
as it is elsewhere throughout Britain. It is of course
however more abundant in cultivated districts than
on the moors, and is probably never found on the
higher mountains. Scottish and English specimens
are identical in appearance. In Galloway, during
the last war with France, it was termed, from its
colour, the “French Butterfly,” and hunted down
and destroyed wherever found by the children, who,
on the other hand, showed their patriotism by pro¬
tecting the “British Butterfly” {Vanessa urticoe). —
1858, April 23 ; 1859, April 17 ; 1860, June 15 ; 1868,
April 16 ; 1869, April 25.

20. P. Rapce L. — 1858, April 22 ; 1860, April 26;
1862, May 3 ; 1867, May 3 ; 1868, May 7. -

21. P. Nayi L. — 1858, April 19 ; 1859, April 19 ;
1860, June 11 ; 1865, April 27 ; 1868, May 16,

To these two species what has been said regarding
P. Brassicce also applies. They seem, however, to
be more truly indigenous species than that butterfly,
their larvse occurring more frequently upon wild
plants than does the larva of P. Brassicce, and their
distribution in Europe being more general. Whether
P. Brassicce is a true native of Northern Scotland
will probably remain as undecidable a question as is
the case with certain plants now thoroughly estab¬
lished, but probably introduced at some very remote
period. Analogous cases of the accidental introduc¬
tion of butterflies and land molluscs have occurred
(and are occurring) in North America.

22. A nthocaris Cardamines L. is widely distributed

60

ill the lowland part of the county, and occasionally
is rather common. It has not yet been found north
of Forres. — 1868, May 15 ; 1859, May 14 ; 1860,
May 24 ; 1868, May 16 ; 1866, May 2.

23. Polyommatus alsus V. has occurred abundantly
near Perth at several places, as at Proxy, but of late
years it has been very scarce. It seems confined to
the lowland part of the county, although it occurs in
all parts of Scotland, both east and west, as far north
as Forres. — 1858, June 10 ; 1859, May 31 ; 1867,
June 15.

24- P. Icarus, Eg. is one of those butterflies whose
range extends from the level of the sea up to a con¬
siderable elevation on the mountains. It appears to
occur throughout Britain. — 1858, June 6 ; 1859, June
13 ; 1860, June 27 ; 1864, June 18 ; 1865, July 1 ;
1867, July 7 ; 1868, June 16 ; 1869, June 23.

25. P. Artaxerxes, Fah., or P. Medon var. Ar-
taxerxes. I do not intend at present to enter into
this qucBstio vexata, beyond urging on the entomo¬
logical members of the Society to assist in the solu¬
tion of the problem, whether Medon and A rtaxerxes
are distinct species, by experiments wuth the food
plant of the larvse. Medon feeds on Erodium Ci-
cutarium, Artaxerxes on Helianthemum vulgar e.
Does the food plant produce the difference in the
two forms ? and wdll Artaxerxes larvae fed on Erodium
produce butterflies of the Medon type? Professor
Zeller is working at this, but, why, should not
we, who have so many opportunities of obtaining
A rtaxerxes, not also contribute to the elucidation of
the problem ? P. Artaxerxes appears to occur every¬
where in Perthshire where Helianthemum vulgare
grows. Even in Pannoch, where the plant is scarce,
I saw specimens of the butterfly. The butterfly
has been recorded from as far north as Aberdeen¬
shire ; but, as the plant is found in Sutherland-
shire, probably the butterfly may also be found
there. In Moray, Dr Gordon states, A rtaxerxes has
not been detected, and Helianthemum vulgare only
in one place. Artaxerxes is also found in the north
of England, but has not been reported from any
locality out of Britain, though Medon has a wide

61

distribution in Europe. — 1858, June 19; 1859, June
27 ; 1860, June 30 ; 1864, June 13 ; 1865, July 1 ;
1867, June 27.

26. P, j£gon, V. has only once been taken in
Perthshire, by Mr D. P. Morison, near Pitlochrie.
Its occurrence in other parts of Scotland is doubtful,
though it is a common English species. It is common
at a high elevation on the Alps, and possibly it occurs
on some of our moors, though hitherto it has escaped
notice except in this one instance.

27. Lyccena Phlceas, L., is sometimes not uncom¬
mon, though rather variable as to the years in which
it is common. It is found both in the Lowland and
Highland districts, though more common in the
former. In Scotland it has not been reported from
farther north than Inverness-shire. Scottish speci¬
mens are much brighter than south European, which
are more diffused vdth black. — 1858, April 22 ; 1859,
April 23 ; 1869, April 25. There are in Scotland
two broods, but no dates of the second are at hand.

28. Theda rubi^ Z/., though apt to be overlooked,
is mdely distributed in Perthshire, occurring in
several places near Perth, as well as in Rannoch. I
have taken it in Inverness-shire, north of which it
does not seem to have been taken. English speci¬
mens do not differ from Scottish ones. {T. Ruhi
appears to be single-brooded in Scotland.) — 1858,
May 20 ; 1863, May 30 ; 1867, June 28 ; 1868, May
9 ; 1869, May 1.

29. T. Quercus, L. is a rarer species in Scotland
and Perthshire than T. Pubi. It occurs in several
places in the Lowland part of the county as far
north as Dunkeld. Though found in Argyleshire, it
does not seem to occur everywhere in the south of
Scotland as might be expected, being common in
England, specimens from which country resemble
Scottish ones. — 1859, August 9 ; 1860, July 28.

These twenty-eight (leawng out V. Antiopa as
doubtful) are all the species of Rhcpalocera as yet
knovTL as natives of Perthshire. There are six other
species indigenous to Scotland, viz. — Colias Edusa,
Argynnis Adippe^ Nemeobius Lucina, SyriclitusMalvoe
( A Iveolus ), Nisoniades Tages^ and Hesperia Sylvanus,

62

one of wliieh f N. Iktges ) occurs as far north as
Cromarty, and might therefore be expected to be
found here.

The following table of the distribution of butter¬
flies in Europe will perhaps be of some interest. I
have compiled it from Mr Kirby’s Manual of Euro¬
pean Butterflies ” and other reliable sources : —
European Butterflies,... ... ... ... 320

British ,, ... ... ... ... 64

Scottish ,, ... ... ... ... 35

Perthshire ,, ... ... ... ... 29

Scandinavian (f. e. Norway, Sweden, and Lap-
land) and Iceland butterflies (not including
Scottish species), ... ... ... ... 77

Of which (f.e, Scandinavian species) are
also found in latitudes (in Europe
west of Bussia) south of Scotland, ... 64

Are only found in latitudes (in Europe
west of Bussia) north of Scotland, ... 13

In concluding this slight sketch of the “ Butterflies
of Perthshire,” I may mention that I hope to be able
soon to lay before the Society a complete list of the
Macrolepidoptera of Perthshire, showing (as far as is
at present known) the range of each species through¬
out the county.

The President’s paper was illustrated by specimens
of the Butterflies referred to.

A unanimous vote of thamks was given to Mr Sim
and Dr Buchanan White for their papers.

G3

C 0 X V E K 8 A Z I 0 X E.

Oil the evening of Thiirsthi}^, the 17th February,
the Society gave a conversazione in the City Hall
similar to that of last year. The proceedings
were opened by the Lord Provost, one of the
Patrons, who was accompanied to the platform
by Sheriff Barclay, Hr Miller, Mr Andrew Coates,
Bridgend House ; Mr Hector Macduff, Hillside ;
and Mr Bobert Pullar, along wdth the Presi¬
dent of the Society, Hr Buchanan White. The
Lord Provost stated shortly the object of their
meeting, and the pleasure it afforded him to be
there, and he hoped that success would continue
to attend the labours of the Society in the future.
The gentlemen ha\ing left the platform, the company
which numbered about 2(30 dispersed themselves over
the Hall, in examination of the various objects
exhibited. The arrangement of the hall, and the
difficulty of hearing on the previous occasion, induced
the committee to have no lectures this time ; so
the company formed themselves into groups around
the tables inspecting their contents and conversing
on the many points of interest before them. In the
side room an exhibition of microscopic objects was
made by the oXyhjulrogen light, along with views
taken from Professor Lnger’s work on the Primitive
AVorld. This department was under the care of Mr
Sadler of Edinburgh, (the microscope, &c, , belonging
to Mr Bryson, optician, Edinburgh,) and was well
patronised during the course of the evening.

The hall itself consisted of two great divisions,
formed by a promenade running from the entrance
door to the platform, access being had to the divisions
on either hand by arches of evergreens. That on the
south side of the hall contained hi its subdivisions
the Perthshire collection and other collections of
natural history proper. In the north division there
was a miscellaneous gathering, consisting chieflv of

O ^ ^ O" ^ O %J

Indian and Chinese curiosites, pictures, photographs.

64

&c. Of tlie contents of these two divisions, therefore,
we propose to give a brief description : —

The south central division of the hall was set apart
for specimens of the Fauna and Flora of Perthshire.
On the central table of this divi&ioii was arranged a,
beautiful collection of Falconidse, exhibited by Mr
Condie, and by Messrs F. Macgregor and Edward
Paton, George Street. Here also were shown 19
specimens of Perthshire timber, belonging to the
Society. On the tables round the sides were numer¬
ous fine specimens of Perthshire quadrupeds and
birds. Among those especially admired were the
following : — A large collection of birds from the Lord
Provost ; wild cats by Mr P. Brown, George Street ;
grouse and young, partridges and young, &c., by Mr
Lamb ; great northern diver, &c., by Mr Kennedy of
the Royal George Hotel ; a magnificent badger and
other specimens, too numerous to enumerate, by Mr
John Stewart, dentist, joint vice-president ; many fine
game birds, &c., by Mr Lees, gunmaker ; and
numerous other interesting specimens, by Mr Nichol¬
son (Exchange), Mr Chalmers (Old Ship Inn), Mr
Pople, Mr W. 13. Thomson, &c. , &c. At the south
end of the division were four magnificent cases of
game birds exhibted by Dr Roy (1) and Mr Pople (3).

To represent the Flora of the county, Mr Dawson,
joint vice-pr3sident, showed a collection of 12 of the
v/ild fruits of the county preserved in a solution of
salt, and showing the leaves of the tree producing
the fruit as well as the fruit itself.

Passing into the south-west division, a great array
of birds and their eggs, insects (British and exotic)
presented themselves. The largest contributors here
were Mr Coates, Bridgend House (exotic ferns) ;
Messrs J. Stewart and J. Bruce (cases of insects) ;
Mr Halley, George Street (birds^ ®ggs) ; Messrs
Morton & Mitchells (a beautiful specimen of the
ermine) ; Mr Swan, Kirkside (shell drake and duck) ;
Mr Kinnoch, George Street (birds), &c., &c. On the
w'est wall were 40 large photographs of Italian and
Swiss scenery, and Italian architecture and paintings,
exhibted by Dr Buchanan White.

At the end of the platform several curious baskets

made of dockeiis, bents, and heather by the inliabi-
tants of the Hebrides, were exhibited by Mr Ilitchie,

C.E.

Passing to the north-west division, the central
table w*as occupied by a very interesting collection
of objects. These included a large collection of
Chinese idols from one of the principal temples in
Shanghai, jade ornaments of great value, and many
other Chinese and Japanese curiosities, exhibted
by Mr Macduff, Hillside. On this table too were
placed a tankard used by Prince Charles Stuart
(also shown by Mr Macduff), and a small cabinet that
belonged to Mary Queen of Scots, exhibited by Mrs
Gentle, Rosebank. On the west wall were hung a
large collection of dried exotic ferns, shown by Dr
Buchanan White, and Mr Coates, Bridgend House.

On the east side table of this division w^ere a num¬
ber of miscellaneous objects, among wRich were a
Japanese pastile box and Japanese pocket-handker¬
chief (made of paper) exhibited by Mr Wedderspoon,
Tayside, Australian Boomerangs &c., from Mrs
Wanlis, Croft House, &c. &c.

Passing to the north central dhdsion the north
wall w^as occupied by a large collection of oil paint¬
ings exhibited by Mr Murray, St John Street. On
the east table a large collection of birds from the Lord
Provost, Dr Buist, Dr Fraser Thomson, Mr Lees, &c. ,
and a seal showm by Mr Chalmers, (Old Ship Inn),
and on the white screen behind this table, some
Chinese paintings on rice paper and on skeleton
leaves, exhibited by Mrs Gentle, Rosebank. On the
centre table w'as a valuable collection of ancient coins
shown by Mr W. Tomey, some bea,utiful foreign
birds by Mr Coates, and a revolving sterescope by
Mr Bryson, Edinburgh. On the west side table
were arranged a collection of French photographs of
flow'ers, &c., from Mr Coates, and of Italian and
French sculpture and architecture from Dr Buchanan
White, two large sheets of beautifully preserved sea¬
weeds from Mr John Stew^art, some mechanical ships
from Mr Pringle, St John Street, and polished Scotch
pebbles from Rossie Ochil showm by Mr Shields.

Passing into the central part of the hall, on one

66

side were a large collection of foreign shells exhibited
by Mrs Gentle — Mr J. Stewart, Mr H. Thomson,
photographer, Mrs Valentine, High Street, and Mr
Jackson, George Street. A beautiful cockatoo and
other living Australian birds shown by Mr H. Welsh,
High Street, were placed at the end of this table and
attracted much attention.

On the other side the most noticeable objects were
a collection illustrating the various stages of the
growth of the salmon. This very interesting collec¬
tion was contained in 17 bottles and was shown by Hr
Buist, and Mr Marshall, Stanley, Mr Marshall
also exhibited 3 fine kingfishers killed at Stormont-
field, and Mr Bitchie, O.E., a collection of 65
specimens of the basalts of Perthshire. On each
side of the arch there was a large photograph of
Californian scenery shown respectively by Mrs
Wedderspoon, Tayside, and Mr Coates, and at the
end of the table were cases containing sparrow-hawks
and young from Mr J. Stewart, pebbles from Mr
John Thomas, and shells from Mr It. MacRTeo-or.
We have now arrived at the south east division round
which was arranged forty two cases containing
about 5000 specimens of butterflies and moths shown
by Dr Buchanan White, a collection of the ferns of
Perthshire by the Society, a large collection of British
birds’ eggs, by Mr John Bruce, St John Street, and
Dr Buist, while against the wall were some pretty
chromo -lithographs from Mr Murray. On the centre
table were several objects of interest, including
amongst others skins of flying squirrels and flying
foxes from Dr Boy, and Mr Halley, George Street,
and specimens of the moths and silkworms of
commerce exhibited by Professor Balfour, and Dr
Buchanan White. Among the numerous objects of
interest we must not omit to mention the large wasp
nest exhibited by Miss Macdonald, Springiand, which
attracted the attention of every visitor.

The music was supplied by the band of the 93d
Highlanders, the excellency of which was thoroughly
appreciated by the audience. The decorations were
very light and tasteful, consisting of festoons between
the pillars with a floral crown in the centre of the

67

hall. These were the work of Mr James Forgan of
the Perth Nurseries. Messrs Dickson & Turnbull
sent a large number of greenhouse plants, which were
arranged on the platform, and tended much to en¬
liven that portion of the hall. Refreshments were
provided by Mr Harley, confectioner and fruiterer,
George Street, which gave great satisfaction.

The hall was open on Friday and Saturday at a
reduced price of admission, and large numbers availed
themselves of the opportunity thus afforded for view¬
ing the interesting collection of specimens. On both
days the band of the Fechney School attended, and
played selections of popular music,-

4

4.

6S

ANNUAL MEETING,

HELD ON THURSDAY, 3d MARCH, 1870.

This meeting was held in the Glover’s Hall on the
evening of Thursday last, when the report of the
Council was read by the Secretary, and the Treasurer
gave a statement of the funds. From these reports
it appeared that very little progress had been made
in increasing the objects in the museum, but that
considerable additions had been made to the library
which now numbered over 50 volumes, and that good
facilities, which were taken advantage of, were given
for reading the books and periodicals ; that two
Conversaziones had been held during the session
which were well patronized, and had been the
means of increasing public interest in the pro¬
ceedings of the Society ; that a goodly list of
species had been added to the local lists during the
session, and that the funds in the Treasurer’s hands,
after deducting the expense of furnishing the museum
and purchasing the books, amounted to £19 17s 7d.
These statements were considered highly satisfactory,
and the reports were unanimously approved of.

The following office-bearers were then elected —
namely, Dr Buchanan White, President ; John
Dawson and James Lamb, Vice-Presidents ; John
Winter, Joseph Stevenson, and W. C. Dewar, Coun¬
cillors ; A. T. Scott. Secretarj^ ; James Henderson,
Treasurer ; and James Stewart, Curator and Librarian.

Address by the President.

Dr Buchanan White, in returning thanks on be¬
half of himself and the new elected office-bearers, said
—To-day the Society has entered upon the fourth
year of its existence, and I think that we should con¬
gratulate ourselves upon the fact that the three first,
and probably the most momentous years of our life
as a Society have been passed in safety. I say most
momentous, for it is the progress made during the
second and third years of its existence which decides
whether an association such as the Perthshire Society
of Natural Science shall stand or fall. In the first
year everything is novel, there is a plethora of papers

6d

and communications, and all the members are en¬
thusiastic ; but by the time that the second year is
reached the novelty has begun to wear off, the
quarries (so to speak) from which most easily ma¬
terials for papers can be drawn are exhausted, and
it is only those members whose hearts and souls are
in the Siudy of nature that remain enthusiastic. But
they must not be enthusiastic for themselves and
their studies alone ; they must be so for the
well-being of their Society. And when an associa¬
tion, however lengthy may be its list of members,
and however prosperous it may be as regards
its funds, unfortunately ceases to have such mem¬
bers, then woe for that Society ! Let us now
review our progress during the last three years.
In March 1867 the Society began life with 16
members ; in March, 1870, 96 names appear

on the list. All these are not, however, now
members, various causes having brought down the
actual number to about 89. The number of mem¬
bers admitted duriug each year (not including
original members) is as follows : — In 1867, 27
were admitted ; in 1868, 23 ; in 1869, 30 ; original
members, 16 ; total 96. These numbers I think we
may, on the whole, consider satisfactory ; for, not
only do they show that there is a steady annual
supply of new members, but, combined with the
attendance at, and interest shown in, our monthly
meetings, they prove that the taste for the study
of natural history is increasing in Perthshire.
The Society has held 34 monthly meetings, at
which 46 papers, containing more or less original
matter, besides other communications, have been

read. These papers may be divided into the follow
ing classes : —

General Natural History,

10 papers.

Entomology, .

8 M

Conchology, .

3 M

Ornithology, .

3 „

Other branches of Zoology, ...

3 M

Botany, .

16 „

Geology and Mineralogy, .

2 M

Astronomy, .

1 »

70

Of these papers, 16 were read in 1867 ; 13, in 1868 >
and 17 in 1869. In all Natural History Societies
the number of individuals who provide papers are
few in comparison with the total number of members,
and in this respect the Perthshire Society of Natural
Science presents no exception to the general rule j
for I find that the 46 papers above mentioned have
been provided by 10 individuals. They, and the
number of papers communicated by eachj are as
follows : —

13 papers.
9
7
5
5
3
1
1
1
1

Dr Buchanan White,

Mr John Sim, ...

Mr John Stewart,

Mr John Dawson,

Mi* J. Allen Harker,

Mr John Sadler,

Rev. Dr Brown,

Dr Lauder Lindsay,

Mr Thomas Marshall,

Mons. du Parquetj
In addition to the regular monthly meetings of the
Society, excursions have been made on several oc¬
casions. At these I have not had the pleasure of
being present, as the season for making excursions is
during my absence from Perth ; but I regret to learn
that they have not been so successful ais might have
been wished. This has probably arisen from the
difficulty of finding a sufficient number of members
who can absent themselves at one time from their
other duties. Even with this difficulty before ib, the^
Bociety, I think, should be very unwilling to relind
‘quish the idea of excursions altogether, and I would
suggest that the example of some other societies and
field clubs be followed, and that we should have an
Annual Field-day, and make an excursion, at which
every member (who. possibly can) should endeavour
to be present. This excursion might be carried out
thus : — All the members and their friends who can
get away should start at an early hour in the fore¬
noon, and, either in one or more parties, make a
thorough examination of the district to which the
excursion is made. Let there be a certain hour (to¬
wards the end of the afternoon) and place appointed,

'71

m which not only those who came out early, but*
those members who have been prevented from join¬
ing the excursion in the forenoon shall meet. Then-,
having had tea together, the specimens collected
during the day should be exhibited, and explanations
of them given. With so many suitable localities
within easy reach of Perth, it should be easy to carry
out an excursion of this natuje, w^hich, would be, in
fact, equivalent to a monthly meeting but without
its formality, and much more enjoyable. ^ Through--
out our existence as a Society we have had numerous
small excursions of three or four members, and at
these a great deal has been learned, and a large
amount of work done. These excursions can easily
be got up ill a few hours’ notice, and as the time is
coming on, I will be glad to hear from any member
wishing to join in excursions of this kind. During
last spring I had the pleasure of giving, at the request
of several members, a series of lectures and demon¬
strations in Botany. These lectures were either given
indoors, or, when the weather permitted, took the
form of short excursions and demonstrations in the
open air. For my own part I enjoyed them very
much, and shall have much pleasure in giving my
services, such as they are, again this spring, should it
be thought desirable to resume the course. Let me
now remark briefly upon the work done by members
of the Society in elucidating the Fauna and Flora of
the county during the last three years. Perthshire
is a wide- field, and the members of the Society being
mostly resident in Perth, have restricted most of their
investigations to the immediate neighbourhood of the
city. Even in this limited area many striking ad¬
ditions to the recorded lists have been made, and
when the Society has obtained members (which
I am happy to say it is fast doing) in other
parts of the county, we may expect many
more. In 1867 the number of terrestrial anil
aquatic Mollusks known as natives of Perthshire were
41, and 20 species have been since found. To the
insect Fauna many additions (especially in the orders
Lepidoptera and Hemiptera) not only to the county lists,
but to those of Scotland, Britain, and even of science,

have been made. The hot summer of 1868 seemed to
have an especial influence in bringing out several
species not seen here before ; but the comparatively
cold summer of 1869 seems not to have added many
species to the list. To the list of plants, also, there
have been several species added, and many new
localities discovered for the rarer species, not only of
the local Flora but of the Fauna as well. Much,
however, remains still to be done in working up com¬
paratively unexplored districts, and the neglected
branches of natural history. One district very likely
to add considerably to the local lists if thoroughly
worked is what I may term the maritime portion
of Perthshire — that is, that portion of the county
bordering on the estuary of the Tay. From what
little I have seen of this district, I feel persuaded
that if we had tolerably full lists of its zoological and
phytological productions, we would be astonished at
the number of interesting species indigenous to that
part of the county. The vicinity of the sea is, as you
are all aware, inhabited by species not found in more
inland parts, and as Perthshire has no sea coast proper,
it is to this part that we must look for the produc¬
tion of any of these species. Another fruitful source
of interesting species should be the great beds
of reeds {Arundo Ph'aqmites) that border certain
portions of the Tay in this district. In those parts of
England where reeds abound many species of insects
who derive their sustenance from that plant occur,
and I have reason to believe that the reed-beds of the
Tay will not be found unproductive. To encourage
the working up of this likely district, therefore, I
beg to offer a prize for the best essay on the natural
productions of the maritime portion of Perthshire.
One of the neglected branches to which I wish to
call attention is the great order of the Fungi, of
which there is said to be about 4000 British species.
Hitherto, one great drawback to this order has been
the want of an inexpensive and complete manual of
the British species. This want, however, is now
likely to be supplied by Mr M. C. Cooke’s forthcom¬
ing work on the subject ; and as we know but little
regarding what species are indigenous to Perthshire,

73

I think you will agree with me that it is time w^e be*
gan to find out. This, therefore, will form the sub¬
ject of one of the other prizes I am to offer. In
addition, however, I will add another prize that has
relation to Fungi — namely, one for the best essay on
the Edible Fungi of the county. The inhabitants of
Britain are very much behind their Continental v
neighbours, inasmuch as that they neglect a great
source of delicious and nutritious food presented by
the Fungi growing in almost every meadow and
wood. Many, indeed I may say most people, have
acquired the unfortunate belief that, with the ex¬
ception of the common meadow mushroom, all mush¬
rooms and toodstools are virulently poisonous and
worthless as food. This, in fact, w^as for a long time
my owm belief, but now, I am happy to say, I know
better. Since I have been enlightened on the sub¬
ject I have not had many opportunities of getting
Fungi which principally delight in rich old meadows
and woodland. However, 1 have managed to test
the qualities of some 8 or 9 species, and now I never
see a specimen without ascertaining, if possible,
whether it is an edible species. Some kinds, it is
true, are certainly poisonous, and others worthless as
food ; but a very little experience will soon teach
w hat species are to be avoided. Most, if not all,
the fatal cases of poisoning by Fungi have been the
result of the rankest carelessness, such as the case of
a man mentioned by Mr Worthington Smith (whose
little manual on the Edible Fungi I would recom¬
mend you to get). This man thought he would have
a dish of mushrooms, so he went out and gathered
fungi of every kind that he could find, came
home, cooked them, and succeeded in poisoning
his family and very nearly himself. He, however,
recovered, and lived to kill himself by carelessly walk¬
ing into a well, a proceeding, as Mr Smith remarks,
which was just what would be expected of such a
man ! As an instance of good food wasted, I may
mention the common puff-balls (called, when dry, by
children devil’s snuff boxes,”) which abound on the
North Inch in early autumn. These, when gathered
fresh, cut in slices and fried with butter, are, I can

assure you, very good eating indeed. Sometimes
these puff-balls attain a large size. I saw one found
near Luncarty last autumn, exhibited in Messrs
Dickson & Turnbull’s window, that weighed 10
pounds. Just fancy what an addition that would
have been to one’s dinner ! One good thing about
the puflf-balls is that none of them are poisonous. In
addition to the last mentioned, I shall be glad to give
prizes for collections of three too much neglected
orders of insects — namely, Hemiptera, Neuroptera,
and Orthoptera, as well as one for the best collection of
the smaller species of Lepidoptera. As I have placed
full particulars regarding these in the hands of the
Secretary, I need say no more about them at present,
except simply to remark that whoever will take the
trouble of studying these orders will probably be re¬
warded by the discovery of new species. Before,
however, quitting the subject, allow me to remind
you that in offering these prizes I do so merely to point
out more emphatically some few directions in which
your investigation may be profitably conducted, and to
say that the true reward of those members who will
honour me by competing for the prizes will be, not
the mere money value of the prizes (for that I am
sorry to say is but comparatively small), but the
pleasure accruing to themselves from the study of
nature and the good done to the Society at large, by
the clearing up of some obscure question in the local
Natural History.

The following is the list of subjects for competi?
tion for prizes given by the President : —

1st. For the best approved Essay upon the Fauna
and Flora of the Perthshire portion of the Estuary of
the Tay and its banks.

2d. For the best approved Essay upon the Edible
Fungi of Perthshire.

3d. For the best approved Collection of Fungi
(especially Micro-Fungi), collected between March 3d
and December 31st 1870, in Perthshire or other parts
of Scotland. To contain not less than 200 species.

4th. For the best approved Collection of Hemipieraf
collected between March 3d and November 1st 1870,
in Perthshire or other parts of Scotland, To cont^n

75

not less than 120 species, mounted on card board.

5tli. For the best approved Collection of l^europ-
tera (in the Linnsean sense), collected between
March 3d and November 1st 1870, in Perthshire or
other parts of Scotland. To contain not less than 70
species.

6th. For the best approved Collection of Orthopteray
collected between March 3d and November 1st 1870,
in Perthshire or other parts of Scotland. To contain
not less than 15 species.

7th. For the best approved Collection of Micro-
lepidoptera^ collected in Perthshire, between March
3d and November 1st 1870. To contain not less than
100 species.

Five gentlemen were proposed for ordinary mem¬
bership, and one as a corresponding member. The
following donations to the museum were intimated —
specimens of Ammonites, from^ the Gault of Folke¬
stone, from Mr Alex. Somervail, Curator, Geological
Society, FIdinburgh ; a collection of the fresh water
shells of the county, and twelve specimens of the
wild fruits of the county, preserved in a solution of
salt. To the herbarium, a series of dried specimens
of willows, correctly named according to Leefes
“ Salictum exsiccatum” lately published, from Mr
Sadler, Edinburgh. The thanks of the Society were
given to the donors. It was resolved, on the motion
of the President, to proceed at once with the lists of
the various departments of the Fauna and Flora of
the county, and the President was asked personally
to superintend and hasten their completion.

Species Added to the Local Lists During
Session of 1869-70.

G.e., from March 1st, 1869, to March 1st, 1870.)

I. MOLLUSCA.

1. Physa hypnorum — (confirmed as a Perthshire

species) — Errol, March, J. M‘Farlane.

2. Ancylus lacustris — near Dupplin — March, Dr B.

White.

3. Pupa muscorum — (confirmed as a Perthshire

species) — Kinnoull, Dr B. White,

D.

6.

^ 'o

1?.

13.

14.

Planorbis nautileus — Old Scone — J. Dawson,
March.

Planorbis nitidus — Lower Moncrieffe Pond — Dr
B. AYhite, J. Dawson, and J. M‘Farlane.

Pisidinm nitidiiim — Lowei Moncrieffe Pond —
Dr B. White.

Anodonta cygnea — River Earn — W. Herd.

The following rare varieties of Mollusca have
been also found : — Ancylus lacustris, var.
albida — near Dupplin, and Lower Moncrieffe
Pond. Helix nemoralis, var. alpestris — BaL
gowan and Blair-Athole. Anodonta cygnea,
var. incrassata — River Earn.

II. FLOWERING- PLANTS.

f 8 Pa^tinacca sativa- 1 -v^ • t

9 Ornithogalum umbel- / ^eai-Dunnmg-.T.

I ^ Henderson and J.

1 10 Claytonia Siberica. ) -^^^son.

I 11 Butomus umbellatus — near Elcho — CoL

I Drummond Hay.

Plantago serpentina, tMl — noticed as a British,
species in Bot. Soc. Edin. Trans. April, 1869,.
Rannoch and Glenlyon — Dr B. White.

Vinca major — naturalized near Longf organ — Dc
B. White and J. Dawson.

III. LEPLDOPTERA.

Glyphipteiyx Haworthana (new to Scotland)—
Methven Moss — Dr B. White.

lY. HE3IIPTER.CY

15. Zosmerus quadratus (new to Scotland) — Inver-

govHe. April. Dr B. White.

16. Cymatia Bonsdorfii (new to Scotland) — Methven.

April. Dr B. AYhite.

17. Orthops Kalmii (new to Scotland) ? — Woody

Island. April. Dr B. ^Yhite.

18. Idolocoris pallicornis — Kinnoull. April. Dr

B. White.

And several other common species.

V. MOSSES.

19. Tortula latifolia — near General Prison — Dr B,

White.

Discelium nudum rediscovered — Dr B. White.

N<)Tp:.— The discovery (tecor-ied in the Minutes of the Society)
of Tephrosin ccnsonaria turns out to bo erroneous, the'
insect being Gleora lichenaria, a species taken, here before.

Meeting on i2th april, isto.

The monthly meeting was held in the Glovers'
Hall on Tuesday last, the 12th inst. — Dr Buchanan
^Vhite, president, in the chs ir. There was an average
attendance. Five gentlemen were elected members,
and five proposed for election, one of these as a cor¬
responding member. The following donations were
laid on the table : — From Mr Lamb, stuffed speci¬
mens of brent goo^Q ( Berni cl a melano'psis ) and wood¬
cock ( Rustic ola sylvestris ) ; from Mr Sadler, a series
of mounted specimens illustrative of the genus Carex
as represented in Britain ; from Miss Macdonald,
large nest of a species of wasp found at Springland.
The President reported an excursion to Methven bog
last week, when 184 specimens of Coleoptera, erm
bracing sixty-three species, and fourteen species of
Hemiptera were collected. He also announced the
discovery of anew station for Clirysosplenium alterni-
folium^ near the river Almond, and of Vertigo
antivertigo, a shell new to the district, at Quarrynill.
Mr M‘Farlane also reported same place as a new
station for Helix acideata. The senior Vice-Presi¬
dent showed plants of the fern Hymenophyllum
Wilso3ii,\^h.ich. he had gathered in Menstry Glen in
the county, on the southern slope of the Ochils. It
was stated that other stations for it in Perthshire
were, the upper ejid of the Small Glen, and the
Stank Burn, near Loch Lubnaig. It was resolved
that the botanical class conducted by the President
should be opened next week.

The following paper by Mr Lamb was read on

THE FALCONID^ OF PERTHSHIEE.

In Ornithology the birds of prey appear as a very
prominent and well marked group, and I presume
that in consequence of this they have been made, in
their subdivision of Falconidae, the first of a series of
papers which I shall rejoice to see written on the
birds of the county. I regret, however, that from
circumstances wLieh shall be commented on towards
the close of this paper, that I have to approach this
subject vety much with the feelings of one who
writes of departed friends. In the course of a long

life I have seen many changes, socially and politically,
but none of these changes have been greater than
what has overtaken this family of birds. However,
in saying what little has been left to say on the sub¬
ject, I p!ropose to give the common divisions of the
falcon family — namely, the nohle and the ignoble.
The first of these consists of the falcons -proper, known
by the size of the tooth in the mandible, and by the
strength, length, and pointedness of their wings.
Although small compared with others of the family,
they are strong in flight, and can pursue and capture
their prey while on the wing. The birds of this
division were anciently ta;med and used in the sport
of falconry. The ignoble division includes the eagles,
which rank next to the falcons, and are large and
powerful ; and, in the case of the golden eagle and
rough-legged buzzard, distinguished by having the
feet feathered to the toes, I shall begin with the
falcons-proper, and with

1st, Falco peregrinus^ the Peregrine Falcon. — ^^This
bird is less than the Gyr or Iceland falcon, but is the
largest of the tribe to be found in this country. Its
length is 18 inches, breadth of wings, 3 feet 6 inches
in the female, and weight above 2 lbs. The general
colour is a bluish grey on the back, more or less
clouded, and marred with dark browm. The breast
is of a dull white, beautifully dotted and barred with
dark brown spots. The peregrine preys on most
birds, and even on small quadrupeds. It builds on
rocky cliffs and precipices, laying three or four
roundish eggs of reddish browm, dotted and patched
with darker spots. This falcon used to build
regularly in Kinnoull rocks, but of late years I have
not heard of its nesting there, and it is becoming fast
extinct in this country. It is still to be found, how¬
ever, in the northern parts of the county. A late
keeper on the Kinfauns estate told me that he
frequently shot this bird, and he found that the
surviving partner, after absenting itself for a few
days, invariably returned with another mate along
with which it bred and carried through the work of
the season. I am not aw'are of this trait of character
in any other bird.

79

2d. Falco suhhuteoj the Hobby Falcon, is a much
smaller bird than the former, about 12 inches long,
and in breadth of \Wngs about 2 feet. Its general
colour is greyish black, not unlike the peregrine.
It preys upon small birds and insects, and builds in
trees. Eggs, three to four, reddish brown, with
small dark blotches. The hobby is a summer
visitant, not common in England, and said never to
have been found in Scotland, but I stuffed a specimen
for the present Earl of Dalhousie, on 8th July, 1847,
which was shot near Dunkeld, and is now I believe
in Brechin Castle.

3d. Falco Tinnunculus, the Kestrel Hawk, is
larger than the hobby, being 14 inches in length, by
2 feet 3 inches in breadth. The plumage of the male
bird, w^hich differs from the female, is of a bright
brown, spotted with black on the back and wing
coverts, and underneath of a pale brown, streaked
and spotted wdth black. The back of the female is
of a rusty brown, thickly barred with black, the
breast, belly, and thighs of a lighter brown, with
dusky downward streaks. The kestrel feeds on mice
and small birds, and also on beetles ; builds chiefly
on trees, but occasionally in rocks and ruins ; eggs
reddish brown, blotched with darker brown. This
bird breeds on Kinnoull and Moncreiffe hills, and
throughout the county, but like all other birds of
prey has become scarce.

4th Falco ^salon, the Merlin Falcon, is smaller
than the kestrel, indeed the smallest of our hawks,
being not much larger than a blackbird. The back
and wings of the merlin are blue, mixed with black,
and breast and belly yellowish white. The nest is
built on the ground, among heath, very rudely con-
stsructed. Eggs, 3 to 5, reddish brown, with darker
spots. The bird flies low, and is very active in catch¬
ing its prey, which consists of small birds. I have
seen it in search of food, skimming in beautiful un¬
dulating lines across St. Leonard Bank gardens, rising
and falling again as it encountered each successive
wall. The merlin appears to breed in the northern
parts of the county, and is chiefly seen in this dis¬
trict about the month of October.

80

I come now to the ignoble, or short winged hawks,
and of these we have : —

1st. Acci^piter Nisus, the Sparrow Hawk.— The
male of this bird is 12 inches, and the female 15
inches in length. In the male the back and wings
are dark bluish grey, the breast and lower parts
reddish white, barred with yellowish red. In the
female the back is greyish brown, with breast of
greyish white, barred with dark grey. The tail has
four bars of a dark hue. The sparrow hawk builds
in trees, and occasionally in rocks. Eggs, 3 to 5,
bluish white, with large blotches of dark brown — =
sometimes on both ends, and sometimes only on one
end. It preys on small birds, and even pigeons, and
is the fiercest of our hawks. I have known it dart
through a window to get at a bird in a cage. It is
pretty common in this district, and is more frequently
found now than the kestrel.

2d. Biiteo lagopus, the Rough-legged Buzzard. This
bird is about 2 feet long, by four feet 8 inches across
the wings. Colour, chocolate brown ; forehead and
base of tail, white ; the latter barred with white and
brown ; the tarsi are feathered to the toes. The
Rough-logged Bazzard is a winter visitant. I have
got it from the neighbourhood of Dunkeld, but I have
not seen a fresh specimen for twenty years.

3d. Buteo Fuscus, the Brown or Common Buzzard.
Length, 20 inches ; breadth of wings, 4^ feet. The
colour of this bird varies very much, but it is gene¬
rally dusky brown on the back, lower parts yellowish
white, marked with brown streaks ; eggs, dull white
spotted, and patched with yellowish brown. The
Common Buzzard feeds on small quadrupeds, reptiles,
and insects, and even young chickens, but it is very
cowardly, and will fly before a sparrow-hawk. It
nests in trees and rocky places. I have seen spe¬
cimens lately from different places in the north of the
county.

4th, Pernis Apivora, the Brown Bee Hawk, or
Honey Buzzard, measures 2 feet in length, and 4 feet
in breadth of wings. The colour is a dark brown, with
breast ^nd belly white spotted, or barred with rusty
brown. The tail is brown, with three dusky bars ;

81

legs stout and short, of a dull yellow. It breeds on
trees, and lays three or four smallish eggs, white,
blotched with brown. It is very fond of the larvae
of bees and wasps, and feeds also on field mice, frogs,
and lizards. The Honey Buzzard does not soar like
the kite, but flies from tree to tree. I have stuffed
at least three specimens found in this district, al¬
though various writers say it is a rare bird in Scot¬
land.

5th. Circus czruginosus^ the Moor Buzzard, -Marsh
Harrier, or Harpy, measures 22 inches in length, and
4 feet 6 inches in breadth of wings. The colour
varies in individuals, but generally the upper parts
are amber brown tinged with grey, deeper brown
beneath, head, neck, and shoulders, yellowish white.
It builds usually on the ground, but occasionally in the
fork of some large tree ; the eggs are white. It fre¬
quents marshy ground and pools, as its name duck-
hawk indicates ; flies low, and feeds on water-fowls,
rats, frogs, &c. I have not seen a fresh specimen of
this Buzzard for a great many years.

6th. Circus cyaneus^ the Hen Harrier or Bing-
tailed Buzzard, measures 18 inches in length, and
over 3 feet in breadth. The male has a light bluish
grey back, the under portions being white. The
female is amber brown above, pale reddish yellow
streaked with brown beneath, tail coverts w^hite, and
when the wings are opened the bar or ring across the
base of the tail is very conspicuous, and hence the
name “ Bingtail,’’ which is given to this species.
All the female Harriers have feathers resembling a
ruff around the head, below the eyes, approaching in
this respect nearest to the family of the Owls. The
Ken Harrier nests on the ground among heath, lays 3
to 5 eggs, of a bluish white colour, and lives on grouse,
hares, reptiles, &c. I have two specimens in my
collection at present, one shot at the Burghmuir.
This bird is still occasionally to be met with in the
county.

7th. Milvus regalis, the Fort ed-t ail Kite or Gled.
Size, 27 by 63 inches ; upper parts reddish brown,
lower parts light brownish red ; the tail is deeply
forked ; tho bill is horn-coloured, and bristled at

the base. The Kite flies in circles with elegance and
buoyancy. It builds on trees. The eggs are white,
with a fnw reddish brown spots. It feeds on small
quadrupeds, reptiles, insects, and occasionally birds
and farm-yard chickens. I used to stuff two or three
specimens of this bird every season, but I have not
seen one for a dozen years. I have no doubt it may
still be found about the Breadalbane district, where
it has been frequently met with. The scarcity of this
bird is much to be regretted, as, from its noble ap¬
pearance, it formed one of our flnest birds of prey.

8th. Aquila Chrysaetus, the Golden Eagle, Black
Eagle, Brown Eagle, or Bing-tailed Eagle, is about
3 feet long, by 7 feet in breadth of wings. The
colour of this bird is brown, feathers on head and
neck yellowish brown. Builds on rocky precipices,
lays two eggs almost white, occasionally with reddish
spots. It feeds on hares, rabbits, lambs, fawns,
grouse, &c. I used to stuff specimens every winter,
but have not done so for three or four years. They
came chiefly from the Bannoch district. About a
dozen years ago a wholesale poisoning of Golden
Eagles took place in Bannoch. The poison was put
on dead hares and rabbits, and the result was the
destruction of five of these noble birds, all about one
time — two of which come into my possession.

9th. Haliaetiis alhicilla^ the White-tailed Eagle
or Erne. The length of this bird is 40 inches, by
7 or 74 feet. Colour mostly brown, mixed with
white ; beak and legs yellow. It breeds on cliffs on
the sea shore and inland. Eggs two, of a bluish
white colour. I have stuffed specimens frequently,
but not for some years. It is also found in the
Bannoch district.

Before concluding this list of falcons, I may state
that I think it extremely probable that a specimen
of Accijnter Paliimharius^, the Goshawk, may have
turned up in the county ; but as I have never had
one in my possession, I have passed it over in silence.

Such is a brief and somewhat perfunctory descrip¬
tion of the Falconidse of the county. I have only
spoken of those which I know, from personal ob¬
servation, to exist, or what did exist but I shall be

83

glad if any member of the Society can mention any
omission, that the list may be made as complete as
possible. I regret that my calling has only enabled
me to deal with the dead specimens, not to observe,
as I would have liked, the character and habits of
these noble birds in their wild native haunts. I think
I should have been able to have given, if so privileged,
sketches of their life in the forest or on the rocky
cliff of such a nature as to attract our study and ad¬
miration. It has occasionally been my lot to watch
with interest the habits of some cf the birds referred
to, and I am glad to say that the more I have seen,
the more I have admired them ; and I cannot con¬
ceive the circumstances, which I have alluded to *
already in this paper, which can justify the lessening,
and even extinction, of their numbers within the last
few years. The excessive preservation of game has
altogether upset the true balance of nature, and
brought about the destruction of our finest furred
and feathered tribes. The question of the game-laws
must and will be fought between the landlord and
tenant on the relative value of ga^e and of certain
cereal and green crops ; but is the naturalist, who
desires the preservation of our native birds, not to be
heard in the discussion ? Is he not to be allowed to
protest against the enormous breeding and multipli¬
cation of exotic pheasants, and native patridges and
grouse, at the expense of whole families of native
hawks, buzzards, and eagles, and to the increase of the
vermin of our fields, and the pests of our gardens and
orchards ? 'What has led to the unparalleled number
of wood pigeons, and the formation of so many asso¬
ciations for their destruction, but the removal of their
natural enemies, the hawks, which, had they been
left as of old would have saved many a bushel of
grain to the farmer that has gone to feed the cushat
and its more pampered congeners of the game list.

This is a subject, however, for a paper itself, and
should be energetically taken up by societies, such as
ours, before it be too late (which in many cases I am
afraid it is) to save Scotland’s noblest family of birds.

A conversation followed Mr Lamb’s paper, in which
it was stated that a single Peregrine Falcon was to be

■34

iound at the present time on Kinnonll Hill, and that
a pair bred there three years ago, so that this bird is
not quite extinct in the district. It was also stated
that a Kough-legged Buzzard was shot about three or
four years ago at Amulree.

The folowing paper was read by Mr M‘Farlane on

THE MOLLUSCA OE THE PONDS OF THE DISTRICT : —

I need not make an excuse for bringing such a sub¬
ject before you, banded together, as we are, to study
tbe natural history of the county in all its branches.
Of course, the absorbing question with ‘ ‘ outsiders ”
would be, What is their value ? but, unfortunately
for them, none of the pond-mollusks are of any
mercantile value — like those found in our rivers and
sea-coast — such as the mussel, oyster, and whelk ;
yet, indirectly, they are of importance to man, for
many of the fishes and fowls, which are of much
value, feed upon them. But that is not the point of
view from which we are to look at the subject, for
we are rather to consider them as a link in the great
chain- work of nature, and show how they are, by
their wonderful mechanism, adapted to their habits
and modes of life. I regret much that I know almost
nothing of their structure, or by what means such
soft animals can pierce hard substances, or how some
of them, with such large shells, can bury themselves
deep in the earth, and a host of other interesting
points. I am sorry I will be able to do no more than
enumerate the different species, and give their
habitats.

The British Freshwater Mollusca, are divided into
two classes, ConcMfera or Bivalves, and Gasteropoda
or Univalves. The Bivalve class contains only one
British order, LamellibrancMata, so named from the
leaf -like form of their gills. This order contains three
families, the first of which according to Jeffreys, is the
Sphceridoef containing two genera — Si^h^rium and
Pisidium. Of the genus SplKEvium, we have only one
species in the district, the Splicermm corneum or horn-
coloured Sphceriwn. It is found in the pond at the
top of the North Inch, and in several other localities
in the county, and is common throughout Britain.

Of the genus Pisidium^ we have two or threa
species in the district, P. fontinale, P. nitidum —
one or more of which are found in almost every pond.
They are generally amongst mud, and being small
and very often coated with a browm coloured sub¬
stance, they are apt to be passed over. I was sur¬
prised a few days ago to find one of these shells in a
small drain near the top of Murray shall Hill. It
is the general opinion of naturalists that water
mollusca are distributed by becoming attached to
the feet of waterfowls, and I suppose that may
account for this little creature being found so high up.
The food of this, as well as of the last-named genus, is
animalculse. These are all the Bivalves found in the
ponds around Perth. The other two orders, Unionidoe,
being only found in rivers, and the Dreissena, only
occurring to the south of Edinburgh in Britain.

We now come to the second class of Univalves,
which is di^dded into two orders. The first of these
orders is again divi.ded into three British families, only
one of which, the Valvatidoe, is represented here by one
species Valvata jpiscinalis. It is found in MoncriefFe
Pond and several other places along the sides of the
rivers Tay and Earn, and throughout Britain. It has
a very pretty little spiral shell of 6 whorls, and has an
operculum very beautifully formed of 10 to 12 whorls.
There is another species — Valvata cristata — said to
be found all over Britain, and likely to turn up in the
district although not yet observed. It has a flatter
shell and .formed of only 5 whorls. Both of these
species have a branchial plume, bearing fourteen
slender ofifsets, which are placed at right angles to
the stalk. They are, however, very shy mollusks,
and it is not easy to get a sight of the plume.

In the second order — Pulmonobra.nchiata — (so.
named from the lung-like form of the gill) we have
only the family LymnoedcE containing four genera.
The first of these is Planorhis, which, as the name
denotes, has a flat coil shaped- shell. This is the
prettiest genus of all the fresh water mollusca — the.r
shells being delicately and beautifully formed. They
have the peculiai'ity of emitting a purple-coloured
fluid, apparently as a means of defence against .their.

86

enemies. A number of the species inhabit shallow
ponds, marshes, and ditches which are often dry
during the summer, and they protect themselves
by closing their shell with a filmy covering similar
to that with which the land shells are closed during
unfavourable weather ; the animal then retires into
the interior of the shell, which, as a rule, is too large
for its body, and there, in the moisture retained,
awaits the return of the water. These mollusks are
also furnished with organs enabling them to live by
either air or water. The genus contains ten British
species, of which only the following four are found
in the ponds of the district.

1. P. nitidus has a thin glossy light yellowish
horn-coloured shell of from 4 to 5 whorls, and is one
of the smallest of the genus. It has only as yet been
found in Moncrieffe Pond, although it is said to be
common throughout Britain.

2. P. nautileus has a shell of 3 whorls, is much
smaller than the last named species, and is easily
distinguished from it and all' the other species by
having the outside of the last whorl beautifuUy^
crested. It has been found in a pond at Old Scone,
and in Moncrieffe pond. It is also said to be common
throughout Britain, and will likely yet be found in
many other places in the district.

3. P. albus has a much larger shell than the pre¬
vious two, of a greyish white colour, and is found in
the pond at the top of the North Inch, and in Scone
and Moncreiffe ponds.

4. P. contortus has a bright brown or reddish
coloured shell formed of 8 whorls, very narrow and
compressed. It is found abundantly in a pond near
Pitlochry, in the pond at the top of the North Inch,
and in Moncreiffe and Scone ponds.

The second genus is Physa, in which we have only
two species — the shells are spiral and have a remark¬
ably glossy appearance.

1. P. fontinalis is found in Moncreiffe pond and
many other localities in the district. It is very
active in its habits, creeping and floating by jerks,
which are supposed to be caused by the peculiar
shape of its foot ; it is said also to be able to spin a

87

nlament, which it attaches to some floating body, and
by which it lowers itself dowm from the surface to
the bottom of the pond ; but it only seems to resort
to that occasionally, when no easier method of getting
down is at hand, such as the stalks of acquatic plants.

2, P. liypnorum can scarcely be classed among the
pond mollusca, for it is generally found on plants in
running streams. This species is also of a lively
nature, and is said to repulse wandering animals with
repeated blows inflicted by a rapid movement of its
shell, the foot being the point of fixture.

The third genus is Lymncea which has the shell
conic -oval or elongated.

1. luymncBa i:feregra or limosa has a spiral shell
formed of five wdiorls, very thin, semi-transparent,
and horn coloured. It is the commonest of all fresh
water mollusca, and is found in almost every pond.

2. LymnxBa truncatula has a longer shaped shell of
five or six w^horls, mucli thicker and stronger than
the shell of gperegra, and very often covered with a
coating of hardened mud. It is found in the pond at
the top of the North Inch and several other localities,
but it is not nearly so common as the peregi'o..

3. - LymncEa palustHs a yellowish brown shell
of from six to seven whorls, and is found a.11 over the
district. All these three species are common through¬
out Britain.

Of the fourth genus Ancylus, there are two species
in the district, —

1. A. fluviatiliSf or the fresh-w*ater limpet, can
scarcely be called a pond mollusk, for it is generally
found on stones in running streams. It is, how*ever,
abundant in Loch Tay and Loch Tummel, and several
other localities. Its food is fresh-water algte, and
decayed vegetable matter.

2. A. lacustris is a longer shaped species, is more
active in its habits, and instead of being found on
stones in running streams, it is got on stems of
aquatic plants in ponds. It is found in Moncriefle
Pond, and in a pond near Dupplin.

It will be seen that the fresh-water mollusca are
not veiy numerous, and would form an interesting
and easy subject of study for any member, who.

88

like myself, has not much time to devote to science.
To those, however, who scorn the study of such
humble creatures, I would read Wordsworth’s
lines : —

Know that pride,

Howe’er disguised in its own majesty,

Is littleness, that he whe feels contempt

For any living thing hath faculties

Which he has never used, that thought with him

Is in its infancy.

89

MEETING ON 5th MAY, 1870.

'The monthly meeting was held in the Glovers’
Hall on the evening of Thursday last, the 5th inst. —
Dr Buchanan White in the chair. One corresponding
and four ordinary members were elected, and four
gentlemen nominated for election. It was agreed to
add several new books to the library. It was inti-
mated that the morning botanical class, conducted
by the President, had been well attended ; and it
was proposed to have evening excursions in connec¬
tion therewith, Mr Marshall exhibited a stuffed
specimen of a male goosander (Mergus Castor), shot
at Stormontfield in March last. The President
noticed the capture of a specimen of the rare moth
Dasypolia Templi, by Mr Cameron, Balquhidder,
corresponding member of the Society, and remarked
that this was only the second Scottish specimen that
he knew of — the first having been taken a few years
ago by himself, near Perth. The President exhibited
a map shewing the divisions of the county adopted
by the Society for the purpose of ascertaining the
distribution of the indigenous animals and plants ;
and he read the following paper on

The Best Manner of Dividing Perthshire
INTO Districts : —

To ascertain, in as perfect a manner as possible ,
the distribution throughout the county, of the
animals and plants indigenous to Perthshire, it is
expedient to divide the county into certain districts,
and to find out the productions of each of these.

The county may be divided in two ways : —

1st, Artificially.

2d, Naturally.

The first is by the parishes ; but this method is, for
various reasons, unsuitable for our purpose : we must
therefore adopt a natural method of division. In a
county made up, as Perthshire is, of Lowlands and
Highlands, the best mode of di>dsion probably would
be into Littoral, Lowland, Subalpine, and Alpine
districts. But the difficulty of defining, in a suffi*
eiently workable manner, the boundaries of each
division, and showing where one ends and another

begins, makes this plan also unsuitable. We maj^y
however, adopt a modification of it in combination
with the next method, which is not only a scientific
one, but easily followed out on paper and on the
ground.

This plan (which was submitted to and a,dopted by
the Society in 1869) is to divide by the watersheds of
the principal rivers. In this manner we obtain
natural divisions of Perthshire, and by ascertaining
the Fauna and Flora of each district, we will be able
to obtain accurate information as to the distribution
of species throughout the county.

To each division has been given an appropriate
name, the initial letter of which can be used for the
sake of brevity and convenience.

The districts are as follows : —

1. Forth (F.), including all parts drained by the

Forth and its tributaries.

2. Lomond (L.), a small district draining into Loch-

Lomond.

3. Earn (E. ), diained by the Earn and its tributaries.

4. Perth (P. ), drained by the Almond and Braan,

and by the tributaries on the west side of the
Tay between these two rivers.

5. Breadalbane (B. ), drained by Loch-Tay and its

influents, by the Lyon and the Tay as far as the
mouth of the Tummel.

6. Rannoch (R. ), drained by Loch Rannoch and its

influents, by the Tummel, by Loch Garry, and
by the west side of the river Garry.

7. Athole (A.), including all parts of the county east

of the Tay, Tummel, and Garry, and north of
the Isla.

8. Gowrie (G.), all parts east of the Tay and south

of the Isla.

These, then, are the divisions by the watersheds.
Let us now see how they are situated as regards the
first-mentioned mode of natural division into Littoral,
Lowland, Subalpine, and Alpine districts.

“ Littoral” includes the parts immediately adjoin¬
ing the sea, or the tidal portion of rivers influenced
by the tide, and only a few feet in elevation above
the sea level..

Lowland ’’ are those inland ^^arts not much ele¬
vated above the sea level,

“Subalpine” includes the lower ranges of hills
and country adjacent ; and

“ Alpine/’ the hills above (say) 2000 feet.

We find, therefore, that the eight districts arrange
themselves thus —

1. Alpine and Subalpine — Kannoch, Athole, Bread-

albane, and Lomond,

2. Alpine, Subalpine, Lowland, and Littoral — Earn,

Forth, and Perth,

■3. Subalpine, Lowland, and Littoral — Gowrie.

In ma^ng up lists of the productions of the whole
oounty, it will be suflficient to merely indicate by
means of the initial letters, the districts in which the
species has been detected, and to note whether the
species is Alpine, Subalpine, Lowland, or Littoral,
whether it is common or rare, and to give in the
latter case one or two habitats ; but in making up
the species of a district it will be better to particu¬
larise in what part of the district the species is found
or is most common. For this purpose, those districts
which admit of it have been subdivided. These
subdivisions with their characters, are : —

1. Bannoch, into (a.) Bannoch

(b.) Garry

2. Breadalbane, into (a. ) Tay

(b.) Lyon

3. Athole, into

4. Perth, into

Alpine and
Subalpine,
Do,

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

(a.) Upper Athole
(b. ) Lower Athole

(a.) Perth 1 Littoral Lowland,
' ‘ ( and bubalpme.

(b.) Upper Almond j

-6. Earn, into

fi. Forth, into

(c.) Braan Do.

(a. ) Upper Earn Do.

( Littoral, Low-
lb.) Lower Earn I land, andSub-

( alpine.

(a.) Upper Forth )

( Littoral, Low-
(b. ) Low^er Do. | land, and Sub-

( alpine.

92

In the first two, the subdivisions have been made
by the watersheds of the respective rivers, which
give names to the subdivisions ; but in the other
four by the difference in the nature of the country,
the lower subdivisions of each containing (for the
most part), except as regards the range of the Ochils,
the low-lying alluvial country, and the upper the
high-lying uncultivated land. These subdivisions
are clearly indicated on the map, and can be easily
detected in practice.

It was agreed, on the suggestion of the President,
that the map should be hung up in the Library.

Mr Henderson read a paper on “The Botany of the
Horth Inch.” After referring to the nature and im¬
portance of the plants to be found, he enumerated a
list of upwards of seventy which he had gathered,
and he had no doubt that a careful search might lead
to the detection of at least a hundred species.

Mr J. Allen Harker read the first of a series of
papers entitled

CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS THE HISTORY OF THE
COLEOPTERA OF THE DISTRICT.

He said that he had undertaken the task with a view
to adding, in some slight degree, to what might be con¬
sidered the really practical work of the Society — the
study of the fauna of the county, with the distribu¬
tion of species, and a carefully compiled record of the
results. The subject of the paper was the Geodep-
hag a — being the first group of Coleoptera^ or Beetles.

After a few general observations on the structural
peculiarities of the group, with remarks on the
habits and economy, he proceeded to enumerate the
follow’ing species, which he knew to be found in
Perthshire : —

Cicindelo. campestris, the Common Tiger Beetle,
found abundantly on Kinnoull, Birnam, and Mon-
creiffe Hills, and especially abundant in the Pass of
Killiecrankie.

C. hybidda. — A single specimen of this insect w'as
taken in Glenfarg a few years ago.

Dromius agilis, 4:-7naculatus, i-notatuSy all taken in
pracks and crevices of the bark of trees growdng in

93

the neighbourhood of Perth, the two latter being
exceedingly numerous.

Z). linearis and melanocefUalus amongst fallen
twigs and dead leaves on the banks of the Almond.

Metabletus foveola^ common in garden refuse.

Clavina fossor and collaris, under stones on the
banks of the Almond.

Notiophilus acquaticus and biguttatus in similar
situations.

Elaphrus cupreus and riparius.

Nebria brevicollis common about Craigie.

Carabus catenulatus, violaceus^ and memoralisj
under stones on Kinnoull and Moncreiffe Hills.

These insects are readily distinguished by their
large size, and feed on earth worms and their weaker
congeners.

Cychrus rostratus around Craigie, among dead
leaves and under stones. Mr Harker mentioned
having seen this beetle at one sweep of its powerful
jaws cut into two a large earthworm.

Loricera pilicornis, common everywhere around
Perth.

Pogonus chalceus, on the banks of the Almond.

Calathus cisleloides, very variable in colour and
shape, on old walls and under tufts of grass.

Anchomenus prasinus, at roots of trees, in dead
stumps, and under refuse generally distributed.

A. albipes, under tidal debris.

A. parumpunctatus, and A. scitulus, on banks of
the Almond.

Pterostichus cupreus^ niger, striola^ madidus, ni~
gritay and diligens, under stones, and bark of decayed
and fallen trees.

Amarafulva, and communis^ bright shining insects,
running on roads in the hot sun, near Dunsinane.

Harpalus oeneus and rubHpes, under stones and
tufts of grass.

Trechus minutus, in moss and garden refuse, very
abundant.

Bembidium guttula, in moss, littorale^ femoratum
and decorum^ under s:ones on the banks of the
Almond, and lampros^ at roots of trees, and in moss
on Kinnoull Hill,

u

To this list, several additions will be made in a
short time, when the results of an excursion to
Methven Bog and Almondbankj alluded to at last
meeting, have been identified,

Mr Marker said that this list was necessarily a very
incomplete one, and must only be regarded as the
foundation of future researches.*

In accordance with the programme of this series of
papers, he noticed a most striking peculiarity in the
structure of some meml^ers ef this group of beetles.
He said — in examining one family of Geodephaga, the
Carabi, you will meet with the singular fact that
most, if not all the species included, possess only
rudimentary wings, so short and deformed^ as to be
perfectly useless for the purpose of flight. You will
further find that in one insect, Cychrus r(hstratus, the
elytra are soldered together, and deflexed at the
margins, so that were the wings ever so well de^
veloped, the insect would be unable to use them,
since it could not separate and raise its elytra to
allow them necessary action. I think I find still
further that in one Carahus^ although the elytra are
separate, yet owing to a peculiar process of the pro=
notum of the thorax, the insect would be unable to
raise its elytra. We can only account for the Carahi
possessing these rudimentary wings, on the hypothesis
of loss by disuse, combined with natural selection.
The same thing is the case in Madeira, as Mr
Wollaston has discovered ; and Mr Darwin shows in
his remarks on the fact, in the ‘‘Origin of Species,”
how this has probably been brought about ; and to
the work itself I must refer for full details.

Note —In ad<Ution to the above-mentioned 42 species found
by Mr Harker, at least 30 other species of Geodephaga
have been taken in Perthshire: A list of these, with
the additions that are sure to be made, will be pub¬
lished hereafter. •

95

MEETING ON 2d JUNE, 1870.

The monthly meeting of the Society was held in the
Glovers’ Hall, on Thursday, 2d June — Mr Dawson, the
senior Vice-President in the chair. Four gentlemen
were balloted for and elected members, and other four
were named for election. The report from the Council
as to the renting of rooms in St Ann’s Lane for
meetings, museum, and library, was agreed to, pos¬
session to be had immediately ; and instructions were
given to the Council to provide furniture for the rooms,
aud cases for the museum. The Librarian requested
the return of all the books at present out in order to
have the list re-arranged, including recent additions.
It was resolved to postpone the monthly meetings in
July and August, and to begin the session 1870-71 on
the first Thursday of September.

The Chairman read tho following

Report of ait Excursion to Methven Woods.

On the 26th May (the Queen’s Birth-Day), a party
of twelve started from Almondbank station, to
examine these woods, by the kind permission of Mr
Smythe, one of the patrons of the Society. Our steps
were directed first of all to the piece of marshy ground
to the north of the turnpike road, at the fourth mile¬
stone from Perth. This spot has all along been
known by the name of “Methven Bog.” Before,
however,, reaching the Bog, the roadside afforded
abundant scope for half-an-hour’s research. The
large reddish bug, Pentatoma baccarum was found in
great abundance among the herba-e ; and on the hedi.,e
many of the Ladybird, Coccinellal -’punctata, andTif
the beetle, Lyperus Jiavipes, were found. The plants
of the roadside were Cerastium arvensis (which also
grows abundantly in the field beyond), Veronica
arvensiSy a,nd Arenaria serpyllifoUa. Passing
through a narrow strip of wood we entered the Bog
by a plank, over a wide wet ditch. The Bog itself
was comparatively dry, but, in wet weather it ca.i
seldom be walked over dry-shod. Here were
captured of Lepidoptera, Euclidia mi, and Fidonia
atomaria ; of Coleoptera, species of Telephofus and

9G

Donacia ; of Hemiptera, Xepa ciiierea -(ihe water
scorpion), liitherto a doubtful native of Perthshire,
and others. Of plants we gathered the marsh violet
— Viola palustris, the cotton grass EriopTiorum vag¬
inal um, the dwarf whin Genista anglica^ the cran¬
berry Vaccinium oxycoccus, and several Carices. This
-being the only Scottish station for ScTieuchzeria
palustr'is a dilgent search was made for it, and a few
plants seen, but not in flower. The nest of the
common lark, Alauda arvensis, with four eggs, was
the only thing the bog produced in ornithology.
Crossing a paling to the north, where we gathered
Montia fontana^ in a dwarfed form, and entering
a straggling wood, a curious form of the dog violet
was picked up, and is preserved for future in¬
spection. Specimens of the fern Lastrea spinulosa
were seen growing in the hollow stools of trees, hav¬
ing all the appearance of potted plants. A long strip
of wood led to the policies of Methven Castle, and to
a low marsh or pool of no great extent, in which an
inefFectua^l search was made for the “ water soldier,’^
Stratiotes aloldes, which we had reason to believe
might be found there. Potamogeton natans, not in
flower, floated on the surface, and several Carices,
among others, Ca?'ex curia were gathered. Here two
of the party were fortunate in discovering specimens
of a beetle with beautiful green wing-cases tipped with
red — name not yet ascertained. Hiding among the
grass and rushes a number of young Lapwings,
Vanellus crislalus^ were found, evidently not many
days or hours burst the shell. Passing over a green
meadow, and again entering the woods, the President
pointed out the “ skull-cap,” Scutellaria galericulata,
which he had found growing there some years before.
Its labiate flower was not out. At this point one of
our number narrowly escaped a ducking in a “ hobbl-
dng bog ” to the great gratification of the company.

The way now led through a great extent of beauti¬
ful copse, beneath which Ajuga replans, Endymion
nutans, the “ Bluebells of Scotland, or wild hyacinth,
the Primrose, Primula vulgaris, and the Anemone
nemorosa, were very abundant. Here, also, were
got [plants of the Birds’ ISTest Orchid, Neottia Nidus

97

avis, and a specimen of the small Magpie Moth
Lomaspilis marginata. We came now to a part of the
wood where the low copse was interspersed with
large trees and open glades, just on the verge of a
steep descending bank of the Almond, and which
the President chacterised as “superb sugaring
ground.” The river ran fully 100 feet below. A
gentle ascending and winding path led along the
southern bank;, and gav-e occasionally fine glimpses
of the stream. A specimen of the beautiful moth,
H alias prasinana (the Green Silverlines), of a light
green, crossed with silvery lines, was picked up,
as well as the boat-shaped cocoon, from which it had
just emerged. Ascending a steep bank, we came to
a rowan tree fPyrus aucupariaj in full blossom, and
on which at least five species of bees were found
feeding — namely, Halictus tumulorum, Andrena Trim-
merana, Andrena nigro-cenea, Bomhus senilis (having
the bright colouring peculiar to Perthshire specimens),
and another not yet determined. We were fortunate
enough also to find a speciman of the rare “Lady
Bird,” Coocinella 16-pienctata, The Prunus Padus —
the “ Bird cherry ” — was everywhere in full bloom,
and its tasseled blossoms, and the white down
bursting from the ripe catkins of the numerous
willow trees, contrasted well with the bright green
of the oaks and elms. From the top of a high and
steep bank we observed an extensive bed of the Lily
of the Yalley, Convallaria majalis, from which, after
some trouble in descending, a few plants were got in
flower. A large bed of Herb Paris f Paris guadri-
folia ) was found growing close to the river as we
descended to the level, and feeling the intense heat of
the first really summer day of the season, we gladly
sought the water- edge for rest and refreshment. The
pool beside which we sat was immediately below the
dam-dyke which gathers the water for one of the
manufactories on the north side of the river. At this
same spot another “ dyke,” of trap, intersecting the
red sandstone, rises high on each side of the river.
This dyke shows a columnar or basaltic structure,
the basaltic beds lying nearly horizontal. The Bed-
sandstone through which the dyke rises is of a soft

98

crumbling texture, easily washed away by the action
of the water, and this explains the great depth at
which the bed of the river lies from the top of the banks.-
The dyke referred to must have in the course of ages
been worn down by the rush of water, and thus has
gradually formed the immense gap through which the
river now passes. Arahis hirsutus was found growing
here, and in great profusion, St ell aria nemorum as
well as a curious foim of the large thistle Car duns
Jieteropliyllus^ the leaves, instead of the usual form,
being deeply laciniate. We captured also several
species of Brachelytrous beetles, of the genus Stenus,
the bugs Lojpus holsatiis B^nd^calcaratas^ diiaAldolocoris
jpallidus, not hitherto found in Perthshire, and also
Saida stellata. We gathered the lollowing shells in
the wood bordering the river — namely, Zonites.
cellarius, nitidulus, crystal linns, and fulviis, Helix
nemoralis var. liortensis, tiispida and rotundata,
Bulimus, ohscurus, Clausilia perversa, and Balea
perversa. Having gone as far as the Bridge Dalcrae
and rested, the party returned, choosing a path more
to the south and in the direction of the Castle. The
decaying carcase of a rabbit produced Necrojjhagus
mortuo'rum, the “Burying Beetle, and one or more
species of Catops and BracTielytra. We gathered
here Sanicula europcea, and a few other plants, and
passing to the north of the Castle, got specimens of
blossom from the Crab Tree, Pyrus Malus. From
the branches of a large silver fir one of the party took
the nest of a Gold Crested Wren, Beguhis aurica-^
pillus — the eggs of which were unfortunately broken
in the descent. In the woods, returning, were caught
Anticlea derivata and the beautiful little moth
Gracilaria Swederella. Ha^fing reached the Loch,
we reclined for sometime on the sward watching the
Coots, Fulica atra, swimming, and occasionally
scrambling along the water. Here some of the party
set to the work of dredging, and soon found a speci¬
men of the bug, Notonecta glauca, or “Water-
boatman,” which has the peculiarity of swimming
always on its back. It is able to give a sharp
wound with its haustellum or sucker, the pain of
which is described' as resembling the insertion of a

99

red. liot needle into tlie liesii, and which lasts tor
some time. The dredging also resulted in the bring¬
ing to dry land of the three shells, Planorbis albus
and contortus and LymncEa peregra, and also the
eggs of these snails, which one of the party took with
him to propagate. Greater results might have been
produced by the dredging, bnt the call that “time
’ was up ” put an end to work, and gathering the last
plant of the day, the “ Moonwort ” fern, BotrycMum
lunaria, on the pasture to the south of the Loch, we
returned post haste to Almondbank Station. On a
cursory examination of the various objects got during
the excursion, I find there were thirteen shells,
upwards of twenty species of Lepidoptera, fourteen
species of Hemiptera or Bugs ; and of Coleoptera or
Beetles, upwards of seventy species ; of plants, ex¬
cluding the commonest species got everywhere, we
gathered upwards of forty.

The following note by the President (Dr Buchanan
White) was read on

An Addition to the Perthshire List oe Land
AND Freshwater Mollusca.

On Saturday, May 21st, I had the pleasure of
finding (conjointly with Mr Bruce) Helix lamellata,
on Birnam Hill. This beautiful little shell (of which
I present specimens to the museum) is perhaps the
most boreal species of terrestrial mollusk that inhabits
Britain. According to Mr Jeffreys its range in Bri¬
tain is the north of England and Angiesea, the north
and north-west of Scotland, and Ireland. The only
exotic localities in which it has as yet been detected
are North Germany and Sweden. After, for the first
time, making acquaintance with Helix lamellata in
Boss-shire, in 1868, I had a conviction that it ought
to be found in the neighbourhood of Dunkeld — either
on Birnam or in some of the glens (such as Beichip)
lying between Dunkeld and Blairgowrie — but till the
other day I had not the opportunity of searching for
it in that district ; and though some shells have been
gathered on Birnam at various times. Helix lamellata
does not appear to have been hitherto found there, or

loo

ill any other part of Perthshire. Along with it 1
found the same species as I found in Ross -shire,
namely, Zonites purus, crystallinus, and another
which I cannot determine to my own satisfaction,
but which is either excavatus or nitidus — possibly
specimens of both species. Helix rotiiudata, aculeata,
and pygmoea, Zua luhrica^ Vertigo suhstriata, and an¬
other Vertigo too immature to determine, CarycTiium
minimum^ &c. The President further remarked that
since he had made a list of the Scottish and Perth¬
shire shells in February, 1869, eight species hitherto
unrecorded for the county had been found ; and
it was worthy of notice that of the Perthshire
list of sixty-one species, fifty-seven had been found
within three miles of Perth, showing that there
is every reason to believe that in such a wide
field as remains to be searched many more will be
found.

Mr Robert Paton read the following paper on

The Waterfowls of the Tay and its
Tributaries.

Part First. — The Waders.

Ardea cinerea^ the Heron, is rather a handsome
bird, and is to be met with on nearly all parts of the
Tay and its tributaries. It may be seen almost any
night or morning at the mouth of the Almond, or the
top of the Wooded Island, looking out for breakfast
or supper, as the case may be. I have seen as many
as four or five at one time, within three or four
hundred yards, all as busy at work as if they had
been on an angling competition. The Heron is not
too nice as to what it will or will not eat. It seems
to act on the old saying, “ hunger is good kitchen,”
for I have known it kill and half eat a rat. I have
also seen a perch about a pound weight, partly eaten,
which I have no doubt was killed by the Heron, who
must have been scared before finishing .the dish.
Still it seems to have a preference for eels, as these
have always formed the major part of what I have
found in the stomach ; and I have got as mauy eels
in one Heron as would measure a couple of yards.

101

The Heron feeds generally in the early morning
or the grey of the evening, retiring to rest during the
day on some tall tree on a hill-side, and sometimes
resting in the middle of a large field. I have sprung
them more than once close to the bottom of the rock
of Kinnoull Hill, directly below the tower, where
they were roosting in spruce firs — rather an out-of-the-
way place for such a bird. They are also to be found
very frequently resting on the Bin Hill, a little be¬
yond Kinfaun’s Castle, where there are a number of
very tall trees, which form one of their favourite
resting places. I know of specimens having been got
on set-lines (lines set all night for trout) bated with
worms, and one of these captured birds wounded a
grown-up man very severely. The bill of the A.
cinerea is serrated, the teeth pointing inwards, thus
being well suited for holding whatever it seizes, and
small is the chance of the luckless fish that comes
within reach of it. When engaged in fishing, wading
to the knees, the Heron may easily be mistaken at a
short distance for the stump or root of an old tree —
so motionless and still does it stand. Its quiet wait¬
ing for the coming of its prey is a rare example of
patience to all “ Waltonians.’’ The Heron is a very
wary bird, and difiB.cult to get at, unless there is pretty
good cover, when it may be easily reached. I am
therefore inclined to think that the bird depends
more on its sense of sight for safety than on hearing.
When it is brought down with a broken wing only a
bold dog can take it, as it fights to the last, and very
often with some effect, aiming always at the eye of
the foe. In the old days of falconry, it was consi¬
dered a quarry equal to a couple of falcons. The
Heron was lately, or still is, one of the birds on our
game list. The nearest Heronry to Perth is at Inver-
may, and there is another a Meikleour (where the
birds build the same as rooks, in a rookery) ; still,
there are occasional single nests to be met with. The
Heron lays generally three eggs, of a greenish colour.
The male bird is smaller than the female, and they
are not good to eat.

Numenius arquata — the Curlew or Whaup. — This
is another of our large, strong, and handsome birds.

i02

It is very generally distributed all over the county,
being quite abundant along the high wooded and
moorland ground to the west of Perth, and to the
east by Murray shall Hill. This bird leaves its inland
haunts for the coast during the winter, when it may
be seen in hundreds along the shore. Returning
inland in the early spring it pairs and begins nesting
pretty early, having laid all its eggs (four in number)
by the month of April. The Curlew builds among
heather or rank grass near marshy places, making
a mere apology for a nest, in which it deposits its
eggs. These are of a dull greenish colour, spotted
with dark brown. The Curlew has a sort of loud
whistle which it repeats over and over again at short
intervals, during the morning especially, sounding
rather cheery on a lonely moor. The Curlew is con¬
sidered good eating, although it does not sell to ad¬
vantage in the market.

HcEmatopus Ostralegus — the Oyster Catcher, is
another well known bird, and a very pretty one too.
When seen running about the beach it is rather an
attractive object, the black and white plurrage,
yellow bill, orange legs, and red eye giving it a fine
appearance. Like the Curlew it leaves us during the
winter for the coast, returning, however, as early as
February. Even this year, though a severe one, it
had arrived by that time. The favourite haunts of
these birds are long reaches of gravel banks, alorg
running streams, where they pipe out their song,
marching round now in a circle, now in a straight
line, and always in single file, with their bills all
pointed towards the ground, putting one in mind of
the description of an Indian war dance and song.
At other times, generally in the dusk of the evening,
they sit in flocks on the gravel, when one begins the
song in a very low key at first, increasing the sound,
until the whole flock joins in the general chorus.
They may be heard at a great distance on a quiet
night. They are very common above Perth, especially
about Scone Palace, and the mouth of the River
Almond. They prefer the non-tidal districts, nesting
on the bare beech, or in a natural hollow among the
stones or sand. They will also nest in the fields near

103

'the water, but not often. The eggs are generally
four in number, of a stone colour, spotted with
dirty brown. The eggs aie large for the size of the
bird, and much pointed towards one end, and can
be obtained from April to July, both months in¬
clusive.

Gallinula Chlorojiiis, the Moor Hen, is a very
common bird, being met with all along the banks of
the Tay, both above and below Perth. It used to
be very common about the lade at the top of the
South Inch, and it is also very plentiful about the
Earn. The moor hen is a good swimmer (although
there is just the least appearance of webs about the
feet), and a first-rate diver, using both legs and wings
under water almost the same as if flying through, the
air. It is capable of remaining a long time under
the surface in deep water. It will cross a good large
river at one dive, not appearing until it walks right
out on the other side on its feet. When pursued the
bird will hide in a hole or go into a drain-pipe like a
rat. The moor hen builds its nest generally on a
bush or small tree overhanging the water, or close
by. The nest is rather tidy, well lined with grass,
bits of rags, and such like. It lays from five to
eight eggs. In April and May, and sometimes even
as late as June, I have had the eggs. They are
of a cream coloured ground, spotted less or more
with reddish brown.

Fulica atra, the Coot, very much resembles the
moor hen in its nature and habits, and they are very
often to be found living and feeding in the same pool
together. The coot makes good long journeys at
times, travelling from one pool or lake to another,
always in the night, when it may be heard uttering
its short monotonous cry high over head. It nestles
in the month of April, budding among rushes or a
tuft of grass off the land a short distance, the nest
generally sitting on the surface of the water, sup¬
ported by the reeds, which are interwoven under¬
neath. The eggs are from seven to ten, and some¬
times even more, spotted with brown on a dirty
white ground. The coot is quite at home on land as
well as on water, coming on shore to feed in the

104

morning and evening. It very much resembles the
guinea fowl when seen walking about among grass.

Cincliis aqiiaticus — The Water Ouzel is a sprightly
little fellow, and is met with in all our streams and
rivers, and may be heard long before it is seen by its
sharp “ hissing ” cry. It is an adept both at swim¬
ming and diving, going fearlessly into the middle of
the strongest stream, and repeating the operation of
diving two or three times before coming to land. It
then perches on a large stone and commences its song,
(which might put to shamemanyof our wood choristers)
bobing up and down all the while. The Water Ouzel
is a well-known bird and needs no description here.
It builds a very neat nest generally about a mill race
or wheel. The hen laying five eggs of a very pretty
pink tinge, about the same size as the house sparrows
but more tapered towards one end. It may not be
unworthy of notioe, that the eggs lose the pink
colour after being blown.

Scolopax CalidHs — the Ked Shank — is another
well known bird, and may be seen on most of the
rivers in Perthshire. It is also very fond of inland
stretches of water, and is easily known by its
peculiar darting flight, and soft low whistle. This
bird feeds generally by wading into the water as deep
as it can go without swimming, and when seen at a
short distance it appears to be running on the water
instead of wading. It nestles by the margin of some
lake or marsh, and lays four eggs. I have not been
able as yet to obtain specimens. The Red Shank is a
very deceptive bird as to size when on the wing, the
stretch of wings being nineteen inches, length of bird
eleven inches, while it only weighs four and a half
ounces even when in good condition.

Scolopax Glottis — the Green Shank — though re¬
sembling the Red Shank very much, is still a very
rare bird. I have only obtained twn within five or
six years, and both of these I got during winter. It
is very doubtful whether they remain with us to
breed or not : still I am assured bv men wRom t

7 V

know to be good judges of the bird, its haunts and
habits, that it does breed in some isolated spots
about Strathearn, (which by the way is by far the

105

most productive district for water fowls in Perth¬
shire) ; and although I am inclined to believe it does
build in the county, I will not press this opinion until
I can give more direct proof than at present, one
season being too short to collect any number of
specimens of either birds or eggs.

Tringa Hypoleucos — The Common Sandpiper. —
This species is also quite common on the Tay and
Earn, and resembles the Ped Shank very much. It
is an active, lively, little fellow, darting along,
piping its song, if it may be so called. The Sand¬
piper is not always with us, only appearing in the
spring, remaining to breed, and leaving as early
as August or September — the time of migration
depending entirely on the strength of the young, and
the state of the \veather. It builds in a tuft of grass
or rushes, sometimes in a field or mossy bank. I
have seen its nest in Proxy Wood — never far from
the water. The eggs are generally four in number,
of a yellowdsh wPite ground, spotted with light and
dark brown, and very large for the size of the bird.

Mr Paton said that the above list only contained
a part of his subject, and he hoped on a future oc¬
casion to be able to complete his remarks on the whole
of the W^aders of the Tay and its tributaries.

He presented a number of stuffed birds and eggs,
referred to in his paper, to the Society’s museum.

J

'S