lxvi Journal of Proceedings.
The Secretary called attention to the Second Science Lecture, which
would be delivered in the Woodford Lecture Hall, on January 4th, by
Mr. A. R. Wallace. He trusted that a large number of members would
attend, and show their appreciation of a lecturer of Mr. Wallace's high
scientific and literary reputation.
The usual conversazione closed the meeting.
Tuesday, January 4TH, 1881.—Science Lecture.
The second winter Science Lecture was delivered this evening by
Alfred Russel Wallace, Esq., F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c.—subject, "The'
Natural History of Islands." The lecture took place in the Woodford
Hall, Mr. Meldola occupying the chair and, in a few appropriate
words, introduced Mr. Wallace. It is unnecessary to give any abstract
of Mr. Wallace's very interesting and instructive remarks, as the sub-
jects touched upon will be found fully elaborated in his "Island Life ;
or, The Phenomena and Causes of Insular Faunas and Floras, including
a Revision and attempted Solution of the Problem of Geological
Climates," London, 1881.
Before asking the audience to pass a vote of thanks to Mr. Wallace,
the President invited questions on the subjects brought forward.
Mr. Harting, referring to the lecturer's remarks on the probable
mode of the introduction of fresh-water fish into remote islands, sug-
gested the following as worthy of consideration : That the heron,
being a fish-eater and of rapid flight, might, after having seized its
prey, travel a long distance and disgorge the fish in a living state in
some island lake. It was a well-known fact that when disturbed these
birds had the habit of freeing themselves of food ; and he thought it
was not unlikely that to such a cause may be owing some of the
puzzling facts respecting the distribution of fishes mentioned by the
lecturer.
Mr. Wallace said that the essential point to be decided was whether
a fish, after being carried any considerable distance in such a way,
could be disgorged alive, and asked Mr. Harting whether he knew of
such an occurrence.
Mr. Harting gave one instance related to him by the falconer to the
King of Holland ; and he thought it not at all improbable that a fish
could exist for some time in the gullet of the bird.
Andrew Johnston, Esq, (High Sheriff), proposed a hearty vote of
thanks to the lecturer, which was passed by acclamation. '