lxxx Journal of Proceedings.
hard external cases when feeding on the soft interior of the insects.
. . . . With regard to Mr. Pirn's questions, I can readily comprehend
that the blossoms of the Lime may possibly stupefy or poison the bees,
and so render them an easy prey, but I can hardly see that they were
stupefied to a sufficient extent to cause them to drop to the ground ; for
neither he nor Mr. Varley seems to have seen any unmutilated and living
bees on the ground. It is a familiar sight in the country to witness the
antics of an intoxicated Humble-bee on certain flowers rich in nectar,
and their unsteadiness is as noticeable as that of a human being under
the influence of drink, the cases seeming to be parallel."
On page 145 of the same journal, Mr. J. S. Wood, of Nyborg, Denmark,
states that the phenomenon is by no means rare, but is not brought
about by the bees being stupefied, but by their congregating at the
flowers, and so affording a rich hunting-ground for the birds. He names
the following species as having been observed at Lime-trees:—Wood-
peckers (the Green, Great-spotted, and Lesser-spotted), Nightingale,
Redbreast, Swallow, Spotted Fly-catcher, Butcher-bird, White-and-Grey-
headed Wagtails, House- and Tree-Sparrows.
The above remarks are certainly suggestive, but nevertheless we are
disposed to think that the bird theory hardly explains all the facts very
satisfactorily. If birds be the sole culprits, how is it that the dead and
dying bees are found thickly strewn immediately under the trees ?
Having caught the bee, we suppose most kinds of birds would be com-
pelled to fly with it to some "coigne of vantage" for the drawing process,
and, the bonne bouche being consumed, the chitinous skeleton of the
insect would be cast away at some little distance from the attractive Lime
trees. Surely few birds could eviscerate a large Bombus whilst in the act
of flying ? The subject is one well worthy of a little careful observa-
tion.—Ed.]
Lieut. Croft, B.N., F.L.S., read a paper entitled "Notes on the River
Lea," being a sketch of the topography and natural history of the river
from its rise to its mouth. The paper was illustrated by numerous maps
of the Lea-valley districts and tributaries.*
A brief discussion took place, in which the President, Mr. N. F.
Robarts, Mr. W. White, and the author took part. The limits and direc-
tion of the ancient Roman road, the geology of some portions of the Lea
Valley, the existence of camps and other prehistoric remains were
touched upon, and a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the author.
Mr. A. P. Wire read the following :—
Second Note on the Woolwich Beds at Leyton, Essex.
" A further and more careful examination of the mud of the Woolwich
beds at Leyton (see Proc. ante, p. iii.) showed that the list of organic
remains might be somewhat extended. Of some of the species only a
single specimen could be found, and as before stated hardly a whole shell
exists in the deposit. As far as they can be identified, the following is a
list of the Mollusca :—Hydrobia parkinsoni, H. websteri, Cerithium sp.,
Cyrena cordata, Planorbis sp., Valvata sp., Ostrea sp., Melania sp.
In addition to these shells there were found small masses of iron
* This paper was subsequently withdrawn hy the author, and was read at the meeting
of the Hertfordshire Nat. Hist. Soc. on April 21st, 1883.