Proceedings of the Royal Society for the month of August, 1878

The monthly evening meeting of the Society was held on Monday, the 12th August, T. Stephens, Esq., M.A., in the chair.
In noticing the presentations to the Library the Secretary called special attention to the very large number of valuable publications received from various learned bodies and institutions, in England and America.
A letter from Professor Haast, of the Canterbury Museum, New Zealand, was read, from which the following extract is given in the hope it may attract the attention of some member of the Society who may be in a position to obtain specimens of the Native Tiger and Devil —the former especially being very much wanted for Museums in New Zealand and elsewhere.
Mr. F. Abbott, junr., read "Notes on Carduus arvensis (Cnicus arvensis of some authors), or common creeping thistle; with a short reference to Cnicus lanceolatus, the Spear or Plume Thistle." Mr. Stephens called attention to the somewhat singular circumstance that although the thistle was in the first instance carried from place to place by seed, yet when it became established in any particular locality, its extension took place principally by root growth, and only to a slight extent by seed.
In relation to meeting of the Society for September, 1878, due to the death of Mr. Morton Allport, no meeting was held this month.