SOCIETIES. 89 



the palaeontological branch of historical geology. Having first briefly 

 described the process of formation of the great groups of stratified 

 rocks, he dealt seriatim with the principal systems that have proved 

 prolific of fossil insect remains in both Europe and America, special 

 attention being paid to those occurrmg in Britain. In dealing with 

 the wealth of material from the carboniferous strata, the lecturer 

 dwelt interestingly on the vast number of insects that had been re- 

 covered from the coal-measures of Gommeutry. Passing to the 

 secondary series of rocks, he alluded to the abundance of insect remains 

 that had recently been discovered in certain of the limestone forma- 

 tions. In commenting on the Coleoptera and Diptera from the Wealden 

 rocks, he attributed the smaller size of the majority of specimens 

 therein found to a lowering of the temperature during the period in 

 which the deposits were laid, contending that, other things being equal, 

 the lower the temperature the smaller would the insects tend to range. 

 On the whole, however, he was of opinion that with some few excep- 

 tions the climate of the geological past differed little from that of the 

 present day. — Mr. J. G. Wallbridge's interesting communication on 

 "Economic Insects " was divided into (1) a general survey of his sub- 

 ject under the headings of (a) beneficial and [b) injurious insects ; and 

 (2) the consideration of the life-histories of several of our better known 

 hexapods, with special reference to the honey-bee. Treating of oak- 

 galls, he remarked that perhaps the most commercially valuable was 

 that of the dyer's oak [Quercus infectoria). From this we obtain gallic 

 and pyrogallic acid, whilst the powdered galls constitute the essential 

 ingredient in gall ointment, and are also largely used in the manufac- 

 ture of ink and dyes. An interesting account of the blister beetle 

 {Cantharia vesicatoria) was given, and the use of cantharides in hair 

 restorers explained. The habitat and habits of the cochineal insect 

 (Coccus cacti) were dealt with in full, and the commercial value of the 

 carmine dyes commented on, a colouring we constantly meet with in 

 our confectionery, jellies, and tooth-powders, and which is not alto- 

 gether unknown to ladies who are given to adorn nature. The lac 

 insect and others were also instructively referred to. — On the conclusion 

 of the papers an interesting discussion took place, in which many of 

 the members participated, and a cordial vote of thanks was accorded 

 the readers. — E. J. B. Sopp and Feed. Birch, Hon. Sees. 



The Annual Meeting was held in the Eoyal Institution, Liverpool, on 

 Jan. 18th, Mr. William Webster, M.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair. 

 Major Ronald Ross, C.B., F.R.C.S., F.R.S., was elected an honorary 

 member, and Messrs. H. Mousley (Buxton), and Donald Kent (Sefton 

 Park, Liverpool), ordinary members of the Society. The report of 

 the Council was read by Mr. E. J. B. Sopp, who congratulated the 

 Society on its marked and steady progress. The Hon. Treasurer 

 then presented his balance-sheet, by which it was seen that notwith- 

 standing an increased expenditure the credit-balance in the Treasurer's 

 hands was the largest of recent years. The following officers were 

 elected to serve during 1901 : — President, Samuel J. Capper, F.E.S. ; 

 Vice-Presidents, R. Tait, F. C. Thomj)son, and Rd. Wilding; Hon. 

 Treasurer, Dr. J. Cotton, F.E.S. ; Hon. Secretaries, Messrs. E. J. B. 

 Sopp, F.R.Met.S., F.E.S., J. R. le B. Toralin, M.A., F.E.S., and W. 



