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SECTIONAL SECRETARIES’ REPORTS. 
The following reports and records of the various subjects 
dealt with at the lectures during the past Session have been 
kindly provided by the Honorary Secretaries of the Sections :— 
BOTANICAL SECTION. 
Of the two evenings allotted to the Botanical Section, the first was filled 
by; Mr. W. Robinson, of the Botany Department of the University of Man- 
chester, who delivered a most instructive Lecture on ‘‘ The Potato and some 
of its Diseases.”” Mr. Robinson treated his subject under two headings; ist, 
“The Potato in Health,” and showed the normal development, nutrition and 
propagation and the part played in these functions by the leaves, shoots and 
tubers. 2nd, under the head of ‘‘ Potato in Diseases,’ the lecturer explained 
the diseases affecting the leaves, shoots and tubers, and _ pointed 
out some of the preventive measures to be taken against disease. The lecture 
was fully illustrated by lantern slides. 
Mr. A. A. Dallman, F.C.S., of Birkenhead, took the second evening, and 
under the title of the ‘‘ Wild Flowers of Wirral,’’ delivered a fascinating 
Lecture, which was illustrated by a series of beautiful lantern slides, coloured 
and plain, from the lecturer’s own photographs. After speaking in praise- 
worthy terms of the Rey. Chas. Kingsley, Rev. C. A. Johns, Mr. E. J. Baillie 
(portraits of all of whom were shown on the screen), and other local naturalists, 
he referred to the work of Mr. John Mellor, a Lancashire Botanist. Pro- 
ceeding, the lecturer graphically described the characteristics of the native 
flora as seen in their habitats at Wallasey Sand-hills, Hilbre Island, Burton 
Salt Marsh, and Sealand, Shotwick, Wirral Pits, and Bidston, concluding 
with the woodlands of Eastham and Storeton. 
The chair was taken by the Ven. Archdeacon of Chester (Canon Paige Cox, 
M.A.), who referred to his own interest in the scenery and flora of Wirral, 
he having resided in Wirral for many years and having found very great 
pleasure in his frequent rambles there. 
ZOOLOGICAL SECTION. 
On the occasion of the first meeting of the Section, held on October 17th, 
Mr. Joseph Thompson gave a Lecture entitled ‘‘ Original Notes and Observa- 
tions by the Lecturer on British Birds within the Society’s District.’ The 
lecture was illustrated by Lantern Slides and actual specimens of the birds 
described. Some of the salient points in this lecture were Mr. Thompson’s* 
explanations of the “language” of birds and instances of the obedience of 
the birds to the calls or warning notes given :— 
‘For instance, a young Great Crested Grebe, at least not more than 
ten days old, was seen feeding in the lake not far from where the Lecturer 
was standing. By and by he heard the call note of the male bird, and 
looking across he saw the male parent emerging from the reeds. The 
female quickly followed in obedience to her mate’s call. Together they 
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