140 THE NORTHERN MICROSCOPIST. 
very plentiful last year. Several objects of interest, however, were produced, 
after which the party proceeded by the canal to the bridge terminating Hyde- 
road and leading to Denton. Crossing the bridge and taking a by-lane, the 
next search was made in a pond near to the Gorton reservoir. Here for a time 
the result appeared doubtful. The first object obtained calling for remark was 
Hydra vulgaris, and after the exercise of some patience sufficient were secured 
to furnish all with specimens. A special look-out was kept for that popular 
and beautiful tube-building rotifer, Melcerta ringens, but apparently none 
could be found. It frequently happens, however, that these minute creatures 
escape observation unless numerous until leisurely and carefully looked for at 
home; consequently all carried away Anacharis and duckweed for future 
investigation. All appearing satisfied with what had been done, the party 
soon after broke up, each taking the shortest route home. The following are 
some of the best known objects obtained as far as ascertained: JZelicerta 
ringens, LHydra vulgaris, Corethia plumicornis, Rotifer vulgaris, Stentor, 
Noteus quadricornis, Vorticella, Epistylis, Coleps hirtus, Fairy shrimp (young), 
Daphnia and Cyclops. 
MANCHESTER CRYPTOGAMIC SOCIETY.—At the usual monthly 
meeting, May 16th, Dr. Carrington, F.R.S.E., president, in the chair, Captain 
Cunliffe gave a report of a bryological excursion which had been made by a 
section of the members to the neighbourhood of Dolgelly and Barmouth, during 
the Easter holidays. Amongst the rarer species he mentioned and exhibited 
were Plagiothecium Borrerianum, Hyocomium flagellare, Heterocladium heter- 
opterum, Tetraphis pellucida, Mnium cuspidatum, Antitrichia curtipendula, 
&c. After Captain Cunliffe had kindly distributed some of the species, Mr. 
Thomas Brittain exhibited a series of Lichens which he had mounted so as to 
serve for the herbarium as well as for microscopical investigation ; he also 
reported that in a recent visit to Ireland he had found the rare &cidium 
calthe. Mr. W. H. Pearson had not had time to give a list of the hepatics 
found during the Welsh excursion, but he exhibited two species, Scapania 
irrigua and Jungermannia capitata, which had been found at Hastings, last 
month, by the Rev. E. N. Bloomfield. Mr. Cash reported the finding of 
TLetrodontium Brownianum at Staley Brushes during an excursion he had lately 
made in company of the members of the Manchester Microscopical Society. 
The Hon. Secretary exhibited a specimen of a new British moss, Lescurea 
saxicola, which had been discovered on Ben Lawers last August, by Mr. W. 
West, of Bradford, and another which had been discovered near Buxton by the 
same ardent bryologist; the species being Gymmnostomum calcareum. Mr. 
Rogers also reported that he had now gathered the rare and pretty little fern, 
Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense on both sides the Great Cader Idris, 
ROCHDALE AND WHITWORTH MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.— 
The usual monthly meeting of this society was held on Thursday evening, April 
7th, at Facit. The chair was occupied by the president of the society, Dr. J. 
H. Worrall, J.P., of Bacup. There was a good attendance of members, The 
ordinary business of the society having been transacted, Captain J. Tertius 
Wood read an excellent paper on ‘‘ Fossil Botany,” illustrated by diagrams and 
48 microscopical slides of his own preparation. He gave it as his firm con- 
viction that the Ha//oniais the fruiting branch of the Lepidodendron, and though 
the former is generally found devoid of its outer cortex with the leafscars, he 
stated that he has found one that in every respect exhibits the Lepidodendroid 
character, and is quite in opposition to anything that may have been conceived 
as to its being the root. Among the slides bearing upon the subject were to be 
found Calamites, Stigmaria, Sigillaria, Lepidodendron, Ligenodendron, Diplox- 
olon, Calamostachys, and Biniara, shewing spores and several ferns of the 
Rachiopteris family. An entertaining and instructive discussion followed the 
paper, after which the meeting resolved itself into the usual conversazione. 
