180 



REPORTS. 



Equisetum sylvaticum, and Carex pendula, from Wyre Forest. Mr. J. E. Baguall 

 exhibited Ranunculus pseudo-Jiuitans, and Ulota intermedia, from Shelly Coppice. 

 Mr. Levick exhibited Leptodora hyalina, Daphnia Kahlbergensis, Macrothrix 

 laticornis, Daphnella Winyii, and Conochilus Volvox, from Olton. Mr. Morley 

 exhibited a garden daisy, in which the divisious of the involucre had grown into 

 leaves. Mr. Montagu Browne, F.Z.S., read a paper on " The Changes of 

 Plumage in Birds," being a continuation aud extension of the subject of a paper 

 read at a former meeting by Mr. W. Chase. The paper, which was illustrated 

 by a number of beautiful specimens, was listened to with much attention, and 

 elicited a lively discussion, in which Mr. R. W. Chase and others took part. — 

 Microscopical General Meeting. — Juneloth. Mr.H.W. Jones,F.C.S.,FR.M.S., 

 read a paper on the chemistry of the shells of some Crustacea, in chich he 

 adduced experiments to prove that the generally received opinion that the shelly 

 covering of prawns, &c, resembles the tran -parent portions of she shell of the cray- 

 fish or lobster, and not the calcified portion, is erroneous. The paper was illus- 

 trated by cast shells of the lobster and crayfish and living prawns. A lively discussion 

 followed on the method in which Crustacea cast their shells. Mr. J. Levick 

 exhibited and read some notes upon the recently discovered rotifer Anuraa 

 longispina, together with Ceratium longicorne, and many other forms of micro- 

 scopic life, obtained from the town waterworks water 1 He remarked that possibly 

 some who take great interest in the purity of the water supply of Birmingham 

 might feel concerned at the rather formidable list of dreadful sounding names of 

 the living organisms which he had found in the town water ; but for their comfort 

 he would remark that perhaps their presence should rather be taken as an indica- 

 tion of its general good quality than otherwise, as some of the organisms at least 

 are only known as the inhabitants of deep, clean water, both at home and abroad. 

 Mr. J. F. Goode exhibited a garden daisy, with proliferous capitulum. Mr. H. E. 

 Forrest exhibited a leaf of lime tree covered with curious tubular galls, supposed 

 to be produced by insects, but in which no grubs or eggs could be found. — Mr. 

 Montagu Browne exhibited a Gannet (Sula Bassana) from the Aston Aquarium. 

 Mr. W. B. Grove exhibited Gonium pectorale and a species of Bursaria. Mr. C. 

 Pumphrey exhibited Aster Alpinus, Gnaphalium leontopodium, a dianthus grown 

 from Swiss plants, and a species of Blatta, found amongst plants in a local 

 nursery. 



BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY.— 

 June 5th. — The members made an excursion to Kingswood. At Bowington the 

 church was visited; after which the Kev. P. B. Brodie, MA., F.G.S. conducted 

 the party to quarries in the Upper Keuper sandstone on Shrewley Common, and 

 described the geology of the district. 



NOTTINGHAM LITERARY AND' PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY — 

 Natural Science Section. — The annual meeting was held on Wednesday, 

 June 9th, the President, Mr. J. J. H. Teall, M.A., F.G.S.,in the chair. The 

 following officers were elected for the ensuing session : — President, I. H. 

 Jennings, Esq. ; Vice-Presidents, Messrs. G. B. Rothera and E. Smith ; Hon. 

 Sees., Messrs. A. L. Kohn and E. Wilson. The committee was also chosen. 

 The subject of the proposed sea-dredging and general Natural History excur- 

 sion to the Isle of Man was again introduced. Mr. B. S. Dodd, who has lately 

 visited the island, said that the party proposed to stay a week at Ramsey, 

 and then a week at Port Erin. He said that at both these places there 

 were facilities for dredging in shallow water, and shore-collecting with every 

 prospect of good results ; that suitable cutter-rigged vessels could be engaged 

 on moderate terms per diem ; that the hotel and lodging-house accommodation 

 was good, and the expense of living reasonable, while the surrounding scenery 

 was extremely picturesque. Mr. J. Shipman then gave an interesting sketch of 

 the geology of the island. Mr. Dodd announced the promise of the loan to the 

 party of an Admiralty chart, dredge-line, two dredges, and other apparatus 

 necessary for exploring the sea-bed, and examining and sorting the materials 

 obtained. The Chairman, commenting on the eminent suitability of the island 

 for scientific exploration, advised members to send in their names at once to 

 the Hon. Sec. 



