17'2 REPOBTS. 



Mr. Ady, the Biological Demonstrator at the Mason College. — General 

 M i ktincj, June 7th — Mr. Hayilon exhibited a section of Porphyriue. Mr. 

 Ba.nail exhibited Mitrula paludosa, a fungus new to Warwickshire; Litho- 

 spermum officinale, and other plants, from South Warwickshire. Mr. Grove 

 exhibited tue following fungi, from Sutton ; Stereum rugosum, Corticium lave, 

 Polyporus vaporarius, P. adustus, P. annosus, and P. molluscus, the last three 

 to the county. — Biological Section, June 14th. — Mr. A. W. Wills 

 exhibited fresh-waier Algic, Chantransia investiens and Leptothrix tinctoria, 

 from Penzance; ami .' -pirayyra inflata, from Bangor; Sarcina ventriculi ; 

 alo a small insect, found in a Japanese parasol, which was referred to 

 Professor Bridge for identification. Mr. B. W. Chase exhibited Polystichum 

 Lonehitu, Asplenium viride, and Lycopodium clavatum, from Perthshire. 

 Mi II. \V Junes exhibited a cast-off shell of Arctic Stone Crab, Lithodes 

 tir, tica. Mr. J. F. Goode exhibited Bpirogyra quinine in conjugation. Mr. 

 W. H. Wilkinson read a paper on " The Sea Gulls of Flamboro' Head," in 

 wli eh he gave an interesting account of the different species, their habits, and 

 mo le of living, &c. He also explained their structure and adaptation to the 

 various functions they had to perform, in illustration of which he exhibited 

 s-tutTed specimens of the Kittiwake, (Larus tridactylus,) the Black-headed 

 Guli (Larus ridibundusj and the Herring Gull, (Larus argentatus,) all of 

 which take their food on the wing. He also exhibited the Guillemot (Uria 

 tmile) ani the Razor-bill, (Alca torda,) which obtain their prey by diving. 

 A series of birds was also shown to illustrate the gradual evolution from the 

 long toes without any membrane to the perfectly-webbed feet. He also called 

 attention to the peculiar shape of the eggs of these sea birds, which he 

 tn ught was a provision of nature to prevent their failing from the edge of the 

 cliff on which they were laid, one end being so much smaller than the other 

 tint they could only roll in small circles. At the termination of the paper, 

 which was listened to throughout with great attention, an animated discussion 

 took place, in which the Chairman, Professor Bridge, Mr. Chase, and others 

 took part. — Microscopical General Meeting, June 21st. — The Secretary 

 exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Wiukley, two cases of insects, from Central 

 America, offered for purchase to the society. Mr. Bagnall exhibited ^enecio 

 ilidus, from Oxford, sent by Mr. Sergeantson ; tcirpus multicaulis, from 

 near Coleshil) ; and MyriopTiyllum altemiflorum. Mr. Hughes exhibited the 

 map prepared by Mr. Marshall of the district round Oban, to which the 

 murine excursion is to be made, and read a letter from Mr. H. A. Fry, offering 

 to pay one-fourth or one-third of the expenses of any associate who might be 

 able to join the Oban Excursion. 



BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS' AND NATURALISTS' UNION.— 

 May 2ud. A paper was read by Mr. H. Insley, containing " Notes on 

 the Burbury Street Clay Pit." The section shown in the pit was described, and 

 r<>ck fragments derived from the gravel and clay there exposed were shown, 

 among which were fragments of Caradoc Sandstone, containing fossils ; also, 

 a very coarse-grained Basalt, in a perfect and in a decomposed state. — 

 May 9th. — Microscopical and General Meeting. — Mr. Boland showed fifteen 

 varieties of Land Shells, found on the banks of the Rushall Canal, among 

 which was Clausil'm laminata, this being a new locality for the shell. H. Insley, 

 a number of fossil Corals from Mountain Limestone ; Mr. Blay, a slab of 

 ripple-marked Sandstone from Hamstead Colliery. — May 14th. An excursion 

 to Stechford, Yardley, Marston Green. Larva of Corethra plumieornis, taken 

 from pond near Sheldon ; leaves of Ranunculus repens were infested with 

 m (Cluster Cups ;) Arum maculatum, of extra fine growth. — May 16th. 

 A paper was read by Mr. Betteridge, " The Birds to be Seen in a Day's 

 Ramble." The day in question was cold, with showers, and fewer birds than 

 usual were seen. The number observed was forty-two. Mr. Boland 

 exhibited //. nemoralis, var. arenicola. — May 23rd. Meeting devoted to Pond 

 Life. Mr. Dunn exhibited Volvox globator; Mr. J. W. Neville, Kitella 

 trantlucena ; H. Insley. Protococcus ; Mr. Boland, Ova of L. peregra, in course 

 of hatching ; Mr. J. Wykes, Pupa of Corethra plumieornis ; Mr. Baxter, 

 Stephanoceros Eichhornii. May 30th. Paper, " Notes on Melicerta ringens," 

 by Mr. Duun. 



