216 MIDLAND UNION SOCIETIES. 



the Society ; two lectures have also been delivered. At several 

 Meetings special branches of Microscopy have been studied, and much 

 mutual help has been afforded bj practical illustrations in mounting, 

 hints on the collection and preparation of various objects of Natural 

 History, and exhibition of apparatus. A record of birds seen in the 

 district has been commenced. A Botanical Section has undertaken 

 to press and mount for preservation all new specimens which 

 may be brought from time to time, or that maj be found in the 

 course of the excursions. The Meetings of the Society have 

 stimulated Microscopical research. The Society has not yet 

 published any Report of its proceedings. Mr. J. W. Oliver, 271, St. 

 Vincent Street, Birmingham, is the Presidenl : the Honorary 

 Secretaries are Mr. E. Eindmarsh, 26, Gough Road, Birmingham, 

 and Mr. H. Insley, 19, Tenby Place, Prescott Street, Birmingham. 



The Birmingham and Midland Institute Scientific Society was 

 founded November 15th, 1872. Its meetings are held every Wednes- 

 day at the Midland Institute. It numbered 162 Members ou 1st 

 January last, being an increase of frwentj five during the year. The 

 annual subscription is 3s. Its Members are chiefly former and 

 present students at the Institute. Excursions take place monthly. 

 Nineteen papers have been read before the Society during the past 

 twelvemonths. The Society does not publish an Annual Report. The 

 President is Mr. R. Hipkiss, Lifford Cottage, Lodge Road, Birming- 

 ham ; the Hon. Sec. Mr. W. H. Cox, 150, Newhall Street, Birmingham. 



The Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society was 

 founded in 1858, under the title of " The Birmingham Natural History 

 Association." In 1864 it was reconstructed, and its present name 

 adopted. On the 1st January last the Society consisted of 371 Members, 

 327 paying 10s. per annum, 34 Honorary and 10 Associate's who are 

 youths between the age of 14 — 19, with a decided taste for Natural 

 History pursuits, elected after careful investigation, who enjoy, without 

 payment, all the privileges of the Society (except that of voting) until 

 the\ attain the age of 19. The number of Associates is limited to 20. 

 Meetings are held every Tuesday evening throughout the year at 

 Mason's College, and during the winter months on Friday evenings 

 also, when sectional meetings are held and much useful work done. 

 During the summer excursions are made on an average twice a month. 

 A notable feature of this Society's operations is an occasional marine 

 excursion, lasting from ten days to a fortnight. In 1873 Teign mouth was 

 visited; in 1877 and L878 Arran ; and in 1879 the members went to 

 Falmouth: the marine excursion for the present year will be to Oban. 

 The party leaves Birmingham on the 1st July, and will stay about 12 

 davs; the estimated eosl is £12 12s. per head. The Society generously 

 invites members of other Societies in the Dnion to join in these pleasant 

 excursions. Past experience has proved the acceptableness of this 

 arrangement and many pleasant friendships have been formed. 

 Duringthe past year 29 papers have been read before the Society, 

 some of them detailing valuable original work. Among the special 

 work done by Members, the investigation of the Flora of Warwick 

 shire by Mr. J. E. Bagnall, Hon. Librarian of the Society, must be 

 specially mentioned. The Flora is in course of publication in the 

 journal of the Union, and when completed, promises to be a most 

 valuable addition to botanical literature. Mr. A. W. Wills has made 

 several additions to British Desmids. and is engaged on the study of 

 this family generally. Messrs. Allporl andCrosskey have bi 

 in special geological work. Mr. J. Levick, \\ hose papers on Pond Life, in 

 t be "Mid la nd Naturalist ," 1 1a ve 1 1 iai Le li is na n ie familiar t o ma n\ Me] Q 1 16TB 



of the Union is pursuing bis researches; and Mr. W. G. Blatch Is 



