248 REPORTS. 



behalf of Mr. Eliezer Edwards, Btigmaria Jicoides, from the Welsh coal 

 measures. Mr. W. J. Harrisou exhibited Stalagmite from Gibraltar, and 

 Ammonites biplex, showing the nacreous lustre of the shell. Mr. J. F. Goode 

 exhibited a vertical section of a lower jaw of a mole, with the teeth in situ. 

 Mr. Slatter exhibited Bibes alpinum, the alpine currant, from near Evesham. 

 Mr. Marshall exhibited a series of sections of the stems of Virgularia and 

 Funiculiua, dredged at Oban. Mr. Baguall exhibited a collection of Fungi, from 

 Cut-throat Wood. Solihull, including Hygrophorus coccineus, Russula cyanox- 

 antha, and Xyctulis parasitica. Mr. Grove exhibited a collection of Fungi from 

 Sutton Park, including Lepista rmda,Lepiotarhacode8, Hygrophorus j'sittacinus, 

 H. miniatus, and Boletus luteus. 



BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 

 September 7th. — The ninth annual meeting was held in the Council Room of 

 the Institute, the president (Mr. Hipkiss) in the chair. The annual report 

 stated that the society now numbered 159 members, showing an increase of 22. 

 Seventeen papers had been read during the past session, with an average 

 attendance of 37"7 members per paper. At the Society's seven excursions the 

 average attendance was 212 The librarian reported that 960 vols, had 

 been issued. The finances of the society showed a balance in hand. The 

 report having been adopted, a vote of thanks was passed to the officers 

 and committee for their past services, also to the Council of the Institute 

 for granting the use of room for the society's meetings. Mr. C. B. Caswell, 

 F.I.C., was elected presideut ; Mr. W. R. Morris vice-president ; Mr. 

 G. H. Twigg aud Mr. C. J. Woodward, B.Sc, trustees ; Mr. C. R. Robinson, 

 treasurer ; Mr. W. J. Morley, librarian ; aud Mr. W. H. Cox, hon. secretary. 

 The retiring president, Mr. R. Hipkiss, then delivered an address on the 

 influence of science aud scientific achievements upon the social and moral 

 elevation of the people. Passing in hasty review the early career of James 

 Watt, his perseverance, trials, and final success in the perfection of the 

 steam engine, he claimed for Boulton and Murdoch a great share in the 

 honour. He paid a warm tribute to Murdoch for the introduction of gas for 

 illuminating purposes, and regretted that whilst Rowland Hill had been 

 deservedly thought of m our post office a similar testimony had not been raised 

 in our gas office to the inventor of that which had played so conspicuous and 

 important a part in contributing to the comfort of our homes and work- 

 shops. He drew attention to the advantages and improved social position of the 

 workman since the days of George Stephenson, comparing them with the toils 

 and drudgery and limited pleasures of the past. Among our chief advantages 

 were cheap railway fares and the short time occupied between leaving the 

 duties of the domestic hearth and obtaining the benefits derived from fresh 

 fields and pastures new, aud from contemplating nature in its varied aud 

 most delightful forms. The address was listened to with great attention, and 

 a hearty vote of thanks was given to Mr. Hipkiss. 



BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS' AND NATURALISTS' UNION.— 

 August 1st. An excursion to Cheltenham for Gloucester ; fossils were found 

 in plenty along the Cotswold range. Good botanical finds were plenteous, 

 among which were Carline Thistle, Wild Marjoram, and Deadly Nightshade. 

 Shells were abundant everywhere, the best find being Achatinaacicula, perhaps 

 the rarest shell in the Midlands. — August 7th. The specimens collected 

 duriug the excursion were exhibited. Mr. Madison showed a number of shells, 

 Cardium, Littoriua, and Purpura from a raised beach near Llandudno. — August 

 15th. Mr. Insley exhibited specimens of Lignite and plant remains from 

 miocene beds, Bovey Tracey. A paper on " Spontaneous Generation " was 

 read by Mr. Hiudmarsh. — August 22nd. A meeting devoted specially to Botany. 

 Mr. J. W. Neville showed a specimen of common coltsfoot leaf infested with 

 micro-fungus, [Coleosporum.) Mr. H. Insley, plants illustrating various natural 

 orders. Mr. Blay, the complete number of British Plantains. Mr. Boland, 

 larva of Bombyx Pernii. Mr. Dariey, parasite of common Stickleback. — 

 August 29th. Mr. Baxter exhibited a specimen of Lophopus en stattinus. 

 Mr. Boland, pupa oi Bombyx /'< rnii. Mr. J. W. Neville, common Water 

 Spider in its nest, showing it tilled with air. A paper was read by Mr. Wykes 

 on the " Telescopic Aspect of the Moon.'' The paper was descriptive and 

 illustrated. 



