REPORTS. 27 



which had been satisfactorily settled in our day, both by the physio'oofist and 

 the chemist, he described the mode of life of the animal. The manner in which 

 earthy matter, calcareous or siliceous, was secreted, in order to give strength and 

 consistence to the tissues, was then alluded to, and the various offices performed 

 by the spicula — connecting, prehensile, defensive, tension, and retentive, were 

 described. The spicula themselves, which are of the most varied and beautiful 

 kinds, resembling spun glass, extend from the simple pin-shaped to the elaborate 

 cruciform and ancborate forms as seen in the I/exactineUidn:, and are amongst 

 the choicest objects in the cabinet of the microscopist. Between two and three 

 hundred of these forms had been described by the late Dr. Bowerbank, the 

 historian of the British Spongiarhe, and several new and beautiful forms which 

 were alluded to bad been added by the deep sea explorations of H.M.SS. Light- 

 ning, Porcupine, and Challenger. The paper was illustrated by a series of very 

 beautiful diagrams executed by Miss Hadley, one of the members of the society, 

 and by many specimens from Mr. Hughes's cabinet. One of the diagrams 

 exhibited an Anchorate spiculum, enlarged 22,000 diametei's. Mr. Wright 

 Wilson, F.L.S., exhibited specimens of the Euplectella aspergillum, or Venus's 

 flower basket, and of the Iltjalonevia mirahilis or glass rope sponge, and also, 

 as a contrast, specimens of spun glass in further illustration of the paper. 



BrETON-UPON-TEENT NATURAL HISTORY AND ARCH^OLOGI- 

 CAL SOCIETY.— October 31st, soiree; papers by Mr. J. T.Harris, the Rev. 

 C. F. Thornewill, M.A., and Mr. C. Perks. November 13th, paper by Rev. 

 W. W. Fowler, M.A. ; subject, " The Colorado Beetle." November 27th, paper 

 by Lawson Tait, Esq., F.E.C.S. ; subject, " Insectivorous Plants," an abstract of 

 which will appear in the " Midland Natiu'alist." December 11th, paper by Rev. 

 T. F. Fenn, M.A. ; subject, " Holiday Rambles." 



NOTTINGHAM LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. — 

 Natural Science Section. — The following papers were read : — December 5th,. 

 " On the Geologv and Mining History of Coal," by Mr. .J. Bilbie. December 12th,. 

 " On the Oldest Welsh Rocks," by Mrs F. M. Ward. December 19th, " On. 

 Teredos, or Wood-boring MoUusca," by Mi-. B. Sturges Dodd. 



NOTTINGHAM NATURALISTS' SOCIETY.— November 28th. Meeting at 

 the Corn Exchange, Thurland Street. Mr. Shipman read a most interesting paper, 

 entitled " Some New Features in the Geology of East Nottingham," the first half of 

 which appears in our current number. (See p. 18.)— December .5th. Meeting at the- 

 Museum, Wheeler Gate. Mr. B. S. Dodd read a paper on " Alga;," dealing with 

 their habitat, structure, economy in nature, etc., and also the readiest way 

 of preserving them as cabinet specimens. The paper was illustrated by 

 numerous well-mounted specimens from the Channel Islands. — December 19th. 

 Meeting at the Museum, Wheeler Gate. A rough " Sketch of the Geology of 

 Nottingham and the District" was given by Mr. C. T. Mnsson. 



OSWESTRY AND WELSHPOOL NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB.— 

 This Society made four excursions during the summer of 1877— the first in the 

 neighbourhood of Montgomery, a very beautiful district, abounding in ancient 

 remains, caini), tumuli, castles, ttc, and a good field for botany and geology. 

 The next excursion was along the Dee from Overton, through Wynnstay Park to 

 Ruabon. The third was to the Breidden, rich in botanical treasm'es, but it being 

 rather late in the season, only Sedum For.stenanum was found. The last excur- 

 sion was to Wenlock and Buildwas Abbey, and the Wrekin. The only other 

 plants of any rarity which have been found this summer, are Iiiuln Hclenium 

 SiaA I. Cornjza, Scahiosa Columharia, Sedum Telephiuin, Linu/n Aiic/U'iti/oUum, 

 and Utriculana Vulgaris. 



STROUD NATUE.y: HISTORY SOCIETY.— The second meeting for the 

 present session was held on the 13th November. There was a large attendance. 

 Mr. J. E. Dorington, president, in the chair. A short paper was read by Dr. 

 Partridge, F.R.M.S., "on the application of the microscope to scientific inquiry." 



