REPORTS, ETC. 143 



Witcliell, a Vice-President ; Dr. Partridge, Secretary; Mr. Bishop, Treasurer; 

 Mr. Smith, Librarian ; and the wliole of last year's committee. The Secretary 

 read the Committee's Report, -which gave a satisfactory account of useful work 

 done by the Society, which is in a flourishing coadition. The retiring President, 

 Mr. J. E. Dorington, delivered an excellent address, in which he reviewed the 

 proceedings transacted during his term of office. A vote of thanks was unani- 

 mously accorded to Mr. Doriugton. — Dr. Bird then read a paper on " The 

 Ancient Dwellers of the Cotswolds," an abstract of which we hope to present to 

 onr readers. The exhibition of seieutific apparatus and objects, which next 

 occupied the attention of the meeting, was varied and interesting. Mr. A. 

 Pumphrey and Mr. T. Bolton, of Birmingham, exhibited and described the 

 autographic printing process dealt with fully in another page. Mr. Bolton also 

 exhibited numerous interesting specimens of freshwater life. Tlie electric pen, 

 the process of electro-plating, a telej)hone, spectroscopes, collections of entomo- 

 logical and geological specimens, and other matters, fully occupied the remainder 

 of the evening. 



TAMWORTH NATURAL HISTORY, GEOLOGICAL, AND ANTI- 

 QUARIAN SOCIETY.— March 25th.— A handsome and well-preserved skin of 

 an Egyptian crocodile was presented to the society, through the secretary, by 

 Mr. Charles Long. — Dr. Joy read a paper, entitled " The Darwinian Theory 

 Reviewed." A warm discussion followed the reading of the paper, in which 

 the Chairman, (Rev. Brooke Lambert,) Dr. B. W. Foster, of Birminhgam, 

 Messrs. Chesshire, Nevill, Hamel, ■ and others took part. April 1st. — Mr. 

 R. B. L. Johnston gave a paper on " Sx)onges, Hydras, and Corals." After 

 describing the several varieties of sponge, and tbe numerous members of the 

 Hydra family, he proceeded to touch more fully on the many species of coral. 

 He exhibited several beautiful specimens lent by members of the society. — A 

 small skate, dried and mounted, was i^resented by the Rev. Brooke Lambert. — 

 Mr. W. G. Davy exhibited a cryophorus, the water within which was by 

 evajporation frozen in a few moments. 



YORKSHIRE GEOLOGICAL AND POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY.— The 

 first meeting of this old Society since it changed its name was held on the 13th 

 March, at Selby. The attendance was large. The local secretary, Mr. J. T. Atkin- 

 son F.G.S., who presided, gave an interesting address, in which there were 

 references to local history, a resume of the history of the Society founded forty- 

 one years ago, and an account of the geology of the district. Mr. Atkinson 

 entertained the members at luncheon. Later in the day a second meeting was 

 held, the Chairman of which was Mr. H. C. Sorby, F.R. S. , President of the Geological 

 Society. Twenty-three new members were proposed, and a resolution passed that 

 the June meeting should be held at Scarborough, or Bridlington if suitable arrange- 

 ments could be made ; or failing both, at York. In addition to a paper by 

 Mr. J. E. Clarke, B.A., B.Sc, F.G.S., on " The Triassic Gravel, Sand, and Clay 

 Beds at Sutton Park, near Birmingham," the Chairman contributed an important 

 one on "A New Method of Studying the Optical Character of Minerals." 



WEST LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.— March 22ad.— Mr. 

 Reed exhibited a series of B Hirtaria ; bred. March 29th. — Mr. Walford, bred 

 specimens of Verhasci. April 12th. — Mr. Maycock, Pilosaria and D. Fagella ; 

 also a series of Leacophearia, varying from the ordinary type to black. Mr. Cover- 

 dale, Lithoriza and I'arthenias. Mr. Gates, Muhis-trigaria. Mr. Meek, a very 

 fine series of varieties of L. Monacha, some of the specimens being quite black. 



EXCHANGE. 



I have vols. 1 to 5 of The Geologist, (1858 to 62 ;) Geological Record for 1875 ; 

 Smithsonian Reports; Geological Society's Journal, 1876 and 1877, etc. I want 

 set of Geological Magazine ; Science Gossip ; Report Coal Commission, 1871 ; 

 vols. 1 to 14 Geological Society's Journal ; or will give fair cash price. — F.G.S., 

 Herald Office, Birmingham. 



Bird eggs, side blown, 200 species, rare duplicates. Exchange lists supplied. 

 Wanted various varieties new to collection. All letters answered. — J. W. 

 SissENs, Sharrcw, Sheffield. 



