GLEANINGS. 165 



Dk. Cobbold. — We have much pleasure in stating that at a general 

 meeting of the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society, 

 held on the 30th ultimo, Dr. Cobbold, F.R.S., F.L.S., etc., was 

 unanimouslj' elected an Honorary Vice-President of the Society. The 

 appointment was made on the recommendation of the Committee, 

 pursuant to the provision of Law VIII., in consideration of Dr. Cobbold's 

 distinguished researches in Natural Science and of his liberality to the 

 Society. Dr. Darwin is the only Naturahst who has received a similar 

 honour. 



Autographic Printing. — In reference to the plates at the end of the 

 May number of the " Midland Naturalist," it is necessary to state that 

 they are not perfect specimens of Mr. Pumphrey's process. Owing to 

 the necessity of printing a large number, lithography had to be employed 

 as an auxiliary, as mentioned in the description, (p. 132,) and the 

 delicacy of the lines was thereby completely destroyed. Besides that, 

 some of the drawings were unsuitable, for the process has its faults, like 

 most others, and it requires a little experience to produce the best 

 results by it. 



" The Old Cross " is the title of a new shilling quarterly magazine 

 for Warwickshire and the neighbouring counties. The fbrst uuuaber has 

 just been issued, and is published by Messrs. Curtis and Beamish, 

 Coventry. It is edited by Mi-. W. G. Fretton, F.S.A. The contents are 

 varied and interesting, the range of subjects being wide enough to suit 

 the tastes of all classes of readers. There are several articles on 

 ArchjEology, local Topography, and History ; a capital one on " Sand and 

 Sandstones," a biographical sketch of Mendelssohn, several good tales, 

 some poetry, notes and queries, chess problems, &c. We warmly 

 recommend " The Old Cross " to the attention of our readers. 



Ilepxts 0f Societies. 



BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL 



SOCIETY.— April 9th. Biological Section.— Mr. Blatch exhibited Trichiosoma 

 lucorum, the large saw-fly of the hawthorn, and described the pecnHarities of its 

 metamorphoses, and its mode of extricatiug itself from the cocoon. Mr. J. 

 Bagnall contributed and described microscopic preparations of the rare mosses, 

 DicraneUa Schrehen, Hedw., Dicranella GreviUeana, Br. and Sch., and 

 Tricho.stomum cylindnciim, Br. and Sch., and several other rare species; also, 

 on behalf of Mr. Spinks, Podura aquatic.a, from the Lower Grounds, Aston. Mr. 

 A. W. Wills then read a paper on " Freshwater Algie," which will be found in 

 the present number, being a continuation of one recently presented to the 

 Society, and printed at page 113 of the " Midland Naturalist." The paper was 

 illusti'ated by numerous specimens, living and mounted, which were shewn in 

 the microscopes of the Society, and iu those of various members who kindly lent 

 their instruments for the evening. The thanks of the section were 

 accorded to Mr. P. H. Gosse, F.R.S., for his kind present of a copy 

 of his papers on Bellidia Ihmtii and Hancochia eudactylota, two 

 supposed new genera and species.— April 30th. Special General Meeting. — It 

 was resolved that a fund for increasing the apparatus and library be provided by 

 a voluntary annual subscription amongst the members. The following exhibits 

 were made : — By Mr. Bolton, spawn of a Mexican Lizard ; by Mr. Slatter, spawn 

 of the Perch (Perca fluviatilis ;) and by Mr. Levick, Stentor pohjmorphus and 

 Cephalosiphon limnias. — General Meeting, May 8th. — Exhibited by Mr. Southall, 

 two leaves of Calla ^thiopiica, with the petioles united; by Mr. Hughes, 

 Sepiola Rondeletii, one of the smallest of the Cephalopoda ; by Miss Hadley, a 

 flower of Primula Auricula, with the calyx largely developed, the upper part 

 being leaf-like, and the lower part coloured like the corolla; by Mr. Badger, speci- 

 mens of Aucuba Jajjonica and A. vera, male and female, both in flower, female 

 specimens with the flowers of the present year, and berries of the two preceding 

 years. Mr. Lawaon Tait read a paper on Cephalopoda, and illustrated it largely. 



