31^ 



of shells, from the waters of Syduey. He also exhibited a section of Steatite, 

 (rare,) from the Bleak Head, Lizard. Mr. W. R. Hiigrhes, F.L.S., read, ou behalf 

 of Dr. Spencer Cobbold, F.R.S., a further instalment of his valuable communi- 

 cation on " The Parasites of Man," (see p. 295.) 



BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 

 — September 2nd. A party of members left Snow Hill for Coalbrookdale, whence 

 they proceeded to Maw's Encaustic Tile Works, where, by special permission, 

 they were shown the various processes of making the tiles. The moulding of 

 the tiles from a nearly dry powder by simple pi-essure, making them fit to be put 

 at once into the kiln, occasioned much surprise. The various processes of 

 putting the patterns on and glazing the tiles were then inspected, and much 

 interest was shown in tke forming the seggars out of powdered fire-clay by a 

 pressure of 140 tons. The party then proceeded to Benthall Hall, where Mr. G. 

 Maw kindly showed them the many objects of interest in the hall, and also the 

 fine collection of foreign plants in the garden. Benthall Edge was descended to 

 Buildwas, the well-preserved Abbey visited, and an adjournment then made to 

 the Bridge Inn for refreshment. Here Dr. Callaway joined the party, and led 

 the way to Shineton Brook, where are the exposures of shale described by that 

 gentleman in the August number of the " Midland Naturalist." Numerous 

 impressions of trilobites (AsapJius Ilomphrayi) were found ; and the party then 

 proceeded to Cressage, whence the return was made at 7 20. — October 9th. Mr. 

 C. J. Watson read an interesting paper to the members, entitled " Scientific 

 Jottings on the Continent." 



CARADOC FIELD CLUB.— The last Field Meeting of the season, specially 

 devoted to the study of Cryptogamic Botany, was held at Downton Castle, near 

 Ludlow, on Wednesday, September 25th. In spite of a rainy morning, there was 

 a fair attendance of members. Several rare specimens of Fungi, amongst others 

 Clavaria amethystiiia, Lycoperdoii echinatum, Strohilomyces strohilaceus were 

 collected ou the walk through the woods, which were thrown open to the party 

 by the courtesy of A. R. Boughton Knight, Esq. After dinner at the Feathers 

 Hotel, Ludlow, a paper " On the Cup-Fuuguses of Shropshire " was read by Mr. 

 W. Phillips, and Mr. J. P. Blunt made some remarks in continuation of a paper 

 read last year, ou the researches which he and Dr. Downes are pursuing in 

 regard to the influence of " Light on Bacteria." This was a highly successful 

 meeting. 



CHELTENHAM NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY.— This Society held its 

 Annual Meeting ou Thursday, the -ith October, when T. Wright. Esq., M.D., 

 F.R.S.,&c.,was unanimously reelected President for the session of 1878 and 1879. 

 Col. Basevi was also re-elected Honorary Secretary, and the following gentlemen 

 the Committee of Management: — Major Barnard, F.L.S., F. Day, Esq., F.L.S., 

 F.Z.S.,H. Elwes, Esq.,F.L.S.,F.Z.S , G. Ferguson, Esq., M.D., H. A. James, 

 Esq., Sir Brook Kay, Bart, R. M. Liugwood, Esq., F. D. Longe, Esq., F.G.S., 

 Dr. F. Maier, and T Wilson, Esq., M.D. The accounts for the past year were 

 read and passed. October 17lh. — General Meeting. Major General Cox presided, 

 in the unavoidable absence of Dr. T. Wright, F.li.S., through severe domestic 

 affliction. The minutes of the meeting ou the 4th inst. were read and confirmed. 

 Ballot was taken for the admission of three members. Mr. Badger's circular, 

 dated 2Cth September, relating to Mr. Harrison's interesting paper on the Glacial 

 De]50sits was read, aud copies of the paper distributed. Major Barnard read a 

 most interesting paper on " New Zealand : Botanical and Zoological." A cordial 

 vote of thanks was awarded. The paper was illustrated by some specimens of 

 curious birds and dried ferns, and the author drew comparison between the ferns 

 of New Zealand and of England. 



NOTTINGHAM LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.— 



Natural Science Scction. — September 20tb. Mr. E. Wilson, F.G.S., 

 exhibited a fractured quartzite pebble, containing a clear cast of the Caradoc 

 fossil, Orthis redux. The pebble was recently picked up by Mr. J. H. Jennings, 

 of the High School, from a roadside heap of broken qnartzites, on the south of 

 Bulwell Forest, near Nottingham. It was not therefore in situ^hut was probably 

 derived from the subjacent Banter conglomerate of the district (see " Geological 



