28 REPORTS, ETO. 
RUGBY SCHOOL NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.—December 7th.— 
H. V. Wecisse (o.n ) read a paper on the “ Electric Light, and the Probabilities of 
its general Substitution for Gas.” He argued that this was improbable.—T. B. 
Oldham (m.) exhibited a specimen of Am. Capricornus (named by R. Etheridge, 
Esq.) from a blue clay underlying a brown conglomerate, hitherto regarded as 
the base of the Middle Lias at Crick. He then read a summary of his paper on 
the ‘Geology of Rugby,” which won the Society’s prize.—The President read a 
paper on “The Growth, History, and chief Collectors of the Society’s Entomo- 
logical Collection.”—The Secretary read a paper on “ Tripontium,” now Cave’s 
Hill, an Antonine town on the Watling Street, near Rugby.—Mr.B!oxam discussed 
the paper.—R. D. Oldham (o.nr.) pointed out the importance of the Am. Capri- 
cornus in drawing the line of demarcation between Middle and Lower Lias. This 
is to be done by Paleontology. The Geological Survey, when here, seem to have 
adopted a lithological basis of demarcation. Their line accordingly is wrong; 
the truth is that there is no marked line.—The meeting then terminated. This 
was the last meeting of the year. 
SMALL HEATH LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY.—The third 
lecture of the series for the present session was delivered in the Congregational 
Schoolroom, Coventry Road,on Monday, December 9th, by Mr. J. W. Oliver, 
(Professor of Geology and Botany at the Birmingham and Midland Institute,) on 
“The Story of the Rocks.” Thesubject was treated in a popular and interesting 
style, and was illustrated by a number of diagrams and specimens.—At the 
ordinary meeting of the Society, held inthe Board Sceools, Jenkins Street, on 
December 17th, a debatetook place on the question, ‘‘ That we are now in 
possession of sufficient evidence to enable us conclusively to accept the theory 
of evolution.” The affirmative was taken by Councillor Lawson Tait, who was 
to have been supported by Dr. John Lloyd, but the latter gentleman was unable 
to be present. Mr. Tait concisely set forth the main claims of the Evolutionary 
Philosophy, after which the Rev. Charles Joseph and Mr. W. J. Bain delivered 
speeches in the negative. The result of the voting of the members showed a 
majority of six in favour of the negative, but, on the vote of members and 
visitors together being taken, the majority was very much larger. The debate was 
a very spirited one, and the attendance larger than at any previous meeting. 
STROUD NATURAL HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.— 
—December 10th.—Major Fisher gave a very interesting account of 
‘Modern Falconry,” illustrating the subject with some excellent sketches and 
two living specimens of falcons. 
Buswers to Correspondents, 
Scrmntiric Boorworm.—Foreign books of all kinds may be obtained 
through Mr. D. Nutt, 270, Strand, London, W.C., or from Williams 
and Norgate, 14, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden. The latter firm 
has lately published catalogues, which they will send on application. 
For English and foreign science books consult the ‘‘ Book Circulars” 
of Mr. W. Wesley, 28, Essex Street, Strand. For English science 
books consult the catalogues of Mr. Wheldon, 58, Great Queen Street, 
Lincoln’s Inn Fields; Messrs. Reeves and Turner, 196, Strand; Mr. 
Quaritch, Piccadilly ; or W. H. Smith and Son, 186, Strand. All these 
will send catalogues on application, and expensive books may often 
be obtained in this way at less than half price. 
All communications to be addressed, The Editors of the Mmnanp 
Narturauist, Midland Counties Herald Office, Birmingham. 
