56 REPORTS—EXCHANGE. 
Aeports of Sotieties. 
BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY.— 
January 1st.—The Annual Soirée was held in the Bristol Street Board School. 
140 tickets were issued, andthe meeting proved a very enjoyable one. Mr. G. T. 
Cashmore exhibited an arrangement of mirrors for illustrating the law of 
symmetry in crystals. Messrs. P. Harris and Co. lent an induction coil and 
vacuum tubes. Various members contributed telephones, microphone, electro- 
thermoscope, and microscopes. Mr. C. Pumphrey exhibited a number of beautiful 
stereoscopic views of remarkable scenery. At eight o’clock an amusing scientific 
farce, interspersed with experiments and songs, was performed by Messrs. A. 
Cresswell, R. Birbeck, and C. E. Crick. Refreshments were then served under 
the superintendence of Mrs. Cresswell, and dancing commenced and was kept up 
with much spirit until midnight. 
BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY’ AND MICROSCOPICAL 
SOCIETY.—December 17th.—Mricroscorican GENERAL Meetinec.—Mr. Graham 
exhibited the Cat’s-Eye Pearl from Japan. Mr. W. R. Hughes read the 
seventh of a series of papers on ‘‘ The Entozoa and Ecetozoa,” by T. Spencer 
Cobbold, M.D. January 7th—GernrnraL Mrrtinc.—Mr. J. E. Bagnall exhibited 
Gdipodium Griffithianum from Snowdon, and capsule of Sphagnum to show the 
stomata.—Mr. R. M. Lloyd exhibited some live specimens of the river lamprey 
(Petromyzon fluviatilis.) Mr. W. Southall read the first part of a paper on “ The 
Flora and Fauna of Edgbaston,” but, after having read the first part, at the 
request of the Chairman, he promised to read the entire paper at a future 
meeting. 
CHELTENHAM NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY.—January 16. Geo. 
Ferguson, Esq., M.D., M.A., read a most interesting paper on the ‘* Planet 
Mars and its Alleged Habitability.” The paper was well illustrated by diagrams. 
NOTTINGHAM LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.— 
Naruran Scrence Secrion.—December 20th.—Mr. Jas. Shipman read an 
interesting report of a Geological excursion made by the members on the 5th 
October to Froghall, Caldon Low, Weaver Hills, and Alton Towers. January 
17th.—Mr. H. M. Ward gave a lecture on ‘‘ Green Leaves.” 
SMALL HEATH LITERARY AND _ SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY, 
BIRMINGHAM.—The annual Conversazione was held in the Board Schools, 
Jenkins Street,on New Year’s Day. A very interesting exhibition was made, 
including specimens from the South Kensington Museum, lent by the India 
Office; Microphone, Microscope, Dichroic liquid, Trap-door Spiders, &c., 
exhibited by Mr. Lawson Tait; a collection of Biological specimens, exhibited 
by Mr. Aaron Franklin ; microscopes, revolving stereoscope, &e., exhibited by 
Miss R. Bailey ; Circulation of Blood in Frog’s Foot, exhibited by the President 
(Mr. Jacob Rowlands ;) Collection of British Birds’ Eggs, exhibited by Mr. C. E. 
Rowlands ; specimens of Freshwater Life, exhibited by Mr. Thos. Bolton; and 
many other objects of interest, exhibited by various gentlemen. There was also 
an amateur dramatic performance. 
EXCHANGE. 
Will give good collection of land and freshwater shells for any 
volume of ‘‘ Science Gossip.” Want all volumes since commencement of 
publication. Also want ‘‘Turton’s Land and Freshwater Shells,” and 
other books on shells.—C. T. Musson, 68, Goldsmith Street, Nottingham. 
