82 REPORTS. 
also some fine mosses from Mr. Cotton, collected near Barmouth. Mr. W.H. 
Wilkinson exhibited the white Christmas rose (Helleborus niger), to show the 
tubular petals, which are assumed to secrete some fluid attractive to insects and 
so to serve as aids in fertilisation. Mr. Thomas Bolton exhibited the fine rotifer 
Rhinops vitrea, and a newly hatched Trout, showing the circulation of the blood 
both in the body and on the surface of the yolk-sac. Mr. J. Levick exhibited 
some remarkably large Amebe, and a free-swimming freshwater alga. Mr.{ W. R. 
Hughes, by request, re-exhibited six beautifully mounted slides recently presented 
to the Society by Mr. F. W. Sharpus. Mr. Hughes read the eighth of a series of 
papers on “ The Entozoa and Ketozoa,” by Dr. T. Spencer Cobbold, F.R.S., illus- 
trated by specimens preserved in spirit, and a slide of ova of Ascaris lumbricoides 
put up at the General Hospital by Mr. Hughes in 1863. 
BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 
—January 22nd.—Mr. C. J. Woodward, B.Sc., read a paper on “ Spherical 
Projection applied to Crystallography.” The different methods of projecting on 
to a plane surface the different points on a globe were first explained. A crystal 
was then defined as a body which has precisely similar properties in parallel 
planes, and it was shown that the various planes of a crystal were related to 
certain imaginary lines termed axes. The planes of a crystal might be considered 
each as touching a sphere ina point, anda map of these points constitute a 
spherical projection of the crystal. Reference was also made to symmetry in 
crystals, and some apparatus was shown to illustrate this branch of the subject. 
February 5th.—Mr. C. J. Watson gave a brief description of the phenomena of 
the Glacial Drift, illustrated by specimens and photographs. A resolution was 
afterwards passed that the members should take part in the examination of the 
drift deposits of the neighbourhood according to the scheme propounded by the 
Midland Union. February 12th.—Mr. J. T. Sprague, M.S.T.E., read a paper on the 
“Relations of Electromotive Force and Resistance to Current.” In the course of 
it he said that it was much to be regretted that the British Asscciation had used 
the word “ resistance ” to represent what was really only the reciprocal of con- 
ductivity. The term resistance should have been kept to express the work done 
in any part of, the’ circuit, which varies as the square of the current passing. 
In consequence of this confounding of ideas essentially distinct much confusion 
existed in the minds of physicists as to the conditions under which electric force 
was really transmitted. 
BIRMINGHAM PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.—February 13th—A paper 
was read by Dr. Saundby, on ‘‘ Recent Metalloscopic and allied Researches.” 
BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.—January 
24th.—First GENERAL Meetine, Hatr-year.—C. E. B. Hewitt having resigned 
his post as Hon. Sec. to this Society, H. F. Devis was elected Hon. Sec., pro. tem., 
in his place. February 14th.—Paper read by A. B. Badger on ‘‘ The proposed 
Union of the two Sections, Botanical and Entomological, under the name of the 
Biological Section.” It was then proposed, seconded, and carried by a large 
majority, ‘‘ That the Society comprise two Sections, for the study of Biology and 
Geology respectively.” Mr. Turner was unanimously elected President of the 
Biological Section, and J. Chapman Curator. 
BURTON-UPON-TRENT NATURAL HISTORY & ARCHHOLOGICAL 
SOCIETY.—January 21st.—Mr. W. Molyneux, F.G.8., F.R.Hist.8., read a paper 
on “The pre-Norman History of Repton.” After alluding to the grounds for 
thinking it had in turn been occupied by the Ancient Britons and the Romans, 
he next referred to the Saxon ecclesiastical foundation at Repton,in A.D. 653. 
He was of opinion that in the beautiful crypt there still remains a portion of the 
original edifice. A detailed description of the crypt was given. Mr. Molyneux 
further said that in dealing with the pre-Norman History of Repton it must 
always be borne in mind thatthe River Trent was at that time a larger river, and 
occupied considerably more space in the valley that it does now. It was navigable 
for boats, of what was then large tonnage, from its mouth at Gainsborough, 
over its main course as far as Stone, and overits two tributaries, the Sow as far 
as Stafford, and the Tame as far as Tamworth, a condition, he might add, by no. 
means difficult of restoration. It was to these conditions that the Danes were 
