REPORTS, 191 
animals were rendered illegal. We must content ourselves by giving Mr. Day’s 
concluding remarks. He said:—* I have, although but briefly, sketched out how 
it bas occurred that discussions upon vivisection have been raised during the last few 
years by those who do not believe anything has been discovered by their means. 
LThave traced some of the advantages which humanity has reaped from these 
investigations, more especially as regards the circulation, the nervous system, 
and the therapeutic action of drugs; how, by its lessons, some prophylactics 
have been discovered, and the mode of treating asphyxiated persons has become 
more clear; how the changes in structures induced by disease have been followed 
out, step by step, and some organs, formerly unsuspected, are found to be the 
seat of certain complaints; how, by means of anesthetics, operations have 
become painless, and, owing to the discovery of the antiseptic treatment, the pain 
of after treatment (as well as the mortality) has been greatly reduced; and, 
lastly, how by these means some poisoners have been convicted, and some 
persons unjustly accused have been saved from the gallows. But there are still 
many strong places to be attacked, remedies are required for many epidemics, as, 
for instance, cholera or fevers ; or for poisons, as those of serpents ; and curative 
agents, for the removal of disease; while a great boon would be an equally 
efficacious but saferangsthetic than chloroform. The question is now narrowed 
into these grounds, first, that some experiments on living creatures are a 
necessity, but shall such be carried out in the wards of our hospitals and amongst 
patients? or on the convict population? or on the lower animals? Most of usi 
this room have been asked to sign petitions to except the lower animals from all 
experiments, thus throwing such upon human beings. The medical profession 
ae to this plan, preferring the ancient adage, Fiat experimentum in corpore 
vily.” 
DUDLEY AND MIDLAND GEOLOGICAL AND SCIENTIFIC 
SOCIETY AND FIELD CLUB.—The annual meeting of this Society 
was held on Wednesday, June 18th, at the Museum, Dudley. The 
report of the committee was read and adopted and the accounts 
passed. Dr. Fraser was elected as president for a second year, and some 
few names added to fill up vacancies in the committee. Mr. William 
Madeley was elected as secretary, an office which he held some years ago. A 
hearty vole of thanks was given to Mr. Marten, the retiring secretary. After 
slight luncheon, the members to the number of about forty started for the third 
field meeting of the season. Driving to Halesowen, after a look at the remains 
of the Manor Abbey, they inspected some interesting cuttings on the new line of 
railway from that place to Northfield, and then had a lovely walk, under the 
guidance of Mr. J. Amphlett, of Clent, from Romsley, through the romantic 
valley, near Farley Coppice and Shut Mill, to Walton and Hagley, having the 
usual meat tea at the Lyttelton Arms. 
NOTTINGHAM LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.— 
Annuat Mezutine.—May 29th, 1879. The following officers for the year 1879-80 
were elected :—President, Rev. R. A. Armstrong, B.A.; Vice-Presidents, Rev. Dr. 
Dixon, F.G.S., R. Enfield, T. A. Stephenson, M.D., J. White, F.R.C.S. ; 
Treasurer, G. B. Rothera; Hon. Librarian, H.E. Hubbart; Hon. Secretaries, 
Isaac Mosley, A. H. Scott-White, B.A., B.Sc.; Council, J. Beddard, M.B., 
A. Brunner, M.A., E. Goldschmidt, A. L. Kohn, W. H. Ransom, M.D., C. L. 
Rothera, B.A., R. Simon, E. Smith, M.A., A. C.;Taylor, M.D., E. Wilson, F.G.S. 
Correction.—In the title of a paper read by Mr. J. Shipman before the 
Natural Science Section, May 9th, (vide “ Midland Naturalist,” Vol. II., page 
164, bottom line,) for “‘ Burton ” read ‘‘ Beeston.” 
NOTTINGHAM NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY.—May 21st.—A special general 
meeting was held to consider the subject of {an amalgamation with the Notting- 
ham Literary and Philosophical Society. It was decided, with only one 
dissentient, not to amalgamate. May 28th.—Meeting of the Botanical Section 
for the exhibition of specimens collected during May. Mr. A. G. Webster 
exhibited specimens of Lathrea squamaria, found on the root of the elm, and 
Paris quadrifolia. Other members exhibited specimens of Saxifraga granulata, 
