262 GLEANINGS—REPORTS. 
secure examples of newly-discovered species. His correspondents include 
dealers, amateur collectors, and men of science in every part of Kurope 
and America; and a new species, which may turn up in Lapland or im 
Syria, soon finds its way to his cabinets. It is only by extending such a 
business to its widest limits that low prices and the highest facilities of 
exchange are secured. So far as we can judge from an experience of 
many continental houses, Mr. Marsden offers his clientéle exceptional 
advantages. Our space does not permit of our mentioning other objects 
which form part of his business, but we can cordially recommend any 
one interested to pay him a visit. 
Acports of Societies, 
BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 
—August 4th, Excursion to Habberley Valley, &c.—August 23rd, Excursion 
to Maxstoke.—September 10th, seventh Annual Meeting was held in the Council 
House. There was a large attendance of members. The President (Mr. R. 
Birbeck) in the chair. The report gave an encouraging account of the present 
state of the society, the number of members being 134. During the past year 
fifteen papers have been read, and eight excursions made to places of interest. By 
subscription and a grant to the committee a first-class binocular microscope had 
been purchased for the society. The Librarian reported that fifty vols. had been 
added to the library, and 760 books issued during the year. The report was 
unanimously adopted, and a vote of thanks passed to the officers and committee 
for their services during the year. The following elections were then made:— 
Mr. C. J. Watson, president ; Mr. R. Hipkiss, vice-president ; Mr. C. R. Robin- 
son, treasurer ; Mr. G. Patchet, librarian ; Mr. W. H. Cox, hon. sec. At the conelu- 
sion of the formal business, the retiring President, Mr. Robert Birbeck, gave a 
short history of the society from its commencement in 1572 to the present time. 
The society, he said, had now completed the seventh year of its existence. Its 
formation was initiated by Mr. C. J. Woodward, and a preliminary meeting was 
held in October, 1872, attended by about six students in the science classes, and 
the result was the establishment of a society which had been of inestimable 
advantage to Institute students, especially where valuable works on science were 
needed for reference. About 60 papers had been read before the society during the 
period mentioned,and these had been listened to by large numbers of members. About 
forty excursions had been organized and successfully carried out, and the library 
of the society, which at first only mustered about 33 books, has now the very 
best works on scientific subjects which are in existence, and numbers 393 
volumes. In its second year the society organized a movement amongst the 
students of the Institute for the purpose of augmenting the Institute Building 
Fund, and the sum realised was £173 13s., and during the year just ended an 
effort was made by the members, under the guidance and management of the 
society, to assist the fund being raised for the restoration of the Free Libraries, 
when the very handsomesum of £205 was collected. In addition to this the Society 
had just purchased a very excellent microscope for the use of its members. The 
Society had been prosperous, for its managers had kept steadily in view the 
prime object of its founders, the assisting by every reasonable means of Institute 
students, and when the inexpensive character of the society is considered—only 
3s. a member per session—it must be a cause for surprise and regret that its 
numbers—now 140—are not doubled. Why should not the society gather to 
itself the members of the literature and language classes, and its library become 
proportionately enhanced in its range, and thus become what some at least wish 
it to be a truly representative society of the Institute students? May the 
present committee have this under serious consideration, and see if something 
cannot be done soon to bring about so desirable a state of things. At the conelu- 
sion of the address, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Birbeck— 
September 17ih, the President exhibited a collection of minerals and fossils from 
Castleton, Derbyshire. 
