ANN' UAL RKPORT. XX Y 



The Botanical portion, as usual, has been well supported, 

 and many interesting specimens, both of Cryptogams and 

 Phffinogams, have been exhibited by Messrs. Bagnall, Grove, 

 Southall, and others, including some fine collections of Fungi. 



The Zoological part of the proceedings has been rendered 

 more than usually interesting by a number of valuable exhibits, 

 among which may be mentioned — rare and curious fishes by 

 Professor T. W. Bridge ; a fine collection of Birds from the 

 Fame Islands, with nests, eggs, and young in various stages, by 

 Mr. E. W. Chase. The Section is also indebted to Mr. W. H. 

 Wilkinson for a similar series illustrating the Sea-gulls of 

 Flamborough Head. Entomology has been represented solely 

 by Mr W. G. Blatth, who has exhibited some rare Coleoptera and 

 Heteroptera, new to the district, proving that the neighbour- 

 hood around Birmingham is not so barren as is generally 

 supposed, and that many discoveries are yet to be made by 

 diligent and systematic workers. It is to be hoped that some 

 of om- young associates will be induced to take up this most 

 attractive and fascinating pursuit. 



The Microscopic Specimens have been a most prominent 

 feature in the proceedings, our Chairman, Mr. A. W. Wills, 

 having exhibited many beautiful and rare species of Desmidies, 

 three of which, viz., Cosmarium cambricum, Cosmarium corona- 

 turn, and Staurastrum anatinum are new to science. Many 

 rare and exquisite marine and fi'esh-water organisms have also 

 been exhibited by Messrs. Bolton, Levick, and others. 



The past season may on t]ie whole be considered encourag- 

 ing, and the futiu'e looked forward to with much satisfaction. 



If some of the members would take up a special subject 

 and systematically foUow it out, the work of the Section would 

 be rendered much more useful, and facts might be recorded 

 which in the end would, no doubt, lead to important results. 



JOHN F. GOODE, 



Hon. Sec, Biological Section. 



