150 Haigh-Lumby: Vertebrate Zoology in Yorkshire. 
request of the President, and gave the results of his observations 
on the birds of that island. His notes referred almost entirely 
to the south-west of the island, which he reached early in 
June. The wealth of the Icelandic avi-fauna during the 
breeding season was illustrated by accounts of the comparative 
abundance of species which are only known to us as winter 
visitors. 
At the evening meeting, Mr. Greaves exhibited the skull 
of a recently trapped Pine Marten, possibly the last of the 
Yorkshire records. 
Mr. R. Fortune exhibited an extraordinary set of lantern 
slides lent by Mr. W. Farren of Cambridge, illustrating Spanish 
bird-life, particularly the Little Egret, Spoonbill and Stilt. 
Mr. W. J. Clarke, F.Z.S., with the help of most beautifully- 
coloured slides—all his own work—gave a comprehensive and 
instructive lecture on ‘ British Reptiles and Batrachians.’ 
With one exception all the British species were represented on 
the screen, also several foreign examples, shewing the brilliant 
colouring and huge size of the more tropical forms. Speaking 
from first hand knowledge, the lecturer described the con- 
struction, habits, the periodic skin casting of the snakes, 
the various spawning methods of the Batrachians, along with 
a wealth of folklore and superstition connected with the 
lizard and toad. The interest aroused was indicated by the 
discussion at the conclusion of the lecture, relative to the 
hibernation of frogs, the ‘ homing’ instinct of frogs at spawn- 
ing time, the ability of the grass snake to take live fish in 
water, etc. 
Mr. W. Wilson then spoke on ‘ Birds of the Seashore.’ 
The species dealt with were those found on Cockerham Moss, 
Ravenglass Gullery, and Walney Island—where numerous fine 
photographs had been taken, and these were shewn on the 
screen, being accompanied by the lecturer’s notes with reference 
to many of the little known traits of bird hfe and character, 
as seen from a hiding tent. 
A hearty vote of thanks to the lecturers and to Mr. Graham, 
of the Leeds Education Authority, for the use of the room, 
was carried. 
—: 0 :— 
Micropetrology for Beginners.—An introduction to the use of the 
microscope in the examination of thin sections of igneous rocks, by 
J. E. W. Rhodes, with a Preface by C. H. Sidebotham. London : Long- 
mans, Green & Co. , pp. Xvi.+126. The book is especially written for the 
use of teachers in ‘Elementary Schools and for students seeking Inter. 
B.Sc. in Geology. It is eminently practical, and gives useful hints on 
cutting and examining rock sections, with chapters on typical rocks 
such as Shap granite, Plauen syenite, etc. There is a table for the identi- 
fication of rock-forming minerals, and a glossary-index. 
Naturalist, 
