112 



The Natuealist. 



Atkinson, F.Gr.S. Mr. Jefferson, F.C.S., of Leeds, performed several 

 interesting chemical experiments. 



Sheffield Naturalists' Club. — Annual Soiree, January 12th, in the 

 Cutlers' Hall. A lecture was delivered by Mr. R, Bowdler Sharpe, 

 M.A., of the British Museum, on " Birds of Prey, and their geographical 

 distribution." The specimens exhibited were far in advance of those dis- 

 played at any previous exhibition of this Club. Amongst the microscopes 

 Mr. H, C. Sorby, F.R.S., exhibited a facsimile of the first microscope 

 ever constructed, which was made in 1590 by a spectacle maker of 

 Middlesburgh, in Holland . It is a plain unmounted barrel, looking like 

 a relic of the dark ages, and the glasses, as compared with recent 

 inventions, are wonderfully inefficient. Side by side with this ancient 

 instrument was one of the most recent construction, by means of which 

 Mr. Sorby showed the beauties of geological and other sections. The 

 most important item amongst these was the hair of a sloth made green by 

 the growth of microscopic plants. The colour is imparted to the hairs by 

 means of a confervoid plant which grows on them in the damp woods of 

 South America. Mr. H. P. Harris, of Rotherham, contributed samples 

 exhibiting the propagation and mode of growth of some of the lower 

 organisms — ferments, bacteria, &c. Mr. F. Brittain contributed a large 

 number of plants, assorted and typical of the various genera ; amongst 

 them were grasses from distant countries, rare ferns, lycopodia, flowering 

 plants, and a number of insect-catching plants. The latter were a very 

 fine collection. 



Wakefield Naturalists' Society. — Annual meeting, Mr. G. Camp- 

 bell, V.P., in the chair. — Mr. Hall exhibited a golden-crested wren 

 (male), caught at Methley. The officers were elected for the ensuing 

 year, J. Wainwright, F.L.S., being president, and J. Spurling, hon. 

 secretary. 



York and District Field Naturalists' Society. — Monthly meeting, 

 Jan. 10th, Mr. C. D. Wolstenholme in the chair. — It was proposed and 

 carried that a dinner be held on Wednesday, Feb. 7th, for members and 

 friends of this Society. Mr. Ripley exhibited a very fine specimen of the 

 rough-legged buzzard {Falco lagopus), sent by Mr. Edson, of Malton, 

 which was taken in a trap at Langton Wold ; also two grand specimens 

 of the great grey shrike (Lanius excuhitor), one shot near York, the other 

 near Church Fenton, also eggs of the latter ; Mr. C. D. Wolstenholme, 

 egg of the great northern diver {Colymbus glacialis) ; Mr. Helstrip, a 

 specimen of the common buzzard {Falco huteo) in the flesh, caught in a 

 trap with a wood pigeon near York ; also a musical instrument used by 

 the snake-charmers of India : Mr. White, a magnificent specimen of the 

 hawfinch (J'rwg'iWa coccothraustes), shot on Knavesmire ; Mr. G. C. Dennis 

 a box of fine Tortrices ; Mr. Robinson, a series of bred Cidaria psittacata ; 

 the secretary, a fine specimen of Plusia orichalcea. — Wm. Prest. Hon. Sec. 



