Reports of Societies. 



157 



Masham and Carperby, and the Pipistrelle, or common bat, from 

 Masham. Mr. Walter Raine showed a long-eared bat from Ryther, and 

 read an interesting note on its habits in captivity ; he also showed (in the 

 flesh) a fine squirrel in winter dress from Ryther. A note by Mr. H. G.^ 

 Faber, relative to the black rat at Stockton-on-Tees was read, whereby 

 it appeared that it was not quite so scarce there as had been reported. 

 Mr. Roebuck showed a photograph of the rough-legged buzzard captured 

 in 1876 at Kilburn, N. Yorks., and now in Mr. J. Edson's collection. A 

 note by Mr. T. H. Nelson, of Bishop Auckland, on the former abundance 

 of seals at the mouth of the Tees, was read ; also a query from Mr. 

 Foster, of Sancton, as to the cause of twigs of Scotch fir dropping 

 to the ground. No explanation was arrived at. Microscopic objects 

 were shown, and Mr. Henry Marsh showed lepidoptera of recent 

 capture. 



421sT Meeting, April 12th, the president in the chair. — He showed a 

 series of spines of star-fish, including those of Luidia fragilissim-a from 

 Aberdeen ; of Asterias vulgaris and Uraster ruhens from Flamborough 

 Head ; and Ophiocoma neglecia from Devon. Mr. F. Emsley brought a 

 quantity of diatoms and desm\ds from Weetwood, amongst which were a 

 considerable number of Meridion circulare ; Mr. W. Teasdale showed 

 crystalline forms of the aromatic bodies derived from coal tar by Dr. Otto 

 N. Witt, who used the German nomenclature of chemical substances, 

 Mo7ionitrodiphenylnitrosamine being a sample of the result. Mr. J. W. 

 Dixon showed eggs of lepidoptera, and Mr. C. R. Newton Trichina 

 spiralis from diseased pork and human muscle ; Mr. Roebuck showed 

 shells and plants collected at Masham by Mr. Carter. — H. P. 



/ Manchester Cryptogamic Society. — Monthly meeting, March 21st, 

 Dr. Carrington, F. R.S.Ed., in the chair. — The principal part of the 

 evening was devoted to the subject of " Ferns," Mr. Foster having 

 brought a very large series of dried ferns, beautifully mounted. The 

 greater number were abnormal forms of British species, and the extreme 

 variations shown were a source of interest to those who took a special 

 interest in this class of cryptogams. A collection of the ferns of Madeira, 

 which had lately been presented to the Free Reference Library by the 

 executors of the late John Windsor, F.L. S. , was partially examined by 

 the members present. The Hon. Sec. (T. Rogers) called the attention of 

 the members to a series of microscopic slides which he had brought, 

 showing the prothallus of ferns in various stages of development, some 

 showing the sperm cells, and others the perfected young plants. Two 

 slides showed the germination of the spores of Hymenophyllum while 

 stilbm situ in their bi-labial indusium. Other slides showed the germi- 

 nation of young ferns direct from the spore receptacles on the vein lets 

 of the pinnules of Adiantum capillis-veneris . In some cases these could 

 be seen under the perfected indusium, whilst in others the indusium was 

 imperfect and rudimentary. Mr. W. H. Pearson exhibited specimens 



