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The Naturalist. 



exhibited two old interesting books on Cryptogamic Botany — one by Hed- 

 wig, in Latin.published in 1782 : the other by Dillenius, published in Lon- 

 don, 1763. In this latter book, it is interesting to note that one of the 

 habitats givenfor a plant near Manchester was ''on the breaking of Medlock 

 river bank at Easington Wood, between Garret and Knot-mill, about a mile 

 from Manchester." Mr. W. H. Pearson exhibited specimens of the new 

 hepatics described by Dr. Spruce recently in the "Revue Bryologique " 

 as Marsupella Stahleri and Marsupella oUvacea, both collected by Mr. 

 Geo. Stabler — specimens of the former species being presented to the 

 society's herbarium. Mr, Pearson also exhibited specimens of Gymnomi- 

 trium adustum, Nees. (verum), new to Britain, collected by himself last 

 August in N. Wales. The hon. secretary read a few bryological notes 

 from some correspondence which Dr. J, B. Wood had kindly placed at 

 his disposal. One of the notes referred to specimens of Campylopus 

 paradoxus of Wilson, which had been collected some few years ago in 

 swampy ground on Coder Idris, by one of the society's members (Mr. J. 

 Percival). Its claims to specific distinction have been much disputed, and 

 Juratzka has recently decided that it can only be recognised as a variety 

 of C. Jiexuosus, to which he gives the varietal name, uligmosa. Another 

 of the notes referred to the new classification of the Harpidium group of 

 Eypna, by Renauld, as published in the " Revue Bryologique." Bryolo- 

 gists in this neighbourhood will be surprised to find that he retains 

 Hypnum exannulatum as R. fiuitans, in his classification of the group ; 

 and that he considers that certain monoicous species appear at times 

 dioicous. — T. Rogers, Hon. Sec. 



Wakefield Naturalists' and Philosophical Society. — Meeting, 

 Jan. 4th.— Mr. Joseph Wainwright, F.L.S., the president, from the 

 chair, delivered his annual inaugural address, in which he stated the 

 advance made by the society, during the past year, the increase of 

 members, from 45 to 103, was a fact in itself. The lecture programme 

 had been most successful, and he would take this opportunity of personally 

 thanking those gentlemen who had so kindly contributed to it. The ex- 

 hibition held in connection with the society, had not been a financial 

 success, but the prospects open to them, were of the brightest description, 

 and he hoped the lines of progress laid down, would go far in making 

 their society a most useful institution. He then proceeded to describe 

 recent discoveries, especially in botany, and concluded by exhorting the 

 members to follow up the good work already begun. 



Meeting, Jan. 18th.— Chas. S. Mitchell, Esq., M.A., B.Sc, H.M. 

 Inspector of Schools, Sheffield, delivered his lecture on the " Origin of 

 Lakes," describing, at length, the formation of lakes by glacial action ; 

 the physical features of moraines, fiords, glaciers ; and the grandeur of 

 lake and mountain scenery, together with many personal reminiscences 

 of visits to places where the operations of nature could be viewed with 

 efiect. The elaborate theories of Prof. Ramsay and other high authorities, 

 together with the work of the Geological Survey, &c. , were all thoroughly 

 explained.— E. B. W. 



