118 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. [^joumS AuTS^^^^^ 
sion," and by Mr. J. Robertson on Professor Owen's General Conclu- 
sions, in which his ideas on the origin of species and life were 
criticized. 
It was resolved that the Hon. Secretaries be instructed to com- 
municate with the town authorities, and see in what way the co-opera- 
tion of the Society would be most effective to induce the British 
Association to visit BrigLton, 
Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society.* 
The following papers were read at the meetings of this Society, 
held during the month of May : — 
By Mr. A. Simcox, " On the Geology of North Gloucestershire." 
By Mr. E. J. Chitty, " On the Desmidiaceae, with Notes on their 
Collection and Cultivation;" being an account of observations as to 
their mode of growth and reproduction extending over the past four 
years (for which period the author has successfully maintained a 
considerable number of species in a healthy state under artificial 
conditions), together with practical hints as to the best means of 
collecting, cleaning, and preserving them. 
By Mr. E. Myers, " Notes on the Gulf Stream." 
By Mr. E. Simpson, " On Insect Anatomy and Classification," a 
valuable practical paper, commencing with an analysis of the various 
systems which have been adopted by different naturalists ; and pro- 
ceeding to a description of external insect anatomy and its applica- 
tion to the classification now generally adopted. The paper was 
illustrated by a fine collection of specimens and of microscopic pre- 
parations. 
At the same meeting the secretary of the geological section gave 
an account of a very successful excursion of its members to the 
villages on tlie west side of Wolverhampton, resulting in a large 
addition to the map of the glacial features of the district, upon the 
construction of which on a large scale the section is now engaged, 
and in the discovery of a considerable number of crystallized minerals 
imbedded in boulders, and including hornblende, garnets, &c. 
During the same month most departments of Natural History 
have been well represented on the evenings devoted to the exhibition 
of specimens — the season of course favouring the display of botanical 
treasures. These comprised Smyrnium olusatrum and Knajppia agro- 
stidea from Jersey, contributed by Mr. C. Adcock ; Saxifraga tridac- 
tylites from Knowle, and Gymnogramma leptophylla from Jersey, 
Narcissus hiflorus and other plants from Moseley, by Mr. Crofts ; 
Paris quadrifolia from Alvechurch, by Mr. Morley ; Thlaspi perfo- 
liatum from Tetbury, the rare moss Amhlyodon dealbatus, &c., from 
Sutton, by Mr. Bagnall ; by Mr. J. Lamb, Fritillaria meleagris from 
Reading; by Dr. Griffiths, Opergrapha ampJiotera from Cader Idris, 
and many other rare lichens ; by Mr. Marshall, Orchis militarise 
0. ustulata, Ophrys muscifera, and 0. aranifera, from Wye Downs ; and 
a great variety of other specimens either absolutely or locally rare. 
* Report furnished by Mr. A. W. Wills. . 
