13 
of the manufacture of magnesium, with illustrative 
specimens, given by Mr. Stoddart. Mr. Groom 
Napier also continued his paper of the previous 
session on the nidification of British Birds. 
At a very full meeting in November, a valuable paper 
was read by Mr. T. G. Ponton, '^On the Land and 
Fresh- water MoUusca of the Bristol District," which 
was followed by a most interesting account from Dr. 
H. Fripp, of his researches into the anatomy of the 
glow-worm, with special reference to its power of 
illumination. 
The December meeting was occupied by Mr. David 
Davies, with some excellent remarks upon the 
Natural History of the Inhabitants of the British 
Islands, and with the discussion which ensued. 
At the January meeting, (held on the second 
Thursday ) Mr. H. Cossham, read a paper upon the 
pennant formation of the Bristol Coal-field, and 
Mr. Stoddart exhibited and explained a valuable 
collection of Fossil British Mollusca, Land and Fresh 
Water. ^ 
The gentleman who had undertaken to supply a 
subject for the February meeting being unable to 
keep his engagements, that evening was chiefly 
occupied by Mr. W. L. Carpenter, with an elaborate 
account of the manufacture and use of the Austrian 
Gun-cotton. 
At the meeting in March, Mr. B. Lobb gave an 
interesting description of his experience in aquaria, 
and Mr. T. G. Ponton, favoured the Society with the 
