24 
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
Jan., 1889. 
member of the Society ; Mr. T. H. Waller, B.A., B.Sc., and Mr. John 
Udall, F.G.S., were unanimously elected chairman and secretary 
respectively of the section. Mr. Pumphrey exhibited (1) potato 
stones from Madagascar and from Somersetshire; (2) ironstone 
nodule from Ivingswood Pit. This contained a number of cylindrical 
bodies apparently intersecting each other. Mr. Grove, on behalf of 
Mr. Clarke, showed two old-fashioned plates of great beauty : (1) of 
fungi; (2) of mosses. Mr. T. H. Waller read a very interesting and 
instructive paper on a “ Litbia-bearing Granite,” illustrated by 
experiment and micro-sections. Mr. C. J. Watson presented twelve 
micro-slides of sections of plants, &c., which he had mounted. 
BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ 
UNION.—November 12th. Mr. J. Madison showed specimens of 
Limncca truncatula var. minor, from King’s Heath. Mr. P. T. Deakin 
then read a paper on “ The Flying Power of Birds.” The writer 
described the bony parts necessary for flight, their position, use, and 
peculiarities, and the various developments and modifications in the 
different families of birds. The varying depth of the keel of the 
sternum and other modifications in the woodpeckers, diving birds, 
waders, and others was described. The paper was illustrated by a 
series of dissections of birds, comprising specimens of most of the 
principal families of the British species.—November 19th. Mr. Deakin 
exhibited specimens of Neritina JUwiatilis var. cerina, from Christ¬ 
church ; Mr. J. Madison, distorted specimens of Dreissena polyviorpha ; 
Mr. Corbet, various specimens of hematite, from Newliaven.—Novem¬ 
ber 26th. Mr. Deakin exhibited specimens of Helix fusca, from Clent. 
The evening was chiefly taken up by a discussion on the sealing, 
ringing, and finishing of microscopic slides, specimens being shown by 
Messrs. J. W. Neville, Collins, and Moore. The difficulty of securely 
sealing glycerine mounts was spoken of by most members, Mr. H. 
Hawkes recommending Damar varnish as preferable to all others.— 
December 3rd. Mr. J. W. Neville showed the tracheal system of 
Pediculus capitis ; Mr. J. Collins, pollinia of Orchis mono ; Mr. J. 
Moore, variations in the structure of hair from different breeds of 
dogs; Mr. Camm, Cephalosporium acrevionium, from Hamstead, and 
Graterium pedunculatum , from Sutton Park.—December 10th. Mr. J. 
Collins exhibited a section of Ripogonium parviflorum, a New Zealand 
cone; Mr. J. Moore, specimens of Vespa sylvestris, and Volucella 
plumata ; Mr. J. Madison, specimens of Succinea putris and Helix 
rotundata, from the Eocene beds of Headon Hill; Mr. Camm, the 
following fungi ; — Arcyria incarnata and J.amproderma irideum. Mr. 
J. A. Grew then read a paper on “ Insect Mimicry.” The writer said 
the most wonderful instances of mimicry were found in exotic insects. 
Those resembling leaves and sticks were familiar to all. But in our 
own country we had many remarkable instances, though the insects 
were smaller and less known. The writer described mimicry as a 
tendency on the part of insects to imitate other objects. If we observed 
them closely, we should find many insects, including the guileless 
butterfly committing shams and frauds. In doing these, colour was a 
great factor. A number of instances were given where the insects 
and larvae resembled the objects they rested on or associated them¬ 
selves with. The writer said he should leave to a future occasion the 
purpose of such habits and coloration. The paper was illustrated by 
a collection of the insects referred to. 
