96 
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
Apr., 1889. 
Pebbles of our District.” In the discussion which followed, this 
paper was characterised by Professor Lapworth as a very valuable 
addition to our knowledge of the Pebble Beds. 
BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ 
UNION.—February 18th. Mr. H. Hawkes presented to the Society 
a collection of two dozen microscopic slides of the Myxomycetes ; a 
hearty vote of thanks was accorded the donor for his gift.—Feb. 25th. 
Mr. J. Rodgers read a paper on “ Climate as Affected by the Inclina¬ 
tion of the Earth’s Axis.” The author said the question of climate 
was so complicated a subject that it would be difficult to deal with it 
in a single paper. The local circumstances that affected climate were 
reviewed at some length and many illustrations given. When we 
compared the Earth with other planets we found a great family like¬ 
ness, but the inclination of their axes varied considerably, this 
variation extending from 3° to 75°. The different planets were 
enumerated and their probable climates commented on. The writer 
held that the inclination of the Earth’s axis was gradually diminishing, 
and gave ideal pictures of the course of climatic changes during 
16,000 years ; this period giving the greatest degree of heat and cold. 
The idea that a uniform winter ever prevailed for a number of years 
was combated, as it would not account for erratic boulders, and large 
deposits of river gravels. Several speakers dissented from these 
views, a discussion closing the meeting.—March 4th. Mr. H. Hawkes 
exhibited an album of mounted seaweeds; Mr. J. W. Neville, 
specimens of arenaceous foraminifera ; Mr. H. Hawkes, preparation 
of Lomentaria Icaliformis and Codium tomentosum, both marine algse. 
—March 11th. Mr. J. Madison exhibited the following shells:— 
Bithynia rubens and Neritina neritoides, from Sicily ; also Melania 
bolonensis, from New South Wales. Mr. Hawkes, mounted specimens 
of Habenaria bifolia , Buscus aculeatus , Botrychium lunaria, and other 
plants. Under the microscopes: Mr. J. Moore, gastric teeth of 
grasshopper ; Mr. J. Collins, fruit of Char a vulgaris ; Mr. Hawkes, 
leaves of Drosera rotundifolia , with captive insects. Mr. Corbet 
showed a large specimen of brain coral, and fossil specimens of 
Favosites from Dudley. In the unavoidable absence of Mr. A. T. 
Evans, Mr. H. Hawkes read a paper on “ The Pleasures of an 
Herbarium.” What is the use of an herbarium? is a question often 
asked by those who see little to admire in the faded mummies of the 
beautiful flowers they represent. The pleasures of an herbarium 
are those of association. The yellow-horned poppy called to mind the 
boiling sea near which it was gathered ; the orchis reminded us of the 
treacherous sphagnum in the marsh where it was secured, and so with 
all other plants. The writer said this was only considering it from a 
sentimental point of view, and the question remained, of what use is 
an herbarium ? If we once gathered the plants ourselves, we became 
acquainted with their habitats, and gained a practical knowledge of 
botany we could not get by any amount of reading. To make our 
collection as complete as possible we are led into all sorts of places; 
to inquire into the introduction of plants and their distribution. It 
also leads us into many a bye-path of science, and brings us face to 
face with the world of microscopic fungi, the spiders that spin their 
webs on plants, and the insects and mites that make their cradles in 
the leaves. This subject opens up so wide a field that it might 
profitably employ the leisure hours of a life-time. 
