170 
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
July, 1889. 
an account of the home of Chas. Dickens, Gadshill Place, Higham, by 
Rochester, Kent, describing its geological, historical, and picturesque 
aspects, and especially its present condition, which is practically 
unchanged since the death of the great novelist, owing to the admirable 
manner in which it has been kept up by its present owner, Major 
Austin F. Budden.— Microscopical Section, June 4th. The President 
in the chair. Mr. W. B. Grove, M.A., exhibited Ustilago hypodytes, on 
culms of Ely mm arenarius, from the shore at St. Andrews, N.B. ; 
Mr. T. E. Bolton, living specimens, under the microscope, of 
Trichophrya epistylidis and Leptodora hyalina ; Mr. W. H. Wilkinson 
exhibited some rare lichens from Dr. Stirton, of Glasgow: Usnea 
longissima, lioccella fuciformi. s var. Montagnei , in fruit ; Parmelia 
hottentotta, Parmelia Kamtschadalis, and Endocarpon MouUnsii, from 
India ; Parmelia Millaniana, from Scotland; and Lecanora homolog a , 
from New Zealand ; also a section of the latter under the microscope, 
showing the peculiar three or five locular spores. A paper by Mr. E. 
W. Burgess on “ The Pocket Dredge for Microscopic Objects, &c.,” 
was then read by Mr. W. P. Marshall, M.I.C.E., which will appear in 
the “ Midland Naturalist.” Mr. Marshall stated that the proposed 
dredge was similar to one in use by the society, except in being open 
at the bottom, and in the first four feet of rope being of wire, in front 
of the dredge, to prevent abrasion by dragging on the ground. A 
discussion upon its merits took place in which the President, Messrs. 
Goode, Reading and others took part. A vote of thanks to Mr. Burgess 
was passed, a copy of which was to be forwarded to him.— Sociological 
Section. —Thursday, June 6th. Mr. W. R. Hughes, F.L.S., in the chair. 
Mr. Browett gave his exposition of the XXIII. chap, of Herbert 
Spencer’s “First Principles,” entitled “Dissolution.” —Geological 
Section, June 18tli. Mr. T. H. Waller in the chair. Exhibits: — 
Mr. W. B. Grove, 1, Polypoms elegans, from the slopes of Scaw Fell, 
near Wastwater ; 2, Pucciiiia Betonicce, from Rosthwaite, Borrowdale. 
Mr. A. Browett, 1, Polygala vulgaris , common milkwort, from Buxton; 
2, Sanguisorba officinalis (Great Burnet), from Harborne Fields. 
Mr. W. H. Wilkinson, Clianthus pulchellus, sometimes called the 
crab's claw, and at other times the parrot’s beak, from the shape and 
colour of the rich red blossoms. These blossoms were gathered from a 
climbing plant growing out of doors in North Devon. Mr. Herbert 
Stone, Nidus of a spider, Epeira fusca, from Sherwood Forest. 
Mr. Jno. Udall, various hand specimens of rocks from Colwyn Bay. 
Mr. Waller read a paper on “Picrites,” and illustrated it by some very 
choice hand specimens and micro-sections. A hearty vote of thanks 
was accorded. —Sociological Section. —Supplementary Meeting, June 
20th. Mr. W. K. Hughes, F.L.S., in the chair. Mr. Hughes announced 
that he had received a number of communications from the Brooklyn 
Ethical Association, including copies of the following documents:— 
A resolution passed by them thanking Mr. Herbert Spencer for his 
assistance and advice to them when forming the association, and 
congratulating him on his improvement in health. A letter to 
M. Grosclande, of Paris, on the progress of philosophy in America, 
and the address of their President at the conclusion of their first 
session. Also a letter of thanks to the members of the Sociological 
Section for their congratulatory resolution recently sent them. 
Mr. Hughes proposed, and Mr. Grove seconded, “ that the letter be 
entered upon the minutes.” It was also resolved “that the whole of 
the correspondence be left in the hands of the President, Mr. Kineton 
Parkes, and Mr. Herbert Stone for the purpose of giving it publicity.” 
Mr. W. B. Grove, M.A., gave his address on the “ First Principles ” of 
