Dice., 1889 
REPORTS OE SOCIETIES 
287 
the necessity of ever disturbing or retarding the objects under obser¬ 
vation during the whole time of their culture. His remarks were 
further illustrated by diagrams. A discussion was afterwards held in 
which Messrs. J. E. Bagnall, J. Edmonds. G. M. Iliff, and others took 
part.— Sociological Section, November 14th. Mr. F. J. Cullis gave an 
able exposition of the first three chapters of Mr. Herbert Spencer’s 
“ Principles of Sociology” to a large and appreciative audience, which 
was followed bv an interesting discussion in which many of those 
present took part. —Geological Section, November 19th ; Mr. T. H. 
Waller, B.A. B.Sc., in the chair. There was a very large attendance, 
250 being present, to hear a paper by Messrs. R. W. Chase and 
Pumphrey on “A Trip to the Norfolk Broads.” The paper was largely 
illustrated by photographs of especial interest, taken by Mr. C. 
Pumphrey during the excursion. The views included many cathedrals, 
and other buildings archseologically interesting, various birds’ nests, 
with their natural surroundings, scenes on the Broads, and two very 
special views of a decoy for wild duck, taken at Fritton, together with 
a photograph of Mr. Thomas Page, the keeper. The lecture was 
given in the Examination Hall, Mason College. At the close a vote 
of thanks to the two gentlemen above-named was carried with 
acclamation. 
BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ 
UNION.—September 16th. Mr. Deakin exhibited a collection of land 
shells from Cape Finisterre, and pointed out the very small differences 
between them and English types ; Mr. J. W. Neville, Lady’s-mantle 
Rust (Uromyces intrusa) : Mr. J. Madison, specimens of Limncea auri- 
cularia var. rejlexa, from King’s Norton. Under the microscope Mr. 
J. Moore showed palate of Cochlicopa tridens; Mr. H. Hawkes, Aphis 
populi. —September 23rd. Mr. H. Hawkes showed under the microscope 
preparations of Erica tetralix and E. vulgaris, showing pollen, glan¬ 
dular hairs, and pouch-like anthers; Mr. J. Collins Gluetophora 
endiv ice folia, a freshwater alga, from Sutton Park; Mr. Parker, 
cyclosis in Nitella translucens .—September 30th. Mr. Deakin exhibited 
specimens of Typhis pungens and other shells from the Eocene forma¬ 
tion of Barton Cliff; Mr. J. Madison, a short spired variety of 
Limncea stagnalis, from Milford. Under the microscope Mr. H. 
Hawkes showed a rare seaweed, Naccaria Wigghii, and a section 
through a flower-bud of horse chestnut.—October 7th. Mr. J. W. 
Neville exhibited specimens of “ coal balls,” and sections of the same 
material showing fossil plant structure, notably transverse sections 
of fern stems; Mr. J. Madison, wing of fossil insect from rhsetic bed, 
Knowle ; Mr. Lassita, a series of Silurian fossils from Aldridge ; Mr. 
T. H. Waller, specimen of band of diorite, showing the line of contact 
with the Stockingford shale, from Nuneaton ; Mr. J. Moore, a section 
of coral, Cyathophyllum reticulatum; Mr. H. Hawkes, tail of rattle¬ 
snake ; also the following fungi: Nectria cinnaharina, Peziza cyathoidea, 
and a mould on Trichia varia. Mr. Camm, Alwisia intermedia and 
Hemiarcyria sp.—October 14th. Mr. H. Hawkes showed fasciated 
stem of asparagus. Mr. J. W. Neville then read a paper, “ Notes on 
the Ovipositors of Insects.” The writer said it might be thought 
an ovipositor need only be a very simple contrivance, a tube (perhaps 
telescopic, to enable it to be withdrawn into the insect’s body when 
not in use) through which the eggs might pass from the ovary to their 
destination. This was all we found in some insects, but in others the 
ovipositor and its contingent orgaus grew very complicate!. The 
