REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
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marine worms. Mr. R. W. Chase exhibited a specimen of the fruit of the 
Coco de Mer ( Lodoicea Sechellarum), which, he said, was now being grown in 
Kew Gardens, the first time it has been successfully grown in England.— 
—Geological Section. February 21st.—Mr. T. H. Waller, B. A., B.Sc., in 
the chair. Mr. S. Reeves was elected a member of the society. The 
following gentlemen were nominated for membership :—Messrs. A. Hutchinson 
Etches, Bryan Hodgson, and Dr. J. C. Huxley, Harborne Road. Mr. R. W. 
Chase exhibited and described a “ Coco de Mer” from the Seychelles Islands. 
Mr. Waller gave an introductory address upon the “ Study of Petrology ” to 
a large and interested audience. A cordial vote of thanks was given 
to Mr. Waller.— Sociological Section. Thursday, 26th January. Mr. 
W. R. Hughes, F. L.S., in the chair. Mr. Alfred Browett expounded the 
final chapters of Mr. Herbert Spencer’s “ Principles of Ethics,” Vol. I., and 
gave an interesting resume of the work. Professor Allen, M.A., was unani¬ 
mously elected President for the current year, and the Section resolved 
shortly to commence the study of Mr. Herbert Spencer’s “ Principles of 
Psychology,” alternating with “ Ceremonial Institutions,” being Part IV. of 
the “ Principles of Sociology.”—Thursday, 16th February. Mr. Alfred 
Browett in the chair. Mr. Phin. H. Levi was unanimously re-elected hon. 
secretary for the current year. Mr. W, R. Hughes, F.L.S., introduced 
the subject of “Ceremonial Institutions, ” constituting the “ Natural history 
of that third class of government which, having a common root with the 
others— i.e., the civil and religious—and slowly becoming separate from and 
supplementary to them, serves to regulate the minor actions of life.” An 
interesting discussion followed, and it was pointed out that proof of the 
“modifications of conduct, called ‘ manners ’ and ‘behaviour,’ arise before 
those which political and religious restraints cause, is yielded by the fact 
that, besides preceding social evolution, they precede human evolution : they 
are traceable among the higher animals.” 
BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS' AND NATURALISTS’ UNION. 
—January 23rd. Special— Conchology. —Mr. J. Madison exhibited and 
described the Hunter Barron collection of marine and freshwater shells from 
the museum of Mason College, which was kindly lent by the President. 
Although the collection was not complete, yet the specimens were in beautiful 
condition, and many of them very unique, notably a reversed specimen of 
Helix pomatia and specimens of H. nemoralis of abnormal size. Under the 
microscope Mr. Rolan showed some results of double staining ; the other 
preparations under the microscopes bore upon the subject of the evening.— 
January 30th. Mr. Matley exhibited specimens of tarantula, My gale Hcnzii , 
and horned toad, Phynosoma, from California ; Mr. J. Round, specimens of 
cryolite from Greenland. An address was then given by Professor T. W. 
Bridge, M.A., on “Rudimentary Organs in Animals.” The speaker said 
almost every zoologist was familiar with certain features in animal life for 
which they could find no use. They were found in all parts, but more 
particularly in the embryo. It was a mistake to suppose all parts performed 
a definite function, for there were many that were useless and purposeless 
structures. A number of objects were shown, such as the skeletons of horse’s 
foot, bird, and frog, and the rudimentary organs pointed out. No existing snake 
has limbs, though the rudiments of them can be made out in some species. 
Teeth often represented rudimentary organs ; birds do not have teeth, yet the 
embryo parrot has them, though they do not cut the gums, and the 
same takes place in the turtle. In the human brain lies a small pear- 
shaped body called the pineal gland—this is a useless organ. The speaker 
said these few instances of purposeless organs must be takeu as types, so that 
we may pass on to consider their origin. A very clear account was given of 
evolution, showing these organs to be ancestral types. The geological record 
of life was a fragmentary one, but some series of animals were very complete. 
The Tertiary strata at Wyoming were instanced as giving us in the lower 
March, 1893. 
