94 
REVIEW.-REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
Annals of British Geology, 1891. By J. F. Blake, M.A., F.G.S.—London : 
Dulau and Co., 1892. 
We have much pleasure in bringing this valuable work before the notice of 
our readers, and warmly commend it to their support. It contains abstracts 
of 524 papers relating to British, and 107 to foreign geology. The abstracts 
have been made by the President of the Geologists’ Association, who is well 
known for the careful and painstaking character of his work ; wherever 
possible they have been submitted to the authors of the papers, together 
with the comments made by Mr. Blake himself. Obviously such a summary 
of the results of the labours of several hundred geologists, many published in 
somewhat obscure periodicals, is indispensable to the student, who must 
know what others are doing in the same field as himself. It is, therefore, 
much to be hoped that Mr. Blake will be able to carry on this good work 
which he began with a similar volume for 1890. Unfortunately that 
volume has brought considerable pecuniary loss to its compiler, so that 
unless the present and succeeding instalments pay at least the expense of 
production, the series must come to an end. As this would be a distinct loss 
to the science, we hope that as many as possible of those who feel an interest 
in geology will buy the book, and prevent Mr. Blake from suffering further 
in this respect; at best, no adequate pecuniary remuneration can come to 
him from the small sale to which a work of this kind is, by its very nature, 
limited. In the digests which are given of the results of the Magnetic 
Survey of the British Isles; of the “Challenger” report on Dee°p-Sea 
Deposits; of Sir. R. Ball s “ Cause of an Ice-Age,” to mention only a few 
subjects, the general scientific reader will find much to interest him and well 
repay the small pecuniary outlay he incurs in buying a copy of this exceed¬ 
ingly useful and welcome year-book of British geology. A. B. B. 
Reports of Sfftiefics. 
BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL 
SOCIETY.— Microscopical Section, March 2nd. Mr. J. F. Goode in the 
chair. Mr. Wilkinson read a paper on the “ Lichens of the Isle of Man.” 
He had spent a holiday of three weeks on the island, during which time he 
collected no less than sixty species, all of which were exhibited, and also 
numerous specimens under the microscopes. Their structure also he 
explained and fully illustrated. A hearty vote of thanks terminated 
the meeting. Biological Section, March 14th. Professor T. W. Bridge 
M. A., in the chair. Mr. T. Y. Hodgson, a fish ( Acantholabrus exoletus) 
attacked by parasitic crustaceans, male and female (Anilocia mediter- 
ranea). Mr. Charles Pumphrey exhibited the following plants: Saxi- 
fraga oppositifolia, two varieties, from Zermat; and also Soldanella 
alpina. Dr. Charles Wilson, M.D., of Crewe, gave an interesting and 
instructive lecture on Colour in Plants,” to illustrate which he provided a 
large display of specimens, drawings, and sections under microscopes A 
hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer.— Geological Section 
March 21st. Mr. T. H. Waller in the chair. Mr. T. J. S. Hooson, B.A.,’ 
Bourne College, Quinton, was proposed a member of the Society. Mr! 
Wagstaff exhibited specimens of rocks from Norway. Mr. C. Pumphrey 
exhibited the following plants: Daphne Mezereum, Primula viscosa, Anemone 
Hepatica (Swiss flowers). Mr. T. H. Waller gave his paper on “Granite ” 
illustrated by hand specimens and lantern views. —Sociological Section. 
On March 9th this Section commenced the study of Mr. Herbert Spencer’s 
“ Psychology,” under the learned chairmanship of Professor Allen M A 
who delivered his introductory address, entitled “The Modus Operandi of 
April, 1893. 
