REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
95 
the Nervous System.” There was a large attendance of members of the 
Section and their friends. This address, which will cover the first five 
chapters of “ Psychology,” will be concluded on April 27th. On March 23rd, 
Mr. P. H. Levi, hon. secretary of the Section, gave an exposition on Chaps. 2 
and 3, entitled “ Trophies ” and “ Mutilations,” of “ Principles of Sociology.” 
Ceremonial Institutions.—The Section have decided to carry on the study of 
Psychology and Ceremonial Institutions concurrently. On Tuesday, March 
28th, Mr. J. Cuming Walters delivered a most philosophical and poetical 
paper, entitled “ Tennyson’s Ethics.” There was a large attendance, and 
the paper was listened to with rapt attention. A hearty vote of thanks to 
Mr. J. Cuming Walters was proposed by Mr. W. R. Hughes, seconded by 
Mr. Browett, supported by Dr. Showell Rogers and Mr. T. S. Mullard, 
and carried unanimously. 
BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ UNION.— 
February 20th.—Mr. H. Hawkes exhibited a specimen of Callistemon 
speciosvs, a plant from Western Australia. Mr. F. A. Rolan then read a 
paper on the “ Structure of the House-fly.” It comprised a careful description 
of the egg, larva, pupa, and imago. The structure of the latter was described 
with considerable detail, and the paper was illustrated by a series of lantern 
pictures. February 27th.—Exhibition of Lantern Slides.—A large number 
of slides was shown, comprising hand-painted, photographic, and other slides, 
by the following members :—Mr. J. Moore, Mr. Bleasdale, Mr. H. Hawkes, 
Mr. J. W. Neville, Mr. Darlaston, Mr. Rolan, and Mr. Madison. Many 
questions were asked, and much interest excited by the different methods 
pursued. March 6th.—Mr. J. Moore showed photographs of the gizzards of two 
crickets, with well-marked variation in the form of the teeth ; Mr. J. Madison, 
specimens of Helix N exoberry ana, H. profunda, and H. tridentata, from the United 
States ; under the microscope, Mr. J. W. Neville, foraminifera, from Colwyn 
Bay ; Mr. J. Collins, an alga, Phyllactidium pulchelluxn ; Mr. Rolan, section of 
Pentacriuus ; Mr. H. Hawkes, a series of hairs, glands, &c., from a collection 
of plants made in a tour round the world. March 13th.—Mr. G. H. Corbett 
showed a series of polished specimens of Goniatites reticulatus and G. varians. 
A paper was then read by Mr. R. E. M. Bleasdale on “ Coal : its History and 
Formation.” The writer enumerated the different kinds of coal and the 
earlier theories of their formation. The Mississippi swamps were said to be 
very similar to the lagoons in which the coal beds were laid down. A very 
ca ‘eful description was given of the plants belonging to the period, many of 
which were found beautifully preserved in the ironstone nodules so common 
in the formation. The paper was illustrated by a series of fossils and 
diagrams. 
BIRMINGHAM ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.—February 20th.— 
Mr. G. T. Bethune-Baker in the chair. The following were exhibited :— 
By Mr. R. C. Bradley, a long series of the genus Gonops, taken at Wyre 
Fo.est last year, and including the following four species:— Flavipes , quadri- 
fasciatvs, cericeformis, and strigatus (two only). By Mr. Baker, a box containing 
number of rare and local insects, mainly Continental examples of British 
species, and including Plusia moxxeta, Arctia lubricipeda var. Zatima, &c. ; also 
the pale Irish form of the male of Arctia mendica, &c. By Mr. G. W. Wynn, 
a number of Noctuse bred from hibernating larvae found last spring at Wyre 
Forest and Marston Green, which included nothing better than Triphcena 
fimbria. By Mr. W. Harrison, living larvae of Sesia tipuliformis. Mr. P. W. 
Abbott read two short papers illustrated by specimens—one about his work 
at Wyre during 1892 ; he had been working new ground and turned up a lot 
of new things, such as Cymatopliora duplaris and fiuctuosa , Asthena Blomeri, 
&c. ; the other paper described a journey to Freshwater in August for Colias 
Edusa. 
April, 1893. 
