REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
191 
history from the day of its formation. Twenty-three years had 
passed, he said, since he was referred to Spencer’s works by 
a remark in Darwin’s Descent of Man, upon “ Our great 
philosopher;” and when he read the works containing the creed 
and the system now universally known by Spencer’s name, he 
seemed to find himself suddenly in an illuminated hall, where many 
of the old doubts vanished and where perplexing questions were 
answered. After referring to the progress made by the Section in 
its studies, Mr. Hughes observed that much interest centred in its 
membership. Miss Naden’s fame was secure, while Mr. Howard 
Collins, who had devoted himself to preparing an epitome of 
Spencer’s works, and Miss Gingell, the compiler of a Spencer Text 
Book, were building up secure reputations. Mr. Hughes said he 
was deeply sensible of the honour done him by the many eminent 
men of science who had affixed their names to the address, whose 
friendship he was privileged to enjoy. He expressed his cordial 
and grateful thanks to the members and friends of the Section— 
some of whom had retired and now again came forward to 
pay him this compliment—for these exquisite and valuable 
memorials of their confidence, esteem, and affection, which he 
should ever prize as “ heir-looms,” and regard not only as 
personal testimony to his unworthy services but as a token of 
their interest in and devotion to the cause of Evolution. It 
was an honour unique of its kind, and a public recognition of the 
value of the Synthetic Philosophy. Mr. Hughes concluded by 
expressing gratification that his successor as president was to be so 
distinguished a specialist as Professor Allen, whom he should be 
proud to follow with all loyalty, and under whose guidance in 
October the Section is to resume its studies at Mason College in 
the direction of Psychology. 
Reports of Societies. 
BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL 
SOCIETY. —Microscopical Section. July 4th. Mr. W. H. Wilkinson was 
in the chair, and he exhibited a case of phyllody, a begonia flower in which 
the larger petals bad reverted partially in form and colour to those of true 
leaves. Mr. C. J. Watson exhibited some plants from Dovedale, including 
Silene nutans, Rhamnus catharticus, Calamintha Acinos , and Campanula 
latifolia. Mr. S. P. Bolton exhibited Lacinularia socialis, from Alvechurch. 
—Geological Section. July 18th. Mr. W. H. Wilkinson, president 
of the society, in the chair. Exhibition of specimens: By Mr. W. H. 
Wilkinson, flowers from single and double petunia plants, the petals of 
which were partly purple and partly green, the green colour forming an 
extended outer fringe ; seeds of Trapa bicornis, a water plant from China. 
By Mr. Clias. Pumphrey—granite from Lundy Island in hand specimens, 
August, 1893. 
