192 
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
and fragments of decomposed granite. By Mr. T. V. Hodgson—a series of 
Cambrian rocks obtained on the excursion of the Midland Union to Nuneaton. 
By Mr. J. T. Blakemore—an elephant’s tooth from Ceylon, and a band of 
insects’ eggs on stem of a pear. Mr. R. W. Chase reported on the excursion 
to Coventry under the leadership of Mr. Fretton. The excursion was a most 
successful one. Mr. W. B. Grove reported that the botanical excursion to 
Nuneaton and Merevale was a most enjoyable one. Amongst the botanical 
finds were Sphagnum jimbriatum in fruit, Anacharis in blossom, Rubus mercicus, 
R. Bloxami , Till a parvifolia , and Pyrus torminalis. Mr. J. Udall reported that 
the geological excursion to Nuneaton and Atherstone was a complete success. 
The party consisted of some of the keenest geologists of the Midlands, under 
the leadership of Prof. Lapworth. Before returning from Atherstone, cordial 
votes of thanks were given to Dr. Lapworth for his kindness in conducting 
the excursion, and to Mr. Wm, Wickham King, Dr. T. Stacey Wilson, and 
Mr. Bolton, for the perfection of their arrangements for the comfort and 
convenience of the members of the three excursions. 
BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ UNION.— 
June 19th. Mr. P. T. Deakin exhibited a series of plants from the fen 
district, including specimens of Geranium pyrenaicum, naturalised at Ely from 
Essex; Mr. H. Hawkes, the following fungi:— Urocystis anemones and 
Puccinia betonicce. Mr. J. W. Neville then read a paper on “Leaf and Flower 
Bud Sections,” describing the method of permeating the buds with a medium 
(celloidin), and afterwards cutting, staining, and mounting the section. The 
method was equally useful when applied to insects, and opened up a wide 
field to manipulative skill.—June 26th. Mr. Linton showed specimen of 
slag wool, and gave an account of its production ; Messrs. Collins and White, 
plants from Arley, including specimens of Epipactis palustris, and Verbascum 
lychnitis ; Mr. J. Madison, a series of photographs of Dovedale.—July 3rd. 
Mr. P. T. Deakin exhibited an antler of red deer taken from the depth of six 
feet from bed of black peat, Wicken fen ; stone implements have been found 
in the same bed ; Mr. G. H. Corbett, pebbles from the drift bed, Gravelly 
Hill, containing fossils of Loxonema, Modiolopsis, Pleurotomaria, &c. ; 
Mr. J. Collins, for Mr. Linton, an abnormal inflorescence of Plantago major , 
that has been repeated for several years ; Mr. Darlaston, tortoise ticks.— 
July 10th. Vegetable Physiology.—Mr. W. J. Parker gave a short account 
of the production of starch and sugar in plants. Mr. S. White showed a 
collection of plants from Northfield, including Epipactis latifolia, Habenaria 
conopsea, and Paris quadrifolia; Mr. J. W. Neville, larvae of goat moth, 
Cossus ligniperda ; Mr. Linton, a collection of maritime plants from North 
Wales.—July 17th. Mr. J. W. Neville showed specimens of larvae of 
Dicranura vinula ; Mr. H. Hawkes, a collection of zoophytes from Scar¬ 
borough ; Mr. G. H. Corbett, a case of trilobites ; Mr. Parker, a series of 
galls on the oak ; Mr. J. Collins, a collection of plants from Barnt Green. 
ELLESMERE NATURAL HISTORY AND FIELD CLUB.—The 
monthly meeting of the above club took place on Saturday, July 15th. The 
place chosen was Yetchleys Moss, and a very pleasant afternoon was spent. 
The botanists succeeded in finding a good number of plants, including the 
Lesser Bladder-wort ( XJtricularia minor), and the Basil Thyme ( Galamintha 
Acinos), both of which plants are uncommon in the neighbourhood. The day 
was not a good one for the entomologists as there was no sun, but a few 
specimens were taken, including the small copper butterfly ( Chrysophanus 
Plilceas), and a few moths. 
August, 1893. 
