264 
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
black markings on the costa, and other parts of the ground colour was also 
replaced by white. By Mr. R. C. Bradley, a few lepidoptera collected at 
Weymouth this year, including Sesia ichneumoniformis. By Mr. P. W. 
Abbott, a number of noctuae taken at Sutton this year, including Agrotis 
obelisca and Xantliia gilvago , both new to the district. Mr. C. J. Wainwright 
read a paper on the local list of macro lepidoptera, which he had written to 
attract attention to those groups least represented in the list, in order that 
blanks might be filled.—October 16th. Mr. R. C. Bradley in the chair. Mr. 
G-. W. Wynn showed some large Bombycidse from North America ; also a few 
other insects, including Hadena genista, from Wyre Forest. Mr. R. C. Bradley 
read a paper upon the society’s excursion to the Cotswolds at Whitsuntide, 
and showed a number of his captures on that occasion. Insects were also 
shown by Messrs. A. H. Martiueau, H. J. Sands, and C. J. Wainwright. The 
diptera and hymeuoptera were best represented, and among the lepidoptera 
were a nice series of Lyceena Adonis and Ino Geryon. 
BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ UNION.— 
September 18th. Mr. G. H. Corbett showed a series of Silurian and 
carboniferous cup corals, cut and polished in two directions; Mr. Nelson, a 
large collection of Limncea peregra, all from one pond in Yorkshire, showing 
various stages of malformation. Mr. Nelson believed that some of the 
monstrous forms are due to a sudden influx of food, which causes the shell 
to enlarge very quickly; afterwards, when there is a scarcity of food, the 
shell is too large and septa are formed to cut off inconvenient corners. Many of 
the specimens showed that two or more mouths had been formed.—September 
25th. Mr. Rolan showed some microscopic fungi collected in Wicken Fen ; 
Mr. J. Moore, a series of photographs of Sutton Park.—October 2nd. The 
Rev. J. E. Yize called attention to the fungus, Puccinia variabilis, and 
questioned whether it was anything more than an abnormal growth, and 
exhibited a series of photographs of Echinus spine sections. Mr. H. Hawkes 
showed a female plant of Anacharis alsinastrum. Under the microscopes, a 
series of Mr. Vize’s slides were shown of fungi growing below the surface of 
the earth.—October 9th. Special : Conchology. Mr. J. Madison showed an 
abnormal specimen of Cochlicopa lubrica and a photograph of a monstrosity 
of Limncea peregra recently collected by Mr. Nelson, also a collection of shells 
from the River Rea and its tributaries ; Mr. H. Ilawkes, a fungus, Tuber- 
cularia vulgaris and the dual spore of Nectria cinnabrina .—October 16th. 
Mr. J. Wykes showed a series of drawings of sun spots made during the 
present month. Mr. H. Rodgers then read a paper on “ Sirius : A Giant 
Sun.” The writer gave a number of figures showing the enormous distance 
of the star from the earth, and its great size. After referring to the good and 
evil influences it was supposed to exert according to ancient writers, the 
paper dealt with its spectrum, which closely resembles the spectrum of our 
sun, its amount of light, its companion stars, &c. 
ELLESMERE NATURAL HISTORY AND FIELD CLUB.—The 
last excursion of this club for the season was held on Saturday, October 7th, 
when Old Oswestry was visited (by kind permission of Lord Harlech). There 
was only a small party present, and, owing to the railway arrangements, only 
a short time could be spent at this interesting spot. The place consists of a 
hill surrounded by a number of moats, and probably dates from before the 
Roman occupation, although probably used by them. A wish was expressed 
that one of the local clubs would obtain the necessary permission, and under¬ 
take some excavations, when possibly some interesting discoveries might be 
made. 
November, 1893. 
