REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
135 
Auk. A discussion followed, which was ably sustained by Mr. G-. A. 
Panton, F.B.S.E., who gave much interesting information from 
personal knowledge; also by Mr. W. P. Marshall, and Mr. W. H. 
Wilkinson. Mr. Chase’s paper will be published in due course in the 
“ Midland Naturalist.” —Sociological Section. At the ordinary meeting 
on Tuesday, January 24tli, Mr. W. It. Hughes, F.L.S., in the chair, 
a paper was read by Mr. A. Bi-owett on the eleventh and twelfth 
chapters of Mr. Herbert Spencer’s “ Data of Ethics,” viz.:—“ Egoism 
versus Altruism ” and “ Altruism versus Egoism.” On the proposition 
of Mr. Browett, seconded by Mr. W. B. Grove, B.A., Mr. W. B. 
Hughes, F.L.S., was re-elected President of the section, and Mr. F. 
J. Cullis. Hon. Sec.—At a supplementary meeting, Thursday, February 
18th, Mr. W. B. Hughes. F.L.S., in the chair, the Hon. Sec., Mr. 
F. J. Cullis. continued the reading of Mr. Herbert Spencer’s essay on 
“ The Genesisof Science.”—At the ordinary meeting, Tuesday, February 
28th, Mr. W. B. Hughes, F.L.S., in the chair, a paper was read by 
Mr. W. K. Parkes on the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of Mr. 
Spencer’s “ Data of Ethics,” entitled respectively “ Trial ” and 
Compromise,” and fourteen members were present.—At a supplemen¬ 
tary meeting, Thursday, March 1st, Mr. W. B. Hughes, F.L.S., in the 
chair, a paper was read by Professor Allen on Mr. Herbert Spencer’s 
essay on the “ Origin and Function of Music,” contrasting the views 
of Mr. Spencer with those of Mr. C. Gurney, illustrating his positions 
by the use of a piano and a series of tuning forks. An animated 
discussion followed, in which the President, Mr. Stocklev, Mr. Allison, 
Mr. W. B. Grove, B.A., and Mr. Cullis took part. There were twenty- 
six members and friends present. The proceedings terminated with a 
hearty vote of thanks to Professor Allen.—At a supplementary 
meeting, Thurdsay, March 22nd, Mr. W. B. Hughes, F.L.S., in the 
chair, a paper was read by the President, opening the study of Mr. 
Herbert Spencer’s ‘‘First Principles.” after which he read and discussed 
the first chapter on “ Beligion and Science.”—-At the ordinary meeting. 
Tuesday, March 27th, Mr. J. Levick in the chair, a paper was read 
by Mr. W. Iv. Parkes on the last two chapters of Mr. Herbert Spencer’s 
“ Data of Ethics,” treating of “ Absolute and Belative Ethics,” and 
“ The Scope of Ethics.”—At a supplementary meeting, Thursday. 
April 5tli, Mr. W. B. Hughes, F.L.S., in the chair, a paper was 
read on the second and third chapters of Mr. Herbert Spencer’s “ First 
Principles,” dealing with “ Ultimate Beligious Ideas ” and “ Ultimate 
Scientific Ideas.”—At a further supplementary meeting, Thursday, 
April 19th, Mr. W. B. Hughes, F.L.S., in the chair, an exposition 
of the fourth chapter of Mr. Herbert Spencer’s “First Principles” was 
given by Mr. W. B. Grove, B.A., entitled the “ Belativity of all 
Knowledge.” Eleven members were present. 
BIRMINGHAM MICBOSCOPISTS’ AND NATUBALISTS’ 
UNION.—February 20th. Special: Geology. Mr. J. Moore exhibited 
specimens of Trilobites, Ammonites, etc., from the Cambridge Green¬ 
sand ; Mr. J. Collins, specimens of Llmiuea peregra from an Irish peat 
bog, thirty feet from the surface, apparently identical with present 
forms; Mr. Corbet, a collection of minerals and ores from North 
Wales; Mr. Madison, fossils from the Tertiary beds, Isle of Wight; 
Mr. A. T. Evans, fossiliferous pebbles from the Drift, and a pebble of 
spherulitic rhyolite from the same deposit. Under the microscope 
Mr. J. W. Neville showed a section of Arran Pitchstone ; Mr. H. 
Hawkes, concepticle of Facus serratus and other algae. — February 27th. 
