194 MIDLAND UNION OF NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES. 
The Report from the Council announced that the Darwin 
Medal had been awarded to Mr. J. E. Bagnall, A.L.S., for 
his paper on the “ Flora of Warwickshire,” which all readers 
of the “Midland Naturalist” will remember as appearing 
from time to time in its pages. 
Mr. Bagnall was unfortunately not able to be present, so 
that the Medal was received on his behalf by Mr. W. R. 
Hughes. The Report, which is appended, will show the high 
estimate which the adjudicators formed of Mr. Bagnall’s 
work. 
The Treasurer's Report showed a satisfactory state of 
the finances of the Union, there being an estimated balance in 
hand, some accounts not having yet been paid, of about £16. 
It was reported that no invitation had been received for 
the Meeting in 1889, so that the matter was left in the hands 
of the Executive Committee. 
Votes of thanks were passed to the Officers for the past 
year; to the Northampton Society for the excellent prepara¬ 
tions for the Meeting; and to the Chairman. The Editors of 
the “Midland Naturalist” were re-elected, as also the 
Treasurer and Secretarv. 
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The Conversazione in the Town Hall was very interesting, 
although the attendance was not so large as had been hoped 
for, a fact which was probably largely due to the very stormy 
weather. 
Papers were read during the evening by Mr. H. M. J. 
Underhill, of Oxford, on the “ Eyes of Insects,” and by Mr. 
Beeby Thompson on the “ Jurensis Zone of Northampton¬ 
shire.” At the same time the Architectural Society held 
its annual meeting, at which several papers of great arclueo- 
logical interest were read. 
The whole of the arrangements were carried out in an 
admirable manner bv the local Societies, and those who were 
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present expressed their great pleasure at both the collections 
and the papers. 
The Excursions on the 5th of July were carried out 
according to the programme, with the exception of the 
Geological one, which did not take place. 
The Botanical Excursion resulted in the discovery of a 
new Moss, Leucobryum glaucum, and a red variety of Usnea 
barbata was obtained. 
Those who joined the Archaeological Excursion bad the 
opportunity of inspecting the very interesting churches at 
Higham Ferrers, and Rushden, with the quaint parvise over the 
north porch in which, within living memory, an old woman 
used to live, having to ascend to her room by a ladder; 
