168 
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
July, 1891. 
of specialisation ; many instances are found among orchids, and are 
for the purpose of making the production of the seed easier and safer. 
The common pansy was described at length as a flower deserving of 
special study. The flower was a flag, and in the centre was a bait; insects 
visiting it for the nectar carried away with them some of the pollen, 
which found its way to the stigmatic surface of the next flower they 
visited. After referring to those flowers that were found in clusters, as 
the daisy, guelder rose, &c., some of which gave themselves up for the 
welfare of others, the lecturer said he had only picked out a few flowers 
for the purpose of stimulating observation, and so enabling students to 
get information for themselves. At the close of the lecture (which was 
profusely illustrated with diagrams), a hearty vote of thanks was 
accorded the lecturer.—June 1st. Mr. J. Moore showed specimens of 
water scorpion, covered with red objects, which were probably eggs ; 
Mr. Deakin, a peculiarly shaped shell of Limncea peregra, probably 
caused by an injury to the mantle.—June 8th. Mr. J. W. Neville 
exhibited a pansy with six petals, an abnormal growth that has been 
continued on all off-sets for several years; Mr. J. Collins, a collection 
of plants from the Lickey district; Mr. H. Hawkes, specimens of 
Laminaria phyllitis, an uncommon seaweed. Under the microscopes, 
Mr. Hawkes showed the flEcidiospore stage of Uromyces poce ; Mr. J. 
W. Neville, annular vessels in maize ; Mr. J. Collins, living diatoms.— 
June loth. Mr. J. Collins gave an account of the excursion to Arley, 
and described the more interesting plants found during the ramble. 
They comprised specimens of Aquilegia vulgaris , and four specimens of 
Orchis; Mr. J. Moore, a collection of water beetles. Under the 
microscopes, Mr. Parker showed Carchesiurn polypinum ; Mr. J. W. 
Neville, Melicerta ringens. 
BIRMINGHAM ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.—June 1st. Mr. 
R. C. Bradley in the chair. Mr. G. W. Wynn showed eggs of Endromi 
versicolor , found on birch twigs at Wyre Forest. Two small batches 
have been found placed round the stem, near to the ends of the 
twigs. He also showed Toeniocampa populeti, from Marston Green, etc. 
Mr. A. Johnson showed larvae of Hibernia aurantiaria, bred from 
specimens taken at Sutton. Mr. R. C. Bradley showed a box of 
Pyralidse taken from his collection. 
OXFORD NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.—May 30th. About 
twenty members took part in a very pleasant excursion to Faringdon 
and Leclilade. The geology of the district was explained by the 
President, Professor A. H. Green ; but, owing to the backwardness of 
the season, very little in botany could be done. The most noteworthy 
feature for the botanical members was a large field dotted with cowslips 
and Orchis mascula. —June 4th. Mr. F. Gotch, M.A., gave a lecture on 
“Visual Perception.” The anatomy of the eye was briefly explained, 
and the structure of the retina illustrated by means of lantern slides. 
After describing several of the older theories of vision, Mr. Gotch 
came to the chief point of his lecture—namely, that perception of space 
is in great part due to the visual impressions formed on the retina, and 
not an idea which the mind gained by the comparison and recollection 
of many visual perceptions ; or, in other words, perception of space 
and distance is a thing of the retina, not of the mind. This thesis 
was maintained by many striking illustrations shown on the screen, 
and it excited great interest in the society.—June 18th. A paper was 
read by Mr. F. A. Bellamy, on “ Weather Charts and Forecasts, and 
How they are Made; ” of which a full report will appear in a future 
number. 
