212 
Sep., 1891. 
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
goat’s-beard infested with smut, Ustilago receptaculorum , remarking 
that though this fungus was very common for years in one place, yet 
it had gradually diminished until only one infected plant was now 
found, probably from the fungus destroying the host plant. Under 
the microscope, Mr. J. W. Neville exhibited a gathering of foraminifera 
from Borth ; Mr. J. Moore, gizzard of beetle, Garabus arvensis; Mr. J. 
Collins, specimens of nostoc.—July 13th. Practical Microscopy. 
Mr. J. W. Neville gave a demonstration of the use of carbolic acid in 
microscopic mounting. This is a medium through which objects can 
be passed directly from water into Canada balsam. Its use was par¬ 
ticularly advantageous for objects that shrunk and cracked in 
drying, and also for those that were difficult to rid of air, and it was 
perhaps the most simple of the “ wet methods.” A number of objects 
were then mounted to show the process, a minute or two sufficing to 
transfer them from water into balsam. Mr. J. Collins also gave a 
demonstration on mounting algae, etc., in fluid. These objects required 
some preparation to fix the cell contents ; this was done by soaking 
them for some hours in a dilute solution of picric acid, and then 
transferring them to dilute glycerine. A number of cells should be 
made with gold size on the slips, and when quite dry, the mounting 
can be proceeded with. This process was shown, great importance 
being attached to the proper quantity of fluid put into the cell; if too 
much was used, it would be found troublesome to clean the slide before 
sealing it with gold size. At the close of the demonstrations a number 
of slides were handed round for inspection, and that gave rise to a 
discussion on the processes employed. 
BIRMINGHAM ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. — July 20th. 
Mr. R. C. Bradley in the chair. Mr. G. H. Verrall, F.E.S., was 
present, and delivered a lecture on “ Diptera.” He said he had come 
down with the hope of inducing some of the members to take up the 
study of the group, which offered many recommendations not possessed 
by other orders of insects. They were very little worked, and any 
student would find original work to do, and be able to add new species 
to the British list, he himself having added a very large number ; also 
much work can be done without going far, even one’s garden affording 
much material. In his own garden, at Newmarket, he has taken 500 
species. He briefly described the classification, characters, etc., of the 
order, and ran in review the families, giving their salient points and 
many interesting facts about them. At the close, Mr. C. J. Wain- 
wright proposed a vote of thanks, which was seconded by Mr. G. H. 
Kenrick, supported by Dr. P. B. Mason, and replied to by 
Mr. Verrall. 
CARADOC FIELD CLUB.—The long meeting of the Caradoc 
Field Club was held this year at Bakewell, in the Peak District of 
Derbyshire, and, though but thinly attended, proved to be one of 
exceptional interest to all, each student of any special science finding 
pleasure and instruction from the observations of those who followed 
other lines of thought. The party assembled at the Rutland Arms 
Hotel, at Bakewell, on the evening of the 28th July, and took the 
opportunity afforded by the two hours before dinner to thoroughly 
explore the church and to visit the chest quarry in the limestone close to 
the town. The church, though consisting of a fabric erected almost 
entirely in 1841, contained many valuable lessons in the ways and 
