Oct., 1890. midland union of natural history societies. 221 
CONVERSAZIONE. 
In the evening a conversazione was held under the 
auspices of the Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society at 
the Museum. The attendance was very large, and in every 
respect the evening proved a most interesting and enjoyable 
one. The whole of the Museum buildings and School of 
Art were used for the purposes of the conversazione, 
The lecture hall was utilised as a reception room, 
and also for the purpose of exhibiting numerous objects of 
interest, artistic and scientific. The pictures on the walls belong¬ 
ing to the Leicester Art Gallery found hosts of admirers ; 
while others evinced no little interest in the collection of 
neolithic remains from the Elbolton Cave, near Skipton ; 
the very fine display of Brazilian insects, fruits, potato pro¬ 
ducts, &c., lent by the Rev. T. A. Preston ; the delicate 
designs in dried flowers, by Mr. E. F. Cooper ; products 
of coal tar, prepared by Mr. Colson, manager of the 
Leicester Gas works ; type writers, automatic fire alarms, and 
various kinds of optical apparatus. On the platform tables 
were a number of powerful microscopes, by means of which 
living animalcule, freshwater algae, &c., were exhibited. 
Other attractions were several cases containing unique 
examples of pottery, metal work, &c., from South Kensington. 
One of the most interesting items of the evening's programme 
consisted of recitations given by one of Edison’s newest 
phonographs, which proved an unlimited source of entertain¬ 
ment and amusement. In the Museum the fine collection of 
vertebrates, the Bickley collection of British birds, the great 
fossil Saurians from the Barrow lias, the British and Roman 
antiquities, and the collection of Charnwood rocks all found 
their share of interested patrons. A number of charming 
selections of music were rendered by Mr. J. Addison Adcock’s 
string band. During the evening refreshments were provided 
in a tent opening from the annexe. 
Among those present, either at the conversazione or at 
the afternoon meeting, were the Mayor of Leicester 
(Alderman Lankester), Mrs. Lankester, Miss Lankester, 
Messrs. F. J., E. A., and C. Lankester, and the Misses 
Butler (Leeds), Mr. J. Ellis, M.P., Mrs. Ellis, Miss Ellis, 
Mr. Herbert Ellis, Rev. Dr. Deane (Birmingham), the Rev. 
0. M. Feilaen (Oswestry), the Rev. P. T. Forsyth, the Rev. 
T. A. Preston and the Misses Preston, the Rev. E. Jones, 
(Embsay, Yorks), Councillor F. T. Mott (President of the 
Union) and Mrs. Mott, Mr. W. R. Hughes, F.L.S. (Birming¬ 
ham), president of the Sociological Society, Mr. and Mrs. 
