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REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
Styles of Indian Corn for Examining Movement of Protoplasm. 
—Prof. C. E. Bessey recommends the long styles of Indian corn for 
the study of the movements of protoplasm. By taking a young style 
from an ear which has been kept in a warm place for an hour or so, 
clipping off a piece a couple of inches in length and carefully mounting 
it in water under a large cover-glass, there will be no difficulty in 
seeing a great deal of activity in the protoplasm. Care must of course 
be taken to have the style lie flat, remembering that it is not 
cylindrical, but somewhat ribbon-shaped. The cells are much 
elongated, and the walls are so transparent that with careful focussing 
their contents may be seen, even in the interior parts of the style. 
The protoplasm is sufficiently granular to be easily seen. It moves 
along the side of the cell in a strong steady stream, occasionally 
heaping up a great mass, which is eventually pushed onward by the 
current. As an easily obtained and instructive example of protoplasmic 
activity, the Professor knows of nothing which is superior to such a 
specimen.— American Naturalist, 1885, p. 888. 
iu'ports of Societies. 
BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL 
SOCIETY.— Biological Section, March 9th.—Mr. W. P. Marshall in 
the chair. Mr. W. B. Grove, B.A., exhibited a microscopical prepara¬ 
tion of Peziza nivea, a fungus collected at Shirley by Mr. J. Morley; 
Mr. Charles Pumphrey, photographs on glass of an abnormal foxglove 
recently exhibited by Mr. W. H. Wilkinson ; Mr. J. E. Bagnall, A.L.S., 
mosses, Hypnum sericeum , II. cupressiforme, var. filiforme, and llacomi- 
trium lanuginosum, from Dartmoor; also a fine collection of plants 
from the Western and Eastern States, U.S., and Norway, representing 
the natural order Cruciferie, from the herbarium of Mr. J. B. Stone, 
J.P., F.G.S., giving also notes on their generic distinctions and their 
geographical distribution. Professor Hillhouse, M.A., exhibited six 
microscopic slides illustrating the mechanical structure of the mid-rib 
of Scolopendrium vulgare, the Hart’s-tongue fern. These were sections 
taken from the mid-rib and stalk of the frond, at intervals of l£in., and 
illustrated beautifully the gradual development of the mechanical struc¬ 
ture. Professor Hillhouse gave an interesting and lucid description 
of the structure, illustrating his remarks with black-board diagrams.— 
Microscopical and General Meeting, March 16th.—Mr. R. W. Chase 
read a paper on the “ Petrels and Shearwaters,” describing the habits 
of the birds, so far as they are known, and the breeding stations in 
Great Britain of the different species; he exhibited the following 
specimens in illustration of his paper: — Procellaria pelagica, also egg, 
stormy petrel; Procellaria leucorrhoa, Leach’s petrel; Puffinus anglorum, 
also egg, Manx shearwater; Fulmarus glacialis, Fulmar. Mr. J. 
Levick exhibited, in illustration of pond life, Bracliionus urceolaris, 
Melicerta ringens, Hydra vulgaris, Floscules, Entomostraca, &c. Mr. J. 
Morley made some remarks on the fact that rotifers have the power 
of retaining their vitality even when dried for months, or of being 
heated to 200° Fahr., and discussed the theory of their being sealed 
by the gelatinous mass which surrounds them. In support of the 
