262 
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
Nov., 1892. 
comprise not only the Arachnida, Crustacea, Myriopoda, and Insecta, 
animals to which the author now restricts it, but also the large and 
varied class of the Worms. The latter, however, differ from the four 
first named classes in the important feature that they do not possess 
limbs composed of separate parts articulated together: the presence 
of this character in each of the above mentioned classes has caused 
them to be grouped together as Artliropoda ( apdpos , joint; 7 roSa, feet). 
By using, not this term, but Annulosa, the author withholds from his 
less learned readers a knowledge of modern and correct views, and at 
the same time perpetuates an old mistake. With this exception, we 
have nothing but praise for the new edition of Mr. Kirby’s “ Text Book,” 
which is a great improvement on the last, in that it is now possible, 
by means of the excellent index, to at once find whether or not a given 
insect is mentioned within its pages. In the first edition it was only 
with considerable difficulty, if at all, that a neophyte in Entomology 
could obtain the same information from the table of contents, which 
was incomplete, and, of course, not arranged alphabetically. The 
usefulness of the book is also further increased by an index to the 
species of Insects which are figured on the plates. Of the accuracy 
of the information contained in the work we need say nothing: Mr. 
Kirby’s reputation is a sufficient guarantee of that. The printing is 
good, and the illustrations are clear and helpful. In fact, the second 
edition of this “ Text Book of Entomology” may be well recommended 
to all who desire a short and readable account of the principal families 
and genera of Insects. A. B. B. 
Beports of Societies. 
BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL 
SOCIETY.— Microscopical Meeting. October 4th. Mr. J. F. Goode, 
President, in the chair. A number of specimens were exhibited 
prepared by the members of the sub-section. Mr. A. H. Martineau 
exhibited a section of boxwood in balsam, and polycystina mounted 
dry; Mr. Edmonds, a spider mounted whole in pure balsam ; Mr. 
Hodgson, some algae from Barnt Green in Deane’s gelatine, and, on 
behalf of Mr. C. J. Watson, some botanical sections in glycerine jelly. 
Mr. Edmonds also exhibited an abnormal form of mushroom, Agaricus 
campestris. — Biological Section. October 11th. Professor T. W. 
Bridge, M.A., in the chair. Mr. T. Y. Hodgson exhibited Appen- 
dicularia and a series of specimens from the Mason College Museum 
(kindly lent by Professor Bridge for the purpose), typical of the whole 
group, amongst which were Doliolum, Ascidia mamillata, Polycyclus 
Fevieri, Salpa fusiformis, and Pyrosoma gigantea, the structure and 
special features of which he explained. The chairman then gave a 
very interesting discourse on the theory of development of the 
Vertebrate Eye, as elucidated by the development of that organ in the 
larval form of a Compound Ascidian. He also exhibited Halyphysema. 
(Foraminifer), Lycandia ciliata and Ascandia contorta (Sponges). Mr. 
J. Edmonds exhibited a photograph of two mushrooms (Agaricus 
campestris) joined together by the root of one resting upon the apex 
