264 
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
Nov., 1892. 
demonstration of mounting objects in balsam without pressure. In 
a few preparatory remarks, he said the ultimatum of all microscopical 
mounting was to present objects to the eye in their natural form and 
colour. When whole insects had to be mounted there was no alterna¬ 
tive but to apply pressure, although it gave them a distorted and 
unnatural appearance; but when dissections were mounted the 
flattening process was not only unnecessary but mischievous. A series 
of objects was then mounted, being transferred from the water in 
which they were washed into the balsam, through carbolic acid. 
Several collections of slides were then exhibited—by Mr. H. Hawkes, 
mounts of wild flowers; by Mr. J. Collins, British mosses ; by the 
demonstrator, molluscan palates and insect preparations. Mr. 
G. H. Corbett showed specimens of Stromatopora striatella and 
S. concentrica, cut and polished in several directions, from Wenlock 
limestone. 
BIRMINGHAM ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.—October 10th. 
Mr. K. C. Bradley in the chair. Mr. A. W. Walker, Ingleside, 
Harborne Road, Edgbaston, was elected a member. The following 
were exhibited :—By Mr. P. W. Abbott, Colias Edusa, from Wyre 
Forest, one specimen; Triphcena subsequa , from Freshwater, Isle of 
Wight, and T. orbona , to compare with it. By Mr. G. W. Wynn, from 
Wyre Forest, bred series of Vanessa Io and V. c-album, two bred 
Notodonta chaonia, and a single specimen of Sesia cynipiformis; from 
Cannock Chase, a bred series of V. cardui; and a single specimen 
of Colias Edusa , from Meriden, near Coventry. By Mr. R. C. Bradley, 
nice series of Philonicus albiceps and Thereva annulata , taken at Bar¬ 
mouth. By Mr. W. Harrison, insects taken at Frankley, near 
Harborne, quite close to the town, Cidaria testata, Thyatira derasa, etc.; 
also from Wyre Forest, Eucosmia imdulata, Phorodesma bajularia etc. 
Mr. A. H. Martineau read a paper upon the social ants, in v j. he 
gave some account of the various species, and the most interesting 
facts in their life histories, habits, etc. He showed nests of Lasius 
niger, L. flavus , and Myrmica ruginoides , with many individuals in 
each ; also dried and mounted specimens of other species. 
SEVERN VALLEY NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.—This 
society accomplished its usual programme of work this year. The 
annual meeting was held in Shrewsbury, on March 15th, at which the 
President, Dr. C. Callaway, gave his annual retiring address, which 
has since appeared in the “ Midland Naturalist.” The first field 
meeting took place at Oswestry, on May 24th. Some attention was 
given to the glacial sands and gravels near the town and on the top of 
the high ridge to the west of Oswestry, Mr. A. C. Nicholson, F.G.S., 
acting as guide ; but stormy weather interfered with the work. The 
long meeting was in the Midlands. The headquarters of the Club 
were at Leamington. Particulars of the excursions were published in 
our July number. The last meeting of the year was held at Pontes- 
bury, on July 28th. The Uriconian rhyolites of Pontesford Hill were 
studied under the guidance of the President. The party then proceeded 
to the valley to the east of the hill, where they were shown the Long- 
myndian conglomerates containing large rounded fragments of rhyolite 
similar to the Uriconian. The Hon. Secretary, the Rev. R. C. Wanstall, 
Vicar of Condover, was unable to be present at this meeting on account 
of sudden indisposition, and on the following day the Club was 
deprived of his services by death. Mr. Wanstall was a most energetic 
officer of the Club, and his loss is deeply deplored. 
