REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
92 
Instances of this inherent force were seen in the squirting cucumber, 
in the Ecballium agreste, in the Impatiens noli-me-tangere and in 
plants of the natural order Geraniacese.—February 7th.—The Annual 
Dinner of the Society took place at the George Hotel, under the 
presidency of Dr. E. Seaton. The Mayor (Alderman Manning) and 
the Slierift (Councillor Cleaver) and upwards of fifty members and 
friends were present, and spent a most enjoyable evening. 
NOTTINGHAM WORKING MEN’S NATURALISTS’ 
SOCIETY.—Annual Meeting, February 4th, 5th, and 6th.—On the 
4th Mr. W. Watchorn read a paper on the “Life History of the 
Emperor Moth,” explaining the stages from the egg to the perfect 
insect. This moth was taken very plentifully a few years ago by Mr. 
Watchorn and Mr. J. Fox in Newstead Park, but no specimens can 
now be obtained . On the 5th the Annual Exhibition was held, when 
there was a good gathering and an interesting local exhibit by the 
members. On Wednesday the 6th, the Annual Dinner was held, 
Mr. Haynes in the chair, Mr. Morley vice-chair. After the usual 
toasts the yearly report was read by Mr. Goldsmith, Secretary, 
showing the healthy way in which the Society has worked for the 
past nine years, having now a valuable library of 100 volumes, a micro¬ 
scope, entomological and large bird cabinets, and other scientific 
appliances for the instruction of the members. 
TAMWORTH NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.—On Monday, 
Jan. 14th, the prizes were distributed to the junior members of the 
Society. Amongst others, a special prize was offered by the Rev. 
Brooke Lambert for the best explanation of the following lines from 
Milton, with any remarks on the word “ indented,” the explanations 
to be accompanied with a map :— 
“ Rivers, arise! whether thou be the son 
Of utmost Tweed, or Ouse, or gulphy Dun ; 
Or Trent, who like some earth-born giant spreads 
His thirty arms along the indented meads; 
Or sullen Mole that runneth underneath ; 
Or Severn swift, guilty of maiden’s death ; 
Or of rocky Avon, or of sedgy Lee ; 
Or coaly Tyne, or ancient hallowed Dee; 
Or Humber loud that keeps the Scythian’s name ; 
Or Medway smooth, or royal towered Thame.” 
Miss Gilbert and Master S. R. Cope were each awarded prizes, Mr. 
Lambert considering their papers of sufficient merit. Very satisfactory 
progress is being made in this junior branch of the Society ; the 
numbers are increasing, and the members show interest in their 
work.—On Monday, the 28th, Mr. E. D. de Hamel gave a lecture on 
“Air.” The lecture was cast in a popular form, with original 
diagrams and experiments. Dividing the subject under the three heads 
of “Mechanical Qualities,” “Chemical Qualities,” and “Effects on 
Life,” the lecturer amusingly illustrated the five governing laws from a 
scene at the hustings in an old-fashioned election.—On Feb. 11th the 
Rev. W. Robinson gave his lecture on “Life beneath the Waves.” It 
included notices of sea anemones, star-fish, annelids, the echinas, 
trochus, octopus, etc. Excellent diagrams, drawn for the purpose by Mr. 
Robinson, were shown in illustration. The chair on each occasion was 
occupied by Mr. W. G. Davy, president, 
