148 
REPORTS-OF SOCIETIES 
BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE SCIENTIFIC 
SOCIETY.—On Good Friday, April 11th, nineteen members and 
friends visited Holt Fleet and Shrawley from Droitwich, under the 
guidance of Mr. C. J. Watson. The excursion was highly enjoyed, the 
country exhibiting masses of flowers scarcely ever seen before in such 
perfection, the cherry trees and the primroses being especially beautiful. 
Six of the party were energetic photographers, who secured pictures of 
many a pleasant spot, and finally photographed the party. An 
excellent tea was partaken of at the Hampstall Ferry Inn, and the 
return made in good time from Hartlebury at 7.10 p.m. 
NOTTINGHAM NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY.—April 1st.—The 
members of this society met together to receive several short communi¬ 
cations : the first was from Mr. R. A. Rolfe, of Kew, on “ Nottingham 
Crocuses;” Mr. L. Lee then read a short paper on “ The Oxlip and 
Cowslip,” after which Mr. C. T. Musson introduced a few notes on 
“ Our Local Land and Fresh Water Shells.” April 5th.—The first 
country ramble of this season was to Lambley Dumbles. There was 
a fair attendance of members. During the afternoon each member 
devoted himself to his particular study, and numerous botanical speci¬ 
mens, land and fresh water shells, hydrozoa, etc., were collected and 
reserved for future observation. Although the weather was somewhat 
showery, a very pleasant afternoon was spent, and it is hoped that 
the members will encourage, by their attendance, the organisation of 
these country rambles, which will be arranged at short intervals during 
the summer months. April 15th.—The Quarterly Microscopical 
Gathering was arranged for this date, but partly owing to the 
uncomfortable state of the weather, and partly to the Easter Holidays, 
there was not a good attendance, and the meeting was adjourned. 
PETERBOROUGH NATURAL HISTORY, SCIENTIFIC, AND 
ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.—All the six “Gilchrist” Lectures, 
recently given under the auspices of the Society, were well attended, 
and notwithstanding the small charge for admission—one penny each 
lecture, except to a few reserved seats—there has been a profit of 
about ten pounds, which is to be devoted to the purchase of books 
relating to the various subjects treated of in the lectures, so that those 
members who wish to pursue the subjects further can do so. To 
those Societies who have not yet had a course of these lectures, our 
advice is, try and arrange for one during your next session. 
TAMWORTH NATURAL HISTORY, GEOLOGICAL, AND 
ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.—On March 24tli Rev. Wray W. Hunt 
read a paper on “ Apparitions.” There was a crowded meeting, and 
an animated discussion followed the delivery of the paper. On April 
7tli Professor W. Hillhouse, of Mason Science College, Birmingham, 
gave his lecture on “ A Fallen Leaf,” in the Tamworth Town Hall. 
This was the first of the Society’s public lectures. The room was well 
filled with an appreciative audience. The choice of Professor Hillhouse 
was decidedly a happy one, and it is to be hoped that the success of 
this lecture will lead to an increased number of public lectures. Both 
the above lectures can be found printed in extenso in the Tamworth 
Herald of April 12th. 
