REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
289 
the district, Ustulina vulgaris, and Cryptosplueria millepunctata, from this 
district, Diatrype bullata from Peterborough, and Puccinia Smyrnii from 
Ardmore, Ireland. Mr. Grove also gave a short account of the Meeting 
of Natural History Societies at Peterborough. Microscopical 
General Meeting, July loth. — Mr. W. R. Hughes F.L.S., exhibited 
Merulius lacrymans, a fungus which has caused “ dry rot ” and 
occasioned such damage to the woodwork of the block floor in 
Handsworth Parish Church, that the whole floor will have to be 
removed. Mr. W. B. Grove has kindly consented to examine the 
church, and it is hoped that he will report on it at the next meeting. 
Mr. VV. H. Wilkinson exhibited Melica uniflora , from Dudley Park, and 
Circcea lutetiana (the Enchanter’s Nightshade), from the Wren’s Nest, 
Dudley. Geological Section, July 22nd.—Mr. Bolton exhibited 
Pedalion mira —living and mounted—from within four miles of 
Birmingham. Mr. Morley, on behalf of Mrs. Rabone, exhibited Epipactis 
atrorubens , oval-leaved, from Grange-over-Sands, and Lastrea rigida from 
same place. Biological Section, July 8th. — Mr. T. Bolton exhibited 
Bythotrephes Cederstromii , the entomostracan from Windermere, which 
Mr. C. Beck found for the first time in 1881. It was accompanied by 
Leptodora hyalina, Hyalodaplmia Kahlbergensis, and Anurcea longispina; 
Mr. W. II. Wilkinson exhibited Lichens from Scotland; Gladonia 
uncialis, Sphceroplioron coralloides, Platysma triste, Nephromium lusitani- 
cum, all in fruit, very rare, from Ross-shire; Lecidea Hookeri, Solorina 
crocea, S. saccata, Peltigera venosa, from Ben Lawers ; Parmelia oquila, 
P. stygia, Lecanora frustulosa, mostly in fruit, and very rare ; Mr. W. J. 
Harrison exhibited a roughly chipped Flint Celt, found at Six-hills, 
near Loughborough. 
BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ 
UNION.—June 16tli.—Mr. Darley exhibited butterflies and moths 
from Symonds Yat, including, among others, small Yellow Underwing, 
Heliodes arbuti, Scorched Carpet, Ligdia adustata, and speckled yellow, 
Venilia maculata ; Mr. J. W. Neville, Sternocem rugosipermis , and 
Chiloloba acuta , two beetles from Burmali ; under the microscopes 
Mr. Tylar showed silver ore from Utah ; Mr. Moore, gizzard of ant, 
Formica nigra ; Mr. Hawkes, Ophrydium versatile , also a series of objects 
illustrating the life history of the Alder-fly, Sialis lutarius ; Mr. H. 
Hindmarsh then read a paper on “ Weather and Weather Prophecies.” 
The paper dealt with the unfavourable opinions of foreigners respect¬ 
ing it; erroneous impressions of the moon’s influence ; the difficulty 
of forecasting weather from our insular position; the effects of 
mountains, valleys, and oceans upon it; cyclonic storms ; the use of 
telegraphy; application of the spectroscope, Ac. The paper concluded 
with figures showing the percentage of predicted storms reaching our 
shores.. June 23rd.—Mr. Hawkes exhibited a collection of plants from 
Rowington, including, Plantago media, Habenaria bifolia, Sanicula 
Europant, Geranium lucidum, &c. ; Mr. Deakin, a collection of mounted 
seaweeds, from Tynemouth ; Mr. Sanderson, club-mosses, also 
specimens of peat from Wliernside ; Mr. Darley, the following 
moths:—Wood Tiger, Nemeophila Plantaginis, cinnabar, Callimorplia 
Jacobean, and burnished brass, Plusia chrysitis ; under the microscope 
Mr. Moore showed eggs and larvae of flea, Pulex irritans, and Mr. J. W. 
Neville, Aregma obtusatum. June 30tli.—Mr. Dunn exhibited, under the 
microscope, Hydra fusca with parasites ; Mr. J. W. Neville, section of 
Dog-rose through a prickle. July 5tli.—A Geological excursion was 
made to Dudley and the district; although the weather was somewhat 
unpropitious, a large number of members and friends assembled. The 
