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REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
Alisina lanceolata, Spargania simplex, and other plants from near 
Shirley; for Mr. A. W. Wills, Didymium farinaceum, a small fungus 
growing on the dead roots of orchidaceous plants ; for Mr. W. Southall, 
Vida Cracca, in which the leaves had been transformed into the 
semblance of racemes of fruiting pods, this appearance being due to 
insect agency; for Mr. J. Saunders, of Luton, Drosera Anglica , I). 
intermedia, Malaxis paludosa, Garex limosa, Rhyncospora fuse a, and 
Spiranthes cestivalis, all from the New Forest; for Mr. W. Halden, 
Anastatica Hierochuntia, the beautiful Rose of Jericho, the remarkable 
hygroscopic properties of which were displayed ; for Mr. R. M. 
Serjeantson, Saracha umbellata , one of the Solanaceae, a native of Peru, 
which had sprung up spontaneously in the Rectory Garden, Acton 
Burnell. General Meeting, held August l ( Jth.—Mr. W. B. Grove, 
B.A., exhibited Fusidium viride, Ramularia urticce, Feronospora 
vicice, Ovularia spheeroidea, Coleosporium soiichi, Uromyces rumicis, 
Erineum alneum, Gladosporium epiphyllum , from Hampton-in-Arden, 
and Diaporthe Tessella (new to Britain), from Borough Fen, Peterborough, 
collected during the excursion of the Midland Union. Geological 
Section, August 26th. — Mr. J. Edmonds exhibited, (a) adjustable lens, 
Gin. to 4in., (b) adjustable lens, Bin. to 2in., both by Wray of London ; 
(c) Specimens of Sandstone, with a thin stratum of mica, showing 
ripple marks. Mr. Watson exhibited some beautiful Photographs from 
the Postal Photographical Society. Mr. W. B. Grove, Arcyria nutans, 
Alternaria Brassicce (new to district). Mr. John Levick, Zoothamnium 
arbuscula. 
BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ 
UNION.— July 21st.— Mr. Insley exhibited a specimen of Bog 
Pimpernel, Anagallis tenella , with extra large flowers from the Isle of 
Man ; Mr. J. Darley, a small collection of moths, including Clouded 
Buff, Euthemonia russula , and beautiful Yellow Underwing, Anarta 
myrtilli ; Mr. Moore, a pair of Beetles, Cychrus rostratus, also gizzard 
of the same, under the microscope ; Mr. Madison, specimens of Calc- 
tuff, from the Rushall Canal. Under the microscope, Mr. Foster 
exhibited a section of Collier’s lung, showing a deposit of coal dust in 
the air cells ; Mr. J. W. Neville, Trachea, taken from larva of Drinker 
moth. July 28th.—Mr. J. Betteridge exhibited a female specimen of 
Great-crested Grebe, Podiceps cristalus, in full summer plumage, shot 
at Westlieatli; Mr. Hawkes, a series of objects showing several stages 
in the life history of a Dragon-fly, Cordulegaster annulatus , Drinker 
Moth, and Great Water-beetle, Dytiscus marginalis; Mr. Delicate, a 
number of moths, from King’s Heath. Under the microscope, Mr. 
J. W. Neville showed the alimentary canal, etc. of Dytiscus marginalis, 
showing its carnivorous habits. Mr. P. T. Deakin then read a paper, 
“ Notes on the Nuthatch, Sitta Europcea," which gave a description of 
the genus, species, etc., pointing out that though this bird was rare 
in the north and unknown in Scotland, it was not uncommon with us, 
and could frequently be seen in Sutton Park and other neighbouring 
woodlands. Its nesting habits, food, and manner of feeding were 
described, and the paper concluded with a description of its treat¬ 
ment in captivity. The paper was illustrated with stuffed specimens, 
eggs, etc. August lltli.—Mr. Madison exhibited specimens of llelix 
aspersa var. conoidea, and var. nigrescens, from Weston-super-Mare; 
Mr. Delicate, a typical collection of shells from Great Grimsby; 
Mr. F. Shrive, living specimen of Blind-worm, also two Ringed- 
snakes, one from near Redditch, and the other from Cambridgeshire. 
Under the microscope, Mr. Hawkes showed a fish parasite, Argulus 
foliaceus ; Mr. J. W. Neville, teeth of House-fly, Musca domestica. 
