350 
11EPOUTS OF SOCIETIES. 
Yize. Mr. J. H. Shoebotham, micro-photographs of transverse wood 
section of a runner from the Isle of Negro, and of the insects Mymar 
pulchellus and Mymar cosmocoma, both taken during the late conver¬ 
sazione from slides mounted by Mr. F. Enock. Mr. T. Clarke, mounted 
specimens of Zoea of Porcell nia and the common shore crab from Jersey. 
Mr. J. E. Bagnall, Agaiicus tenuis , Ay. mammosus, Hygrophorus hypothejus, 
Boletus elegans, Gomphidius glut Luos us, and other fungi from near Great 
Packington ; also microscopical preparations of mosses and liepatics. 
For Rev. D. C. O. Adams, Pleurotus ulmarius and other fungi from 
Hobsford. During the meeting the Chairman read a telegram from 
Mr. W. R. Hughes, Dr. Norris, and Mr. C. Pumplirey, announcing 
that the British Association had unanimously resolved to visit 
Birmingham in 1886. Microscopical General Meeting, November 
18th.—Mr. R. W. Chase in the chair. Mr. W. R. Hughes presented 
to the Society a copy of two Lectures by Dr. T. Spencer Cobbold, 
M.D., F.R.S., on “ The Parasites of Meat, &c.” Mr. Walter Graham 
exhibited a branch from a tree of Eucalyptus Globulus, grown from seed 
sown in 1882, and planted in the open ground at Acock’s Green. Prof. 
Hillhouse, in his valuable remarks upon the tree, doubted its continu¬ 
ance in the open ground here, as he thought ten degrees of frost 
would kill the tree. Mr. H. Spencer Hughes exhibited a female 
specimen of the Falco Tinnunculus , the Kestrel Hawk, from Hamstead. 
Mr. Thos. Bolton exhibited Gtenodrilus pardalis (ClaparMe, 1863), or 
possibly another species, a marine worm of a rare genus. Professor 
Hillhouse then gave Part 5 of his researches in “ The Continuity of 
Protoplasm, &c.,” which he illustrated by sketches on the blackboard. 
His experiments proved that delicate threads of protoplasm penetrated 
not only the lamella between the pits in the cell wall, but also the cell 
wall itself. Mr. W. R. Hughes and others expressed their apprecia¬ 
tion of the value of the paper, and the erudite and clear manner in 
which the Professor had treated the subject. A copy of the paper 
will appear in a future number of the “Midland Naturalist.” Socio¬ 
logical Section, November 20th.—The President, Mr. W. R. Hughes, 
F.L.S., in the chair. The evening was devoted to the study of Chapter 
XII. of Part II. of Mr. Herbert Spencer’s Principles of Biology, on 
“ Distribution.” Mr. William Mathews, M.A., F.G.S., favoured the 
Section with a very able discourse on the subject, treating mainly of 
the distribution of plants, and giving the Section the benefit of his 
observations of the Floras of Europe and Algeria. Mr. Mathews’s 
address was followed by a discussion opened by Professor Hillhouse, 
continued by Mr. C. H. Allison, Mr. J. B. Stone, J.P., Mr. J. E. 
Bagnall, Mr. F. H. Collins, and others, and closed with a general 
summary aud reply by Mr. Mathews. November 22nd.—Excursion to 
“ Dr. Johnson’s Country,” under the leadership of Mr. Sam : Timmins, 
J.P., F.R.S.L. On arriving at Lichfield the party, numbering fifty 
ladies and gentlemen, first visited the Museum, where many interesting 
relics of Dr. Johnson were seen; a visit was also paid to his monu¬ 
ment and birthplace, and to the “ Johnson’s Head,” at each of which 
places the visitors were allowed to inspect many valuable memorials. 
On arriving at the Cathedral the party was met by the Rev. Canon 
Lonsdale, who in a very happy and lucid manner pointed out the many 
beauties of the building, calling special attention to the restoration of 
the west front, now nearly completed. The party remained to service 
in the Cathedral, and had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Bridge’s Anthem 
“ It is a good thing to give thanks,” perfectly rendered by the admirable 
choir. Dr. Erasmus Darwin’s house was next visited ; afterwards Mr. 
Bridgeman’s studio, where busts of Dr. Johnson were inspected. Some 
