60 
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
have been expressed, against it are all unsupported by trustworthy experi¬ 
ments. In opposition to Professor Ray Lankester’s published opinion, 
it may be stated that these specimens are comma-shaped, i.e., curved 
in a sixth of a circle, but of course without the head, and also are a 
true species of Bacillus in the vibrio form. 
BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ 
UNION.—December 22nd.—Mr. Deakin exhibited specimens of land 
shells of the following genera:—Helix, Clausilia, and Bulimus, from 
Mount Carmel, Palestine ; also carvings in soapstone, from Agra and 
Ceylon. Mr. Moore, a collection of named marine shells from Ceylon. 
Mr. Madison, the following shells :—Helix irce, from Queensland; H. 
■pennsylvanica , from Ohio ; and Planorbis corneus , from Slavonia. Mr. 
J. W. Neville, Permian marl, with fern impressions. Mr. J. Betteridge 
contributed his fourth paper on “ Birds of the District.” January 5th. 
—Mr. Moore exhibited a collection of foreign shells, Cypraa canrica, 
G. andria , C. caput-serpent is, etc., etc. Mr. Madison, Unio luteolus and 
Anodonta subcylindrica , from United States. Mr. Hawkes, a specimen 
of Pinnothere from shell of mussel. Under the microscope Mr. Dunn 
showed Gantliocamptus minutus. Mr. J. W. Neville, Foraminifera, 
dredged off coast of Galway. January 12th.—Mr. Moore exhibited 
specimens of Nerita virginea and other foreign shells. Mr. Hawkes, 
a collection of plants from Llandudno, including Echium vulgare , 
Statice Limonium, and Gentiana Amarella. Under the microscope Mr. 
J. W. Neville showed a polyzoon, Membranipora rnembranacea, from 
New Zealand. 
LEICESTER LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.— 
Section D.— Zoology and Botany. —Chairman, F. T. Mott, F.R.G.S.; 
monthly meeting, January 21st; attendance, twelve (four ladies). 
Exhibits: Fruit of the Mango {Mangifera indica) and the Butter-nut 
(Garyocar nuciferum ) by the Chairman. Branch of Ribes speciosum 
from a garden in Hampshire, showing its numerous triple spines and 
young winter leaves, by Miss Grundy. The large common lichen, 
Peltigera canina , with abundant fruit, by Mr. Grundy. Papers (1), by 
Mr. F. Bates “ On two rare filamentous algte new to the county,” viz., 
(Edogonium platygynum and (E. cdandicum , the former only recorded 
hitherto from Ireland, and the latter entirely new to Great Britain. 
These very interesting plants Mr. Bates had discovered in bogs and 
pools on Cliarnwood Forest, andhe exhibited under the microscope admir¬ 
ably prepared slides showing the oogonia in several stages, and with 
the dwarf males attached. The paper described the extraordinary and 
complex process of fecundation in this remarkable group. (2) By Mr. 
H. G. Quilter, “ On some Analogies between Plant and Animal Life,” 
showing how both originated from the simple cell, how the processes of 
development were nearly similar in each case, and how all the attributes 
and functions of animals might be traced in plants also, only in a less 
advanced stage, and on a lower level. (3) By Mr. F. T. Mott, “ On 
Acaulon ( Phascum) muticum, one of the smallest Leicestershire mosses.” 
This minute moss, one-twelfth of an inch in height only, he had found 
in his own garden in company 7 with Phascum cuspidatum and Pottia 
truncata. It had only once before been recorded for the county, viz., 
by the Rev. A. Bloxam at Congerstone. Several specimens were 
exhibited prepared as microscopic slides by Mr. J. H. Garnar, also 
some specimens of the smallest flowering plant, Wolffia arrhiza, for 
comparison of size. This small moss was specially notable for its 
beautiful little bright red globular capsule. 
