116 
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
LEICESTER LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 
—Section D.— Zoology and Botany. —Chairman : E. T.Mott, F.R.G-.S. 
Monthly Meeting, March 18th. Exhibits: The Text-book of 
Zoology, by Clans, translated by Sedgwick ; “ Notes Algologiques,” by 
Bornet and Thuret ; Microscopic slides of Lyngbya, Ulothrix, Draparn- 
aldia , and other algae, by Mr. E. Bates. A box of marine shells, Trochi 
neritee, &c., by Miss Adderly. A gathering of mosses from Leicester¬ 
shire, and another from Hampshire, by Miss Grundy. Four dead 
freshwater shells taken from the underside of a small piece of 
Marchantia polymorpJia, growing on a stone in Bradgate Brook, viz., 
Valvata piscinalis , Planorbis albus, Pisidium pulchellum, and a very 
small Linnceus , only a quarter of an inch long, probably the young of 
Stagnalis ; also a curious small Hepatic, not yet identified, by the 
Cliairman. Specimens of Erojilrila vulgaris (Draba nerna) in flower, 
only three-quarters of an inch high, by Mr. Quilter. Papers (1) “ On 
Heterostylism,” by Mr. E. F. Cooper, F.L.S., describing the dimorphic 
flowers of Primula vulgaris , and the trimorphic flowers of Lythnim 
salicaria, and showing how the latter is probably approaching to a 
dioecious condition. The paper was illustrated by specimens and 
drawings. (2) “On a wild bee’s nest,” by Mr. Thomas Carter, LL.B., 
describing and exhibiting the clay cells, with cocoons, and pellets of 
pollen found in the interior of a door lock, which two bees were 
observed frequently to visit. Also several cells from an inch to an 
inch-and-a-lialf long, composed entirely of portions of leaves found in 
another corner of the same lock. A bee was also exhibited which 
was believed to be one of those seen visiting the lock, and which 
appeared to be a species of Osmia. (3) “ On a possible origin of organic 
life,” by the Chairman, suggesting that as the most fundamental 
difference between organic and inorganic objects was the greater 
concentration of energy in the former, the differentiation may have 
occurred when the concentrating energy which produced this earth 
from nebulous matter was at its maximum ; that as that period is long 
past, the conditions necessary for such differentiation do not now 
exist, so that no change from inorganic to organic is now possible, 
except under the law of biogenesis. It was arranged to take the first 
field day of the season on April 8th, to Kirby Muxloe Castle. 
PETERBOROUGH NATURAL HISTORY, SCIENTIFIC, AND 
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.—February 19tli.—Exhibits :—Mr. 
A. Gee, various foraminifera and diatoms, including Isthmia 
nervosa in situ ; Mr. A. W. Beale, various diatoms, crystals of gold 
quartz and peacock copper, and the water flea, Daphnia pulex ; Mr. J. 
W. Bodger, unripe and ripe capsules of Tortula mural is, showing 
peristome and spores. Miss Perkins exhibited a collection of local 
mosses, made by the Marchioness Dowager of Huntly, and kindly 
lent for the occasion. Mr. J. W. Bodger exhibited and presented to 
the Society, Balanus tintinnabulum from the Coromandel coast, 
Balanus spinosus from Ceylon, and Neritina viridis from Barbadoes. 
Dr. W. Easby presented to the Society an apprentice’s indenture 
dated 1714 ; a Sudbury token, 1793 ; a Chatteris token, 1813 ; a March 
silver token, 1811. Mr. W. Heath presented a cuckoo, Cuculus canorus ; 
starling, Sturnus vulgaris ; skylark, Alauda arvensis ; chaffinch, Erin- 
gilla cailebs; yellow hammer, Emberiza citrinella ; royston or hooded 
crow, Coitus cornix. Mr. W. Doughty, a barn owl, Strix Jiammea. 
Mr. G. Thompson, a common gull, Earns eanus. Mr. W- Heath, jun., 
a little grebe, Podiceps minor. Mr. A. W. Nicliolls exhibited Gnaphalium 
leontopodium from the Alps, and G. uliginosum from Fletton. Mr. <T. 
Perkins exhibited Neritina fiuviatilis from River Lane. 
