HEPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
175 
and “ Objective Difficulties,” interspersed at intervals with valuable 
disquisitions and instructive explanations, to which all present 
contributed. May 21. Mr. W. R. Hughes, F.L.S., in the chair. 
Miss Naden ably read and expounded Chapters XI. and XII. “ Direct 
equilibration” and “Indirect equilibration” of the 3rd part of Mr. 
Herbert Spencer’s “Principles of Biology.” A very interesting dis¬ 
cussion on the mauy intricate biological problems introduced, followed 
the paper, in which the President, Dr. Hiepe, Mr. W. H. France, Mr. 
F. A. Walton, and Miss Naden took part. 
BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ 
UNION.—April 20tli. Mr. J. W. Neville showed various specimens 
of helices from Spain ; Mr. Madison, a singularly distorted specimen 
of Glausilia rugosa from Hamstead ; Mr. Deakin, a pair of Emperor 
Moths and eggs of the same. Under the microscope, Mr. Moore 
exhibited stomach, malpighian tubes, Ac., of Pulex irritans ; Mr. 
J. W. Neville, Volvox globator, A paper' was then read on practical 
microscopy, “Mounting in Glycerine,” by Mr. H. Insley, which 
described the advantages of glycerine as a mounting medium more 
particularly for botanical objects, and also some of the difficulties 
attending the use of glycerine jelly and Deane’s gelatine. The process 
of preparation was then shown and the mode of securely sealing the 
cover glass described.—April 27tli. Mr. Tylar exhibited specimens 
of silver ore from Utah ; Mr. Madison, a collection of caddis cases 
typical of the district; Mr. Hawkes, specimens of a fungus Peziza 
cyathoidea. Under the microscope, Mr. Moore showed lancet and 
suctorial organ of Pulex irritans; Mr. J. W. Neville, palate of Nassa 
reticulata. —May 4tli. Mr. Moore exhibited specimens of Paludina 
contecta, and Helix rotundata var. alba, the latter from Great Barr ; 
Mr. Hawkes, the following fungi : — Puccinia Saxifrag arum , 
P. JEgopodii, and AEcidium ranunculacearum. Under the microscope, 
Mr. Dunn showed eggs of cypris ; Mr. J. W. Neville, mouth organs of 
mosquito ; Mr. Hawkes, slides of entomostraca, desmids, and diatoms 
from the digestive organs of small fish.—May lltli. Mr. Madison 
showed a number of distorted specimens of Limncea peregra from near 
King’s Norton. Under the microscope, Mr. Moore, hair of white mole ; 
Mr. Beale, eggs of Gobius niger, with advanced embryo ; Mr. Hawkes, 
the buttercup mite, Brgobia haustor. —May 18tli ; Special—Geology. 
A large collection of carboniferous fossils was placed upon the table, 
made by the members in the Bentley district during an excursion on 
the previous Saturday afternoon. Mr. Insley showed polished 
specimens of Favosites gothlandica , and a slab of Lower Lias containing 
fish remains, the latter from Lyme Regis; Mr. Madison, large 
specimens of Unio tumulus, and some varieties of Anodonta anatina ; 
Mr. Hopkins, a white variety of Limncea stagnalis from Barnt Green. 
Under the microscopes, Mr. Moore showed sections of Devonshire 
corals; Mr. J. W. Neville, section of lleliolites interstinetus ; Mr. 
Hawkes, Draparnaldia tenuis. 
LEICESTER LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 
—Section D. —Zoology and Botany.— Chairman, F. T. Mott, F.R.G.S. 
—Monthly Meeting, Wednesday, May 20th. Attendance, ten (one 
lady). Election of officers for the ensuing year: Chairman, F. T. 
Mott; Hon. Secretary, C. W. Cooper, M.D., in the place of Mr. J. H. 
Garnar, who desired to resign, to the great regret of the Section, by 
whom his valuable services for the past two years were much appre¬ 
ciated. The Chairman reported that at the Field Day on the previous 
