REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
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Peziza Curreiana , from Sutton Park; Mr. J. E. Bagnall, A.L.S., 
Medicago viaculata, M. denticulata, Pyrus Aria (all'rare), and a moss, 
Fontinalis antipyretica (in fruit), first time observed in fruit in War¬ 
wickshire. all from Weddington; and for Rev. D. C. 0. Adams, The 
Morrell, Morchella semilibera, from near Coventry, with microscopical 
preparations to show asci and spores.—At the Sociological Section’s 
meeting on the 4th instant, Miss Naden read chapter vi. of Mr. 
Herbert Spencer’s “ Study of Sociology ” on “ Subjective difficulties— 
Intellectual,” followed by discussion and elucidations joined in by Mr. 
W. R. Hughes, F.L.S. (Chairman of the Section), Dr. Carter, Mr. C. 
H. Allison, and others. 
BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ 
UNION.—June 1st. Mr. Beale exhibited some of the rarer fossils 
of the Wenlock limestone of Dudley, including specimens of 
Eichwalildia capeivelli, Avicula viira , Cyrtia, Ac. Mr. Deakin, a 
collection of fossils from Cheltenham. Mr. Madison, the black slug, 
Avion ater, var. abalateralis. Under the microscope, Mr. Tylar showed 
a palate of Trochus zizypliinus stained in two colours.—June 8th. 
Mr. Rodgers showed a collection of minerals from the Rowley Regis 
quarries. Mr. Delicate, a photograph of a fault in the quartzite at 
Rubery. Mr. Madison, specimens of Helix revelata from Jersey, and 
some large specimens of Ancylus Jluviatilis from Yardley Wood. 
Mr. J. Betteridge, a collection of birds’ nests and eggs, including two 
of the chaffinch ; the eggs in one were of the normal colour, while in 
the other they were pale blue without spots. A nest of the dormouse 
was also shown.—June 15tli. Mr. Madison exhibited a case of Helix 
aspersa, showing numerous variations in colour and size. Mr. Hawkes, 
Aicidium trayopogonis and Until ago recepitaculomm, both on the goat’s 
beard. Mr. Tylar, an early work on the microscope, by Henry Baker, 
quaintly illustrated, and dated 1769. Under the microscopes, Mr. 
Moore showed jaws of helices ; Mr. J. W. Neville, wing of butterfly, 
Morplio cypris. A paper was then read by Mr. H. Insley on “ The 
extraction and mounting of molluscan palates,” which described the 
anatomy of the garden snail, whelk, Ac., the best means of extracting 
the palates, and the most suitable media for mounting, glycerine being 
generally preferable for those not requiring polarised light. The 
process of dissection was shown. 
CARADOC FIELD CLUB.—The first excursion of the season 
was made to the Titterstone Clee Hill, near Ludlow, on the 19tli ult. 
The party assembled at Ludlow and proceeded by carriages through 
some of the most beautiful scenery of South Shropshire to the village 
of Bitterley, situated at the foot of the hill to be ascended. Here tlie 
church, with its fine Norman font, its ancient oak chest, its carved oak 
pulpit of Jacobean date, and its many interesting monuments, was 
inspected, under the guidance of the venerable Rector, assisted by 
Sir Charles Rouse Boughton, Bart. In the churchyard stands a 
remarkably fine cross, attributed by some authorities to the year 1500, 
by others to the time of Richard III. The party was then invited to 
inspect the garden and house of the Rector, who exhibited a most 
interesting collection of ancient deeds, books, pictures, Ac., the accu¬ 
mulation of many centuries by the members of this ancient Shropshire 
family. After partaking of the hospitality of their kind host, the party 
proceeded to the proper work of the day, viz., to investigate the natural 
features and productions of the hill, which rises boldly to the height of 
1,754 feet, the summit being crowned by an ancient encampment, 
