226 
MIDLAND UNION OF NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES. 
Sponges Dredged at Oban, by H. J. Carter; On the Structure of 
Mosses, by F. T. Mott; Breaking of the Meres, simulated by an ex¬ 
cessive development of Uroglena Volvox, by Wm, Southall; Floscularia 
mutabilis, by Dr. C. T. Hudson ; On the Best Methods of Studying 
Botany for Beginners, by F. T. Mott; On the Pre-carboniferous Floor 
of the Midlands, by W. J. Harrison ; On the Development of a Fern 
from its Spore, by G. C. Turner; Koch’s Comma Bacillus, by W. B. 
Grove; The Lias Marlstone of Leicestershire as a Source of Iron, by 
E. Wilson ; On the Nervous System of Vegetables: Do Plants Feel? 
by F. T. Mott; The Life-history of a Filiform Alga, by Dr. M. C. 
Cooke; The Physiology of the Medicinal Leech, by Prof. J. B. Haycraft; 
Notes on Two Rare Annelids, by T. Bolton ; The Ear and Hearing, by 
W. J. Abel; The Middle Lias of Northamptonshire, by B. Thompson ; 
On the Intercellular Relations of Protoplasts, by Prof. W, Hillhouse ; 
Notes on the Mymaridse, by F. Enock; Roraima Mountain, by W. P. 
Marshall. The Flora of Warwickshire, by J. E. Bagnall; The Pilobo- 
lidse, by W. B. Grove ; and the Exposition of the Principles of 
Biology, by various members of the Sociological Section of the Bir¬ 
mingham Natural History Society, have also been continued. The 
Council are pleased to observe that while most of the old contributors 
maintain their ground, the names of several new and energetic 
workers are added to the list. 
Daewin Medal. 
The subject for the Darwin Prize for this year, 1885, is Geology, 
and the Management Committee requested the services as adjudi¬ 
cators of the following gentlemen, who all courteously consented to 
examine and report upon the papers which were eligible for the 
competition, viz.:—Professor A. H. Green, of Leeds; Professor J. W. 
Judd, of London; Professor T. G. Bonney, of Oxford; Professor 
C. Lapworth, and Dr. H. W. Crosskey, of Birmingham. 
Mr. C. J. Watson was requested to act as Secretary to the adjudi¬ 
cators. On his report to the Council of the opinions given by the 
adjudicators it was decided that a medal be awarded to our late 
Honorary Secretary, Mr. W. J. Harrison. 
Peizes foe Photogeaphy. 
The subject of offering prizes for Scientific Photography has been 
under the consideration of the Committee, but they report that they 
have decided that the state of the funds of the Union will not permit 
of such a step being taken at present. The Council, nevertheless, wish 
to direct the attention of the members to this important branch of 
scientific work. Although very frequently something more of the 
nature of a diagram is required for the illustration of a paper, yet 
they are sure that a good photograph would in many cases prove 
preferable to any engraving for the “ Midland Naturalist.” 
Some of the Societies of the Union have already derived benefit 
from the much more popular form of photography available at the 
present day ; and have had the opportunity of seeing photographs 
taken by members of the Societies during visits to America on the 
occasion of the meeting of the British Association in Montreal. The 
tourist who can bring back, impressed on his dry plates, pictures of 
the natural wonders of Niagara, or of the Yellowstone Park, from the 
points of view which have specially captivated his own eye, has laid 
up for himself and his friends a pleasure which published photographs 
rarely give, while the simplicity and ease of performance of the 
requisite processes permit him to photograph scenes which, without 
