MIDLAND UNION OF NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES. 
229 
societies not publishing separate transactions of their own, the 
“Midland Naturalist” offers a ready means of communication with 
others, and it would be instructive to have the testimony of those 
whom the papers and notes in this journal have put en rapport with 
those at a distance who take an interest in the same pursuits. The 
Council are confident that the number of members who could thus 
testify to the usefulness of the Union would be no small one. They 
would invite any, who complain that their wishes are not met by 
w T hat the Union has hitherto done, to make suggestions and propose 
improvements; but, at the same time, they would repeat that what 
is especially wanted, is a more extended and genuine interest in real 
scientific work, and the attention of the Societies in the Union should 
be directed to the spreading of this feeling among their members. 
If this were successfully done, there would at once result a larger 
attendance at the Annual Meetings, and more valuable contributions 
to the “ Midland Naturalist,” and the Union would be able to take 
the position which was intended by its projectors, as a real Midland 
Association for the Advancement of Science. 
In the discussion on the adoption of the Report and on Mr. Wills’s 
motion several members took part. A suggestion was made that the 
Union should be made the medium for more intercommunication of 
lectures and papers among the various Societies composing it. No 
formal vote was taken on this particular point, but there seemed an 
agreement that such an arrangement was desirable, and as the pro¬ 
grammes for the Autumn Meetings will probably be soon in process of 
compilation, the Hon. Secretary will be glad to receive the names of 
gentlemen willing to visit Societies for the purpose of delivering 
lectures or reading papers if desired. Between Tamworth, Burton, and 
Birmingham there has already been such interchange to a small 
extent. In the list of papers read to the Tamworth Society are two 
by Birmingham gentlemen and one by a representative of the Burton 
Society, while the Birmingham Natural History Society has had the 
benefit of a paper from a visitor from Tamworth. 
The Honorary Treasurer, Mr. E. de Hamel, then read his report, 
which showed, with some small arrears yet due, a balance in hand of 
£3 2s. lid. 
Votes of thanks were then passed to the Officers of the Union, and 
to the Officers and Members of the Birmingham Societies. 
Mr. E. de Hamel was elected Honorary Treasurer, and Mr. T. H. 
Waller Honorary Secretary for the coming year. 
The meeting closed with votes of thanks to the Bailiff and Council 
of the Mason College for the use of the Examination Hall, and to the 
Chairman. 
THE CONVERSAZIONE. 
This, which was also made the Annual Conversazione of the 
Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society, was held in 
the Town Hall, on Tuesday evening, July 16tli. 
Undoubtedly the most important part of the display was the large and 
beautiful collection of British Birds exhibited in the Great Gallery by 
Mr. R.W. Chase, President of the Society, and also of the Midland Union. 
