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table, and had flowered and fruited after being pressed; Hypnum 
scorpioides and other mosses, from Dartmoor ; for Mr. Hughes, Echinops 
paniculata , with notes on its structure ; for Mr. Henry Groves, 
Malaxis paludosa, from Norfolk. Mr. Grove, a flower of Stapelia, a 
“ carrion plant,” so called on account of the carrion-like odour given 
off by the flowers. Mr. Herbert G. Young, Colchicum autumnale , from 
banks of River Tame, at Great Barr. Mr. James Simkins, Lias 
limestone, found in tunnel of West Suburban Railway between Church 
Road and New Street Station, containing Ostrea Liassica. 
BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ 
UNION.—August *24tli.—Mr. Moore exhibited specimens of Pupa 
umbilicata var. alba , and Helix rupestris from the Isle of Man, also 
diminutive specimens of Limncea stagnalis, three years old; Mr. 
Hawkes, the following fungi:— Melampsora treviulce on Populus 
tremula, Puccinia violarum, and Aregma viucronatum; Mr. Dunn 
exhibited on behalf of Mr. J. Baxter a series of objects illustrating 
the life-history of the lady-bird, coccinella, comprising the egg, larva, 
pupa, and imago; also a specimen of musk beetle, Aromia moschata. A 
paper was then read by Mr. H. Insley on “ Bye-paths in Geology.” 
The writer regretted the too frequent habit of students of Natural 
History neglecting ordinary or commonplace facts, and proceeded to 
show the great neglect of physical facts in geology by the majority of 
students. The phenomena of unconform ability, dislocation, and 
denudation were described, and their importance urged upon the 
attention of those studying the subject. Local examples were given, 
and their evidence regarding past conditions of the district dwelt 
upon. August 31st.—Mr. Deakin, scattered cluster cups, JEcidium 
depauperans on Viola cornuta; Mr. Madison, a distorted specimen of 
Planorbis nautileus (the whorls being divided) from Trimpley; Mr. J. 
A. Grew, pupa of death’s head moth, Acherontia atropos; Mr. Tylar, 
an African water bottle made of a gourd; Mr. Mulliss, silicified wood 
from Australia. Under the microscope Mr. J. W. Neville showed 
Aregma bulbomm; Mr. Mulliss, eggs of house fly. September 5th.— 
An excursion was made to Rowley Regis at the invitation of the 
president (Mr. C. Beale), to view his collection of objects relating to 
pre-liistoric man, etc. The collection consisted of numerous speci¬ 
mens of Palaeolithic and Neolithic implements, comprising celts and 
other implements in flint, basalt, and serpentine, from roughly 
chipped to highly polished specimens, some with oblique and faceted 
edges, from various parts of Europe, the grave mounds of America, 
and South Sea Islands; also some exceedingly fine specimens of spear 
and arrow heads in flint, jasper, and chalcedony, and obsidian, some 
having serrated edges, from the base of the Apennines. Bronze 
implements were represented by arrow heads, knives, etc., of the 
Etruscan period. Mr. Beale described the objects in their proper 
order, and through Etruscan pottery, Samian wai-e, and early English 
pottery (of which specimens were shown), linked the remote past 
with more recent times. A most instructive afternoon was spent. 
September 7th.—Mr. J. Madison exhibited specimens of Gryphea 
biloba from Cheltenham ; Mr. Hawkes, the following fungi:— Puccinia 
striola, P. mentha , P. valantice , and Coleosporium campanula; Mr. 
Rodgers, a small collection of butterflies and shells from Bournemouth. 
Under the microscopes Mr. Moore showed palates of Ancylus Jluviatilis 
and Zonites erg stall inus; Mr. J. W. Neville, leaf of Pinguiciila vulgaris 
with insects; Mr. Hawkes, a species of Myxomycetes. September 
14th.—Mr. C. P. Neville exhibited specimens of starfish from Wales; 
