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MIDLAND UNION OF NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES. 
Pcntacrinus asteria, a stalked crinoid, from the West Indies, nearly two 
feet in height. Keble, the most recent college, founded in 1868, was 
then visited, where the party were courteously conducted hy Canon 
Moore over the richly decorated chapel, the hall, and the library ; and 
were shown Holman Hunt’s celebrated picture, the “ Light of the 
World,” which has been presented to Keble College. Trinity and 
Wadham College Gardens were then seen, containing fine groups of 
large trees, including horse chestnuts in blossom ; and the party pro¬ 
ceeded to the Radcliffe Library, with its fine collection of modern 
English and foreign scientific literature ; passing St. Mary’s Church 
and Hertford College to New College, dating from as early as 1380 a. d., 
with its very fine chapel and cloisters, and large hall. In the gardens 
was seen the remaining portion of the ancient city wall, with its 
projecting bastions, and a picturesque view of Magdalen tower 
between the trees of the garden. High Street was then reached, and 
its grand sweep of fine buildings, terminating with the beautiful tower 
of Magdalen College; and the party were conducted by Mr. H. E. 
Garnsey, M.A., over the college, and its chapel, cloisters, and the 
pleasing water walks on the banks of the Clierwell. The Botanic 
Gardens were then visited, where the party were received by Professor 
Balfour, and shown by him over the houses, containing fine specimens 
of tropical plants, the museum, and botanical laboratory, and the 
library containing rare old books and the original drawings of standard 
botanical works, such as Sibthorp's “ Flora Graeca,” and one of the 
two or three existing copies of the engravings of Dioscorides’ plants, 
both of these left by Dr. Sibthorp to the University. The party then 
proceeded by Christchurch Meadow, along the Cherwell, to see the 
university barges on the Isis ; and from thence by New Walk to the 
Cathedral, Christchurch College, the great Quad, and the celebrated 
“ Tom ” tower. After a substantial meal at the George Hotel, the 
party visited the beautiful and extensive gardens of St. John’s and 
Worcester Colleges, with fine groups of trees and extensive shrubbery 
walks. Amongst the trees noticed during the day was a very fine cut¬ 
leaved alder, Alnus incisa, in New College Gardens; and in Christ¬ 
church Meadows were seen the last relics of Fritillaria meleagris. On 
the limestone walls the Oxford ragwort, Senecio squalidus, was seen, 
and the ivy-leaved toad flax, Linaria cymbalaria, was very abundant. 
The party then proceeded to the station, leaving by train at 8.12 p.m., 
and arriving at Birmingham at ten o’clock, having greatly enjoyed the 
visit, and been favoured with fine weather throughout. 
MIDLAND UNION OF NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES. 
ANNUAL MEETING AT MALVERN. 
We beg to point out that the Annual Meeting for this year, 
at Malvern, is to be held on the 6tli and 7tli of July, being 
Wednesday and Thursday instead of the usual days of the 
week. 
