REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
267 
Mr. Grove presented a monograph on the Gold Wasps of Germany. 
Mr. W. J. Morley presented a large microscopic slide cabinet as a 
memorial of his late brother, Mr. John Morley, so many years the 
Honorary Secretary of the Society.— Geological Section, September 20. 
Mr. T. H. Waller, B.A. B.Sc., in the chair. Exhibits:—Mr. W. B. 
Grove, B.A., magnificent specimens of Agaricus muscarius, also Phallus 
impudicus in fulness of growth and smell, from HopwasWood, Tamworth 
(for Mr. Clarson); also Agaricus fusipes, and Mu cor fusiger parasitic 
thereon, from Bedford (for Mr. Hamson) ; also a specimen of pumice 
from the Eifel. Mr. C. R. Robinson, Copr intis comatus, grown in 
Elvetham Road ; appears regularly in same place each year. Mr. 
Waller, a curious fasciated lily. Mr. J. E. Bagnall (for Miss Taunton), 
an interesting series of plants collected during a recent visit to Sicily, 
including Eucalyptus, Asphodelus, and Olea europcea. Mr. Bolton, 
Ceratnphjfllum demersum m fruit. Mr. Walliker, Cetraria Islandica, 
and flexible limestone from Marsden quarries. 
BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ 
UNION.—July 18th, Mr. Barradale exhibited specimens of dragon 
flies from North China; Mr. J. Madison, specimens of Helix thy routes , 
H. solitaria , H. profunda , H. palliata , Planorbis campanulatus , and 
other land and freshwater shells from Ohio. Mr. Rodgers, Volvox 
globator. Mr. J. W. Neville then read a paper on “ The Honey 
Bee,” a practical study. The subject was treated under three 
heads: first, the honey bee and its work; secondly, its structure; 
and thirdly, its special modifications. The writer said this insect 
had received so large a share of attention that little new matter 
remained to be said under the first head; still, many questions suggested 
themselves that were difficult to answer. Why should honey bees have so 
far outstripped other insects in the race of life? What advantages do 
they gain from a social life? What first induced such a change, most 
probably from a solitary habit ? How did bees first lose their sexuality, 
and what caused it to be transferred to a queen or mother bee? The 
structure of bees was next dealt with at some length. Under the 
third head the writer described some of the singular modifications 
of the large family of bees, and traced them back to a probable normal 
form not widely different from the present wasp, and showed how, by 
a series of gradations, the high development of the hive bee was 
reached. The paper was illustrated by a series of microscopical 
preparations.—July 25tli, Mr. H. Hawkes exhibited a male specimen 
of JJicranura vinula ; Mr. J. Madison, specimens of Valvata tricariruitu , 
Alley lus tardus , Planorbis deflect us , Vertigo ovata , Pupa contractu , and 
Helix pulchella, all from the United States. Under the microscopes 
Mr. Moore exhibited gizzard of cockroach ; Mr. Hawkes, pollen of 
(Enothera biennis ; Mr. Rodgers, caddis worms just hatched.—August 
8th, Mr. J. Madison showed specimens of Planorbis parvus from 
Packington Park, and P. nautileus from Scarborough; Mr. Corbet, 
leaf and polished specimen of wood of tulip tree.—August loth, Mr. 
Moore exhibited under the microscope the gizzard of Dytiscus mar- 
ginalis; Mr. J. W. Neville, water net, Hydrodictyon utriculatum ; Mr. 
J. A. Grew, Protococcus in its resting stage.—August 22nd. Mr. J. 
Madison exhibited specimens of Alcyonella fungosa ; Mr. AVagstaff, a 
rare caddis worm, Oxythira cottalis. Mr. Corbet then read a paper “On 
and Around Snowdon.” The ramble was made early in the year, 
when the range was about half covered with snow. The writer 
described the ascent from Capel Curig by the Copper Mine to the 
summit; the difficulties, even through the snow, being more ima¬ 
ginary than real. The view from the cairn was very fine, though 
