316 
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
having been shown at the preceding meeting that Natural History 
includes and is constituted by the “Concrete Sciences,”—Astronomy, 
Geology, Biology, Psychology and Sociology ; it was taken as a matter for 
congratulation that this Society has recognized and provided for a 
completely comprehensive scheme of Natural History. While probably 
the first Natural History Society to include Sociology within its sphere, 
it was certain that of this it will one day be proud; and in this it 
must necessarily be followed by Natural History Societies generally. 
BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ 
UNION.—October 17th. Mr. C. F. Beale exhibited a stone celt from 
New South Wales; Mr. J. Madison, specimens of Planorbis complanatus 
var. rhombea, from Coleshill; Mr. W. H. Bath, a dragon fly, Libellula 
quadrimaculata , from Waterford; Mr. A. T. Evans, peaty matter from 
an old bed thirteen feet from the surface, exposed in trial holes at 
Small Heath; Mr. H. HawLes, under the microscope, Peziza coronata , 
and a series of slides of the same genus. Mr. J. Betteridge presented 
to the Society a collection of twenty birds of the district prepared for 
the cabinet, including specimens of the night jar, hawfinch, curlew 
sandpiper, dunlin, little grebe, and black tern. —October 24th. Mr. 
H. Hawkes exhibited a collection of fungi, including specimens of 
A gar icns procerus and Boletus badiiis ; Mr. Deakiu, part of skeletons of 
birds showing modifications of the sternum, clavicle and scapula; 
Mr. W. H. Bath, stag beetles, Lucanus cervus ; Mr. Corbet, a cluster of 
ametln'sts, from Rowley Regis. Under the microscope, Mr. J. W. 
Neville showed palate of Fusus islandicus ; Mr. Hawkes, Phacidium 
ilicis, and the secondary stage of the same fungus; Mr. J. Collins, 
flower of Trifolium arvcnse ; Mr. Hutchinson, Protococcus pluvialis .— 
October 31st. Mr. H. Hawkes showed specimens of Peziza aurantia 
and Puccinia graminis ; Mr. J. Madison, unusuall} 7 large specimens 
of Helix rupestris , from Edge Hill; Mr. A. Bennett, jaws of young 
shark, and saw of sawfish. Under the microscope, Mr. Hawkes 
showed a fungus, Botryosporium pulchrum .— Annual Meeting. The 
annual meeting of the Society was held on November 7th. The 
Treasurer’s, Secretary’s, and Curator’s Reports were passed unani¬ 
mously, the financial statement showing a balance in favour of the 
Society. The retiring President, Mr. J. Edmonds, delivered an 
address, in which he commended those careful and, patient workers 
who loved Nature for her own sake, and who would leave a legacy of 
observation to future times. Such a Society should be a brotherhood 
in aim, without ostentation pursuing a useful course. The taste for 
natural science had been so great and pleasurable that he (the speaker) 
had tried to foster it in others. We must, however, remember that 
the pursuit of knowledge was not as simple and smooth as gliding 
down a glassy plane aided by grease and gravitation, but that Nature 
yielded up her treasures to the painstaking and importunate. 
The speaker urged the importance of making careful notes of all 
observations, and wdien practicable faithful drawings for future 
reference. The usefulness of photo-micrography, as an adjunct to 
science, was spoken of at some length, and recommended for the 
accuracy of its delineation and the simplicity with which a knowdedge 
of the manipulation could be acquired. Mr. J. Edmonds proposed 
Mr. T. H. Waller, B.A., B.Sc., as president for the ensuing year; Mr. 
Dunn seconded the resolution, which w r as carried unanimously. After 
the usual votes of thanks w r ere passed to the retiring President and 
other Officers of the Society, Mr. Oliver Hutchinson and Mr. John 
Collins w r ere elected Vice-Presidents; Messrs. H. Insley and P. T. 
Deakin, Honorary Secretaries; Mr. W. Dunn, Treasurer; Mr. J". W. 
Neville, Sub-Editor; and Mr. J. A. Grew, Curator. Mr. John 
Betteridge w 7 as elected a life member in recognition of his kindness 
in presenting to the Society a collection of the birds of the district. 
