MIDLAND UNION OF NATURAL HISTORY SOClETiFS. 
155 
therefore, be awarded. The fact is, however, not a matter of much 
surprise, as but three of the Societies in the Union profess to include 
Ai'chgeology in the list of subjects to which the attention of their 
members is directed. 
Fortunately, however, there is a medal to award at the present 
meeting : the Darwin Gold Medal, won in 1882 by the Messrs. 
Marshall, for their excellent paper on “ The Pennatulida,” was not 
ready in time to be given at the Nottingham meeting, but, having 
recently been struck from the dies prepared with so much ability by 
Mr. Joseph Moore, of Birmingham, is now ready to be handed over. 
The subject for the Darwin Prize of 1884 is Botany, and, knowing 
the large number of able botanists within the ranks of the Union, the 
Council anticipate the publication of much good work. All papers 
must be sent in to the Editors of “ The Midland Naturalist,” or to 
the Hon. Secretary of the Union, on or before the 31st of March, 1884. 
The Council regret to announce the dissolution of two Societies 
during the past year. The Nottingham Literary and Philosophical 
Society had done excellent work for many years in Nottingham, and 
the leading part which its members took in the management of the 
successful meeting of the Union held last year at that town will be 
long remembered ; but with the opening of the new University College 
there, some of the supporters of the Society seem to have considered 
its work as completed (surely a mistake !), and the result has been the 
winding up of the affairs of the Society. The Council gratefully 
acknowledge a gift of £2 towards the 'expenses of “ The Midland 
Naturalist ” from the surplus funds of the Society. 
The Small Heath (Birmingham) Literary and Scientific Society 
belonged for a short period to the Union. It seceded two years ago, 
and its secession has been followed by its death. 
Notice of withdrawal from the Union has been received from the 
Shropshire Archgeological and Natural History Society, and from the 
Banburyshire Natural History Society. If these withdrawals be 
considered as accomplished facts, then the following twenty-two 
Societies, including about 2,500 members, now form the Midland 
Union of Natural History and Scientific Societies:— 
Bedfordshire Natural History Society and Field Club. 
Birmingham Microscopists’ and Naturalists’ Union. 
Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society. 
Birmingham Philosophical Society. 
Birmingham and Midland Institute Scientific Society. 
Birmingham School Natural History Society. 
Burton-on-Trent Natural History and Archaeological Society. 
Caradoc Field Club. 
Cheltenham Natural Science Society. 
Dudley and Midland Geological and Scientific Society and Field Club. 
Evesham Field Naturalists’ Club. 
Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society. 
Northamptonshire Natural History Society. 
Nottingham G. B. S. Naturalists’ Society. 
Nottingham Naturalists’ Society. 
Nottingham Working Men’s Naturalists’ Society. 
Oswestry and Welshpool Naturalists’ Field Club. 
Oxfordshire Natural History Society. 
Peterborough Natural History and Scientific Society. 
Severn Valley Naturalists’ Field Club. 
Stroud Natural History Society. 
Tamworth Natural History, Geological, and Antiquarian Society. 
