15G 
MIDLAND UNION OF NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES. 
Each of the Societies in the Union has held meetings of its members 
during the winter evenings, and held excursions during the summer. 
That much good and pleasure have resulted from the intercourse, in 
this manner, of those having congenial thoughts and aims cannot be 
doubted, while the General Annual Meeting of the Union ought to 
widen this useful work by bringing together workers in science from 
all parts of the Midlands. It seems probable that where there are 
several Societies in the same town, or in the same district, a joint 
meeting, at least once during the year, would be of mutual service. 
Among the interesting local events of the year is the formation, by the 
Birmingham Natural History Society (at the instance of W. R. Hughes, 
Esq., F.L.S.), of a Sociological Section,Hvhich has already advanced 
along comparatively new lines in two directions— (a) in taking up the 
study of the works of Herbert Spencer, and (b) in conducting an 
excursion to “ George Eliot’s Country”—the district round Nuneaton— 
applying scientific methods, in short, to literary pursuits. The excursion 
of the same Society to Oban, which will take place in a fortnight after 
the reading of this report, will be signalised by the application of 
the most modern methods of research to the examination of the 
fauna of the sea which washes the western coast of Scotland. Another 
event of the past year has been the reorganising of the “ Sections” of 
the Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society on a popular basis. 
This Society is the oldest in the Union, and the important work which 
it carries on in aiding the Leicester Museum, and in bringing down to 
Leicester scientific lecturers of the highest eminence during the winter, 
necessitates a subscription of one guinea per annum. The “ Sections,” 
however, which meet frequently for the practical study of Botany, 
Geology, etc., have now been thrown open to earnest students at a 
subscription of half-a-crown. Many excellent lectures are delivered 
every winter by local members of the various Societies, and the Council 
would suggest to the Hon. Secretaries of the different Societies that 
they should ascertain if local lecturers of ability connected with their 
Society would consent to deliver their lectures elsewhere, and commu¬ 
nicate the lecturer’s name, subject, etc., to the General Hon. Secretary 
of the Union ; in this way an interchange of lectures might be effected 
which would be very beneficial. 
Science Teachiiuj in Elementary Schools .—The introduction by Mr. 
Mundella of a new educational code has given an impetus to the great 
work which is being carried on in the schools of the Birmingliam 
School Board. An excellent laboratory and lecture room has been 
completed in connection with a new school, and this forms the head¬ 
quarters of the system by which 2,500 children (of ages from eleven to 
fifteen) are instructed in Mechanics, Magnetism and Electricity, 
Domestic Economy, and Animal Physiology ; more than 200 teachers 
also receive instruction. An examination for seven valuable scholar¬ 
ships and numerous prizes was lately held by Professor Poynting, 
M.A., of the Mason College, who reports as follows: “ I think that the 
general style of work sent in was very satisfactory. The average 
number of marks obtained was not quite so high as last year, as the 
subject was far more difficult, and the paper I set was also much 
harder, but I think that quite as much ability was shown on the part 
of the candidates, and that the evidence of careful teaching was quite 
as strong. The paper worked by the first boy was an excellent one, 
and showed considerable power.” Surely the Birmingham Societies 
ought to reap a goodly crop from this field in years to come 1 \ isits 
of inspection have been made during the year by Mr. Mundella, M.P., 
Mr. Bathbone, M.P., Lord Norton, the Royal Commissioners for 
