190 
CORRESPONDENCE-REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
Blox., N. B. G. S. ; near Artley ; near Fir Tree Grove, Arbury 
Hall; Willenhall Lane, T. Kirk, Phyt., ii., 970; Ipsley! 
J. T. Slatter. 
[G. rapiiiiculoides. On roadsides near Kagley, Herb, Ferry ; is merely 
a straggler from cultivation.] 
( To be continued.) 
Comspoitknte. 
New Methods of Mounting for the Microscope. —Many of the 
readers of the “ Midland Naturalist ” will learn with pleasure that 
there is such a ready way of mounting vegetable preparations as that 
mentioned by Mr. Bagnall in the July number, as the invention of 
Professor Hillhouse of the Mason College. The process is very simple, 
and the medium excellent; but from practical experience I would 
suggest the sealing of the cover-glass with pale copal varnish, 
instead of dilute balsam ; it can be obtained of as light a colour, is 
much tougher, and not likely to get so brittle as that medium. As 
regards the newness of the invention, I can only say I have pre¬ 
parations by me that have been put up in this way for seven years or 
more, and several of my friends have used it as long a time, preferring 
it to glycerine jelly, as it does not show such a disposition to leak. 
Practical microscopists will, however, be glad to learn that after this 
space of time the objects show no signs of deterioration, but rather 
wear an improved appearance.—The process introduced by Mr. Thomas 
Clarke would doubtless prove useful if he would give us the name of 
the particular cement used to close the cell.—J. W. Neville, Welling¬ 
ton Eoad, Handsworth. 
Leafing of Oak and Ash. —During the second and third weeks of 
May last, many hundreds of these trees were observed in S. Beds, and 
N. Herts. The Oaks, on the whole, were decidedly before the Ash trees. 
Many of the former were fairly into leaf before any of the latter began 
to unfold. This season, however, the differences were not so marked 
as they have been for several years past. In some instances the most 
backward of the Oak trees were scarcely so advanced as the most 
forward of the Ash trees. These differences were easily accounted for 
by constitutional variation and dissimilarity of position. Oak trees 
growing in places with an unfavourable aspect would compare dis- 
advantageously with Ash trees in favourable situations. But wherever 
the two grew in company, the oaks were invariably in advance of the 
Ash. As this is now the fourth season in succession in which these 
trees have expanded their foliage in the same relation to each other, 
one begins to surmise that the old adage may be based upon limited 
observations, and without taking into account constitutional differences 
and dissimilarity of localities.—J. Saunders. 
BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.— 
Geological Section, June 26th.—The following exhibits were made:—Mr. 
J.E. Bagnall: Avena pratensis, Koehleria cristata, Brachypodiurn cristatum, and 
Potamogeton flabellatiis, all rare plants from a new district; Bromus racemosus, 
Galium tricorne, and other rare plants from Binton and Bardon Hill; (Enanthe 
