REPORTS OF SOCIETIES 
263 
the high mobility, physically speaking, and the small afl&nity, chemically 
speaking, which characterise three of the principal elements of the human 
body—viz., carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen, while at the same time the 
four exhibit great contrast in both respects, and thereby facilitate the differen¬ 
tiation and integration which is carried on in the human body. Among their 
binary, ternary, and succeeding compounds, it was shown that there was 
decreasing mobility and decreasing affinity, nitrogenous compounds reaching 
the extreme of instability, as instanced in nitro-glycerine and other familiar 
substances. The most complex organic molecules must be characterised by the 
least mobility, while on the other hand they are much more likely to be acted 
on and rearranged by physical forces. The importance of Professor Graham’s 
differentiation of substances into crystalloids and colloids was noticed, the 
former consisting of simple elements or of the less compound molecules, and, 
therefore, able to pass through the dialyser, or through living membranes; 
whilst the molecules of the latter, consisting in some cases of many hundred 
atoms, were necessarily stationary, though supplying the energia of vitality. 
Dialysis, or the action of animal membranes, not only separates crystalloids 
from colloids, but assists in breaking up molecules with feeble affinities. All 
these circumstances point to the mechanism for the quick escape of the waste 
products of the body and the mechanical fixity which prevents the living tissue 
diffusing away with the decomposition products. The conditions necessary to 
the redistribution of matter and motion which constitute evolution are thus 
fairly shown to be fulfilled; the increased warmth or molecular vibration of the 
higher organisms further assisting towards this end. The discussion was con¬ 
tinued by Messrs. Cullis, France, Major, Hayes, and W. B. Grove. Mr. J. Levick 
beautifully exhibited the microscopic plants Diatomacece, in their “ rambling 
progression,” as an illustration to the third chapter.— BiologicaIj Section, 
Oct. 9th. Mr. Bagnall exhibited Fungi: Clitocijhe clavipes, and Boletus bovinus, 
new to the district; Hygropliorus conicus, H. psittacmus, Scleroderma geaster; 
and a Moss, Georgia pelliicida, all from Middleton. Mr. R. W. Chase exhibited 
Calcarius l''pponicus, male and female dn adult summer plumage), Tiirdics 
pilaris young', Turdus iliacus lyoung', all from Norway. Mr. R. W. Felton 
exhibited Franklin Quail, shot in Suffolk; Hobby youngi, shot in Herefordshire. 
Mr. W. B. Grove exhibited a collection of Fungi, among which were Lactarius 
cilicioides, L. vellereus, L. pyrogalus, Lentinus cocJileatus, Helvella crispa, 
Clavaria pistillaris, C. cinerea, C. coralloides, Boletus luridus^^Exidia glandulosa, 
from Langley and Middleton; Lactarius turpis, L. hysginus, Ag. procerus, 
B. depallens, B. decolorans, B. fellea, and Polyporus giganteus, from Edgbaston 
Park. Mr. W. Southall exhibited Oentiana pneumonanthe. Mr. A. W. Wills 
read a “Note on CEcidiurn berberidis," by Dr. M. C. Cooke, M.A., in which he, 
maintains in a well argued paper that the relation between CEcidiurn 
berberidis and Puccinia graminis is not proven, and points to the fact 
that in Australia, where (Ecidium berberidis is unknown, the ravages 
of Puccinia graminis far exceed anything known in this country. 
Microscopical General Meeting, October 16th.—Mr. J. E. Bagnall exhibited 
Lemna gibba, from Coleshill; Plagiothecium undulatum a-are), Biccia 
glauca (local), and Anthoceros punctatus (rare), from Maxtoke and Pack- 
ington; also Agaricus odorus, Ag. hydrophilus, Ag. priMiMlas and Cor- 
tinarius tonus (the two latter new to the district), and other fungi, from 
Fillongley; (for Mr. G. S. Tyei an abnormal form of the common mushroom, 
in which one was attached by its cap in an inverted position to the cap of 
another ; (for Dr. M. C. Cooke) Cyathus rugosus and G. vemicosus, from Norfolk ; 
(for Mr. C. B. Plowrighti Geoglossum olivaceum, Agaricus ambustus, and other 
fungi from Hereford ; and (for Mr. J. B. Stone) a series of rare Norwegian 
plants, collected and named by Professor Lindberg, of Helsingfors. Mr. W. B. 
Grove exhibited Ag. muscarius, Ag. mappa, Cortinarius hemitrichus, C. sangum- 
eus, Tranietes gibbosa, and Ptychogaster albus, from Sutton Park; Badhamia 
liyalina (a myxomycete), from Edgbaston Park, and other fungi. Mr. R. W. 
Chase exhibited Arcliibates lagopus, the Rough-legged Buzzard, shot at 
