All observers who desire to aid in this interesting work should obtain the “Instructions for the Observation of Phenological Phenomena,” (Williams and Strahan, price 6d.,) drawn up by Mr. Preston, which contains lists of Plants, Insects, and Birds to be observed, together with Rules, Approximate Dates, Remarks, &c.
Fossil Insects.—At the meeting of the Geologists' Association on January 4th, Mr. H. Goss read a paper on the fossil insects of the secondary period. Mr. Goss pointed out that nearly all the British specimens known are from the Purbeck beds and from the Lias. Some few have been found in the Wealden, and a few elytra of Coleoptera were recorded from the Kimmeridge clay, the forest marble, and the great oolite. Nearly all the other European specimens are from the Solenhofen slate of Bavaria, or front the Swiss Alps. The paper was a lengthy one and rich in detail, and will appear in the proceedings of the Association.
Our Union.—"The Birmingham and Midland Institute Scientific Society," "The Cheltenham Natural Science Society," and the "Evesham Field Naturalists' Club" have joined the Midland Union of Natural History Societies during the past month. The Union now includes twenty Societies. Societies which have not yet joined are invited to do so.
Reports of Societies.
Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society.—General Meeting, January 29th—Mr. W. B. Latham read a paper on "Orchidacæ, British and Exotic," in which he dwelt at some length on the treatment Orchids require under cultivation, their various kinds of inflorescence, habits, modes of fertilisation, &c. The paper was illustrated by diagrams and living plants. Mr. W. L. Grove, B.A., exhibited fronds of a fern, supposed to be a hybrid between Blechnum corcovadense and Lomaria giiba. Annual Meeting, February 5th.—The President, (Mr. Edmund Tonks, B.C.L.,) in the chair. The report gave an encouraging account of the present state of the society. There are 266 members, being an increase of thirty-one during the year. The report and treasurer’s statement of accounts were unanimously adopted. Mr. Tonks was re-elected president, Mr. Walter Graham and Mr. Edward W. Badger were elected vice-presidents. The following re-elections were also wade:—Mr. Charles Puiuphrey, treasurer; Mr. John Morley, secretary; Mr. James E. Bagnall, librarian; Mr. W. H. Cox and Mr. J. Levick, curators. Biological Section, February 12th.—Mr. W. R. Hughes, F.L.S., was elected chairman of the section, and Mr. A. W. Wills secretary for the ensuing year, Mr. J. Bagnall exhibited, on behalf of Mr. C. T. Parsons, an abnormal form of Lentinus lepidus: for Mr. Joseph Bragg a fasciated stem of common holly (Ilex;) collected by himself, a fasciated state of Pieris hieracioides, also a remarkable instance of phyllody in all parts of raceme and flowers of Foxglove (Digitalis,) Mr. Edmond Tonks exhibited and described a fine specimen, in good fruit, of the Gulf-weed (Fucus natans.) Mr. J. Bagnall exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Joseph Cotton, fine specimens of the seventeen year
Cicada, (Cicada septendecim,) and read an interesting account of them, sent by Mr. J. F. Weston. Mr. John Morley exhibited, and gave a series of notes upon a variety of Scolopendrium vulgare, var. variabile. A discussion on the hybridisation of ferns followed. Mr. Slatter exhibited a slide of Nestea verrucosum. A vote of condolence with the widow of the Rev. A. Bloxam, of Harborough Magna, was unanimously passed.
Birmingham and Midland Institute Scientific Society, —January 30th—Mr. W. G. Fretton read a paper on "The Artisan, his Recreations and Hobbies." Mr. Fretton mentioned several artisans who, by steadfastly cultivating their hobbies, had become respectively celebrated ornithologists, botanists, geologists, and proficients in mechanical arts. February 13th.—Mr. T. F. Webb read a paper on "Electro-deposition."
