Birmingham Natural, History and Microscopical Society—General Meeting, July 2nd.—The following exhibits were made by Mr. Hughes, on behalf of Mrs. Randall:—Echinocyamus pusillus, the Green Pen Urchin, from Falmouth, and mounted specimens of Spatangus purpureus, showing the spines peculiar to that species; by Mr. J. Bagnall, a Stag beetle, (Lucanus cervus;) by Mr. H. E. Forrest, a fine living specimen of Spongilla fluviatilis, from Sutton; Argulus foliaceus, the fish flea, taken from the dead body of a roach, at Windley Pool, Sutton; and a fine specimen of Carchesium, found in an aquarium; by Mr. Bolton, a young Newt, Triton punctatus, showing the circulation to the gills and pulsations of the heart; by Messrs. Caldwell and Butterfield, a large number of plants; by Mr. T. J. Slatter, a well-preserved specimen of a species of fern, from a band of marly clay, in the Waterstones and Lower Kemper Sandstones, near Redditch. The remaining meetings during the month were devoted to the exhibition of specimens contributed by various members. July 19th—At 10 30p.m. a party of twenty-eight of the members left Birmingham, via Midland Railway, for Arran, which they reached before noon the following day, where they remained till Saturday, July 27th. A steam yacht having been summoned for the week, much active work in dredging was done, with what result will he reported in a future number.
Burton-On-Trent Natural History and Archæological Society.—On July 10th, under the leadership of Dr. Perks, the members made an excursion to Wall (the Roman Erocetnm) and neighbourhood, Reaching Walsall by rail they proceeded next in carriages to Barr Beacon, an isolated eminence, from which on a clear day a vast tract of country is visible. Sutton Park and the neighbouring town of Sutton Coldfield were afterwards visited. In the churchyard of the latter is the grave of Mary Ashford, who was supposed to have been murdered by Absalom Thornton in 1817. The accused on arraignment pleaded not guilty and offered the "Wager of Battle." There being no one to accept the challenge on behalf of the murdered girl, Thornton escaped. He emigrated to America, where he died in 1870. It was this case that brought about the repeal of the statute under which Thornton availed himself of the "Wager of Battle." Shenstone was next visited, where the party were met by Col. Bagnall, In the churchyard is an ancient dial shaft, now surmounted by a cross, on which the Rev. R. W. Essington, the present vicar, has caused the following inscription to be placed:—
If o'er the dial glides a shade, redeem
The time, for lo, it passes like a dream;
But if 'tis all a blank, then mark the loss
Of hours unblest by shadows from the Cross.
From Shenstone the party proceeded to Wall, which is believed to be the site of the Etocetum of the Romans. Col. Bagnall stated that some years since he made a series of excavations in the neighbourhood, and found a great quantity of bones of horses, swine, deer, and other animals, a large quantity of bronze, &c. Copper coins and fragments of glass had also been dug up, as well as large quantities of charcoal and Samian ware. It is said that where Wall Church now stands was originally the site of a temple of Minerva. Dr. Perks commented upon the fortifications of Wall, and, in referring to the Roman Vallum discovered and described by the Rev. S. Shaw, contended that it was highly probable that another vallum had run in a south-easterly direction to the hill on which Shenstone Church now stands, and that the two would afford an imposing and extended barrier to any attack from the north-east. The excursionists proceeded to Lichfield, from whence they took train to Burton.—On July 20th the members, under the guidance of Mr. Thos. C. Martin, Hon, sec.) went to Alrewas and Wichnor, where they were joined by members of the North Staffordshire Field Club.
Evesham Field Naturalists' Club.—The second excursion of the club took place on Saturday, June 29th, to Dovedale, near Blockley. There was a small attendance, and only botanical specimens were taken, They included the following:—Listera nidus-avis, Paris quadrifolia, Spiræ filipendula, Vicia sylvatica, Campanula glomerata, Digitalis purpurea, and Aqiuilegia vulgaris. A meeting of the club was held on Tuesday, July 2nd. The Chairman (Mr. A. H. Martin) exhibited eggs of the red-legged partridge found at North Littleton.
