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Reports of Societies.
Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society.—March 26th, Geological Section.—Rev. H. W. Crosskey, (President of the section) delivered an address on “Some Problems in Glacial Geology." He described in detail a section wear Glasgow in which the lowest bed was the typical till or boulder clay. This is succeeded by finely laminated clays, probably derived from the first during a slow sinking of the laud, the continuance of which is proved by beds containing shells showing first littoral and then deep sea conditions. Afterwards a gradual rise took place, as shown by gradually altering species of shells, until in the upper portions of the section estuarine and freshwater species prevail. The climate seems to have gradually ameliorated from the time of the land ice, though with some fluctuations. The same series of changes both in level and climate are traceable in Canada and South Norway, Mr, Crosskey believes that the climate changes were due to the alterations of the distribution of the land surface, which interfered with the ocean currents and changed their directions. The address was illustrated by a beautiful and very numerous collection of fossils from the beds described.—Mr. Slatter, of Redditch, showed calamites and Estherii asinuta from the waterstones near Redditch. April 2nd, General Meeting.—Mr. A. Pumphrey described and exhibited his new process of autographic printing.—Mr. Wright Wilson, F.L.S., exhibited the brain of a shrew mouse, (Lorex vulgaris,) showing apoplectic clot on the right hemisphere—Mr. W. G. Blatch exhibited the angle-shades moth, (Phlogophora meticulosa,) from Knowle. This was found in March. It is generally found in June and later—Mr. J. &. Bagnall exhibited a confervoid alga (Draparnaldia plumosa) and a moss (Orthotrichum leiocarpum,) both from Kingswood, the latter new to Warwickshire—Mr. T. J. Slattery exhibited a countervoid alga belonging to the genus Tynduridia, April 16th, Microscopical General Meeting.—Mr. W. R. Hughes, F.L.S., read the third paper by Dr Spencer Cobbald, F.R.S., on "The Parasites of Man."—Mr. Wright Wilson exbibited a nematode worm, found in the air sinuses of the skull of the ordinary weasel, (Mustela vulgaris,) apparently allied to Oxyuris vermicularis, which infests the human intestine.—Mr. T. J. Shutter exhibited Tesracella haliotoides, a slug which feeds on earth worms, also the male of Diaptomus castor. Mr. T. Bolton exhibited one of the microscopic fungi Æcidium Urticre, the golden cluster cup on the leaf of the nettle.
Burton-Upon-Trent Natural History and Archælogical Society.—Annual Meeting, March 26th.—The following officers were elected for the year 1878-9:—The Rev. C. F. Thornewill, M.A., President; Mr. H. G. Tomlinson and Mr. J. C. Grinbug, Vice-Presidents; Mr. H. Partridge, Hon. Treasurer; Mr. C. U. Tripp, M.A., and Mr. P. C. Martin, Hon, Secretaries; Committee—Messrs. R. Anty, W. Boden, H. T. Ford, J. T. Harris, A. J. Lyle, P. B. Mason, C. Perks, R. Thornewill, W. C. Owen, and C. J. Crawshaw. The following prizes were awarded to the successful junior members:—Botany: Mr. J. E. Nowers, first prize; Mr. 5. R. Hallam, second prize. Geology: Mr. A. Molyneux, Freshwater Life; Not awarded.
Nottingham Literary and Philosophical Society, Natural Science Section.—Papers read before the Section during April:—April 3rd: Microscopical evening. Mrs. Cowen read a paper on "Raphides and Plant Crystals, which will be printed in the "Midland Naturalist" for June. April 17th: Mr. J. J. Harris Teall, M.A., F.G.S., read a paper on "The influence of the Earth movements of different Geological Periods in the Physical Structure of the British Isles.
Nottingham Naturalists' Society—March 20th: A paper on "A Dead Fly" was communicated by {{nowrap|Mr. R. A. Dilliard. April 3: A lecture on "Optical Illusions," illustrated by numerous experiments, was delivered by Mr. A. H. Shipson, President of the Society.
Stroud Natural History and Philosophical Society.—The Winter Session closed on 9th April, with a most successful conversazione. Mr. C. Playne was elected President for the ensuing year, and Mr. J. A. Taunton a Vice-President. The following re-elections were also made:—Mr.