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Reports, Etc.

Nottingham Naturalists' Society.—April 17th.—A paper on the "The Teredo, or Shipworm,” was read by Mr. B.S. Dodd. May 1st.—Lecture on "Australian Natural History," by Dr. Bancroft, formerly president of the society. May 13th.—"Fertilization of Pants," by Mr. C. L. Rothers, B.A. Several afternoon excursions have been made during the month.


Oswestry and Welshpool Naturalists’ Field Club And Archæological Society.—First Excursion for 1873 on Thursday, May 9th. A visit was paid to Selattyn, near which were found Botrychium Lunaria, Havenaria bifolia, and Myrrhis odorata. The route then lay along the line of Offa's Dyke, which is very plain here. A quarry of mountain limestone was also visited, where specimens of Lithostrotionc junceum and irregulare were found, together with other mountain limestone fossils. The junction of the limestone with the millstone grit is shown near Carrybig, and from thence the party walked to the limestone quarries at Llawnt.


Tamworth Natural History, Geological, and Antiquarian Society.—April 15th,—The Rev. Brooke Lambert, M.A, B.C.L., read a paper entitled “The Slough of Despond, and how to bridge it" An animated discussion ensued. May 6th.—A paper was read by Mr. Alfred Lucy on "Meteors and Meteorites," in which he pointed out that certain streams of these bodies occur periodically both on the same date, add coming from the same quarter of the heavens, owing to the earth's orbit crossing their tract. The high velocity of meteors protects us from the vast number which fall, by causing such friction with the atmosphere as not only to render them luminous but convert them into vapour by the immense heat, The connection between orbits of meteors and orbits of certain comets was shown and explained by Mr. Lucy, who also described the new theory of the origin of both meteor and comet streams. A discussion fallowed, and a hearty vote of thanks was awarded.—A rich collection of spring wild flowers was exhibited by Miss Harding.


Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club.—April 23rd.—Annual Meeting.—Mr. Theophilus Lane was appointed secretary in the place of the late Mr. A. Thompson. The President (Mr. J. Griffith Morris) delivered his retiring address. A large part of it was devoted to "Mycology," a subject to which the club has for many years devoted much attention. This portion of the address is so valuable and important that we shall in future numbers publish it in full.—The first Field Meeting of the year was held on Tuesday, May 28th. The members left Barr's Court Station at 9 40 a.m., to reach Ledbury at 10 23 a.m., where they were joined by members of the Malvern Club, They then proceeded to "The Wonder," where an address on "The Geological Features of the District" was given by the Rev. W. 5. Symonds, M.A, F.G.S., &c.; and afterwards drove through Much Marcle, visiting Kempley Church, where some ancient Mural Paintings have been recently discovered; returning by Haffield to Ledbury. By Dr. Henry's kind permission, the members were allowed to visit the Camp at Haffieid, and other objects of interest there.


West London Entomological Society.—May 3rd.—Half-yearly Meeting.—The following officers were elected for the ensuing six months:—President, Mr. Mapleson; vice-president, Mr. Smith; secretary, Mr. Timms, re-elected; curator, Mr. Silcock; treasurer, Mr. Dow, re-elected; librarian, Mr. Maycock, re-elect, On May 6th Mr. Meek took two specimens of that rare noctua, N. conspicillaris, at Darn Wood. On May 12th Mr. Russell took N. trepida at Highgate Wood.



Exchange.


Wanted, Side-blown Bees in quantities; good value offered in other varieties; over 2U0 species to choose from.—Sissons, Sharrow, 5heffield.