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Rugby School Natural History Society.—October 19th.—The President announced that "Tree No. 10," in the School Close, had ceased to exist, and exhibited fragments from the inside of it. The holiday collections of Lepidoptera, the prize for which was gained by E. Solly, (A,) were also exhibited, The Rev. T. N. Hutchinson read a most interesting paper, illustrated by sketches made on the spot, of the "erratics" on "Norber," an outlying spur of Ingleborough, Yorkshire. He exhibited a fine Septartia stone from the shales of Penyghent. J. M. Wilson, Esq., rend a letter from Mr. H. V. Ellis, once head of bis XXI., now headmaster of a young Rugby in Natal. Mr. Ellis said he should be very glad to exchange specimens, &c., with Rugby, and Mr. Wilson proposed to send him a collection of views of his old school, G. Jones (31) gave A short account of a curious formation discovered by T. B. Oldham and himself in a brook below Shawell Church (Leicestershire) It is probably a recent formation, though Jones thought it pre-glacial, L. Cumming, Esq., exhibited a rare orchis from Gloucestershire, Cephalanthera rubra, and a curious monstrosity. He then read a most interesting paper on the appearance and disappearance of some flowers. The President compared the case of the erratic appearances of some butterflies, Mr. Bloxam, Esq., exhibited a plant of the Eucalyptys globulus, same fragments of church tiles discovered in the parish church, also some from his own collection, and some coins and counters, one from Nuremburg, from the Church.—November 2nd. The President made various exhibitions. Mr. Percy Smith read a very interesting paper describing sugar making from first to last. Mr. Bloxam said Lawrence Sherriffe (founder of Rugby) presented Queen Elizabeth with a sugar-loaf as a new year's gift. H. J. Elsee (M.) read a paper on "Cromlechs," describing some remains he visited near Barmouth, N. W. C. E. Savle (A.) read a paper describing a curious building be visited in the holidays near Oulton Broad, Suffolk; he also described Blundeston Church, made famous by Dickens. J. Lea (M.) read an interesting piper on "Attractions for Moths." The President discussed the paper and the subject of "Moth Traps." Mr. Bloxam exhibited an Irish pike, 1793;improvised Hungarian swords; Joseph Addison's sword; and made some remarks on the subject.—November 16th. The President read a note from H.W. Trots (C.) on the flora of Napton-on-the-Hill; also a note from the Uppingham Natural History Society relative to a joint excursion of the two societies. The Rev. T. N. Hutchinson exhibited and explained a Jablochkoff's electric candle; also some photography of Vesuvius in eruption. Mr. Cumming read a note on a curious growth of shoots from a tree recently cut down in the Hiilmorton Road. L. F. Carleton read a practical paper on "Aquariums," discussing how to make, decorate, and stock them. The best form is an oblong, about five feet in length and 1 foot 6 inches across, with one side only of glass and the rest slate. He described the seven best fish for an aquarium, viz., stickleback, gudgeon, minnow, perch, roach, carp, pike. Mr. Hutchinson said he had kept a marine aquarium for eighteen years now, and gave some account of it. C. E. Sayle (A.) remarked on the effect music has on the fish in the Society’s aquarium. Mr. Bloxam exhibited a fragment of a Roman mortarium, from Cave's Hill, with the stamp of Moricain. This is unique. Also some Shakespeare relics. He gave a description of the way MSS. were prepared for the press, he then exhibited a bag of Roman coins, some of which he distributed to the Society passim. The next meeting was fixed for November 30th. No more excursions will take place till spring.
Stroud Natural History and Philosophical Society.—November 12th.—The "Ammonia System" of water analysis was exhibited and demonstrated by Dr. Partridge, and the "Decomposition of Water by Electrolysis," by Mr. Paul Smith.
Exchange.
Collections of Land and Freshwater Shells (up to seventy species,) chiefly Nottinghamshire, are offered for Natural History Text Books. Want Turton's British L. and F.W. Shells and Geological Books principally.—C. T. Musson, 68, Goldsmith Street, Nottingham.
Wanted to Exchange, good Tertiary Fossils, in splendid preservation, for good specimens found in the Silurian and Carboniferous formations.—J. Marriott, Pieckney, Market Harborough.