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Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society.—General Meeting, November 6th. The President, Mr. Edmund Tonks, B.C.L., in the chair, Dr. W. Hinds read a short paper on the "Physical Character of Seeds, referring to the form, beauty of markings of the testa, style, and deposition of the embryo; the indication and inferences to be derived from the presence of perisperin, and especially as to comparative and absolute size of albuminous and exalbuminous seeds. The aim of nature in furnishing certain seeds with characteristic appendages was also commented upon. The paper was illustrated by microscopical and other specimens.

Biological Section.—November 18th—Dr. W. Hinds presiding. Mr. W. D. Grove, B.A., gave some remarkably interesting notes on the "Botany, Geology, and Physical Geography of the Cheshire and Lancashire Coasts," illustrated by geological diagrams and a series of carefully preserved botanical specimens. These formed a very characteristic flora of the above coasts. Among others were Psamma arenaria, Festuca uniglumis, Carex extensa, Viola Cartisii, &c. A discussion followed.—Mr. J. Bagnall exhibited a number of rare Warwickshire plants, collected in a rich lias quarry, near Bidford and Exhall, and real notes as to the distribution of these plants in the country and throughout the world, together with the origin and signification of their names, and a short account of some of the older botanists by whom these names were first instituted. Among other plants were Linaria spuria, Anugallis cerulea, Picris hieracioides, &c.—Mr. John Levick exhibited in the microscopes selections of water from a prolific pond, near Perry Barr, in which were abundant Volvox globator, Actonophrys sol, and other creatures of great interest.

Biological Section.—December 11th.—Dr. W. Hinds presiding.—Mr. E. W. Badger read a paper on "Abnormal Ferns," by Mr. E. J. Lowe, F.R.S. of Nottingham, which will be found printed at length at page 5. An animated discussion followed. A vote of thanks was awarded to Mr. Lowe for his valuable and interesting communication.

Geological Section.—October 30th.—Mr. Heming, of Redditch, read a paper on "Agates," collected from the drift in the neighbourhood of the Lickey. The greater part of the gravel which yields the agates comes from the Moseley cutting, and some isolated patches usually capping slight hills: All these gravels are characterised by hollow nodules of iron ore. Mr. Heming made some remarks on what be held to be the origin of some irregularly marked agates, viz., the chert of the Carboniferous Limestone. The paper was illustrated by many beautiful polished specimens of pebbles.

Geological Section.—November 27th—Rev. H. W. Crosskey, M.A., F.G.S., presiding, Mr. S. Allport, F.G.S., showed specimens of Volcanic Agglomerate and blocks of Porphyritic and other Pitchstones, from the Wrekin; and Spherulitic, Pitchstone, and Perlite, from Lea Rocks, also near Wellington. These rocks have been described in the Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. They are chiefly remarkable as being the first glassy rocks of Pelæozoic age which have been anywhere found. The blocks of Pitchstone occur in certain of the higher body of the Agglomerate, and are of considerable size, from 14 to 18 inches in diameter, Mr. Allport gave a description of the Volcanic rocks which form the central axis at the Wrekin, and exhibited some beautifully-prepared microscopical sections, illustrating his remarks.

General Meeting, December 4th.—Mr. S. Allport, F.G.S., presiding. Mr. Levich read a paper on "The Hydra," describing its mode of reproduction, and its stinging organs, and made some interesting remarks upon its habits, and the manner in which if seizes its prey. The paper was illustrated by several specimens under the microscope, amongst which were the stinging organs, and a specimen of of H. Vulgaris with ova attached, The same evening Mr. W. R. Hughes, F.L.S., read a paper on "The Spicules of Sponges." Alter referring to the vexed question of the animality of sponges,