—— ‘o LFA PopuLiaVvt = hs WE-aa—> - a ras THE MIDLAND NATURALIST. “Come forth into the light of things, Let Nature be your teacher.” Wordsworth. ON A RARE BRITISH ENTOMOSTRACON, ILYOCRYPTUS SORDIDUS.* BY H. E. FORREST, F.R.M.S. Ilyocryptus sordidus has been found in Russia, Norway, Denmark, and Bohemia; at Dantzig, Vienna, and at Sedgefield in the county of Durham. It was found in the last-named place in 1863, and described and figured in the ‘‘ Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 1863,” p. 415, by the Rey. A. M. Norman.t On the 22nd November, 1879, Mr. Bolton showed me an Entomos- tracon which at the time was unknown to me, but which I have since ascertained to be Ilyocryptus sordidus. Ihave to acknowledge with thanks the kind assistance of Professor A. Weismann in determining the species. There are three known species of the genus, of which a full account has been published by W. Kurz in ‘ Zeitschrift fiir wissenschaftliche Zoologie,” supplement to Band xxx., 1878. Upon referring to this work and comparing the three species there described with my specimen, I found that although there were some REFERENCES To Puate I, Fig. 1, FEMALE. a Mandible | j Heart or dorsal vessel b CGsophagus k Antennules e Stomach | i Antenne d Rectal-bladder m Compound eye e Rectum } n Simple eye f Post-abdominal bristles | o Space in which eggs are g Post-abdomen carried h Abdominal hook pi1—5 Branchial limbs Fig. 2. MALE, after Kurz. * Read before the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society, November 30th, 1880. + Sedgefield, county Durham, is the only published British locality, but since writing this paper I have been fayoured by Professor G. §. Brady with a list of four other places in which he has found it, and which he has kindly allowed me to publish. They are Lough Arddery, Connemara; Lough Aubwee, Connemara; pools by the side of Ennerdale Lake ; and East Belsay Lake, Northumberland, (aow drained.) B e, eel] 2 ON A RARE BRITISH ENTOMOSTRACON, few points (to be noted hereafter) in which it differed from the deserip- tion, there could be no doubt that it was I. sordidus. Mr. Bolton believes that my specimen came from a small pond in Sutton Park, near Birmingham, and that there were several more in the same water, but when I called upon him next morning there was not one to be seen. I had fortunately made a careful drawing of it on the previous evening, and also taken copious notes of its anatomy and peculiarities. Although I have carefully searched the pond from which it is supposed to have come, I have never found any more, and the only other specimen that I have seen is one that was accidentally preserved by another gentle- man when mounting a slide of Volvor globator from the same locality. It is very remarkable that my own experience of the numerical scarcity of this species has been similar to that of all previous observers except Kurz. Thus Fischer says he could find only one; Leydig also found only one; Norman found three, and subsequently one more; and in the present case only two were found. ‘This scarcity of numbers is perhaps more apparent than real, as the animal is evidently a mud- lover, and we have all searched for it in the water instead of on the surface of the mud. Kurz, the only one who found it in any quantities, obtained it free from mud by the following ingenious contrivance :— Asmall net fastened in the ordinary way to a metal ring, and fixed to the end of a long string by several strands, has attached to its lower edge a large stone, and to its upper edge a piece of cork. This is flung into the water as far as the string allows and sinks to the bottom, where it stands on its edge owing to the stone and cork attached to it. As it is dragged along the stone stirs up the mud in front of it, and all the lighter particles, including entomostraca and most living organisms are swilled into the net. In this way Kurz succeeded in capturing many females of the species and a few males, the only ones ever captured. This need excite no surprise, as even in the commonest Daphniads males are always very rare. The following is a description of my specimen, which is a young female, drawn on Plate I., Fig. 1 :— The shape of the valves of the carapace is oval, and they are very convex, so that the thickness of the body when viewed edgeways is so great as to make it appear almost spheroidal. Their surface is reticulated all over with polygonal, mostly hexagonal markings, which are not shown in the figure. Length from top of head to bottom of carapace 1-80”, breadth 1-100’. Colour brick red. The head is bounded by a gentle curve behind, abruptly truncate in front. There are two eyes, one compound (m) near the apex of the head, and one smaller simple eye (n) belowit. The antennules (x) are tolerably large, and spring from the forehead just below the small eye. The antenna (/) are very large and fleshy and divided into two branches, the upper one four-jointed, with three long set# and a short spine on the terminal joint; the lower one three-jointed, the first two joints each with one seta, the terminal joint like that of the other branch. None of these sete are plumose. The base of each antenna also bears ON A RARE BRITISH ENTOMOSTRACON. 3 two spines. Perhaps the most marked feature of the animal is the bristles with which the edges of the carapace valves are fringed. These are set in an unbroken row from just below the mandibles to the junction of the valves behind. They are flexible, rather stiff, and branched but not plumose, varying in length from about 1-500” along the front of the body to about half that size along the posterior edge. The abdomen bears as usual one pair of mandibles, (a,) five pairs of branchial limbs, (p. 1—5,) and a very large post-abdomen (g) terminating in two long rather straight hooks. This part of the body is larger than in any other species of the family with which I am acquainted, and is capable of a very wide range of motion, at times being extended quite outside the valves of the carapace, backwards, at other times thrust upwards within the carapace till the end touches the antennules. Along the lower edge of the post-abdomen are four rows of curved spines, two on each side of the median line, the inner rows beipg rather smaller than the outer. All the rows converge posteriorly and meet at the point where the two post-abdominal sete (f) are situated. These last are excessively long, almost equalling the body in length, and are sparsely plumose along the distal half of their length. Posteriorly the post-abdomen is provided with a rather blunt spine, (h,) which serves to keep the eggs in the open space, (0,) where they are carried by the female until hatched. I could not make out this spine very distinctly. The branchial legs, (Plate I., p. 1—5,) ten in number, are largely developed, the two lower pairs at least being expanded into great fan- like paddles. Their surface is still further increased by very long delicately-plumose sets, which spring, apparently, from the fold of integument between the two terminal joints, and extend far beyond the edge of the paddle, often projecting as far as the ends of the sete which fringe the carapace. Indeed, the ends of these two sets of seta are so mixed up as to make it rather difficult to determine which are which. The intestinal canal presents no peculiarities, being almost straight. There were no ova in my specimen, and from this, its small size, and relative transparency, I concluded that it was immature. Upon comparing the above description and figure (which were compiled from notes made while the animal was alive) with those given by Norman and Kurz, it will be seen at once that my specimen differs in two points from the ‘orthodox ” Ilyocryptus sordidus; but I do not feel justified in founding a new species on grounds which, although they might fairly entitle it to rank as a variety, are only matters of detail, and require confirmation, such as can be obtained only by the examination of numerous specimens, In the typical species, the sete which fringe the carapace are plumose along the front or ventral edge, but along the lower or posterior edge are branched, or, as Kurz expresses it, ‘‘ one-sidedly feathered,” (see Fig. 2,) but in mine they are of the same character all round the carapace, (Fig. 1.) Again, in the typical species, several of the sete of the antenne are plumose, but in mine they are all bare 4 ON A RARE BRITISH ENTOMOSTRACON. bristles. These sete, too, in mine are far longer than in the figures given by Norman and Kurz. In Fig. 1 they are cut short by the ‘inexorable limits of space.” They should be continued in imagina- tion about another inch, and the same remark applies to the post- abdominal sete, (f-) With regard to the first point of difference, I would suggest the possibility, from the confusion which exists among them, of the sets belonging to the branchial feet, which are plumose, haying been mistaken for the sets of the carapace, which in my specimens are not plumose but branched. Kurz gives the measurement of the adult as:—Female, length 1-36in., height 1-46in., breadth 1-34in.; male, length 1-6lin., height 1-84in. Rather more than double the size of my specimen. The male (Plate I. Fig. 2, after Kurz) has the head larger in propor- tion to the carapace than the female, and has a long bristle springing from the front surface of the antennule. Its shape is not so spheroidal as the female, for at the back, 7.e., along the junction of the valves, the carapace is flattened, almost concave. This, I opine, is because the male has no need for an incubating chamber, since it has no eggs to carry, and the space which in the female is provided for that purpose is, in the male, reduced to a minimum. The male was found by Kurz in August. The name Ilyocryptus is derived from i\js, mud, and xpumrds, hidden ; sordidus means dirty. These epithets, though by no means complimentary, are decidedly applicable to this species, for it is an inveterate mud-lover, and is usually so covered with dirt, that it is difficult to make out its internal structure; so much so indeed that Kurz gave up in despair the attempt to delineate its branchial feet, and omits them altogether from his figures; whilst in the drawing given by Norman they are represented by a few scratches of the pen. Owing to mine being a very young and relatively transparent specimen I was more fortunate in this respect, though I could only see the fifth and fourth pairs distinctly, and must confess that the three upper pairs are drawn as I think they are rather than as I saw them. The motions of I. sordidus in the water are very curious. It keeps up a succession of strokes with its antenne, which, however, only raise it a short distance, and the weight of its body draws it down between each stroke exactly as far as the previous stroke raised it. So the animal is condemned to spend its whole life in a very limited area, and can never reach the surface of the water. Is not this, perhaps, the reason why the branchial feet are so large? Their great surface must be capable of producing a very strong current between the valves; and it seems probable that in order to secure an equal amount of oxygenation to the blood, a slow moving species must have a more rapid branchial current than a more locomotive one. Therefore Ilyocryptus sordidus should have proportionately larger branchial feet than, say, Daphnia puler, Which is the fact. ON A RARE BRITISH ENTOMOSTRACON. 5 The mere mud-loving propensities of the animal are not sufficient to account for its dirty clothes. There must be something which causes the dirt to adhere. According to Norman “it is probably in consequence of these sluggish habits, and of the animal rolling itself in the mud, as well as owing to the pilose covering of the shell, that it owes the coating of mud, Diatoms,” &c. The existence of the “ pilose covering,” of which he here speaks, is rather doubtful. On this point Kurz makes a statement which is more extraordinary than anything yet related of it, and which distinguishes it from all its fellows. As is well-known, the Entomostraca, in common with other Crustacea, undergo periodical moultings of the outer skin, and at each moult are always rather larger than the skin which they have cast off. Tlyocrypius sordidus, however, does not cast off the old skin of its carapace, but wears it like an overcoat that is rather too small for it outside the new one. When it has several of these old coats on, each a little smaller than the next, it presents a ‘“‘ridged” appearance like an oyster-shell. But as the edge of the carapace is fringed with branched sete, and these persist, each ridge is also bristling, (Fig. 2.) and it is this structure that causes the dirt to adhere in such quantities. THE ORIGIN OF MOUNTAINS.* BY HORACE B. WOODWARD, F.G.S. A great majority of the people, whether of this country or of any other, have never seen a mountain. Most of the larger towns and cities are placed near the mouths of rivers, or on some navigable stream, a good means of communication being an essential adjunct to growth. Mountains are situated at the heads of rivers: they are them- selves their source and watershed. And the streams to which they give rise are alternately peaceful rills or furious torrents; useful as a water supply, but useless for navigation. The mountains, in fact, are barriers to traffic, and hence men do not congregate around them. Few of us, therefore, have the opportunity of often going up into the mountains; but so long as we have strayed no further than the Lake District, North Wales, or the Scottish Highlands, our minds will retain ever pleasant pictures of these, which may be counted among the grandest objects of creation. The mysterious awe which surrounds mountains has raised up many an imaginative thought. Hence, how often are they the birthplace or home of the poet and the artist, who may well be content with the comtemplation of the present features, thinking of things as they are, regarding the hills as “ everlasting,” and as formed, perhaps, during some mighty convulsion when the earth was in its throes, and mountains were brought forth out of chaos. But moun- * A paper read before the Norwich Science Gossip Club, 1879. 6 ON THE ORIGIN OF MOUNTAINS. tains suggest a variety of thoughts. While some individuals may sit quietly revelling in the glories of the scene, and moralising upon things in general, others may be stirred up to enquire more particularly into the structure of the mountain masses, desiring to know something of the origin of theirform and presence. Such a process, as Professor Geikie has remarked, doubtless many a time disenchants a subject of the mystery it may have worn before, yet it never fails to raise up, in our meditative moments, feelings of far deeper wonder than it destroys.* Instead of chaos and violence we learn of slow and gradual growth, of changing scenes and successive groups of animal life, intimately con- nected yet differing; and all tell of law and adaptation. We obtain glimpses of time so remote that we cannot fully realise it; when the land- scape, however different from what it now is, was yet visited by rains, the impressions of whose drops are found on the hardened muds or slates of the old hills, and the coast was battered about by the wild sea-waves, as the old pebble-beds teach us. Then the forms of life, so far as we can tell, were few and inappreciative of the scenes, for the giant Trilobite (Paradoxides) was, perhaps, the Lord of the Creation. We must, however, leave these fanciful scenes, and proceed more seriously to the consideration of the subject we have in hand. And at the outset of our enquiry it may not be undesirable to ask, What is a mountain? Our thoughts, perhaps, return insensibly to the days of our youth and schooling, when rigid definitions were learnt by heart. Such definitions are useful until we begin to think for ourselves, and then we see how unnatural they are. A bay or a gulf, a cape ora headland—often we cannot say which isthe more appropriate term to use. And soin turning from the configuration of the land in plan, as we see it on maps, to its configuration in profile or relief, as we see it in section or in model, we cannot by actual admeasurement or by state- ments of height alone distinguish a mountain from a hill. In a recently published primer of Geography, by Mr. George Grove, the following passage shows how variable is the application of the terms :—‘‘ Mountains (he says) are the largest eminences of a country, and hills the smaller ones—as we say the ‘ Welsh Mountains,’ and the ‘Surrey Hills.’ But this distinction is not always kept up. The ‘Mount of Olives’ is a moderate-sized hill, and the ‘Neilgherry Hills’ are mountains more than 8,000 feet high. In India, again, the ‘Hill States’ are territories high up in the northern mountains, and ‘going to the hills’ means migrating for the hot season to Simla or Murree, which lie thousands of feet up on the spurs of the Himalayas. Sometimes, too, a collection of mountains is called a ‘mount,’ as Mount Lebanon, which is really a range of fifty miles long, and in some places 12,000 feet high.” If we take a general glance at our principal hills we find them to run in tolerably regular ranges or escarpments with gently flowing out- * Mountain Architecture, 1877, ON THE ORIGIN OF MOUNTAINS. 7 lines. Such are the Chalk Downs and the Cotteswold Hills. In these respects they differ from our mountains, which are mostly arranged in groups of partially isolated masses, rising here and there in peaks, sometimes appearing with rugged or serrated outlines, at others in rounded backs. The Pennine range, on the other hand, is an escarp- ment of hills, which finally culminates in the so-called mountains of Ingleboro’ and Penyghent. Here we have the gradation in height from one to the other; and, indeed, if such elevated tracts were of gradual formation we must expect evidence of passage from hill to mountain. In point of structure the Pennine range is even and regular, whereas the Lake Mountains are highly disturbed; facts which sufficiently account for their different aspect. But just as mentally we distinguish between pond and lake, so may we form a general distinction between hill and mountain, in looking at the broad outlines of our scenery. The distinctive features whether of mountains or hills are dependent upon their stony composition, the amount of disturbance to which the rocks composing them have been subjected, the geological age of these rocks (time in most cases meaning hardness,) and lastly, upon denudation or sculpture. These factorsare all important, though least sois the antiquity of the rocks, which may vary very considerably. We have spoken of the composition, structure, age, and sculpture of mountains. Into their composition many rocks enter, such as granite and numerous igneous rocks, slate and limestone, sandstone and conglomerate. Wecould not expect to see a mountain of clay, sand, or gravel, although occasional fringes of such materials may be found at different elevations; but the rocks just mentioned include hardened varieties of these. Such tfocks belong to all times. Slates, limestones, sandstones, and conglomerates, originally laid down under water, in tolerably regular layers, occur ina very disturbed manner in nearly all mountain ranges that have been carefully examined. In regard to structure, the component rocks of mountains are generally folded and contorted, and sometimes inverted, while eruptive or igneous rocks intrude among them, and granitic rocks sometimes appear as a central nucleus that has burst through and disturbed the rocks that overlie it. Igneous rocks, which may have existed in a molten state long previously to their eruption, are yet classified according to the geological date when they were intruded among overlying rocks; hence the central nucleus of a mountain may be much newer than the overlying rocks. The age of a mountain is decided by the age of the disturbance which last affected the rocks which form essential portions of its mass. Thus the mountains of Cumberland, Wales, and Scotland rank among the oldest in the world. The Wrekin, in Shropshire, is, according to the observations of Dr. Callaway, one of the very oldest in our country. All these elevations reach a far higher antiquity than the Himalayas or Andes, because the mass of those vast ranges is com- posed of rocks much newer than our mountain strata. Professor 8 ON THE ORIGIN OF MOUNTAINS. Geikie remarks that, ‘“‘On the Continent of Europe, the great chains of the Alps and Pyrenees were upheaved in Tertiary times. Some of their rocks, of the same age as the London-clay, have been crystallised and hardened, turned up on end, twisted and broken so as to present very much the character of the Primary rocks of our Highlands. In America the whole backbone of the continent, from the southern end of the Andes up to the Rocky Mountains, got its chief upheaval in Tertiary times.” Some mountains received their main upheaval at one geological period, while others have been successively upheaved time after time. In the Himalayas it is said that there are indications of at least five stages of great upheaval, each of which may have been gradual. There can be no question that all mountains owe their present eleva- tion to upheaval. Fossils have been found at heights of 11,000ft. on the Rocky Mountains, and at over 16,000ft. on the Himalayas. But since the time of their upheaval, partly, perhaps, during their upheaval, they haye been worn away or denuded, so that in very few cases do we find the outlines of the mountain to correspond with the original flexures of the strata. The Jura Mountains form an exception, as their outlines do correspond to the undulations of the rocks. Turning now to the causes which have led to such elevations, we may take it for granted that all the strata now forming the mountains were at one time at or below the sea-level. Subterranean move- ments have uplifted them. Nearly all mountain ranges have been shown to be composed of strata much bent and folded, to exhibit, in fact, such a crumpling as shows a ‘‘ diminution of surface area ;” and it is considered by Favre that these contortions are due to the cooling of the earth, and the contraction of its radius, composed, as it is, partly of an ‘“ interior pasty or fluid nucleus.” Thus lateral pressure originates, producing contortion, and the consequent elevation of certain tracts, and the depression of others. It has been stated by Prof. Duncan that a con- traction of only 1-100th of the earth’s circumference would have sufficed to fold the crust ina way to form all the mountains found in the meridian crossing the Alps.* Hence he considers that the land masses are upward curves on the earth’s surface, the ocean floors are downward curves, looking at them in a broad way. Dana calls them *‘ geo-synclinals” and ‘ geo-anticlinals.” In connection with this part of the subject, it has also been pointed out by Professor Duncan, firstly, that many of the principal mountain chains are at the margins of continents, and that volcanic eruptions take place where insular conditions are being brought about, or have been brought about in recent geological times, accompanied by parallelism of the chain; secondly, that the proximity of active * Duncan, Lecture on the Formation of the Main Land-masses.—Proc. Royal Geograph. Soc., 1878, Vol. XXII. See also O, Fisher, Geol. Magazine, Dec. 2nd, Vol. L., p, 60, ON THE ORIGIN OF MOUNTAINS. 9 volcanoes to the sea has been attributed to the percolation of sea- water through fissures to the heated interior of the earth; and if the outlines of the continental areas are lines of weakness or fracture this is important. The instability of the margins of many coasts is indicated by raised beaches and submerged forests ; in our own island especially on the western rocky and more mountainous shores.* In addition to the movements directly produced by volcanic upheaval, it is also considered that the very material ejected from voleanoes would cause cavities that might lead to subsidence. Then again, we know that nearly all the material worn from the land is deposited in the sea near the land, especially near the mouths of rivers. It is never carried far outtosea. And as we have mechani- cally formed strata several thousands of feet in thickness, such changes in the distribution of sediment may, it is thought, haye some minor effects on the processes of elevation and depression. Therude correspondence between the coast-lines of Africa and Europe on the one hand, and that of the American continent on the other, has often been the subject of suggestive remark. Dana, in commenting upon it, also upon the prevalent N.E. and N.W. courses or trends of the land, and the dependence of the outlines and feature-lines of the continents and oceanic lands upon these courses, says :—‘‘ Such lines of uplift are lines of fracture, or lines of weakest cohesion, and, therefore, like the courses of cleavage in crystals, they show by their prevalence some traces of a cleavage structure in the earth—in other words, a tendency to break into two transverse directions rather than others.” This quotation shows that we have yet much to learn on the subject ere the matter becomes simple. The sea has unquestionably formed most of the bays and head- lands. But ‘the tapering southwards of South America has not been caused by modern denudation. The shape is the result of changes which occurred far back in time. For Patagonia, from the Andes to the east coast, is a vast pebble-bed worn out of the Andes to the west, and deposited by current and tide on their eastern flank. Upheaval has occurred on both sides of the chain during the historic period, and thus the present state of things is favouring extension rather than the diminution of the area.’’+ While there may have been a general sort of continuity in the direction of the main lines of upheaval and depression, the changes have manifestly been great in the physical geography of the earth in past periods. Lyell has observed that ‘‘ it is not too much to say that every spot which is now dry land has been sea at some former period, and every part of the space now covered by the deepest ocean has been land.”} * See Duncan, Op. cit. +t Duncan, Op.cit., p. 8. t “Principles of Geology,” 11th ed, Vol.I., p. 260. 10 ON THE ORIGIN OF MOUNTAINS. In Cretaceous times, as Prof. Duncan remarks, “ evidently the greater part of Europe, North Africa, Arabia, Hindostan, and much of northern and eastern Asia, Australia, South America, and large tracts of North America were under water. But cretaceous land-surfaces, the edges of the deep sea, may be traced in Queensland, the Eastern Himalayas, Central Europe, and in the north-western States of America.” Indeed the present distribution of the land-masses was mainly sketched out in Tertiary times. Our Welsh and Lake Mountains were, however, true mountains long before that period. They were depressed in the Chalk Sea, and perhaps only isolated peaks appeared above the surface of the waters, just as, no doubt, there are now old land-surfaces beneath the ocean, indicated by certain oceanic islands. Again and again have our mountains been submerged, even, perhaps, as late as Glacial times, for on Moel Tryfaen, near Caernar- von, ata height of over 1,300ft., recent marine shells have been found that may indicate submergence to that extent. But, with all these fluctuations, the mountains have continued much as they were before, and we have no right to say that their upheaval is of Glacial or Post- glacial date, because we have vestiges of such comparatively recent deposits on their sides. Their form and structure bespeak their antiquity. We know too little at present to write a connected history of the formation of the great mountain systems. Nor can we do more than remark upon this connection between the outlines of the great continents. When, however, we look at a diagram showing the relation of the highest mountain (29,000ft.) to the deep ocean, (we don’t know its greatest depth yet,) how trivial seem the ups and downs of twenty or thirty thousand feet. Mr. Grove compares mountains to ‘the heads of the nails which fasten the lead to the dome of St. Paul’s.” We are seldom able to realise the entire height of the mountains. The valley of the Chamouni is 3,500ft. in height; and those who ascend Snowdon usually commence at some distance above the sea-level. Then, again, as Mr. Grove remarks, ‘‘few mountains rise at a steeper angle than 45°, and most are much less.” This means an elevation of one in one. The Peak of Teneriffe, which, from the harbour, seems to be almost over your head, is said to slope only at an angle of 12°, or about one in five. The slope is, no doubt, intimately connected with the stratification or structure of the rocks, and is thus but the angle of repose. (To be continued.) * Op, cit, p. 19. THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. ala THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. AN ACCOUNT OF THE FLOWERING PLANTS AND FERNS OF THE COUNTY OF WARWICK. BY JAMES E. BAGNALL. Hitherto no complete flora of the county of Warwick has been published. In the hope of supplying this deficiency, the following notes have been compiled. These will consist of my own notes made in various parts of the county during the past fourteen years, and also of all the records of past and present observers, so far as these have been within my reach. But in availing myself of past records, some of them dating as far back as the earlier editions of Ray’s works, I have not deemed it wise or needful to record those stations that are now known to be destroyed. The growth of towns, agricultural improvements, the ramifications of our great railway system, and other results of modern progress, together with the greed of collectors, have probably destroyed some of the old habitats I have ventured to quote, but as I have no certain knowledge of this, I have felt it better to give the record. A Flora which ignores the work of past botanists would not only be an incomplete but also an unjust one. I have to acknowledge with gratitude the valuable and kindly help Ihave from time to time received. To Professor C. C. Babington, Mr. J. G. Baker, and the late Rev. Andrew Bloxam I am indebted for valuable assistance in the study of critical genera. To Mr. Hewett C. Watson for specimens of rare and critical plants, and also for the gift of his valuable works on Topographical Botany, from which I shall quote as occasion serves. To my old friend Henry Bromwich for many rare Warwickshire specimens, and for valuable information as to the localities of our rarer plants in South Warwick. To Mr. James Groves for his opinion on the Characeze of the county. To the Rev. John Caswell for lists of plants observed by him about Salford Priors, and also in the neighbourhood of Oscott. To Mr. H. W. Troit, formerly a painstaking and enthusiastic member of the Rugby School Natural History Society, for many notes from the Rugby district. I am also deeply indebted to the Rev. W. W. Newbould for very ample notes from the hitherto unworked portion of the county, forming the basin of the Stour, a very inaccessible district. I have also to thank him for many valuable suggestions, and for the many kind- nesses he has shown me; such as searching works I was unable to obtain, and copying for me an amount of valuable matter that has proved of great service. TopoGRaPHY. Warwickshire is the most central English county, and has a some- what irregular form, tapering to the north and to the south. It is bounded on the north by Derbyshire, on the north-west by Staffordshire, on the west by Worcestershire, on the south-west by Gloucestershire, on the south aud south-east by Oxfordshire, on the 12 THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. east by Northamptonshire, and on the north-east by Leicestershire. Detached portions of the county lie in Gloucestershire and Worcester- shire; no special feature in the botany, however, occurs in any of these detached portions. Its greatest length is stated to be fifty-eight miles, its greatest breadth thirty-two miles, and it has an area of 881 square miles, or 563,946 acres. Although beautifully undulating, the county possesses no lofty hills. The Edge Hills, forming its southern boundary, have an eleva- tion of about 800ft. Near these are the Burton Hills, which com- mand a fine sweep of country. South-west of the Edge Hills is Brailes Hill, and some ten or eleven miles north-east the Napton and Shuckburgh Hills. High land, commanding most extensive views, occurs at Corley, the highest point here being about 625ft. above sea level. The country about Hartshill and Oldbury is much elevated, and affords very comprehensive views over the low-lying lands of Leicestershire. Brinklow, Whitacre, and Meriden are also somewhat elevated; and near Tanworth, on the western border of the county, there is a fair sweep of highland. The county is truly a woodland one, but boasts of no forest and but few really large woods ; the most extensive ones with which I am acquainted are those of Chesterton, Oversley, Haywoods, Arbury, Merevale, Bentley, and Hartshill, but the small woods are innumer- able. My experience with regard toour Warwickshire woods has been, on the whole, disappointing, as I have found them far from prolific in woodland plants. * The New Red Sandstone prevails in Warwickshire, and occupies great part of the north-west portion of the county; its southern boundary running nearly parallel with the Avon, a few miles south- east of that river. The Permian occupies a portion of the central part of the country, and extends from a little south of Kenilworth and Stoneleigh, along the hilly district of Corley, Fillongley, and Ansley, to Baxterly. The Carboniferous system crops out on its north-east border, and forms the Warwickshire coalfield, which is about fifteen miles in length, with a varying breadth of one to five miles. The highest point of these rocks is about 500 feet above sea level. Greenstone is quarried near Hartshill, and between Nuneaton and Atherstone, Millstone Grit and an abundance of Fire-clay are found.”* On the south, the New Red meets the Lias at a line drawn & few miles north of Dunchurch, through Long Itchington, to Friz Hill, a little south of Stratford-on-Avon, The course of the Lias may be traced from the neighbourhood of Edge Hills, where its upper beds of Black Shale, with bands of Blue and Grey Limestone, overlie the Marlstone. At Harbury, the lower beds are composed of Blue Clay and Shale, traversed by beds of Limestone. The total thickness of the Lias in the Midland Counties is 300ft.+ , Saran) of Warwickshire, W. G. Fretton. | Encyclopedia Britannica. THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. 13? The unreclaimed land of the county is of inconsiderable extent, and the commons, once remarkably numerous, are now mostly enclosed and cultivated, or used for grazing. The most extensive heathlands are those of Sutton Coldfield, having an area of about 3,500 acres, and embracing tracts of woodland, moorland, and several large pools. Next to these are the heathlands near Coleshill, Kenilworth Heath, and Yarningale Common. In many districts, however, more especially in the northern portion of the county, the lanes and less frequented roads assume a heath-like character, and still yield a characteristic Flora. Owing to the high state of culture in the county, bogs and marshes are of limited extent. The extensive marshlands near Hampton-in-Arden, still called Bradnock’s Marsh, have been drained, and are all under cultivation. Some marshy and boggy land occurs near Coleshill Pool, and also in Sutton Park, but in both cases very limited in extent, hence marsh plants are very local, and in some cases extremely rare. It should also be mentioned that near Leamington, Southam, and Itchington Holt, salt springs occur, yielding in the twc latter places some few maritime plants, such as Rumex maritimus, Juncus com- pressus, Scirpus glaucus, and Carex distans. Warwickshire, though well watered, has only two rivers of any magnitude—the Upper Avon, which is tributary to the Severn, and the Tame, which is tributary to the Trent. The other rivers of the county flow directly or indirectly into one or other of these two rivers. There is, however, an insignificant stream running south-east of the Edge Hills, which ultimately reaches the Cherwell near Banbury, and thus drains into the Thames. But, with this unimportant exception, Warwickshire forms part of the basins of those two important rivers— the Severn and the Trent. It would have been well to divide the county into Botanical districts, by means of the various rivers intersecting it. Space, how- ever, will not allowthis. I shall, therefore, content myself with dividing the county into two large districts—the Avon basin and the Tame basin. To render these two districts more intelligible, I will briefly describe the course of the rivers, noticing, at the same time, the country which they drain. The Avon rises at Naseby in Northamptonshire, and enters War- wickshire near Clifton. It runs a meandering course south-west, passing some little distance north of Rugby, where it receives on its right bank the small River Swift. After leaving Rugby it runs past Lawford and Brandon, receiving on its left bank two small streams draining the surrounding country. Passing near Ryton-on-Dunsmore and Bubbenhall, it flows through Stoneleigh Park ; here it receives on its right bank the River Sow. It now becomes a stream of greater magnitude, and taking its course by Ashow, passes on through the 14 THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. romantic grounds of Guy’s Cliff, to which it lends a great enchantment. A little further on at Emscote it receives its important tributary the Leam, and passing close to the walls of Warwick’s stately pile runs through Warwick Park. In this park is a pool which is fed by a confluence of streams draining the west side of the high land around Chesterton and the parish of Tachbrook. This pool appears to drain into the Avon on its left bank. From Warwick Park the Avon flows near Barford to Sherbourne, where it receives the drainage of Norton Lindsay and the country around Sherbourne. A little further on, near Hampton Lucy, it receives on its left bank Thelesford Brook, a small stream draining Lighthorne, Newbold Pacey, and Wasperton Hill. In its course through Charlecote Park it receives the small River Dene, a stream of no magnitude, having two sources, the Burton Dassett Hills and the Edge Hills, and draining much of the surround- ing country, as Burton Dassett, Kineton, Butlers Marston, Pillerton, Combrook, and Wellesbourne Hastings. On leaving Charlecote the Avon flows through Alveston to Stratford-on-Avon, passing clese by the church on the north-east side. Below Stratford the Avon is navigable for barges of forty tons burden through the remainder of its course. A little below Stratford, it receives on its left bank the River Stour, and, passing Binton Bridges and Bidford, receives on its right bank the River Arrow, near Salford Priors. Near this village it also receives two small streams draining Bevington and Salford, and about a mile farther on leaves the county. Its whole course through the county is about fifty-seven miles. After leaving Warwickshire, the Avon passes into Worcestershire, through Evesham and Pershore, and enters the Severn near Tewkesbury. Its whole course is ninety-eight miles. The Swift, a small river rising beyond Lutterworth, in Leicestershire, enters Warwickshire north of Church Over, and, passing through Cosford and Browns Over, enters the right bank of the Avon near Rugby Mill. It has a short but rapid course. The Sow rises on the high land near Astley, and flowing near the coal district around Bedworth, through Exhall, Foleshill, Sow, Binley, and near Whitley Abbey, enters the Avon in Stoneleigh Park. Tt, receives on its right bank streams draining Fillongley and Whit- more, namely, near Bagington Mill the small River Sherbourne, a stream rising in the high land about Corley, and receiving in its course the drainage of Allesley and Eastern Green; near Finham the Sow receives a stream draining the country around Kenilworth. On its left bank it receives several small streams draining Anstey, Sow Waste, and the high land about Brinklow and Coombe Abbey. Its whole course is about twenty miles. (To be continued.) RECORD OF PHENOLOGICAL PHENOMENA. 15 OBSERVATIONS ON THE RECORD OF PHENOLOGICAL PHENOMENA.* There are many who have shewn themselves, by their observations during the past year, willing to devote some portion of their time to the accumulation of accurate data concerning the time of occurrence of natural phenomena, and it seems to be desirable that their energies should be directed into the channel in which they will be capable of utilisation. Now before any such record as those to which we refer can be of real scientific value, certain conditions must be fulfilled, which, we are sorry to say, are not sufficiently regarded by some members of our volunteer staff of observers; and it isin the hope that they may themselves perceive this necessity that these remarks are penned. Firstly, it is absolutely essential that the species to which the observation refers should be unmistakable; without this it is so much labour thrown away. The scientific name must be given acccurately, and, in doubtful cases, with the “‘ authority” appended. The observer may know in what sense he himself uses the English name, but he will be a bold man if he assumes that all others use it in the same sense as he does. The possibility of misidentification sometimes exists, indeed, even with the scientific name, but it is immensely increased by the misplaced use of the ‘‘popular” name in cases like these, where there is, perhaps, no clue to what is meant except the name itself. It is probably even more important that the scientific name should be applied to the right object. This is by no means a thing to be taken for granted ; it is astonishing what mistakes will be made by really good observers. The only hope of reducing these errors to a minimum lies in subjecting the specimens, where possible, to the observation of more than one pair of eyes. This is easy to do with plants, and no records of these can be trusted which are not certified by the independent corroboration of some competent botanist. Plants have been sent for record in the “‘ Midland Naturalist” which simply cannot and do not grow in the places to which they were assigned unless they were planted there ; and one who is behind the scenes could say how often Papaver Argemone is mistaken for P. Rheas, Malva rotundifolia for M. sylvestris, Polygala depressa for P. vulgaris, and so on. In relation to the last two, for instance, the time of beginning to flower is quite distinct, and, leaving out of question the specific distinction of the plants, it is obvious that a mixed record of the times of flowering of the two varieties can convey no useful information whatever. The same remark applies to the records of all those variable plants which have in recent times been divided into numerous ‘“‘species;” and observers, who are not competent to distinguish between the forms which these species assume, will be well advised if they leave them * Read at the Meeting of the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society, December 14th, 1880, 16 RECORD OF PHENOLOGICAL PHENOMENA, altogether alone. In fact, it is the most easily understood and most wide-spread species which are the most valuable for the purpose which we are now considering. Scilla nutans and Ranunculus Ficaria are typical examples of the kind of plant to which the attention of amateur botanists should be directed, if only because they cease flowering during the later portion of the year. There are many plants, such as Ranunculus repens and R. bulbosus, which will go on flowering under certain conditions all the winter through, and it is easy for a superficial observer to mistake a straggler of last year for an early flower of the present. Again, mis- directed zeal is often shewn in recording that certain species were in bloom on the first day of January. The primrose (Primula vulgaris) is a well-known example. But Flora does not make a clean sweep of her treasures at midnight on the 3lst of December, to commence the new year with a botanical tabula rasa. The only interest, from our point of view, lies in ascertaining how soon in December the primrose opened its first flowers. The same plant will serve also as a proof of the importance of a third requisite of utility in the observation, namely, the aspect and soil of the locality. In examining a limited district in early spring, we may hunt everywhere without finding a single expanded primrose, till we come to some favoured and welli-sheltered wood, and there they may bein bloom by hundreds. We can ourselves cite an instance where a distance of only a dozen yards separated two spots, in one of which the primroses were in full flower, while in the other there was scarcely a single bud, and in the latter, indeed, no flower appeared till several weeks after. Those who were on the spot could give sufficient reasons for the difference, but the mere record of the date would have been quite misleading. The object of the enquiry is not to obtain the earliest period of flowering, but to accumulate data for determining the influ- ence of climate and weather upon growth, as well as to study the constitution of plants, and the coincidences of occurrence of which many are well known already to country people. For instance, there is the proverb relating to the connection be- tween the leafing of the oak and ash, and the weather of the succeeding summer. it has not yet been proved, in our opinion, whether under similar circumstances the oak ever puts forth its leaves before the ash. Isolated instancss may be observed, but these, it cannot be too often repeated, are of little value. Those observers who record that a certain plant was in flower, a certain tree in leaf, or a certain bird arrived, when they have seen only a single specimen, are retarding instead of advancing the cause of knowledge, unless they at the same time point out the slender materials on which they base the statement. It will now be evident that useful work in this direction is not of such easy achievement as it is sometimes thought to be: it will be necessary that the observer should limit the number of objects to which his energies shall be devoted. It is intended to publish each month in the “Midland Naturalist” (with the permission of the a s. RECORD OF PHENOLOGICAL PHENOMENA. ily ¢ Meteorological Society) the list of plants, birds, and insects which they recommend for observation in the succeeding month, and a be- ginning is made in this number with those which may be expected to occur in January and February. The Meteorological Society under- took some years ago the guidance and collation of phenological obser- vations, without which they would yield no result, and, with the assistance of the Rev. T. A. Preston and others, drew up a code of Instructions,* a revised edition of which is to be issued soon. While waiting for it, those observers who cannot obtain a copy of the old edition may borrow one from Mr. Preston, as he kindly informs us in aletter. From him also may be obtained any information upon the subject, and he will gladly welcome any addition to his staff of obs ervers, especially in the more northern districts. Blank forms for the record of observations may be obtained from the Secretary of the Meteorological Society. Finally, we will recapitulate the essential conditions of a good phenological botanical observation. It must embrace (1) the name of the object ; (2) the date ; (3) the exact locality ; (4) the habitat; (5) the aspect and soil; (6) the elevation, at least in hilly districts; (7) any other circumstance, such as the stage of foliation or flowering, the number of specimens, &c., which may be necessary to place the reader in the same position as the observer for estimating the value of the observation. ‘False facts in science,” says Professor Jevons, in the “ Principles of Science,” ‘‘ are more mischievous than false theories.” The latter can be overthrown by the labours of other enquirers, the former may long remain a stumbling-block in the way of truth. There is distinct need of a higher code of morality among botanical observers. Those who study the progress of physical science are aware that for the most part the standard of accuracy exacted from those who pursue that branch of knowledge is very high, and that an investigator who has any re- gard for his reputation will publish no statement until he has checked it, and verified it to the utmost of his power. The history of English Botany is sullied with some passages which, if they do not showa direct intention to deceive, at least originated in the most culpable carelessness. Those who have the honour of science at heart should not be silent on such points, since by their utterances is formed that public opinion by which even the carelessness that stops short of dis- honesty is compelled to take thought and amend its habits. In the race to be first to record a new species, a new locality, or an earlier date, it is sometimes forgotten that the only object of pursuit worthy of a man of science is the truth. W. B. Grove, B.A. J. E. BaGnawn. * “Instructions for the Observation of Phenological Phenomena,” published by Williams und Strahan, 7, Lawrence Lane, Cheapside, London, i875, price6d. It is said to be out of print, but we recently obtained a copy from the publishers, so that probably afew remain. 18 THE WEATHER OF NOVEMBER. METEOROLOGY OF THE MIDLANDS. THE WEATHER OF NOVEMBER, 1880. —EEEE BY W. JEROME HARRISON, F.G.S. RAINFALL. TEMPERATURE. Zs |Greatest fall). d|Greatest ht.Great’st cold STATION. OBSERVER. Ke = jin 24 hours. |? = - ~ oe aS) i o§ In. |In. | Date. | /Deg| Date. |Deg) Date. GLOUCESTERSHIRE. Sheltenham ................ Ra Nyrer, WAG: To a Ge a a eae J.N. Dufty, Eaq........... 260/108} 14 =| 17 |57-0/ 18 |18°0| a0 Lo Riedel fcc W. Berrid la 92) *51 mghborough .........se00. - Berridge, Rsq........../ 1°92] °5 14 | 5y° i Ashby Magna............. ++. Rev, E. Willes te «| 204) °72 striae 15 ben - 60 29 ye SMR Gaya wava'ncans san ks 'T. Macaulay, sq 69} 15 | 15 |66°0/ 14 | 170) oy zone Museum, Leicester.... Cag noe, ane, Rotdnice ax ‘47,16 15 |610) 18 |19°3) og TD eeawsscacsoonesvcceess - Hames, jun, Es “44 Waltharo-io.W ("See +++++/K. Ball, : Ese : eguneaee 1'c0) “60 i 5 ree 4 a10 = Dalby Hal” Melton...... Rev. A. at. end . 48) 14 16 57°38} «18 185) 9g peasedstbuves +se--/Mr. G. Jones ...... eaevneeeftO8}, * 2 | 56" 5 . We a l, i bey 1 owcester Browery..........\J. Webb, Esq..........000..) 1°85)“ Kettering....... seeeeseeareee J. Wallis, Ee, te eecesesses )2°10 o8 is 5 530) 14 22 Althorpe Bue ani G. 8. Groom, Esq........... 218) 71) 15 12/570) 13 & Uppingham..................|Rev. G. H. Mullins 210) 60) 14 16 | 56° oes eeseees . 61; 18 Northflelds, Stamford \ . M4 12 | 62°0 18 Altarnun, Corn oo d oo an a 12 Radcliffe Observatory,Oxford E. J. Ston 16 | 14 bas Ti Correction.—For 22:0, 20th, as Oak. ini ore aun, amoor minimum for THE WEATHER OF NOVEMBER. 19 rAaa November was remarkable for rapid and sudden changes, both of barometric pressure and of temperature. The first five or six days were cold, but from the 9th to the 14th much warmer; then came a ‘cold snap” from the 17th to the 24th, ice forming 2in. in thickness, and skating rendered possible at Nottingham and elsewhere. Finally the month wound up with warm pleasant weather. On the 16th the barometer fell to 284in., rising to 30fin. on the 21st. Snow fell rather heavily on the 15th, and a little on the 18th and 21st. The heavy rainfall about the 14th caused floods in the Trent Valley. There was unusually little heavy fog. A very fine aurora was seen on the 3rd, at 8 p.m., and a large sun-spot was visible with the naked eye on the last two or three daysof the month. At Farley, lunar halo 8th and 19th, the latter a very fine one with colours, at two 4.m. Aurora on early morning of 19th. Increased activity in the sun at this time, and great changes in one of the spot regions observed with a 2? clear aperture. Naturat History Notes py OssERveRs.—Stroud.-Small Bat seen flying on afternoon of 5th. Shifnal.—No Fieldfares seen yet ; Throstles and Wagtailsall gone; an unusual paucity of Woodcocks. Alstonfield.— Fieldfares first seen on 2nd, which is unusually late for them to appear. More Rectory—Missel Thrush singing on 15th; Bats flying about on morning of 29th. Correspondence. PHENOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. We call the attention of all those who intend to favour us with observations of this kind during the approaching season to the condi- tions enumerated in the paper by Messrs. Grove and Bagnall, which appears in this number. Every record must comply with those conditions, and be accompanied, wherever possible, and in the case of plants and most insects always, by one of the actual specimens observed, or by a corroboration of the name from some other competent naturalist in the neighbourhood of the observer. The Rey. T. A. Preston, The Green, Marlborough, has undertaken the collation of the results, under the auspices of the London Meteorological Society. We advise beginners to confine their attention to the species contained in the following list; but we shall be glad, in addition, to receive from those whose studies are more extensive, accounts of the occurrence of Cryptogamic species of plants, provided always that they contain certain definite information, similar in character to that demanded in the higher forms, which will enable the collator to appreciate the observation as completely as the observer himself. The following is the list of plants and insects recommended 20 CORRESPONDENCE, by the Meteorological Society for observation during January and February :— JANUARY AND FEBRUARY. Plants. ie a Earliest. Latest. Feb. 70 1 Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop) .........+ Jan.11. Feb. 20 53 7 Veronica hederifolia (Ivy-leaved Speedwell) By Jan. 1. Feb. 20 66 8 Corylus Avellana (Hazel).........+.-..+- Jan. 17. Mar.10 14 Ranuncunvs Ficarra (Pilewort) .......... Jan. 26. Mar. 6 63 21 Mercurialis perennis (Dog’s Mercury) .... Feb. 1. Mar. 27 7 Cardamine hirsuta (Hairy Bitter Cress) .. Feb. 6. April 8 37 TussizaGo Farrara (Coltsfoot) .......... Feb. 11. April 1 Insects and Birds. 74 Apis mellifica (Honey Bee) 79 Trichocera hiemalis (Winter Gnat) 88 Alauda arvensis (Sky-lark) song begins 82 Turdus musicus (Song Thrush) song begins } = 89 Fringilla celebs (Chaffinch) song begins | Feb 80 Strix aluco (Brown Owl) hoots ; PHENOLOGICAL OBSERVATION.—Geranium Robertianum in full flower and good condition in old lime kiln, near foot of Beacon Stoop, on December 21st; snow on hills and fields averaging 24 inches in depth, weather bitterly cold.—Ciement L. Wraace. Frit ImpLeMEnNts IN THE Drirr.—I have recently found a Paleolithic implement in gravels north of Ealing, 164ft. above ordnance datum. The spot is on an eminence, having the Thames Valley on one side and Harrow on the other. Several flakes occurred at the same place. From .the high or plateau gravels overlooking Hertford I have got one good and one poorly made implement; a first-rate trimmed flake and several ordinary flakes. From the same beds, near Ware, I have a poor implement and a good slice flake; and a friend, who lives in the neighbourhood, has obtained a large ovate (broken in ancient times) flint implement from these same Ware gravels.—Worrtumneron G. Siru. OrnitHoLocicaL Norrs.—In March last, or, perhaps, rather later, a pair of Shovellers (Anas clypeata, Linn.) were seen on Otmoor, in this county. The male, I am sorry to say, was shot. They might possibly have bred there if undisturbed, as the place is a very suitable habitat for wild fowl. The Rev. T. W. Falcon, of Charlton, (to whom I am indebted for this information,) says :—‘‘ The Otmoor is in winter, and often all summer, a swamp of from 2,000 to 8,000 acres.” He adds that the bird is sufficiently well known there (as_a winter visitor) to have the local name of Spoonbill. A bird of the year was killed in the same place in October. Winter birds have arrived in fair numbers. Snipe were very plentiful early in the season, and no less than seven “Jacks” were killed in one meadow during the first fortnight in October. Three Grey Crows have been procured, (the first was, I think, on October 12th,) and seven or eight CORRESPONDENCE. OAD Short-eared Owls—allin November. Fieldfares did not reach us till October 24th ; they are now very numerous in the meadows. On the 8rd inst. I observed several Grey Wagtails along the river. I have not at present heard of any Wigeon, but Teal were observed quite early in October. A green Sandpiper was seen on the Swere about the 2nd of September. Two Wheatears have been killed this autumn, on September the 23rd and October 13th respectively; this isa rare species here. Of the late immigration of Great Grey Shrikes we have thus far only had one example; inside this bird we found the remains of a Shrew. A correspondent to the Field, last week, notes the occurrence of a Cormorant, at Wheatly. It was observed, during a snowstorm, (on the 23rd ult., I think,) sitting on the church spire. Dr. Plott, in his ‘Natural History of Oxfordshire,” mentions a somewhat similar case, more than two hundred years ago. He says of this bird: **The Cormorant has been observed to come hither about harvest time, whereof there was one killed from §t. Mary’s steeple, (tired with a long flight,) August, 1675, and another young one taken up in Arncot field fallen down in the corn, and brought me to Oxford.” I have heard of other instances which point to its habit of resting on high places. About the 3rd of this month a Shag (Graculus cristatus ) was procured at Souldern. Mr. Wyatt, the taxidermist at Banbury, kindly let me know directly he received it, so that I was able to examine it in the flesh. We noticed on the tongue a peculiar barb- like process—doubtless of great assistance to the bird in swallowing its slippery prey. Three great spotted Woodpeckers have been shot in the neighbourhood, two of them, killed in July, were birds of the year ; the other, a fine male, was procured in Broughton Park, about the end of last month. Whilst walking along the Cherwell, on the 3rd inst., a Sandpiper rose from the bank and flew up the river; I fired, and the bird fell winged in the middle of the stream. In a few seconds it righted itself and swam to the bank, up which it crept. I went a little way up the river, waded over, and returned to the place. I found the bird lying on the bank, and to all appearance dead ; I then saw that it was a fine specimen of the Green Sandpiper. However, on stooping to pick it up, the bird fluttered into the water, and immediately dived, and, although I searched till dark, I never saw it again. Col. Montagu mentions a very similar case, and remarks, ‘* possibly it got entangled in the weeds, and was drowned ;” although this habit is, I hear, well known to those accustomed to ‘‘ wader ” shooting, still it may not be so to all Midland readers. I have only Leard of one Merlin this season—a very fine male, procured at Gaydon, Warwickshire, early in the autumn.—Oniver VY. Aptin, Bodicote, Oxon, December, 1880. Sripers.—With warm days and clear nights during the autumn of the year, we naturally had evening mists and heavy morning dews. In my garden, two or three hours after sunrise, the cobwebs were a beautiful and curious sight. I counted 200 of them on one small shrub. The garden is less than an acre in extent, and some of the shrubs, such as currants and gooseberries, had very few cobwebs ; but I calculate that there cannot have been less than 50,000 of them in my small domain. They were of three distinct forms: (1) the exquisite lace-work of the EpZiras, the geometric spiders ; (2) the mass of crossed threads spun by several species of Theridion; and (3) the suspended sheets of the Linyphias. Ishould estimate them at 5,000 Epéira, 5,000 Vheridion, and 40,000 Linyphia. They stood as thick as possible on every evergreen shrub, and on every yard of hedgerow, occupying nearly every square inch of surface, yet nowhere interfering, and apparently all in peace 22 CORRESPONDENCE——GLEANINGS. and harmony. Every inch was the property of a separate pair of spiders, so that I found myself surrounded by at least 100,000 of these clever spinners. On the under side of a leaf, close to each web, was a little heap of debris—wings and heads of fliesof various kinds ; and one may fairly suppose that each spider would eat at least ten flies in the course of the season. We have had quite enough of flies, gnats, and midges in our garden, but if it had not been for the spiders we should have had a million more.—F. T. Mort, Birstal Hill, Leicester. Correction.—The title of Mr. Aplin’s paper, at page 287, Vol. IIT., (December, 1880,) should have been ‘The Autumn and Winter - Migratory Birds of the district around Bodicote, Oxfordshire.” Gleanings. Gotp in A New Bauirisu Locariry.—Small quantities of gold have recently been detected by Mr. How, in the quartz veins of Peldar Tor, a hill in the north-west portion of Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire. These Charnwood rocks are probably Pre-Cambrian, belonging to the Pebidian series of Dr. Hicks. ANIMALS WHICH HAVE BECOME EXxTINcT IN BRITAIN WITHIN HISTORIC Tres.—The following list, by Mr. J. E. Harting, is taken from the transactions of the Herts Natural History Society :—The Bear, about 900 a.p. ; Beaver, 1600; Reindeer, (Caithness,) 1100; Wild Boar, 1650; Wolf, (England,) 1500, Scotland, 1743, Ireland, 1770. SimvriAN Bracuropops.—To assist Mr. Thomas Davidson, F.R.§., in the completion of his great work on Fossil Brachiopods, Mr. G. Maw, of Broseley, has washed from 15 to 20 tons of Wenlock shale, which have yielded 50,000 specimens of these remarkable fossil shells, belonging to 63 species, the commonest species being Orthis biloba, of which there are about 15,000 individuals of every size and age. Work amone Fossi, Bracutorops.—In this year’s volume of the Palwontographical Society, Mr. Davidson will publish the results of his inquiry into the fossil brachiopods contained in the quartzite pebbles of Budleigh Salterton, on the coast of Devon, giving about fifty quarto pages of letterpress and five plates. The result will be, we believe, to show that these quartzites must mainly have been derived from rocks of Silurian age in the north of France, or their former extension across the English Channel. A remarkable point is that several similar pebbles, containing the characteristic brachiopod Orthis Budleighensis, have heen found in the Midlands during the last year or two, by Mr. Harrison, near Leicester, Mr. Jennings, at Nottingham, and others in the vicinity of Birmingham. Here is some winter work for local geologists! Let them crack some thousands of the common liver-coloured or pale pebbles—petrified kidneys as they are commonly called—and they will almost certainly come across some evidences of life which may enable us to trace more certainly these ood A their source--at all events they will keep themselves REPORTS. 23 Reports of Societies. BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.—Gronoeicat Section.—November 23rd. It was announced that on and after the 24th of November, the Society’s room in Mason’s College would be open to members from twelve to three daily. Mr.T.H. Waller, B.A., B.8c., read a paper on “Igneous Rocks,” detailing their origin and general characters, their mineral constitution, and the decompositions to which they have been subject. At the close of his paper, Mr. Waller exhibited by lantern some photographs of rock sections, illustrating some of the chief characteristics of the principal rock-forming minerals and also some peculiarities of rock structure.— GENERAL MEETING.—November 30th. Mr. Herbert Spencer was elected a hon. vice-president of the society. Mr. W. H. Wilkinson exhibited Pisidiwm cinereum, Planorbis vortex, Limneus pereger, freshwater mollusca from this neighbour- hood,and read some notes on the development of the last-named species. Mr. H. E. Forrest read a paper on “‘A Rare British Entomostracon, I/yocryptus sordidus,” which appears in this number.—GENERAL MEETING.—December 7th. Mr. H. J. Carter, F.R.S., presented to the society, through Mr. Hughes, copies of thirty- four papers which he had at various times contributed to the Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Mr. J. E. Bagnall exhibited reticulated vessels from the rootlets of the Leek, and laticiferous vessels from the stipules of Ficus elastica. Mr. Lawson Tait exhibited the metacarpal bones from the hand of a horse, showing how the rudimentary bones of the ring and index-fingers had been united to the central bone by an osseous deposit, the result of inflammation, which union always produces lameness in the horse. Mr. C. Pumphrey then read a paper on ‘‘ Molluscan Palates, and the mode of obtaining them.” He pointed out the positions in which they occur in different species, and the mode of dissecting them out; their preparation by boiling in caustic potash, and the mode of mounting them, either dry or in Canada balsam. He also exhibited numerous specimens under the microscope.— BroLogicaL SEcTION.—December 14th. Mr. J. Morley exhibited, under the microscope, scale of sole, to show the effect of polarised light. Mr. Robt. W. Chase exhibited the Shore Lark and Lapland Bunting, both taken near Brighton. Mr. Blatch exhibited Ocyusa picina, a very rare beetle, from Sutton Coldfield, new to the district. Mr. J. Levick exhibited, under the microscope, a minute organism of a pink colour, which he believed to be a species of Volvocines. Mr. J. Bagnall exhibited sections of Marchantia poly- morpha and sections of leaf of Begonia, and read some notes describing pecu- liarities of structure in these plants. Mr. W. B. Grove, B.A., read a paper containing ‘Observations on the Record of Phenological Phenomena.” Microscopican GrennraL Mrrtine.—December 21st. Mr. Blatch exhibited Chirocephalus diaphanus, “The Fairy Shrimp,” from Knowle, believed to be new to the district. Mr. W. B. Grove, B.A., exhibited on behalf of Mr. G. T. Harris, a moss, Thamnium alopecurum, from Ewias Harold, Herefordshire. The Chairman announced that from this date the sub-curator would be empowered to issue and receive the books of the Society’s library during the hours from twelve to three daily. Myr. W. H. Wilkinson then read a paper on the “ Flora of Bournemouth,” which he illustrated by about fifty mounted specimens. The rarer plants were: Ranunculus tripartitus, Drosera inter- media, Claytonia perfoliata, Chicorium Intybus, Erica ciliaris, Erythrea littoralis, Cicendia filiformis, Gentiana Pnewmonanthe, Cuscuta Europea, Pinguicula lusitanica, Agrostis setacea, Osmunda regalis. He recommended Bournemouth as an excellent centre for a botanical excursion, floras of the most diverse character being found within easy reach of the town, as at Poole Harbour, Swanage, Lulworth, Alum Bay, and the New Forest. CHELTENHAM NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY.— November 18th. Rey. J. D. Breen read a paper on “ The Theory of the Descent of Man One Hundred Years Ago.’’ The paper gave a carefully-digested account of Lord Monboddo’s opinions oa the descent of man, and pointed out how far they agree 24 REPORYS. witb, and in what respects they differ from, those of Mr. Darwin. An interesting discussion followed. Colonel Basevi afterwards exhibited some living organisms under the microscope. OXFORDSHIRE NATURALHISTORY SOCIETY.—A meeting was heldin the Lecture Room of the Botanic Gardens, on the 4th Dec., Professor Lawson in the chair. The rules were revised and passed, the subscription being fixed at 5s. per annum till the Society begins publishing a journal, and it was also arranged to have a field day once a month, and a monthly meeting for the comparison of specimens and reading short papers, &c. Professor Westwood, F.R.S., was unanimously elected president, the other officers being Professor Lawson, President of the Botanical Section; Professor Westwood, Entomo- logical; Mr. E. B. Poulton, Geological ; Mr. Oliver Aplin, Ornithological; Mr. H. Boswell, Biological ; Mr. G@. C. Druce, Secretary and Treasurer. After the meeting Mr. Oliver Aplin exhibited eggs of the Iceland Falcon (Falco Islandicus) and the great Northern Diver (Colymbus glacialis) from Iceland; the Little Auk (Alca alle) from Davis's Strait; the Manx Shear- water from the Faroes; the Noddy Tern, from Ascension Island. Professor Lawson exhibited and described a peculiar unicellular alga (Dictyodon,) and Mr. Drace showed Isoetes Mooreti, from Lough Bray, County Wicklow, recently discovered there by Mr. A. Moore, of Glasnevin; Cystopteris montana, found this year on Helvellyn, by Mr. Bolton King; Chara fragifera, found in the Scilly Isles and Penzance, from the discoverer Dr. Ralfs; and Chara stelligera, from Felby Broad, Norfolk.—On Tuesday, November 9th, Mr. E. B. Poulton gave a lecture on the ‘“ Geology of Shotover Hill,” which proved extremely interesting. The formation passed over after leaving Magdalen Bridge would be alluvial, deposited over beds of gravel, in which might be found bones of the deer, sheep, and elk, beneath this being a much older gravel, containing bones of the rhinoceros, elephant, and hippo- potamus. From St. Clement’s to the rise of Headington Hill, the Oxford clay would be passed over, the more abrupt ascent marking the appearance of the coralline limestone, underneath which was a shallow layer of sand, both the limestone and sand containing fossils. After getting to the top of the more abrupt ascent, undulating country would be passed over, marking another deposit of clay called Kimmeridge clay. Capped by this at the steepest rise of the hill came the Portland sand, a sand containing large masses of limestone, while above this, and forming the apex of Shotover, was a formation once elassed with the greensand, but which, from the recent discoveries of a certain small crustacean, the lecturer considered to be a fresh water deposit, probably of the Wealden formation. Mr. Poulton concluded his lecture by describing the formation of oolitic limestone, of ochre, and the clay. The lecture was especially intended to illustrate and describe the portion of the hill to be inspected on the next field day. After the lecture Professor Lawson exhibited, under microscopes, sections of oolitic limestone, agates, Eozodn canadense, and Foraminifera and Polycystina. PETERBOROUGH NATURAL HISTORY AND ARCHAOLOGICAL SOCIETY.—November 18th.—The Rev. J. G. Wood iectured on “ Ants” in his usnal interesting manner, and illustrated his remarks by numerous explanatory drawings. December 1st.—Mr. J. C. Buckmaster (of the Science and Art Department, South Kensington) delivered a lecture on “The Application of Scientific Principles to Agriculture,” in the course of which he explained what was being done in that respect by the Science and Art Department by the establishment of evening classes in various parts of the country under the care of qualified teachers. His hope for the future of agriculture in this country, he said, depended on the better education of those engaged in it, and these classes were already doing great good among those who would be the farmers of the future. December 6tu.—Mr. T. C. Hepworth gave a lecture on “ The Electric Light,” and exhibited a number of interesting experiments illustrative of his subject. Li Mabnified with 2 inch. Plate lll. Mabmified with a inch rie) Ste et 7h Rot bol falatey ienpt THE BRISTOL COALFIELD. 25 ON THE GRITS AND SO-CALLED SANDSTONES OF THE LOWER AND MIDDLE SERIES OF THE BRISTOL COALFIELD. BY EDWARD WETHERED, F.G.S., F.C.S. The Bristol Coalfield may be said to be noted for its series of Grits and so-called Sandstones. These certainly have their equivalents in the South Wales, Somersetshire, and Forest of Dean Coalfields; and possibly, if they could be distinguished, in other districts also. They serve as stratigraphical land-marks, but owing to the difficulty in distinguishing one from another, serious mistakes have arisen. The object of the present paper is (1) to compare these sandstones with one another, with a view of ascertaining whether there are dis- tinguishing features; (2) to gain a more accurate account of the general chemical composition;* and (3) to note the changes which occur when they are in contact with carbonaceous matter. Their relative positions will be seen on reference to the attached section of the coalfield on page 26. First, I desire to draw attention to the application of terms grit and sandstoue. Rutley, in his ‘‘ Study of the Rocks,”+ gives the following definition :—‘‘ These, when indurated, constitute sandstone, and when more or less coarse grained and composed of angular and sub-angular erains of sand are termed grits.” In the first place, if angularity is to define a grit, the term sandstone, as applied to beds of the Car- boniferous period, appears to me to be an error, as in every case which I have examined angularity has occurred.+ This feature is well shown in the microscopic sections of the Pennant grit which are given, and in those of the Millstone grit (see Plates II. and III.;) but in all that I have examined the grains of the latter show the least angularity, and it is consequently least entitled to be called grit, according to our present understanding of the term. It is plain, therefore, that if angularity is to be considered in the matter, grit must be more extensively applied to Carboniferous arenaceous rocks than has been the case hitherto. Then as to coarseness: if that is to be a guide to the application of the term grit, endless confusion will be caused owing to the great variation in one and the same deposit. In the Millstone grit, for instance, and in that of the Pennant, (see microscopic sections,) there is considerable variation, one bed is fine, and another, a few feet apart, is coarse; the two Pennant specimens were taken from the same quarry. It therefore suggests itself to me that it would be well to confine the term grit to those rocks the grains of which are angular or sub-angular; and to apply the term sandstone where the grains of the rock are not angular, i.e., where the sharp edges have been worn off. _* And these, I take it, may be considered as typical of arenaceous Car- pomilorane.s0 rock generally. age 1 { Mr. Sorby was the first to draw attention to this fact in his address to the Geological Society of this year; but my observations were made quite apart from his. I now, however, wish to bring them forward only as a confirmation. D st” 26 THE BRISTOL COALFIELD. SECTION OF THE BRISTOL COALFIELD, SHOWING POSITION OF THE CHIEF DEPOSITS OF GRIT. 4 7 THICK- | DEPTH PER NESS IN CENT. wo |OF BEDS.| SECTION. STRATA. OF 3] FEET. 1 EET. SIL7C\. _ = - I Ps : <>) z = =) | ( Argillaceous Bed .. ste ie — WEnNvGnG as 2s <* | 970 gL | = ~ Dn a] Francomb Stone .. 66 2 | Millgrit Stone Place 6 a Rag Stone .. .. .. | 60 = | Black Vein Stone 18 || Parrot Stone .. .. -- 120 \ Holmes Rock .. .. 45 — Doxall Stone .. .. is | 84°56 m | >] x <>) | 4 ' S| E | 4 | } Hard Venture Stone.. 45 943 End of Coal-Measures oe 911 Millstone Grit .. ..| 800 © 98°5 { sees ee cae reo 05 Sera peel a ell ME tL 5S . Tc i re bas reat | a SL A THE BRISTOL COALFIELD. 27 I now propose to begin with the Millstone grit, which lies at the base of the coal measures, and take in ascending order the chief deposits of stone in the coalfield for examination. Of the Millstone grit five specimens were selected from Brandon Hill; the following are the analyses :— BRANDON. | | | | | Hill No. 1. | Hill No. 2. | Hill No. 3. | Hill No. 4. | Hill No. 5. = — - ae SS ee ee ee | } TUG hl 97°40 | 98:36 98°56 97°13 97°60 PAUBNEVENETN GE 21s e cic.0\0!s'e.0'c's'si0'e } ‘70 } ‘70 33 | ss *20 LING: |p SGBD CORO EDD Bee “86 46 53 1°36 HENAN G Bee ce necicie'n(oiniecie.e = | ‘76 45 10 “46 Carbonaceous matter..| “20 } | 15 Carbonic acid .......... } “23 25 ‘70 SWEET cictaterae.cjais 4: e.sxe-eie “30 | “20 4) “20 Metab bison "| 100°22 160°40 100°12 | 100°52 | |! | DETAILED ANALYSIS OF BRANDON HILL No. 3. = : : | Soluble in Acid. Papers Insoluble in Acid. | Total —<—_ | Silcaby. ccs ose veseieeee: 98°56 POE 9s se:0c0:cs a1ate'siaia:- 33 } 33 Litt) BGR S5RpOCeb Cee | 20 33 53 epi) ae ee ae eee 10 os } ‘10 Carbonaceous matter .. A } 15 Carbonic acid .......... Be x "25 VODICE Bensesanece Goce an ae "20 a | ere 100°12 We gather from the detailed analysis that the alumina and lime exist in a soluble form, but most of the iron is quite insoluble in strong acid. We may, therefore, conclude that it is in combination with silica. The analysis has shown that the grit contains 97°54 of silica, taking the average of the five analyses; and the microscopic sections show that the grains exist in sub-angular form. The question may be asked to what is the compactness of the rock due? My late friend, Mr. Stoddart, F.G.S.,* of Bristol, considered that the grains were ‘agglomerated with oxide of iron.” The available quantity of iron present, however, is small, (that which is soluble in acid,) and even if the alumina and lime acted in the same capacity there would only be 0°63 per cent. of cementing matrix; and it seems almost impossible that so hard a rock could be cemented together, as it were, with so small a portion. It is, of course, possible that these ingredients may, to a degree, soact; butI am nevertheless persuaded, that not only in the Millstone grit, but in a Proceedings of the Bristol Naturalists’ Soclety, Vol. 1., Part 3, new series, p. 337, = 28 THE BRISTOL COALFIELD. Carboniferous arenaceous rocks generally, the particles of silica cement themselves together, possibly by the cohesion of the particles assisted by long continued pressure. The origin of the word Millstone grit is due to the rock having been used for millstones, but it is also known in other parts of England as the ‘“‘ Farewell ” rock, as being the base of the coal measures. When it is met with the miners know that they have come to the end of produc- tive coal-bearing strata. Now, grave errors have arisen in determining this rock, others higher up in the series of coal-bearing strata, having been mistaken for it. For instance, the ‘‘ Black Vein” grit of the middle series is, so far as chemical composition and lithological features are concerned, a Millstone grit,* putting aside, of course, the question of thickness. This will be shown by the following analysis :— ANALYSIS OF THE BLACK VEIN STONE. SEPT OGG wate ga 6 ochre bahiors ntoiasarsleeavete suena elas cicero ciotalctetee tren tanneee 97°33 PAN YVAT NIG <3 Ss. 6 2:d.ci0'e'b/a 0.0 ciclo cel ale bil-y core sitisioseetee. ets lefomtastelae eiiete 96 TYPOT, oo sss 00's ccc icrmncee,0.0 « sisinln graipnls ie) celery ol atetelane Ye ere a lolaraetoeteters 50 19) 1010 ARO rIAt nO CODD TE OODAR TC OOOO AGHIOD ED Oaan5 40 Carbonaceous: MASK: vives ccs wis cccle ivi aticceleclicieiceints *45 CAE UOUIG AOL Wivciic.c wr. c7< 0)siticielsie ovo vie (cela nisleistare sea aleis'e eae 60 1: A eSB OOCIO TE ROMO CEC sods eran andaauns.s. 15 100°39 The next development of grit above the Millstone gritin the Lower Coal measures is locally known as the ‘** Hard Venture.” Two beds of typical stone, ten feet apart, gave the following analysis :— ” AN ALYSIS OF THE ‘‘ HARD VENTURE” GRIT. No.1. | Noy? ee ae eg ee _| OE dtd idee eat aan eats 9430 | 9433 Alumina . 3°63 3°70 DORA ce oe cas at eects ances ddanwageeen "43 “30 AERO Ee auta ais drcig'y iste ainrcosine men ca iatoiee ion “50 “60 Carbonaceous Matter ...............- 80. 1:00 SUARMOUAGAGCIO. sduriecine sig cenmenen tecle “30 “20 PVM IROEISE aes eles eres nara <0 5610 5 ciorots woth ete “20 40 [pea 100°16 100°53 > = pa Soe 7 | Sil DETAILED pati Soluble in Acid. | Insoluble in Acid. | Total. Se eee eee ae | PE ohiadstskays ses os 94:33 Peer er 23 3:47 3°70 BPO upueeaveeusannevsvin “30 30 PRMEINGGETS uacvevdaxne 33 } 60 Carbonaceous Matter .. 1:00 Carbonic acid .......... 20 MNES, Cawsesaaksite x49 | +40 eae 100°53 | * The only difference which can be relied upon is, that the Millstone grit has. usually a light pink tinge. H. E. Forrest, del. Ilyocryptus sordidus. — THE BRISTOL COALFIELD. 29 Both beds give practically the same amount of silica. Silicate of iron is absent, the whole of the iron existing as an oxide or carbonate. The greater portion of the alumina is combined asa silicate, and a portion of the lime also. The colour of the stone is grey, and it is full of black specks of carbon. The exact thickness of the deposit I am unable to give, but it will probably be about forty or fifty feet. The next deposit of rock to which I desire to direct attention is that of the Doxall grit, which, however, is only about twelve feet thick. The name ‘ Doxall” is derived from a seam of coal of that name upon which the grit rests. In the great majority of cases, indeed almost always, seams of coal are followed for a few feet by beds of shale and other semi-argillaceous beds, known in the mining districts of tke south-west of England as ‘‘Duns.” In the present case these are absent, the grit resting on the coal. I wish, however, to draw special attention to the difference in the composition of that close over the coal and that which is not. ANALYSIS OF THE DOXALL GRIT NO. 1.—STONE NOT CLOSE OVER COAL. Soluble in Acid. | Insoluble in Acid. Total. BSENTC Sepirctatetevorore/are cfaiajn\eie, orn 84:56 PAUREETIT TET etee olere are isis cieres sie 1°86 3°64 5°50 PEO eioicla aietelelniaiv’sic\c/eleiejs's)e 2°36 74 3°10 PIMC S27, <0, 0% Rat cioisiats)s}sias . In. |In. ; Date. |@ dion Date. |Deg| Date. aia aoe Tl | ee ; GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 4 a VOIEONTAM cenccccvcecesess R. Tyrer, Esq. .....+-++.-+| 2°92] “40) 14 17 | 55°0) 10 240) 26 GETOUM covevensccwessyncatees 8. J Coley, Esq........... 2°88) “428) 20 12 | 55°0' 11 28'0)22, 25, 26 a SHROPSHIRE. Ae ‘ Yaughton Hall, Shifnal ....|\Rev. J. Brooke .........02- $58} °59) 29 21 | 53°0 9 |23°0) 22 Woolstaston .......csecerees Rev. E. D. Carr.. 4°35) ‘98| 29 19 | 525 G6 |240) 17 More Rectory, Bishop's Castle| Rey. A. Male ........ 4°19| -67| 29 20 | 540] 6,7,9 | 240) 18 j Larden Hall «..-| Miss F. R. Boughton 8°32) °60| 26 17 Cardington BOY. Ve MUIOE ase écicienacs 414) ‘85) 26 16 HEREFORDSHIRE. | | Ls : Bloke Bias a0 device vnenecsuest Rey. G. E. Alexander...... 8°02) 49} 29 17 |55°0) 10 | 29°0) 16 & 25 WORCESTERSHIRE. Orleton, Tenbury ......+..+ T. H. Davis, Esq.....ve.eee 8°45) 63) 29 19 | 56-0 4 245) 926 West Malvern .... -+«-|A. H. Hartland, Esq. $43] ‘52) 28 13 |535| 10 |26°0) 24 Evesham .......... T. J. Slatter, Esq.... 2°89) °56) 22 & 23) 18 |54°3 10 25°3| 26 Dowles, Bewdley J.M. Downing .... 8°45) 1°45) 29 43°0 4 19°0| 22 & 26 POAMOLG co cccccsosescenccccs E. B. Marten, Esq. 3°40] *d4) 29 21 | 55°0 9 | 23°0) 16 & 25 BLOUIDIATE... ov cscceverscence I. Jefferies, Esq... .| 8°17) °52)s)26 & 29) 17 |56°0} 10 |26°0) 95 Dennis, Stourbridge |...00.1. G. Webb, Esq. s.ccccccccse 2°98) 60/s) 26 | 20 |540| 9 & 10 | 26:0) 95 STAFFORDSHIRE. ' Weston-under-Lyziard R'tory|Hon.and Rev.J. Bridgeman] 2°77) *56) 21 21 |540; 6&10 /200 18 WIKORUMMLNW Gn ccwnadecastc aed E. Simpson, Esq. .......... 8°55) °68) 29. 18 |53°8 7 {246) 96 Heath House, Cheadle ...... J.C. Phillips, Esq. .... 5°13) 91) 29 24 | 53°0 6 23°0, 27 Alstonfield Vicarage ........ Rev. W. H. Purchas .. |7°30/1°32} 15 17 |49°6 7 166 21 & 22 BEMWOr 3 éc0k tess Pavenecsenes Rey. W. H. Bolton.... |} 3°14) *41/s)26 & 29) 21 |54°0 10 26°0, 25 AMM vanvcardisduavesowaees Mr. N. E. Best ..... 8346) *o4 21 20 |510) 10 25°0/16, 17,25 ROOM Sad sts vnsevedvetseas Mr. J. P. Roberts .. 8°57| °51 29 a1 Burton-on-Trent ............ C, U. Tripp, Esq. .... 3°39) °50; 29 23 |55°0 6 |23°0! 96 Beacon Stoop, Weaver Hills..|C. L. Wragge, Esq. .. 4°03) °65) 29 23 }513; 11 | 25°2) 20 Farley, near Cheadle ........ C. L. Wragge, Esq. .. -- {6°82} *88} 29 23 | 53°6 6 26°7| 22 & 26 OaKamoor 20.0.6. seccaccesues K. C. Kettle, Esq........... 5°67) °98) 29 21 547 6 |20°3) 92 WARWICKSHIRE. - Bickenhill Vicarage ........)J De WUMLO LISA «400 wens ce eve 8°48] °75} 21 11 | 480) 27°0 St. Mary's College, Oscott....)Rev. 8S. J. Whitty.... 13°85} °47] 29 20 | 55°3 6 269 26 Henley-in-Arden ............ T. H. G. Newton, Esq....../ 3°41) “47| 26 & 29) 20 [56°0) 10 | 25°0) 92 & 96 Rugby School .......cseseee Rev. T. N. Hutchinson....| 4°03) °59} 22 21 |544/10 & 11/260 26 DERBYSHIRE. i =a A Middleton............ Bevo Ua SOT 06. sccwee ses 6°12)1'04) 27 15 |50°0) 4, 9,22)19°0 90 & 21 Fernslope, Belper............ F. J. Jackson, Esq. «| £21) °67] 29 21 | 54°0| 6 & 10 | 27°0 22, 26, 27 Linacre Reservoir ..........|C. E. Jones, Esq. .. 8°72] 1:02} 29 20 | Spondon ....... eonasvecccees J.T. Barber, Esq... --/8°91) “bll 15 21 Duflield ..... eocerees seeeeee) W. Bland, Esq. ........ ++-| 4°00) *56{ 29 26 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. “| Waxford .sccss.scacssse ++++-[J.N. Dufty, Esq. .....se00s 2°32] 43] 28) «| 14/510) 6 pet 16 & 24 Hodsock Priory, Worksop ..|H. Mellish, Esq. .......... 8°09] °94| 29 18 | 58's) 6 |240| 17 LEICESTERSHIRE. 4 Loughborough ..............]W. Berridge, Esq..... eoeee| 2°94) “47) 29 21 | 56°6 6 |265) 17 WORE dean ssevn seveceeee/ IT. Macaulay,Esq...... see] 2°86] °89} 26 | 221520) 10 | 25°0) 2 ee, tesseceeeeesees/J. Hames, jun., Hsq........|2°72) °50) 27 19 |51°0} 11 {[25°0) 93 altham-le-Wold....... oases BM ABAUL ina. ce teas sees. / 2°68] “88] 15 | 181510] 98 [280] 90 Coston Rectory, Melton...... Rev. A. M. Rendell ......../2°63| °88) 15 21 | 534 6 |20°3) 22 malby Hall .......00-eeeeeee6)/ Mr. G, JOMCS vs .ceese000,.] 2°88) *81) 29 20 | 53°0 9 220) 17 * SOMERAMETONGNIRS. iene owcester Browery........../J. Webb, Esq........0.0005-/2°5O| 50} 26 15 Castle Ashby ..........6.. -»./R. G. Scriven, Esq......... 2°70} *50) 22 15 0 8 |28°0) 25 Kottoring...++.++..sesee++eeJ. Wallis, Esq. ............/ 2°93} “B0} 26 | 19{/63°0/ 11 |28°0| 17 & 26 Althorpe womb 77777 11|% 8: Groom, Baq.......... 8°22) 54) 22 18 10 «(| 28°0) 21 West Doyno, Uppingham ....|Rev. G. H. Mullins ......../280| -29] 26 | 22/529) 10 |a72] 96 Altarnun, Cornwall ........../Rev. J. Power ............/8°68/1'30| 16 21 /53°0} 23 | 26°0) 97 & 98 VontNor......,s+ese+eeeeeee..|W. T. Ryder, Eagq.........|5°16) °76) 29 20 | 5571) 8, 10, 28] 81- 25 _ The first half of the month was mild and fairly pleasant, with a high barometer. Bats were seen flying aboutin several localities until the 14th, and many plants, as the clematis, lilac, &., put forth their buds. Pressure began to decrease on the 14th, and the latter halfof the month was very unsettled, slight frosts alternating with thaws. Christmas Day was fine and seasonable, but a heavy fall of snow occurred on the night of the 26th-27th, lying from 4in. to 8in. deep, THE WEATHER OF DECEMBER. 45 but disappearing on the 28th. The temperature (about 40°) was above the average for this month, and the total rainfall was also in excess. A lunar halo was seen at Loughborough on the 12th. So ends another wet and trying year; the promise of the first six months of 1880 was excellent, but the heavy rains of the latter half of the year completely belied the promise of the spring. Being no longer, from stress of other work, an active Meteorological observer, I have induced Mr. Clement L. Wragge, F.M.S., F.R.G.S., of Farley, near Cheadle, Staffordshire, to undertake the Meteorological Department of this Magazine; and all future communications on the weather should be sent to him. In parting company with the large band of observers who have aided me so well during the past three years, I beg to thank them very sincerely for all the trouble they have taken, and for the scientific care, promptitude, and accuracy which they have displayed. I know my successor to be a most able and enthusiastic Meteorologist, and under his charge I am sure the work will be con- tinued with increasing efficiency.—W. Jerome Harrison. Correspondence. LIST OF PLANTS FLOWERING IN NEIGHBOURHOOD OF FALMOUTH, Decemser, 1880, anp January, 1881. Wu» Prants. Ranunculus repens,* from December 1 to January 5, 1881, continuously. - acris, Dec. 10. Fumaria capreolata,* from December 1 to January 5, 1881, 5 », _officinalis,* AS a a sailalinas Capsella Bursa-pastoris,* ,, 3 - e . Lepidium Smithii, December 26. Cochlearia Danica, * Pale Coronopus Ruellii,* from December 1 to January 5, 1881, Es ” didyma,* ” ” ” ” ” Cardamine hirsuta,* ; ae * ‘s Sisymbrium officinale, * a A “a = Brassica oleracea, December 26. Sinapis arvensis,* from December 1 to January 5, 1881, op +3 alba, December 26th. Reseda Luteola, - a lutea, Viola canina,* from December 1 to January 5, 1881, x Silene inflata, December 10. Lychnis dioica,* from December 1 to January 5, 1881 5 », vespertina, ” 9 ” Sagina procumbens, December 21. Spergula arvensis,* from December 1 to January 5, 1881, 5 Stellaria media,* p a 3 rs % graminea, December 10. Cerastium viscosum,* from December 1 to January 5, 1881, ne Geranium Robertianum,* a He 5 5 is molle, December 21 3 dissectum, *e Oxalis corniculata, Ulex Europseus, from December 1 to J anuary 5, 1881, i; 46 CORRESPONDENCE. Trifolium repens, December 10. Vicia sativa, x 6. Geum urbanum,* from December 1 to January 5, 1881, continuously. Potentilla reptans, December 26. - Fragariastrum, ,, Rubus fruticosus, from December 1 to January 5, 1881, Epilobium parviflorum, December 10. Smyrnium olusatrum, December 10. Apium graveolens, from December 1 to January 4, 1881, Feniculum vulgare, December 10. Heracleum Sphondylium,* from'December 1 to January 5, 1881, Anthriscus sylvestris, from December 26 to January 5, 1881, Daucus Carota,* from December 1 to January 5, 1881, a maritimus,* an 9 Hedera Helix, December 10. Sherardia arvensis, from December 21 to January 5, 1881, Centranthus ruber, January 5. Scabiosa succisa, December 10. Knautia arvensis, Helminthia echioides, from December 1 to January 5, 1881, Thrincia hirta,* - 43 M . Hypocheris radicata,* x * € Sonchus oleraceus,* i rc 5 * - asper, : “6 x of Crepis virens,* x ey 3 0 Leontodon Taraxacum,” * +5 ar Lapsana communis,* __,, 5 - Centaurea nigra, till December 21. Senecio vulgaris,* from December 1 to January 5, 1881, “ Jacobeea,” a5 + a Bellis perennis,* Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum,” ‘A . segetum,* is i 0 Pyrethram Parthenium, y + 5 inodorum,* * a3 % Achillea Millefolium,* os - os Jasione montana,* a . me Erica cinerea, till December 26. Erythrea Centaurium, from December 1 to January 5, 1881, Borago officinalis, January ule Linaria Cymbalaria,* from December 1 to January 5, 1881, Sibthorpia Europma, __,, 5 » » Veronica serpyllifolia, __,, + ” » a arvensis, + ” » ne hederifolia, i 9 ” “5 agrestis,* re s 7 9 » polita, 9 ” ” 95 ~ Buxbaumii,* _,, > i a Thymus Serpyllum, January 5. Teucrium Scorodonia, till December 26. Galeopsis Tetrahit Lamium purpureum,* from "December 1 to January 5, 1881, a incisum, Betonica officinalis,* ‘9 ” ” ” Stachys sylvatica, ne 9 ” ” arvensis,* ” ” Prunella vulgaris, till 26th December. Primula vulgaris," from December 10 to January 5, 1881, ss 39 yy ” CORRESPONDENCE. 47 Anagallis arvensis,* from December 1 to January 5, 1881, continuously. 7 cerulea, January 1. Armeria maritima,* from December 1 to January 5, 1881, a Beta maritima, December 26. Polygonum aviculare, December 26. Rumex obtusifolius, from December 1 to January 5, 1881, ,, Euphorbia helioscopia,* i; 55 3 na Euphorbia Peplus,* from December 1 to January 5, 1881, = Urtica urens, December 26. Parietaria officinalis, from December 1 to January 5, 1881, ,, Ruscus aculeatus,* t 5 5 Ba ir Poa annua* and other grasses, - 3 N.B.—Plants marked * flowered freely. Total 100. GARDEN Pruants FLOWERING IN OPEN AIR, DECEMBER 1, 1880, To JaNvARY 5, 1881, Fuchsias | Brugmansia Veronicas Verbenas Geraniums Calceolaria Hydrangeas Abutilon Escallonias | Fragaria indica Rhododendrons | Yucca Desfontainea spinosa | Camellia, from Dec. 25 Aralia Sieboldii | &e., &e., &e. Howarp Fox, Falmouth, January 5, 1881. PHENOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS made in the vicinity of Farley, Staf- fordshire, during October, November, and December, 1880 :—October 1st.—General blackberry harvest very good, some very fine fruit, especially as tosize, but much spoilt by grub nevertheless ; leaves of Lime falling. 2nd.—Foliage of Churnet Valley Woods still, isolated cases excepted, in good condition. 3rd.—Sycamore by now shedding leaves; young Elms also, one of latter nearly bare. 5th.—Horse Chestnut in defoliation. 11th.—Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) in full flower on Beacon Stoop, 1,216ft. above sea level. 14th.—Last Swallow’ seen by assistant on Weaver Hills. 15th.—Scabiosa arvensis still in flower, and Hieracium Pilosella on the slopes of Weaver ; also Ranunculus bulbosus and R. acris. 18th.—Geraniwm Robertianum well in flower in crevices of limestone rocks, 1,050ft. above sea; one well- set flower of Stachys sylvatica noticed in sheltered spot, by wood, at foot of Beacon Stoop, about 800ft. above sea level; Prunella vulgaris, Erythrea Centaurium, Trifolium pratense, Origanum vulgare, Centaurea (nigra?) and Vetch still in flower in mcuntain limestone district, about 855ft. above sea. 19th, 20th.—By now specimens of Sycamore and Lime nearly bare ; Geranium pratense in full flower in limestone district. 25th.—Achillea Millefolium still in flower by old limekilns near foot of Beacon Stoop; fruit of Elder in Weaver Fields not fully ripened, blighted by frost and previous N.E. gales. 29th.—Centaurea (nigra ?, ) Campanula rotundifolia, Senecio Jacobea and Geranium Robertianum in flower still between Farley and Oakamoor, in loamy soil by wayside. 31st.—Primula veris (Cowslip) in flower in my garden; very few berries of Pyrus aucuparia.—November 1st.—Last flowers of Veronica Becca- bunga and Ranunculus Flammula; former in marshy ground by wayside at Ramsor, about 800 feet above sea level, latter in wet fields. 5th.— Assistant brought me one of last flowers of Digitalis purpurea. 10th.—Senecio Jacobea still in flower in Weaver Fields. 21st.—Ice 48 CORRESPONDENCE—REPORTS. first “bearing,” about 1} inch thick; skating at Alton on 28rd. - 24th.—Turdus pilaris,in a flock of about twenty, first seen by assistant at foot of Weaver Hills.—December 8th.—Yellow Jasmine in full flower over house porch at Alton. 10th to end of month.—Primula veris still in flower in my garden at Farley; Geranium Robertianum in full flower and fairly vigorous during entire month in old limekilns near foot of Beacon Stoop.—Ciement L. WraGGE, F.R.G.S., F.M.S. 4 + + Acports of Societies. BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.—Microscopican GENERAL MEETING, January 18th.—Mr. Bolton reported the capture of one male and several female specimens of Chiro- cephalus diaphanus, from the locality mentioned at the last meeting. Mr. Pickering exhibited Cordiceps militaris, Fries, a beautiful scarlet fungus parasitic on the larve and pup of moths. Mr. Morley confirmed the statement in the “Royal Microscopical Society’s Journal” of the power possessed by a saturated solution of carbolic acid to render transparent, in a few minutes, many objects which must be soaked in turpentine for several days before the same effect is produced. He asserted that, when the object is afterwards mounted in Canada balsam, the balsam follows the carbolic acid as readily as it does turpentine. Mr. G. E. Davis, F.R.M.S., then read an interesting and highly practical paper on ‘“Photo-micrography.” He gave a description of the mode of arranging the light, microscope, and camera, and recommended the use of a dry plate for receiving the image. He also gave a list of magnifying powers, with various objectives, at a fixed distance of thirty-six inches, a table of the lengths of exposure required, and of the correction of the fine adjustment necessitated by the difference between Soaps and actinic foci. Many beautiful photographs were exhibited in illustration. BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. —December 29th.—The annual soirée was held in the Bristol Street Board Schools. ‘he scientific exhibition included the following experiments :—Com- bustion of air in coal gas, decomposition of steam by magnesium, relative transparency of different media to radiant light and heat, material nature of the atmosphere, molecular structure in its relation to polarised light, and Balmain’s lumivous paint. A vocal and instrumental concert was followed by dancing, which was kept up till midnight. January 3rd.—Mr. W. J. Harrison, F.G.S., gave a very instructive lecture on ‘‘ The Uses of Geological Know- ledge.” January 19th.—Mr. C. J. Woodward, B.Sc., read a paper on‘ The Wave Theory of Light,” and various experiments illustrating phenomena of polarised light were shown, and Fresnet’s theory applied to the explanation of them. ‘To elucidate the view that plane elliptical aud polarised light may be conceived as made up of two vibrations at right angles to each other an apparatus was exhibited, consisting of two series of cranks, with rods at right angles to each other. By an adjustment of one crank 1n relation to the other, a wave corresponding to either plane elliptical or polarised light was obtained. CHELTENHAM NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY.—December 16th.— Mr. G. B. Witts read an interesting paper on the examination of the ‘* West Tump ” long barrow, situated iu the middle of Buckholt Wood, near Birdlip, Gloucestershire. Long barrows are regarded as of greater antiquity than round barrows. This particular one, strange to say, has remained unknown till the present time. The excavations commenced in August last and were carried on until November, when it became necessary to cover up the walls so as to protect them from frost. We hope to have the pleasure of printing in these pages Mr. Witts’ account of his researches, and from what we know of them we feel sure our archeological readers will be greatly interested. Ye} +e , bal we : ‘ ay . B.% ‘ - ots Ga ' 4 nf >? he / sr a "’ a roe" Piate iV. WB GROVE DEL. Crystallisation of Weter. CRYSTALLISATION OF WATER. 49 CRYSTALLISATION OF WATER.* BY W. B. GROVE, B.A. The sharp frosts of last winter and the preceding afforded us unusual opportunities of becoming acquainted with many of the phenomena of ice formation. It may not be known to all the readers of the ‘‘ Midland Naturalist ” that an amorphous, apparently structure- less, block of ice is really a crystalline body; it is indeed by no means evident at first sight that such is the case. We know that, when a thin film of water crystallises on our window panes, strange and beautiful forms appear, amidst which we can often trace somewhat of regularity and the predominance of that angle of sixty degrees to which a snow-crystal owes its well-known outline, and we might con- jecture « priori that the crystals of which ice is composed, could we but obtain them perfect, would be seen to be formed upon the same plan. It was Professor Tyndall, I believe, who first showed indirectly that such is the case. Everyone who has read his lectures on ‘‘ The Forms of Water,’ or on ‘‘ Heat as a Mode of Motion,” will remember the beautiful experiment by which the intimate structure of ice is revealed. A slab of ice is cut parallel to the plane of freezing, and the concen- trated beam of the electric lamp is sent through it. The heat melts the ice in parts, within the block as well as on the surface, the greatest effect being confined to a depth of about one inch. Each liquefied portion in the interior begins as a minute point, which as it enlarges assumes the shape of a six-petalled flower (Plate IV., Fig. 3;) the petals, at first rounded, become gradually more and more pointed and serrated, and at last approach some of the characteristic forms of snow-crystals. These liquid flowers are evidently the cavities previously occupied by those ice-crystals, which for some reason or other have yielded soonest to the influence of the transmitted heat. If we wish to reproduce this effect ourselves, we have only to take a piece of clear ice, form it into a slab, the plane surfaces of which are parallel to the plane of freezing, (by sawing it, or by pressing each side alternately on a hot metal plate,)-and then expose one of these surfaces to the warmth of a glowing fire. Hold it as close as the hand can bear, and in an instant the previously transparent ice is clouded with multitudes of minute bubbles (or what appear to be such) and, on REFERENCES TO Puate LY. Fig. 1. Ice-crystal, formed on the sur- Fig. 4. Hexagonal snow crystal, x 3. face of still water, natural Figs. 5 and 6. Liquid dises in ice, x 10. size. Fig. 7. Composite cavity in ice, con- Fig. 2. Snow crystal, magnified. taining air and water. Fig. 3. Ice-flowers, x 10. _* Read under the title “Some Phenomena of Ice,” at a meeting of the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society, March 16th, 1880. ¥ 50 CRYSTALLISATION OF WATER. removing the slab to a colder place and examining it through a lens, we shall see numbers of these ice-flowers within the slab, each with a “bubble” in the centre. Their diameter is usually about 1-10th to 1-20th of an inch, and they are only dimly visible, because the refractive indices of ice and water, at the freezing temperature, are nearly the same. But what are these “bubbles?” Let us appeal to experiment for the answer. If we place a piece of ice containing them in warm water, we shall find that when the ice surrounding them is melted they suddenly collapse and disappear utterly. If we treat a bubble of air contained in ice in the same way, we shall see the bubble rising through the water as soon as it is liberated. Hence we infer that this apparent bubble, which occupies the centre of the ice-flower, is really a vacuum. Now observe how unexpectedly a law of nature steps in. Ice is less dense than water, as is manifested by its floating, and, when a certain quantity of ice is melted, the resultant water occupies a smaller volume : so the formation of each flower is attended with the formation of a vacuum. This contraction of the volume of water, however, takes place in a peculiar way. When the cavity is small, and its sides close together, the molecules of water are able to bear the strain put upon them, and separate by a minute interval, so as still to fill the space. Thus the discs are at first bubbleless, but as the quantity of ice melted increases, the strain becomes greater, until at last the molecules yield to the influence of their mutual attractions, and rush together suddenly into asmaller space. Thus the formation of each vacuum is attended with w ‘*clink” which is clearly audible, and resembles, on a smaller scale, the metallic clink heard when water deprived (as this ice-water is) of its dissolved air is shaken in a tube, as in Donny’s well-known experiment. The planes of these ‘‘ negative ” crystals, as they have been termed, lie in the planes of freezing, that is, in ordinary cases, parallel to the surface of the water. We may detect this direction in any block of lake-ice, taken at random, either by developing the flowers or by observing the bubbles which are almost invariably entangled in it. We shall see layers cloudy with bubbles, separated by layers of clear ice, the plane separating the two being, often, perfectly distinct on the lower side of the clear layer, but less so above. The explanation of this appearance is that the clear ice is that produced by slow freezing, e.g., during the daytime, when the molecules of water, as they fall into their places in the crystal, have time to push out of the way the particles of air entangled among them. These collect into bubbles on the lower surface, and if, ¢.y. after sunset, a sudden fall of temperature takes place and the freezing becomes more rapid, they are unable to extricate themselves and become locked in their icy prison. It will be noticed that the bubbles, which would be normally nearly spherical, are usually pear-shaped or conical, with their longer axis vertical and the narrow end pointing downwards as if they had been gradually CRYSTALLISATION OF WATER. 51 compressed laterally by the expansion of the surrounding water as it passed into the solid state. Larger bubbles are less frequently met with in lake-ice; these are probably filled with gases emitted from the decaying matter at the bottom, which we know is continually rising to the surface in bubbles when the water is unfrozen. The ice made in freezing machines, or on a small scale in a test tube, is generally cloudy, being quickly formed. The reason why slowly-formed ice is transparent is that the crystals are in perfect optical contact, but it is said to be possible, by carefully exposing a block to the action of heat, to cause it by a smart blow to fall into pieces which are roughly hexagonal prisms. This, however, I have not been able to do when I tried, but I once did something like it involun- tarily. The winter before last, when I was skating at the Edgbaston Reservoir, I lost my balance and fell. The ice cracked ominously, and on rising I saw the spot where I had come in contact with it marked by a large six-rayed star, the arms of which were irom twelve to eighteen inches long, and arranged almost exactly at equal angles of sixty degrees, like the main rays of the crystals (Figs.1 and 2.) I also produced the same effect last winter in a water-tub by striking the ice with a hammer, the rays being longer or shorter according to the strength of the blow. It seems probable that the ice cracked in these directions because these were the planes of least resistance, like the planes of cleavage in crystallised minerals. It is interesting to see ice thus analysed, and its component parts demonstrated, but it is still more interesting to observe the synthetic process, by which the crystals areformed. Thisisin general so masked by various circumstances that they rarely assume their proper shapes, but under special conditions perfect crystals may be obtained. They have been noted by several observers, but are undoubtedly of com- paratively rare occurrence. I am pleased therefore to record the fact that, one morning in December, 1879, I found floating freely on the surface of a basin of water, in my house, three thin plates of ice, the smallest but most regularly formed of which is represented in Fig. 1 of its natural size, about two inches in diameter. It will be seen how closely it imitates the form of the snow-crystal which is sketched above (Fig. 2.) The main conditions necessary for the formation of such crystals seem to be intense cold, combined with slow freezing. Professor Tyndall, to whom I am indebted for many of these facts and explana- tions, observed the formation of little six-rayed stars of thin ice in the vessel of an artificial ice machine, in which the action was proceeding very slowly. He believed the observation to be then new, and it gives me, therefore, great pleasure to quote the following accountof a similar occurrence described in a letter to me by Mr. W. H. Wilkinson. He says that it happened on a Christmas-day, some years ago, when the thermometer in Birmingham fell below zero :— 52 CRYSTALLISATION OF WATER. “In my greenhouse there was an aquarium, some 5ft. long, with about 6in. deep of water in it. “The doors being closed, the temperature was prevented from falling below 32° during the night, but early on the morning of Christmas-day, as I entered, the cold air rushed in; and my attention was first called to the intensity of the frost by the fact that some water, accidentally spilt, was frozen solid before I had time to walk the length of the greenhouse. “On looking into the aquarium to see how the fish stood the cold, my attention was attracted by some little stars rising from the sides and bottom, and floating up steadily to the surface of the water. They sometimes came up singly, and sometimes in clusters of two or three or more. “They at first formed little islands of ice on the surface, by joining together at their points; others rising under them soon filled up the spaces, and formed thin sheets of fragments of ice, with rough, jagged edges. ‘“‘Tn a short time the entire surface was covered with ice, and in the course of a few hours the aquarium was frozen solid.” Before concluding, I must refer to two other phenomena, which any- one, who tries to reproduce the ice-flowers, will probably meet with. Sometimes, instead of liquid flowers, we get only liquid discs, that is, extremely thin layers of water, which are unattended by a ‘“ bubble.” I have seen these discs hexagonal, instead of circular, (see Figs. 5 and 6,) presenting a close resemblance to the hexagonal plate snow- crystal which is frequently seen. Their average diameter is the same as that of the flowers, and they also lie in the plane of freezing. If, instead of the ice being perfectly clear, it contains bubbles of air, then, on exposure to heat, we shall find the portion of ice immediately surrounding the bubble to melt. Thus we obtain composite cavities, as drawn in Fig. 7, where the central bubble represents the air, and the clear area surrounding it the water. The cavity occupied by the water does not, in this case, generally assume the form of an ice- crystal. It is usually rounded, but sometimes slightly crimped at the edges. Since the ice in melting shrinks to a smaller volume, it follows that the air composing the bubble must now be rarefied ; and this 1s confirmed by observing that when the ice surrounding it is melted, and the bubble set free, it invariably collapses to a much smaller size. The question arises, why should the ice melt immediately around the bubble in preference to any other part? The answer to this question depends upon an interesting property of the particles of matter. We know that a liquid in its ordinary condition is continually giving off vapour from its surface; but why from its surface only? Simply because the molecules there have greater freedom of action, are less hampered by the surrounding molecules than those within the body. So, in a mass of ice, the particles on the surface yield to the influence of the heat sooner than those within the mass, But it is CRYSTALLISATION OF WATER. 58 obvious that the particles in immediate contact with an enclosed bubble are, in this respect, in circumstances similar to those on the exterior of the ice. The heat ofa body is at the present day attributed to a motion of the molecules composing that body. When the motion of the particles of a solid reaches a certain limit, the solid becomes a liquid ; when the motion is further increased, the liquid becomes a gas. And we can easily see that a molecular motion, which is incapable of liberating the particles of a solid mass, may be propagated through them without prejudice to its solidity; yet, when this same motion reaches the particles bounding a cavity, it may suffice to liberate them. Professor Tyndall, from whom I have derived this explanation, made a number of experiments, which entirely confirm it; and those who have studied his theory of glacier motion know that the same idea has been applied to explain the effect of regelation upon which the theory is based. There is one other point of view in which the ice-flowers teach us a lesson. Why should one portion of a solid block of ice melt sooner than another? The heat which liquefies these flowers must have passed through the surrounding ice before it reached them. We con- clude, to quote Professor Tyndall’s words, that ‘the absorption is fitful, and not continuous; and there is no reason to suppose that in other solids the case is not the same, though their constitution may not be such as to reveal it. There is no such thing as absolute homogeneity in nature. Change commences at distinct centres, instead of being uniformly distributed; and in the most apparently homo- geneous substance we should discover defects, if our means of observation were fine enough.” THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. AN ACCOUNT OF THE FLOWERING PLANTS AND FERNS OF THE COUNTY OF WARWICK. BY JAMES E. BAGNALL. (Continued from page 38.) Previous Recorps oF THE WARWICKSHIRE FLORA. The following short sketch of the progress of botanical investigation in Warwickshire is as complete as my knowledge of this subject will allow. The earliest records of Warwickshire plants with which I am acquainted are those of our great English naturalist, John Ray, or Wray. As this eminent botanist spent several years in the county, at Middleton Hall and Sutton Coldfield, it might have been expected that his records from Warwickshire would have been more ample than we find them. From an observation of his, prefacing his list of Warwick- shire plants, in Bishop Gibson’s edition of ‘‘Camden’s Britannia,” we may conclude that he had not a very high opinion of the floral 54 THE #LORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. riches of the county. He says: ‘‘ Though I have lived for some years in this county, yet have I met with no peculiar plants growing therein.” His earliest notes are to be found in his itineraries. Under the date of May the 8th, 1662, he says: ‘‘ From Northampton we rode through Hill Morton and Rugby to Coventry, thence to Coleshill, and then to Middleton. On a bank by the wayside we found a kind of vetch, with a bright purple flower. Monday, May the 12th, we rode out to Sutton Cofield, where is a close called the Park Close, belonging to the free-school. Here we found Lunaria minor (Botrychium lunaria, Sw.) in great plenty.” In his correspondence, in a letter addressed to Mr. Lister, dated Middleton, Nov. 15th, 1669, he also mentions two or three more plants, namely, Hmpetrum nigrum, Alchemilla vulgaris, and Polygonum Bistorta, as occurring near Middleton. In 1670 Ray published his ‘ Catalogus Plantarum Anglie, &c.,” in which he gives stations for a few of the more rare plants of the county, chiefly from the neighbourhood of Dosthill, Tamworth, and Middleton. These will be noticed in their proper places. Edition 2, 1677, Mr. Newbould informs me, does not seem to differ from Ed. 1, so far as Warwickshire is concerned. | In 1695 Bishop Gibson published his Ist Edition cf ‘‘ Camden’s Britannia,” in which on pp. 515-516 he publishes a list compiled by Ray, headed thus: ‘‘ More Rare Plants growing wild in Warwickshire.” In this list stations are given for about fourteen of our more local plants. The various editions through which this work passed contained this list without verbal alteration. “ Magna Britannia et Hibernia,” Vol. V., pp. 879-80 (1730) contains the above information in an abridged form. ** Gough’s Camden’s Britannia,” Vol. IT., p. 350 (1789) has the above, with three or four additional plants. This list is headed, ‘‘ Rare plants in Warwickshire.” Some of these plants are still to be found in the stations given by Ray ; others, however, notably Osmunda regalis, appear to be missing. In 1776 Withering published the first edition of his ‘ Systematic Arrangement of British Plants,” in which may be found Warwickshire stations for several of the more rare species. Among the flowering plants these records are few and far between. His attention was, ap- parently, mostly devoted to the Fungi, of which he records a fairly good list. In the later editions of the above work few alterations are to be observed. As Withering lived for many years at an easy distance from Sutton Coldfield it is somewhat remarkable that he should give so few of the plants special to that locality. In 1805 Turner and Dillwyn published “The Botanist’s Guide through England and Wales.” In Vol. IL., pp. 633-637, is a list of about forty-five of the rarer plants of Warwickshire, given on the authority of Ray, Withering, and eminent botanists then living. The copy I have of this work formerly belonged to Professor J. Power, a native, I believe, of Atherstone. It contains many MS, notes on the botany of {HE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. 55 the county, signed ‘J. P.,” but only in rare cases dated. ‘These I shall quote in their proper sequence. The most complete record of the Flora of Warwickshire is that of Thomas Purton, Surgeon, Alcester, in the ‘‘ Midland Flora,” 2 vols., dated April 13th, 1817, and Vol. II1., with supplements, 1821. In these volumes the Warwickshire habitats of the rarer plants are usually given; and these records have in most instances been confirmed by myself in later years. The more common plants are, however, rarely localised, being merely recorded as ‘“‘common,” ‘ frequent,” ‘‘not rare ;” and as this is pro- fessedly a mixed Flora, it is not safe to decide to which county in the Midlands these remarks apply. I have only quoted those records that are duly localised. Purton was an eminent botanist in the early part of the present century, and was especially an authority of repute as a fungologist. In 1817 W. G. Perry, an able and earnest botanist, residing at Warwick, published in the abridged edition of ‘‘ Dugdale’s Warwick- shire,” pp. 591-594, “A Seleet List of Plants Found in Warwickshire,” dated July 5th, 1817. Many of these records have apparently been copied from Purton’s then recently published ‘‘ Midland Flora.” In 1820 Mr. Perry published the ‘ Plante Varvicenses Select,” or ‘** Botanist’s Guide through the County of Warwick,” in which 1s a list of 380 of the more rare plants found in the county. This work is compiled mainly from Ray, Hudson, Withering, Turner, Purton, Sowerby, &c., with a few notes from the Rev. W. T. Bree, of Allesley, and many records from the compiler’s own note book. During his life Mr. Perry collected, from various sources, a valuable collection of plants; among these an extensive collection of Warwick- shire plants. This collection, at his death, became the property of the Warwick Museum. ‘To this collection many local botanists con- tributed; some of them, notably W. Cheshire, Thomas Kirk, and Henry Bromwich, excellent and critical botanists. In the *“‘ Magazine of Natural History,” Vol. III., pp. 162-167, (1830,) the Rev. W. T. Bree, Rector of Allesley, contributed an excellent paper on the “ Rarer Plants found in Warwickshire.” Most of these are on his own personal observation, and are principally records from the neighbourhood of Coleshill and Allesley.” In the subsequent volumes of the same work occasional notes from the same botanist occur. In 1835, Mr. Hewett C. Watson published his ‘‘New Botanist’s Guide to the Localities of the Rare Plants in Britain,’ and in his preface he says: ‘tI am indebted to the Rev. W. T. Bree for a checked catalogue of the plants of this county, (Warwickshire,) chiefly from Allesley and Coleshill. These records are given pp. 181-187. and are mainly those already recorded in the work last mentioned. In 1837, Vol. II. of this work was published ; and in the supplement, pp. 611- 616, are more records from the county, on the authority of the Rev. W. T. Bree and the Rev. Andrew Bloxam. 56 THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. In “The Analyst,” Vol. VL, pp. 20-23, (1837,) W. Ick published a paper, entitled, ‘* Remarkable Plants Found Growing in the Vicinity of Birmingham in the year 1836.” This isa record from the neigh- bouring counties, Worcester and Stafford, as well as from Warwick- shire, and, although it adds no new plants to the Flora, it gives new stations for some of the more rare ones. The list of plants is prefaced. by some good, practical remarks. I owe my knowledge of this paper to the kindness of the Rev. W. W. Newbould, who copied it in extenso from the copy in the British Museum, marked PP. 5850. In June, 1841, that valuable and interesting botanical journal, “The Phytologist,” was commenced. In the earlier volumes several contributions will be found, bearing upon the botany of Warwickshire. On page 15 of vol. I. are some incidental notes on rare plants, observed in Sutton Park, by George Luxford. A much more extensive list occurs in a paper published in July, 1842, pp. 261-2, entitled “A List of the Rare Plants observed in the neighbourhood of Birmingham,” and signed Samuel Freeman, Sun Street, Birmingham. I was not aware of the existence of this paper, when I published my “ Notes on the Flora of Sutton Park,” or I should have given to this botanist the credit he deserves. Among the more valuable contributions tc the ‘ Phytologist,” having reference to the matter in hand, are the following :-— ‘‘ Notice of a few of the rarer Warwickshire Plants,” by Thomas Kirk, Coventry, Vol. I1., pp. 969-72. ‘* Localities for some of the rarer Plants of Warwickshire,” by Rev. Andrew Bloxam, M.A., Twycross, Vol. III.. pp. 324-5. “County Lists of the British Ferns and their Allies,” compiled by Edward Newman, (Warwickshire,) Vol. I., pp. 510-12. ** Localities for Botrychium Lunaria.” By W. Thickens Keresley, 1848, Vol. III., p. 223. “Warwickshire Habitat for Gagea lutea.” By Rev. W. T. Bree, Vol. IIT., p. 922. “A Visit to the Lily Field.” By Rev. W. T. Bree. Vol. IIL., p. 945. And in other volumes are incidental notes by Kirk, Cheshire, and other botanists. In 1869 and 1870, the Birmingham Natural History and Microsco- pical Society published in their volumes of Proceedings, “ Lists of the Klowering Plants, Ferns, Mosses, and Hepatice indigenous to the neigh- bourhood of Birmingham.” These lists were compiled by myself, and the localities given are mainly Warwickshire ones. As I had then no knowledge of any of the past records above mentioned, these were necessarily unnoticed. These lists are very incomplete, having been published when my experience wa; limited, and have, among many other faults, that of being a mixed Flora. In 1874 the Warwick Natural History and Archmological Society published in their Proceedings, “ A Catalogue of Plants Collected in War- wickshire. Compiled by the Rev. J. R. Young and R. Baker, M.D.” U ~l THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. ’ By the kindness of Canon Young, I was allowed to revise the proof sheets of this catalogue, and to make many additions. This list is a record of the observations of the compilers, the Rev. A. Bloxam, Henry Bromwich, the Rugby School Natural History Society, and myself, and is the most complete list yet given of the plants found in Warwickshire since the publication of the Midland Flora. The above was afterwards issued as a separate publication, and is, I believe, still to be had. In the various reports of the Rugby School Society, published from 1867 to 1879, valuable information has been given on the Flora of that part of Warwickshire immediately around Rugby. Many of the botanists of this Society were good and reliable ones, and as they had until recent years the constant aid in all difficult matters of that most able, amiable, and courteous of Warwickshire botanists, the Rey. Andrew Bloxam, these lists are of permanent value. By the kindness of Mr. Trott, such volumes as were not in my possession were forwarded to me, and I have availed myself of the information contained in these freely. In 1877, the Rugby School Natural History Society published a very complete register of the flowering plants and ferns, from observations extending over five years, which will be quoted with other reports as occagion serves. In 1877, the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society published ‘‘ Notes on Sutton Park and its Flora,” to which is added ‘“* The Rubi and Rose of Warwickshire,” by James E. Bagnall. In this, all the plants, both rare and common, to be found in this portion of the county were noticed. In Mr. Hewett C. Watson’s ‘‘ Topographical Botany,” and also in “The Compendium of the Cybele Britannica,” by the same author, many references occur relative to Warwickshire plants. Besides the above-mentioned works, occasional notices, bearing on the Flora of this county, have appeared in the ‘‘ Journal of Botany—1863—1880 ;” but no paper of any great importance occurs on the flowering plants. The yearly reports of the London Botanical Exchange Club and of the Botanical Record Club both contain notices of plants collected in this county. (To be continued. ) A PICTURE IN THE KOSMOS. The evening of the 3lst of January, 1881, will long be remembered by all hereabouts who delight in the beauties of creation. A baro- metric trough from the Atlantic was passing briskly away to eastward, with gentle westerly airs, veering west-north-west, playing round its southern side, resulting in clearing skies, air becoming drier, diather- mancy increasing ; hence free radiation and a crisping soil. Low in G 58 A PICTURE IN THE KOSMOS. the romantic gorge of the Churnet, however, a thick white fog-band was heaving and swelling, nurtured as it were by the cold air pouring down from the watersheds, and condensing the vapours reeking from the river. Towards the pine-clad crests of the old Bunter Beds, just beyond, the crescent moon was bending; and so clear was our at- mosphere above, that, notwithstanding its oblique thickness, the other parts of her voiceless tracts, bathed in the pale reflected light of earth, were thrown out against the shadowing twilight in a relief strikingly bold and strange to the eye ; and the telescope showed up the low-lying plains in black contrast with the higher regions reflecting again the earth- shine. Venus, in her increa ing loveliness, following as though in the wake of our satellite, with Jupiter and Saturn in the rear, formed a panoramic picture in our System of exquisite beauty :—soulless indeed must have been he who did not pause and admire. Soon, about 6 15, a bright glow appeared in the north-west sky, spreading over in an ellip- tical patch past Cygnus, developing next a nucleus of a purple tint, and throwing out ultimately a branch of auroral light towards Venus. Next the whole northern sky became lit up with an electric glare, and about 6 30 amagnificent aurora streamed from the horizon, yet in fitful pul- sations, giving out detached quivering patches to the zenith, and even beyond Capella. I was now in the valley ; but on ascending the oppo- site hill, a bank of dark slaty purple, low in the northern sky, became distinctly visible, and fromit the streamers shot up towards the zenith, now with a steady glow, the next moment to shoot back—a few tremu- lous throbs and detached cones of fluttering light—and again the rays would burst forth, skimming the heavens in all their splendour. The nucleus of the display was soon seen to be about the magnetic pole, though the rays shot up from below Regulus to the vicinity of Altair, and a diffused gleam of light marked even the south-west sky. Near seven o’clock the display faded, but patches and sheaves of lustre still flickered in the north-west, and a spreading light-flush lingered for long in that quarter. * * * a7 That auroral displays result from magnetic disturbances due to in- creased action in the sun there can now be but little doubt. Iam in the habit of scanning the sun’s face daily when fine, with a 23in. clear aperture, and my notes, so far, certainly point to the auroral light being cotemporary with an increase of spots. On the morning of the lst February, after the aurora, five main spot regions were noted, viz. :— two centres approaching the west limb, with both wnbre and penum- bre, split up portions and stipplings ; a broken up group further north, an isolated spot near the sun’s centre, and a most interesting group in perspective with facule, very marked, coming up on east limb; indi- cating, doubtless, gigantic storms; and an awful, roaring rush of currents, of which the imagination can form but a faint idea, piercing and tear- ing asunder the gaseous envelopes, and heaping up the photosphere around the disturbed areas,—Ciemenr L, Wracoe, Farley. THE BRISTOL COALFIELD. 59 ON THE GRITS AND SO-CALLED SANDSTONES OF THE LOWER AND MIDDLE SERIES OF THE BRISTOL COALFIELD. BY EDWARD WETHERED, F.G.S., F.C.S. Continued from page 29. The next deposit, then, is the Holmes grit, which is the base of the middle series of the coal measures, and was for some time considered to be the Millstone grit faulted up in the southern part of the district. By reference to the section of the Coalfield, the seriousness of such an error becomes apparent, as the whole of the lower series of Coal Measures would be unknown in that particular part of the district. It was, too, considered to be identical with the Hard Venture grit. By comparing the analyses of these various deposits, the similarity of chemical composition renders the mistakes excusable if simply litho- logical features are relied upon. The following are the analyses of two specimens of typical Holmes grit, taken several feet apart :— ANALYSIS OF THE Houmes Rock. No. 1. No. 2. 93°80 94:93 3°60 2°05 ‘70 52 “40 *85 70 1:00 39 “60 Trace she "44 | 43 100°64 100°39 Passing over one or two succeeding deposits of grit, marked in the section of the Coalfield, we come to the principal rock of the district, namely, that of the well-kuown Pennant grit, or, as it is generally termed, Pennant sandstone. The Coalfield has usually been divided into three divisions, the middle or Pennant grit series dividing the lower from the upper. It would be almost better to leave out the term Pennant series, as it gives rise to a mistaken notion as to the thickness of the actual Pennant. On referring to the section of the Coalfield the construction of the middle series is shown. It consists of several thick beds of grit, the thickest of which is the Pennant, hence the name Pennant series. For this reason the thickness of this grit has been placed, by some authors, at 2,000 feet, the thickness of the entire middle series, whereas it is only about 970 feet. I am unable to give the origin of the name Pennant, but the term is applied to other beds in the district besides these just referred to. This, I submit, is justifiable, if the term is to denote a particular class 60 THE BRISTOL COALFIELD, of rock: the Doxall grit, for instance, is a Pennant so far as chemical composition and lithological features show. For the first 50 feet of the Pennant it is a very coarse stone, and contains 90 per cent. of silica. Following this a better class of rock commences, viz., that which is so extensively worked round Bristol for building and ornamental purposes. ANALYSES OF THE PENNANT GRIT. No. 1. | No.2. | No. 3. | No. 4 | No. 5. MRL oceek. ccs es | 18920 | 8720 | 83:26 | 8973 | 84:90 Alumina .......... ‘5°10 4°40 2°26 2°33 RPOT Geis ce.cwe eo 57 3:13 616 2°85 EEA aac eclals ce sie'e ‘75 1°26 2°80 1:33 Organic Matter.... 1°25 1:45 3°25 1°29 Carbonic Acid .... 75 2°75 1°15 1:50 Magnesia........-. ‘07 AN 7 ens eA *45 65 70 75 10014 | 10084 | 9958 | 99-78 | No. 6. 83:13 SS No. 7. 85°30 | Reviewing the whole of the analyses given of the grits, we appear to have two varieties of arenaceous rocks, viz., the Millstone grit type and the Pennant, and through the whole of the series of coal-measures we get a repetition of these. The Pennant is lithologically distin- guished by a blue colour, though at times a bed is met with strongly coloured with sesqui-oxide of iron, which imparts a red tinge, and is sometimes micaceous, which I have not observed to be the case with the other grits. It is then at the risk of serious error that we attempt to judge of horizons by the lithological features of these rocks, and I take it that what will apply to the Bristol Coalfield will also to others. portion of silica in the Hard Venture and Holmes grits seems to be constant in typical beds of the rocks,* and even in that of the Millstone grit. The pro- This I consider may be used as a test, especially over a small area, but no great amount of reliance can be placed in it apart from other evidence.t The mention of mica in the Pennant variety will raise surprise at the non-mention of alkalies in my analysis. I can only say that I have failed to detect them, and I account for their absence by supposing that these rocks have all been subjected, to the action of carbonic acid (the percentage of carbon which they contain is a proof of this.) This being so, the alkalies would be the first to be attacked, forming soluble carbonate, and, as the rocks are very porous, they would be removed in solution. Reverting now to the changes which take place when the grits are in contact with carbonaceous matter, the result would appear to be that the percentage of silica is decreased, and of alumina increased, while manganese, sulphur, and phosphorus appear. With a view of * It is, of course, most important that only typical specimens of the rock be examined in such a test as this. + As the Hard Venture and Holmes grit contain the same proportions of silica, of course other means would have to be adopted to distinguish one from the other. THR BRISTOL COALFIELD, 61 investigating this matter further, a section of a quarry was taken, and each bed analysed. This is shown in section No. 2. No. 2.—SeEctTion oF A PENNANT QUARRY. THICK- mel | STRATA. ee CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. Soluble|Insoluble in in Total. Acid. Acid. | | | Silica tcschescoas Highs pSsfe 2] e | 89°73 | k ; ag pia | Paving Stones in lumina cielo gee £28 | ie . | Bed of from 14] ,, OD) oc cescres ce. 2°26 59 | 28 Ni; : i 2a0) PsiMNIO' Ss, Ss foatercte ets 36 97 1:33 to 2 inches Garcon 1-29 thick: Lele s\eiejeiei< es se 2° Carbonic Acid.. x 50 1°50 Wi BCOP iarteteeineuios Ste ays | ‘75 Nae | | SHIR oon cconne eee ne 77°53 } Stonannired with Alumina’ .'.:...-< 4°30 1°36 5°66 carbonaceous | tron wivjelefefeiste lat eres oa8 Se ae Iv. matter, the| 2”8 Time Biome seaeioietinare 45 a3 iy Iatborieatou nin S Evon niece supper : i layers. } arbonic Acid .. 3°60 Magnesia........ Trace. | Water! Hecte. oh. | “75 Silica. sec cce c- AG 87°26 Alumina) ..s.%...25 2°36 2°04 4°40 on sjelareisinie)eietsiets 2°33 80 3 a8 BY AMO ro acesciscint. 1:26 oie ig III. Good Pennant. 12 Carbone emacs = a 1°45 Carbonic Acid .. 2°75 Manganese...... 07 Water .ccieiet os. 65 Bilica. cccdecccws a 83°26 AlUMING! cos secs. 2 26 7 2°26 ETON (oesisciacie aicleree 3° 6 2°80 616 | . 9 a M1. | InferlorPennant.; 3° | Gerbon ts) || as | | Carbonic Acid .. | .. ia 115 Magnesia........ Ee ae Trace. ; Water fc ccccee ec =A a “70 Alternation of Silicaneesoshe sce We fc AC 79°36 beds of Rock, | Alumina, .s26. 42 12 591 Welt 2” thick, with yO 0) ee 3°16 ie 3°16 layers of car- 10 &) $001: aS AA eiSe 1°33 ” 1°33 iE | bonaceous mat- Carbone crete cc ye Ws 805 | terof abont the | Carbonic Acid ..| .. 40 “90 | game thickness. | Manganese...... ie AF, 06 | Ground not iesSulphur iccjcecr fie bye et 08 | | pierced. | | Water ocecnccece ac a6 ‘70 Glancing at the section, we observe that beds No. 1 and No. 4 are the ones with which carbonaceous matter is visibly associated. In bed No. 1 it is in stratified beds of about 14 inches thick, which divide the stone into other beds of about the same thickness. If we compare this bed with No. 5 we find that, with the exception of thickness, the physical conditions are very similar, but, with this 62 THE BRISTOL COALFIELD. difference, there is no carbonaceous matter between the thin beds of the latter. If, however, we examine the chemical combination of these two, we find a marked difference. In No. 1 the silica is 10°37 per cent. less than in No. 5. The alumina is 4°78 in excess ; and manganese and sulphur occur in No. 1. (Compare with Doxall.) Now, if we compare beds Nos. 2 and 4, we find the physical condi- tions again similar, with the exception that there is visible organic matter mixed with No. 4, and we find the same thing applies to the silica and alumina as in the previous comparison. We may also compare bed No. 3 with No. 4 with the same result, but to a lesser degree. We should not expect to get so decided a difference when comparing No. 4.* as the carbonaceous matter is much less, and is not associated in thesame way asin No.1. In No. 4 it has the appearance of having been deposited with the sediment which formed the rock in No. 1; it is in stratified layers, the rock having been deposited over in alternate beds. Now, if we take the analysis of those semi-argillaceous beds which occur over seams of coal and in coal-bearing strata called duns, we find that the same constituents are present as in the arenaceous rocks, i.e., the grits, the chief difference being that there is more alumina in the former. This the following analysis will show :— ANALYSIS OF SHALE AND Dons. Shale from Duns from | Duns from | Holmes Quarry. | over Great Vein. | over Little Vein. PSELIDEG tietardio. oicinlo ole wictein etets 80°26 63°96 T4146 | | | | PATEEENTI Bice e cixicieuniae ie we 8:93 13°86 12°00 MYON coe ee aah tas 2°09 1°60 5°13 Lime...... Cote cc's 1:00 | 1°43 “90 Carbonaccous matter 4°69 15°05 +70 Carbonic acid ........ 50 “30 “60 Manganese............ - ve 10 BU MUE ectenie Gas sek Trace | Trace WME oe) sales las ein 2°35 | 3°05 1:40 99°73 99°25 | 99°99 Now, we have found that the grits when in contact with carbonaceous matter become more argillaceous, that is to say, the proportion of alumina is greater; and if this process were to continue, rocks would be formed of the composition of shale and duns. Let us now see how this change has been brought about. My analyses have shown that the grits contain silicates, and there is no doubt that when first depo- sited they were in greater proportion; we have then to consider what would arise if this rock-forming sediment was deposited with, or over, large masses of vegetation. The vegetation would decay, and carbonic acid gas would be generated as one of the results. Now the effect of this gas on * In the analysis of bed No. 4, the organic matter was scraped off the stone, so that the percentage of carbon given in the analysis 18 no guide as to the actual amount in the bed. THE BRISTOL COALFIELD. silicates is to decompose them, with the exception of silicate of alumina,* the bases forming soluble carbonates; but from the occurrence of hydrated oxide of alumina in nature+ along with the silicate, a proof that it also undergoes decomposition under certain conditions. The alumina, however, is incapable of forming a car- bonate, and the hydrated oxide of alumina formed is less soluble than the carbonates of the other bases arising from the decomposition. It is then plain that the result of this action would be the removal of all silicates, with the exception of silicate of alumina, and thus the latter would increase in proportion to the whole, and where it is decomposed the proportion of alumina would increase owing to the insolubility of the hydrated oxide. This is just what we have found, and it appears to me to be conclusive evidence that shales, and those semi-argillaceous rocks which I have included under the name of duns, are formed from the action of carbonic acid gas upon arenaceous rocks such as the grits or the sediment of which they are composed.t One fact, which appears contrary to what we might expect, is the proportion of iron which remains in those beds which are in contact with carbonaceous matter. I would, however, point out that the iron is not in combination with silica, but exists as an oxide or carbonate, the natural product of the decomposition of the silicate. This fact, coupled with the presence of manganese, sulphur, and in one instance phos- phorus, seems to show that carbonaceous matter has the power of secreting certain inorganic substances. That this is the case with iron was demonstrated to me in the analysis of fossil Calamites from a bed of Pennant grit. The following is the analysis :-— ANALYIS OF THE PENNANT BED IN WHICH THE CALAMITES OCCURRED, STC Rats cbs cllarcsr srslele creciecericisieie leseace ee werete 87°60 PANU TTT G) cis ercvevapeixerotosossreveqe-g kere lolol ers sato steyeiehelatars/steyesetavets §:23 POTN re ravoystetey sc avaVeharereveisvesetotoueoletorsks aisle urstorsresietacersreistete 2°73 NALIN C there aia ae cielo ersineleiel a s:t/nelelerele:cleaverecelele (eleloteiesatereye 2°40 Carbonaceous, Matter 2 e/ce sc. aisicie cisjeieieies sale ¢0)sre\6 1'70 CarbonicvAcid ee scicicalcescicre' Sale cheyevelciercislevele sic iets Ss NW BLOT by.) s Socio ateiersi tot aaievevstevccnie cise elocicisieraivestn cloves “90 ANALYSIS OF THE Foss1u CanamIrE. Soluble in Acid. | Insoluble in Acid. Total. TLIC Rei cleta sicieisicteie stoi sierers 103 | 6°36 7:09 AN eI CLR GARORGOBOCAO OF ae } 2°70 2°70 ETON caiiciccieiecescciee sale 60°19 “55 60°72 GAY Oletars clare ore clevolesaiecvele.s 2°27 53 2°80 Carbonaceous matter.. | 19°30 Carbonic Acid ........ 23 Magnesia........... aac i | *86 WR LCRe cee sta ctcne | | 6:90 100°60 * Bischof’s Chemical and Physical Geology, vol. I., page 1. For the decompo- sition of silicate of iron see page 3. + This we have found; the hydrated oxide of alumina being that portion soluble in acid. } These rocks occur in coal-bearing strata, but apart from carbonaceous matter; still this is no argument against what I have said, as the carbonaceous matter may have been removed by decomposition, O64 THE BRISTOL COALPIELD. The following analysis is that of carbonaceous matter, taken from the centre of a large sigillaria from a Pennant quarry at Frenchay.* | Soluble in H. Cl. | Insoluble in H, Cl. Total. POM are eee tans ss 1:06 “83 1:89 leis TiN st ks neicde ae - 1:36 | 1°36 ROSE Cis nmin s ca:s mele A '9ie'd x 45°29 *50 45°79 WAMGE ayes add iee cy eee: 9°40 Trace 9°40 Carbonaceonus matter.. 29°95 Carbonic Acid ........ 4°45 WEGIATIAR IS, a:04 olna 0 iehaicia' 50 MANMEUAY Ms dire Pete's 5a: atals:ace'a 655 99°89 It will thus be seen that the percentage of iron in the fossil plants is very large, but that in the grit is only ordinary. In conclusion I desire to return my thanks to Mr. Monks, jun., of the Easton Collieries, near Bristol, for the kind way in which he has supplied me with specimens of rock and necessary information. COLOUR IN FLOWERS. BY F. T. MOTT, F.R.G.S. In the ‘‘ Midland Naturalist ” for 1879, (Vol. II., p. 175,) there is an article of mine on this subject, containing a theoretical explanation of vegetable colour, which has in it, I believe, some points of novelty. I have recently observed a phenomenon of plant life, which, as far as it goes, seems clearly to support that theory. I have had in my window during the winter a small hyacinth bulb, in a small vase of water. About three weeks ago this bulb had thrown up a flower spike six inches high in the centre of the usual whorl of leaves. The flowers ex- panded, but they were all quite green, as green as the leaves, and the bulb was thought to be a failure. It was left in the window, however, and a few days later the points of the perianth of the terminal flower were observed to be turning white. The change went on rapidly, and within a week seven out of the eight flowers in the spike had become pure white and fragrant, the eighth remaining green, but soon shrivel- ling up. This change of colour was accompanied by an equally rapid growth of tissue. The stalk shot up to nine inches, and the perianth segments, which had been about three-quarters of an inch long, and merely erecto-patent, elongated to an inch and a half, and became cir- cinnately recurved. ITaccount for the phenomenon thus. The flower-spike had been thrown up in very dull weather und remained nearly in the con- dition of foliage. The last of the four secondary waves of vital energy * The bed of sandstone from which this last specimen was taken I have not thought it necessary to analyse, as it was an ordinary Pennant, COLOUR IN FLOWERS. 65 —that which culminates in blossom—was checked and unable to develop itself. Then there came two or three sunny days; the con- ditions were changed and development went forward. The protoplas- mic matter of the chlorophyll cells in the perianth was rapidly used up in the manufacture of new cellular tissue, and the supply being only sufficient for this purpose, the cells of that tissue were left empty, or filled only with a watery juice. Such tissue is necessarily white. Had the supply of protoplasm been larger, the surplus would have given colour to the perianth. But that it was not in the nature of that bulb to deposit an excess of protoplasm in the perianth was known beforehand by the papery whiteness of its outer scales. Mer hOnOLOGY OF |THE, MIDLANDS. THE WEATHER OF JANUARY, 1881. BY CLEMENT L. WRAGGE, F.R.G.S., F.M.S., ETC. The month opened with fairly high pressure and a rise in temperature, the maximum value occurring at many of our Midland stations, (and in the N.-W. and §.-W. of England,) between the 1st and the 4th. The “great frost” set in generally on the 7th, being developed by the formation of a high barometric crest, and the establishment of a well-marked anti-cyclone in the northern districts with its attendant conditions. On the evening of the 7th the barometer gave way, and although depressions and the cyclonic type of weather followed, notably on the 12th and 18th, (the latter day being marked by terrific east-north-easterly gales and snowstorms that will long be remembered,) the frost still continued, fostered by the northerly and easterly winds travelling round the west and north sides of the depression-centres. The lowest temperatures occurred about the 15th, and several readings below zero were taken at our own stations. The rivers, canals, and brooks were in places hard frozen, and during a whole week the Trent at Nottingham could be crossed with perfect safety. A brisk fall of the barometer set in on the 24th, and at length, on the approach of a deep cyclonic ring from the Atlantic, temperature rose from depths below the freezing point; and, with light southerly winds circling round the east side of the depression, which crossed the Midlands on the 28th, followed in its wake by a deeper trough on the 29th, the great period of frost closed, having, by night frosts, lasted without break from the 6th, a period of twenty-three days. Hence, after the excessive cold, universal fog prevailed, the maximum temperature was registered at other Midland stations, and so the month closed. At Tenbury the mean temperature was 10-5 below the average, the lowest recorded in a period of more than fifty years. At Moseley this was the coldest month registered, there being no record of any so cold since January, 1820; the mean of twenty-one days, ending the 27th, was only 23:2. That the cold largely resulted from excessive radiation, is proved by the astonishing differences in temperature between hill and valley stations in close proximity. For instance, on the 17th, at nine a.m., the dry bulb at Oakamoor, in the Churnet Valley, read 3-6; at Farley, barely a mile distant, E. by S. on the left watershed of the river, and 290ft. above, the simultaneous reading was 16:4; and on Beacon Stoop, 576ft. higher than Farley,and but 24 miles distant, the value at nine a.m. on the 17th was 20°7. Deficiency of ozone between the 7th and H 66 THE WEATHER OF JANUARY. | RAINFALL. = |Greatest fall} STATION. OBSERVER. {in 24 hours. | n.| In.| Date. | GLOUCKSIERSHIRE. Stroud ......... cavecbevee o-+/8. J. Coley, Esq.....000200- 1°26} °35; 19 Cheltenham ......... secses -/R. Tyrer, Esq., B.A., F.M.S./ 1°20/8)'58} 18 WILTSHIRE. ; Marlborough .......+..-++++» Rey. T. A. Preston, M.A. ..| 2°68] 1°67) 18 & 19 SHROPSHIRE. Woolstaston .......++++++++* Rev. B.D. Carr....seeeeees 64) °15) 80 Stokesay ..... aaa cle sa «+eeee+ M. D. La Touche, Ksq..... 72) °19 18 More Kectory, Bishop's Castle Rev. A. Male ..........0005 *92\s)'85| 18 Bishop's Castle......... +--+ K. Griffiths, Esq 76} °20| 18 Cardington ..........++.+++++|Rev. Wm. Elliott... 83\s)'42 18 HEREFORDSHIRE. | Stoke Bliss ...... wanseae -++++/Reyv. G. Alexander ........| °82/ 18 WORCESTERSHIRE. | Orleton, Tenbury .....+++++ T. H. Davis. Esq., F.M.S...| -65| -20| 18 pee Birmingham ......)/Thomas L. Plant, Esq. ....|1°18/s)'50| 18 & 19 West Malvern ........-+++++/A. H. Hartland, Hsq.......| °83) “36) 26 Pedmore .......+.+-+- -» E. B. Marten, Esq. .... "728138 19 Dennis, Stourbridge . +++|C. Webb, Esq. .......- 86| 10] 3 Stourbridge .......-.c.cees++/J, Jeffries, H8q .........00- “65 8)'22 19 STAFFORDSHIRE. | | Kinver ........s.s+seeeeee++*/Rev. W. H. Bolton........| °46/s)'11} 18 WMA ccccceccncocaes . -| -48)sy11] 19 Lichfield . eoeeeceeseees(Mr. J. P. Roberts .. *57\s)'25| 19 Grammar School, Burton.... ¢, U. Tripp, Esq., M.A.....| “87 8)'25) 18 Weston-under-Lyziard R’tory Fon.and Rey.J. Bridgeman| 48) °10) 11 Wrottesley ...........-++++++/K. Simpson, Hsq...........| “43/8)'08} 11 Barlaston........ -+»|W. Scott, Esq., F.M.S. | °43) 25) = 28 POAT 0.00 ccscccccvcccecceesss/ Rev. G. T. Ryves, M.A -| °50| 09] 11 & 29 Heath House, Cheadle ...... J. C. Philips, Esq., «-| °B9 10] = Oakamoor .........+...+-++-|Mr. K. BK. Kettle ..........] °59/s)'12) 11 Farley, near Cheadle ........|C.L. Wragge, Esq., F.M.S..| °42) -09| 29 Beacon Stoop, Weaver Hills..'0, L. Wragge, Esq, F.M.S...| -43.8)16) 11 Alstonfield Vicarage ......../Rev. W. H. Purchas ......| 49) °13] 26 WARWICKSHIRE. St. Mary's College, Oscott..../R. Pate, Ksq. .........- ooe.| °65] °18} 18 Henley-in-Arden . seeeee/T. H. G. Newton, Esq. -|110.s)'40} 18 Leamington ..... ++ J. Goodacre, Ksq..... eoceee| 1°43/8)'72) 18 Coundon, Coventry -|Lieut.-Col. R. Caldicott ....]119.8)50| 18 Bickenbill ....... eescescescold, WArd, H8Q......0.0000000| 1°14)8)'42 18 DERBYSHIRE. Stoney Middleton..... eoecese (Rev. U. Smith .......c000 Fernslope, Belper.........---|J. G. Jackson, Esq. ........ Spondon ......-+-++- -|J. T. Barber, Esq..........- Duffield ........ WSO ERC ieseclemewanae NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, Trent College.......sesecees|seccsescsevecsceseses caceoe Park Hill, Nottingham......|H. F. Johnson, Ksq....... Hodsock Priory, Worksop H. Mellish, Ksq., F.M.S. .. Tuxford ....... eocvee eceeeeelJ. N. Dufty, Esq., F.G.S. .. LEICESTERSHIRE. Loughborough ..........+. --|W. Berridge, Rsq., F.M.S... Syston ......0+6- --|J. Hames, Esq. ........0005 Leicester ...... seosesccccsces (EL. BILSON, DEQ. asccsccncs Town Museum, Leicester....|M. Browne, Ksq., F.Z.S. .. Ashby Magud.o.crccccccncese[ Rev, BH. WES weccuccccces Kibworth ...ccccsccccccsse --|T. Macaulay, Esq.... Waltham-le-Wold ............/E. Ball, Esq. . ‘d Coston Rectory, Melton....../Rev. A. M. Rendell........ NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, Towcester Brewory.......... Castle Ashby «+++|R. G. Scriven, Esq... MettexiNg ccs ccceccccccces e+|J. Wallis, Haq. .......0.. OXFORDSHIRE. Ratcliffe Observatory, Oxford|E. J. Stone, Rsq., M.A..... RUTLAND. Northflelds, Stamford........|W. Hayes, Esq............ West Deyne, Uppingham ....)Rev. G. H. Mullins, M.A... OUTPOST STATIONS. Carlisle (Scaleby Hall) ....../R. A. Allison, Esq., F.M.S.. Scarborough ....... eccceccoe(K. Shaw, Haq., F.M.S....... Blackpool (North Shore) ..../C. 1. Ward, Esq., F.M.S. .. ’ (South Shore) Llandudno ... ses Lowestoft . Carmarthen . J. Nicol, Esq., M.D., F.M.S. 8. H. Miller, Esq., F.R.A.S. G.J. Hearder, Esq., M.D... --|Rev. J. Power, M.A. ...... sseeeeeeee]W. T. Radford, Esq., M.D... +«/9. Codling, Haq.....cssecces peceee reeves} Rev, T. Rgan, O.S,.B,...... Ventnor No. of TEMPERATURE. |Greatest ht.) Great’st cold 3 Deg Date. | Deg | Date. in| | 470 80&81 60} 15 12 |48:¢ 381 | —8'8} 20 10/488 81 | 69| 16 10|465 31 —10} 26 8 |48'4| 81 09} 21 9/460 2 | 80/15, 16,25 12/470 381 | 38:0} 26 (26 8 7|460| 3 120/14, 20,21 11 | 475) 81 4:3] 22 7 | 47:0 1 30] 23 7 ;440, 29 105] 24 19/460) 81 10} 21 11/470 31 50) 14 5 | 47°0| 2 & 29 40| 14 10|}450 1 7-0) 14 & 21 9 |43°0| 1&2 9°0| 14, 16,21 6 (24 18 |45°0} $1 40) 15 & 16 10 | 47° 2 30) 16 8/456) 3 43) 16 8 |46°0| 31 —4'6] 15 10 | 4674) 381 50) 17 8 |45°0, 2&81 | 10°0/16, 26,26 8 | 468] 2 & 81 81] 16 8471) 4 10.6) 26 8/490) 2 77| 26 8 |4o°5] 2 82] 25 10 |480, 31 76) 26 9 |47.0] 31 40) 16 1 {490} 4 84l 2 10 |48°0} 80 90) 14 6 100 80} 19 90} 16 20 10) 14 110} 4 16} 21 90} 20 1-9] 15 & 16 10} 16 60} 15 62) 16 110/18, 14, 21 60} UW —2'0} 16 60} 21 18°0| 21 & 22 68} 22 10} 15 95] 16 —70} 26 10°5| 26 74) 15 —05| 15 14°56, 26 92) 16 88} 15 80) 26 180} 22 146) 22 low le THE WEATHER OF JANUARY. 67 15th, and again between the 19th and 24th. Magnetic storm in P.M. of the 31st, and magnificent aurora about 6 40, which was well observed in the Midland districts. The amount of precipitation was generally but small, and in the moorlands of N.E. Staffordshire the snowfall was comparatively slight. Notes By OssErvers.—Joolstaston.—Frost was of unprecedented severity here. Snowfall remarkably shght when contrasted with other places. More Rectory.—Apparently no record of such extreme cold in this neighbourhood. In lower situations thermometer fell below zero. Bishop’s Castle—Rainfall much less than the average. West Malvern.—Continuous frost from 5th to 26th, bothinclusive. Bur- ton.—Maximum on 25th, only 16:0. Twenty-five frosts on grass. JVeston- under-Lyziard.—No great snowfall, but serious drifts. Wrottesley.— Minimum temperature lowest on record extending over forty years. Tean.—The snowstorm of the 18th did not reach this district. Oaka- moor. —Ice-thickness in Churnet Valley on still water averaged 10 inches. Farley.——Lowest temperature of ground at depth of 1 foot, 28°5, 25th ; at 2 feet, 32-4, 22nd ; min. on grass, 5-2, 16th ; max. in sun, 93:4, 23rd. No snow registered on 18th, but drifts 7 feet deep by walls. Beacon Stovup.—Climate of upper moorlands during the frost dry, genial, and salubrious, as contrasted with that of adjacent lowlands. Alston- jield.—Snowfall (11th to 19th) much smaller than in most other places. Henley-in-Arden.—Rainfall less than average of 10 years. Leamington. —Snowdrifts reported 12 feet deep. Stoney Middleton.—Month (espe- cially latter end) very fine and clear. Hodsock.—41 hours of bright sunshine; max. in sun, 91-7, 21st; min. on grass —4:0, 16th. Tuxford. —Lowest ‘‘maximum,” 18:0. LoughboroughMax. in sun, 88°'1, 31st; min. on grass, 0°9, 16th. Aibworth.—1st, Cowslip, Primrose, and Wall- flower in bloom. Coston.—Snowstorm of 18th very severe. Leicester (Museum.)—Max. in sun, 85°5, 31st; min. on grass, 1°9, 22nd. Kettering. —17th, found Thrush starved to death. Castle Ashby.—Small Bat seen flying on evening of 3rd. Uppingham.—16th, the coldest day, having a mean temperature of 14:8. Oxford.—50 hours of sunshine. Carlisle.— The coldest month registered in 18 years. Blackpool.—Between 10th and 17th average daily temperature 18°6 below the mean. Scarborough. —Mean sea temperature, 40°38; coldest month on record (from 1866.) Llandudno.—Mean temperature, 7:1 below the average; coldest month since commencement of record (1861.) Altarnwn.—Coldest month on record (commenced 1864;) one Snowdrop on bank, near brook, under trees, on 10th; a dozen others on 31st, after disappearance of the frost, Sidmouth.—The coldest month, with one exception, since 1837. Ventnor. —Weather has been very remarkable for its severity; heavy falls of snow, much drifted. P.S.—Owing to the gales of the 18th and 19th, the amounts for “Rainfall” in those districts visited by the accompanying snowstorms may be incorrect. The values from Stroud, Stoke Bliss, Leamington, and Kibworth must especially be regarded with some caution. Correspondence. APPROXIMATE PHENOLOGICAL DATES. As a guide to observers the Meteorological Society has drawn up the following table, giving approximately the times of appearance of plants, insects, and birds. In the case of plants, those persons who 68 CORRESPONDENCE. cannot observe the whole number are requested to pay especial attention to those of which the names are printed in capitals. Observers are respectfully requested to comply with the rules laid down in Messrs. Grove and Bagnall’s paper at page 15 of the present Volume ; and to send their notes and specimens as early each month as possible to Mr. W. B. Grove, B.A., Franchise Street, Perry Barr, Bir- mingham, who has undertaken to collate them. . MARCH. Plants. No. in Average Earhest. Latest. List. Date. 25 1 Potentilla Fragariastrum (Barren Straw- ‘ Oy) sierentsisetee.- ersicisicersieter oie ieedaciet Jan. 18 April 7 36 3 Petasites vulgaris (Butter-bur).......... Feb. 18 April 10 9 4 Viola odorata (Sweet Violet) .......... Feb. 16 Mar. 25 65 Salix caprea (Great Sallow)..........-- Feb. 16 April 3 69 6 Narcissus Pseudo-narcissus (Daffodil) .... Feb. 12 April 3 64 7 Ulmus montana (Wych Elm)............ Feb. 5 April 1 8 9 Draba verna (Whitlow Grass) .........- Feb. 26 April 6 1 11 Anemone Nemornosa (Wood Anemone) .. Feb. 27 April 6 4 15 Carrua panustris (Marsh Marigold) .... Feb. 14 April 13 57 20 Nepeta Glechoma (Ground Ivy).......... Mar. 3 April “) 22 29 Prunus Sprnosa (Blackthorn).......... Feb. 20 April 16 61 30 Primoxa verts (Cowslip) .............. Mar. 19 AprillG7 Insects and Birds. 74 Apis mellifica (Honey-Bee.) 76 Pieris rape (Small White Cabbage Butterfly.) 79 Trichocera hiemalis (Winter Gnat.) 87 Phylloscopus collybita (Chiff-chaff) song begins. 90 Corvus frugilegus (Rook) builds. 86 Phylloscopus trochilus (Willow Wren) song begins. Earuy Fuiowernmne.—On December 26th I found Mercurialis perennis, both male and female, several plants in full blossom. Station, borders of Beds and Herts; soil sandy, dry ditch, S.W. aspect. I could find, over many miles of country, only one other staminate spike, on January 16th. The first date is remarkably early, if it is not a remnant of late autumn growth. On January 29th, 1881, on a railway bank near the town, with a south aspect, I found several plants of Tussilago Farfara, infull blossom, about three or four inches high.— J. Saunpers, Luton. {Can any observer bring forward an undoubted instance of M. perennis flowering a second time in the autumn ?—Eps. Mm. Nar.] Borantcan Nores.—December 10th, 1880, at Frampton.—Lamium purpureum, in hedgerows; Vinca minor, var. alba, Primula vulgaris ; Polyanthuses and Stocks in garden. December 27th.—Viola odorata, Primula vulgaris, at Frampton. January 4th, 1881.—Bellis perennis, at Gidding. January 7th.—Ulex Europeus, Helpstone and West Deeping ; Lamium album, L. purpureum, Capsella Bursa-pastoris, Geum urbanum, West Deeping; Linaria Cymbalaria, Senecio vulgaris, Bamack.— January 13th to 29th, carpet of snow; February 3rd, Galanthus nivalis n garden at Frampton. February 9th, Galanthus nivalis and Helle- borus niger, gardens around Peterborough. ‘The wild plants above mentioned were collected in full flower at the various places named by J. W. Boner, Peterborough. oe CORRESPONDENCE. 69 OrnitTHoLoGicaL NotEs FRoM OxFrorpsHIRE.—The late severe weather has had a terrible effect on the birds. No less than ten green wood- peckers, besides five hawfinches and other birds were brought to Mr. W. Wyatt, of Banbury, about the end of the frost, all picked up starved. Kingfishers have also suffered very much, a great many were found in the Cherwell when the ice broke up. Wigeon have been scarce this season ; I did not hear of any till December 30th. On the 5th inst., I flushed three short-eared owls from some long grass in a a wet marshy meadow. This very elegant bird is sometimes known here by the name of ‘‘ Marsh Owl.” On the 20th of last month I saw a hawfinch here, and I have heard of a good many more having been shot in the neighbourhood. A female golden eye was procured on the canal on the 18th, and on the 24th a grey crow was picked up near Banbury in a starving condition, and brought to Mr. Wyatt, who kept it for some days and then let it go. Hunger and cold had so tamed this wary bird, that it would take food from his hand.—Ouiver V. Apiin, Bodicote, Oxon, Feb. 12th, 1881. Tue Puparton or MeLanrura OcEeniara.—About the end of July last I obtained (from a female which I caught in Kent) some eggs of M. ocellata, which hatched on August 15th. The larve, which I fed on woodruff, grew but slowly; and instead of changing to pupx in the following mon‘h, they went on feeding till November, when, finding that the food was no longer touched, I left them to themselves, they being then nearly full grown. Yesterday, February 11th, I examined the cage in which I had left them, and found several spun up in their webs, principally on the sides of a small box of earth which I had put into the cage, but not one had turned to a pupa; all were still in the larva stage, coiled up comfortably in their cells. This surprised me, as I find no record of any such occurrence with regard to this species in any of the recognised authorities on the subject. There are several species, e.g., Cirrhedia xerampelina, the larvee of which remain for some time im the cocoon before changiug into pup; but no one seems to have noticed anything of the kind with respect to I. ocellata. I write to invite the attention of midland entomologists to the subject, and to enquire if any of them can suggest a cause for this unusual state of things.—Cuas. F. THornewitt, The Soho, Burton-on-Trent, Feb. 12th, 1881. Gleanings. Spectres or Brrps.—Dr. Sclater states the number of existing (known) species of birds to be 10,139. “A List or BririsH Birps,” with, as an appendix, ‘‘ The Graduated List ”’ for labelling eggs, has been compiled by Mr. Herbert W. Marsden, of Regent Street, Gloucester, and we advise our ornithological and oological readers to get copies. The price is sixpence. The list of birds has been carefully compiled on a plan which shows at a glance which are resident and migratory, and which are occasional or accidental visitors, the further information being added, as to which of the exotic faunas the last-named classes respectively belong to—Africa, America, Asia, or Australia. The authority for each scientific name is given, and it is also shown whether the authority is for genera and species, or for specific name only. ‘The Graduated List” for labelling eggs is also printed separately, on gummed paper, price sixpence. We have great pleasure in introducing these useful publications to our readers, and recommend them because they are meritorious. 70 GLEANINGS. Personat Sratistics.—The following figures are averages for British males, between 23 and 50 years of age: Height, 68°84 inches; Weight, in lbs., 154; Chest girth, 35°79 inches; Strength of Arm, (i.e., weight that can be lifted by right arm,) 97°49 lbs. Crac Fossits.—The gentleman (Mr. W. Reed! whose munificence we have recorded above, possesses beyond doubt the finest collection extant of fossils from the Crag beds of Suffolk and Norfolk. Every new and rare species discovered in these newest Tertiary strata has for many years found its way to York. Natura, History Booxs.—A most competent judge (Dr. Gunther, of the British Museum) has recently estimated the cost of a complete natural history library at £70,000. Government has sanctioned the expenditure of half this amount for books for the new Natural History Museum at South Kensington. Gerotocy or Wires.—In the last Report of the British Association, (Swansea Meeting, 1880,) there is a list, by Mr. W. Whitaker, of 667 papers, books, maps, &c., by 279 authors, which have been written on the Geology of Wales, (including Monmouthshire,) up to the end of 1873. These lists are a great boon to local workers, whose best thanks are due to Mr. Whitaker for the great energy he has displayed in geological bibliography. Kent’s Cavernn.—The exploration of this famous cavern, near Torquay, under the direction of a Committee of the British Association, from whose funds £1,850 has been contributed for the work, came to anend in June, 1880. One of the workmen, George Smerdon, was continuously employed from the first day to the last on the work. Employment in daylight must now seem strange to this honest fellow, of whom the Superintendent (Mr. Pengelly) speaks in the highest terms. During the last few months deeper excavations than had previously been attempted were carried on, but the basement deposit, called the Cave-Breccia, was continuous to the limestone floor of the cave, so far as the work was conducted, und contained flint imple- ments—the undoubted work of man, in even its lowest level. York Musrum.—Mr. W. Reed, F'.G.S., has purchased for £720, avd presented to the Museum of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, the fine collection of fossils, consisting of about 10,000 specimens, formed by the late Mr. Eh. Wood, F.G.S., of Richmond, Yorkshire. The collec- tion is especially rich in carboniferous limestone fossils. Mr. Wood was an indefatigable worker, and will be remembered as the discoverer of a new genus of fossil crinoids, (Woodocrinus,) of which his collection contains many splendid examples. Coxrovr or THE HEyxs.—The iris, on which the colour of tne eye depends, is a thin membranous structure composed of unstriped muscular fibres, nerves, and blood vessels, held together by a delicate network of fibrous tissue. On the inner surface of this membrane there is a layer of dark purple pigment, called the uvea, (from its resemblance to the colour of a ripe grape,) and in brown eyes there is an additional layer of yellow pigment on its outer surface also. In the albino, where the pigment is entirely absent from both surfaces of the iris, the bright red blood is seen through the semi-transparent fibrous tissues, of a pink colour. In blue eyes, where the outer layer of pig- ment is wanting, the various shades are due to the dark inner layer of pigment—the uvea—showing through fibrous structures of different densities or degrees of opacity. The eyes of new-born infants, of both white and black races, are dark blue, in consequence of the greater GLEANINGS—REPORTS. 7A delicacy and transparenoy of the fibrous portion of the iris; and as these tissues become thickened by use, and by advancing age, the lighter shades of blue, and finally, grey are produced. In the various shades of green eyes, the yellow pigment is more uniformly diffused over the surface of the iris, and the green colour is due to the blending of the superficial yellow pigment with the blue and grey of the deeper structures. In the hazel and brown eyes, the wea and the fibrous tissues are hidden by increasing deposits of yellow and brown pigment on the anterior surface of the iris, and when this is very dense, black eyes are the result. It is very doubtful, however, whether the iris is ever so dark-coloured in the inhabitants of this country as to justify the term black being applied to it, and the popular use of the ex- pression has reference to the widely-dilated pupil, common in persons ‘with dark-brown eyes. The nearest approach to a black eye, among us, is the dark-blue or violet eye, associated with black hair in some Trish adults; here the colour is probably not entirely due, as in infants, to the greater transparency of the fibrous structures, but to interstitial deposit of black pigment, or to a layer situated on the anterior surface of the iris. “Benorts of Societies. BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.—AnnuaL GEeNerRaL MeEetinc.—February lst. The Report and the Treasurer's Accounts for the year 1880 were read and adopted. The accounts showed a balance of £19 13s. 43d. in the Treasurer's hands. The following officers were then elected for the ensuing year:—President, E. W. Badger ; Vice-Presidents, John Levick, T. H. Waller, (ex-presideuts,) W. R. Hughes, Edmund Tonks, Walter Graham, and W. Southall ; Treasurer, Chas. Pumphrey ; Librariau, Jas. E. Bagnall; Curators, R. M. Lloyd and H. W. Jones ; Hon. Secs., John Morley and W. B. Grove. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. H. E. Forrest for his past services as secretary. The newly- elected President then read a few remarks, addressed chiefly to the younger members, in which he urged upon them the duty of labouring and waiting, and promised to those who persevered an abundant reward. —BrotoeicaL Secrion.—February 8th. Mr. A. W. Wills was re-elected chairman, and Mr. J. F. Goode secretary of the section. Professor Bridge exhibited a fine collection of specimens, preserved in spirit, which had been lately added to the museum of the Mason College. The collection, which was ably described by Mr. Ady, included three specimens of Zygzna, Polyodon folium, Ceratodus Forsteri, Loris gracilis, Chitonellus, Ascidia, Two-toed Sloth, Tamandua Ant-eater, and some stuffed birds and skins, presented by Mr. R. W. Chase. A cordial vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to Professor Bridge for his very interesting exhibition. Mr. R. W. Chase exhibited some remarkable specimens of the wingless birds, 4pteryx Australis and A. QOwent. Mr. C. T. Parsons exhibited 4apteryx (went and ua specimen of the rare Owl Parrot. Mr. J. E. Bagnall exhibited Polyaetes cana, a micro- scopic fungus, found growing on Sphagnum. Mr. W. F. Johnstone exhibited a small Toad, stated to have been found living in a cavity in a piece of coal. Mr. R. W. Chase read a paper on ‘‘The Migration of Birds.” He said that the cause of migration was undoubtedly the desire for food, either for the adult birds themselves or for the young which they hoped to rear in this country. There seemed to bea double kind of migration going on; some birds that have bred in this country in the autumn go south, and return to us in spring, as the Swallow, Martin, Cuckoo, Swift, and Nightjar, &c.; while some arrive here in autumn and leave for the north in spring to breed, as the Fieldfare, Redwing, Grey Plover, Knot, &c. There was also another movement which may be termed partial migration, 7.e., birds pass from one part of the country 72, REPORTS. to another without crossing the sea, as some of the Wagtails, Larks, Tits, and Sparrows. It was also interesting to note the regularity with which our summer migrants arrive, contrasted with their departure or the arrival of others in autumn, which was no doubt to be accounted for by the seasonal changes beiug more regular in the countries from whence they come than in our changeable climate. The time of their arrival showed little variation over a number of years.—MuicroscopicAL GENERAL MEETING, February 15th. Mr. J. E. Bagnall exhibited a number of rare plants, including Orchis purpureus, Urtica pilulifera, and Carex frigida; also, on behalf of Mr. Cummin, of Rugby, Lagurus ovatus, Neottia wstivalis, Digitaria sanguinea, and Scirpus Savii, from the Channel Islands; and on behalf of Rev. J. Caswell, Iberis amara, aud Nepeta Cataria, from Stour, Oxfordshire. Mr. W. J. Harrison exhibited a palwolithic and a neolithic flint implement, which excited cousiderable attention. Mr. A. H. Atkins exhibited Meristella tumida, showing the spiral processes of the arms. Mr. R. W. Chase exhibited an extensive series of birds in the down, including five stages in the life of the Gannet, (Sula bassana,) the Dabchick, Owls, Snipe, Partridge, Quail, Cuckoo, Kingfisher, Stormy Petrel, and Nightingale, with fifteen others. Mr. W. P. Marshall then read a paper, illustrated by several excellent drawings, on the “ Buttertubs,” some singular waterworn excavations in limestone on the slope of Stag Fell, Yorkshire. These are pits of most irregular outline, with level floors and perfectly perpendicular walls, which have been scooped out of the limestone by the slow chemical action of the carbonic acid gas contained in the water which trickles down their sides. They are all of the same depth of 25ft., which is the thickness of the limestone stratum. An interesting discus- sion followed, in which Mr. Marshall's theory of their formation was finally approved. BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. —February 2nd, 9th, and16th. Mr. C. J. Watson gave a course of three lectures on ‘‘ Astronomy.” The appearance of the stars was described, and their apparent movement explained by the rotation and orbital motion of the earth. Ia the secoua lecture the mechanical laws of the revoiutions of the planets were explained; aud finally, in the last lecture, the seasons, tides, harvest moon, mein solur time, and other phenomena more closely connected with the earth, dwelt upon. Mr. W. P. Marshall exhibited aud explained} a large chart of the Solar System, constiucted with great care, and which proved of much interest to the members. BURTON-ON-TRENT NATURAL HISTORY AND ARCH OLOGICAL SOCIETY.—January 18th. Mr. T. J. Wilkins, of Uttoxeter, read a very inter- esting paper ou ‘‘ Microscopic Pond Life: How to Find and How to See.” Mr. Wilkius illustrated his paper by drawings, for which the society was indebted to Mrs. Wilkins. CHELTENHAM NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY.—January 20th.—Rev. E. Cornford read a most interesting paper eutitled ‘* A Comparative Sketch of the Organs of Vision,” illustrated by a number of diagrams and microscopic objects. Dr. Robert Sinith, Dr. Fergusou, Mr. Day, and Dr. Wright, (the president,) took part in a discussion on the paper, for which a vote of thanks was unanimously given, Feb. 17th—Mr. R. Tyrer read a paper on “‘ Meteorology and its Practical results.” PETERBOROUGH NATURAL HISTORY, SCIENTIFIC, AND ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.—January 24th.—Public Meeting and Lecture by Mr. B. J. Malden, on “Cannon Street to Cabul,” illustrated with the triple oxy-hydrogen apparatus. February 1st.—Lecture by Mr. B. N. Shaw, Demonstrator of Physics to the University of Cambridge, on “ Weather Charts and Storm Warnings,” illustrated by means of charts, &c., to show tue position of the Isobars by means of which the weather is foretold. Bt el - tT he eat “a, he, | b / \ a r yee Bt aE es we oe : ite wea aan A \ : : ) aN aoe se A) ’ 7 ) . \ N a: Ca ’ Wc NANBNNAG oa peacteoe=s fie —) = < AW. Wills. del.ad nat. ON THE DESMIDIEX OF NORTH WALES. 73 ON THE DESMIDIEA OF NORTH WALES. (Continued from page 43.) To the list of Desmidieex found in North Wales, which was published in the February number of this journal, must now be added the two rare species, Cosmarium globosum, Buln.; and Stawrastrum Saxonicum, Reinsch. At the time when that list was prepared. there was some doubt as to the identity of my specimens with the former plant, inasmuch as they do not correspond in certain particulars to the description published in “Rab. Fl. Eur. Alg.,” nor yet to the figure given by Nordstedt in his ‘‘ Desmidies Arctoew, 1875.” The kindness of Dr. M. C. Cooke has now enabled me to compare them with the original specimens of Bulnheim, published in “ Raben- horst’s Alg. Exsic.,” and I conclude that the species is subject to considerable variation, and that there is nothing in the form taken by myself in Wales to entitle it to rank as a distinct species. Staurastrum Sazonicum has been twice figured by Reinsch, and between his two drawings there are material differences. My plant combines the characters of the two, and as I cannot identify it with any other known species, I conclude that it must really be referred to this rare form. As neither of these plants has been hitherto detected in the British Isles, they must be added to our list as— **Oosmarium globosum, Buln. *«Staurastrum Saxonicum, Reinsch. There remain to be noticed three entirely new species, and as Dr. Cooke has already dealt with these in the last number of “ Grevillea,”~ I borrow, with his permission, the descriptions which he has given, adding figures drawn from my own specimens. Cosmarium Cambricum, noy. sp., (Plate V., Fig. 1.) Frond longer than broad; constriction, linear; segments, quadri- lateral, narrowed from the base upward; sides, with two sinuations, and one in the centre of the end, the latter rather the broadest; side view, segments oval, narrow, rounded at the ends, with a shallow constriction ; eud view, elliptical. REFERENCES TO PLATE VY. Fig. 1—Cosmarium Cambricum.—Nov. sp. » ae coronatum.—Ditto. er 3.—Staurastrum anatinum.—Ditto. ” 4.—Micrasterias Americana, forma major.—Reinsch. » 5.—Cosmarium cyclicum. —Lund. ” 6.— pseudonitidulwm.—N ordst. 9 7.—Staurastrum megacanthum.—Lund. ”» & = Cerastes.—Lund. ” 9.— = Arctiscon.—Ehr. » 10— + pseudofurcigerum.—Reinsch 74 ON THE DESMIDIEA OF NORTH WALES. Length, -046—-048 mm.; breadth at the base, ‘(036—:038 mm. ; at the end, -02—:022 mm. Allied to @. tetragonum and C. Nymannianum, from both of which it differs in the character of the sides and ends and the number of sinuations. Tt has been found in two or three stations in North Wales, but not elsewhere. The empty frond seems to be minutely punctate. Cosmarium coronatum, nov. sp., (Plate V., Fig. 2.) Frond about as long as broad, or rather shorter ; constriction, deep, linear; segments, quadrilateral, narrowest at the base, and dilated upwards, very slightly convex at ends, rough all over, with elongated conical granules, arranged in lines, (about eight at the end and four on each side ;) side view, truncate at the ends ; end view, elliptical. Length, :065—07 mm.; breadth, -075—:08 mm.; isthmus, 02 mm. ; side view, (045 mm. broad. This resembles Cos. biretum in form, but the granules are conical and prominent, as in Qos. Brébissonii. The almost truncate ends, in front view, have eight of these conical projections, which impart a coronetted appearance. In side view the ends are also truncate, which would be sufficient to distinguish it from closely allied species, and the regular elliptic ends separate it distinctly from Cos. biretum. By many features this seems entitled to rank as a distinct species. Staurastrum anatinum, nov. sp., (Plate V., Fig 3.) Segments in front view, broadly fusiform ; rough with prominent granules, which are truncate on the outer margin; processes elongate, rough, terminated with minute spines. End view tri-radiate, processes elongate, rough, slightly and gradually concave, nodules at the centre truncate. Length, ‘(05 mm.; breadth, including the processes, ‘1 mm. ; breadth at the sinus, ‘02mm.; length of the processes, ‘025mm. Allied to S. Sebaldi, but differs in the front view in the broadly fusiform segments, and the upward rather than downward direction of the processes ; hence the third process is usually visible on one or both segments in the front view. Hence, if we denote new species by three asterisks, we may further add to our list— ***Cosmarium Cambricum. ***Cosmarium coronatum. ***Staurastrum anatinum. Dr. Cooke has figured the following new or rare forms found by myself at Capel Curig, in 1880, in recent numbers of ‘ Grevillea,” viz., Staurastrum anatinum, S. aversum, S. Brasiliense, S. grande, S. longispinum, S. ophiura, Cosmarium pseudoconnatum, Docidium nodosum, and the forms of Tetrachastrum representing T. oscitans, 7’. mucronatum, and intermediate ones, ON THE DESMIDIEZ OF NORTH WALES. 75 I now add figures of seven rare species not hitherto figured in English works, all drawn from my own specimens, and to a uniform amplification of 400 diameters, in addition to the three new species described above. March 15th, 1881. A. W. Writs. [Erratum.—By a printer’s error, on page 43, an asterisk was prefixed to Xanthidium armatum, which our readers are requested to efface in their copies.—Eps. M. N.) FARMING AND NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FOR THE YEAR 1880. BY THE REY. T. A. PRESTON, M.A. The district to which the following remarks principally apply is roughly that part of England south of a linedrawn between the mouths of the Yorkshire Ouse and the Severn, though even in this limited area some counties are not represented. It may, however, be considered as descriptive of the state of the midland and southern districts during the year 1880. As regards farm crops, it was at one time a most promising year. Seldom before had such cold and dryness served so favourably for breaking up and cleaning the land as after the terrible season of 1879. The rain of February came at the right time for the seed, and good crops both of hay and grain were looked forward to. May, however, was a very dry month, and, especially towards the end, the country was suffering from drought, and the hay crop threatened to be a failure. Still what there was would have been good, serviceable food, not like the unripened rank growth of the previous year, but the heavy rains of July frequently not only destroyed the hay so as to render it not even worth the trouble of taking off the land, but in the low-lying districts carried it bodily away. These rains also affected the corn, which till then looked very promising, and had it not been for a fine August and September, another bad harvest would have followed. Some of the damage caused by the rain was repaired, but, especially in the eastern counties, the corn was very poor. At Grant- ham, in Lincolnshire, “ harvest commenced on the 23rd August, and the first fortnight was splendid. Then came a week of heavy rain and a hailstorm of five minutes duration, which saturated the unthatched stacks from top to bottom. Some stacks, when thrashed out, only realised from one quarter to eight or nine per acre, utterly spoiled, and others when opened were like manure heaps. Farmers cannot remember such a year, and are far worse off than they were in 1879 in this part of the country.” Root crops, as arule, appear to have done well, and this is, perhaps, the redeeming feature of the year. The second growth of grass was most luxuriant, especially in Shrop- shire, but there was but little mown, and no second crop was secured, 76 FARMING AND NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. The fruit crop, with the exception of gooseberries, currants, and strawberries, has been a general failure. In many cases the wood of 1879 could not be ripened from want of sun, and the extreme severity of the winter killed not only that year’s growth, but also that of the year before, in many cases. Where this was the case, there naturally was no crop of fruit, but in some localities the show of bloom was astonishingly great. Just at the time of expansion of the flower, however, cold and wet set in, and rendered the whole unproductive. Wall fruit was everywhere (as far as I can learn) a failure. The only fruits which appear to have been generally plentiful were gooseberries, currants, strawberries, and even they were not universally so. Garden seeds, both of vegetables and flowers, were not up to their proper quality from the want of sun in the previous year. Wild flowers appear to have been scarcer than usual, not only in the number of species, but also in the number of specimens. A few marsh plants, as the Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris ) and the Cuckoo Flower (Cardaminz pratensis,) seem to have been much benefited by the damp season of 1879, and reports generally state that they were in wonderful profusion. A few other plants, as the Wild Rose (Rosa canina,) were in magnificent bloom for a short time, but with these few exceptions it has been a bad year, botanically speaking. Plants were, naturally, earlier than in 1879, but later than in the four previous years as regards the time of flowering. At Marlborough, comparing the dates of first flowering of about 450 plants with the mean for the previous fifteen years, plants were later till about the second week in March, then generally a little earlier till the middle of May, and after that later. It is very curious that at Plymouth no less than fifty-nine species were found in flower between the Ist and 3rd of January, but at most other places very few, if any, were found in January or February. Monstrosities have not been common. The most noteworthy are the Colchicum and the common garden cabbage. In the former, the autumn flowers were very scarce; but in the spring, instead of the usual seed vessels and leaves appearing, there came up with the leaves, in many cases, the ordinary flowers, and in others a very curious malformation. The segments of the perianth were long and narrow, and of a dirty white, the anthers without pollen, and the ovaries merely rudimentary. In the latter, in two places in Wiltshire, the cabbage leaves assumed a funnel shape, or a portion of the midrib separated and projected above the surface of the leaf, terminating in a funnel-shaped expansion. Among insects may be noted the unusual abundance of the Camberwell Beauty (Vanessa Antiopa) among butterflies, and of wasps, which were in immense numbers in most parts of England. Aphis, or Green Fly, was very abundant in the early part of the year, and wild flowers, notably the Mealy Guelder Rose (Viburnum Lantana,) were sometimes covered with it. The larve of the Gooseberry Moth (Abraxas grossulariata) and of the Gooseberry Saw-fly (Nematus Ribesti) FARMING AND NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. vi7/ were also extremely destructive, and threatened the ruin of the crops, had not artificial means been used to destroy them. The larve of the Crane-fly (Tipula) were a perfect plague in some localities, and Sheep Ticks in others. Both of these latter are undoubtedly the result of the wet season of 1879. On the other hand, butterflies, especially of the common kinds, have been generally scarce. With regard to birds, their song, as a rule, was earlier in 1880 than in 1879, whereas the Swallow and Swift were later in the time of their arrival, and the Rook a week later in building. A scarcity of Swallows was generally noticed, and also of small birds. A few may have been killed by the cold, but by far the larger part migrated to warmer localities. With the outbreak of the cold weather, the rush of small birds to the eastern coast was astonishing, and the destruction of them (especially of Larks) by bird-catchers was so great as to call forth remonstrances in the public prints. I am assured, however, that the number killed, great as it was, proved but a very small proportion of those which arrived and escaped, and that there was not the slightest fear of any of them becoming extinct. THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. AN ACCOUNT OF THE FLOWERING PLANTS AND FERNS OF THE COUNTY OF WARWICK. BY JAMES E. BAGNALL. (Continued from page 57.) PLAN oF THE F'nora. The flowering plants and ferns found in this county are arranged in accordance with the ‘“‘ London Catalogue of British Plants,” Ed. vii. The English name I have usually taken from Syme’s ‘“ English Botany,” Ed. iii. Following this is a statement of the opinion of Mr. Hewett C. Watson, as to the plant named being entitled to rankas a native, denizen, colonist, casual, or alien, as set forth in the ‘‘ Com- pendium of the Cybele Britannica.” In many instances I shall add my own opinions as to the position the plant holds in the Flora of War- wickshire. Following this, the nature of the habitat will be given. These particulars are followed by terms indicating the comparative frequency of the plant. These are common, rather common, locally common, local, rather rare, rare, very rare. Following this I have given the flowering season, so far as my experience will enable me to do. The districts will be numbered I. and II., and when localities are given each district will have a separate paragraph. No. I. will indicate the Tame district, or that portion of the county drained by the Tame. 78 THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. No. LI. the Avon district, or that portion of the county drained by the Avon. With regard to the boundary lines of these districts, I hope to give full detail at the end of the Flora. In all cases where I record a plant on the authority of a printed work, written document or otherwise than from my own note book, I shall give abbreviations orinitials to indicate this fact, and where I have ~ myself seen these plants in the habitat cited shall indicate this by the mark! after the habitat. All stations not so initialed are inserted from my own personal observations. List of books and authorities quoted in the Flora, with the abbreviations :— Bak. Mon.—Monograph of British Roses, J, G. Baker, 1869. Bab. Man.—C. C. Babington, M.A., F.R.S., Manual of British Botany, Ed. vii., 1874. Bab. Brit. Rub.—C. C. Babington, M.A., F.R.S., The British Rubi, 1869. Bot. Guide.—The Botanist’s Guide, by Dawson Turner and L. L. Dillwyn, 1805. Cyb. Brit. Comp.—H. C. Watson, Compendium to Cybele Britannica and Sup., 1870-72. Gibs. Camd.—Bishop Gibson’s Camden’s Britannia, Ed. i., 1695. Gough’s Camd.—Richard Gough’s Camden’s Britannia, Ed. i., 1789. Ick An.—Dr. Ick in Analyst, Vol. VI., 1837. N. B. G.—New Botanist’s Guide, H. C. Watson, 1835-37. Perry.—A Select List of Plants found in Warwickshire, J. G. Perry, 1817; Plantw Varvicenses Selecta, J. G. Perry, 1820. Purt.—Midland Flora, 3 vols., Thomas Purton, 1817-21. Phyt.—The Phytologist, 11 vols., 1841-63. Ray, Cat.—Catalogus Plantarum Anglia, Joannis Raii, 1672. Syme, E. B.— English Botany, Ed. iii., 1863-1872. Top. Bot.—H. C. Watson, Topographical Botany, 2 vols., 1873-74. Y. and B.—Catalogue of Plants Collected in Warwickshire, Rev. J. R. Young and Dr. R. Baker, 1873. ; With.—Arrangement of British Plants, W. Withering, M.D., Ed. v., 812. Rey. A. B.—Rey. Andrew Bloxam, M.A., Vicar of Twycross. - H. B.—Henry Bromwich, Milverton. Rev. J. C.—Rev. John Caswell, St. Mary’s College, Oscott. Newb.—Rev. W. W. Newbould, M.A., F.L.S., Kew, London. J. P.—J. Power, MS. Notes in Botanist’s Guide. H. W. T.—H. W. Trott, Rugby. Many other works than those above given have been referred to, but as I shall rarely quote them, I have not encroached on my limited space by citing their titles. THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. 79 HERBARIA QUOTED IN THE FLORA. *Herb. Bor.—The Herbarium of the late W. Borrer, at the Royal Herbarium, Kew. *Herb. Bab.—Prof. Babington’s Private Herbarium at Cambridge. Herb. Perry.—The Herbarium of the late J. G. Perry, at the Museum, Warwick. PHANEHROGAMITA. DICOTYLEDONES. RANUNCULACE., CLEMATIS. C, Vitalba, Linn. Traveller's Joy. Native: In hedges and thickets in calcareous soils. Locally common. August to September. I. Near Curdworth Bridge. Probably planted. II. Hedges on high ground between Norbrook and Norton Lindsay. Perry Fl., p. 46. Leek Wootton, Whitnash. Y. and B. Chester- ton! Oakley! H.B. Allesley,rare. Rev. W. T. Bree, N.B.G., 1830. Sand quarry, lane from Allesley to Brownshill Green Probably introduced. Oversley Wood, Drayton Bushes, Grafton, Binton. THALICTRUM. T. flavum, Linn. Yellow Meadow Rue. a. spherocarpum the only variety observed at present. Native: Wet meadows, river banks and ditches. Rather rare. June, July. I. Abundant by the River Tame, near Aston Church, 1879; near Blythe Hal), Hams Hall Grounds, Forge Mills, Minworth. II. Banks of the Avon, at Bidford! the Arrow, near Beauchamp Court. Purt., i., 267. Banks of the Leam, between Leaming- ton and Radford. Perry Fl., p.46. Offchurch. Y. and B. Beside the Avon, Brown’s Over Fields. R.S.R., 1877. River Leam, at Offchurch, 1873. H. Bromwich, Herb. Bab. ANEMONE. A, nemorosa, Linn. Wood Anemone, Wind-flower. Native: Wet fields, woods, banks, &c. Rather common. March to May. Found throughout the county. In many of the Lias districts a form is abundant having pink sepals. MYOSURUS. M. minimus, Linn. Common or Little Mousetail. Native: Sandy cornfields, &c. Rather rare. May, June. I. Chelmsley Wood. Bot. Guide, 1805. I have never been able to find this plant here, although I have searched for it several seasons. Cottage garden, Atherstone, J.P. Atherstone out- woods, Coleshill. fev. W. T. Bree, Mag. Nat. His., ili., p. 164. * All my notes from these sources are due to the kindness of the Rev. W. W. Newbould, M.A, 80 THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. Il. In a field near the cross between Norton Lindsay and Warwick, Perry Fl. 28. Alne Hills, and at Studley in a field, Purti., 167. Milverton, Myton! H. B. Whitnash! Y. and B. By the River Avon at Brown’s Over, H. W. T. RANUNCULUS, R, circinatus, Sibth. Rigid-leaved Water Crowfoot. Native: Rivers, streams and pools, &c. Locally abundant. July to August. I. Streams and pools, Sutton Park; River Blythe, near Stonebridge ; brook, near Hampton-in-Arden. II. Radford Canal, Chesterton, Y.and B. Harboro’ Magna, Rev. A. B. Old canal, near Rugby! H.W.T. River Arrow, near Oversley Bridge; canal, near Stratford-on-Avon; River Sow, near Wyken Church, 7. Kirk, Herb. Bor. I find this growing in company with R. fluitans, and yet retaining its characteristic differences. R. fluitans, Linn. River Water Crowfoot. Native: In rivers and streams. Locally abundant. July to August. I. Inthe River Tame and brooks that run near it, Ray Cat., 1672. In the Tame, near Aston Church; in the Cole, near Bacon’s End; in the Blythe, at Hampton-in-Arden, Little Packington, Coleshill, stream at Minworth. II. In the Avon at the weir-bridge, Stratford-upon-Avon, Perry F1., p- 47. In the Avon, near Stoneleigh, H. B. River Alne, Aston Cantlow. Two very distinct forms occur, one having large flowers with con tiguous petals, the other with smaller flowers and petals not contiguous. R, peltatus, Fries. Common Water Crowfoot. Native: Rivers, streams, and pools. Locally abundant. May to September. Var. a. truncatus. I. Sutton Park, abundantly. Small poolat Marston Green. Stream in lane from Solihull to Shirley. Stream near New Park, Middleton. Il. Harboro’ Magna, Rev. A. B. Chesterton, Y. and B. Beausale Common, H. B. Yarningale Common. Rh. peltatus, Stoke Heath and Wyken Green. 7. Kirk, 1856, Herb. Bab. Honily, H. B. Var. b. floribundus, Bab. In streams, ditches, and pools throughout the county. Common. Var. c. penicillatus, Hiern; pseudo-fluitans, Newbould. Streams and canals. Rare. I. In the Blythe, at Blythe Bridge, Solihull. Abundant. Il. Brook at Radford Semele; Fishers Brook, near Warwick, H. B. A variety with long rigid capillary segments allied to this occurs in the canal at Sow Waste, also in the canal near Stratford-on-Avon. I. floribundus occurs with and without floating leaves constantly in our streams. R. diversifolius, Gilib. Native : Pools, ditches, and streams. Local. May to September. Var. a. radians, Hiern. I. Sutton Park, Wheyporridge Lane, near Solihull, with small flowers; Ansley, in a small pool near the turn for Bentley Park ; cattle pool, Berkswell Park ; Elmdon. THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. 81 II. Near Coombe Abbey; canal near Harboro’ Magna, Rev. A. B.; Pool between Hawkes End and Allesley, confirmed for me by Mr. Hiern. Rk. heterophyllus, Myton, Y. and B.; Sow Waste Canal, near Coventry, 7. Kirk, 1857, Herb. Bab. Var. b. Godronii, Gren. I. In shallow pools, very rare. Marston Green, near Elmdon; Ansley, near Bentley Park. II. Grove Park, Woodloes,H.B.; Yarningale Common. The plantfrom Yar- ningale Mr. Hiern considers midway between Godronii and radians. R. triphyllos, Waillr. Native: In pools. Rare. May to August. I. Small pool at Ansley. Pool near Hampton-in-Arden. Il. Near Leamington; C. Bailey in Exch. Club Report, 1879, p. 4. R. Drouetii, Schultz. Native: In ditchesand pools. Local. May to July. I. Small pool at Elmdon; near Packwood Windmill; Stream near Knowle Station; Sutton Park; Marston Green. II. Near Coombe Abbey; with nearly double flowers in a stream at Allesley ; Kineton; pools near Drayton Bushes and near Billesley ; in a field beyond Church Over, L. Cummin; Myton, H. B.; Beausale, Chesterton, Y. and B.; pond near Brandon, T. Kirk, Herb. Bor. R. trichophyllus, Chaix. Hairy Water Crowfoot. Native: In pools. Rather rare. May to July. II. Kenilworth, Y. and B.; WHarboro’ Magna, Rev. A. B.; near Coombe Abbey ; pool at Drayton Bushes; Yarningale Common. The plant from Drayton Bushes may be R. submersus. R. Lenormandi, 7’. Schultz. Lenormand’s Water Crowfoot. Native: Streams and near pools. Local. April to August. I. Very abundant in Sutton Park; ditches near Middleton; Balsall Street, near Berkswell, Y. and B.; small pool near the Blue Boar, Dunchurch, L. Cummin. R, hederaceus, Linn. Ivy-leaved Water Crowfoot. Native: In shallow pools or on the mud of streams. Common. March to August. I. Sutton Park; Hampton-in-Arden; Marston Green; Barston, Y. and B.; Solihull; small stream near Hill Bickenhill.* Il. Coventry, Y. and B.; roadside between Hatton and Rowington, Perry, 1820; Brandon, H. B. (To be continued.) CoRRECTION.—At page 54 Mr. Joseph Power is incorrectly called “ Professor.” He was Librarian of Cambridge University and Fellow of Clare College.—J. E. B. ENTOMOLOGICAL RAMBLES IN THE MIDLANDS. IV.—_SUTTON PARK IN WINTER. BY W. G. BLATCH. ‘“‘T suppose insects are killed by the cold weather, and that it will be of no use to search for Bugs and Beetles in winter; that, in fact, I must bottle up my new-born entomological ardour until the warm days of spring make collecting possible?” Such was the enquiry * Floating ; having rounded shallow leaf lobes, petals small, five veined; very near R. homa@ophyllus, Hiern, 82 ENTOMOLOGICAL RAMBLES IN THE MIDLANDS. recently addressed to me in a letter from one of my correspondents who is desirous of becoming an Entomologist. As soon as I read it I thought what a capital suggestion it contained of a subject to be worked out in our next ‘“ Ramble.” The winter is here. Suppose we make a January excursion, with the view of showing what Entomological work can be accomplished during the winter season, and of exploding the popular fallacy that insects can only be found in summer time. Some who join us will, no doubt, be surprised at the result of our exploration, for even young Entomologists often fall into the error that hexapods are killed by severe cold, and that during winter the most ardent follower of Kirby and Spence must be content with such Entomological work as can be done indoors, i.e., naming and arrang- ing previous captures, and preparing his instrwmenta belli for the coming summer’s cumpaign. The fact is, there is no day in the year when insects cannot be found by anyone who knows where to look for them, and who is willing to sacrifice his personal comfort to his Entomological enthusiasm. Myriads of insects, of all orders, pass the winter in the perfect or winged state, hid away securely in their various hybernacula, sublimely indifferent to the raging storm and uninjured by the most intense frost. In truth, paradoxical as it may appear, the more severe and prolonged the winter, the better their chances of survival. ‘To me this does not seem difficult to account for. In mild winters ova hatch whilst the trees are still bare, and the young larve perish for want of food; hybernating larve are tempted from their safe retreats and become a prey to watchful birds; winged insects fly abroad in the transitory and treacherous sunshine and are eagerly caught and destroyed by various larger animals that are ever on the watch seeking what stray flies and beetles they can devour. Thus, not only do they perish, but their prospective progeny is cut off with them. Anyone cap readily confirm this view by becoming, even in a small way, an observer of insects during one or two seasons. The time and labour thus bestowed would not be ill-spent. On the contrary, the observer would obtain a mass of special knowledge which would greatly astonish him and prove a source of endless wonder and delight to himself and his friends. But, to pursue our subject, let us at once start on our winter expedition in search of insects. And suppose we make Sutton Park— a spot well-known and beloved by all of us—the scene of our ramble. There we shall find nearly all the conditions favourable to our enterprise, as well as many of the kinds of insects obtainable at this season. Arrived at the park, we make our way, in the first place, to Blackroot Pool, at the north end of which is a bog, (certainly in ‘reduced circumstances” since the railway encroached upon it, but still a bog,) in which Typha and Iris and Sphagnum delight to dwell, and where the lady fern flourishes in such perfection as to prove the truth of the saying that— ** Where the morning dew lies longest, There the lady fern grows strongest,” ENTOMOLOGICAL RAMBLES IN THE MIDLANDS. 83 In summer, this spot possesses features of considerable beauty, and abounds with living things. Now the wintry blasts have denuded the trees, the reeds have been killed by biting frosts, and all is silent and still, as if life had entirely deserted the place. No animated beings but ourselves can be seen, not a bird flits from tree to tree, not a fish can leap through the ice-bound pool, not even a midge survives to dance fitfully in the chill air, and the less persevering Entomologists might not unreasonably retire, saying they could see and find nothing. At this stage it may not be amiss to “point the moral and adorn the tale” by inculcating the importance of ‘‘ patience and perseverance,” of a disposition to look beneath the surface of things, and not be content with a merely superficial examination. Herein lies the secret of success in this as in other pursuits. By means of the knowledge acquired by close and accurate observation, one Entomologist will find a store of insect treasures in a locality which a collector less informed might visit a hundred times, without obtaining a single species of any interest. But, bottling up our philosophy for a future occasion, let us now to work. Shod with waterproof ‘ Napoleons,’ and armed with a strong jack-knife, we enter the bog with confidence as to our apparently hopeless task. Standing in the inky, oozy quagmire, and spreading a sheet of strong brown paper on one of the driest grass clumps at our side, securing it by stones to prevent its being blown away by the wind, we cut off one of the dead reeds close down to the water, hold it over the paper, and strip it carefully, fold by fold, the process being repeated ad libitum. Insects of many kinds tumble out, the rude shaking they receive being evidently a great surprise to those species that are not sufficiently dormant to be in a state of blissful ignorance of what is goingon. Saw-flies and Ichneumons wake up from their torpor, and scramble helplessly about, twisting round and round in the most comical manner. Centipedes drop upon the paper like cats, with all their wits and all their legs in full operation. Spiders of several sorts issue from their warm silken hybernacula, and seem to resent our intrusion upon their snug privacy. Prominent among these is Clubiona holosericea, a large, pale, silky species, very beautiful, and likewise very ruthless, as indicated by the large quantity of insect remains in the vicinity of its nidus. Amongst the other occupants of the reeds are some lepidopterous larvee and pupe, a few dipterous flies, and several bugs, the most abundant species being Salda cincta. The Collembola (Spring-tails) are fairly repre- sented, and even the delicate Aphis has survived the biting frosts, and found a refuge here. Coleopterous insects (beetles) are most numerous, and comprise representatives of nearly all sections of the order. Conspicuous amongst them is the fine and comparatively rare Anchomenus puellus, a species unknown to this district until I had the pleasure of adding it to our lists last year. It is an elegantly-formed beetle, pitchy-black, with brownish legs, and has a more slender thorax than any of its allies, which, from its fancied resemblance to a girl’s waist, has, I suppose, led to its being named puellus. Generally 84 ENTOMOLOGICAL RAMBLES IN THE MIDLANDS. scarce, this beetle occurs in some plenty here, living gregariously in winter only, in the folds of the dead reeds. All my efforts to find this species during the summer months have resulted in failure, and Dr. Sharp, who takes it near Edinburgh, tells me that his experience in this respect corresponds with mine. His opinion is that as soon as the mild weather sets in it flies away to the more inaccessible parts of the bogs and marshes. This is not the only species that cannot be found in summer time—a fact which alone shows the importance of winter collecting. Three other species of the genus Anchomenus, all of which we are glad to find, accompany puellus, viz.—A. micans, A. piceus, and A. gracilis—the latter an intensely black species of small size and elegant outline. Now and again we turn out a specimen of the very common 4. fuliginosus, but never actually in company with dA. puellus— the latter possibly considering itself too aristocratic to associate with such a plebeian as the former, which, by-the-bye, we can obtain in abundance from the Sphagnwm growing at our feet, a habitat not frequented (so far as my experience shows) by puellus. The genera Demetrias, Dromius, Badister, Pterostichus, Amara, Bradycellus, and Bembidium are well represented—Pterostichus more numerously than the others, the species being vernalis, nigrita, gracilis, minor, strenuus, and diligens. Noterus sparsus and a few Hydropori also occur, as well as Laccobius minutus, and several species of Helophorus and Cercyon. The important section Brachelytra, as might be expected, stands out very prominently amongst the others—Homalota, Gyrophena, Conurus, Tachyporus, Quedius, Philonthus, Xantholimus, Lathrobium, Lesteva, Homalium, and Stenus being the genera to which the majority belong. Of the species of Stenus found here quite a long list could be given, some of them being rather uncommon. Now and again we turn out a specimen of the pretty Baptolinus alternans, as also of the curious and unique Cryptobium fracticorne. One or two species of Evesthetus occur in some plenty, and occasionally we are rewarded for our perseverance by the acquisition of Hygronoma dimidiata—a small, narrow, elongate ‘‘ Staph,” blackish, with the apical two-thirds of its elytra pale straw-colour. The rare Ocyusa picina also occurs here in company with its less scarce congener, O. maura. The Clavicornia are largely represented by the genera Telmato- philus, Cryptophagus, Atomaria, Lathridius, and Corticaria. One of the prettiest beetles, belonging to this group, which we have had the pleasure of capturing here (only very sparingly though) is Psammechus bipunctatus—a tiny yellow beetle with two black spots on the elytra. Our researches reveal the interesting fact thas several weevils (Rhynchophora) are in the habit of taking up their winter quarters in these dead reeds; for amongst our captures are several species of Sitones, Hrirhinus nereis, &c., Mecinus pyraster, Orchestes quercus, dc., Caliodes, Baris T. album, and a considerable number of Apions. The Longicornia are totally absent; but there are , ENTOMOLOGICAL RAMBLES IN THE MIDLANDS. 85 plenty of Phytophaga, including Donacia linearis, sericea, and comari, Lema cyanella, Chrysomela polita, Phedon cochlearie, Prasocuris phellandrii, Galeruca calmariensis, Aphthona, Phyllotreta, Thyamis, Cassida oblonga, and obsoleta, Spheroderma, Coccinella 19-punctata, bipunctata, 7-punctata, and 22-punctata, Scymnus frontalis, Rhizobius litura, and Coccidula rufa. It must not be supposed that it is always easy and pleasant to strip reeds in the way described. Often they are filled with a mass of ice, in which the insects lie entombed—not dead, but dormant—awaiting the coming of a more genial season. If taken out and placedina higher temperature they recover from their frozen torpor and walk about as if nothing had happened. In very cold weather standing in a bog picking insects from the icy flags is anything but conducive to the comfort of one’s extremities, and one is soon glad to vary the occupa- tion. Fortunately, we can change both our ground and our method, without loss of either interest or occupation, and greatly to the advantage of our half-frozen fingers and toes. A short walk at once promotes our circulation, and brings us to a number of oak trees, at the roots of which we can vigorously ply our diggers with the certainty of finding lots of pup of moths. In company with these are many other kinds of insects—Ichneumon-flies, Humble-bees, Saw-flies, and Beetles. Amongst the latter we soon recognise several old friends, including two or three species of Notiophilus, Carabus catenulatus and violuceus, the ubiquitous Nebria brevicollis, Leistus spinibarbis, fulvibarbis, ferru- gineus and rufescens, Loricera pilicornis, Badister bipustulatus, Anchomenus junceus and prasinus, Pterostichus niger, vulgaris, and striola, two or three Bembidia, a large number of ‘“‘ Staphs ”—including the formidable- looking Ocypus olens, the pretty Xantholinus glabratus, and several Philonthi—and the shiny but sluggish Silpha atrata. Being tired of stooping, let us now stand up and search the bark of these same trees, in which we may find more insects and of a different stamp. Here are several species of Coccinella ; Dromius meridionalis, agilis, quadrimaculatus, and quadrinotatus ; two or three Anchomeni; the rare Scydmenus ewzilis; Soronia grisea; Rhizophagus ferrugineus, and bipustulatus (in dead trees ;) Helops striatus ; Salpingus castaneus ; Rhinosimus ruficollis, viridipennis, and planirostris ; and Orchestes quercus. The hinder femora (thighs) of the last-named beetle are very powerful, and enable it to jump a most surprising distance. I have often envied this beetle and wished that [had a similar power, in proportion to my larger bulk, so that, when a long distance from home, tired and hungry—no inn or railway near at hand —I could just take a few leaps and be there! In removing the bark from a dead oak tree we turn out a large number of the fat white larve, and, now and then, a pupa, or an imago, of Rhagium inquisitor, a beetle of the long-horn section, which may be obtained freely from this time until May, scarcely a dead oak at Sutton being untenanted by this insect in its several stages of development. 86 ENTOMOLOGICAL RAMBLES IN THE MIDLANDS. Having had enough of bark-stripping, we next collect some of the dead leaves lying around, shake them over paper, and put the residue —* extract” as it is called—into bags, to be taken home and searched at our convenience. From this we shall obtain plenty of good things— Geodephaga, Brachelytra, Clavicornia, &e. Then we turn to the moss growing on the tree trunks, which we also shake over paper, pulling it thoroughly to pieces, and bagging the “extract” as before. In this we find great numbers of micro- scopical beetles, such as Bryaxis fossulata and juncorum, Pselaphus Heisii, Tychus niger, Eumicrus tarsatus, Scydmenus scutellaris and collaris, and probably Cephennium thoracicum ; besides hosts of other things. These will require much care and patience to set and name, but when properly mounted and examined, by means of our microscopes, their exquisite beauty will prove ample compensation for all our pains. Really, winter work out of doors seems inexhaustible. By exam- ining Fungi on old trees and palings we discover new treasures. Several interesting species are obtained from rotten wood, whilst from a decaying birch stump we take several larvee of Skip-jacks (Sternoxi) and of the Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis) all of which we carry home, in fragments of the wood, to be reared. But, perhaps, one of the favourite resorts of insects in winter has yet to be examined, viz., a haystack. Yonder is one that looks promising, having evidently been a rick at least two seasons. Here we can lie down on the dry hay, sheltered from the cold wind, and, spreading our sheet of paper, work in comparative comfort. Taking a handful of rubbish from the very bottom of the stack we shake it over the paper, when, lo! insects in hundreds set up a scramble for dear life. Some species are extremely active, and escape over the side before they can be secured; others content themselves with a leisurely march over the paper as if ’twere beneath their dignity to hurry, even under such extraordinary cireum- stances; whilst not a few manifest a remarkable degree of self-pos- session by remaining perfectly still for several minutes, only venturing to move off when they think all danger has passed. This habit is a very “saving” one for those that possess it, few insect-hunters having sufficient patience to wait until these insects resume the use of their legs, (and it is almost impossible to see them until they do,) the whole lot, as a rule, being pitched away after a merely cursory examination. Steni, Leptacini, Philonthi, Homalia, Micropepli, Megarthri are here in abundance ;Tyhpha fumata, several species of Cryptophagi, Atomaria, Corticarie, Lathridii, and Trichopteryx are extremely plentiful, and along with them we find two species of Anthicus,—floralis and antherinus, the first named being the commonest. Nearly all sections of the order Coleoptera are, however, well represented, from the smallest of the Clavicoraga \such as Trichopteryx atomaria) to the largest of the Geodephaga (e.g., Carabus nemoralis.) Under refuse and moss, in a boggy part of the Park, I have found the uncommon Seydmenus hirti- collis, a beetle worth searching for, ENTOMOLOGICAL RAMBLES IN THE MIDLANDS. 87 A great deal more might be done before we return home, and even then our winter Entomologising would not be exhausted; but perhaps we have done enough for one day—sufficient, at least, to indicate what may be accomplished, and to prove that no Entomologist need stand idle at this season for want of out-door occupation. THE MINERALS OF THE MIDLANDS. BY C. J. WOODWARD, B.SC. I propose calling the attention of readers of ‘‘ The Midland Naturalist” to the mineral localities of the district in which this journal mainly circulates. As regards those places with which I am acquainted, I shall in some detail describe the minerals to be met with, but the greater number of localities will be derived from observations of others. In a task such as I propose, one’s first duty is to ascertain what has already been done in the same direction, and here, so far as I know, only one work giving mineral localities in the Midland Counties has been published. The work in question is entitled ‘‘ The Mineralogist’s Directory, or a Guide to the Principal Mineral Localities in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,” by Townshend M. Hall, F.G.S., to be obtained from the author, Pilton, Barnstaple, price five shillings. Mr. Hall has very kindly given me permission to make use of his work, so as a preliminary I have compiled the following tables from the information given in the body of the book. The use of the tables will be best seen by an example. Suppose it required to know what minerals have been met with at Matlock—look in the Derbyshire table for Matlock, and then where the letter H occurs look to the top of the table for the mineral to which it refers, it will be seen then that at Matlock the following minerals have been met with :—Aragonite, Barytes, Bitumen, Blende, Calamine, Calcite, Cerussite, Chessylite, Fluor, Gypsum, and Smithsonite. For the purpose I have in view I shall consider the following counties as forming The Midlands :—Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwick- shire, and Worcestershire. I take this opportunity of asking the co-operation of the readers of “ The Midland Naturalist” in forming a complete and satisfactory index to the Minerals of the Midlands. Any information concerning minerals to be met with in the district will be gladly received and acknowledged. Birmingham and Midland Institute, Birmingham, March 15th, 1881. 88 THE MINERALS OF THE MIDLANDS. “ON 9OUOIOJOIY OIGIO MOTION — aon -_ i ee “(our orapreqanina ¥ “* (TOABTAMON) (09M) PABOTS[NOZ ae (LOT, FUERA) oe “* (WOJ0TPPHN) eee * (UOISUISSBIG) (IITH 10a) (uoprtled) ei TTOMS HAT AA “(om 49099B1d) IOISULM, AO[SUd AL (ouryy puvyny) * (proyUUOID) __ fresaog) * HOORIT " TIHH Wosseyy mvAg ae noua (queaL-t0- uo3ysy) Aqioq “* (TOAOUSY) PIPYAOISeH | (WII ABIL) (oulyy UIpO) (Our uyor one) “* TLOJOTISBO _(puslpoy) A 4 uojxng (pxoyysy) “ pis * Tesereg (OLTMTBAS) (OID) WOJOATTV “PUM “OPLUBIATA “TPO Lay, “OULU BMO srMyd[ag ‘oy IMOSTIIUUG ‘ay UeTAS “redg uneg *9M09SU9}40¥ *[BISAIN YOY ‘aqrq@daomt0rA J ‘soquAg “TIN [O.0d Nt ‘jayordsty iN { oy UB[OT ‘oUTOO YR] “OULL es N ‘OV ISBOIBY TORRY ‘oO e(olotololl= lefeeltene felleleleat4 tated Sa lS SiSlOPR ES O1O SIS Sl =) 5) cha | BESIBlclslQio |e s|— Stalolt RlBtols BIS IS OS OP (aio /S SIE I B/S lg) ea Sion coin Qin Sei anl es) 4 A Sel oes See Be ain |= SIO ae Ole Ola | Si Pike S45 |° sleieig s/s) [s| |F\" |elg/s % | | t\* | | mip © ® | |§ Le hs WV ~eqtrpAqu aqsuqely mf *AQITBROO'T ‘AUIS MS Td a0 STVUANIN ARAM AWINOEOG ‘ON 90U0L9JOY THE MINERALS OF THE MIDLANDS. 89 MINERALS OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE. Locality. Berkeley Clifton ” ” (Hot Wells) 5s (Pyle Hill) ... Forest of Dean Thornbury (Aust) Tortworth (Dressing Green) ... 0 1.....|...|... le al is ned ss MINERALS OF LEICESTERSHIRE. Locality. Locality. Breidden Hill Church Stretton (Penally “Mines) Peale ce |coe (Ratlinghope) Fon Heel Ped) Pael Pe eee Gee Heel bea) heel Geel be (Shelve Mine) eid (eee bee Mee RPE pee bee Pa rl al ee (Snail Beach) cor Pal ete Peate! Pea aloe moe eed le iy (Stiper Stones) Bcd ee} bac red ney sb PESTS De Pa ad (White Grit oe Brel Fee ker bel set) HAE Hae Ue al Lincoln Hill .. Market Drayton (Adderly a) : Sc] Fed Hog aed for bed Le end os eael (bad Li Much Wenlock (Benthall Edge) oe PR rey ee eee Fen eal ee Weal Pe Ie B Oswestry (near) .. (Felton West) . (Pitchford) . Wellington sContbrook. Dale) . Ketl ey Madeley (Woodford Bridge) - ey a3 By Ere Chipping Campden (iieieten) peel EL 22e| vectees pores “0 Weel bee (Durdham Down) = eel a el ele 0 ee Bat Biss BEM (Lord Ferrers’ Mines) ... (Llanymynech Hill)... Shrewsbury (Haughmond Bill) Asphaltum. | Chalybite. | Dolomite. | Fluor. | Amethyst. Celestine. | Barytes. | Pyrites. Gothite, | Heematite. | Jasper. Petroleum. | Rock Crystal. MINERALS OF | Blende. Towanite. | Bitumen. MINERALS OF SHROPSHIRE. Locality. Ashby de la Zouch (Staunton Harold) H|'H|H|H Northampton i Bae Wellingborough (Thingdon)... AAA a :| Io sigi S| |o : S|S/6 #18] lal (Seis locates oa) StslalS|S\ eas Plas laiehelajole| sts Pisidialofo!/si|4| sion 3/2 | Sle afo|3\.4|5/Sfc 4 = DSS ea AIR IA IO|OO|O|O|O |A ke pe a a ..|H Calena. 5 . d #| (St ./8 3) of Sas) = 3/dirais/2 gla l/SIDis’ S\S| opal o|O\siai8 S/o | Shoo] is Alaa q | Pyrites. | Reduthite. ee] Selenite. Umber Rock Crystal. Serpentine. | Witherite. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. a | Allophane. | Yellow Ochre. 90 THE MINERALS OF THE MIDLANDS. MINERALS OF OXFORDSHIRE. MINERALS OF WARWICKSHIRE, | $ i : A (es S g\2\Z\s Locality. AEs Locality. EAE ABA ABE S| Se) iS | AESSICG Shale | [84 on | Alalai> Banbury Pee lea Bee ‘Atherstone (Hartshill) ... .../H|H|H|H Oxford (Shotover Hill) H/H\.../H|H MINERALS OF STAFFORDSHIRE. - | ial ° | iS Aleta bel = ~ Be (Al oO o| . Hl dle Locality. 2|3|3\9 a3 2 c= d fa 2| Plays SEG Sis S13 i} | 8) o 2 ™\° 4 {9 | |O OOS is ale Burton-on-Trent turner) Pod a! PY rs cleeslenabece nal bee Cheadle (Bradley) .. eeclenel wes [eee leee Apel ed bas leilles Fauld ... Saale ses ons APA ee pete eee Leek (Ecton Mine)... melee H Ne Pea Ee ba |e (Mixton) oe Ieee Be 54 bed rail! Pouk Hill ce lee | Mieanosbury ye Bee MINERALS OF WORCESTERSHIRE. Stel ala SIE I | |olSlel als a : "al m| ney 4|2 o| Locality. a/8/8\sietals| sta wi | SS lon ARES SEC Ae A\Slalalalo alas! Bislo Sacer eS a ed Droitwich euleve|eaclcatp tec aes ava EL Dudley aed ee a sl Br et Spel ed »|eeel eae Malvern Hills. H'H H\HJA|H AA HiH)..... Tewkesbury (Bredon Hill) svallcae fess |oe HEL aot lone] eos wocteee eee creams METEOROLOGY OF THE MIDLANDS. THE WEATHER OF FEBRUARY, 1881. BY CLEMENT L. WRAGGE, F.R.G.S., F.M.S., ETC. The “spirts” of high temperature and great barometric depressions of the first fortnight, with the accompanying cyclonic gales, heavy rains and snows; and the quiet weather, with high pressures, of the second part of the month, ending with a thermometric fall, are at once striking features, THE WEATHER OF FEBRUARY. 91 RAINFALL. TEMPERATURE. _—< > Greatest fall). |Greatest ht.) Greatest cold STATION. OBSERVER. 5 x {in 24 hours. i 2 —— ae rl Rt | In.| In.| Date. |42|Deg) Date. | Deg.| Date. GLOUCESTERSHIRE. BRO eee cece ceicsiecenciaes |S. J Coley, Hsq...........- 417) °80) 15 14 | 52°0 4 20:0} 22 Cheltenham .............0+- R. Tyrer, Esq., B.A., F.M.S.| 8°03/s)48} 20 18 | 52°C 3 13°5| 22 WILTSHIRE. MArIDOTOUBD 0... cccccsiccesee Rev. T. A. Preston, M.A. ..| 38°67} °98 9 15 | 49°8 3 244] 22 SHROPSHIRE. Woolstaston . Rev. E. D. Carr.......0.+. 4°11) 1:15 9 20 | 495 3 21°5) 28 Stokesay ... ae 4°03| ‘87 9 18 |50°6} 10 13°9| 28 More Rector |Rev. A. Male ... 4°18} 1°02 9 21 | 53°0 4 180} 25 Bishop's Castle -\E. Griffiths, Esq . - «| 4°64) 1°13 9 20 |50°0) 8&9 19:0} 28 Cardington ... Rev. Wm. Elliot .......... 8°44! L11 7 19 HEREFO ROR MER cone cececcccccee==| Rev. G. Alexander ........ 4:40) 1°71 8 18 |50°0| 2, 3,4 | 25°0/23, 24,27 WORCESTERSHIRE. Orleton, Tenbury............ T. H. Davis, Esq., F.M.S. ..| 3°46} °63 9 19 | 52°0 3 92'5 7 West Malvern .............- A. H. Hartland, Esq. ...... 8°84] °78 9 19 | 49°0 3 20°0| 28 Evesham ....... Te Te SIRECERS USO Ss vlc cite visicie 3°46) °81 14 20 |51°5 3 24°5 7 Bewdley ..... J. M. Downing, Esq. ...... 3°19) -60 10 15 Pedmore ....... 'K. B. Marten, Esq. .......- 3°01! *56 7 16 |510 17 1220) 23 Stourbridge . Mr. I. Jefferies ............ 2°88] -69 7 14 |50°0) 3&4 23°0| 23 & 24 Mule vines ccs cccwooccenes. IMa. Oh Bealesccteccncae ose 2°58) *40 9 18 | 48:0 22°09 28 STAFFORDSHIRE. Dennis, Stourbridge ........ CHW eDD EGE ccinccecccccess 2°69] *58 7 16 | 510 By 92'5 25 MAM VOreciceitec niece ceiscaiccese Rev. W. H. Bolton........ 2°70| °58 7 16 | 49°0} 3&8 93°0| 28 Walsall Mir SN apiretis OS Uaicisisscicicisiceie’n 2°92) °58 7 17 | 480) 3&4 210 28 Lichfield Mr eve sRODELES ec crie ciscclse 3°53] °92 7 14 | 54 5 23°0| 7 & 24 Grammar School, Burton....!| C. U. Tripp, Esq., M.A.....| 4°39] °77 7 20 | 510) 8&4 23°0| 7 & 28 Weston-under-Lyziard ...... Hon.and Rev.J. Bridgeman} 2°92) °67 af 19 | 510) 3 & 4 20°0} 28 Wrottesley . KE. Simpson, Esq. .......... 2°88] *51) 7&9 | 15 | 49°8 4 215| 28 .|Rev. G. T. Ryves, M.A..... 5°21] 116 7 18 | 49°4 4 21°0| 6 & 23 J.C. Philips, Esq., J.P. “39| 1: 7 |17(\48°7| 10 22°1| 28 Mr. E.E. Kettle .. -22| 1: 7 | 151498} 10 20:3} 7 Farley, near Cheadle ........ \C.L. Wragge, Esq., F.M.S..) 5°79| 1:07 7 17 | 48°7 10 24°] 28 Beacon Stoop, Weaver Hills..|C. L. Wragge, Esq., F.M.S..| 2°86} °62 7, 16 | 46°8 3 20°6| 28 IRL ONIFIGLG Ys cisas cnvcicic aicieie'ete e's Rev. W. H. Purchas ......| 7°23] 1°86 7 11 |48°0 3 145] 24 WARWICKSHIRE. St. Mary’s College, Oscott....|/R. Pate, Esq. ........see00e 2°80] °39 9 17 | 495 3 99:8] 24 Henley-in-Arden .........00- T. H. G. Newton, Esq...... 4°26 °80 9 18 |51°0 3 24:0} 28 Park Hill, Kenilworth ......|T. Hawley, Esq. .......... 4°33) °94 14 14 | 510 3 24°2 7 Coundon, Coventry ...... .|Lieut.-Col. R. Caldicott ....| 4°69) -80 bf 19 | 490) 8&4 220] 28 Bickenhulys jc. cccceccce J. Ward, Esq..... seeeceeeee 3°99] °50| 14 14 Rugby School .......ec..-- Rev. T. N. Hutchinson ..../3°81| +86] 9 &15| 18 |50°0| 3, 4,17 24-0] 24 DERBYSHIRE. IBUEXtON eee aes sien seas eee BE. J. Sykes, F.R.A.S ....../8'07/ 156] 7 | 16/473] 3 15°9| 7 & 25 Stoney Middleton........ Ba EVO We Wa SIMIGIN lel isalsecciceree 3°09] +98 9 11 | 48°0 3 180} 28 Fernslope, Belper...... .-|F. J. Jackson, Esq. ........ 5°57| 1:12 7 17 | 50°0 4 24:0] 7 & 24 Linacre Reservoir .... ..|C. BE. Jones, Hsq. ...e.seee 4°88) 1:00 7 20 SPOMCOM Pewicccissciciscciae s|Jo 0. Barber, Wad. .cceccs ce 4°76) 88 9 18 | 51°0 20°8] 28 PiMeldmsececemocicen cece cus W. Bland, Esq. .........00- 5°78) 1°05} 14 17 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. Trent College............ .|Rev. T. F. Fenn, M.A. .... 78) «14 15 | 540 4 20°0} 28 Park Hill, Nottingham H. F. Johnson, Esq........| 4°85) 1°12 14 19 | 49°74 4 93°9| 28 Hodsock Priory, Worksop H. Mellish, Esq., F.M.S 3°77 °72) 14 21 | 52°7 4 23°3) 24 TraxfOrdleeeeeass ote cnak ese J. N. Dufty, Esq., F.G.S. ..| 4°32] -87/ 9 &21| 20 |48°0) 4 210/28 LEICESTERSHIRE. x Loughborough W. Berridge, Esq., F.M.S.../ 3°48] ‘80 7 17 | 51°9 4 25°7 7 ByStOnNieccccccce sccccic -|J. Hames, Esq. ........ 3°31/s)'50 7 19 | 50°0 5 240] 24 Leicester ..|H. Billson, Esq. ..........| 3°69] ‘71 7 18 |52°0] 17 24°8 7, Town Museum, Leicester....|M. Browne, Esq., F.Z.S. ..| 3°63) °67 7 18 | 51:0 3 26'5 24 Ashby Magna.............0.- Rev. E. Willes .........0.. 3°15] *53 7 17 | 51°0 4 AD WOLED vc seccciccece ../T. Macaulay, Esq........-- 3°33] 65 7 19 | 510 4 25°0} 28 Waltham-le-Wold...... ate | Hage LDR sic ctereiateleclorerelelats 4°75| °71 9 19 | 46°0 3 20°0 28 Dalby Hall.............. ../E. Jones, Esq. .....eseee2s| 3°ll| °46 9 16 | 470) 17 21°0 7 Coston Rectory, Melton....../Rev. A. M. Rendell........ 3°42] °78 9 18 | 49°8 4 21°3 7 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. TOWCEBtEL ..cecccececccesces J. Webb, Esq........ seeeeee 2°74) 49 7 18 Castle Ashby ............ ..|R. G. Seriven, Esq. ........| 2°73] °56) 7 14 |52°0} 8&4 25°0| 28 Kettering............0005 A Dea RLLIS ORC cielcleleicicicice's' 3°20] 65 9 17 |500) 4&5 27:0] 7 & 27 PALE OL seeicciscinclecivcleciseeisice C. S. Groom, Esq........... 2°87] *54 9 17 | 49:0 3 220! 6 & 28 OXFORDSHIRE. Ratcliffe Observatory..... ...|E. J. Stone, Esq., M.A...../2°78} °78] 10 18 | 52°0 4 25°5) 28 RUTLAND. Northfields, Stamford........ W. Hayes, Esq............ 2°52) °88] 14 12 | 47:0} 18 27°0| 24 Uppingham ............. ...|Rev. G. H. Mullins, F.M.S./ 2°81) -61) 14 18 | 48°7 4 261; 28 OUTPOST STATIONS. Spital Cemetery, Carlisle ....|I. Cartmell, Esq. ..........| 2°85) “48 3 12 | 54°3 5 198] 12 Scarborough ............ F. Shaw, Esq., F.M. --|3°13] °43) 10 21 | 49°5 4 29°8} 28 Blackpool (North Shore) Cc. T. Ward, Esq., F.M.S. .. 49°2 8 2771 7 » (South Shore) as 4,31) 89 7 16 | 4971 8 245) 25 PUANGTONO ts cccmecnsee ses J. Nicol, Esq., M.D., F.M.S.} 3°05] 4°77 9 15 |53°6| 18 280] 25 Carmarthen) .. 2... -e.ccece G. J. Hearder, Esq., M.D.../ 5°38) °88 9 16 |55°2| 16 21:8] 25 Altarnun, Cornwall .......... Rev. J. Power, M.A. ......| 6°65] 1°37) 10 15 |67°0/ 15 20°0} 28 Sidmouth....... Ane eCODROnEC W. T. Radford, Esq.,M.D...} 4°92} 111] 14 17 | 52°7 2 26°3] 28 Ventnor .. J. Codling, Esq............. 414/103) 23 9 |53°4 8 270] 28 Ramsgate Rev. T. EK. Egan, 0.S.B. ..| 1°78] °34| 21 25 | 50°4 8 27°2) 18 Although the Snowdon pattern gauge is in use, the Beacon Stoop rainfall values must, nevertheless, be regarded with considerable caution, owing to driving snow and heavy gales. In consequence, the mini- mum index-needle became occasionally displaced ; but 20°6 us the lowest value may be, I think, safely accepted, 92, METEOROLOGY OF THE MIDLANDS. To review more closely: The depression coming up on the 3rd and 4th, with light southerly winds, veering south-westerly, brought the maximum temperature at most of our Midland stations, and also on the N.-W. coast; and the succeeding crest passed with north-westerly airs on the night of the 6th. A new cyclonic disturbance immediately followed, with S.-E. (veering W.) gales; a remarkable fall of the barometer set in, with heavy snow and rain, and pressurein North Staffordshire decreased 1-037 within the 36 hours ended 9 a.m., 8th. At this time the central area was crossing to eastward, accompanied by heavy west gales, and continued downpour—hail, rain, and snow—with thunder and lightning occurring at Stroud. A rise to a well-marked, sharp summit in a.m. of the 9th followed; and forthwith, very suddenly, another cyclonic area approached and passed like its predecessor to northward, with the usual veering of the wind, bringing a whole gale from westward in the forenoon of the 10th, another torrent of rain,—and hail, thunder and lightning in Northamptonshire. With an unusual rise of 1-235 inch in 36 hours (as recorded at Farley) this last depression cleared off; a gentle fall succeeded, with snow, and a somewhat shallow disturbance crossed on the 14th, with morerain. Especially dull and foggy conditions ruled the third week, followed by heavy snow on the 21st and 22nd; slight snow showers occurred during the last few days; while covering the whole of this second period pressure held comparatively steady with the anti-cyclonic type more or less shewing up to northward; hence the atmosphere was not then subject to such spasmodic changes, and we experienced, generally, calms and light variables. Temperature was very unsteady, and below the average. Spells of frosty weather occurred about 2nd, 7th, 12th, 13th, and from 19th to end: the periods of maximum were well marked on the 3rd, 4th, 10th, and 17th. The entire month was singularly dull and cloudy, Mr. Mellish reporting from Nottinghamshire but a total duration of sunshine of 37 hours, or an average of 1:3 hourperday. The rainfall was largely in excess, and the cyclonic storms, before referred to, caused serious floods in the basins of the Trentand Severn. Ozone largely present, as appears usual at the advent of Spring :—maximum registrations taking place at Farley on 7th, 10th, 13th, and 19th, and only on three days did the test papers fail to respond; at Carmarthen the mean amount was 5:0. A rather brilliant aurora was seen at Cheltenham on the 6th, and a red one at Burton cn the 19th. On the former day a great spot centre, with wmbre very black, was coming up, in perspective, on the sun’s east limb, and during the third week some fine spot detail was to be observed—the coincidence is at least interesting. Correspondence. APPROXIMATE PHENOLOGICAL DATES. As a guide to observers the Meteorological Society has drawn up the following table, giving approximately the times of appearance of plants, insects, and birds. In the case of plants, those persons who cannot observe the whole number are requested to pay especial attention to those of which the names are printed in capitals. Observers are respectfully requested to comply with the rules laid down in Messrs. Grove and Bagnall’s paper at page 15 of the present CORRESPONDENCE. 93 Volume ; and to send their notes and specimens as early each month as possible to Mr. W. B. Grove, B.A., Franchise Street, Perry Barr, Birmingham, who has undertaken to collate them. . APRIL. Si Fay ee Plants. Earliest. Latest. 30 Anthriscus sylvestris (Cow Chervil)...... Mar. 16 April 21 7 6 Cardamine pratensis (Cuckoo-flower).... Mar. 12 April 22 12 9 Stellaria Holostea (Greater Stitchwort).. Mar. 25 April 24 fee cl Scum, Nurans (Blue Bell) ...--... 225. Mar. 31 April 22 52 15 Veronica Chamedrys (Germander Speed- WG eS cesn on neo ee ese aoe Bae Bae ee Mar. 12 May 4 62 18 Plantago lanceolata (Ribwort a April 3 April 28 3 19 Ranunculus acris (Upright eos April 5 May 15 20 22 Vicia sepium (Bush Vetch).. iecossce Aprilid May 5 50 24 Symphytum officinale (Comfrey). Soe aeeie siete April16 April 30 10 28 Polygala vulgaris (Milkwort) ............ April18 May 7 60 Ajuga reptans (Bugle): .......22.-2:--0- Aprill5 May 5 16 30 Geranium Ropertisanum (Herb Robert)... April27 May 4 Insects and Birds. 75 Pieris Brassice (Large White Cabbage-Buttertly.) 78 Bibio Marci (St. Mark’s Fly.) 84 Daulias luscinia (Nightingale) song begins. 92 Hirundo rustica (Swallow) first seen. 91 Cuculus canorus (Cuckoo) first heard. Puants In Biossom IN SoutH Beps, January 1st, 1881 :— NAME. SOIL, SITUATION, &c. *Mercurialis perennis! ar .. Sandy hedge bank, S.W. Bellis perennis ai ae .. Chalk, hill-side, W. Taraxacum dens-leonis .. -- Ditto ditto. Cerastium triviale .. Be .. Rubbish heap. Ranunculus repens Se .. Chalk, fallowfield. Petasites fragrans! Ae .. Weed of cultivation. Senecio vulgaris .. e -. Common. Capsella bursa-pastoris .. -- Ditto. Ulex europzus Road-side, sandy soil. +A late autumn blossoming. J. S., Luton. PuenotocicaL Notes made in walks in the neighbourhood of Burton-on-Trent, March, 1881. March 12th. Humble Bee appearing. Arum maculatum (common Arum) coming up. Rumex obtusifolius (common Dock) coming up. Carduus nutans (Musk Thistle) in leaf. Scilla nutans (Wild Hyacinth) sprouting. Oxalis Acetocella (Wood Sorrel) in bud. Crategus oxyacantha (Hawthorn) budding. Lonicera Periclymenum (Honeysuckle) in leaf. Corylus Avellana (Hazel) in full flower, both stamen and pistil Salix (common Willow) catkins appearing. [bearing blossoms. Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop) in full bloom. Ranunculus Ficaria (Celandine) in flower. March 19th. Anemone nemorosa (Wood Anemone) sprouting. Mercurialis perennis (Dog’s Mercury) nearly in flower. F. E. Trip. [Kindly send plants with future notes.—W. B. G.] 94 CORRESPONDENCE. ApnormaL GrowrH or ARAUCARIA IMBRICcATA.—In the garden before the house, 61, Moor Street, Burton-on-Trent, is an Araucaria imbricata of abnormal growth. The top having been broken off about a foot from the ground, one of the side shoots from immediately below the fracture has grown to a height of about 15 feet. It might at first be taken for the fully developed tree, but, on examination, it appears that instead of the branches having two side shoots, as is usually the case, many of them are simply furcate at the ends, thus showing that the powers of the tree were not quite equal to the strain upon them. The original summit has also thrown out several short branches a few inches long.—F. E. Trier, Burton-on-Trent. MeERCURIALIS PERENNIS.—The observation of the flowering of this plant, December 26th, 1880, which was recorded on page 68, may, I think, be fairly accepted as an instance of late autumn flowering of this species. The plants were of vigorous habit, ranging from 18 to 24 inches in height, with foliage fully developed, and the pistillate ones could be easily distinguished by the more compact arrangement of the leaves on the tops of the stems. The staminate plants had been in blossom some time, as the lower flowers of the spikes had expanded and fallen off. A second visit to the same station on March 13th con- firmed the previous impression. Attached to the same roots were to be seen both the dead stalks of the December growth, and the fresh young green ones of the present spring, just opening their flowers. Herewith are sent some of each kind, and amongst the dead leaves of the former, which were killed by the excessive cold of January, may still be distinguished the shrivelled rachises of the spikes that blossomed in December.—J. §., Luton. ar 4 * . Acports of Societies. ——»——_ = BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.—Geronocican Srction.—February 22nd. At this meeting Mr. W. J. Harrison, F.G.8., was elected president and Mr. A. H. Atkins, B.Se., secre- tary for the ensuing year. Mr. Atkins then read a paper on “ The Triassic Rocks” of the Midland Counties. He first gave a brief account of the researches made during the present century in these beds, which occupy the greater part of the centre of England. He then described the distribution, lithological characters, and contents of the various divisions, and the manner in which they are supposed to have been formed. An animated discussion followed, principally on the origin of the Bunter Conglomerate, and the cause of the peculiar indentations and cracks which are characteristic of these pebbles.—March Ist. Mr. W. G. Fretton read a paper on ‘‘Museums, in relation to their value in manufacturing centres,” in which he dwelt strongly on the fact that the character of a museum should accord with the nature of the locality where it was formed. Thus, in a rich historical neighbourhood, antiquities should predominate ; in a good geological district, fossils; and so, in a manufacturing centre, the chief part should be occupied by a collection illustrating the staple industries of the place. Foreign and ancient specimens of the same or similar processes should be exhibited, as a fund from which the native artisan could draw new ideas as to form, colour, or ornamentation. —March 8th. Mr. 8S. H. Parkes delivered an interesting lecture on ‘The Moon,” iliustrated with the oxy-hydrogen lantern, to a very numerous and attentive audience. Among other things, he referred to the supposed influ- ence of the moon upon the weather and the occurrences of human life, and stated that accurate scientific investigation had proved that such a connection bad no existence in fact. He gave descriptions of the various phenomena presented by the lunar surface; and some beautiful photographs, by which these were delineated in a very striking and realistic manner, were exhibited REPORTS. 95 on the screen. A hearty vote of thanks was afterwards passed to the lecturer. —MicroscopicaL GENERAL Meretine.—March 15th. Mr. Hughes exhibited Trichina spiralis, from the muscles of man and a pig, and made a few rem rks, in which, while he deprecated the present scare on this subject, he advised the most thorough cooking of every preparation of pork. Mr. Bolton exhibited a number of marine organisms from the Aston Aquarium. Mr. Lloyd exhibited a section of the stem of a species of Bignonia. Mr. Bagnall exhibited two rare mosses, Fissidens incurvus and F. exilis, from New Park, Middleton; alsoa fine series of the aquatic Ranuneuli of Warwickshire, giving details of their distribution and their specific differences. Mr. Levick read a note upon Volvox globator, in which he described several experiments, which he believed to prove the Volvox sphere to be filled with a substance little or no less solid than the peripheral envelope. This conclusion was much controverted by some of the members present, and Mr. Levick promised to demonstrate the fact to their satisfaction on some future evening. BANBURYSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY AND FIELD CLUB.—A society, named as above, has recently been formed at Banbury, under most favourable circumstances. A provisional committee made excel- lent arrangements for the opening meeting, (which was fully attended,) and secured the use of a number of microscopes, and, among other exhibits, a fine stand of rare local birds, (by Mr. O. V. Aplin,) geological and botanical specimens, land shells, and butterflies. Mr. T. Beesley, F.C.S., was elected president, and delivered a suggestive, practical address, in the course of which he strongly recommended ladies to take upthestudy of meteorology, and devote special attention to the observation of cloud forms, valuable records of which, with the aid of pen and pencil, they might easily accumulate. The scope afforded by the district to students of the several branches of natural history was also pointed out. It was announced that nearly fifty members had been enrolled. Mr. E. A. Walford was elected honorary secretary. The first ordinary meeting of the society was fixed for Monday, April 4th, at Wood Green Lodge, when Mr. Aplin will read a paper entitled *‘ Ornithological Observations.” BURTON-ON-TRENT NATURAL HISTORY AND ARCH OLOGICAL SOCIETY.—February 15th. A paper was read by the Rev. Clement Ley, M.A., F.M_S., Rector of Ashby Parva, on ‘“‘ Clouds and Weasher.” Mr. Ley said that a science of clouds did exist, and pointed out its practical utility. An experienced observer of the forms and movements of clouds, aided by meteorological instruments, is able to tell with considerable accuracy the state of the weather at the time of observation for 400 miles all round the station at which the observation is made. At, or just after sunrise, he is enabled to foretell the coming weather of the next twelve hours at his own station, with 95 per cent. of successful forecasts. It enables him to predict at, or after sun- set, the weather of the next coming 24 hours at his own station, with 75 per cent. of successful forecasts. He said this amount of accuracy was not to be found in the forecasts of the Meteorological Office, because that office undertakes to forecast local weather from general observations, which are purely instru- mental, without the information to be had from the forms and movements of the clouds at the localities for which forecasts are issued. The local scientific observer can predict for himself the coming weather better than any central office. Mr. Ley also discussed—What are clouds? Into what distinguishable varieties are they divided? And to what condition of present and coming weather are these varieties or genera related? To make the subject more eye he exhibited explanatory diagrams by means of the oxy-hydrogen antern. EVESHAM FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB.—February 23rd, the annual meeting, which was well attended. The treasurer’s account showed a small balance in hand, although the club funds had suffered a loss on the excursions during the year. The committee’s report stated that the number of members is thirty-two, ac compared with twenty-eight last year. The usual indoor meetings were held during last winter, when interesting papers were 96 REPORTS. read to fair attendances of members. The following were the papers con- tributed :—‘ Microscopical Organisms,” illustrated by specimens taken from the River Avon, by Mr. T. J. Slatter, F.G.S., president; ‘‘Some of the British Papilionacer,” by Miss Edith New; and ‘“ Certain New and Old World forms of Bats,” by Mr. R. Fisher Tomes, F.GS. Fewer excursions than usual have taken place, owing to the disturbed state of the town by reason of the elections and petitions, but the following places have been visited, viz.:— Oddington Wood, near Addlestrop; Stanway, Snowshill, and Oversley Wood, near Wixford. The following are among the rarer plants found during the past year:—Thlaspi perfoliatum, Anemone Pulsatilla, Senecio arvensis, Myriophyllum verticillatum, Peplis Portula, Cerastiwm arvense, Centun- culus minimus. A cordial vote of thanks was given to the retiring officers, especially to Mr. Geoffrey New, who has for several years filled the office of hon. secretary. The following members were elected officers for the ensuing year:—President, Mr. T. J. Slatter, F.G.S.; treasurer, Mr. J. S. Slater; secretary, Mr. T. E. Doeg ; assistant secretary, Miss L. E. Martin ; committee, Mrs. Martin, Messrs. A. H. Martin, G. New, and F. Wright. Mr. R. Fisher Tomes, F.G.S., then read an interesting paper on “The Typical and Sub- typical Plumage of Certain Groups of Birds,” for which he received the hearty thanks of the meeting. OXFORDSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.—February 9th.—A meeting was held in the Lecture Hall, Botanie Gardens, Oxford, Professor Westwood, F.L.S., in the chair. The Secretary (Mr. G. C. Druce) read a communication from Mr. Milner, of Queen’s College, on the early flowering of plants, from which it appears that the Hazel, Alder, Ivy-leaved- Speedwell, Primrose, and Barren Strawberry were all noticed in flower earlier this year than in 1880 or 1879. Notice was given that the society had joined the Midland Union of Natural History Societies, and that a prize had been offered by the President of the Union, Sir Herewald Wake, Bart., for the best original life history of any genus of insects indigenous to the Midland district, and also that the Darwin medal offered this year was for a geological memoir. Professor Westwood briefly addressed the meeting. G. B. Poulton, Esq., M.A., then gave a lecture on ‘The River Valleys of Oxford,” lucidly explaining the manner in which the river had cut its way first through the thin layer of high-level gravel, composed of masses of quartzite, probably carried by icebergs from the mountains of Wales, Scotland, or even Scandinavia, which had dropped their burden when melting in a shallow sea, which at that time —towards the end of the glacial epoch—covered this portion of o1r island. Afterwards the land was gradually upheaved, the rivers began to flow, and in flowing commenced that system of denudation which resulted in cutting through, not only the thin layer of high-level gravel, which might be seen capping Wytham Hill, but also through the coralline oolite, which once stretched from Wytham across to Elsfield, both hills being formed of this substance. This denudation left behind confirmatory evidence in the layer of more recent gravel which at present stretches across the valley in an almost uninterrupted course, coming to the surface at Binsey, and on the tongue of land which forms the watershed of the Cherwell and Isis, on which Summertown and the Ports are situated, while it is covered on the depressions of Port Meadows and the Cherwell Meadows by clay or alluvial deposit of more recent formation. Mr. Poulton illustrated his lecture by diagrams, and further explained the differences between the high- level and low-level gravel, the fossil and organic coastituents of the more recent alluvial deposit and of the olden Oxford clay and the physical appear- ance of the old river, which at one time assumed the appearance rather of a chain of lakes than a river, and that the water cutting through, as at Sandford, &c., gradually drained the lakes of which Port Meadow might be taken as a type.—A hearty vote of thanks was given for the lecture.—After- wards, a number of exhibits were made, including a living Shore Lark, by Mr. Macpherson, of Oriel College; several stained sections of Lavatera and Acacia, by Mr. J. Wright; specimens of Dracaena Draco, &c., by Professor Lawson; and three Oxfordshire roses, Rosa aspernata, Kosinciana, and, andegavensis, by the Secretary. ‘SOULL], OISSCILT, pue Weruldeg Ut semseg feorsAqd e Se GOUNIBISIOd 8qt pus ‘UreyO euluUeg og} Jo OS y UvIUIIed-S1g On} OFEAQSNITT 02 MOM0Ng TeOPT NON Sina ns - Pe aes “ I A Ror on PURRIA NTA TR pa SS ' Peg : a , "BMOAS AIAN YE ¥ 7 P| Mio Le ae = at rar OEE z —s ae = (914805 QNOg) (oaryshqaog 98044) JYIHSNIOONID LSSIM NIVHO ANINNSId THE PERMIAN FORMATION. 97 THE PERMIAN FORMATION IN THE NORTH-EAST OF ENGLAND, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE PHYSICAL CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THESE ROCKS WERE FORMED. BY E. WILSON, F.G.S. Our knowledge of the Permian rocks of the north-east of England may be said to date from the publication of the now classical work of the late Adam Sedgwick, on ‘‘ The Geological Relations and Internal Structure of the Magnesian Limestone,” in the year 1829 fa.) Since that time many valuable memoirs have been written by Messrs. King, Kirkby, Ramsay, Howse, Sorby, Ward, Green, Lucas, and others, on the physical structure, geological classification, and palzontological characteristics of this extremely interesting and important group of rocks; so that, at the present day, comparatively little remains to be learnt on these heads. When, however, geologists have come to speculate as to the mode of formation of the magnesian limestone, a considerable diversity of opinion is at once apparent among them. Some authors, Prof. Ramsay and Dr. T. Sterry Hunt, for instance, have suggested that these dolomitic limestones were chemically formed originally, having been precipitated from concentrated solutions in inland salt lakes, while others, of whom the most prominent is Dr. Sorby, have come to the conclusion that the magnesian limestone agrees with most other limestones in having had an organic origin, and that the original structure has since been in great measure obliterated by mineral infiltrations, and chemical decompositions and recrystallisa- tions, or that, at any rate, it owes its origin partly (and largely) to organic and partly to chemical processes. _ In the following essay my chief aim will be to put forward a feasible hypothesis to account for the origination of the peculiar group of deposits that constitute the Permian formation in the north-east of England. In order, however, to supply the necessary basis of fact on which I ground my theoretical conclusions, it will, in the first place, be necessary to describe, in some detail, the mineral character and dis- tribution, the thicknesses, and fossil contents of the various sub-divisions of the Permian series in their range, through the counties of Durham, Yorkshire, and Notts. For much of the information here given I am of necessity largely indebted to the labours of others. At the same time I shall myself contribute several new facts—the results of my work among these rocks for many years past—that have a direct bearing on the very difficult problem of the mode of origin of these rocks. GroGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION, ETC. The Permian rocks of the north-east of England, or rather the narrow fringe of those rocks exposed at the surface along their western (a) Trans, of Geol, Soc., London, 2nd Ser., vol. iii., pt. 1., p. 37. L 98 THE PERMIAN FORMATION. outerop (the only portion, of a doubtless extensive Permian area, that is open to our inspection) occupy a long, narrow, and fairly rectilinear band of country which ranges N.N.W. and §$.S.E. from the coasts of Durham on the north to the town of Nottingham on the south, and separate the triassic rocks on the one (east) hand from the car- boniferous rocks on the other (west.) From Nottingham to Watlas, Bedale, in the north-riding of Yorkshire, this band of Permian rocks, though very fluctuating in width and rarely more than five miles across, is unbroken, though in the northern part of its range the mag- nesian limestone occupies a very narrow tract of country. Between Bedale and the valley of the Tees west of Darlington, triassic rocks over- lap the Permian deposits, and rest on millstone grit and Yoredale rocks, the magnesian limestone only showing at the surface in certain outliers between Bedale and Richmond. Northwards from the Tees the mag- nesian limestone ranges through Durham, broadening out so as to occupy most of the eastern portion of that county from Hartlepool and Pierce Bridge on the south, to South Shields and Tynemouth on the north. The western boundary of the magnesian limestone is well defined and usually forms an abrupt and often lofty escarpment, over- looking the low undulating lands of the Coalfields of Yorkshire and Durham, and the bolder contour of the millstone grit country inter- vening. The summit of the escarpment being reached, we find an extended plain gradually declining towards the east, and in a general way the slope of the ground will be determined by the dip of the beds. The eastern boundary of the magnesian limestone is not well defined. In many places it is covered by thick deposits of drift, and its junction with the overlying triassic rocks is rarely visible; when seen, however, (as, for instance, in the Cinderhill and Bestwood quarries, near Nottingham) a certain want of conformity is apparent between the two series, and this unconformability is also inferred from the southerly and westerly overlaps of Permian by triassic rocks. (a.) Looking at the present distribution of the Permian rocks of the north-east of England, a fact that strikes us at once is the pronounced unconformability between the Permian and the Carboniferous rocks. In its range from Nottingham to Tynemouth the magnesian limestone overlaps two coalfields—the Yorkshire and the Durham; for a considerable part of the distance, it is true, the trend of the magnesian limestone escarpment runs parallel with the north and south strike of the measures of these coalfields, but when we reach the confines of these basins, in particular the northern limits of the great Yorkshire coalfield and the southern extremity of the Durham, the true unconformability of the Permian and carboniferous systems (a) It is to be noted, however, that an exaggerated notion of the amount of unconformity between the two formations may be thus obtained. The overlap takes place in the directions in which the Permian rocks, as I shall presently shew, naturally attenuate, thus the absence of certain of the Permian members on the south and west is due less to their subsequent denudation than to their original attenuation, iil Oa _— THE PERMIAN FORMATION. 99 at once becomes apparent, the magnesian limestone gradually over- lapping the coal measure strata in succession, untilat length it comes to repose directly on millstone grit. Through the intervening millstone grit country run many anticlinals approximately east and west, which pass under undisturbed magnesian limestone. Several large faults do the same. Inthe coal measure districts, too, we find that even where the strike is thé same there is still a more or less perceptible difference in dip between the carboniferous and the Permian strata. This is sometimes shewn in open cuttings, and is inferred from the increased depths at which particular coal seams are found beneath the base of the Permian rocks, as we go east from the vicinity of the magnesian limestone escarpment in Yorkshire, and north-east from the southern margin of the limestone area in Durham. The above facts clearly show that, before the commencement of the Permian epoch, the carboniferous and older paleozoic rocks of the north of England had been subjected to powerful earth movements both along the north and south and east and west axes of upheaval, followed by long continued and extensive denudation. It was then that the Pennine chain, that range of high ground which stretches from mid-Derbyshire to the borders of Scotland, was elevated, and afterwards so deeply denuded, that rocks as low down in the series as mountain limestone were laid bare in the heart of the chain. (a) See Plate VI. Before proceeding to describe the Permian rocks of the north-east of England, I shall, in the first place, notice a rock (or rather a structure assumed at times by very various rocks) that was formerly classed with the Permians, but is now pretty generally understood to belong to the carboniferous system. Lower Rep SANDSTONE OR ROTHLIEGENDE :—CARBONIFEROUS Rocks. Beneath the magnesian limestone, along its western escarpment, are a number of beds of incoherent yellow sand and beds of sandstone and shale, whichin many cases are coloured of a deep red by oxide of iron. Such, for instance, are the extensive beds of yellow sand and red sandstone, so frequently found skirting the magnesian hmestone escarpment in Durham; and the Plumpton sandstone or Knaresboro’ grit,and the Rotherham red rock in Yorkshire. These beds were originally classed by Drs. Smith and Sedgwick as “lower red sand- stone ”"—the Rothliegende of Murchison. Later researches, however, by several accurate observers, such as Messrs. Howse, Binney, Ward, Lucas, (b) and others, have made it clear that these rocks belong, not (a) The Age of the Pennine Chain. E. Wilson, F.G.S., Geol. Mag., vol. vi., p. 500. (Brit. Ass.) Midland Naturalist, vol. iii., pt. 1. 1880. (b) On the so-called Lower Red Sandstone of Central Yorkshire, by E. W. Binney, F.R.S., F.G.S. Geol. Mag., vol. iii., 1866, p. 49. On beds of Supposed Rothliegende Age near Knaresboro’, &c., by J. C. Ward, F.G.S., Q.J.G.S., vol. xxv., p- 291. On the Permian Beds of Yorkshire, by Joseph Lucas, F.G.S. Geol. Mag., 1872, p. 338. Notes on the Permian System of Durham and Northumberland, R. Howse, 1848. West Yorkshire, by Davis and Lees, 1878, p. 176. Geology of the Yorkshire Coldfield. Mem: Geol. Survey, 1878, p. 481. Geology of parts of Notts, worehire, and Derbyshire, by W. T. Aveline. Mem, Geol. Survey, 2nd Ed., 1880, p. 12, 100 THE PERMIAN FORMATION. to the Permian, but to the carboniferous system, for they have shown that the magnesian limestone is unconformable to the strata beneath ; that these red rocks and the limestone often strike in different and sometimes in diametrically opposite directions; that, except in local cases, these underlying sandstones and shales have the common characteristics of, and are perfectly confcrmable to, the rocks of the carboniferous formation; and that they often contain characteristic coal plants, or carboniferous marine mollusca. Neither also in Notts or Derbyshire, either west of the magnesian limestone escarpment, or in verticalexplorations for coal to the east, have any red sandstones or other rocks that could possibly be considered ‘‘ Rothlegende ” been met with at the base of the Permian rocks. The marl slates with their basement breccia are the lowest Permian strata in this district we know anything about. The narrow fringe tothe magnesian limestone coloured on the geological survey maps as ‘lower red sandstone” really consists of these last-named rocks; while the two small areas similarly coloured between Derby and Ilkeston, as I have heretofore shown, consist in one place (Morley) of brecciated lower bunter sandstone and purple lower coal measure shales, and in the other (Dale Mill) of massively bedded lower coal measure sandstone. (a) The study of this subject shows that in our district the following very dissimilar rocks have, at one time or another, been mistaken for “ Rothliegende,” viz., millstone grit,lower,middle,and upper coal measure sandstones and shales, marl slates, and breccia, and lower bunter sandstone and breccia, in fact almost every imaginable coarse or red rock belonging to the contiguous formations, the horizon of which had aot at the time been clearly defined. I venture to affirm that, with che exception of the marl slate breccia in Notts, and the very thin and local deposits of quicksand in Yorkshire and (?) Durham, there are no coarse, or red, or yellow coloured Permian rocks beneath the magnesian limestone. Whatever may eventually turn out to be the case with the ‘*‘ lower red sandstones” in other parts of England, the ‘‘ Rothliegende ” of the north-east of England must certainly be considered as a thing of the past. CLASSIFICATION. The Permian rocks of the north-east of England are now generally classified as follows :—(b) Upper Permian Marls. Upper Magnesian Limestone. Middle Permian Marls. Lower Magnesian Limestone. Marl Slates. Quicksand, I now proceed to describe these sub-divisions as they exist in the above area, beginning with the lowest and oldest. (a) On the Uncomformability of the Keuper and Bunter, by E. Wilson, F.G.S., Geological Magazine, vol. vii., 1880, p. 308. (b) This classification holds good in a general way for Yorkshire and Notts, but requires modification for Durham, (See pp. 13-14.) _ THE PERMIAN FORMATION. 101 QUICKSAND. Occasionally we find beneath the magnesian limestone, and resting on the underlying carboniferous rocks, certain local deposits of white or yellow false-bedded sand, which are never more than a few feet in thickness and are often absent altogether. It is not certain that this rock is present in Durhan. The unconsolidated sand rocks that are so frequently seen beneath the magnesian limestone escarpment in that county are now properly classed with the carboniferous system. Itis doubtful whether it has been met with in any of the colliery shafts sunk through the limestone. In Yorkshire these beds may be seen at several points along the limestone escarpment. At West Garforth, near Leeds, there are exposed beneath the thin-bedded lower limestone some ten or twelve feet of excessively current-bedded sand; the upper portion is very fine grained and used for moulding in iron making, the lower part is coarser and contains small rounded pebbles of white quartz. This deposit thins out rapidly 8.orS.W. At Glass Houghton, between Pontefract and Castleford, from nine to twelve feet of white and yellow fine grained friable sandstone may be seen cropping out from beneath thin-bedded argillaceous limestone, which I take to represent the marl slates. Similar ‘‘ quicksand” is shown in a small quarry at Scriven, near Knaresboro’. At the brick and pottery works, Conisboro’, the section shows some eight or nine feet of blue clay and thin-bedded limestone (? marl slates,) resting on some six feet of gritty sand, with seams of breccia, (‘‘quicksand,”) which in turn rest upon an eroded surface of red marls and sandstones belonging to the upper coal measures. In the Shireoaks pits (on the borders of Notts and Yorkshire) at a depth of 213 feet, a light grey unconsolidated sandrock, varying from lft. 8in. to 7ft. Oin. in the two shafts was met with, which is considered as the bottom rock of the Permians and may represent the “quicksand.” In some large open pits at Pebbly Dam, near Harthill, there are about twenty feet of loose yellow sand which may be the ‘‘ quicksand.” South of Shireoaks we have no equivalent of this peculiar deposit, unless the breccia at the foot of the marl slates presently to be mentioned may be taken to represent the ‘‘ quicksand” of Yorkshire. (To be continued.) THK FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. AN ACCOUNT OF THE FLOWERING PLANTS AND FERNS OF THE COUNTY OF WARWICK. BY JAMES E. BAGNALL. (Continued from page 81.) R. sceleratus, Linn. Celery-leaved Crowfoot. Native: By pools, ditches, and streams. Locallycommon. May to September. I. Sutton Park; Duke’s Bridge, near Coleshill; Marston Green; Berkswell, &c. 102 THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. II. Abbotts Salford! Rev. J. UC. Tredington! Newb. Near Bilton Church! R. 8. R.,* 1877. Although I find this plant im every part of the county, it is often missing over large areas,and may be considered as common in some districts, local in others. R, Flammula, Linn. Lesser Spear-wort. Native: In ditches, marshes, &c. Very common. May to September. A variable species, widely spread in the county. R. Lingua, Linn. Greater Spear-wort. Native: In pools and streams. Very rare. July to September. I. Sutton, Mreeman, Phyt., i., 262 ; in Sutton Park, abundantin Brace- bridge and other pools. II. In an old pit at Allesley, Rev. W. T. Bree, Phyt., iii1., 301; in a pit at Griff, near Nuneaton, 7’. Kirk; by the side of an old canal, near Coventry Wood; Fir Tree Grove, Arbury Park, 7’. Kirk, Phyt., ii., 947 ; Snitterfield, Cheshire. R. auricomus, Linn. Goldilocks, Wood Crowfoot. Native: In woods and on shady banks. Locally common. April, May. . Sheldon! Rev. J. Gorle ; Shustoke, Maxtoke, Elmdon, Knowle, &c. Abbotts Salford, Rev. J. C.; Iddicote, Rev. J. Gorle. Coombe Abbey Woods, Allesley, Yarningale. Two forms occur often inter- mixed, and passing one into the other ; a nearly apetalous form is often abundant, and is probably R. depauperatus. R. acris, Linn. Buttercup. Native: On banks, in meadows, and on waysides, &c. Common. May to August Two varieties occur, var. a. Steveni being the most abundant form of the Tame basin ; var. b. vulgaris is in some parts of the Avon district equally as abundantas the type form. These varieties are scarcely marked ones. The plant, as an aggregate, is widely spread in the county. R. repens, Linn. Creeping Buttercup. Native: In ditches, meadows, on heathy waysides, &c. Common. May to August. Common throughout the county. Two marked forms are abundant—the one, a small, prostrate form, common on heathy waysides ; the other, a robust form, often very rampant, in ditches. R. bulbosus, Linn. Bulbous Buttercup. Native: On banks, in meadows, and on waysides. Common. May to August. Found throughout the whole area, but more local than the two preceding species. R. hirsutus, Curtis. Hairy Crowfoot. Native: In corn fields. Rare. May. Corn fields, at Myton, H. B. This plant cannot be regarded as more than a casual, having been probably introduced with foreign seed. R. parviflorus, Linn. Small-flowered Crowfoot. Native: In cultivated fields and on dry banks, in calcareous soils. Rare. May to August. I. Bickenhill, Bree, ‘‘ Mag. Nat. His.,” iii., 165. Ll. Top of Oversley Hill ; hedge banks, near Alcester Mill, Perry F1., p- 46; between Hampton-on-the-Hill and Norton Lindsay, nll a Il. _ * Abbreviation for Kugby School Society's Reports. THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. 103 Herb. Perry; Hatton Rock, Cheshire ; near Harboro’ Magna, Rev. A. B.; near Little Lawford, H. W. T.; Milverton and Ashorn, H. B. R. arvensis, Linn. Corn Crowfoot. Colonist: In cornfields. Locally common. June, July. I. Marston Green; Solihull; Lapworth ; Hartshill, &e. II. Whatcote, Rev. J. Gorle; common in Stour Basin, Newb. ; Alcester, &c. Uncertain in its occurrence, will appear year after year with biennial crops, but often absent in the same fields when the crop is an annual one. R. Ficaria, Linn. Lesser Celandine, Pilewort. Native: In damp woods and meadows, on banks, &c. Common. March to May. Abundant throughout the counvy. The var. divergens, Schultz, is our only form, CALTHA. C. palustris, Linn. Marsh Marigold. Native: In ditches, marshes, and similar places. Common. April to June. More or less abundant throughout the whole area. Var. b. Guerangerii. I. Middleton; Sutton Park; Maxtoke; Marston Green; Blythe Bridge, Sohhull. Il. Radford, Y. and B.; Binton Green, and Pinley, H. B. Var. c. minor has been recorded on insufficient grounds. [Eranthis hyemalis, Salisb. Winter Aconite. Occasionally found, but never as other than an introduced plant, or as a stray from cultivation. It occursnearthe Parsonage, Curdworth! In the Hall field, Birdingbury, H. B.; and abundantly in Stratford churchyard, Pratt. | HELLEBORUS. H, viridis, Linn. Green Hellebore, Bearsfoot. Denizen: In thickets and on hedge banks. Rare. February, March. I. Allesley and Shustoke, Bree, Purt., 11i., 363! Mag. Nat. His., 1i1., 164; Oldbury Hall. Il. Ina field near Studley Castle, Purt., i., 264; Grove Park, Hatton! H.B.; Dadley’s Wood, Allesley, Kirk; Holywell, near Claver- don, 1878. H. fetidus, Linn. Stinking Bearsfoot. Denizen: On banks and in meadows. Rare. February, March. II. Studley Castle, Dunnington, Arrow, Purt., i., 265; bushy pit at Rowington, H.B.; abundant, in 1874, in a field near Yarnin- gale Common. Both the above plants are fairly established in some of the locali- ties cited, and apparently remote from gardens, but I do not think they are more than aliens in Warwickshire. AQUILEGIA. A. vulgaris, Linn. Columbine. Native : In woods and thickets, and on banks. Rare. June, July. I. Middleton Park, Adcock ; Shelly Coppice and banks of the Blythe, near Solihull; Kingswood. II. Corley Wood, Bree, Purt., i., 256; Allesley, Bree, Mag. Nat. Hist., ii1., 165; Chesterton Wood, and bushy fleld near Kenilworth, H. B. ; on banks near Henley-in-Arden. [Delphinium consolida, Linn., is recorded by Purton, i., 255, from Studley, in the Castle field, but has no claim to a place in the county flora. 104 THE FLORA OL WARWICKSHIRE, ACONITUM. A. Napellus, Linn. Monkshood. Denizen: Near streams. Rare. June. II. Fishers Brook, near Warwick, formerly abundant. Mr. Bromwich considers this plant fully established. Acteu spicata, Linn., Herb Christopher, was recorded in a note to me by the Rey. A. Bloxam from Harboro’ Magna, in copses on Lias or calcareous soils. | BERBERACE. BERBERIS. B. vulgaris, Lin. Common Barberry. Native : In thickets and hedges. Local. May, June. I. Erdington, Rev. J. C.; Arley, near the village; ruins of Hartshill Priory. ee Oversley, Grafton, Billesley, Purt, i., 180; Leek Wootton, War- wick, Perry Fl. p. 32, 1820; Stoneleigh, Tachbrook! Y. and B.; Harboro’ Magna, Rev. A. B.; Norton Lindsay and Kenil- worth, H. B.; near Little Lawford Mill, R. S. R., 1878; Honington, Newb.; Ipsley! in several places, Slatter. This bush is so frequently planted that it is difficult to decide where it may be considered native. NYMPHAEACEAE. NYMPHAEA. N. alba, Linn. White Water-Lily. Native: In rivers and pools. Rare. July. I. Barston Pool,* in the Blythe, Y. and B.; In the Anker near Tam- worth, J. P. MS. note, B. G.; formerly abundant in Blackroot Pool, Sutton Park; pool by Middleton Hall; Springfield, Temple Balsall ;* Merivale Park. Il. In a pond at Ragley, Purt., i., 251; River Avon, Wolston Mill, TSM Os) ete SIV, 2h NUPHAR. N. lutea, Sm. Yellow Water-Lily. Native: In rivers and pools. Locally common. July to August. I. Lane from Nechells Green to Washwood Heath, Ick. An., 1837; Middleton Park; River Tame at Aston, and other places in its course ; in the Cole, near Coleshill; near Blythe Bridge, in ponds; Barston, &c. II. Leam! and Avon! Y. and bB.; Aston Cantlow; in the Avon, by Bidford bridge ; pool near Astley Castle, &c. (To be continued.) THE ANCIENT INHABITANTS OF THE COTSWOLD HILLS. BY HENRY BIRD, M.D. Traces may be discovered of four distinct races of men, before the Romans, who have dwelt upon the Cotswold Hills :—1.—The small, long-headed men of the tump tumuli, doubled up, without a cist, and only very rude flint flakes are found in such burial places. A skull of : * Known to have been introduced in these localities; possibly in the others “180. ANCIENT INHABITANTS OF THE COTSWOLD HILLS. 105 this race was obtained from a skeleton in Cubberley, near Cheltenham ; and another skull of thesame race in Chalecombe parish, near Bath. 2.— The athletic, long-headed race of the round-stone tumuli, with central cist, containing one or many skeletons, as the tumulus on dry heath- field, Leckhampton, Foxcote, and the waste, near Cheltenham; flint flakes and split leg bones being the only things found in them. 3.—The long, heart-shaped barrows, containing the remains of a long-headed, small race of men, placed in chambers in the left side of the barrow. The right-hand chamber at Belas Knapp and Rodmarton did not contain human remains. If the barrow at Caithness is a true repre- sentation of the horned barrows, the long barrows of the Cotswolds cannot be arranged with it, for most of the chambered barrows on the Cotswolds are heart-shaped, with an altar or dolmen at the larger end, and often having a small cist of the larger preceding race at the small end. [See ‘‘ Fergusson’s Rude Stone Monuments.”] The leaf flints of the long, heart-shaped barrows are beautiful microscopic representations of the Paleolithic river-bed flints; the dry wallings of some of the barrows are so well constructed that you cannot resist the inference that this race was raised far above savages. No metals have been discovered in the burial places of the above-named races. 4.—The round-stone tumuli, with dressed stone central cists, containing burnt bones, cinerary urns, and bronze. These races may have constructed Avebury, Stonehenge, and all the rude stone monuments, and Stanton Drew, although a much later date is given for these structures by Fergusson. The regularly constructed earthern tumuli of Wilts and Dorset also belong to this race. The races who first opposed the Romans were civilised, acquainted with the use of metals, used chariots in war, and cultivated corn. [See ‘* Ceesar’s Commentaries.” | In the neighbourhood of the Cotswolds the most ancient names are Gaelic, next Cymric, then Roman, and lastly Saxon,&c. In the names of places or objects there are no traces of Iberian names. Men living in caves is only an accident, wherever caves exist, as in mountain limestone districts as the Forest of Dean, Gower, and Wookey, a hollow in the limestone of the Mendip Hills, a Celtic word, or Welsh, meaning a cavern-house. Many caves in such localities, with short entrances, possess indications of human occupation. But the aboriginal races were not restricted to such localities, but spread generally over fertile and open spots as the Cotswolds, therefore it is not contrary to what might be expected that traces of the same races as the cave men are found on the Cotswolds where few caves exist. The object of such structures at Avebury, Stonehenge, and Stanton Drew is still unascertained. They may be the sites of battles, sepulchres, and very modern erections, as suggested in Fergusson’s work; or orreries, and places for Sabean worship. A person standing on the altar-stone, at Stonehenge, in the longest day, will find that the sun rises directly over the friar’s nose; and another stone, from the 106 ANCIENT INHABITANTS OF THE COTSWOLD HILLS. same spot, indicates the rise of the sun on the shortest day of the year. faecal HS \—- S 8 | ‘Io.| In| Date. |4Z/Deg) Date. |Deg| Date. Sy ee eae ee = || GLOUCESTERSHIRE. peas Stroud .........:seeeeeeeeees |S. J Coley, Esq...........- *52) °42) 12 5 | 680) 14 | 960) 21 SMielken Ham 9c. ccesenwcsas R. Tyrer, Esq., B.A., F.M.S.| “87, °53) 11 9/641) 18 |906) 21 WILTSHIRE. Marlborough .............++. Rev. T. A. Preston, M.A. ..; “87/ °32) 11 | 10 | 629) 18 |96-9/ 21 SHROPSHIRE. Woolstaston |Rey. E. D. | 42) 12 9 |65°0) 18 |ago0) 4 SEGKAGRY seis cs ccaesevcscows | ‘14) 53) 11 | 10/632) 13 |95-9) 28 More Rectory, Bishop's Castle Rev. A.S. Male............ 1-08) °38} 1 11 | 65:0} 18 |a3-o} 21 Bishop's Castle.............+ E. Griffiths, Esq .. . +] 2°20) °49] 1 9 | 650) 15 & 2894-0) 21 Cardington .........0..ccce0- ‘Rev. Wm. Elliot .... | 1°05) -48) 9 Dowles, near Bewdley ...... |J. M. Downing, Esq. ......| 74) 42) «12 4 | 560) 25 & 30) 17-9) 21 HEREFORDSHIRE. | | | Bike (BUNS Se saeacticcke ens cae Rev. G. Alexander ........ 63) °36) 11 7/620) 13 J|a7o 3 WORCESTERSHIRE. } Orleton, Tenbury............ |T. H. Davis, Esq., F.M.S. .. 109 69) 8 |66°2} 28 Jogo) 21 West Malvern ..............1: A. H. Hartland, Esq. ...... 1°09) -49) 11 11 | 690) 28 |a79 5 VORDNY shedw dete cacuyaecee ce |T. J. Slatter, Esq., F. ee *62) 82) 1h 81665) 13 jogs) 4 PROMORG concise cs ensucccxe os |E. B. Marten, Esq. .| 93] °38) 11 | 7} 700) 28 Jago] 20 Stourbridge \Mr. I. Jefferies . | 98) 4a) I 7 | 6570) 13 & 23) 95:0) + 21 3 eS a Se are Mr. CG Bealav. = s2o.255-55 }) S74) 48) 9 9/610) 13 240 3 STAFFORDSHIRE. | Dennis, Stourbridge ........ CO. Webb, Esq..<.c0s.+-00e0s 75) 46) 11 | 5/640) 28 Jago] 22 Kinver REE RA nape Rey. W. H. Bolton........ Se bd ui | 8 |649| 13 | 97-9) 8 & 20 MMB eens seveoneacn ccs IN. B. Best, Esq. .......... *80) 36 9° R 8 Thorganby Villa, Wolver- nee | | lea a ae PREM aw cssieacnac's cece G. J. C. Broom, Bau: il 8 PAMHNBM 955 wceenwccecveccnss J.P. Roberts, Esq. . il 9/690) 29 |o50) 4 Grammar School, Burton....|C. U. Tripp, Esq., M.A....- i4 9 |65°0} 28 | 97-0] 4.& 22 Weston-under-Lyziard Hon.and Rev.J. Bri “89) * 1 12 |640) 28 jogo) 4 Wrottesley . se 72) * 11 7/610) 14 jogq) 4 Team... 25 | 9 | 61-0| 13 & 28/960] 4 & 21 Oakes. ul Wl ‘Gos wk 17 a 2 . Park House, Farley \c.L. Wragge, Esq., F.M. 4 | 595 18 & 17 9 21 Beacon Stoop, Weaver Hills..|C. L. Wragge. Esq., F.M. 1b 9550) 29 |oa5) 7 MIRGONT GUT ron ae Jone ces waueaice Rey. W. H. Purchas ...... 14 | 9 |62°9) 13 20°0 21 WARWICKSHIRE. | | St. Mary’s College, Oscott....|R. Pate, Esq. .......eseeeee “67, 34) 11 7 |60°6) 13 G28) 95-0) 4 Henley-in-Arden ............ |T. H. G. Newton, Esq......| “61! 35) 11 8 |660) 17 | 93-0} 22 Park Hill, Kenilworth ...... iT. G. Sete Esq. SAA iat side 2k 6 626) 13 apg 4 Coundon, ‘Coventry peaukwasss Lieut.-Col. Kk. Caldicott....) “66, 30) 11 7 | 640) 14 & 30) 94-0 8 Rugby School ..:........... Rey. T. N. Hutchinson ....| “41, °20) 11 6 | 634) 18 |o5-4) 4 DERBYSHIRE. | } Stony Middleton ............ Rev; U. Smith .¢.<<...<2-- V11) *20} 30 | 7/600 15 &16'95-0} 3 Fernslope, Belper............ F. J. Jackson, Esq. ..| 2°20) *77) 14 10 |65°0} 13 | 94-9 4 Fer RROSOLVOIE 2 occcccces \C. E. Jones, Esq. .... ee 67] 14 | 9 | MOO ae ee eee sean cee cece \J. T. Barber, E ..| 1°43] "97) 14 2° 25° TIMBRE cee a W. Bland aro g eee 153/103] 14 | 7 ee [Pay 3 Te ae ore ee ‘ar ottingham....../H. F. Johnson, Esq........ rol 46) 4 k : i Hodsock Priory, Worksop ..|H. Mellish mad s. 70) -29) «14 | a re B a i MitextOrdnet ecky< —— Bo = = 'Ia | In| Date. |\4 | Deg] Date. |Deg| Date. GLOUCESTERSHIRE. Sbrondiick scueecnc: All Wye Hedge bank. Scilla nutans................. LS) Ne Wiis Wood, chalky soil. Ranunculus acris............. 26 | Open Meadow. Cardamine pratensis........ 28 ” ” Cerastium arvense........... oan 29 WwW. Edge of a field. Saxifraga granulata......... ay 30 Open Moist meadow. Veronica Chamzdrys... 5 Ww. Hedge bank. Polygala vulgaris.......... 10 S.E. Dry bank, chalky soil. Hieracium Pilosella..... 12 W. ” ” Prunella vulgaris ......... ee 14 | rf Wood, on gravelly soil. Crateegus Oxyacantha.............. ae 14s || $ Hedge. Geranium Robertianum......... Bena tot 5 Hedge bank. Several local observers give this as | earliest date. Oak trees were fairly covered with foliage on May 18th, but ash trees had only just commenced to expand their leaves. As a further illustration of the backwardness of this season, it may be mentioned that by the end of the third week in June the Chiltern Hills in South Beds are usually gay with Orchids, especially Gymnadenia conopsea, O. ustulata, and O. pyramidalis. This year, however, on June 19th, the first-mentioned were only just coming into blossom, and the two others were not to be seen.—J. S., Luton. Gleanings. ri —$ Tue Darwin Mepau.—The adjudicators appointed to consider the papers sent in for publication in the ‘‘ Midland Naturalist” on the 170 GLEANINGS. subject of Geology, during the year ending March 31st, 1881, have, by a majority of four to one, recommended the award of the first Darwin Medal to Edward Wilson, Esq., F.G.S., of Nottingham, for his paper on the ‘‘ Permian Formation,” now appearing in our pages. Further particulars will be given in the Report of the Council, to be published in our next number. Enromoroarcat Prize.—No paper having been sent in, in competition for the prize offered by the President of the Union, Sir H. Wake, the offer has been very kindly renewed for another year. The subject is as before, ‘The Life History of any one Genus of Insects Indigenous to the Midlands,” and the author must be a Member of one of the Societies in the Union. Tue Bririsu Assocration.-—It is probable that at the York meeting invitations for 1883 will be presented from Oxford, Birmingham, and Leicester—the University town is considered to have the best chance. Scrence iy Evementary Scnoors.—The Society of Arts has awarded Mr. W. Jerome Harrison, F.G.S., a Bronze Medal and Certificate of Merit on vellum for a paper by him describing the practical and experimental teaching of Domestic Economy, as now carried on in the Birmingham Board Schools. Movunrain Merrorotocy.—The Editor of the meteorological depart- ment of this magazine, Mr. C. L. Wragge, now climbs daily to the top: of Ben Nevis, (no slight undertaking,) while Mrs. Wragge observes at the foot of the mountain. Mr. Wragge has placed his fine set of instruments on the mountain-top, and has already made some re- markable observations. Itis hoped that before the winter a permanent meteorological station will be erected on this, the highest point in the British Isles. burron’s Sxua.—Mr. J. N. Dufty records in the Field, (for June 25th,) the capture of this bird at Tuxford, Notts. A very Oup Brrv.—The remains of a bird have lately been dis- covered in the Upper Jurassic (= Oolitic) Rocks of Western-North America; the oldest known bird of the Old World occurs in beds of about the same age—the Solenhofen Stone of Germany. Tue Oxuprst Fossm Trieonta.—Dr. C. Barrois has discovered two new species of the shell Trigonia, in the Lower Lias (angulatus | near Oviedo, in Spain. Previously this shell had not been foun lower than the Middle Lias. Errecr or Great Cotp on Maeners.—It has long been known that when a magnet is made red-hot it loses all its magnetic properties. Recent investigations prove that intense cold has a similar effect. In one case, a bar of steel, which had been magnetised at a temperature of 20° C., was found to lose seven-tenths of its magnetic intensity when placed in a freezing mixture which had a temperature of minus 60° C. Axrcoceras Carrenatum.—Under this name Dr. Wright figures and describes in the new volume of the Palecntographical Society an Ammonite, forwarded to him by Mr. W. J. Harrison, from the Lower Lias (angulatus zone) of Barrow-on-Soar. Although Barrow is at present the only British locality, we believe that this Ammonite is not really rare, but that it is usually mistaken for Ammonites angulatus, which it much resembles. Size or tHe Hrapv.—Dr. Beddoes and Mr. Tuckett (see Proceedings of Bristol Naturalists’ Society) believe that there is evidence to show that the size of the human head in this country has been gradually GLEANINGS—REPORTS. ilv/al diminishing during the last twenty-five years; they quote statements made by hatters in all parts of the kingdom in proof of this; one large hat-maker writes—‘‘ Fifteen years ago the usual sizes of hats in England were from 6? to 7%, and even 73 was not uncommon ; but now, if a 78 hat was wanted, we should have to make a block purposely.” FossIniFERous BuNTER QuarrzirE Peppies.—We have more than once mentioned the occurrence in the drift of the Midlands of quartzite pebbles, apparently derived from the Bunter pebble-beds, and con- taining some remarkable fossils, more especially Orthis Budleighensis, a brachiopod which also occurs in the stones of a pebble-bed in the Trias at Budleigh-Salterton, near Exmouth. Mr. A. H. Atkins, B.Sce., of King Edward’s School, Birmingham, has lately found some good specimens of the same fossil in a precisely similar matrix—a reddish quartzite—in a true Bunter pebble-bed, at Kinver Edge, west of Stourbridge. No British rock is yet known which by its disintegration could have yielded these pebbles, at least no such rock has as yet been certainly identified. Im Normandy and Brittany, however, this fossil (O. Budleighensis) occurs in just such a quartzite. A much larger collection of these pebbles with included fossils should be made, and as they are scattered all over the Midlands, either in the Bunter beds or in the drift, all readers of the ‘Midland Naturalist” are asked to help in the search, and to forward any which may contain fossils to our office. Under the name of ‘petrified kidneys,” similar pebbles still pave the back streets of our large towns, and the broken heaps which are seen on the roadsides afford admirable opportunities for the search we recommend. Acports of Societies. BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.—Generat Meetine, May 3rd.—Mr. Bagnall exhibited Cincinnulus Trichomanis, in fruit ; Lophocolea heterophylla, Mnium subglobosum, Polytri- chum formosum, and Hypnum striatum, from Kingsbury Wood ; Physcomitrium pyriforme, in fruit, from drains near Seckington; and Salix Hoffmanniana, from Freasley. Mr. Blatch exhibited Acheniwm humile, from Salford Priors, and Aneurus levis, from Bewdley Forest, both rare and new to the district. Mr. Grove exhibited Peziza vesiculosa, from Sutton. Mr. J. Morley exhibited Draparnaldia plumosa, from Sutton. Mr. Pickering exhibited a moncecious form of Mercurialis perennis. Professor T. W. Bridge read a paper on ‘ Pasteur’s Experiments on Bacteria,” illustrated by diagrams. He uescribed particularly the life history of Bacillus anthrax, and its connection with splenic fever. He also described the connection of Bacteria with fowl- cholera, and gave an account of the experiments which have been made with them, especially as to the mode by which the virulence of the disease is abated, when the organisms are cultivated for a certain length of time in artificial media. — May 31st. Bronocican Section. — Mr. W. R. Hughes, F.L.8., read a paper on Bopyrus squillarum, a small parasitic crustacean infesting the common prawn. Assuming, according to the laws of evolution, that the parasite and its host had been derived from a common progenitor, Mr. Hughes showed that the parasite—especially the female—had been worsted in its struggle for existence, owing to the peculiar position which it occupies within the carapace of the prawn. The embryo or nauplius stage of Bopyrus exhibits a much higher state of development than that of the adult animal. The paper was illustrated by a specimen and by some beautiful drawings by Miss Hadley. Professor Bridge gave a report on the Echinoderms, dredged by the society during the last two marine excursions to Arran and Falmouth. He stated that the class was exceedingly well represented, only afew genera being absent. The specimens had been admirably put up by 172 REPORTS. Mr. Ady, the Biological Demonstrator at the Mason College.—GErNERAL Meertinec, June 7th—Mr. Haydon exhibited a section of Porphyrine. Mr. Bavnall exhibited Mitrula paludosa, a fungus new to Warwickshire; Litho- spermum officinale, and other plants, from South Warwickshire. Mr. Grove exhibited the following fungi, from Sutton ; Sterewm rugosum, Corticium leve, Polyporus vaporarius, P. adustus, P. annosus, and P. molluscus, the last three new to the county.—Bronocican Secrion, June 14th.—Mr. A. W. Wills exhibited fresh-water Algze, Chantransia investiens and Leptothrix tinctoria, from Penzance; and spirogyra inflata, from Bangor; Sarcina ventriculi ; alo a small insect,found in a Japanese parasol, which was referred to Professor Bridge for identification. Mr. R. W. Chase exhibited Polystichum Lonchitis, Asplenium viride, and Lycopodium clavatum, from Perthshire. Mr. H. W. Jones exhibited a cast-off shell of Arctic Stone Crab, Lithodes arctica. Mr. J. F. Goode exhibited Spirogyra quinina in conjugation. Mr. W. H. Wilkinson read a paper on “ The Sea Gulls of Flamboro’ Head,” in which he gave an interesting account of the different species, their habits, and mole of living, &c. He ulso explained their structure and adaptation to the various functions they had to perform, in illustration of which he exhibited stuffed specimens of the Kittiwake, (Larus tridactylus,) the Black-headed Gall. (Larus ridibundus,) and the Herring Gull, (Larus argentatus,) all of which take their food on the wing. He also exhibited the Guillemot (Uria troile) and the Razor-bill, (Alca torda,) which obtain their prey by diving. A series of birds was also shown to illustrate the gradual evolution from the long toes without any membrane to the perfectly-webbed feet. He also called attention to the peculiar shape of the eggs of these sea birds, which he thought was a provision of nature to prevent their falling from the edge of the cliff on which they were laid, one end being so much smaller than the other that they could only rollin small circles. At the termination of the paper, which was listened to throughout with great attention, an animated discussion took place, in which the Chairman, Professor Bridge, Mr. Chase, and others took part.—MucroscopicaL GENERAL MrEtTinG, June 21st.—The Secretary exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Winkley, two cases of insects, from Central America, offered for purchase to the society. Mr. Bagnall exhibited Senecio squalidus, from Oxford, sent by Mr. Sergeantson ; “cirpus multicaulis, from near Coleshil) ; and Myriophyllum alterniflorum. Mr. Hughes exhibited the map prepared by Mr. Marshall of the district round Oban, to which the marine excursion is to be made, and read a letter from Mr. H. A. Fry, offering to pay one-fourth or one-third of the expenses of any associate who might be able to join the Oban Excursion. BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ UNION.— May 2nd. A paper was read by Mr. H. Insley, containing ‘‘ Notes on the Burbury Street Clay Pit.” The section shown in the pit was described, and rock fragments derived from the gravel and clay there exposed were shown, among which were fragments of Caradoc Sandstone, containing fossils; also, a very coarse-grained Basalt, in a perfect and in a decomposed state.— May 9th.—Microscopical and General Meeting.—Mr. Boland showed fifteen varieties of Land Shells, found on the banks of the Rushall Canal, among which was Clausilia laminata, this being a new locality for the shell. H. Insley, a number of fossil Corals from Mountain Limestone; Mr. Blay, a slab of ripple-marked Sandstone from Hamstead Colliery.—May 14th. An excursion to Stechford, Yardley, Marston Green. Larva of Corethra plumicornis, taken from pond near Sheldon; leaves of Ranunculus repens were infested with Aicidium (Cluster Cups ;) Arum maculatum, of extra fine growth.—May 16th. A paper was read by Mr. Betteridge, ‘The Birds to be Seen in a Day’s Ramble.” The day in question was cold, with showers, and fewer birds than usual were seen. The number observed was forty-two. Mr. Boland exhibited 17. nemoralis, var. arenicola.—May 23rd. Meeting devoted to Pond Life. Mr. Dunn exhibited Volvox globator; Mr. J. W. Neville, Nitella translucens ; H. Insley, Protococcus ; Mr. Boland, Ova of L. peregra, in course of hatching; Mr. J. Wykes, Pupa of Corethra plumicornis; Mr. Baxter, ae pepocerok Eichhornii. May 30th. Paper, “Notes on Melicerta ringens,” y Mr. Dunn. ANNUAL MEETING—GENERAL BUSINESS. 173 MIDLAND UNION OF NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES. CHELTENHAM MEETING, JUNE 16rx anp 177n. On the invitation of the Cheltenham Natural Science Society the Annual Meeting of the Union this year was held under their auspices. Dr. T. Wright, F.R.S., the Medical Officer of Health for Cheltenham, and President of the Cheltenham Natural Science Society, is the President of the Union, and Mr. EH. W. Badger (President of the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society), and Colonel Basevi (Secretary of the Cheltenham Society), hon. secretaries. For the purposes of the local reception of the Union, a local committee was formed, consisting of the following ; Dr. Wright (chairman), the Mayor of Cheltenham, the Baron de Ferrieres, M.P., Mr. J. T. Agg-Gardner, Major Barnard, F.L.S., Col. Blair, Rev. E. Cornford, M.A., Dr. G. B. Ferguson, M.A., Sir Brook-Kay, Bart., Dr. C. B. Ker, Rev. H. Kynaston, Dr. Julius Maier, Dr. Pullar, Dr. EK. T. Wilson, and Messrs. C. G. Blatchley, F. Day, F.L.S., F.Z.S., H.J. Elwes, F.L.S., F.Z.S., T. Nelson Foster, H. A. James, M.A., A. Le Blanc, R. M. Lingwood, M.A., F. D. Longe, M.A., F.G.S., J. Middleton, R. O. Paterson, C. Pierson, G. W. Sadler, J. Walker, M.A. and G. B. Witts. Col. Basevi and Dr. Robert Smith, F.R.S., Edin., being the local hon. secretaries. Most of these gentlemen took part in the proceedings, as did also the following: Professors Westwood (Oxford) and Wiltshire (London), Rey. Dr. Deane, F.G.S., Rev. H. W. Crosskey, F.G.S., Mr. W. R. Hughes, F.L.S., Mr. W. J. Morley, Mr. J. Morley, Mr. E. Tonks, B.C.L., Professor Bridge, Rev. C. Wilcocks, Dr. Hill, (Borough Analyst), Mr. J. Potts, Mr. and Mrs. Rabone, and Miss Osler (Birmingham), Mr. E. A. Walford, Mr. Samuel Stutterd (Banbury), Mr. C. Perks, Mr. J. Heron (Burton), Mr. B. Sturges Dodd (Nottingham), Rev. O. M. Feilden (Oswestry), Dr. Partridge, Mr. J. H. Rogers (Stroud), Mr. Egbert D. Hamel, Mr. Colin G. Campbell (Tamworth) Mr. E. Wethered (Bath), Mr. E. W. Phipps (Nailsworth), Mr. Horace Pearce, F.L.S. (Stourbridge), and many others. The proceedings were commenced by the holding of the Council meeting at the Assembly Rooms, High Street, Cheltenham, at which nineteen delegates from the various societies were present. The meeting commenced at half-past twelve o’clock (June 16th,) and at a quarter-past one was adjourned till half-past two, in order to enable the delegates to accept the hospitality of Mr. Agg-Gardner, who most cour- teously invited a large company, including allthe principal members of the Union who visited Cheltenham, to luncheon at the Plough Hotel. The Cuarrman (Mr. Agg-Gardner) having given ‘‘ The Queen,” next proposed “Success to the Midland Union of Natural History Societies.” He remarked that it would seem superfluous on his part to point out the objects of the Union, or even remark upon its merits or history. Its history in the past year and its futuze prospects would 174 ANNUAL MEETING—-GENERAL BUSINESS. be dwelt upon by their excellent friend and president (Dr. Wright) at a later stage of the proceedings. He was sure his fellow townsmen were all exceedingly pleased the Union had selected Cheltenham for their meeting. He hoped that the town would in no way disappoint them, and that they would not look back with regret on their visit. Dr. Wricut, F.R.S., President of the Union and President of the Cheltenham Natural Science Society, whose name was coupled with the second toast, responded, and, after thanking the Chairman for his hospitality, pointed out briefly but forcibly and gracefully the advan- tages of such annual gatherings of Naturalists as that which had brought the company together from so many different counties. He concluded by proposing the health of “The Host,” which was received with great cordiality—Mr. Aca-Garpner acknowledged the toast, and proposed the healths of ‘“ the local Honorary Secretaries,” (Colonel Basevi and Dr. W. R. Smith,) who both briefly responded, the latter concluding his remarks by proposing the ‘‘ Corporation of Cheltenham,” which the Mayor (Alderman Nash Skillicorne) acknow- ledged. The Council meeting was then resumed, and was so protracted that the commencement of the Annual Meeting was greatly delayed. The business of the Council not being finished at four o’clock, the meeting was again adjourned until after the Annual Meeting. THE ANNUAL MEETING. A large number of members attended, including most of those named above, and many others. The President of the Union (Dr. Wright, F.R.S.) occupied the chair, and commenced the proceed- ings by reading the Address, printed in full at pages 145 to 159 of the “Midland Naturalist ” for July. It was unanimously resolved, on the motion of Professor West- woop, (Oxford,) ‘‘ That the thanks of this meeting be given to the President (Dr. Thomas Wright, F.R.S.) for the able address now read, and that it be printed in the ‘ Midland Naturalist.’ ” In consequence of indisposition, Dr. Wright then vacated the chair, which was taken by Mr. Edmund Tonks, B.C.L., (an ex-Presi- dent of the Union,) and the formal business of the meeting was then transacted. Mr. Epwarp W. Banerr, one of the Honorary Secretaries, having read the minutes of the last annual meeting, held at Northampton, June 17th, 1880, it was resolved :— (1.) ‘‘ That the minutes be confirmed and signed.” Mr. Bancer then read THE COUNCIL’S REPORT. The suggestion made by Mr. W. Jerome Harrison, F.G.S., at the last Annual Meeting that the Union should ‘ offer a Gold Medal annually for some subject connected with the Natural History of the Midlands,” was by resolution referred ‘‘to the Management Committee, with power to carry it into effect if they think fit.” The Management Com- mittee having devoted considerable thought and attention to the subject, ultimately worked out the details of a scheme for encouraging original research by Members of the Societies in the Union, which they communicated to all the Societies on the 30th of July last, As ANNUAL MEETING—GENERAL BUSINESS. 175 the Members are familiar with the details it is unnecessary for your Council to do more on this occasion than to put on record that the Committee decided to offer a prize annually, of the value of £10,to be ealled by the permission—very cordially granted—of Mr. Charles Dar- win, F.R.S., ‘The Darwin Prize,’ fora paper indicating Original Research upon a Subject within the scope of your Societies, contributed by a Member for publication in the ‘‘ Midland Naturalist” that Geology was selected as the subject for 1881; that contributions should be sent in on or before the 3lst March last; and that a Committee of five should be chosen to adjudicate the prize, and declare the adjudication at the Annual Meeting. The Committee of Adjudicators consisted of Dr. THos. Wricut, F.R.S. Rev. Gro. Deane, D.Sc., M.A., F.G.S. Professor Cuartes Lapwortu, F.G.S. Mr. J. J. Harris Traut, M.A., F.G.S., and Mr. W. Jerome Harrison, F.G.S., the last named gentleman being requested to act as Secretary to the Committee. Your Council have received from Mr. Harrison the following report :— “REPORT OF THE ADJUDICATORS. (DRAWN UP BY THE SECRETARY, W. JEROME HARRISON, F.G.S.) “Having very carefully considered the papers laid before them, the adjudicators have come to the decision, by a majority of four to one, that the paper by Edward Wilson, Esq., F.G.S., of Nottingham, on ‘The Permian Formation in the North-east of England, with special reference to the physical conditions under which these rocks were formed,’* is deserving of the Darwin Medal for 1881, and they recommend that to Mr. Wilson the medal should be awarded. ‘Tn Mr. Wilson’s paper a full and admirably drawn up summary of our knowledge respecting an entire geological formation is presented to us; the materials are marshalled in a masterly manner, and the conclusions arrived at in a natural, clear, and definite way. But in addition, much of the evidence cited by the author is the result of his own original investigation, carried on for many years in the district to which he refers, and involving the application of almost every method of geological inquiry. “The Adjudicators also note two other short but valuable papers by Mr. Wilson, on (1) ‘ Fossil Fish Remains from the Carboniferous Limestone of South Derbyshire,’+ and (2) ‘The Occurrence of Foraminifera in the Carboniferous Limestone of Derbyshire.’ t ** June 13th, 1881.” Your Council have pleasure in stating that, in accordance with this Report, they have awarded the Darwin Medal to Mr. Wilson, and congratulate that gentleman on his success. The subjects for ‘‘ The Darwin Prize’ forthe two years ensuing are, in 1882 Biology ; in 1883 Archeology. The ex-President of the Union, Sir Herewald Wake, Bart., on the 28th July last, authorised the Honorary Secretaries of the Union to offer in his name a Prize of Books, of the value of £5, for ‘“‘ the best Original Essay on the Life History of any one genus of Insects indige- nous to the Midland Counties, written by a Member of one of the Societies in the Union.”” Your Council regret they have to announce that Sir Herewald Wake has received no response to his generous * Mid. Nat. vol. iv., P. 97, &c. + Mid. Nat. vol. ili., p. 172, } Mid, Nat, vol. lii., p. 220, GENERAL BUSINESS. 176 ANNUAL MEETING offer; but they are authorised to state that the offer is renewed for another year on the same terms as before, and they trust some of the many able Entomologists in the Union will worthily win the ex- President’s prize before the next Annual Meeting. ; During the year the following Societies have expressed a wish to join the Union, and your Council have to-day admitted them, namely, The Banburyshire Natural History Society, The Birmingham Micros- copists’ and Naturalists’ Union, The Nottingham Working Men’s Naturalists’ Society, and The Oxfordshire Natural History Society. The only other change in the constitution of the Union during the year is the withdrawal of The Small Heath Literary and Scientific Society. ; ty With the object of extending the usefulness of the Union by facili- tating communications between the Societies of which it consists, your Council have collected some information relating to the Societies, and their Officers, which they feel assured will serve the purpose they have had in view. [These particulars will be printed in full in future numbers of the “Midland Naturalist.” | In forwarding the series of questions to the various Societies which have elicited this information, a request was made by your Council for practical suggestions for increasing the usefulness of the Midland Union ; to which the following responses have been made. One Secretary writes:—‘‘ There seems to be a great want of reciprocity among the Members of the Union. A list of scientists who would be willing to visit and read papers before Societies other than their own might increase the usefulness of the Union, and add to the friendly intercourse of one Society with another—not paid lecturers, but those members who make Science their hobby, and are able and willing to enlighten the ignorance of their neighbours for the love of the cause.” Another Secretary writes :—‘‘ I think it would be worth while for all the Societies in the Union to exchange copies of their several Annual Reports or Transactions, as they appear from time to time; by so doing they would do much to promote the advancement of knowledge and of work in the Midlands. It is often of great import- ance to know something about the Natural History of other localities, to help the drawing of conclusions, and as some guide to the work of tracing the extent of any object; and this information is not usually found in Books of Natural History. Writers of papers, too, would not then be writing for the people of their own district only, but for the wider area of the Midland Counties at least. Valuable papers get printed, year after year, which we have never seen, and scarcely heard of, and yet the Societies that have published them are in the Midland Union. It is of the highest importance in working out the Natural History of the Midlands that each Society should possess the means of correlating their observations with the observations of the other Societies, and this can best be done by the distribution of each other’s papers as they are published.” This suggestion is made by another Secretary :—“ That the Union should offer more prizes for treatises of a more elementary kind than those for which the Darwin Prize is awarded, and to Members less than a certain age, say 23 or 25.” A fourth suggestion is:—‘‘ That the Annual Meeting of the Union, if held earlier in the week than Thursday, would be more generally convenient to many Members,” ANNUAL MEETING—GENERAL BUSINESS. Vy One Secretary makes this practical suggestion :—‘‘ That the Societies in the Union should all be urged to make the Annual Meeting of the Union one of their own fixtures, so as toensure a larger attendance. This would have been done by my Society on the present occasion, but the matter was unfortunately overlooked till too late.” This suggestion has also been made :—‘‘ That Sectional Meetings for practical work should be held during the year by groups of neighbour- ing Societies, who might in this way render valuable help to each other.” The lastsuggestion the Council have to bring before your notice is the following :—‘‘ The Council of the Midland Union are no doubt aware that the Railway Companies issue return tickets to members of Fishing Clubs to various places at single fares. The Committee of my Society have made application to the Midland, London and North- Western, and Great Western Railway Companies for the same privilege, but have not been successful in any case. They therefore suggest that an application be made by the Council with such influential support as they may be able tocommand. As the privilege is granted to even single members of Fishing Clubs, it would be a great boon if members of Natural History Societies were able to follow their pursuits with the like advantages.” Reference was made in the last Report to the Science College munificently founded at Birmingham, and endowed by Sir Josiah Mason, Kt., then nearly completed. The College was opened on the 1st of October last, the Inaugural Address being delivered by Professor Huxley, F.R.S., the benevolent founder being present on the interest- ing occasion. The cost of the site and of the landed property with which it was endowed (yielding an annual income of about £3,700) was £110,000, and the cost of the College and the furnishing was £60,000 more. The opening of this Science College in the heart of the Midland Counties is of so much importance and interest to most of the Members of this Union, that your Council felt it would gratify many who are assembled at this meeting to have some particulars of the progress it has already made; and by the courtesy of the Chair- man of the Trustees they are enabled to state that During the Ist term there were 52 students. 3 2nd ” 22 BME ” 3rd ” 74 ” The present Professors are as follows :— Mathematics —M. J. M. Hill, M.A. Lond., B.A. Cantab., Fellow of Univ. Coll., London. Physics.—J. H. Poynting, M.A. Cantab., B.Sc. London, late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. Chemistry.—W. A. Tilden, D.Se. Lond., F.R.S. Biology.—T. W. Bridge, M.A. Cantab., F.L.8. But in October next additional Professors, recently appointed, will commence their Lectures as follows :— Physiology.—J. B. Haycraft, M.B. Geology and Mineralogy.—Charles Lapworth, F.G.S. Civil and Mechanical Engineering.—Robert H. Smith. Latin and Greek.—N. Bodington, M.A. Oxon. English Language and Literature—Edward Arber, F.S.A., Hon. Fellow of King’s Coll., London. French.—Mons. Eugene Joel. German.—Dr. Karl Dammann. In order to render the College available to those who are occupied by business avocations during the day, cheap Evening Lectures were 178 ANNUAL MEETING—-GENERAL BUSINESS. given from January to April last, the attendance of Students at which was as follows :-— Lectures on Elementary Physiology, 28. (Prof. Bridge.) - Fuel 49. (Prof. Tilden.) 3 Magnetism and Electricity 29. (Prof. Poynting.) Your Council is glad to be able to announce that it is intended to continue these Lectures, which, so far, have been experimental, it being proposed that they shall run side by side with the day Lectures during the Session. Other subjects than those above stated may be lectured on by the present professors, in addition to those by the additional staff. Mr. W. Jerome Harrison, F.G.S., a Member of the Union, and one of the editors of the ‘‘ Midland Naturalist,” whose appointment as Demonstrator of Science to the Birmingham Board Schools was mentioned in your Council’s last report, is now successfully engaged in giving experimental lessons on science to 1,200 children attending the Birmingham Board Schools; Mechanics, or rather Elementary Natural Philosophy, is taught to the boys in the fifth and higher standards, and Domestic Economy to the girls; the latter subject being considered as the application of Chemistry and Physiology to the explanation of the phenomena of home life. These lessons are most popular with the children, and the Board is building a lecture-room and laboratory as a permanent centre for the work, and has lately resolved to appoint a First Assistant Demonstrator. At the same time the instruction in science of a large number of pupil-teachers is carried on in connection with the Science and Art department; a plan too is being matured by which the advantage of special courses of instruction at the Mason Science College will be offered to the adult teachers. Your Council gladly give publicity to these interesting particulars. Invitations for next year’s Meeting of the Union have been received from the Nottingham Literary and Philosophical Society, and the Nottingham Naturalists’ Society, and your Council reeommend that the Annual Meeting for 1882 be held at Nottingham, and that Mr. A. H. Scott-White, B. Sc., B.A., etc., be appointed one of your Honorary Secretaries. It will be necessary also to appoint another Honorary Secretary in place of Mr. Badger, who declines to be re-elected in consequence of increasing engagements. Mr. Badger has served the Union from its commencement to the present time. The arrangements for the present meeting are so satisfactory that your Council feel they cannot too heartily express their approval or too warmly thank the gentlemen on whom the great labour of making them has devolved. It was then unanimously resolved :— (2) ‘* That the Council’s report be received, adopted, entered on the minutes, and printed in the ‘ Midland Naturalist.’ ” (3) ‘That the Annual Meeting of the Union, in 1882, be held at Nottingham.” Mr. Easert D. Hamer, the Treasurer, next read his statement of accounts, from which it appeared that the total receipts from 1878 to 1881 inclusive, had been £83 15s. 7d., (including £4 13s. 6d. special subscriptions to the Darwin Medal Die Fund.) and the total payments £45 19s. 9d., leaving a balance of £37 15s. 10d. in hand, and a small sum to be collected from societies in arrear, out of which the current year’s expenses, the cost of the dies for the Darwin Medal, and the Darwin Prize would have to be paid. It was resolved, (4) ‘‘ That the Treasurer’s accounts be received, adopted, and entered on the minutes.” ANNUAL MEETING——-GENERAL BUSINESS. 179 The following resolutions were also unanimously agreed to :— (5) “That the Thanks of this Meeting be given to Sir Herewald Wake, Bart., for his kindness in offering an Entomological Prize in the past year, and for renewing the offer for the coming vear.” (6) ‘‘ That the Thanks of this Meeting be given to the Officers for their services during the past year.” (7) “That Mr. E. D. Hamel be re-elected Treasurer, and that Mr. A. H. Scott-White, B.Sc., B.A., &c., and Mr. W. J. Harrison, F.G.S., be elected Hon. Secretaries.” (8) ‘‘ That the best Thanks of this Meeting be given to the Officers and Members of the Cheltenham Natural Science Society for the admirable arrangements they have made for the present gathering.” (9) ‘*‘ That the Thanks of this Meeting be given to Mr. Edmund Tonks, B.C.L., for his able and courteous conduct in the chair.” The meeting of the Council was subsequently resumed, and the necessary business of the Union was transacted, including the appoint- ment of the Management Committee, consisting of the following gentlemen :— The President (Dr. Thomas Wright, F.R.S.,) the President elect, the Editors of the ‘‘ Midland Naturalist,” the Hon. Secs. of the Union, the Hon. Treasurer, Mr. F. T. Mott, F.R.G.S., Mr. E Tonks, B.C.L., Rev. Dr. Deane, Rev. H. W. Crosskey, F.G.S., Mr. A. W. Wills, Mr. Lawson Tait, Mr. W. R. Hughes, F.L.S., Mr. H. Pearce, F.L.S., Mr. W. B. Grove, B.A., Mr. James E. Bagnall, Mr. J. J. H. Teall, M.A., Mr. Edwin Smith, M.A., and Mr. B. Sturges Dodd. “THE CONVERSAZIONE. Tx the evening, at the Assembly Rooms, there was one of the best enter- tainments of its kind held in the town for many years, and the display of so valuable and interesting a collection of treasures, in various departments of Arts and Sciences, could hardly fail to suggest a regret that a permanent or at least more frequent opportunity of such dis- plays is not afforded in a town so richly endowed as Cheltenham. The whole suite of rooms was occupied. The vestibule had been fitted up as a reception room, under the direction of Messrs. Shirer and Haddon, who, both here and in the large room, showed some fine specimens of antique furniture and pottery, and made other appropriate additions to the decoration of the rooms. A number of foliage and flowering plants were also lent by Mr. Cypher, free of charge, and added much to the general effect. A room was set apart to microscopes, and other objects and instruments interesting to microscopists. The exhibitors in this class included the Rev. E. Cornford, Dr. Wilson, (who showed speci- mens of micro-photography,) Mr. Wethered, Mr. Potts, Mr. Morley, Col. Basevi, Dr. Partridge, Mr. Filliott, Mr. J. Rodgers, Mr. Musgrave, and Mr. E.D. Hamel. Some of these gentlemen were in constant attend- ance, and fine specimens of hydrozoa and other living objects were shown during the evening. Mr. Wheeler (London) also showed a large collection of microscopic objects. The microscopical display was a good and varied one, but inferior in extent to that made at former meetings of the Union, a matter of great regret, and which we hope to see remedied at all future meetings. Members of the societies owe it to the local committees to help them as much as possible; and the Cheltenham Society did not receive nearly so much help from distant societies as it deserved, for it did its part most admirably, and with a lavish expenditure of time, thought, and money which could not have been surpassed. 180 THE CONVERSAZIONE. In an adjoining room Mr. Matthews, Mr. Fisher, (Stroud,) and Dr. Maier gave practical expositions of the wonders of the microphone and spectroscope, and experiments in colours, with electric discharges, in Crooke’s and other vacuum tubes. It would be impossible to men- tion in detail the various objects contained in the large room. Among the more popular sources of amusement was the telephone, shown under the management of Mr. Holst, connecting the ball room with that in which the microscopes were shown, and by means of which an animated conversation was kept up. In Archeology, Mr. J. Middleton, Mr. Bowle Evans, and Mr. G. B. Witts were exhibitors, the latter showing an interesting series of flint implements collected on the Cotteswolds. Colonel Smythe contributed from the wonderful store of Indian and Moorish treasures he is known to possess a very interesting collection, including old jewellery and Indian fetishes and gods. Mr. J. O. Smith showed several cases of coins and tokens of all ages, and a most interesting case of local relics, including an old sacrificial knife, nearly unique in this country, and which was found some years ago near Stroud. Its blade is rimmed and inlaid with gold, and the bone handle is wound round with gold wire. In Botany, Major Barnard exhibited a fine collection of living plants from near Cheltenham, which deservedly attracted great attention; some models of edible fungi were shown by Mr. H. W. Marsden, of Gloucester, and a collec- tion of algee by Mr. Dodd, of Nottingham. In Conchology, Mr. J. T. Marshall filled a large table with selections from a collection known as one of the finest in the country ; they proved one of the most popular contributions to the exhibition. Near these was a hamper of edible snails, (Helix pomatia,) sent by Mr. Jenkins, of Leckhampton, who also sent a pair of large fresh water shells found in the neighbourhood, and in the Geological section a good series of fossils from the lias and oolite formations. In Entomology and Ornithology Mr. H. W. Marsden, of Gloucester, was the largest contributor. He sent a fine case of exotic lepidoptera and larvee, and a well-arranged collection of British butter- flies; a remarkable case of birds and nests, and an instructive series of birds’ eggs. The Rev. J. A. Carr (Shipton) also was an important exhibitor in both departments, his contributions being confined to specimens of rare insects and birds found in his own neighbourhood, and therefore very interesting to local visitors. Mr. E. Mockler, Dr. Pullar, (whose collection was very fine,) and Mr. T. White each gave valuable aid to a remarkably good department. The Geological speci- mens included echinoderms and brachiopods from the lower oolites ; coral rock from the lower coral reef of the Cotteswolds, the finest Nautilus striatus known ; and a fine specimen of Stromopora concentrica from the Wenlock limestone. The valuable collections of Dr. Wright and of the College Museum (through the kindness of Mr. C. Pierson) were largely drawn on in this division. Mr. F. D. Longe and Mr. Pearce (Stourbridge) were among the other exhibitors. In Physiology, Dr. Robert Smith contributed a valuable collection of apparatus. Among the miscellaneous articles exhibited Herr Jung showed some fine specimens of amber, exhibiting a small but perfect intrusion of the fly, under the microscope. altered) Tdeswollalcs Sulphur (Said to have been found in old) @Gastlaton! ** | mine DIVISION II. Compounds of the Arsenoide and Thionide Elements. Arsenides. Sulphides. Common. Fine cubes in Lime- | stone and Coal, also pyramids in Shale and Coal, also con- cretionary forms (Common, fine crystals often in| Castleton, ** | Limestone, Shale, and Coal ..j Staveley, &c. Chaleopyrites .. Mining districts in Limestone .. Matlock, &c. Common in the Carb. Limestone,\ Matlock, often in fine crystals; also| Castleton, found occasionally in Coal{ Winster, Measures &e., &e. ; a Matlock, Crom- ) yy Iron Pyrites .. | General. Marcasite Galena .. Common. Occasionally Sind Blende .. ye in Clay Ironstone nodules in Coal Measures .. ford, Winster, Ashover, &c. Castleton. Zine and Iron ) Enjcad Vessel. sy. .. + Matlock, &c. Marmatite .. { 184 THE MINERALS OF THE MIDLANDS. DIVISION III. Compounds of the Halogen Elements. Fluorides. (Common in the veins in Lime-) Matlock, Castle- stone. Colours, white, yellow,- ton, Winster, blue, &e. .. : ‘) Ashover, &c. ; { Concretionary nodules and veins ) Gantlaten { in Limestone var.Earthy .. Dark blue, very small crystals. . Cromford, &c. DIVISION IV. Compounds of Oxygen. Fluor Spar var. Blue John. Oxides. Limonite .. {In the Limestone tract . | | Anaaet beg In Toadstone, Pere Matlock, Limestone. Generall Srovent Ashover, Hematite y | as a stain in the grits, sand-{ Castleton, stone, &c. Miller’s Dale, &c. ( : Matlock,Ashover, Magnetite He aes ene otoncant (Doterite) | Miller’s Dale, I VEPES ms “| Winster, &c. Lead Matlockite (oxy - chloride : | Cromford. of Pb) Matlock, Win- Manganese, Wad. [Common, noe Often as | ster, Tideswell, { ; ; “| Hartington,&c. (Oxystais: Occasionally large in) Matlock,Buxton, | Toadstone; also found in in) Ashover, Quartz _ Carb. Limestone. Present as- Castleton, | pebbles and grains in sands,| Kinderscout, grits, shales, clay, &e. - Derby, &c., &c. Chalcedony .. Occasionally in Toadstone .. Matlock. Jasper .. -- Ditto ie .. Matlock, &. ae : ne in the Carb. Lime- i Goneral Flint .. .. In the Drift Gravels ce .. §. Derbyshire. Carbonates. Aragonite (Matlock, Ash- (over, Chellaston. { ( (aire, as veins in vo Matlock, Ashover, Castleton. district, often finely crystal Gaicite: .. | lised, and in the Dolerites as a secondary product, and in| 47-7). cavities in red Tronstone pee —_—s nodules .. 5 a rf Common about springs it in Lime- et Matlock, Cale Tuff ( stone districts .. ahd .) Miller’s Dale, &c. i: i : { Matlock, Stalactitic ae bt Caves .. ae be ‘+ | Castleton. Common in Coal Measures =| Be | Clay Ironstone, concretionary | E. Derbyshire, Chalybite : | nodules and bands, sometimes| Matlock, &e. sparry ; alsoin Limestone .. ; ) : { Matlock, Malachite oy Earthy, and stains + -* | Middleton, ce. Azurite, v. Chessylite }j Cerussite Cromfordite Calamine Aurichalcite Dolomite Silicates. Orthoclase Sanidine Kaolin .. Labradorite Mica Biotite Hornblende Ene Augite Viridite . Olivine .. Chlorite Clay Smithsonite var. with . 4 Connected with the Lead Veins 2 | In the Lead veins ) THE MINERALS OF THE MIDLANDS. 185 | With Malachite .. Ditto. Matlock, Stone also { Middleton, Ash. over, Eyam. Cromford. Matlock, Ash- over, Cromford, ; Wirksworth, ( Castleton, &c. Matlock. ) Often finely crystallised ; acicular .. Mnurio-Carbonate of fad Eastern boun- { Goncealty as rock masses, either] dary of Derby- Jj original or products of} shire, Whit- stone Matlock, Wirksworth. sh alterations of Carb. | well, Bolsover, (Found as a constituent in some , of the grits, also as rolled; ) Grit districts. { pebbles .. ae al Drifts of South Derbyshire. Rolled pebbles : Drifts of S. Derb. Said to occur in Potholes Hartington. .. {Constituents of the Dolerites . _ { Limestone dis- Coal Measures, -In grits, sandstones, shales Grit country of Matlock, Ash- aver, Cromford, aN oe East Derby 4 and North ditto. In the Dolerites .. ° Ditto oe - a ..| Matlock, Miller’s Ditto ae - ae P ee ,Castleton, Ditto - Sc ° . Ditto . sc eh ) : imestone dis- . -In the Dolerites i ict. Beds of various ages General. | Said to have been found.. sa ee (?) Cadmium | { Sulphates. ( f Eyam, Matlock, Anglesite . / Fine crystals in the Lead veins. Cromford, Wirksworth, &e. Witherite Occasional. In Lead veins Matlock, &c. Stalactitic.. . Large masses often found Youlgrave. ) ( Matlock, Castle- Massive . - Inconnection withthe Lead veins- ton,Wirksworth, j { Ashover, &c. Epsomite .. | Efflorescences on walls, &e. .. { ers as Gypsum .. Massive, thick beds sis -- Chellaston. » var. Satin ) Fib Chellaston, Spar coon e Matlock. + Selenite se » Anhydrite., ae a2 es at -. Chellaston. oe os a as es Chellaston, 186 THE MINERALS OF THE MIDLANDS. Phosphates. ( Matlock, Pyromorphite - Small crystals in Lead veins ..- Bonsall, | Brassington, &c. Arseniates. Tamarite, with Malachite. Rare ee re .. Matlock. DIVISION Y. Hydrocarbons. Bitumen In some of the shales of Car-) Castleton, Stony :Patroleanit | boniferous Limestone and; Middleton, kg ; ( Yoredale Rocks.. 3 ae Cromford, &c. 5, » BHlaterite.. Elastic Bitumen. Rare.. .. Castleton. A cohullGain (Rods in Elaterite; also filling) Castleton, i daca | cavities in fossils, &e. .. ..) Ashover, &ce. : (In Coal Measures; also in Car-) East Derbyshire, 7 iy BlackCoal | boniferous Limestone .. ..) Combe’s Dale. ( | Clay Cross, » » Cannel .. - .. 4 Pinxton, { Walton, &c. Mr. Rooke Pennington, LL.B., F.G.S., in a recent letter to me gives also names of Minerals from Derbyshire. These are, however, included in the lists of Mr. Stokes and Mr. Mello. MIGRATORY BIRDS. NOTICE OF THE ARRIVAL OF MIGRATORY BIRDS IN NORTH OXON. IN THE SPRING OF 1881, WITH NOTES. The first migrant I observed this year was on March 29th—a fine male Wheatear. It was singing from the top of a tall hedge when I first saw it, but soon went off on the fallow. This bird is by no means common here, and only visits us in early spring, and again in Septem- ber. The next day I examined at Wyatt’s, the Banbury bird-stuffer, a Spotted Crake, which was killed by flying against the telegraph wires at Banbury, on the 14th. This is also a spring and autumn migrant; it is, however, believed to have bred on the Cherwell. The date was, I believe, rather an early one. I did not hear the Chiffchaff till April 9th—very late—since then they have been plentiful, and are still in song. Willow Wrens appeared on the 18th. This is a very common species with us; I saw hard set eggs on May 23rd. Three Swallows were seen at Bodicote flying round some apple trees on the 17th, and on the same day I heard the Wryneck. On the 18th I noticed five or six Redstarts, they had evidently just arrived; also a Common Whitethroat. The Cuckoo was heard on the 23rd, about the average date. A Whinchat, I an told, was seen at the brick-pits, near Banbury, on the 25th. 67 , Rock Salt 99 say) See eer Tere | POGLD) oo. ncswenunnubekacewnegu penne eenee Gypsum, Rock Salt, an arls, : s i including 14ft. of Rock Salt... J 27 | Limestone with Rock Salt ............ 7 1,269 1,311 Prof. Ramsay (b) quotes the former of these sections as evidence of the occurrence of beds of Rock Salt in the Permian series of this country. I suppose Prof. Ramsay has satisfied himself of the Permian (a) See Synopsis of the Geology of Durham and part of Northumberland, by Messr. Rd. Howse and J. W. Kirkby, 1863, to whom I am chiefly indebted for the information here given. (bv) Presidential Address to British Association, 1880, by A. C, Ramsay, LL.D,, F.R.5, THE PERMIAN FORMATION. 189 character of the ‘‘ Dolomitic Limestone,” from actual examination of the cores, and that we may accept his statement on this point. Not having seen these cores myself, I cannot express a decided opinion thereon. 4 priori, however, there would appear to be a much greater probability of these beds of Rock Salt, Gypsum, and (?) Limestone, belonging to the overlying Salt bearing and Gypsiferous Keuper Marls than to the Permian Rocks. In South Yorkshire the Magnesian Limestone consists of the foilow- ing subdivisions :—/a) Lower Magnesian Limestone consisting of :— I.—Lower Limestone.—Light coloured, thick or thin bedded, oolitic or crystalline Limestone with thin marl partings, occasionally ripple marked. Mr. Kirkby describes thirty-one species of fossils from these beds. The fewness of the species is, to a certain extent, made up by number of individuals. Some of the beds are almost entirely composed of comminuted polyzoa. Only eleven of the thirty-one species or one- third are common to the compact Limestone (the lowest division of the Magnesian Limestone) of Durham, though all the species but two of this Lower Limestone of Yorkshire are found in the middle division (viz., the Shell Limestone) in Durham. Estimated thickness, 120ft. Il.—Small Grained Dolomite.—Light coloured crystalline or compact Limestone, with thin clay partings, irregularly stratified and apparently extensively false bedded. This rock is practically wumnfossiliferous. Estimated thickness, 200ft. It comes above the Lower Limestone. Middle Marls.—Variously coloured marls, and soft sandstones, with thin seams of gypsum. These marls are very fluctuating in their dis- tribution. According to Sedgwick they have not been found in the Magnesian Limestone north of the Wharfe; and south of that river they are also sometimes absent, in which case the Upper Limestone (Brotherton Beds) rest directly on the Lower Magnesian Limestone, as for instance, in the neighbourhood of Tadcaster. (b) Thickness, 50ft. to 30ft. or less. Upper Limestone or Brotherton Beds.—Thinly bedded Limestones, white or grey, red or yellow in colour, containing little or no magnesia, and with thin marl partings, containing ripple marks and sun cracks. The fossils are limited to a very few species, viz., Myalina Hausmanni, Axinus dubius, and Acanthocladia anceps. Thickness, 30ft. to 120ft. Upper Permian Marls.—This is a thin and fluctuating deposit in Yorkshire. It consists of beds of similar lithological character to the Middle Marls. It has but a small surface extension, being very generally overlapped by Triassic Rocks. Its maximum known thickness is 50ft (a) Notes on the Permian Rocks of South Yorkshire, and on their paleonto- logical relations, by J. W. Kirkby. Q.J.G.S., vol. xvii., p. 287. (b) The Permian and Triassic Rocks about Tadcaster. Mem. Geol. Survey see Map 93 S.W. 190 THE PERMIAN FORMATION. In Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire the Magnesian Limestone series consist of the following subdivisions :—/(a ) Lower Magnesian Limestone.—The rocks of this series vary much in character. Some of the beds are of a pale yellow colour and coarsely crystalline; others are white or reddish and finely grained, flaggy or thick bedded, sometimes false bedded, occasionally cherty or pseudo- brecciated. Ordinarily this rock is a true dolomite. Sometimes, how- ever, it contains a large amount of sedimentary material in the form of sand, seams of micaceous marl, and even bands of grit and con- glomerate. I observe that this feature is more especially characteristic of the formation in its westerly limits. At Mansfield, this rock locally loses its character of a true dolomite, and becomes intermixed with siliceous particles in proportions up to fifty per cent. This arenaceous dolomite yields the valuable and well known white and red ‘‘ Sandstones” of Mansfield. These sandstones probably occur as large lenticular masses, 60ft. thick or more at their maximum, surrounded on all sides by dolomitic Limestone. At Shireoaks Colliery, on the northern borders of the county, the Lower Limestone proved to be 56ft. in thickness; between Worksop and Mansfield the thickness of the Limestone is not certainly known, but appears to lie between 70ft. and 80ft; 65ft. were passed through in Langwith Colliery, and from 50ft. to 60ft. of this rock are exposed in the craggy sides of the picturesque ravines, known as Creswell Crags; south of Mansfield,in the Leen valley district, the Lower Limestone has an average thickness of about 30ft., e.g., at New Watnall Colliery it was only 23ft.; at Kimberley, Hempshill, and Newcastle Collieries, 27ft.; and at Cinderhill and Bestwood Collieries, 30ft. The Lower Magnesian Limestone dies out along a line drawn from Radford to Strelley to the west of Nottingham. Along this line the Limestone consists of impure sandy and pebbly flagstones. At Bobber Mill (Radford) during the progress of the Leen Valley Sewage Works, I noticed the dying out Limestone gradually pass, in the last 200 yards of its range, from an ordinary crystalline yellow dolomite into a grit, and from this into a coarsely brecciated rock, an evident marginal deposit. The Lower Magnesian Limestone at its southern termination is evidently very much attenuated, apparently owing, not to subsequent denudation, but to the coal measures rising up from beneath the Limestone to form aland margin on the south. Hence the Limestone forms no escarpment along its south boundary. As a rule this rock is destitute of visible traces of organic remains, and when these do occur they are confined to a few thin beds, and are generally in the form of hollow casts or moulds of a very few species of mollusca, chiefly Azinus and Myalina. At South Scarle the Lower Magnesian Limestone is a cream-coloured, fine-grained, fossiliferous Limestone, 26ft. in thickness. (a) Geology of parts of Notts and Deryshire. Mem. Geol. Survey., W. T. Aveline,F.G.S. Geology of the country around Nottingham. Ditto, 2nd Ed., 1880, THE PERMIAN FORMATION. 191 Middle Permian Marls.—Purplish red marls, with variable bands of hard calcareous and soft mottled sandstone, showing annelid tracks and ripple marks. Asa rule these beds are not more than 20ft. or 30ft. in thickness, but at Shireoaks Colliery 50ft. were passed through. The Middle Marls rest somewhat irregularly on the Lower Limestone, except where occasionally overlapped by the Lower Bunter Sand- stone, as for instance near Mansfield, these beds stretch as a narrow but continuous band through the county as far south as the Two Mile Houses west of Basford, near Nottingham. At South Scarle the Middle Permian Marls proyed to be no less than 140ft. in thickness. Upper Magnesian Limestone.—This rock only exists in a very attenuated form (20ft. or less) in North Notts, and dies out southwards near Worksop. It has the same lithological characters as in South Yorkshire, and contains similar fossil remains of a very few species of mollusca, viz., Myalina Hausmanni, Axinus truncatus, and A. Schlotheimi. At South Scarle this rock was 40ft. 61m. thick. Upper Permian Marls.—A series of red and variegated Marls, that are only found at one or twoplaces in North Notts, intervening between the Upper Magnesian Limestone and the New Red Sandstone. They appear to thicken out under the Triassic Rocks on the south-east, for some 80ft. or 100ft. of Marls, representing this series, were passed through in the South Scarle boring. To be continued. THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. AN ACCOUNT OF THE FLOWERING PLANTS AND FERNS OF THE COUNTY OF WARWICK. BY JAMES E. BAGNALL. (Continued from page 129.) CRUCIFER4 (continued.) NASTURTIUM. N. officinale, Brown. Water-cress. Native: In ponds, ditches, and streams. Common. June to August. Throughout the whole area. The var. Sii folium, Reich., I have collected near Knowle Railway Station, Bradnock’s Marsh, and near Billesley Hall. This does not seem to be more than a luxuriant state of var. a. N. sylvestre, Brown. Creeping Yellow Cress. Native: In ditches and pools. Rare. June. I. Sutton, Freeman, Phyt., i., 262; ‘°38, Warwickshire,” Bree, Cat. Top. Bot. I have never met with this plant in the county. J. palustre did occur in Sutton Park, and is not mentioned by Freeman; possibly mistaken for sylvestre, 192 THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. N. palustre, DC. Marsh Yellow Cress. Native : In wet places and near pools. Local. July. I. Rotton Park Reservoir, W. B. Grove. Shores of Coleshill Pool; Sutton Park, sparingly, 1876. II. (Sisymbrium terrestre,) in ditches, Oversley Mill, Purt., i., 307; Bag- ington Bridge, near the race stand, Perry, 1817; Shrewley Pool, muddy places in the Avon, Y. and B.; Fern Hill! Stone- leigh, Kenilworth! H. B.; moist meadows, Brown’s Over, Rugby, H. W. T.; Chadshunt, Kineton, Bolton King. N. amphibium, Brown. Great Yellow Cress. Native: In rivers, pools, and ditches. Locally common. June to August. I. Curdworth Bridge, Forge Mills, Marston Green, &e. II. Rowington Canal, Guy’s Cliff, Stratford-on-Avon, Binton, &c. Armoracia amphibia, Bab. Man. ARMORACIA. A. rusticana, Rupp. Horse-radish. Alien: On river banks and waste places. Rare in the pseudo-wild state. May, June. I. Old clay pits, near Erdington ; Water Orton, on banks near the village. II. Cochlearia Armoracia, on the River Arrow near Oversley Bridge! Purt.,i., 298; below Hatton-on-Avon, Y. and B.; osier beds, Guy’s Cliff; Myton; Hatton Rock, H. B. DRABA. D. verna, Linn. Whitlow Grass. Native: Walls, heathy waysides, &c. Locally common. March to May. I. Sutton Park, Coleshill Heath, Great Packington, Baddesley Clinton, &e. II, Whitnash! Chesterton! Y. and B.; Whatcote, Rev. J. Gorle ; Abbott’s Salford! Rev. J. C.; Harbury! Kingswood! &c. Var. b. brachycarpa. On thatched roofs and old walls. Rare. I. Abundant on the thatch of an old shed near Bedlams End, 1874. II. Old wall at Kenilworth, Dr. Baker; Lias walls, Harbury village, 1874. D. verna, var. inflata. Peaty grounds, the Pleasaunce, Kenilworth, Mrs. A. Russell, in Herb Carroll, Brit. Mus., 1874. ALYSSUM. A.incanum. Linn. Casual: In corn and other cultivated fields. Rare. June. I. Abundant in a cornfield, Boldmir, near Sutton, 1874; railway banks, Sutton Park, 1877. Il. In a field at Emscote, near Warwick. H. B. CAMELINA. C. sativa, Crantz. Gold oy Pleasure. Casual: On railway banks. Rare. June. Var. A. fatida, Fries. I. Railway banks, Sutton Park, 1877-78. Var. b. sylvestris. II. Cornfields near Fern Hill Wood, H. B. In both localities a plant of uncertain occurrence, THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. 193 THLASPI. T. arvense, Linn. Penny Cress. Colonist: On arable land and waysides in marly soils. Local. May, June. I. (Thlaspi Dioscorides,) Kingsbury, Ray. Cat., 1672; field by roadside leading from Meriden to Stonebridge, Freeman, Phyt. i., 262; waysides near Meriden Marsh, 1880. Il. Saltisford, Warwick, Perry; Alne Hills! Salford! Purt., i., 298; Harboro’ Magna, Rev. A. B.; Frankton, R. S. R., 1872; Chester- ton and Moreton Morrell, H. B.; Lighthorne, Bolton King ; Brandon, Offchurch, Birdingbury, Compton Verney, Bidford, Billesley. IBERIS, I, amara, Linn. Bitter Candy Tuft. Casual: On arable land. Rare. July. II. Field between Stratford and Bishopton, Herb. Perry ; in a ditch at Exhall, (near Coventry,) T. Kirk, Phyt., ii., 769. TEESDALIA. T, nudicaulis, Brown. Shepherd’s Cress. Native: On banks and heathy footways. Very rare. May. I. By the side of the road near Packington! Bot. Guide, li., 635; Oscott College Grounds, abundant! Rev. J. (.; between Pack- ington and Coleshill! Bree., Mag. Nat. Hist., tii., 165; Old Chester Road; banks, Marston Green. II. Sandstone rock, Milvercon, Perry ; Hill Morton Road, near Rugby, Bs 5 Ls CAPSELLA. C. Bursa-pastoris, DC. Shepherd’s Purse. Native: In fields, on banks, waysides, &c. Common. March to November. A very abundant and variable plant. Two well-marked forms occur ; (1) with entire leaves, (2) with pinnatifid leaves. Both equally common. LEPIDIUM. L. ruderale, Linn. Narrow-leaved Pepperwort. Denizen: In cultivated fields and waste places. Rare. June to September. II. Waste places at Knowle Hill, Kenilworth, introduced with skins, H. B.; in a rick-yard at Kenilworth. L. campestre, Brown. Mithridate Peppei wort. Native: In fields and on waysides. Rather common. June, July. I. Castle Bromwich, Ick. Anal., 1837; Sutton Park, Hartshill, Knowle, &c. II. Bidford, Salford, Billesley, Prince Thorpe, &c. Thinly but widely spread over the whole county. L. Smithii, Hook. Smooth Field Pepperwort. Native: On heathy waysides. Rare. June, July. I.Balsali Common, Tyler; near Sutton Park, W. B. Grove; thinly spread on heathy waysides from Coleshill to Atherstone. II. Abbott’s Salford, Rev. J. C. L. Draba, Linn. Whitlow Pepperwort. Casual: On the borders of fields. Very rare. June. I. Abundant on the border of a field near Bromford Forge, where it had been established for many years, 1878, 194 THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. SENEBIERA. §.Coronopus, Poir. Swine’s Cress. Native: On waysides and in fields. Locally common. June, July. I. Hampton-in-Arden, near Bradnock’s Marsh. II. Harboro’ Magna, Rev. A. B.; Burton Dassett, Y. and B.; Warwick Canal bank! H, B.; Abbott's Salford, Rev. J. C.; Ipsley ! S. J.Slatter, abundant; Blackwell, Honington, Treding- ton, Newb.; Princethorpe, Offchurch, Binton, Billesley, Cold- comfort. S. didyma, Pers., occurs as a garden weed about Myton, H. B.; but has no claim to a place in the flora. RESEDACEA., RESEDA. R. lutea, Linn. Wild Mignonette. Native: Waste ground and road sides. Rare. May. Tl. Near Rugby, Rev. A. B.; on the Leamington railway bank, near Rugby, R. S. R. A casual weed, having no claim to be considered as established in the county. R. Luteola, Linn. Weld, or Dyer’s Rocket. Native: Waste ground and road sides. Local. June to August. [. Hill near Sutton ; Knowle; railway banks, Sutton Park. II. Salford, Purt., i., 229; Tachbrook, Y. and B.; Emscote, Perry, Flo., p. 85; Shipston-on-Stour, road from Stratford! Newb. ; near Little Lawford Mill! R. S. R.; Chesterton, Bolton King ; borders of Oakley Wood; Edge Hill, near Radford, 1877; near Luddington; marly fields, near Bidford ; Banbury Road, near Stratford-on-Avon. R. suffruticulosa, Linn. Shrubby Mignonette. Casual: In arable land and waste places. Rare. July. II. Harboro’ Magna, Rev. A. B.; several specimens in a potato plot near Harboro’ Magna, R. S. R., 1874. ‘‘On the ground from which 8ft. or 10ft. of surface soil had been removed ac the new waterworks, Coventry,” 7. Kirk, Phyt., ii., 769. Var. b. alba is also found as a garden weed about Myton, H.B. Both these are mere remains or escapes from cultivation. CISTACE_A. HELIANTHEMUM. H, vulgare. Gaert. Rock Rose. Native: In woods and on banks, in marly and calcareous soils. Local. June to August. II. Between Warwick and Hatton, Perry, 1817; Chesterton! Full- brook, Y. and B.; Abbott’s Salford! Rev. J. C.; near Ches- terton wood, Bolton King; near Rosehall, Exhall; Oversley Wood; Wixford; Billesley. VIOLACE. VIOLA. V. palustris, Linn. Marsh Violet. Native: In marshes and bogs. Locally common. April to June. I. Bog at Coleshill Pool! Bree, Purt., ii, 415 : Hill Wood, near Sutton ; Sutton Park, very abundant; Trickley coppice and New park Middleton ; Plant’s brook, Minworth ; Coleshill pool and bog; bog at Hill Bickenhill. II. Allesley ; marshy places in Haywoods. The seeds are produced principally by the apetalous flowers which may be found as late as,October, ————— THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. 195 Wt Il. = II. . odorata, Linn. Sweet Violet. Native: In woods and on banks in old lanes. Locally common. February to April. Var. a. violacea. . Lane from Sutton to Middleton; lanes about Sheldon, Elmdon, Stonebridge, Knowle, Shirley Heath, Wishaw. Rowington, Sherbourne, Holywell, near Claverdon, Corley, &c. Var. b. lilacea. More rare. Leamington and Levenhall, Warwick, Herb., Perry; lane near Rowington Church. Var. c. alba. . Plant’s Brook, near Minworth. Saltisford, Warwick, Perry, F. C., p. 20; Barby Village, near Rugby, R. S. R.; lane near Rowington Church ; Holywell, near Claverdon. Probably native in some of the old lanes, but a mere escape in many other localities. hirta, Linn. Hairy Violet. Native: In woods and on banks, in marly and calcareous soils. Local. April, May. . Sheldon, 1835, Rev. J. Gorle; near Anstey, Rev. A. Blox. (MS. note in Purton’s Flora.) I have never seen it there, or in any district in the Tame Basin. Bidford! Birdingbury, Bree. Mag. Nat. Hist., iii., 163; Fosseway, Y. and B.; common at MHarboro’ Magna, Rev. A. B.; Honington, Tredington, Newb.; common about Chadshunt, Bolton King. Hatton Rock, near Hampton Lucy; lanes between Warwick and Sherbourne, near Kineton; abundant in Chesterton Wood, Drayton Bushes, and lanes between Exhall and Bidford. Var. alba, Chadshunt, Bolton King. A form approaching JV’. permixta occurs in a spinney near Stratford- on-Avon, in the Warwick Road. V. hirta is not recorded from the county by either Purton or Perry, although abundant in the districts worked by those botanists. V. sylvatica, Pries. Wood Violet. = Native: In woods, on banks and heathlands. Common. April to July. Var. a. Riviniana, Reich. Frequent throughout the county. A variety with pure white flowers on Bentley Heath, 1873. A form with large dark blue flowers and small leaves, probably V. flavicornis, Forst., is occasional on sandy heath, Sutton Park and Coleshill Heath. Var. b. Reichenbachiana. Borean. On banks and in woods, in marly and calcareous soils. Local. April to June. . Abundant in lanes between Arley and Fillongley; Soas wood, Il. Arbury ; lanes about Over Whitacre. Lane about Rowington ; Lapworth Street, abundant; abundant in coppice near Drayton Rough Moors; Chesterton Wood; lanes about Exhall and Wixford; Corley Ash. * canina, Auct. Dog Violet. Native: On heaths and heathy footways. Local. April, May. Var. b. flavicornis, Smith. . On heath land, Sutton Park, rather rare. Widely distributed over Il. Coleshill Heath. Milverton, Y. and B.; near Shipston-on-Stour, St. Dennis, Hon- ington. F. Townsend; Yarningale Common. 196 THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. A large form occurs on banks, Coleshill Heath, which may be V. intermedia. V. lactea, Em. Smith’s Dog Violet. Native: on heath lands. Very rare. II. Kersley Common, S. Kirk, Spec. in Herb., Perry. V. tricolor, Linn. Heartsease ; Field Pansy. Native: In cultivated fields, fallows and railway banks. Locally common. April to October. I. Railway banks, Sutton Park, fields at Boldmir, Coleshill Heath, &c. Il. (V. Pallouxii,) Honily and Myton, Y. and B.; Lighthorne, Bolton King; Drayton bushes, Billesley, &c. V. arvensis, Murr. Field Pansy. Native: In cultivated ground, on banks and fallow fields. Very common, and flowering from April to mid-winter. (To be continued. ) METEOROLOGY OF THE MIDL AWG THE WEATHER OF JUNE, 1881. BY CLEMENT L. WRAGGE, F.R.G.S., F.M.S., ETC. The anticyclone of May did not break up until June 3rd, hence bright settled weather and high temperature were the fea- tures of the first few days, the heat wave holding until the 4th. A trough came up quickly on the evening of that day, having its centre north-east of Great Britain, and, as secondary disturbances over ourislands accompanied it, the conditions of summer depressions (viz., a deep fall of temperature, heavy rain, and cloudy skies) became very marked. Some hail also fell. Exceptionally low temperature followed with the crest in the rear of this disturbance, 27:7° being registered on the ground at Marlborough on the 10th. Vegetation suffered much in consequence, especially in low-lying places. Thence, until the 20th, the oscillations of the barometer and thermometer were compara- tively slight. On that day, the second and last great depression of the month approached from the Atlantic, bringing very unsettled weather, with thunderstorms in some places, and more heavy rain. Two small disturbances followed, with showers, but the closing days were finer. In the Staffordshire moorlands the weather was generally cold and showery trom the 4th to the end, and it is wortby of notice that the temperature curye for Ben Nevis coincides almost exactly, allowing for the difference in altitude, with that for the moorlands district. Total duration of sunshine reported from Hodsock, 150 hours. Extreme values from radiation instruments, solar, 138-0, terrestriaJ, 26:1, at Burton and Leicester on the 3rd and 10th respectively. Ozone generally in abundance, the mean daily amountat Buxton being 7:1, and the full amount 10:0, was registered several times in the Churnet Valley. Mean sea temperature at Scarborough, 51°3°. The comet was well observed at many stations. Nores By Ossprvers. — Buxton.—Broom in flower on 8rd, horse-chestnut on 24th. Spondon.—Butterflies far more numerous in May than June; a large quantity of white clover bloom. Nottingham.—Hay crop late; wheat good and forward; barley very much improved towards end of month; oats not at all good. Uppingham.—W ebs of geometrical spider, 7th ; May-tly, 4th ; Rosa canina, ith; Orchis maculata, 8th; Malva sylvestris, 6th; Prunella vulgaris, 17th ; Spirea ulmaria, 24th; Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum, 10th; Potentilla anserina, 3rd. = THE WEATHER OF JUNE. 197 RAINFALL. | TEMPERATURE. Greatest fall|.~| Greatest ht. Greatest ed. STATION. OBSERVER. 3 = in 24 hours.| © >) - | eed A |——- o-a| In| In| Date. |4 =|Deg| Date. |Deg) Date. OUTPOST STATIONS. | Ben Nevis ...... ..../C. L. Wragge, Esq., F.M.S.} 12°83) 1°70 30 95 |67°2 215 8 Spital Cemetery, Garlisle ..|I. Cartmell, Esq. .. 68] BD. 17 | 75°8 3 804 9 Scarborough .............e0 F. Shaw, lsq., F.M. "15|16 & 20 | 16 | 7171 2 40° 10 Llandudno ............ Bitar J. Nicol, Esq., M.D., F.M.S.| 2°99) 1:02) 4 | 19 /72°9 2 404 8 ernnn. Cornwall. ....|Rev. J. Power, M.A. ......|4°18| °75) 21 | 11 |77°0/1&2 |840 9 Sidmouth....... demacknguooo .|W. F. Radford, Esq., M.D...| 3°67; °56 4 | 20 | 76% 1 375 8 Wintel? SSnnecococsen sessee5-|J. Codling, Hsq............| 1°99) °58 5 | 12 | 747 1 | 89:1) 9 MIDLAND STATIONS. | GLOUCESTERSHIRE. | Stroudio.se.. 5 ol Sada Coley Misalsteicicte alccicielete 8°15] 1:42] | 18 | 76:0] 2,8,4 |35:0 9 Cheltenham .. -|R. Tyrer, Esq.,B.A., F.M.S.) 2°32) °73] | 19 | 780] 3 815 9 | | | | WILTSHIRE. He we | Marlborough ......... ..seeee/Rev. T. A. Preston, M.A. ..| 2°29} -61) 5 | 15 | 782 3 |85°1] 10 | | | SHROPSHIRE, | | | | Woolstaston .......+- Felelelelels]| LROVa Hie} OMEN s\e(e\elclsisis'e oe+| 3°22) 55] 6 | 20 | 75:0 2 |38017 &8 SEORGSR Viner cidecc, cles es asle cc's M. De La Touche ........ 2:98) *42) 28 | 18 | 79:3) 2 | 3570 More Nectory, Bishop's Castle Rev. A.S. Male..... adouaon 3:03) * 17 18 | 76°00) 2&3 | 34 0} 8 &% CRVOIND LON csleslclsiciis'aislerie +.-|Rev. Wm. Elliot ..........| 8°83) °53) 6 &15 | 19 Dowles, near Bewdley ......|J. M. Downing, Esq. ...... 9°35) *33] 25 | 14 | 84:0 3 28°0 9 WORCESTERSHIRE. | | | | West Malvern .... ..-|A. H. Hartland, sq. ......| 2°71) 58 5 18 | 84:0 3 35°5 8 Evesham .. ../T. J. Slatter,@sq., F.G.S...| 2°28) °75 [5 19 | 78°3 Sate 9 Pedmore ........... ..|E. B. Marten, Esq. ........| 2°08) ‘27 56 | 18/610 3 33°0 5 Stourbridge ....... -.../Mr. I. Jefferies ............/ 2°22) °29 5 18 | 810 4 | 340 8 Dudley ......... Bai aioaduiscs (Mri Chepealolmuceneneceueas 219) 30] 22 | 17 | 72:0) 8 & 4 | 370 8 STAFFORDSHIRE. | | Dennis, Stourbridge ........ C. Webb, Esq...... Socdoaaca 2°23 15 20 | T--5} 1 | $45] s Kinver) cscs Se ireens|ReVaiWa, Eaaboltonen sane: 2.638 16 19 |79°0} 4 | 35:0 8 Walsall . Ss = Re wBest sq. .cceccnens | 2-42 5 7 | 42°0 1 39°0| 8 LIN ITV C11 CO ee .|J. P. Roberts, Esq. | 2°35) 5 | 19 | 88°0 1 37°0 8 Grammar School, Burton.. .../C. U. Lripp, Esq., M.A. ....| 2°27 17 16 | 81:0 1 340 8 NAOLEESIOY) re celsitieisiecte osisicloics E. Simpson, Esq.... 9°42) 24 =| 16 | 762 3 84°8 9 Heath ae near Cheadle..|J. C. Philips, Esq., J.P.. 2°40 22 © 20 | 75:8 1 368 9 Oakamoor .......... Mr. H. E. Kettle .......... 2°30 16 17 | 7671 2 32°83 9 Beacon Stoop.... -|Mr. James Hall |..........| 1°67 22 15 | 70°9 2 32°83 9 Alstonfield ..................|Rev. W. H. Purchas ....../ 3°10; ii 16 | 83°0 2 30°38 9 | | WARWICKSHIRE. . Henley-in-Arden ............|T. H. G. Newton, Esq.. 2°66) *56) 5 18 | 83° 1 35°0| 9 & 10 Park Hill, Kenilworth ....../T. G. Hawley, Esq. ‘| 1:97 50 5 | 18 | 781 369] 10 Coundon, Coventry ..........|Lieut.-Col. RK. Caldicot... -|2°17) -24) 10 | 17 | 80:0 3 40°0| 7,8, 9 Rugby School ......... «.-.-|Rev. T. N. Hutchinson ....| 3°75] 1°10! Wi 16 |780) 1&3 86°6 9 | DERBYSHIRE. | BGO Ge esis ciacls «.e-..|H. J. Sykes, Hsq., F.R.A.S.| 3°14] *50| 21 | 15 | 75: 2 84-4 9 Stony Middleton ............|/Rev. U. Smith ............|2'32| 39] 91 | 16|77°0) 1&2 | 85:0 8 Fernslope, Belper............|F.J. Jackson, Wsq. ......../231) 32) 16 | 16 | 760} 1&4 | 87-0 9 Spondon .................+../J. T. Barber, Esq. “30 5 | 16 | 660 810 Linacre Reservoir ...... ..../C, E. Jones, Esq. . 19] 16 & 17) 17 DWI!” GAeSeoedaoondBOOoUnG Noes Olay biogeapoadacas “37 IY ah NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, Park Hill. Nottingham......|H. F. Johnston, Esq 6 13 | 768) 1 39°] 8 Hodsock Priory, Worksop ..|H. Mellish, Esq., F.M.§ 21 | 18 | 78:0 1 35°3 8 PEN TUSSAON CM olaleiic iets ie\eiaicia’e1e.celaia\els Dies Dufty, Esq., F.G. 18 | 18 | 74:0) w 34:0 8 | | LEICESTERSHIRE. ee Loughborough ..............|W. Berridge, Esq.,F.M.S...! 188) “44! 6 18 | 82:2) 1 85°8 8 UVB BOM elelelelatels vicilsisialsisivicteloivicle J. Hames, Hsq: ........--+ 2°07) °Ga) 6 18 } 84°0) 2 35-0 9 Town Museum, Leicester....|M. Browne, Esq., F.Z.S. ..| 2°59} °67) 6 |16 79°0) 1 362 7 Ashby Magna...... Shonbate ..|Rev. Canon Willes ........| 1°84) °50 5 | 17 | 82°) 1 Waltham-le-Wold............|H. Ball, Esq. ........206++«| 2°53] °7 | 6 | 14 | 78:0) 2 34°0 8 Dalby Hall......... metatalel | Crate) OLLGH Se LUNE omistertersiercierets «-|214) 67) 6 | 16 | 90:0) 3 29°0 9 Coston Rectory, Melton...... Rev. A.M. Rendell........ 181 52) 6 | 16 | 762) 1 358 8 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. | | | Towcester «|J. Webb, Hsq..........++++-| 2°04; *87) 5 1H | 81°0) 3 340 9 Kettering... .|J. Wallis, Iisq. | 2°93] 85] 5 14 | 76:0) 88°0 9 Althorp... C. 8. Groom, Esq.. «| 2°15; °91) 18 |77°90| 1&2 |840 9 | | | | OXFORDSHIRE. | | | | Ratcliffe Observatory, Oxford)/E. J. Stone, Esq., F.R.S...) 1°89 °77) 6 15 | 78°5! 2 385 9 RUTLAND. | } Northfields, Stamford........|W. H. Hayes, Esq...... «| 2°09 °61) 5 | 14 80! 23 32°0 9 Uppingham ................|Rev. G. H. ‘Mullins, M.A.../ 1°80 *65} Ben ad 46) 3 85°38 9 u Beacon Stoop—May: Rainfall,131, Greatest Fall,*59 on 27th; Rainy Days, 13; Max., 712 on 31st; Min., 31°5 on 4th. N.B.—Several returns for June arrived too late. 198 CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence. Borantcan Nore, Juty 97TH, 1881.—Having walked this afternoon to a Common about five miles from this town, I met with one or two plants, the record of which may be interesting to botanists. In some very wet ground I was surprised to find a specimen of the Royal Fern, Osmunda regalis, being rare in this district; a small portion of which only I gathered, leaving the large root as it was. Near this was a great quantity of the Marsh Cinque-foil, Potentilla Comarum, well in flower, growing among dense moss, and so wet it was not easy to reach aplant. After some search I found also a few heads of the Cotton- sedge, Hriophorum polystachyon, sparingly growing in boggy peat, and which also has few localities near here. Unusually large plants of the Tway-blade, Listera ovata, were still in flower in damp spots, one measuring fully twenty-five inches high, with flowering portion eight inches long, and leaves about four inches wide. At the margin of a pool on the Common were a few Water Dropworts, dnanthe jistulosa, only seen at one spot. Upon returning over a less frequented part of a neighbouring heath, the waxy-looking and some nearly white flowers of the cross-leaved heath, rica tetralix, formed large masses of bloom ; while it formed a pleasant sight to come upon a showy cluster of the comparatively common Viper’s Bugloss, Echium vulgare, with some spikes of flowers about two feet long. Though not yet in flower, it was interesting to find Dipsacus pilosus, the small Teasel, associated with Pupatorium cannabinum and the beautiful yellow Flag, growing above some large flowers of late Forget-me-not, in damp spots beside astream; also to gather the Meadow Cranesbill, Geranium pratense, one of our loveliest wild flowers, which is rare or almost unknown within several miles of this towi, and which I have not previously found so near as this distance of about two miles and a half: for this Was upon my return journey. Imay remark that, while resting at a pool on the Common, a Heron rose from some Scotch Pines on the far side, and curved once or twice above the surface, near enough to shew the soft grey tone of his wide wings, then sailed away majestically towards the south.—Horacr Prancr, F.L.S., Stourbridge. Puants iy Dorsersuire.—After the meeting of the Midland Union of Natural History Societies at Cheltenham, I went on into Dorset- shire, where I found the following plants of more or less rarity, the first five [had not gathered before :—Lathyrus Aphaca, Carum Carvi, Melittis Melissophyllum, Pinguicula lusitanica, Herminium Monorehis, Drosera intermedia, Silaus pratensis, Carduus Marianus and pratensis, Orobanche Hedere, Samolus Valerandi, Daphne Laureola, Ophrys apifera, and Ruscus aculeatus; also near Christchurch, Hants, Butomus umbellatus.—O. M. Frempern, Frankton, Salop. A Canary escaped from its cage in this place and was out for nine or ten days living about in the trees, &c., around the house in which it had lived. During this time it was observed to find difficulty in getting sufficient food itself, at any rate several common sparrows were frequently seen actually feeding the canary by putting food into its mouth, as if feeding young birds.—W. S. Grestry, Overseal, Leices- tershire, July 29th, 1881. Ae obi CORRESPONDENCE—REPORTS. 199 OrnirHoLocicaL Norrs.—Most of our song birds are silent now though at times we hear the Thrush, Blackbird, Hedge Sparrow, Wren, Linnet, Chiffchaff, Blackcap Warbler. The Cuckoo has as usualbeen silent all the month. We have still some nests with eggs in of the Reed Warbler, Redpole, Green and Common Linnets, plenty of House Sparrows, with eggs and young ones, and some young Thrushes.—H. G. Tomuirnson, Woodlands, Burton-on-Trent, July 23, 1881. Dragon Fry’s Eyr.—In dissecting a small Dragon Fly (dAgrion) a few days ago I noticed some peculiar markings on the eyes; they were of deudritic form, and covered a considerable part of the cornea. Kach eye was marked to about the same degree, but they differed much in their arrangement; for while one had a finely branching piece and five small ones, the other had about ten small, though similarly-shaped, markings only. I have dissected many insects, including several kinds of Dragon Flies, but do not recollect seeing such deudritic spots on the eyes before. The thought occurred to me, could they be veins? but if so the two eyes would probably match. However, I have looked over several slides of Dragon Flies, about ten in number, and find the eyes of two of them show similar markings, though not to the same extent ; so thinking a note on it might be interesting to readers of the ‘* Mid- land Naturalist,’ I record it, hoping if such marks are not of unfre- quent occurrence some light may be thrown on their purpose ; or if rare, (which I do not think they are,) that Entomologists may notice the conditions under which they are to be found.—J. W. Nevius, Wellington Road, Handsworth, June 30th, 1881. NeouirHic Cexr rrom LEIceSTERSHIRE.—In June, 1880, I examined a finely-finished stone implement, then in the possession of Mr. Nixon, of Claybrooke, near Stoney Stanton. It had been found in “ Coley’s Field,” about 23 feet beiow the surface. It was 54 inches long, 2? inches broad, and 14 inches thick, broad at the cutting edge, and tapering thence to the other (blunt) end. It had a ground semi-circular cutting edge. The material appeared to be the local Syenite.—W. J. H. Patxozoic Rocks BrnrarH NorruHampronsHire.—Many members of the Midland Union, who attended the annual meeting at Northamp- ton, in 1880, will remember their visit to the site of the boring then in progress near Northampton, the object being to obtain a supply otf water for the town. The boring was then in the Lias, but it has since passed through that formation and struck the Carboniferous Limestone at a depth of 890 feet. From the cores brought up, Mr. Etheridge has determined the fossil corals Lithostrotion junceum and Lonsdaleia floriformis in abundance. This discovery seems to show a southerly extension of the Pennine axis, and renders probable the existence of a coalfield between Northampton and Nuneaton.— Wig io 18% Reports of § of Societies. BIRMINGHAM NATURAL ~ HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.—A meeting of the Geological Section was held at Mason College, on the 28th June, the PrestpentT (Mr. W. J. Harrison, F.G.S.) in the chair. Mr. J. Bagnall exhibited a fragment of a fungus, Polyporus squamosus, from a specimen two feet in diameter, growing on an elm tree at Drayton Bushes, near Stratford-upon-Avon. Mr. H. W. Jones showed a fine specimen of the Toper fish or Miller’s Dog, Galeus canis, caught in Colwyn Bay. Mr. W. J. Harrison exhibited a microscopic section of gneiss, or micaceous schist, as it is termed by some geologists, from Brazil Wood, Charnwood Forest. Dr. C. 200 REPORTS. Callaway, F.G.S., gave a paper on ‘‘ Howto Work in the Archzean Rocks.” This is xterm epplied to those stratified metamorphic rocks which underlie the Lower Cambrian in the British Islands. They consist of gneiss, mica schist, quartzite, halleflintas, &c., and during the last few years have been well worked by a few well-known geologists. They are found in the North of Scotland, Anglesey, Carnarvonshire, and Shropshire, and at St. David's, the Malvern Hills, and Charnwood Forest. The lecturer described their structure and mode of occurrence at these localities, and also the tests by which the order of superposition of the various beds is ascertained, for on account of the absence of fossils, and the faults which abound in these rocks, this is a difficult matter. He also mentioned that recent research appears to lead to the conelusion that all rocks which have undergone regional metamorphism belong to the Archiean system. The paper was followed by a brief discussion. At a meeting on the 19th Juiy, Mr. Bolton exhibited under the microscope two species of Hydrozoa, Obelia, and Clytia, with their free-swimming medusifrom gonophores. Mr. W. J. Harrison exhibited large and small varieties of Lima gigantea, from the Lias of Barrow-on-Soar ; pitcbstone, from a dyke in Ayrshire; and a Serpula onan Ammonite. Mr. J. F. Goode exhibited the tail of a lizard, which had been found in the Belgrave Road, alive and wriggling about, but the body was not discovered. Mr. W. P. Marshall exhibited a piece of slate, from the Cali- fornian brick pits near Harborne, on which were distinct glacial scratches and strize ; also some micaceous laminated sand from the same place, both of which had been obtained during the Saturday afternoon excursion. He also exhibited the specimens of Virgularia and Pennatula, which had been dredged at Oban; and made some remarks upon the other marine animals which had been brought from that place. He stated that the water in which they were found, being in a land-locked basin, was sensibly not as salt as the sea, but it was not certainly ascertained whether the bottom water, in which the creatures had actually lived, might not be salter than that at the surface. July 26th.—GroLoGicaL Srection.—Mr. J. k. Goode exhibited a slide of Foraminifera, found at Dog Bay, Ireland, by Mr. J. Morley. Mr. A. H. Atkins, B.Se., and Mr. W. H. Cox, exhibited specimens of fossils an4 striated pebbles from the boulder clay, at California, near Harborne. Mr. W. J. Harrison, showed some quartzite pebbles, from the drift beds of Moseley and Sparkbrook, containing Orthis Budleighensis and Modiolopsis armoricit. Mr. Harrison then opened a discussion on the origin of these pebbles, which was joined in by the members present. Fossils are not very abundant in these quartzites, about one pebble in ten thousand contuining them; but when found they are identical with species occurring at Budleigh Salterton, in Devonshire, and in situ, in the Lower Silurian recks of Normandy. This is a curious fact, asthe drifts of the Midland Counties have been supposed to come from the north and west, and also to have been derived from the waste of the conglomerates of the Triassic formation. There are, no doubt, many specimens in the gravel pits round Birmingham which would tend to solve these difficulties, and a careful examination would well repay any one interested in geological research. NOTTINGHAM WORKING MEN’S NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY.—The Society, through an invite from the Mayor and Sheriff, attended a conver- sazione on June 30th and July 1st, in honour of the opening of the new University College by H.R.H. Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, K.4.—July 4th. The monthly exhibition of the society was held, when Mr. J. Hazard exhibited some very rare Moths taken by him in this locality this season and last, including Thyatira deras, *cronycta rumicis, Leucania lithargyria, Gotyna flavago, Hydrecia micacea, Neurica saponarie, Heliophobus popularis, Apemea oculea, Miana. strigilis, Miana fascuincula, Triptena subsequa, Noctua glaressa, Teniocampa rubricosa, Xanthia citrago. Euperia fulvago, Eremobia octoroleuca, Poplia chi, Brephos parthenias, Eucullia scrophularia, Phuto- metra enia, and several others. A nest of a social Wasp, Vespa Britannica, was found at Newstead on June 26th by Mr. Perrey, suspended on a branch of hawthorn. Mr. Goldsmith presented to the Society several parts haman bone, and also showed several sections under the microscope. Several bouquets of wild flowers and other specimens were shown by the members. Plate VIII. ‘poyedossexe ont sleog Terese (_] “snoereopen _MOUT T 09 9983 OOF OTCog TwoTyIOA i253 Arequoeurpes WDLIDSIINLITT w2suhay* eT, en eee Ea eee WVHYNG 3S SYIHSNIOONIN-OGIN ‘eqyo yore soeldod AT/enqnul Of puL[suU Jo JSem-YWON O49 UL NOTeUIIO,T TerUdeg oy44 Jo saoquieyy Arequoulrpeg pue snoosrvoyeD oy} Jo Louepuey oy} BUTYVAYSNTTL WIeIsVICGy Plate Tx: Lower Magnesian Limestone. CRESWELL, DERBYSHIRE. JOVI af ONE. © EERE Ps Lar ae) RY Re: OER) IKE A ee = — } Is 2/—. 10.3 | jia | In. | Date. [7 & [Dee Date. |Deg, Date ee > OO I | OUTPOST STATIONS. | te | | Ben Nevis (a)...... Jc. L. Wragge, Esq., F.M.S. 59] 191 3 31 |50°2 5 22° 21 Fort William (a) . -|C. L. Wragge, Esq. | | i Spital Cemetery. Carli II. Cartmell, Esq. .. ‘|4-01) -£0 5 17 | 78°77] 6 2 Sect GE ae .|F. Shaw, Esq., F.M.S. 3°92) 129 5 11 S06) 14 21 Blackpool/a)/—North Shore } - : org) yx = | B} C5 27 South Shore...) C T. Ward, Esq., F.M.S. oe tebe bah 5) 5 27 Llandudno (a) ..........---- J. Nicol, Esq., M.D., F.M.S.| 3°47) 1-80 5 4 9 Altarnun, Cornwall.... -|Rev. J. Power, M.A. ......|2°92/1°12} 29 6&1 23 Sidmouth (a).......... s|D. Radford, Kaq. ..2.-...< 2°06! “65 5 16 oR Ramsgate (A) .....0-++--+-- Rev. T. E. Egan, O.S.B. .. 0°98} 23 5 |} 19 7 MIDLAND STATIONS. | | GLOUCESTERSHIRE. ibrar sere seo cer oae sesame S: J Coley, Esq-.-......-<-- {2-16) -72} 31 | 1 | 83-0 6 |410 27 & 28 Theltenham (a)..........---- |B. Tyrer, Esq.,B.A., F.M.S.| Re 20) “44 5 | 14 | 866 5 358) «8288 ! WILTSHIRE. | Marlborough (a) .......-.-.-. Rey. T. A. Preston, M.A. ..| A "69, 30 13 |87°1| 15 362} 28 SHROPSHIRE. | | PVOMIBINSLOM (so cceeccccescsce [Reve Be CaArr ce wccascses }1°14} -25) 23 13 | 83°5 5 44°35! 7 & 21 Stokesay (a) ........---..---| M. De La Touche 1'36| 29, 30 | 13 | 865 5 |380) 28 More Rectory, Bishop’s Castle|Rev. A. Male.......... 122) 27 5 15 | 86°0 5 40°0| 21 Bishop’s Castle ............-- |B. Griffiths, Esq. ...... oy 26, 30 14 | 8&0 5 410) 21 HEREFORDSHIRE. | RiNReIUES coe ccs ce cacsce Rey. G. Alexander An) “70 5 10 | 840 5 440, 97 WORCESTERSHIRE. } | o Orleton, Tenbury ...........- T. H. Davis, Esq., F.M.S. ..|1°47| °48 5 13 |877 5 37°C} 98 West Malvern ...... .|A. H. Hartland, Esq 1°63) °50 5 10 | 9375 5 645°0| 20 & 27 Evesham .......... -|L. J. Slatter, Esq., F.G.S...| 1°47] °31 6 14 | 868 5 43°39 LT TUG 6 Gene paene none | J. M. Downing, Esq. ......|1°71| °77 6 |10/\/940 15 33°0| 98 Pedmore .......... aie B. Marten, Esq. .. -|160| 36 826 12 |920!5&15 |410) 97 Stourbridge ...... 5 -- | Mr. L. Jefferies ...... -} 1°68 26 12 | 87°0 5 40°0| 27 TOUS rpceincccinccosvenccce! Mr, Co Beales ocececaccsne | 161) 6 | 13 | 830 5 440! 99 | | STAFFORDSHIRE. ] : ad ee Dennis, Stourbridge (a) ...... \C. Webb, Esq.....-2.20-ceee 1°28} °43 5 14 88°0 5 3°70) $l Reiiver ene 28 obs Sec secs ise \Rev. W. H. PD BSIEGAL: -|132} -32} 6 13 | 86°0 5 410) 97 IN. E. Best, Esq. .... -|1°61] -52 5 12 | 79°0 5 46°00, a. P. Roberts, Esq. .. -11°80) -55 6 12 | 940 6 44°0 8 Grammar School, Burton....|C. U. Tripp, Esq.. M.A.....|124) 21 924 14 | $10 5 390 9-88 Weston-under-Lyziard Hon. & Rev. J. Bridgeman . |2°18! -80 5 13 | 93°0 5 420 28 Wrottesley (a).... E. Simpson, Esq. |1-49| -47 6 j1 | 877 5 42°53) 28 Heath Honse, n J. C. Philips, Esq.,J.P.....|2°16) -80) 26 14 | 820 5 |4421 98 Oakamoor (a) r.E. E. Kettle .. -{2°27| 65) 26 li | 849 5 (368) 2B Beacon Stoop,WeaverHills(a) Mr. James Hall .. p ‘| WARWICKSHIRE. ieee | | i Park Hill, Kenilworth ...... |T. Hawley, Esq. ......--.- |1°73) “48 6 ll 875) 325 «|407) 28 Coundon, Coventry .......... |Lieut.-Col. B. P| 45) 26 | 14 |880 5 |450 27 DERBYSHIRE. ee | } hae Stony Middleton ............ |Rev.U. Smith ............ }2°34) 88) 5 | 12 |820) 5 & 15 410) 20 SSRIS ee cee coe sce cee oe \J- T. Barber, Esq..........- hal >) a) 12 856} 5 400) 2 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. | i | | Ree Hp a8 Park Hill, Nottingham...... |H. F. Johnston, Esq ...... j1-64) -41) 26 | 11 |845) 5 | 475) 20 FiguladeksEecinry (Worksop (a): l=, Mellish, Esq., F.M.S. - 1°24 31; 6 |11\857| 5 |458| 22 Luis fh ee a eae J. N. Dufty, Esq., F.G.S. +-|1°48) 27, 30 | 12/810) 5 |440) 20 LEICESTERSHIRE | ere ba Loughborough (a).........-.- W. Berridge, Esq., F.M.S..-/1:50; 29) 8 | 15/897 5 |483) 28 cone con ee eenecRAaneA \J. Hames, , Esq. seceeeesceee| 195) “38 6 1G |}87°0} 5 |440) 28 : }1°68} “38 6 13 8$80,/5&15 |410 28 2°28 69) 30 | 14/860) 5 |420) 7 -j199| 60) 6 | 12/860) 5 (|460) 7 |2°05) 60) 66:«|'14:|851) «5/400, 8B | NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. Towcester i heal 6 | 12 | 920 5 400 = -257 Kettering........... moeeneaee J. Wallis, 137, 30 | 14 | 83°0 6 /47°0) 2 | | ' | | | RUTLAND. | | ! : aie ; Northfields, Stamford........ he Hayes, Esq...-..-.2-- |326| 187) 6 | 11/860 419 «|880 9098 } } (a) At these Stations Stevenson’s Thermometer Screen is in use. and the values may be regarded as *trictly intereomparable. 229, CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence. — $$ ——___ Scarciry or THE Srar~inc.—There has been here this season a wonderful scarcity of starlings. For some years past there were always three or four nests on these premises alone, and many more in the trees and buildings near at hand, whereas this season I have not seen one, nor do we see the small flocks, composed of the young broods, frequenting the fields as was formerly their custom at this time of year. The winter of ’79-80 seemed to have very little effect on them, and after last winter there appeared to be a fair number about, so I do not think that the severe weather can alone account for their decrease. Have any of your readers noticed a similar diminution of numbers— I may almost say extinction of the species—in their neighbourhood ? It is the more surprising, insomuch as the winter flocks of this bird have greatly increased during the last few years.—Ouiver V. APLIN, Bodicote, Oxon., August, 1881. Micratory Brrps (see ‘* Midland Naturalist,” page 186).—In my notes on Migratory Birds the date of arrival of the Willow Wren should have been 13th not 18th.—O. V. A., Bodicote, Oxon. Microscoric Stmpes.—At the recent Exhibition of the Beekeepers’ Association, at South Kensington, our correspondent, Mr. F. Enock, 30, Russell Road, Seven Sisters’ Road, London, carried off the silver medal offered for the best microscopic slides illustrating the natural history of the honey bee. The slides were four dozen in number, and, says the “Journal of Horticulture,” ‘if not unapproachable are certainly as yet unapproached. The preparation of parts in situ with- out pressure gives an opportunity of examining structure that flattened chitine could never afford. The beauty of these objects when properly illuminated must be seen to be appreciated. On some slides he brings side by side the homologous parts of drone, worker, and queen, which gives a ready means of comparison, and on others displays the parts illustrative of the complete anatomy of the insect. Some clever sections and some specimens of the interesting parasite Stylops Spencii were included in the collection.” British Guacitan BY H. A. MACPHERSON. The European Goldfinch, Carduelis elegans, has been chosen for the subject of my paper ; not because I have any hope of producing many new facts on a theme so well worn as the history of this popular bird, but simply because a general account of the economy of one of our English species must comprise many of the general characteristics of the family to which it belongs. The true finches, Fringillide, have only nine primary quills, and are divided by Bowdler Sharpe into the wide-palate finches, Ampli- palatales, and those with narrow palates, Arctipalatales. To the second section, Sharpe refers the sub-families of Dresser, Loxiing and Ember- izinie, comprising the crossbills and the buntings. The first section, composed of the sub-family Fringilline, with the bullfinches from the Loxiine, is headed in Dresser’s classification by the goldfinch, followed by the citril, finch, siskin, serinfinch, greenfinch, hawfinch, sparrows, ck affinches, and linnets, all approximating to the goldfinch and to one another in various degrees of homologous structure. The sub-family Fringilline has an extensive range throughout the Palearctic or northern geographical region of the Old World ; in the Nearctic region it is represented by the redpoles and other forms. But wide as is the distribution of the siskin and of some other finches, the range of a few of the family is very limited. Thus the serinfinch, Serinus hortulanus does not appear to be really a common bird in any part of Europe except the Spanish Peninsula, though it does exist locally in France, Italy, and Germany. Since the first cap- ture of this bird on the South Coast of England was effected, some twenty odd years back, several examples would appear to have been netted near Brighton. The male specimen now existing in the Rad- clitfe Museum was professedly netted near Great Yarmouth in 1877, together with a female, which won her liberty by her extreme timidity and restlessness. I need not trouble you with further details on this point to-day. I will only say that if any members should hear of ‘** Spanish ” singing finches, they will do well to enquire whether or not the serinfinch is passing under that name, as it did in Shoreditch last summer. The hawfinch is another member of the family that has increased its northern and western range of late years, though sup- posed, from its shy habits and woodland haunts, to be considerably more rare than is in-reality the case. But the head of the Fringilline, which I want you to consider chiefly to-day, is the goldfinch, Fringilla carduelis of the eighteenth, Carduelis elegans of the nineteenth centuries. It may be as well to notice that the bird for which Linneus accepted the former title, is actually identical with the species he had in view; in the case of the bullfinch and nuthatch, the birds *Read before the Oxfordshire Natural History Society on the 12th January, 1881. 226 THE GOLDFINCH. before Linnwus were distinct from our insular forms. A large pro- portion of the names, ancient and modern, assigned to the goldfinch bear special reference to its subsisting, partially, on thistle seeds. To go back no further than Augustan literature, we are all familiar with Virgil’s allusion to the goldfinch, together with the kingfisher, in the third Georgic. The generie term Carduelis, the French name Chardonneret, obviously owe their origin to the same habit. Brachet says, ‘“‘chardonneret, que lancien francais appelait chardonnet. proprement oiseau qui recherche les chardons. Ce qui confirme cette origine, c’est que les Latins disaient de méme carduelis, dérivé de carduus (chardor); les Grecs dxav@is de dkavOos (acanthe; plante epineuse) ; enfin les Allemands appellent le chardonneret Distel/ink, a ae linotte de chardon.”—Dictionnaire Etymologique, page 26. But the popular names of the goldfinch, in England at any rate, point rather to our enjoyment of its bright, well-blended colours. Thus, it is the ‘“foolscoat” of Sir T. Browne. Nicholas Cox, in his “ Gentleman’s Recreation,” tells us that it is also known in Norfolk as the ‘‘ Christmas fool; whether from its being easily captured about homesteads in severe frost, or from its gay tints harmonising well with the pageantry of Christmastide, members may decide for them- selves. The word finch, applied to the goldfinch amongst other members of the family, owes its origin to the monosyllabic ‘pinc’ of the chaffinch, which recurs in the French form pinson, of which Brachet says, ““anciennement pingon, diminutif d’un radical pinc, qui est @origine celtique (kymri pinc, pinson).” The form ‘spink’ attached to the syllable gold in Scotland, exists in Early English as a synonym for the chaffinch, the goldfinch being at the same time distinctly so- called. I am not aware that any English name has been conferred on the goldfinch, from its call-note, as Mr. Dresser, in his ‘ Birds of Europe,” points out, has been the case in Norway, in Sweden, and in Germany, where the goldfinch is called stillids, stiglitsa, and stieglitz or zeisig respectively; the cry or call of ‘pick, pick, pickelmik,” being most commonly uttered when the finch is displaying its rapid, jerky flight at some elevation. The Anglo-Saxon love of training small birds to draw their water, &c., resulted in the goldfinch being termed the ‘‘ draw-water” in some districts, though the siskin, the lesser red- pole, the greater titmouse, learn the trick with greater readiness. Even the hawfinch is sometimes thus educated by Spitalfields bird fanciers, whose draw-water boards are identical, to the best of my recollection, with one figured in Wright’s work on Anglo-Saxon life. The Staffordshire name for the goldfinch of “ Proud Tailor,” is derived, I fancy, from the rudder-like motion of the tail of this finch during the breeding season. That of ‘ King Harry” is apparently transferred to the goldfinch from Henry the Highth. The distribution of our European goldfinch extends eastward to Southern Asia, where it exists, to some extent, side by side with Carduelis ot el THE GOLDFINCH. 22,7 orientalis of Pallas, who erroneously, as it would now appear, con- sidered orientalis only a variety of Carduelis elegans. Canon Tristram found our own goldfinch sharing with the greater titmouse the shelter of cypresses, on the outskirts of Jerusalem. It is plentiful in Algeria. In Madeira it is still used as a ‘“ draw-water,’ on the testimony of a recent writer to the Field newspaper. In Spain and Italy it is plentiful, as in Greece and the Aigean generally, particularly during the winter months. Chiddington, our Oxford bird- catcher, assures me that when quartered with his regiment in Corfu, he used to catch a great many goldfinches, though there was very little demand for them. In France and Germany it appears to be abundant; it was certainly one of the very few species that I could discover at Fontainebleau, in 1873. In Denmark it is local. In Norway I searched forit unsuccessfully, but have since seen a specimen from Christiansand. As to Ireland, the goldfinch is certainly common in some districts, because Irish goldfinches are supplied to Scotch and English markets. In Scotland it has much decreased of late years; partly from hard winters, in which the goldfinches, failing to migrate, perished of starvation, as suggested by Dr. Gray (‘‘ Birds of the West of Scotland”) ; partly because Glasgow and other town birdfanciers travel considerable distances to catch a few goldies, even for their own use; partly, as a shrewd Dumfriesshire shepherd points out to me very strongly, owing to the decrease of those ‘‘ idle weeds,’ the seeds of which form the subsistence of the goldfinch, before the steady progress of agriculture. The stronghold of the British goldfinch appears to me to be in Wales, where a friend has seen them as plentiful as sparrows, and whence an important portion of the goldfinches of Metropolitan dealers are procured. Bolton, in his ‘‘ Harmonia Ruralis,” remarks on the existence of a Welsh race of goldfinch, termed ‘ Nicols.” For my own part, I have nowhere seen the goldfinch so abundant as on the north coast of Devon and Somerset, between Minehead and Bide- ford ; in this part of the country the goldfinch, as also the cirl bunting, may often be observed perching on telegraph wires. In South Devon, T have found the goldfinch fairly wellrepresented, as also in Oxfordshire, Kent, Surrey, Essex, Herts, Hants, and Berks. It probably breeds in all our counties, except perhaps the counties nearest the Border. Mr. Parsons, of Carlisle, tells me that it is decidedly rare in his neighbour- hood, and similar testimony as to the Lake district is borne by an excellent field naturalist. Everywhere the abundance of goldfinches is primarily correlative to the abundance of food, though hawks and birdcatchers subsequently may destroy the balance. If only the goldfinch had the hungry appetite of Passer domesticus, which eats a cabbage white, or a beautiful demoiselle dragon fly without compunction, it would, no doubt, be able to hold its own much more satisfactorily. But we must pass on from distribution to courtship.—I have already alluded to this in reference to the popular synonym of Proud Tailor. The performance in question, when the male finch ° 228 THE GOLDFINCH. sways himself rapidly from side to side with his dazzling golden wings slightly expanded, is considered by Dr. Darwin a valuable piece of evidence as bearing on natural selection.—(Cf. Darwin, ‘“ Descent of Man,” Vol. IT.) T must confess that the motion in question has always appeared to my mind to be simply due to sexual excitement, though it may serve to rouse the love of the female. Song is perhaps as important a factor as colour. A female goldfinch, introduced to a couple of males this summer, paired in a few days with the smallest and most ill-favoured; the other goldfinch was not indeed in full song, but was a magnificent fellow in colour and size, and, moreover, was unencumbered; whereas his shameless little rival deserted a hen bullfinch (which he had fed steadily for several months), that he might woo the new-comer of his ownrace. The bond of affection, thus severed, had been joined by the two birds being confined together for several months. A female siskin, which died in April last, had paired with another goldfinch, which fed her also regularly. The inter-breeding of goldfinch and bullfinch, or greenfinch, or linnet and bullfinch is now well-known to be possible in confinement. A fine hybrid between the two first was reared in 1880 by Mr. Thomas Lester, of Clifton Hampden, where I have repeatedly seen it, as well as its parents. To Macgillivray’s two cases of the male greenfinch pairing with the female goldfinch in a state of freedom, may be added that of a hybrid taken from a nest of goldfinches, in close proximity to that of a green- finch, by Travis, the obliging keeper of the Western Aviary, Regent’s Park. A hybrid between a goldfinch and greenfinch, formerly in my possession, was bred, I have reason to believe, in the canary-room of a fancier in the South of England. He combined the most pug- nacious of temperaments with great beauty of plumage ; the green- finch tints predominated. Goldfinches ordinarily breed in orchards, though evergreens and even high quick hedges, as well as elms and oaks, are in turn selected. Richard Jefferies has described generation after generation succeeding tothe same “ bushy-headed codlings,” with his usual felicity.—Cf. * Wild Life in a Southern Country,” page 176. The development of the colour sense in the goldfinch was well described by a writer in “Nature” of May 31st,1877, who watched a pair of goldfinches, from an upper window, building on the extremity of a svcamore tree. To match the tree, the finches took its own plossoms, to match the sky overhead they chose forget-me-nots. Asa result, though the flowers of course faded, the tints of tree and nest were so well matched, that from below nothing of the nest was visible beyond a slight apparent thickening of the leaves. This term, a pair of goldfinches built in some furze in a tiny Oxford bird-room, but the eggs, after fourteen days’ incubation, were still unhatched, They are i THE GOLDFINCH. 229 small, and bluish white, spotted towards the larger end with purplish red of two shades. Though Bolton, F. O. Morris, and other writers have long since stated that the young broods of goldfinches were fed on insects, I have now for the first time found the testimony of two eye witnesses to the fact. Mr. Darbey, our sagacious Oxford taxidermist, tells me that the young broods of goldfinches, which he has repeatedly reared in a cage, by allowing the old birds to feed their progeny through the cage wires, have always been fed at first on small green flies, then on flies and thistle seed, and finally on seed alone. Chiddington opened the crop of a young one and bears exactly corroborative evidence. Although the goldfinch is a late bird to go to nest, in England at aay rate (for I have seen continental finches six weeks old on the 14th of June), I incline to think that a good many second broods are hatched. A Keble friend of mine, some four autumns since, found a nest of unfledged goldfinches towards the latter end of September! The young, as soon as they leave the nest, may often be heard on the outskirts of their orchard haunts, recording in low, uncertain twitterings, the notes of their progenitors. So much is song due to imitation, that I not long since heard two brother hybrids, between the siskin and canary, singing most carefully the perfect song of the goldfinch tutor, under which they had been hung for instruction. At least forty years have elapsed since Mr. A. E. Knox, then the chief authority on the birds of Sussex, pointed out in his ornithological rambles, how steadily the greater number of goldfinches, at any rate those that breed in our southern counties, would appear to draw from west to east, prior to crossing the English Channel at the narrowest strait of water. As yet I have had no opportunity of observing this point myself. It is sufficiently obvious that by far the larger number of the goldfinches that breed in Oxfordshire do leave the country before winter. I do not mean to imply that all goldfinches do so. On the contrary, there is no dearth of evidence as to the capture of a few goldfinches in winter; a dead goldfinch was found in the Parks after the great snowstorm of 1880. Butthe evidence of George Swayland, the well-known Brighton naturalist, is worth quoting. On page 102, of the Report of the Wild Birds’ Protection Committee of 1873, he says: ‘After the nesting is over, the goldfinches go into the fields and feed on thistle and buttouweed; and about the commencement of October they come co the sea coast, ready to go away. They pass over Brighton and go as far eastward as Dover; they keep along the coast. When they return in spring, they come right across the water ; they come from the south, but I never saw a bird go from Brighton across ; I never saw it attempted in fact. When they return in April, they all come to the south and fly to the north, for I hear them coming over my head.” The young goldfinch is eight or ten weeks old when the first red feathers appear about the beak. Mr. Smith, the Charlbury bird- catcher, tells me that he once netted a goldfinch in Worcestershire, 230 THE GOLDFINCH. which combined the crimson flourish with the grey pole of the nestling. In this garb Carduelis elegans would appear to be returning to a primitive type, i.e., to that of the ancestor which it perhaps shares with orient- alis. In orientalis, the white and black of our goldfinch’s head are replaced by ashen grey. The Himalayan goldfinch, common at Simla and elsewhere, is considerably smaller than orientalis, and possesses & brighter and more vivid scarlet face. But it does not appear to be absolutely certain whether orientalis and carriceps are distinct. I must reserve my own opinion until I have consulted a sufficient series of skins. The ctimson face of our normally plumaged adult goldfinch, probably appears in the females before the males. The assumption of this colour in confinement is a matter of ‘“‘ pain and grief” to many finches. The comparative absence of sunlight within houses may affect the tint of the “ flourish.” It is brighter in caged goldfinches, moulted out in the open-air, than in caged goldfinches moulted in-doors. In wild or caged goldfinches the crimson is brightest during the breeding season. Mr. Darbey is inclined to think that the goldfinch, like the bullfinch and kingfisher, loses some brillianey or gloss of plumage after death. The chief external sexual differences are the small size and dull tints of the female, her smaller and less pointed bill, the greyness both of her muzzle and of her ‘“‘shoulders.”” The latter may be judiciously coated with sufficient blacking to deceive the unwary, so that it is well to rub it carefully! The crimson flourish, as a rule, terminates in the female before passing behind the eye, whereas it always passes well behind the eye in the male. So much difference exists, even among males, in size and colour, that goldfinches have often been divided into ‘‘ woodland” and ‘garden finches,” ‘elm tree,” ‘ pear tree,” and “‘ cherry” finches, according to the trees they respectively breed in. The strongest contrast in size I have seen was between an Trish goldfinch, no bigger than a siskin, and one of the large, very white-faced German goldfinches. As I remarked the other day, these German finches often lack the silvery tipping to the secondaries, equally well marked in immature and mature south coast goldfinches of the migratory race. Of the five classes of abnormal plumage, which I think that Mr. Blake Knox has described in the ‘* Zoologist,” I have not seen or even heard of the ‘ cinnamon,” though the linnet often exhibits a cinnamon phase. But before we discuss the more usual abnormalities, I wish to point out to you that the colour of the beak of the goldfinch varies seasonabiy. This specimen which I hold in my hand, was probably killed in autumn or winter, because the beak, as you see, is deeply tinged with black. As summer advances, the dark colour gradually disappears, until by the middle of the breeding season it has become as “ clean as a whistle,” i.e., of an entirely pink colour. Similar changes are exhibited by many birds. Thus species so divergent as the hawfinch and the snow bunting exhibit, in summer, bills of decidedly dark blue, whereas in winter they have grey and THE GOLDFINCH. 231 yellow bills respectively. In confinement the legs of goldfinches become of a flesh-coloured tint, in lieu of the dark grey of the wild “black-legged ” finch. As to abnormities, if we put aside a “blue” goldfinch netted at Shoreham a few years back as identical with an escaped indigo finch, there remains for discussion yellow, crimson, black, and white phases of irregular coloration. The only yellow variety that I have seen was netted by Bryans, the Hinksey birdcatcher, in 1877. Though a bird of the year, its under parts were decidedly tinged with yellow. After keeping it for some time, I gave it to afriend in Herts, in whiuse possession it unluckily died next year. Of crimson varieties, the most distinct is that of a band of crimson crossing the nape of the neck in the white crescent that bands the black. The first of this variety shown to me was a large house-moulted Ger- man; another, sold to me in Oxford by a hawker, possessed the same character, and enjoyed the fly of my rooms in college daily, until the carelessness of a scout drove him in fright through an open door. Of black goldfinches, several stuffed examples are to be seen in the Edinburgh Museum. One, pure black, was netted by Landsprey, near Oxford, about 1860. Mr. Etable, the dealer in gold-crested reguli, &c., of Mortimer Street, Oxford Street, tells me that he lately possessed another entirely black goldfinch, reared from the nest as such. The last melanoid I have seen had an entirely black head, with the exception of a few crimson feathers, but not apparently from a diet of hemp, so productive of melanism in the bullfinch. Last and more important than the foregoing varieties, are those of albinism. The scarcity of pure albinos in the goldfinch, as compared with the linnet, &c., is partly due to the dislike of goldfinches for abnormally coloured mates, as exemplified by their preference for brown or green canary mates in confinement, to those of a pure light colour. A Garsington birdeatcher netted the only pied greypate or nestling goldfinch that I have as yet heard of. During last summer, two goldfinches were offered to me for sale with white heads. One was an imported Ger- man. But the form of albinism on which I wish especially to say a few words, is that of the ‘‘cheverel,” ‘‘ chivel,” ‘“‘cheviot,” or ‘‘chibald” finch, the names of which are derived, either from the supposed strong- hold of the variety in the Cheviot Hills, or from the A. S. ‘‘chefle” to chatter, adopted by Professors Newton and Skeate. The white in the crimson flourish, beneath the lower mandible, varies in size from the mere ‘“‘speck” of the pea-throated or bastard ‘‘ chevil,” to the broad white throat, “‘ cleancut,” figured in Rowley’s ‘‘ Ornithological Miscel- lanies.” The addition of a clear white chest and white cervical ringis necessary to the perfection of a ‘hobby cheverel.” It is hardly necessary to point out that the merits of this variety, as regards mule breeding, are not superior to those of the common finch, any more than the “three by sixes”; in which six, instead of four, of th lateral tail feathers are stamped with white. aS THE GOLDFINCH. I want, in concluding this first paper on the goldfinch, to point out in a few words the value of the goldfinch to three classes of society. To the farmer, the value of the goldfinch lies in its feeding for nearly the whole of its residence in England on the seeds of thistles, knapweed, dandelion, the males also on teazles, &c. At the same time, the goldfinch commits no kind of injury, to outbalance the good thus done. To the commercial public, the goldfinch stands in the light of one of the most important birds of British trade. I do not wish to give you positive data on this point to-day. I would rather wait until my statistics are complete. But whether or not London birdcatchers have numerically increased, since Meyrick estimated their numbers, a quarter of a century since, at about two hundred, the fact remains that besides the birdcatchers, the ‘‘middlemen,” to whom they sell their goldfinches, and the dealers who buy them for a third time in Scotland and the provinces, do each in turn add considerably to their incomes by their traffic in goldfinches. Goldfinches are taken by bird lime, by trapeages, and spring traps, but especially by clap nets made on the same principle, so Wilkinson tells us, as those used by the ancient Egyptian fowlers, who salted and dried some small birds, as well as large ones, for food. The social value of the goldfinch, as a pet that will live for ten or fifteen years in full health with care, is too obvious for me to dwell upon. I wish only to point out to those who sentimentally decry the caging of birds, that Skelton’s poem on the death of Philip Sparrow, —than which imaginary bird “Was never bird in cage More gentil of corage In doing his homage Unto his Soueraine ’— shows, with all possible clearness, how fond Englishmen were of small cage birds, even before the Reformation. But if it be argued that our progress in civilisation should have thrown bird-keeping into disuse, we have only to point to two of the first scientific minds of the present century, to find grounds for a passionate love of domesticated birds. Thus Mrs. Mary Someryille, in her ninetieth year, wrote: ‘t We are fond of birds and have several, all very tame. Our tame nightin- gales sing very beautifully, but, strange to say, not at night. We have also some solitary sparrows, which are, in fact, a variety of the thrush (Turdus cyaneus), and some birds which we rescued from destruction in spring, when caught and ill-used by the boys in the streets ; besides we have our dogs; all of which afford me amusment and interest.”— “Memoirs of Mary Somerville,” p. 357. The delight which George Stephenson took in birds is so well known, that I need only refer members to Smiles’ ‘ Lives of the Engineers ” for details of his pets, particularly of that blackbird which, bred in the woods, yet slept on his master’s bedpost every night. But I have already kept you too long, and must sum up my paper rapidly. THE GOLDFINCH. 935 In Art, the goldfinch is a great favourite. We all know it in the Madonna del Cardelino. It occurs in the publication of the Arundel Society, asfed by St. Francis, with a troop of other birds. It is excellently painted, with the sparrow-hawk, on a Horz of the School of Van Eyck, circa 1410, in the Bodleian. It is magnificently depicted in Gould’s birds ; it is represented less gaudily, but with greater like- ness in Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser’s ‘“‘ Birds of Europe.” The Eastern form, carriceps, to the best of my recollection, is included in Gould’s first great work, ‘‘ The Century of Himalayan Birds.” As to its position in Literature, the goldfinch is probably meant by Chaucer as the “finch ;” as also by Shakspere in Bottom’s ditty— “The finch, the sparrow, and the lark, The plain-song cuckoo gray.” Midsummer Night's Dream, IIT., 1, 133. Again, the expression— ** Finch egg,” is used by Thersites to Patroclus as a slight thing, easily crushed, in Troilus and Cressida, Act V., Scene 1, 4. The goldfinch heads the list of birds, summoned— ““Some to sing and some to say, Some to weep, and some to praye’, For Philip Sparowes soule.” In Dryden’s *‘ Flower and the Leaf”; in Gay’s ‘*‘ Wednesday or the Dumps”; in the writings of Cowper, Hurdis, Burns, in Dickens, among prose authors, we have ample references to the goldfinch, though such might be almost indefinitely multiplied. But to my mind, no lines recall the wild woodlands, on the edge of which gold- finches love to flutter round the prickly teazles, half so clearly as those simple words of Keats, in his poem to Leigh Hunt— “ Sometimes goldfinches one by one will drop From low hung branches, little space they stop ; But sip and twitter, and their feathers sleek ; Then off at once, as in a wanton freak ; Or perhaps, to show their black and golden wings, Pausing upon their yellow flutterings.” FRESH-WATER AQUARIA. BY R. M. LLOYD. As much pleasure and endless subjects for profitable study are derivable from a well-managed fresh-water aquarium, I offer a few hints on the subject, based on a somewhat successful experience of several years, and trust they may be of assistance to some of my fellow- naturalists. The main point to be kept in mind, and on attention to which success chiefly depends, is the imitation of nature—that is, the subjects placed in an aquarium must, as far as possible, be surrounded by con- ditions which form a near approach to those in which they naturally grow and thrive. 234 FRESH-WATER AQUARIA. Excluding the inhabitants of the sea, all the many and varied kinds of aquatic life may be roughly divided into those which live in ponds, or comparatively slow running streams, and those which live in rapid ones. This division will serve to indicate the reason why some animals cannot be kept in an aquarium, for, generally speaking, it is only those included in the latter group which do not thrive in an ordinary well- managed tank. I have been many times asked the question: How often do you change the water?—and usually meet with expressions of astonish- ment when I answer that it is unnecessary to do so at all. Yet, if the inhabitants of the tank are in health this is quite correct, though it is well, as we shall presently see, to have an occasional ‘‘ clean out.” There should be a proper proportion of animal and vegetable life in an aquarium, or rather a preponderance of vegetable life; for, although such animals as are carnivorous, and at the same time air-breathing, do not directly require it, yet, as they feed on those who are or have been either vegetarians or water- breathers, or both, indirectly they do, as besides forming food-stuff, plants are necessary to render the water capable of oxidising the blood of such of its inhabitants as do not derive their supply of oxygen directly from the air. Water absorbs oxygen from the atmosphere by the simple contact of their surfaces, and if the superficial extent brought into contact is very greatly increased, as by the formation of waves, the flowing of a stream, and more especially by violent agitation, such as is caused by the beating of waves on the shore, enough oxygen will be absorbed to supply the animal inhabitants with all they require. As this cannot take place in pools or other small pieces of water, the supply must, consequently, be obtained in some other way. The action of the chlorophyll or the green colouring matter of plants on the carbonic acid gas contained in the water is the most constant method. It decomposes it into its two elements, carbon and oxygen; appropriates the former to its own use, and liberates the latter for that of animals. Hence it will be seen that, although some animals may be kept in an aquarium without plants living with them, it can only be by the aid of extraneous assistance; food must be placed within their reach; and the water must be aérated by agitation or some other mechanical means. The first requirement is a vessel to contain the water. This may be made of almost any material, but the sides should either be vertical or inclined from the bottom outwards. ‘‘ Fish globes,” with the water- line above the greatest horizontal diameter are to be shunned as the very worst form. Aslate tank with plate glass front is by some con- sidered the best vessel for an aquarium. I am, however, inclined to think that the use of rough plate glass for the sides and back would be an advantage, but an ordinary glass pan of about sixteen inches diameter and six inches deep will do exceedingly well; such vessels are sold under the name of “ pastry pans,” I believe, and cost about FRESH-WATER AQUARIA. 235 half-a-crown each. Ordinary propagating glasses inverted and held in position by a base turned out of a block of wood make very good tanks ; small hand glasses, of about four inches diameter, placed on the top of hyacinth vases are also very useful,and are not unornamental. Pickle bottles, earthenware pans, and other such like ordinary vessels may frequently be used as auxiliaries with advantage. The best water to use is generally that in which the animals have been found thriving, but such as is ordinarily supplied by water-works is admirable for aquarium purposes, being in many cases filtered stream water. Rain water will do for many things, but pump water is to be altogether avoided. The bottom of the tank should be covered with about an inch of grit and fine gravel, on which it is well to place some pieces of rock or rough stone. It is better to avoid limestone in any form, and use slaty or siliceous stones only. Resting and hiding places are thus formed for the animals, and plants are better preserved from being uprooted. I consider the American weed (Anacharis Alsinastrum) the best for aquaria, as none thrives so well or affords better food. It, moreover, furnishes a good example under the microscope of the circulation of cell contents, and the quantity of oxygen given off by it when freely exposed to the sun’s rays is very great, the bubbles of gas ascending from it in continuous streams. The Anacharis also requires no care in removing and planting; anyscraps thrown into the tank will soon send down rootlets from the joints and anchor themselves among the gravel; and even if any of the larger burrowing mollusks are kept in the tank, the plants, though being constantly uprooted, will still con- tinue to grow. Microscopic treasures are frequently to be met with on it in abundance, but perhaps not so many in number as on the Water Millfoil, (AZyriophyllum,) which is another very good plant for an aquarium. Chara and Nitella are also good. Vallisnerva spiralis is very pretty and interesting, but it requires a rather deep tank, and its roots must be kept properly embedded among the stones at the bottom. I have kept Nitella for two years without it having at any time had its roots embedded I have always found my aquaria do best when placed before a window where they may have the direct rays of the sun for a good part of the day; the plants are thereby induced to grow vigorously, and these and the pieces of rock afford ample shade for those animals that require it. However, if it is not convenient to have it in such a posi- tion any other will do, provided a fair amount of light can get to it. There may be nevertheless a disadvantage in. an excess of direct sunlight. It causes the glass sides of the vessel to become covered with conferyoid growth, which although useful both as food stuff and for the evolution of oxygen, considerably obstruct the view through the glass, a desideratum, especially if a tank microscope is one of the possessions of the proprietor of the aquarium. Water should be added from time to time to replace what has been lost by evaporation and other causes, so as to keep the level about 236 FRESH-WATER AQUARIA, constant. Dead animals should be removed, but: decaying water plants, though somewhat unsightly, are such excellent harbour and food for microscopic creatures that they should rather be introduced than removed. Occasionally, say once a year, in the late autumn or early spring, it is well to have a thorough clean out. At these times all the live stock which it is wished to preserve must be taken out, as also the pieces of rock and plants, and so much of the water as can be taken out in a clear state, drawn off with a syphon or otherwise carefully removed into another vessel, so that it may be returned to the tank together with the animals, plants, and stones after the cleaning process has been gone through. The reason for this is that there will probably be many germs in it, besides entomostraca, rotifers, and other small organisms which it is desirable to retain. The whole of the gravel and grit must be taken out and thoroughly washed. An enormous quantity of dirt will be found mixed up with the stones. This is chiefly the effete matter which, falling to be bottom, is hidden among them—indeed, this is one of the uses they subserve. If there are any snail eggs, vorticella, or other treasures attached to the glass, they should be carefully stripped off, and although they cannot be replaced in their original positions, they will, if returned to their renovated home, continue to develop or form new colonies, as the case may be. The glass, if there is any conferye on it, should be well scrubbed with soap and warm water, taking care that all the sand and grit is removed, otherwise there will be most likely a number of un- desirable scratches to be seen upon it. In such an aquarium as has been described, almost any creature that inhabits fresh-water can be kept in health with little trouble, provided over-crowding does not take place; but due care must be exercised in the selection of its inhabitants. For instance, it will not be wise to place fish in it, if it is wished to preserve minute forms of life, these being their natural food. There should generally be a fair number of snails present, as they greatly assist in keeping the vegeta- tion within reasonable bounds, and being particularly fond of confervse and very ravenous, the glass is usually kept fairly free from it, which, as we have seen, is desirable. The best species are Lymnea stagnalis, Paludina vivipara, P. contecta, and any of the larger species of Planorbis ; Planorbis corneus being the largest, is to be preferred, but P. carinatus, P. spirorbis, as also Lymnea peregra and Bythinia tentaculata are by no means unsightly, and are only inferior in point of size to the others above mentioned. Snails are exceedingly inter- esting objects in the very young state under the microscope, and the process of development in the egg can be better studied in those of the fresh-water mollusca than perhaps in any other. Bythinia tentaculata is the one of all others with which I am acquainted that arranges its eggs in the most convenient form for observation. They are placed in rows of two or three abreast and never on the top of one another, They are, moreover, of a comparatively large size, and their FRESH-WATER AQUARIA, 237 envelopes are very pellucid. The young of the Lymnea, as also the full-grown Physz, are very interesting to watch as they ascend and descend through the water by means of a mucus thread which they secrete, but which, ordinarily invisible, can be shown to be present by passing a solid body such as a glass rod between the animal and the point of attachment of the thread. The large bivalves, Unio and Anodonta, may be introduced into the aquarium, and they assist in keep- ing the water clear, but they draw into their systems through their fringed syphon tubes diatoms, desmids, rotifers, and other small swim- mingand floating organisms. If they are in atank they should be watched and removed as soon as death occurs, which may be known by the gaping of the valves of the shell, since such a large mass of decomposing animal matter kills some of the other inhabitants very quickly, besides giving off a by no means agreeable smell. They will, however, under ordinary circumstances, live several years in confinement. Polyzoa are generally not difficult to keep in an ordinary aquarium in moderate quantity. The statoblasts or ‘“ winter eggs” should be allowed to remain in the water, for though some of them float on the top of the water, or cling to the sides of the tank, giving it a somewhat untidy appearance if they are in considerable numbers, yet the beauty they display when they burst, and the young individuals come forth, amply atones for the former slight unsightliness. The statoblasts may, however, if desired, be removed, and placed in an auxiliary tank to be kept through the winter. Indeed, it is a very good plan to keep specially interesting microscopic beings in separate small glass vessels, as they are the more conveniently got at when required for examina- tion,and can also the better be preserved from their natural enemies.* Fish, as has been mentioned, are usually not very desirable tenants, as they will not join the union and become members of a “happy family.” The species best suited for confinement are the Roach and Prussian Carp. These may be transferred from their native waters direct, but the Perch, Pike, and Minnow, which also do well, should first be placed in a vessel where the water is changed, but at gradual y increasing intervals, and in about a week or ten days they may be placed in their future permanent home. Gold and Silver Fish, as is well known, thrive well in a small tank, so does the common Stickle- back, or Jack Bannel. This latter is one of the most interesting fish we have, as it builds a nest for its young, and in the spring-time the male is very gorgeous in his rainbow hues. The spawn and fry of fish can be kept, and are well worthy of examination with the microscope, being especially instructive as examples of embryonic development of vertebrates. It must be borne in mind that many creatures feed on the fry, their own parents included. Beetles may be placed * Mr. has introduced an admirable form for this and other purposes. It is aes ieee Zoophyte trough about 4in. in height and width. It has an extended base, so that it will stand in a window, and the depth from front to back being lin., a pocket lens can conveniently be brought. to bear upon Bay thing in it. They are to be had at Miss Bailey’s, in Bennett’s Hill, Birmingham, 238 FRESH-WATER AQUARIA. in an aquarium in almost any numbers, but they will soon be reduced to a very small one, as they are exceedingly voracious, pugnacious, and regular cannibals. Many other animals besides the few indicated may be kept in an aquarium, but overcrowding will cause great mortality. If convenient, it is well to have several large tanks, so that those animals which will not keep the peace with their fellow-lodgers may be separated. It is also a good plan where objects for the microscope are specially wished to be always at hand, to have one tank very stagnant, i.e., where the conferva is encouraged to grow vigorously and never cleaned out; but if the hints given above are followed, a great number of species may be kept and will flourish in a single tank. THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. AN ACCOUNT OF THE FLOWERING PLANTS AND FERNS OF THE COUNTY OF WARWICK. BY JAMES E. BAGNALL. (Continued from page 212.) GCARYORE Wek AGE AL ARENARIA. A, trinervis, Linn. Three-nerved Sandwort. Native : In woods, on banks, waysides, &ec. Common. May to July. Area general. A. serpyllifolia, Linn. Thyme-leaved Sandwort. Native: In fields, woods, on wall tops, banks, &ec. Common. June to August. Var. a. spherocarpa. Common throughout the country. Var. b. leptoclados. More rare, but having a wide range. I. Sutton Park; Coleshill Heath; wall tops, Nether Whitacre ; wall near Arley Wood; walls near Hartshill Stone Quarries; Hampton-in-Arden, IJ. Corn fields, Tachbrook, Y. and B.; Honington, Newb.; Old City Walls, Coventry, Kirk.; Lias stone walls, Kineton. (Alsine tenwifolia, Crantz. Very rare. Is recorded by Rey. A. Bloxam, from a gravel pit, Lower Hill Morton, R.S. R., 1874 ; Hoo Hill, near Polesworth, J. Power. T do not think this plant is more than a casual weed in War- wickshire. | SAGINA. S. apetala, Linn. Small-fowered Pearlwort. Native: On walls and sandy places. Local. May to September. I. Sutton Park, Castle Bromwich, Hampton-in-Arden, Middleton. II. Harboro’ Magna, Rev. A. B.; frequent on brick walls about Rugby, R.S.R.; Wootton, Kenilworth, Y. and B.; Honington, Newb. ; Stratford-upor-Avon, Harbury. §. ciliata, I’rics. Ciliated Pearlwort. Native: In sandy fields. Very rare. June, July. THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. 239 I. Coleshill Heath, abundant in some seasons ; sandy bank, north end of Sutton Park; very uncertain in its occurrence in both stations; in the Coleshill station absent whenever the crop is an annual one. S. procumbens, Linn. Procumbent Pearlwort. Native: On heathy sandy places, walls, and banks. Common. May to September. Area general. : S. nodosa, Meyer. Knotted Pearlwort. Native: In marshy places. Rare. July to August. I. Sutton Park! Dr. Stokes, With. ed. 2, ii., 483, 1787; Sutton, Freeman, Phyt. 1., 262; Coleshill Heath, Bree., Purt., i., 223. “ SPERGULA, 8. arvensis, Linn. Corn Spurrey. Native: In cornfields, on heaths and waysides. Common. May to August. The variety a. sativa is the most frequent form in sandy and gravelly soils. Var. b. vulgaris is a not unfrequent plant in marly soils, the two plants are so closely allied that I have not separated them in my note book. SPERGULARIA. 8. rubra, Fenz!. Field Sand Spurrey. Native: On walls, heaths, waysides, and sandy fields. Locally common. June to September. I. On heath lands, Sutton Park; waysides, Hampton-in-Arden ; Maxtoke and Coleshill Heath ; near Solihull; sandy fields, near Packington; wall tops, Hartshill and Nuneaton; way- sides, Cornels End, near Berkswell. Il. Turnpike road to New Inn, Alcester Parish, Purt., i., 215 ; between Milverton and Ashow, Perry, Fl.; cemetery walls, Rugby, R. S. R.; Milverton, Lye Green! Y. and B. ILLECEBRACEZ. \Herniaria hirsuta has been found near the Tanyards, Kenilworth, but cannot be considered as more than a waif. | SCLERANTHUS. §. annuus, Linn. Common Knawel. Native: In cultivated fields, and on heath lands. Locally common. June, July. More or less abundant throughout the whole area. Il. Var. b, biennis. Sandy pastures at Milverton. H.B., Lach. Club. Rep. 1877-8. MONTIA, M. fontana, Linn. Water Blinks. Native: In damp woods, borders of streams, marshes, &c. Local. April to August. I. Sutton, Freeman, Phyt. i.,192. Sutton Park; Marston Green ; Coleshill Pool; Cornels End; Stone Quarries, Hartshill; Shirley. Il. Hasler, Purt. i., 91. Hill Wooton, Perry Fl. Lye Green! and Wroxall, Y. and B. Combe Woods. Var. b. rivularis, is an elongated variety, occurring in ditches and streams. Rather more local than the type. Abundant in Sutton Park; Marston Green. [Claytonia perfoliata, Don, was found by Dr. Baker in the Royal Hotel Grounds, Sutton, but was merely a garden casual. 240 THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. ELATINACEZ. ELATINE, E. hydropiper, Lin. Water Wort. Native: Forming small matted tufts under water. Very rare. August. I. Coleshill Pool, Herb. Perry, Dr. Lloyd. 28, Warwickshire, Lloyd specimen. Top. Bot. I have never seen the plant myself, although I have made special searches for it. HYPERICACE4EZ. HYPERICUM. H, Androsemum, Linn. Tutsan. Native: On hedge banks. Rare. July, August. I. Lane from Knowle to Hampton-in-Arden ; lane near W hey-porridge Lane, Solihull. II. In woods, Meriden, Purt., iii., 374; hedge banks, Honily ; Kenil- worth Chase; Burton Green, H.B.; near Berkswell, H. Cow. Occurring in single individuals, often at long intervals, but always, so far as my own experience serves, remote from cultivation. H. perforatum, Linn. Dotted leaved St. John’s Wort. Native: On hedge banks and bushy heaths. Common. July to September. Throughout the whole area. Two forms occur, but are hardly distinguishable. H. dubium, Leers. Imperforate St. John’s Wort. Native: In marshy places, and on damp heaths. Rather rare. July, August. I. In Mr. Digby’s wood, Meriden, With., iii., 816; near Meriden! Aylesford, B.G., 637; Packington, Mreeman, Phyt., i.; footway from Meriden main road to Cornel’s End; Railway banks, near Aston Church, 1874; near Boultbie Wood, Meriden; Canal bank, near Solihull; Sutton Park; Walmley,* near Sutton. Il. Between Leek Wootton fields and Stoneleigh, Perry, Fl., 64; Lower Hill Morton Road, Rev. A. Blox. ; Hill Wootton, Y. and B.; Whitnash and Chesterton, H.B. ; near Rugby, R.S.R. ; Spernall Ash*; Alcester.* H. tetrapterum, /ries. Square Stemmed St. John’s Wort. Native: In marshes and moist places. Locally common. July, August. I. Sutton Park; Coleshill Pool; Bannersley Pool, &c. II. Whitnash, Y. and B.; Honington ; Tredington, Newb., Alveston. H. humifusum, Linn. railing St. John’s Wort. Native: In fields, and heathy and gravelly places. Rather common. July, August. I. Sutton Park; Bodmire, near Sutton; Hartsbill; Barston Marsh, &e. Il. ‘Rare, Kings Coughton, Alcester Heath,” Purt., i., 354; opposite to Stoneleigh Lodge, Perry, 1817; at the Woodloes, near War- wick; on the Turnpike Road from Warwick to Leamington, Perry, Fl., 64; Kenilworth, Y. and B.; rare, near Rugby, Lower Hill Morton Lane and Furze Lane, R. S. R., 1877. H. pulchrum, Linn. Upright St. John’s Wort. Native: In woods and on heaths and heathy footways. Locally common. June to August. * The plants from these stations appear to be the typical form, Our most frequent form appears to be the variety b. maculatum. THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. 241 I. On the east side of Edgbaston Park, With, iii., 819; Solihull dis- trict; Sutton Park; Marston Green; Middleton; Coleshill ; Packington, &e. II. Oversley! and Ragley Woods! Purt, i., 354; Bagington Park; Leek Wootton fields; between Warwick and Hatton, Perry, 1817; Lower Hill Morton and Dunchurch Road! R. S. R. ; Alveston pastures, Newb. H. hirsutum, Linn. Hairy St. John’s Wort. Native: In woods, copses, and waysides, in marly and calcareous soils. Locallycommon. July, August. II. Near Stratford! Wootton Field; Perry 1817. Chesterton, Y. and B. Salford Priors! Rev. J. C. Chadshunt, Bolton King. Oversley Wood; Drayton Bushes; Yarningale Common; Bearley ; Binton ; Edge Hills; Rowington Canal Bank. H. elodes, Linn. Marsh St. John’s Wort. Native: In bogs and marshes. Very rare. June, July. I. Bogs on Birmingham Heath. With. iii., 818. Coleshill Pool! and Bog; Purt., i., 355. Sutton and Coleshill. Freeman Phyt. i., 262. This plant is most abundant at Coleshill Pool, but I have never seen it elsewhere in the county, and am convinced that it does not now occur in Sutton Park, even though it may have done so in 1841, when Freeman recorded the plant. (H. calycinum, Linn. is recorded from Compton Verney, but has no claim to a place in the Flora. | MALVACE. MALVA. M. moschata, Linn. Musk Mallow. Native: On hedge banks, in fields, &c. Locally common. June, August. I. (Malva Alcea), in hedges, and at the side of fields ; Gough’s Camd. ii., 350, 1789. Edgbaston Lane; Ick. Anal., 1837. Sutton Railway Bank; Lane from Cornell’s End to Berkswell; Water Orton ; Hampton-in-Arden ; Coleshill; Knowle, &c. II. King’s Coughton and Coughton Court; Purti., 324. Near Stone- leigh ; Hatton! On the Stratford! and Kenilworth Roads to Warwick, Perry Fl. 59; Milverton, Y. and B.; rare in the Rugby district, near Hill Morton, RF. S. R.; Honington Park! Newb. ; Salford Priors; Brandon; Great Alne near Railway Station ; near Henley-in-Arden, &c. M. sylvestris, Linn. Common Mallow. Native: On hedge banks, waste places, &c. Locally common. May or June to August. I. Sutton; Knowle; Marston Green; Wishaw ; Hampton-in-Arden, &e. Il. Kenilworth, &c., Y. and B.; Alderminster and Stratford! Newb. ; Brandon ; Ufton, &c. M., rotundifolia, Linn. Dwarf Mallow. Native: On roadsides and waste places. Rather local. June to August. I. Sheldon, Rev. J. Gorle ; Marston Green; Curdworth, &c. II. Milverton Village, H. B.; Tredington, Honington, Blackwell, Shipston-on-Stour, Newb.; Stratford; Wilmcote, Alveston. [Malva niceensis, All., occurs as a casual on waste ground near Kenilworth, H. B.} The seeds of this and other casuals are brought with foreign skins. 242 THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. TILIACE. TILIA. T. grandifolia, Lhrh. Large leaved Lime. Denizen: Hedges. Rare. II. “‘ Warwick,” Comp., Cyb., Brit., 129; Mr. Kirk considered some trees of this species, near Coventry, as native; why, I am unable to state; I do not think it has any claim to be con- sidered native in any Warwickshire station where I have seen it. T. intermedia, DC. is most abundant in many of our hedges and parks, but is always a planted tree. Those at Baddesley Clinton, Y. and B., are undoubtedly planted. Mr. Bromwich says it “‘ appears wild at Burton Green and Kenilworth.” T. parvifolia, Hhrh. Small leaved Lime Tree. Native: In woods and hedges. Rare. July. I. Hartshill Hayes, two trees only observed. II. Beausale Common, H.B.; Brandon, Kirk; Whitmore Park, T. Kirk, Herb. Perry. It is impossible to decide what claim any of our forest trees have to be considered wild, as even in primitive woods, such as Chesterton Wood, saplings are constantly planted. LINACE. RADIOLA. R. millegrana, Sm. All-seed Flaz. Native: On moist heathy places. Rare. July, August. I. Coleshill Pool, Purt.i.; Freeman, Phyt. 1., 262; heathy footways, Balsall Common; near Honily! H.B. II. Shrewley, H.B.; about a mile south of Rugby, side of Barby Road, R.S.R. LINUM. L, catharticum, Linn. Purging Flax. Native: On banks and in fields. Common, more especially in marly soils. May toJuly. Area general. [L. angustifolium, Huds., is recorded from the side of Hill Morton Road, near Rugby, R.S.R., 1875; Burton Dasset, introduced with grass, Bolton King; merely a casual weed. } (L usitatissimum, Linn. Common flar. Springs up occasionally in cultivated fields, and on railway banks. It was abundant on the new railway bank at Sutton Park, in 1868, but was not permanent. Purton records it from Broome, Mid. Flor., i., 164; and Mr. Bromwich finds it near Kenilworth, Stoneleigh, Honily, and Leamington. I believe it is often introduced by bird catchers, being used as one of their baits. | (To be continued.) NOTES ON ROCKS, FOUND IN THE NORTHERN DRIFT GRAVELS. BY W. C. LUCY, F.G.S. The following rocks derived from other localities, occur near to and within a few miles of Gloucester, generally at heights from 40 to 250 feet above sea level :— NOTES ON ROCKS. Millstone Grit. Felstone. Syenite. Granite. Lickey Quartz. Carboniferous Limestone. Flint. Chalk (rare.) Anp on Limpury Hint, 243 (Eight miles from Gloucester,) Silurian Rocks, containing the Heliolites : Halysites catenularius Cyathophyllum following fossils :— ” ” Favosites alveolaris ae sé - Petraia bina an ye sjare'e.s,sivies lc 4°31) °72 13 16 | 77°0 6 400} 28 Sheltenham (a)............ ..|R. Tyrer, Esq.,B.A., F.M.S.| 3:65] “49112 &21|20| 80-4) 5 87°2| 28 WILTSHIRE. | Marlborough (a) ............|Rev. T. A. Preston, F.M.S. SHROPSHIRE. | MVOOIETAREON Se cc ecivsss seis Bev. Ds Carrs. ce cace seus '4°48/ °81) 16 22 | 82°5 1 43:0, 30 Bishop’s Castle .............. KE. Griffiths, Esq. ..... 5°09|120) 16 21|)810|) 5 |39°0 2 More Rectory, Bishop's Castle Rev. A.S. Male..... 4:48] “65| 22 23 | 740) 4 |88°0| 2&28 Dowles, near Bewdley ......|J. M. Downing, Esq. ... 3°40) 94) 25 15 | 850) 4 39°0} 25 HEREFORDSHIRE. | Stoke Bliss .................+ Rey. G. Alexander ........ 3°46) “48) 22 17 | 78:0 5 | 48°0) 12 & 27 WORCESTERSHIRE. | Orleton, Tenbury ........ -»-.|T. H. Davis, Esq., F.M.S. ..| 3°88] °52| 22 18 | 81-0 5 8797] 28 West Malvern :......... -|A. H. Hartland, Esq. ... e 23 17 | 83°0 5 41-0) 2 IIMERMBAM se cislcicievicsciclels s T. J. Slatter, Esq., F.G.S... 17 18 | 79°0) 6 42°5| 28 LENT OG) SappsecerbOOOnEe .|E. B. Marten, Esq. ......_. 233 19 | 81-0 4 |41:0) 27 Stourbridge . AGHODE Mr. I. Jefferies ....... 23 17 | 800 4 39°0} 27 PINOLE elacictsic cist civic ovevis sno 516.6 iMiri CYBEdIG) eecacscmceeen 23 19 | 75°09) 5 |42°0; 2! STAFFORDSHIRE. | Dennis, Stourbridge (a) ...... CEWGDD 5 HSC: -\tereis v1 a/sje.c)ele le 456|134) 23 17 | 815) 5 40°0| 27 OA Ober es niciccieis sro < -|Rev. W. H. Bolton . 4°52) 1°53] = 25 18 74°0) 4&5 | 400 27 Walsall..... N.E. Best, Esq. ..... 5°68) 112) 8 19|730; 6 | 44:0] 27 Lichfield ....... J. P. Roberts, Esq. ........| 4°61] “98; 23 18 | 84°0 6 g Grammar School, .\C. U. Tripp, Hsq., M.A..... 4°45) “7 22 22 | 86°0 5 Weston-under- -Lyziard seo0ee Hon. & Rey. J. Bridgeman .| 4°16) “68 8 24 | 80°0 5 Wrottesley .. -|E. Simpson, Esq. .......... i 8 17 | 81°3} 5 Barlaston, (a) . Sarees W. Scott, Esq., F.M.S...... | BRR eeristasleciasite's ccaceksisisls Rey. G. T. Ryves, F.MS. 22 | 79°0! 5 Heath House, nearCheadle(a) J.C. Philips, Esq., J.P... 21 | 780 5 Oakamoor (a).............0-- Mr. E.E Kettle ..... 221789) 5 Beacon Stoop,WeaverHills(a)/Mr. James Hall ..... 22 | 744) 5 AISGONELG once ec0.s ce .....| Rev. W. H. Purchas 19 | 83°0) 5 WARWICKSHIRE. | | . St. Mary’s College, Oscott.....J. MacElmail. Esq. ........ 18 | 82:3 6 Henley-in-Arden ............ |T. H.G. Newton, Esq. .... 19 | 82°0 5 Park Hill, Kenilworth ......)T. G. Hawley, Fsq......... 5 7)80°0) 6 Kenilworth (a) .............. |F. Slade, Esq., F.M.S.......] 5 20/810) 5 Coundon, Coventry .......... Lieut.-Col. RK. Caldicott.... 19 | suv 5 DERBYSHIRE, | Stony Middleton REV UA Smith, costes § 730; 5 Spondon ......... J.T. Barber, Esq 25 20 | 780 Linacre Reservoir C. ER. Jones, Esq 5°36, be 8 16 | Duffield.......... Wieblandstaaqicee cs ccse cn 10) 1: 28 20 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. . TIGA) so ain sice aie tin oj:0='s W. Tyrer, Esq., F.M.S. ....|5°72 134 23 24 | 82°7 5 4Vi 28 Hodsock Priory, Worksop (a).|H. Mellish, Hsq., F.M.S. ..)5°09)185, 28 21 | 82:1) 5 407 2 PPS OY eae < nizjs}atsisicis ss (ceo |J. N. Dufty, Hsq., F.G.S. ..|5°51| 1°46) 28 17 | 75°0 5 40°0) 27 LEICESTERSHIRE. | Loughborough (a)............ W. Berridge, Wsq.,F.M.S...| 4°85)1°20) 238 19 | 841 5 889) 28 SST ossite Geneae ror Saoemon J. Hames, Esq...... Sagaatin 5°0/ 119 8 24 | 80°0 6 40°0| 28 Town Museum, Leicester. Bool Man eais) bid ind 1: ( Geaeeoerianod 5°18) 1°36) 8 19 | 82:0 5 410; 28 Ashby Magna................|Rev. Canon Willes ..,.....| 4°81] ‘89) 23 19 | 83°0 4 39°0} 28 Kibworth......... T. Macaulay, Ksq. ...... ..| 4°30! °72 8 22 | 80% 5 Bs'0| 18 Waltham-le-Wold . Maley ES HG Becdoendaounee 6°53) 1°53 8 19 | 79°0 5 89°0} 27 Tp lig 18 Se 6 Seecesanordodoe G. Jones, Hsq..........--4+ 4°74) 115 8 22 | 3°0 5 | 88°0) 28 Coston Rectory, Melton joe -|Rev. A.M. Rendell........ | 4°78} 1°39 8 22 | 81°0 é 888) 28 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE | Towcester ......... Pes DEED DY AUR. wlanintor 21 Castle Ashby ....... ..|R. G. Scriven, Esq.. 238 18 | 80°0 6 430) 27 Kettering Beno aw LN GSE) wciccpemlsines.c 23 18 | 770 6 43°0, 28 MIEN OED septs wis sone Bee itek cis iC. 8. Groom, Esq. } 8 1& | 80°0 56 |860) 27 OXFORDSHIRE. : Ratcliffe Observatory, Oxford|The Staff....... sececsceees| 4°84] “53) 24 21 | 80°2 6 415) 28 RUTLAND. Northfields, Stamford......../W. H. Hayes, Esq. -| 4°92/1°08; 23 22 | 84:0 5 830} 28 Uppingham (a) ...... Beeman Rev. G. H. Mullins, M.A...! 507/151! 23 20 | 80°2 ae 2 (a) At these Stations Stevenson’s Thermometer Screen is in use, and the values may be regarded as strictly intercomparable. Fort William, July, 10°90,189, 29th and 30th ; Beacon Stoop, July, a by 45, “60, 26th and 11th; 69°7, 14, 41°0, 27th. 78°9, 5, 41°9, 21st. For Rainfall Statistics and Temperature as above respectively. 246 CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence, $$$ - Concnotocy.—On the 26th of August I was at Bearley, in Warwick- shire, and I took among other shells Clausilia rugosa, var. tumida, also C. Rolphii. I sent the shells to Mr. G. S. Tye, who replied— “ The C. Rolphii is a very interesting find, and you ought to record it in the.‘ Midland Naturalist’ as a new shell for Warwickshire.”— W. H. Boranp, 23, Paxton Road, Birmingham. ConvotyvuLtus Spuinx.—On Thursday, August 23rd, I had a fine specimen of Sphinx convolvuli brought in by the yard boy, who had found it sitting upon an iron gate in the yard. Afterwards one of the men said he had seen it there some days but had forgotten to tell me. I record the capture thinking it may interest some of our readers. —S. Ropry Hartam, 22, High Street, Burton-on-Trent, September 2nd, 1881. Cuckoo, &c.—On the night of the 6th August last we had a Cuckoo singing in our garden about eleven o’clock at night. It continued singing for nearly ten minutes at short intervals, and was, I presume, a young bird. Isaw two Siskins at Kingussie on August 10th. The Chiffchaff is again singing. He and the Robin are our only songsters at present.—H. G. Tomiryson, The Woodlands, Burton-on-Trent. Fiora or DrrpysHtrE.—The Rev. W. Hunt Puinter, of Bristol, who formerly resided at Derby, has for some time been engaged in preparing a flora of that county. In reply to a request made to him by the Editors of this Journal he has sent the following communica- tion: ‘I take up my pen to tell you a little about my ‘ Notes on the Flora of Derbyshire,’ now being published in the ‘ Journal of Botany.’ In compiling these notes I have been greatly assisted by several good botanists, whose names have been given in connection with the several plants and habitats for which they are responsible; and who have furnished me with specimens of the plants which they have found. Thus no plant is recorded of which I have not seen a specimen. The county has been divided into four districts, following the great Geological Divisions. I. The Peak district, extending from Glossop on the north to Ashbourne on the south, from Chesterfield on the east to the borders of Staffordshire on the west. II. The Coal district, lying immediately to the east of the former, and extending from Sheffield to Duffield near Derby. III. The Permian, lying still further to the east of the above, and bordering upon Nottinghamshire. IV. The district lying to the south of all the above, and including the southern portion of the county. The first and last of the above mentioned districts have been well worked, the 2nd and 2rd have been, I believe, scarcely touched. So far I have recorded about 700 plants, but on consulting ‘ Topographical Botany,’ by Mr. H. C. Watson, whose recent decease we all so much deplore, I find that there are about 120 more, respecting which I have not succeeded in obtaining any informa- tion. May I therefore appeal to the botanists of Derbyshire and the neighbouring counties for assistance in obtaining full and complete information respecting the flora of this interesting county? I shall be very glad to enter into correspondence with any who may be willing to unite with me in this work, and to furnish them with the necessary catalogues, etc.”—W. Hunr Painter, Bristol, REPORTS. 247 Aeports of Societies. en coe BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.—Anugust 30th —Generat Meretinc. Mr. Bagnail exhibited Arte- misia vulgaris, var. coarctata, Forcel, a variety new to Britain, and also intermediate forms between that and the type. He also exhibited two Fungi, Agaricus (Amanita) pantherinus, and Russula emetica, from near Stratford- on-Avon. Mrs. Marshail exhibited the skin of a pelican. Mr. Wagstaff exhibited Stephanoceros Eichhornii and Draparnaldia glomerata. Mr. H. W. Jones exhibited three crabs from the Great Orme, Hyas araneus, Parcellana platychiles, and Corystes cassivelaunus. Mr. Bolton exhibited some marine organisms. Mr. W. B. Grove exhibited a number of Fungi from the neighbour- hood, including Arcyria punicea, Trichia chrysosperma, and Peziza virginea from Sutton, Agarcius citrinellus, Coprinus plicatilis, and Bolbitius titubans from Witton, and Hydnum niveum from Bromsgrove.—September 6th— GENERAL MEETING. Mr. Bolton exhibited living Foraminifera, Triloculina trigonula, from Brighton; also Follicularia Boltoni from Evesham. Mr. Levick exhibited Melicerta annulata, and M. tyro, from bis garden pond. Mr. Wagstaff exhibited Plumatella repens and Cristatella Mucedo, from King’s Norton. Mr. J. F. Goode exhibited Nonionina Parieeana, from sand dredged at Oban during the visit of the society, in July, 1881. This is a purely northern species of Foraminifera, the most southern place at which it has been recorded being Scarborough. Mr. Silvanus Wilkins exhibited a collection of Fungi, found in a wood near Hunter's Lodge, about three miles from Axminster, on the Charmouth Road. Amongst them was the interesting Latticed Stinkhorn, Clathrus cancellatus, the odour of which is as disgusting as its form and colour are beautiful. It is very rare, being found only in a few places in the South of England. There were also specimens of the bright- coloured but poisonous species, Amanita muscaria and Boletus luridus, anda large one of the edible Boletus edulis. Mr. Robinson exhibited Polyporus sulphureus. Mr. R. M. Lloyd exhibited Polyporus squamosus, from Hodge Hill, Castile Bromwich. Mr. W. B. Grove exhibited the following Fungi, Agaricus sublateritius, A. rubescens, Pazillus involutus, Cantharellus aurantiacus, Russula Emetica, Boletus edulis, Polyporus sulphureus, Tremella foliacea, Peziza vesiculosa, P. cinerea, Bulgaria inquinans, and Nectria cinnabarina, all from Sutton Park.—September 13th.—BioLocicaL Sxection. Dr. Deane exhibited Amanita muscaria. Mr. W. Southall exhibited the fruit of Caryocar nuciferum, (Butter-nut,) from South America. Mr. Bolton exhibited Floscu- laria trifolium, found by Mr. Wagstaff near Birmingham. This rotifer was discovered for the first time in Scotland last year. Mr. J. E. Bagnall exhibited Agaricus pantherinus, A. rubescens, A. melleus, A. candicans, A. phyllophilus, A. laccatus, Lactarius zonarius, L. subdulcis, Marasmius wrens, Cortinarius hinnuleus, Lycoperdon gemmatum, and L. pyriforme. Mr. C. J. Watson exhibited a bottle of gas obtained from confervoid growth in a marine aquarium, and which was shown to consist chiefly of oxygen gas. Mr. 58. Wilkins exhibited Cuscuta europea (Greater Dodder) from near Axminster. Mr. W. P. Marshall exhibited a series of drawings from the Virgularia speci- mens of the Oban dredging, and pointed out their non-agreement with the statement made in Nicholson’s Manual of Zoology that the polypes of Virgu- laria are of two distinct kinds on different portions of the stem—one kind sexually complete and furnished with tentacles, and the other kind sexless and without tentacles. Mr. Marshall suggested that this difference in the polypes is only due to their being at different stages of their development, and pointed out that the polypes in most of the Oban specimens showed a graaual progres- sion from a rudimentary state at the bottom to a fally developed state at the top, while in other specimens they all showed a fully developed state throughout the entire length.—Sept. 20th.— MicroscopicaL GENERAL Meetine. Mr. J. Levick exhibited Cyathus vernicosus, the bird’s-nest fungus. Mr. T. Bolton exhibited Limnocodium Sowerbei, the fresh-water medusa, lately discovered in the tanks of the Victoria regia, at the Royal Botanical Gardens; also Pedalion mira, a strange and rare rotifer. Mr. Wright Wilson exhibited and made some remarks about a parasite on a fish caught in the River Cole. Mr. Badger exhibited, on 248 REPORTS. behalf of Mr. Eliezer Edwards, Stigmaria jicoides, from the Welsh coal measures. Mr. W. J. Harrison exhibited Stalagmite from Gibraltar, and Ammonites biplex, showing the nacreous lustre of the shell. Mr. J. F. Goode exhibited a vertical section of a lower jaw of a mole, with the teeth in sitw. Mr. Slatter exhibited Ribes alpinum, the alpine currant, from near Evesham. Mr. Marshall exhibited a series of sections of the stems of Virgularia and Funiculina, dredged at Oban. Mr. Bagnall exhibited a collection of Fungi, from Cut-throat Wood, Solihull, including Hygrophorus toccineus, Russula cyanox- antha, and Nyctalis parasitica. Mr. Grove exhibited a collection of Fungi from Sutton Park, including Lepista nuda, Lepiotarhacodes, Hygrophorus psittacinus, H. miniatus, and Boletus luteus. BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. September 7th.—The ninth annual meeting was held in the Council Room of the Institute, the president (Mr. Hipkiss) in the chair. The annual report stated that the society now numbered 159 members, showing an increase of 22. Seventeen papers had been read during the past session, with an average attendance of 37°7 members per paper. At the Society’s seven excursions the average attendance was 212. The librarian reported that 960 vols. had been issued. The finances of the society showed a balance in hand. The report having been adopted, a vote of thanks was passed to the officers and committee for their past services, also to the Council of the Institute for granting the use of room for the society’s meetings. Mr. C. B. Caswell, F.I.C., was elected president; Mr. W. R. Morris vice-president ; Mr. G. H. Twigg and Mr. C. J. Woodward, B.Sce., trustees ; Mr. C. R. Robinson, treasurer; Mr. W. J. Morley, librarian; and Mr. W. H. Cox, hon. secretary. The retiring president, Mr. R. Hipkiss, then delivered an address on the influence of science and scientific achievements upon the social and moral elevation of the people. Passing in hasty review the early career of James Watt, his perseverance, trials, and final success in the perfection of the steam engine, he claimed for Boulton and Murdoch a great share in the honour. He paid a warm tribute to Murdoch for the introduction of gas for illuminating purposes, and regretted that whilst Rowland Hill had been deservedly thought of in our post office asimilar testimony had not been raised in our gas office to the inventor of that which had played so conspicuous and important a part in contributing to the comfort of our homes and work- shops. He drew attention to the advantages and improved social position of the workman since the days of George Stephenson, comparing them with the toils and drudgery and limited pleasures of the past. Among our chief advantages were cheap railway fares and the short time occupied between leaving the duties of the domestic hearth and obtaining the benefits derived from fresh fields and pastures new, and from contemplating nature in its varied and most delightful forms. The address was listened to with great attention, and a hearty vote of thanks was given to Mr. Hipkiss. BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ UNION.— August lst. An excursion to Cheltenham for Gloucester ; fossils were found in plenty along the Cotswold range. Good botanical finds were plenteous, among which were Carline Thistle, Wild Marjoram, and Deadly Nightshade. Shells were abundant everywhere, the best find being 4chatina acicula, perhaps the rarest shell in the Midlands.—August 7th. The specimens collected during the excursion were exhibited. Mr. Madison showed a number of shells, Cardium, Littorina, and Purpura from a raised beach near Llandudno.—August 15th. Mr. Insley exhibited specimens of Lignite and plant remains from miocene beds, Bovey Tracey. A paper on ‘Spontaneous Generation” was read by Mr. Hindmarsh.—August 22nd. A meeting devoted specially to Botany. Mr. J. W. Neville showed a specimen of common coltsfoot leaf infested with micro-fungus, (Coleosporum.) Mr. H. Insley, plants illustrating various natural orders. Mr. Blay, the complete number of British Plantains. Mr. Boland, larva of Bombyx Pernii. Mr. Darley, parasite of common Stickleback.— August 29th. Mr. Baxter exhibited a specimen of Lophopus cr stallinus. Mr. Boland, pupa of Bombyx Pernii. Mr. J. W. Neville, common Water Spider in its nest, showing it filled with air. A paper was read by Mr. W on the “ Telescopic Aspect of the Moon.” ‘The paper was descripti illustrated. ON COMMENCING THE STUDY OF FUNGI. 249 ON COMMENCING THE STUDY OF FUNGI.* BY DR. M. C. COOKE, M.A. It is contrary to my wishes that I should come here for the first time with an apology in my mouth; but so the fates have decreed. If you are disappointed, I shall be none the less so, that I am incom- petent to the duty laid upon me. Congratulating you on having commenced this year a most interesting study, I must warn you that it is not an easy one. If any of you would go further than you have gone to day, it must be by dint of work. There is no royal road to a knowledge of fungi. After a quarter of a century of too close applica- tion, as the sequel has proved, I am still but a learner. I am still fain to confess how much there is I do not know. Out of more than 3,000 British fungi, perhaps near 4,000 there, are 1,000 or more which may be collected and studied without the microscope, by the aid only of a simple pocket lens. This group is perhaps the best known as Fungi. Some there are who know no other. They are the mushroom and toadstool kind, and those hard woody excrescences which are not uncommon on rotting trees. These are called by fungus hunters, Hymenomycetes, because the spore- bearing surface forms a distinct exposed part of the fungus, as for instance the gills of a mushroom or the tubes of a polypore. I need not enter upon either the minute anatomy or the classifica- tion of these higher fungi, but simply call to your mind that the spores, or analogues of seed, which they all produce are borne on the tips of clavate basidia, or fruit-stalks, which are surmounted by two or four little spicules, each of which carries a spore. If we take a mushroom, or a fungus of the same genus, in our hands, and examine it, we shall observe that the cap or pileus has on its under surface a number of radiating plates or gills, the whole surface of which is covered with the busidia I have just spoken of, closely packed together, and bearing on the spicules at the tips the spores of the fungus. These spores differ in colour in different species, and the species are grouped together according to the colour of their spores. The Agarics with white spores equal in number all the rest with coloured spores. In some they are roseate, in others brown, in others purple, in others black. In determining a fungus, the first thing to ascertain ts the colour of the spores. To facilitate this it is better to cut off the stalk and place the fungus, gills downwards, on dull black paper, and allow it to remain all night. During this time the spores will be thrown down upon the paper, and their colour can be determined. If the operator is also a microscopist, he may examine some of these spores in a drop of water, and discover their form and size, as well as their colour. UMAR Aes WAS ptt eva rttes oy met bri pe i len ay plpwe pores 0) Stee SE * Presented to the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society at the Fungus Foray, October 8th. 250 ON COMMENCING THE STUDY OF FUNGI. Having experimented thus far, the novice will learn the meaning of the five groups into which the large genus Agaricus is divided in the handbooks. These divisions correspond with the colour of the spores. Let us return again to our type mushroom or toadstool, and look once more at its composition. Some of them will have, as the mush- room has not, a sheathing cup or membrane at the base of the stem, and portions of the same membrane adhering like warts to the cap. This will indicate the essential features of a sub-genus with a compara- tively limited number of species. Others, deficient of this volva, will have a ring round the stem, others again will have no ring. Then the gills must also be observed. In some the end next the stem does not touch the stem, in others it joins the stem, and in others it not only joins, but is decurrent, or runs some distance down it. By observing closely all these minute details, and many more, such as the smooth- ness or roughness, or silkiness of the cap, whether dry or viscid, elevated or depressed, you will at length be able, by dint of patience and perseverance, to determine for yourselves with tolerable accuracy the name of any Agaric which comes into your hands. Remember that all the most apparently trivial and minute differences must be sought out and made note of. The faculty of close and accurate observation is the great desideratum of the fungus hunter, as of all students of Natural History. Those who lave learnt how to observe will make the most rapid strides in Mycology. The most important of all faculties is that of knowing how to see, and, to some extent also, how to taste and smell, You will pardon me if I omit to dwell on the distinctions between the genus Agaricus and the other genera closely allied to it, which would occupy considerable time, and are best learnt in the field with the aid of a knowing friend, and a little experience. Other large fungi you may have seen which have no gills on the under surface of theircaps, but in place of them there are a number of pinholes, which are the openings of tubes, the sides of which are lined with the basidia. The fleshy sorts are called Boletus, the harder woody kinds are Polyporus. If you cut one of them longitudinally through the stem, if it has one, you will see and learn better than by verbal explanation the difference between them. Take up yet another fungus, and in place of either gills or pores, you will find teeth or spines, with the spore-bearing surface investing them on the outside. Thus, through all the various orders and genera of the higher fungi, you will find special modifications of structure, which are set forth in the written characters of the orders and genera under which all the species you may meet with will find their allotted place, and your progress will be very much indicated by the facility with which you may place every new comer into its own especial pigeon-hole. ON COMMENCING THE STUDY OF FUNGI. 251 I may naturally expect you to ask me, having found, and, perhaps, named a number of Agarics, what you are to do with such putrescent plants, in order to have some record of your labour. I cannot recom- mend you to waste your time in attempting to cut them in slices and dry them, since, when you have done so, they will give little or no idea of the living plant. There is only one alternative—you must learn to draw and colour them to the life. This is not such a fearful task as it may seem, and, with a little experience, one who has had no practice in drawing will be able to do it very well. Permit me a hint or two to those who persist in affirming that they cannot draw. Take your Agaric, with a sharp knife cut it right through the cap and down the stem into two equal halves. Lay the cut surfaces a minute or two upon blotting paper to absorb moisture. Then take one-half and lay it, cut surface down- wards, on paper for drawing. Hold it there, or pin it there, so that it shifts not. Then with a sharp pencil mark round the cap, gills, and stem, tracing the form accurately on the paper. Remove the half fungus, and complete the drawing by hand along the upper edge of the gills, so as to present a correct outline of the cut section. This done, see that you mark also the hollow of the stem if it is hollow, and then proceed to colour the gills of the natural colour, if they are not white, and then the inner surface of the stem, or wherever colour is requisite to a perfect section. Having a perfect and accurate section, you have obtained half of what is necessary. Lay the same, or the other half, on the paper, and trace again in the same way; but, instead of tracing the gills, leave off at the edge of the cap, remove your section, draw a connecting line across from one edge to the other of the cap, and you have an outline of the growing fungus, drawn mechanically. Colour this also as near as you can in imitation of the living specimen. By getting over the difficulty of drawing by this method, the minor difficulty of colouring will soon be overcome, and, after a time, the mere tracing will so accustom the hand that you will be able to accomplish artistic drawing. On these rough drawings may be written all the details which could not be well represented. It may be necessary in your earliest attempts to write the name beneath; you should add where found, if on the ground or on wood, whether it was viscid or dry, dull or shining, foetid, or without odour, etc. These, roughest of all drawings, will serve to remind you of all the features of species you have seen. Take special care to omit nothing that you can see and recognise in the living plant. If you wish to preserve the spores you can obtain them in the method already described, and, folding the paper so as to prevent their rubbing off, attach them to your sketches. For a few minutes permit me now to answer the question which some one might propound—* Cui bono ?” There is less asking of such a question now in respect of any natural history pursuit than there was forty years ago. You must 252, ON COMMENCING THE STUDY OF FUNGI. apply for yourselves all such general answers as will apply to all the departments of Biology. [ will attempt only two or three, which are special to the subject. First,—The field is so little trodden that you are sure to bring credit to yourself by your investigations ; and you will probably soon receive encouragement by some discovery, either of new forms or new phases, such as the well-worked entomology could not so readily furnish. Secondly,—Your acquisition of practical knowledge may add very considerably to your creature comforts. Taking, as a low estimate, fifty species found in this country to be good eating—and some are delicious—you will be able to add a few choice dishes to your table, and to invite your friends to repasts of which they had not befcre tasted. I have never recommended anyone to experiment with fungi, but I do recommend those who are able with certainty to distinguish one fungus from another, as readily as they can distinguish a chaffinch from a crow, to eat such as are edible, because no two of them are exactly alike, and some of them will produce quite a new sensation, and will remain a standing dish at your table for ever after. Eight or nine gentlemen of my acquaintance once supped with me, now twenty years ago. They were beguiled to eat of a mysterious dish, It was fried puff-ball. Not one of them now living has forgotten that supper, and it is almost always mentioned when we meet, for meetings are rare with old friends, and the reminiscence always affords pleasure, as did the repast. Prejudice is very strong against eating any fungus but that called the Mushroom, and yet I suppose that I have eaten forty others which are quite as harmless, some quite as good, others perhaps better, and all quite as easy of determination—some more easy, for they can scarcely be mistaken. I think a successful appeal to an Englishman’s stomach needs no further answer to ‘‘ what good is it?”” I must now crave permission to conclude with a word or two of counsel. Do not imagine that there is any royal road to the knowledge of fungi. The only road is patience and perseverance. Do not despair because you fail ten times in determining a fungus accurately, for many have failed before you. Do not rest satisfied with having your specimens named for you. It is better to make out afew for yourself than only to learn them empirically by being told their names, and never learning the reason why. It is useful to have a few species pointed out, or a difficult problem solved ; but this being done, the next step should be to com- pare the specimens carefully with the description in the book, and see how the two things agree. Never take upon trust what is told you, if you have the opportunity of verifying for yourself. The road to truth runs through the portals of doubt. In my experience I have known many who call themselves naturalists, who collect a batch of specimens, trouble themselves not ON COMMENCING THE STUDY OF FUNGI. 258 for an instant to determine what they are, but pack them off at once to some expert, with a polite note, ‘‘ Please to inform me of the names of the enclosed.” Such a proceeding is not only a disgrace to any intelligent man, but it is also a shameful tax on the energies of the too willing expert, who, like a true naturalist, is ever willing to extend a helping hand. I have known persons to follow this process year after year, sending the same common thing three or four times over, and even after ten years not a step beyond the point from whence they started. It is only we, who follow a specialty, who know the extent to which this brass is passed as gold. Depend upon it, we can form our estimate of men who make collections, and borrow reputations, at the cost of other men’s brains. Do not imagine that you are failing because you cannot appraise your own success. You may seem to stand still, and yet, if your work is earnest and genuine, you will be progressing. Acquisition of know- ledge can never be set down as a failure ; and one cannot cut up and examine plants, whether fungi or others, one after another, and not acquire knowledge. True knowledge is not showy and pedantic. A little popgun may make a great noise. Do not attempt too much. Confine your operations to some definite limit. Let the Agarics, for instance, be the summit of your ambition, and do not attempt more till you comprehend the method of classification, and have laid a good foundation; then you may go on and add another story to your house. Attempting too much means failure in all. You know what we think of a man who knows a little of everything—the title of every book, the mysteries of every trade. We know also the success which men have achieved by confining themselves to a small group of insects, to a single order of plants, and how easy it is for them to add another, and another, when they have learnt one thing well. THE BIRDS OF LEICESTERSHIRE. PART I.OUR SUMMER MIGRANTS. BY THOMAS MACAULAY, M.R.C.S.L., ETC. A tolerably complete list of the Summer Migrants of this county will, I hope, be interesting to some of the readers of the ‘ Midland Naturalist.” Harting, in his very able work on the subject, enumerates forty-nine species, but of these, two, namely, the Meadow Pipit, (Anthus pratensis,) and the Rock Pipit, (Anthus obscurus,) are, I believe, constant residents, and I therefore propose to omit them altogether from my list; two others, the Stonechat (Sazicola rubicola) and the Pied Wagtail (Motacilla yarrelli,) are only partial migrants, some of each species undoubtedly remaining with us during every 254 THE BIRDS OF LEICESTERSHIRE. winter, and for this reason they also will be omitted. I must also erase from Harting’s list, the Gray Wagtail (Motacilla boarula,) because it is a winter and not a summer migrant. There is also a considerable number of so-called summer migrants in Harting’s book, which, although no doubt migratory, and which, when observed in this country, are only seen in summer, yet their advent is so rare that I prefer to give them a place to themselves, under the head of “Rare and Occasional (Migratory) Summer Visitors.” These are fifteen in number, a list of which will be given at the close of this paper, with attention to the few species among them which alone have, so far as I know, been observed in this county. Further, there will be found in my list five species which are not included in Harting’s, but which I think he would admit are true summer migrants. These are the Ring-ouzel (Turdus torquatus,) the Quail, (Tetrao coturniz,) the Hobby (Falco subbuteo,) the Common Sandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos,; and the Garganey (Anas circia.) Taking, then, Harting’s list as a basis, there will be found, after the deductions and additions above-mentioned, that thirty-four species remain, every one of which has been observed and noted, either by myself, or by my esteemed friend, the Rev. A. Matthews. 1.—First on the list, because almost invariably the first to arrive, is the Chiff-chaff, (Sylvia rufa.) The earliest record I have of its arrival is in 1880, when it was heard on March 19th. The average date would be March 25th. 2.—The Black-cap (Sylvia atricapilla) follows closely on the heels of the Chiff-chaff, usually arriving in the first week of April, and on one occasion, in 1877, I heard its lovely song on March 24th. 3.—The Willow Wren, (Sylvia trochilus,) always numerous, is first heard and seen during the first three weeks of April. I have found it as early as the 6th and as late as the 21st. 4.—The Wheat-ear, (Sazicola enanthe.) Scarcely a season passes without my seeing one or more, but they are not common. They come tous about the last week of March or the first week of April. In 1880 I noticed them on March 25th, and this year on April 15th. 5.—The Swallow, (Hirundo rustica.) With what wonderful regularity this bird appears year by year, will be seen by the fact that in my notes, extending over many years, my earliest date is April 11th, and my latest April 18th. 6.—The Martin, (Hirundo urbica.) Somewhat more uncertain than the last-named, the Martin arrives in the last fortnight of April. Ihave notes of its appearance from the 14th to the 30th. 7.—The Sand Martin, (Hirundo riparia.) Within a few yards of my house is a large sand pit, where numbers of these birds breed every year, and as I never fail to visit it twice daily when on the look out for their arrival, I am able to get the exact date. This I have found to vary from the 10th to the 25th April. They depart at the latter end of August. THE BIRDS OF LEICESTERSHIRE. 255 8.—The Swift, (Cyplesus apus.) Last of the Hirundines to arrive and the first to leave. Its arrival varies from the first to the third week in May, as early as the 5th, (1878,) and as late as the 16th, (1874,) the average date being 12th. They also leave us at the latter end of August. 9.—The Wryneck, (Yun torquilla.) Not very common, but seen and heard most years. It arrives some time in April, as early as the 7th and as late as the 24th. My note-book says:—‘ A pair built this year in a neighbouring garden, and were not disturbed, so that we may hope, thanks to the new Act, to see them more plentiful.” 10.—The Garden Warbler, (Sylvia hortensis.) A constant visitor, putting in an appearance in the last week of April, or the first week of May. 11.—The Whitethroat, (Sylvia cinerea.) About the same date as the Garden Warbler. The Whitethroat is found in our lanes from April 22nd to May 6th. 12.—The Lesser Whitethroat, (Sylvia curruca.) Earlier than either of the two last species. This bird arrives in the second or third week in April. I have only one record in the last week, the others range from the 11th to the 16th. 13.—The Yellow Wagtail, (Motacilla Raii.) This, the loveliest in appearance of all the summer migrants, arrives during the last fortnight in April. My own observations extend between the 19th and 28th. 14._The Nightingale, (Philomela luscinia.) Fivery year we are favoured by the visits of several of these kings of song. April 20th is about the average date, as early as the 14th and as late as the 25th. Their song ceases about the end of the second week in June. 15.—The Cuckoo, (Cuculus canorus.) Somewhat uncertain as to date, as early as April 7th and as late as May 2nd. Its note is generally heard for the last time early in July. 16.—The Grasshopper Warbler, (Avicula locustella.) Always heard, but very seldom seen. It arrives usually in the first week in May. I have heard it as early as April 23rd. The only time I have seen it was when a pair built under a bush in the garden at Gumley Rectory, and when the young were hatched I contrived to obtain a good view of the old bird when engaged in feeding the young. 17.—The Sedge Warbler, (Salicaria Phragmitis.) Very common. Appears from the middle of April to the end of the first week in May. Their song ceases towards the end of July. 18.—The Redstart (Ruticilla phoenicurus.) Not very common. A few seen most seasons, generally about the latter end of April, or first week in May. 19.—The Tree Pipit, (Anthus arboreus.) Another regular visitor, arrives about the last week, or from 21st to 31st of April. 256 THE BIRDS OF LEICESTERSHIRE. 20.—The Wood Wren, (Silvia sibilatriz.) Rare. I have only one observation of it. In 1879, it was seen in Gumley Wood by Rev. A. Matthews, whose intimate acquaintance with birds, both in this county and for many years previously in Oxford- shire, is a sufficient guarantee for the correctness of the note. 21.—The Whinchat, (Pratincola rubetra.) In no great abundance, but seen most seasons, about the last week in April. 22.—The Spotted Flycatcher, (Muscicapa grisola.) One of the latest of the summer migrants to arrive, not appearing till the first week in June, but still a regular visitor. There was a nest in my garden during the past summer. 23.—Pied Flycatcher, (Muscicapa atricapilla.) Very rare. Only seen once during twenty-five years observation, in 1870. 24.—The Landrail, (Crex pratensis.) The neighbourhood does not seem attractive to them, but a few come every year; not often heard till the first week in June, though I have seen a specimen in the bird-stuffer’s hands as early as April 29th. No doubt they are here some time before they make themselves known. 25.—The Nightjar, (Caprimulgus Europeus.) I have never seen this bird alive myself, but my friend, Rev. A. Matthews, has observed it on several occasions on the outskirts of Gumley Wood. 26.—The Redbacked Shrike, (Lanius Collurio.) Not very common, but a few specimens are usually to be seen. They appear about the first week in May. 27.—The Turtle Dove, (Columba turtur,) though not in any number, yet visits us regularly every summer, and breeds here. 28.—The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) comes and departs with Motacilla Raii. Has been more abundant of late years. 29.—The Reed Warbler, (Salicaria strepera.) Ihave never seen this bird in this part of the county, for the sufficient reason that there are no reed beds in the neighbourhood ; but my friend, Rey. A. Matthews has seen and heard it in the northern division of Leicestershire, when he has been insect hunting, so that I claim a place for it among the Leicestershire migrants. 30.—The Ring Ouzel, (Turdus torquatus.) Very uncommon. The only record I have is ‘‘one shot May, 1871, by the keeper, in Gumley Wood.” It is now in the collection of Rev. A. Matthews.* 31.—The Quail (Cotwrnix communis) used to be more frequently met with yearsago. Yet it is still sometimes found. 32.—Common Sandpiper (Totanus hypoleucos.) Seen regularly every summer. Breeds at the Saddington Reservoir. 33.—The Hobby (Falco subbuteo) has been noted on several occasions at Gumley Wood, by Rev. A. Matthews. A male was shot April, 1880, at Rothley, and ig now in my collection. 34.—The Garganey, (Anas circia.) Rare. I shot four at Saddington Reservoir, in July, 1868. _* Since the above was in type, I have heard of two more specimens of the Ring Ouzel, one at Gumley and one at Noseley. THE BIRDS OF LEICESTERSHIRE. 257 The last-named bird closes the list of summer migrants proper, and there remain to be noticed fifteen species, which I prefer to call RARE AND OCCASIONAL (MIGRATORY) SUMMER VISITORS. The Orphean Warbler. The Pennsylvanian Pipit. Savis’ Warbler. The Redbreasted Pipit. The Aquatic Warbler. The Water Pipit. The Marsh Warbler. The Alpine Swift. The Great Reed Warbler. The Hoopoe. The Rufous Warbler. The Golden Oriole. Richard’s Pipit. The Grey-headed Wasgtail. The Tawny Pipit. Of these, as far as I can ascertain, only four species have been found in this county. Harting says he has a specimen of the Aquatic Warbler, killed near Loughborough, in 1864. The same author mentions the occurrence of the Alpine Swift on September 23rd, 1839 ; and he gives this note on the authority of Macgillivray. In the Leicester Museum are two specimens of the Hoopce, killed near Leicester, in July, 1865, and finally, I observed the Grey-headed Wagtail near Kibworth on May 2nd, 1880. Of the remaining eleven species, I am unable to say whether they have been seen or taken in the county. There are specimens in the Leicester Museum of the Orphean Warbler, Savis’ Warbler, Rufous Warbler, Richard’s Pipit, Water Pipit, and Golden Oriole, but there is nothing to show whether they were locally obtained or not. = I have thus accounted for thirty-eight species out of forty-nine. It may happen that some of the other rare ones have been observed, and if so, I shall be very glad if any of your readers can supply me with the information, so as to make the list complete. I propose, in a future paper, to deal with the Winter Migrants and Winter Visitors of the county, and then to enumerate the constant residents. THE MINERALS OF THE MIDLANDS. BY C. J. WOODWARD, B.SC. Mr. H. B. Woodward, of the Geological Survey, has been good enough to send me the following list :— GLOUCESTERSHIRE. (Berkeley, Damory ) Agate - | Bridge = Igneous rock. ne pehe (Heavy | portworth .. ais | Igneous rock. Bienen .. Clifton 4 .. Carboniferous Limestone. Brown Spar .. Tortworth .. .. Igneous rock. : Tortworth, Thorn- ) Igneous rock, Carboniferous Celestine rs bury, Wickwar, Limestone, New Red Aust ay Marl. 258 MINERALS OF THE MIDLANDS. Fluor Spar .. Clifton 5 .. Carboniferous Limestone. Géothite.. .. Clifton xe .. Dolomitic Conglomerate. Jasper .. -. Tortworth .. .. Prehnite : | Woon at Bridge: Igneous rock, Rock Salt (pseu- ) ) domorphs) .. j Aust a: mf Igneous rock. Steatite .. Tortworth .. .. Igneous rock. Tales 2. .. Tortworth .. .. Igneous rock. Vivianite .. Near Clifton .. Alluvium. Enumerated by H. B. Woodward, Geology of East Somerset and the Bristol Coal-Fields (Mem. Geol. Survey), pp. 176, 177. The mineralogical characters of the Basalts from Charfield Green and Damory are described by Mr. I’. Rutley on pp. 210-212 of the same work. LEICESTERSHIRE. Mr. W. J. Harrison, I'.G.\3., Science Demonstrator for the Birming- ham School Board, has sent me the following note :—‘‘ Gold* occurs in the quartz veins rounc Pedlar Tor, a craggy pinnacle in the north- west part of Charnwood Forest. The point is very near one of the old voleanic foci from which th> ashes which form the Charnwood slates were ejected.” Mr. Harrison discovei-d ; armets in the gneiss of Charnwood Forest, and thus refers to themi.t 2 ‘‘ Midland Naturalist,” Vol. II., p. 77:— “To-day, in minutely ex: ining some specimens collected last summer, I was pleased t) fo. many small garnets in the curious rock we call gneiss, which is i.u 1 at one point only, viz., Brazil Wood, about half-way between Mount Sorreland Swithland. . . . The garnets are very small (not more than one-tenth of an inch in diameter), almost black in colour, and so thickly crowded that there are about fifty in a square inch.” Mr. James Plant, F.G.S., of Leicester, has sent the following list :— Copper Pyrites.. | Mount Sorrel and ) 2 Molybdenum .. | Breedon Ail Granite. Galena .. on | Diminsdale x Ae | Mountain Limestone. Blende .. Ee Dolomite '.)) Cloud Hull =: .. Mountain Limestone. Gypsum ate : Selenite 2 | Various places. Marcasite is found in the vertical fissures of the coal, and also in the “ binds,” at Whitwick, Elliston, and Bagworth Collieries. Iron Pyrites in cubes, one-eighth in side, at Swithland Great Pit, embedded in the slate not in line of bedding. Tin Stone found some years ago in the streams at Tin Meadows. near Whitwick, Charnwood Forest, as Stream Tin. Mr. Wm. Stukeley Gresley sends the following references to works bearing on the minerals of Leicestershire :—Hull’s “ Coal Fields of * Discovered by Mr. How. Incidentally mentioned by the President of the Geological Boalety, See “Quarterly Journal, Geological Society,” XXXVL., p. 350, MINERALS OF THE MIDLANDS. 259 Great Britain ;’’ Mammatt’s ‘“‘ Geological Facts ;” White’s ‘‘ Leicester- shire;’ Harrison’s ‘Geology of Leicestershire and Rutland ;” Page’s ‘‘ Economic Geology,” p. 206. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. Mr. Thomas Beesley, F.C.S., has sent me the following list :— MINERALS OCCURRING IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD oF BanBury (OXFORDSHIRE AND NoRTHAMPTONSHIRE.) Lignite se .. In Middle and Upper Lias clays and marls. Baryte oc .. With Blende in the middle of calcareous clay- stone concretions in ditto. Gypsum, var. Selenite. In the same clays and marls: especially fine in the Upper Lias of Milecomb Hill and Hooknorton (railway cutting). Calcite a .. In limestone (joints, etc). ,, var. Calcareous Tufa. s, var. Lac Lune In Oolite clays derived from fossil shells. Websterite .. .. A subsulphate of Aluminium, deposited from aluminous springs arising in the Lias clays. (See paper by me in ‘Pharmaceutical Journal,” 1st series, Vol. IX., p. 452). Pyrite .. ae .. Intheclaysand marls; often filling fossil shells. » var. Marcasite The same. Limonite Ae .. Inthe marlstones and marls, as well as in the sandy beds of the Inferior Oolite, where it seems to have replaced Pyrite. a) VEL. Yellow Ochre .. In joints at the top of the “ marlstone,” washed in from the Upper Lias. ,, var. Bog Iron Ore.. .. A large lump wes found close to the Great Western Raily » ©: Twyford, three miles south of Benoa. It enclosed some bronze articl< parently Anglo-Saxon. One was probe! ‘e pommel of a sword- hilt, as it covt»'12d a bit of iron; and the blade may hove cor tributed to the lump of oxide. Glauconite .. .. The green grains of the ‘“ marlstone’”— possibly casts o¢ entomostracans. Vivianite ae .. Bright blue granules disseminated in the lower marly clay of the Margaritatus zone ; found in making a sewer near my house in the High Street, Banbury. Not far from it were many old bones, probably buried centuries ago. Manganese oxide .. Small black grains, disseminated in a thin sandy Limestone, which here, as in Normandy, is a passage-bed from the Spinatus Zone to the Upper Lias. They are most plentiful in the interior of fossil shells, and give quite a grey tint to the otherwise cream-coloured mass. It may be an impure psilomelane. 260 MINERALS OF THE MIDLANDS. Blende.. oe .. Occurring usually with Baryte, in the middle of calcareous claystone nodules. Galena 56 .. Is said to occur in such nodules; but in my experience the small crystals having the look of this have always proved to be Blende. Quartz ee .. Wein as well as quartzite, and its varieties, Jasper, Cornelian, Chert, and Flints, occur plentifully in the ‘‘ drift;” but I have not met with them excepting as derivate minerals, Lydite.. ois .. The same applies. Mica .. on .. Occurs in small spangles in the sandstones and clays; but of this the same may be said. Phosphate of Lime .. Calcareous nodules sometimes contain a large proportion of this ; and they deserve a mineralogical name quite as much as the Boles and the Ochres, and other such matters. THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. AN ACCOUNT OF THE FLOWERING PLANTS AND FERNS OF THE COUNTY OF WARWICK. BY JAMES E. BAGNALL. (Continued from page 242.) GERANIACE. GERANIUM. G. pheum, Linn. Dusky Crane’s Bill. Alien: In woods and by roadsides. Rare. May. I. Arley Wood, W. B. Grove; abundant in Pool Hollies Wood, Sutton Park, as late as 1869, exterminated now; Middleton Road, near Moor Hall Grounds, 1868 ; a casual there, I think. Il. In a wood near Coton House, Kirk, Phyt. ii., 969; between Lawford and Dunchurch, R.S.R., 1874. G. sylvaticum, Linn. Wood Crane’s Bill. Native: In woods, Very rare. ‘ June.” I. Wood near Middleton, C. Adcock, 1866. A specimen from a wood in this district was shown me by the late Charles Adcock in 1866. II. Oversley Wood, Purt., i., 320. I have carefully searched Oversley Wood several seasons for this plant without success. Purton does not appear to have had a specimen of this plant from the Oversley habitat in his herbarium.—‘ Reported from Warwickshire,” Syme, FE. B., ii., 194. G, pratense, Linn. Meadow Crane’s Bill. Native ; In fields and by roadsides. Locally common. June, July. I. Meadows, near Polesworth, J.P. M. S., note in B.G.; canal bank, near Knowle, THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. 261 Il. Allesley, Hylesford, B. G., 635; not rare in the neighbourhood of Warwick, Perry Fl., p. 58; Whitnash, Chesterton! Radford, Y. and B.; near Rugby, Rev. A. Blox.; Blackwell, Tredington, Honington, Lambcote, Newb.; Brandon; Temple Grafton; Little Alne; Henley-in-Arden; Bearley; Drayton Bushes: between Edge Hill and Kineton. : G. pyrenaicum, Linn. Mountain Crane’s Bill. Alien : In pastures and by roadsides. Very local. June to August. I. Allesley! Coleshill! Bree., Mag. Nat. His., iii., 165, N. B. G.; Har- born, Freeman, Phyt., i., 262 ; Birmingham Road, near Bacons End, Coleshill, 1878. II. Myton, Tachbrook, Kenilworth, Y. and B. G. molle, Linn. Doves-foot, Soft Crane’s Bill. Native: On banks and in pastures. Common. March to September. Throughout the whole area. There are at least two marked varieties. G, pusillum, Linn. Small-flowered Crane’s Bill. Native: On heathy waysides and banks. Local. April to July. 1. Sheldon, 1835, Rev. J. Gorle; on banks Middleton Road from Sutton; pathway from Marston Green to Chelmsley Wood ; Old Chester Road, near Tyburn; Maxtoke Park. Il. Kenilworth, Y. and B.; abundant on heathy footway, near Great Alne; near Brandon, on the road leading to Brinklow; meadows near Bishopton. G, dissectum, Linn. Jagged-leaved Crane’s Bill. Native: On banks in fields, &e. Common. May to August. Common through the whole area. G. columbinum, Linn. Long-stalked Crane's Bill, Native: On banks, by roadsides, and in fields. Ratherrare. June to August. I. A few plants at the north end of Sutton Park, 1877. II. Wixford Lane, Purt., i., 321; opposite the Windmill Inn, on the Stratford Road, from Warwick, Perry, 1817; Morton Morrell, Y. and B.; Lighthorne, Wellesbourne, Bolton King; near the Golden Cross Inn, Exhall; near Alcester, abundant, 1877; bridle road between Binton and Red Hill, in a corn field, abundant, 1877; road from Brandon to Brinklow. G. lucidum, Linn. Shining Crane’s Bill. Native: On old walls and banks. Locally common. April to August. I. On walls, near Fillongley Hall; near Oldbury Hall; Arley village ; road to Minworth from Water Orton. TI. Warwick and Kenilworth, Purt., i., 320; between Warwick and Longbridge, Stankhill, and near Warwick Racecourse, Perry, Fl., p. 58; Kenilworth, Y. and B.; Bilton Road, near Rugby, R. S. R., 1877; lanes about Allesley, abundant ; Stratford Road, from Warwick, abundant; near Rowington Church. G. Robertianum, Linn. Herb Robert. ; Native: On banks, walls, and waste places. Common. April to September. Common throughout the county. r@. sanguineum, Bloody Crane’s Bill, is recorded as an escape from cultivation, near Holbrook Grange, Rugby, R. S. R., 1868, p. 47. ] 262 THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. 'G. striatum, Linn, Pencilled Geranium, is also recorded as naturalised in a spinney, near Rugby Mill, R. S. R., 1867; near Chesford Bridge, Kenilworth, J. G. Perry, 1829, Herb. Perry ; coppice, near Roman Catholic College, Kenilworth, H. B.} ERODIUM. E. cicutarium, Herit. Stork’s Bill. Native: In fields, on sandy banks, and by roadsides. Rather rare. April to August. I. Slade Lane, Witton; field, near Erdington; Coleshill Heath ; Sutton Park; Marston Green. II. In a sandy field, by the Aqueduct, near Warwick, Perry, Fl., 57; old walls, Kenilworth, Y. and B.; Emscote, Woodloes, H. B. Plentiful in pastures near Brandon. Two varieties occur in the county. Var.a appears rare; I only find it on Coleshill Heath. Var. b, cherophyllum, a more rampant form, is our most frequent plant. E. moschatum, /Jerit. Musk Stork’s Bill. Native: On marly banks. Very rare. ‘“ May.” II. Cookhill,* on the Ridgeway, Purt., i., 316; stone quarry, Warwick; near Mill Pool, Berkswell; Scar Bank, Hampton Lucy, H. B. ‘E. maritimum, Sm., has been found for several seasons on a bank near Oscott College! by the Rev. J. Caswell. His specimens are true EL. maritimum, but the plant cannot be more than a casual in such a locality. ] OXALIS. 0. Acetosella, Linn. Wood Sorrel. Native: In woods and on shady banks. Locally common. April to May. Spread throughout the whole area. Stated in Rugby School Report to be rare near Rugby, 1877. Mr. Bromwich finds a variety, with rose-colour flowers, in Poors Wood, Wroxall; and I find the same variety in Bush Wood, Lapworth, abundant. The apetalous flowers are abundant all through the season. (0. corniculata, Linn., ina garden at Foleshill, Kirk, Phyt.,ii.,969. This plant is so constantly cultivated as to be scarcely worth notice here had it not been for Mr. Kirk’s record.) 0. stricta, Linn., waste ground, Arbury Hall, Kirk., Herb. Brit. Mus. ; in gardens about Myton and Kenilworth, H. B.; is alsoa mere remnant from cultivation. ] ‘Impatiens Noli me-tangere, Linn., near Berkswell, Cox, spec. Herb. Perry, must also be placed under the same category. ] ILEX. I. Aquifolium, Linn. Holly. Native: In woods, copses, and hedges. Common. May. This is common throughout the county, but is often planted. CELASTRACEA. EUVONYMUS. E, europeus, Linn. Spindle Tree. Native: In hedges, copses, and woods. Local. June. I. Coleshill, Bree., Purt., iii., 347. * Cookhill is quoted by Perry as a Warwickshire station ; it is, however, in Worcestershire, on the very border of Warwickshire, THE FLORA OF WARWICKSHIRE. 263 II. Oversley Wood! Wetherley Wood, Purt., i., 132: Morton Morrell. Y. and B.; Chesterton, Lighthorne, hedge, near Kenilworth, H. B.; plentiful about Ipsley! J. T. Slatter; Cold Comfort, near Alcester ; hedges, near Alveston Pastures. RHAMNACE£. RHAMNUS., R. catharticus, Linn. Buckthorn. Native: In woods and hedges. Locally common. May, June. I. Packington, Aylesford, B. G., ii., 634; Coleshill, Bree., Mag. Nat. Hist., iii., 163 ; near Knowle Station. II. Bidford, Purt.,i., 130; Radford, Perry, Fl., p. 22; Styvichall, 1854, Kirk, Herb. Brit. Mus.; Moreton, Hampton Lucy, Y. and B.; Myton, Tachbrook, H. B.; Pinley, Kirk., Phyt., ii., 949; at Langley, in the parish of Claverdon, Bree; MHonington! Tredington, Newb.; Bilton, R. S. R.; Lighthorne, Bolton King ; Drayton Bushes; Brandon; Brinklow; Ipsley. R. Frangula, Linn. Black Alder. Native: In woods and hedges. Locally common. May, June. I. Abundant in Sutton Park; Coleshill Heath; Trickley Coppice. Il. Grafton! Arrow, Great Alne, Purt., i., 131; woods at Hatton, Perry, Fl. ; Coventry Wood, Arbury Deer Park, Kirk, Phyt., ii., 959 ; Chesterton! Oakley Wood! Y. and B.; Haywoods; Brinklow ; Brandon. (To be continued.) METEOROLOGY OF THE MIDLANDS. THE WEATHER OF SEPTEMBER, 1881. BY CLEMENT L. WRAGGE, F.R.G.S., F.M.S., ETC. The conditions of September are soon noted. It was a typical month of early Autumn. Fogs and heavy dews were prevalent in the mornings, but the weather was generally fine, and favourable for the ripening and ingathering of the late corn harvest. Singularly enough, in the neighbourhood of Melton Mowbray and other parts of Leicestershire, the rainfall was considerably heavier than in our other counties, and harvesting operations suffered in consequence. This was also the case in the vicinity of Scarborough, and the excessive rain there caused the grain to sprout. Three barometric depressions were recorded, viz., on the 6th, 18th, and 21st, thunder- storms accompanying that of the 18th. Temperature was below the average at Mansfield by 2.3, and at Orleton by 1.5. Duration of sunshine at Hodsock 87.7 hours. Extreme values from radiation instruments :—Solar, 129.0 on 17th, and terrestial 30‘8 on 29th, at Burton and Marlborough respectively. Mean sea temperature at Scarborough 54.0. Notes py Osservers.—Cheltenham.—Fruit ripe much earlier than last year ; leaves falling much sooner. Woolstaston.—Swallows left about 19th. Burton.—Chestnuts and limes, as also at Cheltenham, bare very early. Alstonficld.—Swift remained unusually late; two pairs as late as September 6th. Linacre.—Primroses in bloom on 24th ; crocus on 25th. Ozford.—Lunar corona seen on 6th. Fort William.—Only two wasps noticed during the entire season in this locality, one of which was taken about 25 feet from the top of Ben Nevis. 264 THE WEATHER OF SEPTEMBER. RAINFALL. TEMPERATURE. Z| Greatest fall|..s| Greatest ht.|Great 5 STATION. OBSERVER. Flin 24 hours.|® | ——.— pict | —- Cy] In.|In.| Date. |4|Deg| Date. |Deg| Date. OUTPOST STATIONS. Ben Nevis (a)* .......+..++++|C. L. Wragge, Esq., F.M.S.| 6°09}1°26| 29 22 |49°8} 11 | 26°4 2 Fort William (a).........+ -|C. L. Wragge, Esq., F.M.S| 2°01] *41) 25 & 29) 16 | 63°38} 20 |87°7) 16 Spital Cemetery, Carlisle ..../I. Cartmell, Esq. ..........| 2°34] "62! 17 11 | 688} 30 884) 16 Scarborough(a).........+ -.-(B. Shaw, Hsq., F.M.S......- 4°95] 1°82) 21 16 |68'8} 18 |44%5) 17 C T. Ward, Esq., ¥.M.S. ..| 9-50} 4. GSiG/ 520) rent 2 -|J. Nicol, Esq., M.D., F.M.S.| °98} 23) 17 13 | 6474) 29 46°2) 16 Blackpool(a)/—North anarely pout Shore Llandudno (a) . Lowestott (a) .... --|5. H. Miller, Esq., F. R.A.S)) 2°96 *66) 2 66°0;} 19 B77 29 Carmarthen (a)..............|G. J. Header, Esq., M.D. ..| 2°71 *62) 25 13 | 65°6| 16 79) 16 Altarnun, Cornwall...... --|Rev. J. Power, M. he 2°97) 1°18) 5 14 | 72°0 18 86°0 1 Sidmouth (G)...ss.seeeeeeeee W. T. Radford, Esq., M. D..| 2°55) 18s 5 13 |66°9| 18 | 441 1 St. Augustine’s, Ramsgate(a) Rev. T. E. Egan, oO. S.B. ..| 3°84) *88) 10 18 | 66 7 47°5 16 MIDLAND STATIONS GLOUCESTERSHIRE. | Cheltenham (a)............../R. Tyrer, Esq., F.M.S. ..../ 1°66) °49) 24 14 |71'2) 18 B57 16 WILTSHIRE. | Marlborough(a) ............/Rev. T. A. Preston, F.M.S.|1°S4) *71! 24 12 | 74°7 SHROPSHIRE. | Woolstaston ..... sfelelsia)s/aleral| LW Vo ue Us @TEie a's. afein alelei\ela 3 yi 20 18 | 665; 18 410 2 More Kectory................-|/Rev. A.S. Male.. *82] *41) 2 18 /6s0} 19 |86°0) 15 Bishop's Castle ......... laerete| Ree Crrit tne UB sien neces 2°01) *.4) 24 15/650} 16 | 890) 91 Dowles, near Bewdley ......|J. M. Downing, Esq. ...... 1°86) °6 i4 7 | 810 8 80'0) 17 HEREFORDSHIRE. | Stoke Bliss........... seeeeee|ReV. G. Alexander ........ 179) +47) 24 156 |71°0; 22 40'U) 80 WORCESTERSHIRE. 24 Orleton, Tenbury .. .|T. H. Davis, Esq., F.M.S... 56} 24 17 |70'7| 18 |86°0) 17. & 39 West Malvern . A. H. Hartland, Ksq. . “6k 5 15 | 740; 18 43°65) 15 Evesham .........2.0. ft. J. Slatter, Esq., F.G.S... 48] 24 11/700} 18 895) ag Cawney Bank, Dudley ......|Mr.C. Beale ..........5 45] 20 | 21/670} 18 |42°0 1 STAFFORDSHIRE. | Dennis, Stourbridge (a) ......|C. Webb, Esq.........00062| 42) *42) 24 12 |75'0} 18 | 87°0) 98 & 30 OTC Goonangodene GonpooedaG Rey. W. H. Bolton ........ 1°63) +47) 24 15 |70°0| 18 |86°0 Lichfield ....... semeisecue seal Dees uRODBItS: WlBdernceecnes 1°98} +48) 24 14/680] 18 |85°0) 97 Grammar School, Burton....|C. U. Tripp, Hsq., M.A.....| 1°77) -44| 24 19 | 7440) 17 & 18) 85°0] 17 Weston-under- Ly ziard ......|Hon. & Rev. J. Bridgeman .) 1°75! *5 24 20 | 70°0) 70) 47 Wrottesley (2).....eeeeeee cove Hs. SINAPBON IGKG. sseielccesles 1°76) -§2| 24 16 | 67°8| 18 |89°8) 98 MBATI Mae sew cceen ants .|Rev. G. 'T. Ryves, F.M.S. ..| 2°22] -65] 24 | 15/680} 18 | 840) 17 & 99 Heath House, nearCheadle(a)|J. C. Philips, Esq., J.P.....| 81]: +58) 24 14/665} 18 | 3896 2 Oakamoor\(G)......teeccncces Mr. KE. E. Kettle ..........| 2°82] °66) 24 18 | 682) 28 82°56] 17 Beacon Stoop,W: eaver Hills (a) Mr. James Hall ..........| 1°60] +40] 24 19 61-7} 18 | 86:9 2 Alstonfield ..............+-.+|Rev. W. H. Purchas ....../2°50) +36] 24 | 17/693} 18 |814) 17 WARWICKSHIRE. | St. Mary’s College, Oscott (a)|J. MacElmail, Esq. .....-.-| 128] +42) 24 91753} 18 402) 98 Henley-in-Arden ..... .+-eeee(T. H.G. Newton, Esq. ....)2°14) +70} 24 16 | 74:5} 18 |87°0) 598 & a9 Park Hill, Kenilworth (a)....|T. G. Hawley, Esq.........| 165) 57) 24 17} 72:1) 18 | 86°0 Kenilworth (a) .........65 ..-|F. Slade, Esq., C.K., F.M.S.| 192) +59) 9 24 16/73) 18 |85°6) a9 Coundon, Coventry .......+--|Lieut.-Col. KR. Caldicott....| 2°15] -65| 24 16 | 70:0} 18 |41°0) 98 Rugby School.........+++++++|Rev. T. N. Huctchinson....| 1°81) +62) 24 18/736; 18 |896) 99 DERBYSHIRE. i ; Stony Middleton .... -|Rev. U. Smith ....... 2°36) -75] 24 | 18/670} 7 |83°0) 16617 Linacre Reservoirs -|C. K. Jones, Esq.....- 175] +46) 24 b Dufialdosecescetceeceecccs- |W. BlANG, HSQreecceesscce] 208) “65! | Bd 4 | NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, ; Mansfield (a) .....0+ss+se++-|W. Tyrer, Esq., F.M.S. ..../ 1°81] -39} 22 | 19]708} 18 870) 47 Park Hill, Nottingham ......|H. F. Johnson, sq. . ./1°78) +49] 24 11 | 645} 20 (40°) 97 Hodsock Priory, Worksop (@).|H. Mellish, Wsq., F.M.S. ..| 1°84) +40) 22 19 |73°8} 18 |87°3) 98 Tuxford ........0+sseeeeee+|0. N. Dufty, Esq., F.G.S. ..| 1°70] -a7} 24 =| 16 | 620} 20 ("80 17 & 80 LEICESTERSHIRE, 4 ; Loughborough (a)..........+.|W. Berridge, Esq., F.M.S... 1°75) +45) 24 16 | 749} 18 35°1 W .|J. Hames, Esq. ........2+-+|* 14) “49/ 24 | 201/780) 19 si 29 Rey. Canon Willes . -|T. Macaulay, Hsq. .... Waltham: le- Hdwin Ball, Esq. ..........| 2°66) -36) 6 | 17 | 620} 18 38| 27 Dalby Hall......... |G. Jones, Hsq...0s.ssseee-5| 208] 49) 6 | 16/760) 18 |865) 8 Coston Rectory, Melton (a) ..|Rev. A. M. Rendell......../2°43] 51) 6 | 20/720} 18 |85°) a9 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, TOWCEBEL ...0cseeseeeenecee|J. WEDD, H8Q.ccceereceseee| LAT] 48] 24 18 : AtLOHIN Ee cecce seen ss 1. (J, Wallis, Esq. ...c.cse0.+./ 2°58] 61] 94 | 14 | 660| 19 & 91/420) 99 Althorp.......c...cscsseesee.(C. 8. Groom, Esq. 71) -7a] 94 |14]710}/ 18 |85%) go OXFORDSHIRE, rs Ratcliffe Observatory, Oxford|The Staff........e+eeeeeee+| 89) +70) 2d 16 | 74 19 | 869) ag RUTLAND. a ..|W. H. Hayes, Esq. ........! 2°28) *40) 18 16 | 65°0 4 |85%) 99 4 Northfields, Stamford 5 Uppingham (a) ...... Rev. G. H. Mullins, M. 12°28] -6, 24 16 | 72° 1s =(|423! 17 (a) At these Stations Stevenson’s Thermometer Screen is in use, and the values may be regarded as strictly intercomparable. *Ben Nevis, August.—Total rainfall, 12°34; greatest fall, 2°39, on 25th; no, rainy days, 24; maximum shade temperature, 58°7 on 4th; minimum ditto, 284 on 27th. CORRESPONDENCE. 265 Correspondence, $e ConcHotocy.—New locality for Pupa marginata var. albina. Last autumn my friend, Mr. F. Shrive, and I were at Cleve Prior in Worcestershire, when we found the above, together with the type Pupa marginata in great abundance. I visited the same locality a few weeks ago, and found the old wall had been replaced by a new one, but still there were plenty of shells to be found. I am indebted to Mr. W. Nelson for naming the shell.—W. H. Bonanp, Birmingham. ExposvurRE oF THE MippLe Serres oF THE BucKrianpi BeEps IN LEIcESTERSHIRE.—This sub-zone division of the Lower Lias is now well exposed by the side of the Old Union Canal, near Fleckney, where the beds are worked for brickmaking, etc.; they are also exposed for a short depth by a brook flowing near. The beds, as visible, are covered with drift of about 3ft. in thickness; underlying this come about 20ft. of ‘ soft blue shales, with rows of small lime- stone nodules in the upper part,” and containing larger nodules full of fossils. The fossils seem to lie at a depth of 12ft. to 13ft. from the surface; the shales are full of Gryphea arcuata of large size; four large Nautili have been found, one in possession of Mr. J. Marriott, of Fleckney, being 15 inches in diameter ; drietites Turneri is common, of all sizes, varying from } of an inch to 13in. and 17in. in diameter. The following is a complete list of the fossils found :—Vertebre of Saurian, Pentacrinus psilonoti, Nautilus striatus (2), Arietites Turneri, A. conybeari, A. semicostatus, Belemnites, Acteonina sinemuriensis (2), Eucyclus elegans (2), Dentaliwm etalense, Chemnitzia, Lima gigantea, L. pectinoides, Cardinia Listeri, Unicardium cardioides, Myacites, Astarte obsoleta (2), Modiola Hillanoides, Ostrea Liassica, Gryphea arcuata, Rhynchonella plicatissima.—H. E. Quinter, Leicester, October 15th. THE GEOLOGY oF THE Mipuanp Countres.—Perhaps there are no better places known in England for studying the paleontology of the Silurian period than Coalbrookdale. In the quarries on Benthall Edge may be found the Cup Corals (Cyathophyllum) ; Acervularia Ananas, a coral resembling the Brain Coral of our present seas; Syringophyllum; Sun Corals (Heliolites) ; Mushroom Corals; Sculptured Encrinites (Glyp- tocrinus ;) Chain Corals (Halysites catenulatus) ; Lituites, and remains of Orthoceras. In the “Bone Beds” of Ludlow are found numerous ichthyolites, or fragments of fish remains, as fin-spines, head-plates, and teeth. In the quarries there may be found branched Graptolites, Trilobites, Crinoids, Orthoceras, Pentamerus, and shells of Spirifer. At Ombersley and Bromsgrove, inthe rocks belonging to the Triassic system, have been found teeth of gigantic Batrachians. At Bromsgrove is a bed of Equisetacez, Calamites, and other flowerless plants. In the hills of Derbyshire we get the Carboniferous system, where, especially at Castleton, may be found Pentacrinus, Actinocri- nus, Woodocrinus, Cyathocrinus, Apiocrinus, Trilobites, Producta, Retepora, Ptilopora, Spirifera, Murchisonia, Nautilus, and Ortho- ceras, in great abundance. At Leamington we have the Lower Lias, where may be found the Giant Lima in profusion, Terebratule, Lima sulcata, Ammonites,and Belemnites. BetweenOxfordand Leamington, on the Great Western line, there is a deep cutting through Lias rock, where may be found avariety of horned and simple Ammonites, the Limas, the Gryphza, and the small oyster of the Oolitic system. At Alderston, in Worcestershire, may be found Pectens in great abundance, and the large bivalve Perna. At Oxford we have the Oolitic system appearing in a sandstone formation called Stonestield slate, where the 266 CORRESPONDENCE—GOSSIP. remains of the famous Pterodactyle have been found. There may be found Ammonites, Belemnites, Spongia, Pentacrinus, Gryllus, Libellula, Archzoniscus, Unio, Cyrena, Cardium, Trigonia, Ostrea, Gryphea, Pecten, Nerinewa, Nautilus, and Pleurotomaria. In the limestone caverns of Derbyshire have been found the remains of the hippopotamus, horse, deer, bear, hygena, and the elephant of our own valleys. I hope that these few remarks will be of some service to my brother Midland geologists.—J. W. Wixu1ams, Wesley College, Sheffield. OrnirHoLoGicaL Notrres.—Podiceps cristatus, Picus major, Falco pere- grinus, etc.—About the middle of September a Great Crested Grebe was picked up in a field at Priors’ Marston, Warwickshire, about 200 yards from the brook. Although unable to fly, I could not find that it was injured in any way: probably it was exhausted. It proved to be a male bird, in perhaps its second year, as the occipital crest and the ruff were not fully developed. Two specimens of the Great Spotted Woodpecker have been procured in the neighboured this year: the first, an old male, was killed in Farborough Park; the other, in the plumage of the doubtful species, P. medius, at Bicester. I hear that two pairs of this bird frequent the first-mentioned locality. On the 10th inst. I saw at the local birdstuffer’s a skin of a Peregrine Falcon, which had been received that morning from Byfield, Northants. Whilst in pursuit of some wild ducks on the reservoir there it dashed itself against a telegraph wire, and fell to the ground; a man who saw it picked the bird up and placed it in a cage; he, however, attempted to feed it on ‘‘ barley meal,” and, of course, it died. Swifts were with us for a very long period this season. They arrived early, May 2nd, and stayed unusually late. They generally depart by the middle of August, but this year I noticed them in small numbers and screaming loudly on the 22nd, about a dozen on the 25th, a very few ou the 27th, and two on the 30th. No more were seen till Septem- ber 11th, when we saw a single bird. There were young House Martins in a nest in Banbury, on the 10th inst., a very late date.— Outver V. Apuin, Banbury, October, 1881. ———————$——__ Tue Hanpsucn per Zoorocie by Prof. Claus will shortly be published by Messrs. Sonnenschein and Co., the adaptation for English readers being made by Mr. Adam Sedgwick, of Trinity College, Cambridge. Professor Claus has prepared nearly 600 drawings for this edition. BiruincHam Puimosoputcan Socrery.—The second part of Vol. IT. of the Transactions of this Society has just been published, and contains most of the papers read before the members during the Session 1880-1. Tur ANNUAL ConvEersAzIoNE of the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society will be held in the Town Hall, Birmingham, on Wednesday evening, November 16th. Naturauists’ Diary.—A correspondent says: ‘I often wonder that the Editors of the ‘‘ Midland Naturalist,” or some of the London Diary publishers, do not bring out a Naturalists’ Diary.” If a sufficient number of the readers of this magazine will express their desire to be supplied with such a publication, there shall be no avoidable delay in issuing a really useful one at the lowest possible price. Communica- tions on the subject will be gladly received. GOSSIP—REPORTS. 267 Sm Wrviite Txomsox, it is announced. will shortly resign the Chair of Sang History in the University of Edinburgh which he has held since 1870. Bex Nevis.—The recent storm has rendered our esteemed corres- pondent Mr. C. L. Wragge’s hut, on the summit of Ben Nevis, untenantable. and compelled him for the present to discontinue his meteorological observations at that station. The Atheneum says: ** Besides the obvious necessity of a suitable house on the Ben, Mr. Wragge suggests the connexion of this and other high-level meteoro- logical stations with low-level stations by telegraph or subterranean eables, and directly with the head office in London.” De. Wri1su Hrxps.—We regret to announce the death on October 18th, of Dr. William Hinds, who was the first President of the Bir- mingham Natural History Association, after its formation in 1858, and who was again elected President in 1870, when it had been recon- stituted under its present title, the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society. There was a large attendance of members of the Society, medical men, students from Queen’s College, and other friends of the deceased at the funeral, which took place at the Old Cemetery, Birmingham, on October 24th. The late Dr. Hinds lectured on Botany at the Birmingham and Midland Institute from the Session 1859-60 to that of 18745. Mr. Wu. Ganneys.—It is with deep regret that we record the sudden death, by apoplexy, on the 21st October, of Mr. Wm. Garneys, M.R.C.S., of Repton. Mr. Garneys was a most devoted student and collector of insects, chiefly of the order Coleoptera, and his loss will be greatly felt by all Midland Entomologisis. Screstiric Conrerence.—During the York meeting of the British Association, a conference of delegates irom many scientific societies was held in that city with a view to promote the interests of such societies by inducing them to undertake definite scientific work on a uniform plan. Many interesting suggestions were made, and a com- mittee was elected to arrange for the next Conference, who were instructed to send a circular to local scientific societies describing the work of the various committees of the British Association to which they might render aid, and other scientific work which they may usefully undertake. HererorpsHizE Pomons.—The fourth part of this magnificent work is now published, price one guinea. Three more parts, completing the book, will be published, one in each of the three next years. Reports of Societies. BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY —Grotocica Section—September 27th. Mr. W. J. Harrison in the chair. Mr. J. Bagnali exuivited the following fangi:—Collybia macu- lata, C. fusipes, aui Tricholoma nictitans Mr. W. J. Harrison showed Ammo- nites Humphriesianus from the Inferior Oolite of Gloucestersnire, 4. bifrons from the (ixford cisy, a piece of Solenbofen stone from Germany, and a speci- men of Obsidian from Mexico, which latter was described by Mr. TB. Waller—Mr. A. H. Atkins exbibited a collection of fossil ferns and other plants from the Coal Measures of Wrre Forest. A short discussion followed on the methods used to distinguish and classify fossil 268 REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. plants.—GENERAL MEETING.—October 4th. Mr. Bolton exhibited the Ento- mostracan, Polyphemus pediculus, from Sutton. Mr. Lane exhibited the fungus from a brewer’s cask. Mr. Bagnall exhibited Sphagnum cymbifolium, 8. auriculatum, and 8. subsecundum, from Cut-throat Coppice, Solihull; also, on behalf of Mr. Wilkinson, Dipsacus pilosus, from Stafford Castle. Mr. Southall called the attention of the members to an old volume ‘ Abrahamii Muntingii Phytographia Curiosa,” published at Amsterdam in 1711. The Secre- tary then read a paper by Rev. M. J. Berkeley, M.A., on “‘ Underground Fungi,” illustrated by enlarged copies of Mr. Berkeley’s drawings on the black board. He described the three classes into which subterranean Fungi may be divided, viz., the true truffles, the false truffles, and a peculiar group called Endogone. He also mentioned the conditions under which truffles abound, and the way in which they are found; but warned the local naturalists that, owing to the nature of the soil, there would be little to reward their search in the Midland Coun- ties.—On October 8th the Society made a Fungus foray to Sutton Park, under the guidance of Dr. M. C. Cooke, M.A., the eminent fungologist. The day was one of the worst for the purpose that could be conceive. The previous dry weather and cold nights had produced a scarcity of Fungi, and the rain which fell on the day before had saturated those few which had survived almost past recognition. A cold wind caused the more delicate and less enthusiastic of the party to take the shortest track towards shelter and refresh- ment, but a devoted band surrounded the leader, bringing him ever new species, and receiving their sounding names from his lips with becoming awe. The ‘ finds” were few; among others a small specimen of the ‘“ Beef-steak Fungus,” Fistulina hepatica, was discovered on an old oak, and several large specimens of the edible Agaricus nudus, and of the jelly-like and not-to-be-despised Tremella foliacea were found in the woods. No one, however, could muster up courage enough to venture upon them, though several of the party cast longing glances at the delicious morsels. After tea, Dr. Cooke gave the members present some excellent advice on commencing the study of Fungi, which will be found on page 249. October 11th.—Bronoeican Srection.—Mr. J. E. Bagnall exhibited plants illustrative of the flora of the Farne Islands—Vestuca rubra, Arundo arenaria, and others; also Hypnum irriguum avd other mosses from Sutton Park, Mycena alcalina, Pholiota heteroclita, Omphalia stellata, Cyphella capula, Tremella foliacea, Pexiza aurantia, and other fungi from the same locality ; also on behalf of Dr. J. Fraser, Frankenia levis (Sea Heath) from Sussex, and Ranunculus parviflorus (small-flowered Crowfoot) from Cornwall. Mr. Southall exhibited Boletus luridus, B. edulis, Amanita aspera, A. rubescens, Agaricus rutilans, A. separatus, Pai lus involutus, Lepiota excoriata, Rus ula emetica, R. heterophyila, R. fragilis, R. fellea, Coprinus atramentarius, Ag. asterophorus, A. fascicularis, and Lactarius subdulcis, from Yardley Wood. Mr. W. B. Grove exhibited a number of Fungi collected at or near Sutton Park during the Fungus Foray, among which the most remarkable were—Agaricus chioneus, a minute species growing on leaves ; 4. echinatus (formerly called A.hematophyllus, on account of its colour), a most striking species, found but rarely, and generally in hot beds; and A. wdus,a species first discovered in Britain in November last, in Epping Forest, and now found in similar situations in the damp ground above Bracebridge Pool. Mr. R. W. Chase read a paper on “ The Birds of the Farne Islands,” a small group off the coast of Northumberland, in which he gave a very interesting account of a visit in May last. The Ornithology of the islands was very graphically described, and the paper wasillustrated by a large number of speci- mens, showing the various changes from the egg to the adult stage of most of the birds. An excellent map and a series of beautiful photographs were also shown, which gave a very vivid idea of the scenery of the locality. The following birds were exhibited:— Muscicapa atricapilla, Certhia familiaris, Anthus pratensis, A. obscwrus (nest, eggs, and young), Strepsilas interpres, Tringa maritima, Somateria mollissima (nest, eggs, and young in various stages), /ratercula arctica (egg and young in various stages), Graculus carbo (nest, eggs, and young in various stages), Sterna dougalli, s. cantiaca, 8. hirundo, 8S. fluviatilis (eggs and young in various stages), Larus fuscus (nest, eggs, and young in various stages). October 18th.—Mr. Levick REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 269 exhibited a living fresh-water mollusc, Dreissena polymorpha. Mr. J. F. Goode exhibited Globigerina and Radiolarian ooze from the bottom of the Atlantic in illustration of his paper on ‘‘ Some Deep-sea Challenger Soundings,” in the course of which he referred to the change that has taken place in the views formerly entertained as to absence of life from the ocean depths. These are now known to teem with living beings, of which, however, the more lowly organised, such as the Foraminifera, form the greater part. When the sea exceeds a certain depth, its bed is found in almost all parts to be covered with a fine sediment called Globigerina ooze, from the name of the small Foraminifera of the remains of which it chiefly consists. Below 2,500 fathoms this passes into a red clay. There is also found sometimes at intermediate depths, from 2,100 to 2,300 fathoms,a gray clay. At 3,000 fathoms the red clay assumes its most characteristic aspect; below this it becomes altered into Radiolarian ooze, which is called after the organisms of which it is principally composed. Now the Foraminifera are chiefly calcareous, and the Radiolaria siliceous, and all this succession of deposits is explained by the varying action of the sea water, at different depths, upon one and the same deposit. The whole volume of the sea is filled with multitudes of these minute creatures. and their remains are contiuually falling in a gentle rain upon the bottom—the greatest quantity occurring where the sea is deepest. As the depth increases the deposit becomes more and more disintegrated, the calcareous remains suffering first. Thus the Globigerina ooze passes into the red clay. At the lowest depths the calcareous Foraminifera have altogether disappeared, and the deposit consists mainly of the siliceous tests of the Radiolaria. Mr. Goode also referred to the discovery of a distinct group of minute animals to which the name of Challengerida has been given, and to the at present inexplicable puzzles, the Rhabdospheres and Coccospheres, which are found in the deposit, but of the nature of which naturalists are still doubtful. GroLoGcican SEcTIon.—October 25th. Mr. T. H. Waller, B.A., B.Sc., exhibited a microscopical section of obsidian, cut from a specimen exhibited at a previous meeting. Mr. Abrahall exhibited a fossiliferous pebble from the Isle of Wight. Mr. Wright Wilson showed some thousands of parasitic hydratids from the abdomen of a common fowl which was afterwards sold for food. Mr. W. J. Harrison, F.G.S., gave an interesting account of the rise and progress of the Ordnance Geological Survey of the British Islands. He referred to the differences which had lately arisen between the Government and the officers of the survey with regard to the rate of progress; and Mr. Houghton, M.A., also made some remarks on the same subject. Mr. C. J. Woodward B.Sc., F.G.S., then delivered a brief lecture on “ Zones in Crystals,’ describing how to name and distinguish the planes, their combina- tion in zones, and the application of stereographic projection to crystallography. The lecturer illustrated his remarks by numerous models and experiments. BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ UNION.— September 5th.—MicroscopicaL AND GENERAL Merertinc.—Exhibits: Mr. Sanders, larva of Buff-tip Moth; Mr. Boland, land sheils from Bearley, also specimen of Convolvulus Hawk Moth, caught in Wales, and Clausilia Kolphii, for the first time recorded in Warwickshire; Mr. J. W. Neville, larva of Bombyx mori, mounted whole, showing tracheal system complete ; Mr. Duun, common Leech, showing young clinging to parents by their suckers. Septem- ber 12th.—Mr. Darley, cocoon of Emperor Moth, having two outlets side by side in place of the usuai one; Mr. J. Baxter, Cristatella mucedo and its statoblasts. Mr. C. P. Neville read a paper entitled “ A Ramble on the Welsh Hills.” September 17th.—Excursion to Knowle and Temple Balsall. Septem- ber 19.—Mr. Madison exhibited rippie marked slabs from the Keuper Marls, Hatton, also Estheria minuta, same locality ; Mr. Grew, Ship Barnacle, entire ; Mr. Dunn, tentacles of same under the microscope; Mr. J. W. Neville, Puccinia on leaf of violet, Lecythea or rust on leaf of rose, Lecythea and Arecma on leaf of barren strawberry, Cluster Cup and Coleosporum on leaves of coltsfoot. September 26th.—Mr. Boland, Mairepores from Devon ; Mr. Darley, Marvel du jour Moth. A paper was read by Mr. J. A. Grew on the “Natural History of the Peacock Butterfly.” The paper was illustrated by diagrams and a collection of British Vanesside. 270 REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY.—September 28th. Mr. W. B. Grove, B.A., gave an account of some of the more important phenomena connected with ‘‘ Volcanoes,” with special reference to the real source and method of volcanic action. The paper, the writer intimated, was mainly a résumé of what is contained in Professor Judd’s recent book on the subject. It was pointed out how incorrect were the common ideas connected with volcanoes, and especially the famous governess- dictum, ‘‘ A burning mountain, from the summit of which issue smoke and flames ;” every word of this definition usually is or may be untrue.—October 12th.—Mr. C. B. Caswell gave an account of the properties and uses of Hydro- gen peroxide. He deseribed its preparation from Barium dioxide and Hydrogen fluosilicate, and the concentration of the dilute solution so obtained in vacuo over strong oil of vitriol, and drew attention to the purity and cheapness of the 10 volume solution now in the market. He then demon- strated the most striking properties of this remarkabie body, showing, among other experiments, the mutual decomposition of Hydrogen peroxide and Argentie oxide; the rapid conversion of Piumbie and Ammonie sulphides into their respective sulphates, and the reduction of the Manganic peroxides to the state of protoxide. He also showed the tests whereby the presence of minute traces of this body may be detected ; the formation, under suitable conditions, of perchromic acid, a beautiful blue body, being the most characteristic, and the liberation of lodine from Potassium iodide in presence of Ferrous sulphate being the most delicate. After a description of the estimation of the peroxide by means of standard permanganate in presence of sulphuric acid, the uses to which the solution may be put in the Jaboratory as an oxidising agent were pointed out, whereby the pungent and noxious fumes to which nitric acid, chlorine, &c., give rise, may be avoided. Mr. Caswellconcluded by referring to the receatly discovered fact that Hydrogen peroxide is produced in nature on a grand seale during the atmospheric oxidation of oil of turpentine. BIRMINGHAM PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.—October 12th.—The first meeting of the session was held at the Mason Colleve, the Rev. H. W. Watson, F.R.S. (the President), in the chair.—The Rev. H. W. Crosskey (secretary) read the annual report, which stated that the Council last year had the pleasure of reporting that Dr. George Gore, F.R.S., had accepted the position offered him, and that the amount of £150 per annum had been allotted to him in order that he might have greater facilities for continuing in Birmingham his original researches. Dr. Gore had forwarded a report stating that since he had been entrosted with grants from the Birmingham Endowment of Research Fund, he had made, partly with the aid of those grants, the following researches in physics and chemistry, which had been communicated to the Royal Society, and pub- lished, namely :—Thermo-electric behaviour of aqueous solutions with platinum electrodes ; influence of Voltaic currents on the diffusion of liquids ; experiments on electric osmose; phenomena of the capillary electroscope ; electric currents caused by liquid diffusion of osmose ; influence of Voltaic cur- rents on diffasion of liquids ; and phenomena of the capillary electrosecope. He hoped before long to submit to the Philosophical Society an original communica- tion. In addition to the before-mentioned researches, and as an entirely separate matter, he had been aiding the cause of original research by preparing for publication a small book on “ The Scientific Basis of National Progress,” and it was now being printed. The Council have further had the pleasure of granting the sum of £20 to Dr. C. A. McMann, of Wolverhampton, to enable him to obtain the apparatus needed for the continuance of his original researches on the * Spectroscopy of Animal Colouring Matters.” The Council beheved that the meetings of the society would be made more interesting if various notes were pr:sented in addition to the papers which might be read. They invited the members, therefore, to bring forward notes of any special research in whichthey might be engaged, as well as to furnish more elaborate papers. In reviewing the history of the society since its foundation, the Council had every ground for believing in its future. It had made steady progress, and the two volumes of its Proceedings already published showed the value of the work that had been done,—Mr. George Hookham (treasurer) read the financial statement, and REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 271 announced that £1,080 had been received in donations and £90 paid in annual subscriptions to the Birmingham Endowment of Research Fund.—Mr. Lawson Tait moved the adoption of the report and statement of accounts.—Dr. Simon seconded the motion, which was unanimously carried.—Dr. Heslop moved the re-election of Mr. Watson as president for the ensuing year.—Mr. William Mathews, M.A., seconded the resolution, which was carried.—Mr. Mathews and Dr. Norris were elected vice-presidents; the Rev. H. W. Crosskey, F.G.S., and Mr. R. Levett, M.A., secretaries ; and Mr. George Hookham, M.A., treasurer.— The President then delivered his address, which dealt with the subject of ‘‘ The Progress of Positive Science, and the Duties of Society in relation thereto.” The crowning triumph, he said, of physical discovery was the science of energy, the revelation of a new entity, indestructible like matter, and the source and store- house of all physical activity. He was tempted to linger on that theme not only on account of its importance. but because this science had been in a great degree the work of British physicists, mainly of the Cambridge school. Fifty years ago the idea of general physical conservation of energy was absolutely non- existent, though the mechanical conservation of energy had been clearly enough stated. This conception had little less than revolutionised science. There was no branch of physics which had not felt its influence. Electricity, magnetism, and chemistry had alike contributed fresh evidence to its truth and acknow- ledged its directing power. Physical treatises of no remote date had been in a great measure rendered obsolete. The conservation of energy and the doctrine of development were pre-eminent amongst the many instances of pregress—the one bringing a whole province of investigation within the domain of scientific treatment, and the other supplying a real and potent bond of union between sciences hitherto thought independent. Dealing with the second portion of his subject, Mr. Watson observed that scientific advance was disquieting to some people from its supposed antagonism to their religious convictions. Theology, however, need fear no enmity where morality had found so sure a friend. Science had no creed, and was of no theological colour. Some eminent scientific men did appear to lose sight of this truth, and to regard themselves as the emissaries of a destructive mission. The true vocation of the scientific man was the single minded pursuit and the fearless assertion of positive truth, unbiassed by a foregone conclusion. Doubtless there might be found among the clergy, as amongst the laity, people to whom the line from Dryden might be applied—‘ The priest continues what the nurse began.” But there was no greater intolerance in those persons than in the conduct of men who became emissaries of a materialistic or atheistic creed. The true position of science in this respect was every day becoming more fully recognised. The president went on to deal with the distrust which some people had towards scientific pursuits, because they thought those pursuits were unpractical, and tended to distract their votaries from the real business of life. Lastly, he men- tioned some of the methods by which local organisations such as this society, established for the promotion of exact and accurate scientific research, were able to forward the good cause.—Mr. Levett moved a vote of thanks to the president for his address, which was seconded by Dr. Tilden, F.R.S., who said he should endeavour to induce his colleagues in Mason College to bring forward original contributions at the meetings of the society.—The President having acknowledged the compliment, the meeting terminated. CHELTENHAM NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY.—October 20th.—After the transaction of the routiue business Mr. H. Matthews read a paper on the “ Storage of Electricity,” which was illustrated by experiments. NOTTINGHAM WORKING MEN’S NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY.—This society held its monthly exhibition on October 3rd, when Mr. J. Hazard exhibited two specimens of the ‘‘ Snow Bunting ” (Plectrophanes nivalis), and one specimen of the * Little Ringed Dotterel” (Charadrius minor), shot at Gedling, Notts. Two specimens of the “ Tiger Moth,” viz., a black and a white variety, were exhibited by Mr. T. Goldsmith. Mr. Watchorn exhibited a specimen of the ‘Clouded Yellow” (Colias edusa), captured at Newstead, Notts, July, 1881. Mr. W. Gough exhibited some specimens of fungi, in which the Agaric family figured prominently. 272 REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. NORTHAMPTON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.—Exhibits at inaugural meeting, October 18th: microscopes ; Messrs Durham and Kempson, Lophopus crystallinus and Stentor polymorphus ; Mr. Dangerfield, circulation of sap in Vallisneria spiralis ; Mr. Osborne, spiracle of beetle (Dytiscus marginalis), tongue of wasp, &c.; Mr. J. Gregory, microscopic moths and microfungi. Mr. Tomalin, jun., exhibited his entomological captures of the past summer, amongst which were :— Macroglossa stellatarum .. AC ..» Humming-bird Hawk. Sphinx convolvuli .. = 5 47 -.- Convolvulus Hawk. (Four specimens have been caught in this neighbourhood this year in the first week of September). Anthrocera filipendulz Calligenia miniata Orgyia pudibunda Cossus ligniperda Zeuzera eesculi a0 Platypteryx unguicula Dicranura vinula Nonagria fulva Nonagria typhe Hydrecia nictitans . Luperina testacea Apamea unanimis Grammesia trilinea .. Anchocelis rufina Cirreedia xerampelina Dicycla 00 Polia chi 5c Aplecta herbida Amphipyra pyramidea Pericallia syringaria Ennomos tiliaria Biston prodromaria .. Boarmia consortaria Eubolia cervinaria Tephrosia punctularia Melanippe tristata . Abraxas ulmata Halias quercana Chesias spartiata OSWESTRY AND WELSHPOOL NATURALISTS’ Six-Spot Burnet. Rosy Footman. Pale Tussock. Goat Moth. Wood Leopard. Barred Hook-tip. Puss Moth. Small Wainscot. Bulrush Moth. Golden Ear. Lesser Flounced Rustic. Uniform Rustic. Treble Lines. Flounced Rustic. Centre-barred Sallow. Scalloped-wing Oak Moth. Chi Moth. Green Arches. Copper Underwing. Lilac Beauty. Canary-shouldered Thorn. Oak Beauty. Pale ditto. Mallow. Engrailed. Small Argent and sable. Scarce Magpie. Scarce Silver lines. Streak Moth. FIELD AND ARCHAOLOGICAL SOCIETY.—The last excursion for 1881 was made on Monday, September 26th. Meeting at Longville Station, near Wenlock, the party first walked to the ‘‘ Ditches,” a well-marked ancient fortification on the hill above Lutwyche Hall, the seat of Mr. Benson. On their way they visited a quarry on Wenlock Edge, and found several of the fossils which abound in the Wenlock Shale. ‘‘ The Ditches” is a circular space about 200 yards in diameter, and enclosed by earthwork ramparts, of which there are traces of three, or perhaps four. The party then proceeded to Cardington, and visited the church, to which there is a Norman doorway, and a timber porch dated 1639. In the church there is the tomb of Judge Leighton, who died in 1607. The oldest bell bears the date 1603, and another, 1742, bears the inscription, ‘‘ Fear God, honour the King.” ‘Lhe party then ascended Caer Caradoc, a hill of some 1,400 feet, of volcanic origin. From its top there is a fine view of Shropshire and the neighbouring counties, extending as far as Wolverbampton,the Malvern Hills, and the Brecon Beacon. Taking the train at Church Stretton, the members and their friends returned home after a very pleasant day. The following plants rewarded the botanists: Gentiana campestris, Chlora perfoliata, Tragopogon pratensis, and Colchicum autumnale. 7 ‘ i) i ' % 2 - d *. ba “P : i ‘4 e i a ® # ee ee ae ve C2 the PA ae ule ' : <= =——— oe SS ———— ae Se Cea ay = he SS rt te ey eS : & ~ ye i en _—t woe Bopyrus Squillarum. NOTES ON BOPYRUS SQUILLARUM. 273 NOTES ON BOPYRUS SQUILLARUM. A PARASITIC CRUSTACEAN.* BY. W. R. HUGHES, F.L.S. In looking over a collection of miscellaneous marine specimens, the proceeds of many a pleasant dredging excursion, which had accumulated during several years, with the view to find some worthy of the museum of this noble college, I found one—the subject of these notes— which I took at Torquay in 1867, and which, as I do not remember to have seen it exhibited here previously, I think may occupy our attention for a few minutes before it follows the example of its fellows. Bopyrus squillarum is a small parasitic crustacean, of pear-like shape, which selects for its habitat a position beneath the front shield or carapace of the common edible prawn, Palemon serratus, and some other allied forms, the presence of the female causing a large tumour of nearly half an inch in diameter on the side where the parasite affixes icself (Fig. 1), the tumour being largest when the parasite is distended with ova. Bopyrus belongs to the second of the two great divisions into which the Crustacea have usually been separated— the sessile-eyed, that is to say those whose eyes are not placed upon footstalks, the other division being termed the stalk-eyed. It is of the order Isopopa (equal feet), in which the legs are adapted for walking only, first named by Latreille, and so founded in contradistinction to the order Ampurropa (both feet), the members of which have both swimming and walking feet. The family of the Boryripm, which includes Bopyrus squillarum, is small, numbering only four genera, but according to Messrs. Spence Bate and Westwood, the historians of ‘‘The British Sessile-Eyed Crustacea,” ‘it exhibits some of the most remarkable modifications of structure amongst its different members, whilst the characters of the group render it a very distinct one amongst the families of which the order is composed.” Limiting for the present a comparison of this singular organism with a high type of the crustacea—say its host Palemon serratus, the common prawn—we shall be able to gain a con- ception of the remarkable modifications which Bopyrus has undergone, if we assume, according to the laws of evolution, that they have both originated from a common progenitor. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE X. Fig. 1 gives the Prawn and its parasites in situ; Fig. 2 gives a dorsal view of the female parasite; Fig. 3 gives a dorsal view of the male para- site; Fig. 4 gives the nauplius stage of the parasite; and Fig. 5 gives the male parasite in the folds of the pleon of the female. Figs. 1,2, and 5 are sketched from preserved specimens. Figs. 3 and 4 are copied from “ The British Sessile-Eyed Crustacea,’ by Messrs. Spence Bate and Westwood.—I am greatly indebted to Miss Hadley for making the illustrations.—W. R. H. * Read before the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society, at the Mason College, on Tuesday, 31st May, 1881, 274 NOTES ON BOPYRUS SQUILLARUM. The appearance of the ordinary edible prawn is familiar to all, and its elegant and vivacious movements in the Aquarium have delighted and amused thousands of observers, to say nothing of its gastronomic qualifications, which appear to have been appreciated, if not entirely understood, in Shakespeare’s time, for Hostess Quickly says to Falstaff in the Second part of King Henry IV., “Did not goodwife Keetch, the butcher’s wife, come in then and call me Gossip Quickly ? coming in to borrow a mess of vinegar ; telling me she had a good dish of prawns; whereby thou didst desire to eat some ; whereby I told thee they were ill for a green wound ?” Without going too much into technical details it is sufficient to say that the prawn consists anteriorly of a chitinous shield or carapace, from which extends a rostrum armed with seven or eight teeth. The animal has three pairs of antenne—the external ones being very long—half as long again as the animal itself from the tail to the extremity of the rostrum. The eyes are large, round, and projecting. It has five pairs of thoracic feet, two of which are furnished with chele or nippers for prehension, the second pair being much the larger and stronger. Beneath these are the jaws (maxillipedes) and a wonderful alimentary apparatus for food crushing and filtering, which has been minutely described by Professor Huxley in an allied form in his magnificent monograph ‘“ The Crayfish.” The remaining three pairs of feet are devoted to purposes of walking. These limbs carry eight respiratory gills (podobranchiz) attached to the basal joint, and placed under cover of the carapace. Posteriorly the prawn has six movable abdominal segments (or somites), the last one (or telson) termi- nating in a triangular joint, to which are attached on either side two lamin furnished with hairs, forming the tail. These segments carry anteriorly five pairs of swimmerets, ‘‘ which are used like paddles when the animal swims quickly.” The ova find lodgment on these limbs. As is very well known, the prawn and its congeners are subject to periodic moults. Notwithstanding its comparatively small size and slender figure it would, I think, be difficult to conceive an animal better adapted by the shapes and positions of its organs to fulfil its functions—the delicate, long, and sensitive antennse used as organs of touch, and perhaps of smell, the prominent compound eyes with a wide range of vision, the strong-toothed rostrum projecting from the stout carapace for poking about for food in the crevices and crannies of rocks, the nimble hands for seizing it, the graceful and active walking and swimming feet, the muscular segmented body and tail adapted for darting through the water and enabling the prawn when in full health to evade, perhaps, most of its enemies, except man with his prowling ‘shrimp net.” The organism is greatly but not completely in harmony with the environment. And from the fact that it delights in a habitat between tide marks, it has acquired, as any observer may have noticed in watching the movements of prawns frequenting rock pools, an intelligence and boldness that must aid it NOTES ON BOPYRUS SQUILLARUM. 275 in “the struggle for existence.’ Many littoral marine animals of high type, as crustaceans and fishes, frequenting a varying environ- ment, appear to have acquired a superiority of intelligence over those confined to deep water where the conditions of life remain unchanged. In the “ Principles of Biology,” and in that division of it which treats of the morphological development and of the general shapes of animals, Mr. Herbert Spencer has pointed out, inter alia, that the struc- ture of decapodous crustaceans, as represented by the prawn, exhibits an advance in structure over the isopodous crustaceans, and a marked advance over such creatures as the centipede and julus types, any one of which latter animals (all the segments being nearly uniform) may be bisected transversely into parts differing very slightly from each other; but if cut in two horizontally the under and upper halves are decidedly unlike, whereas the head and tail of the prawn show a very marked contrast and an advance in structure over the other segments. Of bilateral symmetry, and in comparative harmony with the environment, the incidence of forces being equal, the common prawn exhibits a striking contrast to Bopyrus as will hereafter appear. Doubtless “the sum of the vital activities” of the prawn, as Mr. Herbert Spencer would express it, is much greater in any given interval than that of many members of its own class, and greater even than animals of higher type, such as the oyster and others, which lead sedentary lives. In Bopyrus, what first strikes one as being noticeable is an absence of the symmetrical arrangement of Palemon, which characterises the female Bopyrus, giving a strange lop-sided appearance to it (Fig. 2), although the male (Fig. 3), being free, is symmetrical. From the peculiar position of the female in the carapace of the prawn the incidence of forces is unequal. Next is the disparity of size between the sexes, the female being about five times longer than the male, which is only one line in length. This rule obtains sometimes in the Jnsecta, but not markedly so in the higher Crustacea. The female of Bopyrus is broad and ovate, while the male is elongated. Further, the segments of the body of the female appear but faintly, those of the male on the contrary being well marked and distinct. The head (cephalon) is almost immersed in the body of the female, but is better developed in the male, the eyes appearing distinct. The antenne in both sexes are very short and rudimentary, and so is the mouth, which, according to Spence Bate and Westwood appears to lose much of its normal character, and as one would expect from the parasitic nature of Bopyrus, fulfils the office of a sucking apparatus. The seven pairs of legs are almost of equal size, strong and thick, and furnished with a well-developed broad hand, strongly hooked for prehension. The tail (pleon) is well marked in both sexes. The females are furnished with large incubatory plates. Not only in Bopyrus, but throughout the curiously degraded family of the Bopyridz, the branchial organs ‘‘are depauperated to the lowest degree,” being little more than ” 276 NOTES ON BOPYRUS SQUILLARUM. excrescences on the under side margins of the tail. Beneath the plates covering these the male is usually found. Fig. 4 exhibits the male in situ. The colour of the female Bopyrus is pale green, and the body is not of strong consistence. The young Bopyri are of an oval form, somewhat like a wood louse, with the outer pair of antenne greatly elongated, carrying slender sete. The legs are sub-chelate, and the tail carries two pairs of joints, terminating in sete. It appears that in the nauplius or larval condition (Fig. 5), the young exhibit the most advanced stage of development; according to Spence Bate and Westwood, “the organs of sense and motion being proportionately larger and better developed at that period of their existence than ever after.” Messrs. Spence Bate and Westwood further say: “It would thus appear as if the nervous energy was then greater, and that the growth of males and females is but what Dr. James D. Dana calls a vegetative process, and one that is destructive of cephalisation, which decreases in proportion to the growth of the animal. They therefore argue that of the adult Bopyri the smaller male ought to be taken as typical of the species rather than the more abnormal female.” I particularly direct your attention to the fact of high development in the nauplius stage as a most remarkable illustration of that special branch of modern biological speculation termed phylogeny, which professes “that the development of any organism should furnish the key to its ancestral history.”* It would appear from this that Bopyrus is derived from some more perfect form of crustacean, and that its degraded organs in the female in maturity are due to its peculiar environ- ment within the carapace of the prawn. The Bopyri seem to gain access to the body first by sheltering in the early stage among the freely hanging ova of the prawn. They work in pairs, as appears from a communication to the Proc. Zool. Soc., November 24, 1863, after- wards finding their way into the carapace, and so, as the authors I have quoted say, ‘‘ having quitted the care of their own parent they are fostered by another on whom probably at a later period they prey parasitically.’” As with most parasites the fecundity of these creatures is considerable, no fewer than 800 young being nourished in the incubatory pouch of the female. Most of these perish, for only one mature parasite and its mate infest their host at one time. The existence of Bopyrus has been known for some time, but not properly understood; for in the year 1772 Mons. de Bondaroy, a French naturalist, published a memoir on Bopyrus squillarum disproving the old fallacy entertained by fishermen on the coasts of France that Bopyri were the young of soles or other flat fish, which took shelter under the shell of the prawn to protect them in their early stages of growth—an idea held even by some scientific men at that period. In the year 1837 Rathke made some interesting observations upon Bopyrus, showing from an examination of a number of specimens that * Huxley, “ Manual of Invertebrata.’ Introduction, page 41. a NOTES ON BOPYRUS SQUILLARUM. MU | they usually infested the female prawn only, for out of several hundreds infested the male prawn was free. Dr. Fritz Miller made, in the year 1864, a very remarkable observation on a member of the Bopyride, which he communicated to the authors of the “ British Sessile-Eyed Crustacea.” He says: ‘‘ One of the most interesting animals of this family is a Bopyrus living on Pagurus (a genus of the hermit crab), in which the dorsal surface of the parasite is directed towards the Pagurus. (He therefore named it Bopyrus resupinatus.)” The origin of this curious mode of attachment is the following :—The larva of Bopyrus affixes itself to Sacculina pur- purea (another parasite of the non-segmented suctorial order of crustaceans (Rhizocephala) living on the same Pagurus), and takes its nourishment from the roots of the parasite. After the death of the Sacculina, to whose central surface the Bopyrus was fixed, the latter probably cannot change its position, and remains with its dorsal surface facing the Pagurus. Finally, in briefly contrasting together the two adult animals, the host Palemon and its parasite Bopyrus, we have the symmetrical, compact, segmented body of the one, and the unsymmetrical body of loose consistence of the other—the cephalothorax with its stout rostrum and compound eyes gives place to a mere extension of the body of the other—the complicated mouth of the one is represented by a mere sucking apparatus in the other—the long and sensitive antenne of the one are represented by merely dwarfed extensions in the other; the ramifying branchiew of the one give place to rudi- mentary organs in the other; the long, slender, and graceful walking and swimming feet of the one are represented by dwarfed limbs in the other; but, as a compensation, and the only one of the greatest import- ance to the parasite, the hands are both strong and numerous to aid it in grasping and holding on. If I have at all succeeded in enabling the members to gain a conception of the relative differences, not only between the typical crustacean as host and its particular parasite under consideration, but also between the different stages of growth of that parasite, I think they will agree with me that no better illustration could be adduced of ‘the effects of use and disuse of parts,” and of the ‘‘ adaptation of the organism to its environment.” As Mr. Herbert Spencer has pointed out in the “‘ Principles of Biology ” before referred to, animals of the Annulose type become unsymmetrical when their parts are unsymmetrically related to the environment. The common hermit crab (Pagurus) furnishes an illustration like Bopyrus. The embryos of each of these creatures are symmetrical, but the curvature of the body of the hermit crab is due to the position it acquires to adapt itself to the shell which it inhabits, and the unsymmetrical condition of the adult Bopyrus is similarly due to the position it occu- pies within the carapace of its host the prawn. Except for the writings of Dr. Darwin and Mr. Herbert Spencer such biological problems as that presented in the morphology and degraded structure 278 NOTES ON BOPYRUS SQUILLARUM. of Bopyrus would be totally inexplicable. Thanks, however, to the light thrown on these questions, especially by the illustrious author of “The Origin of Species,” a new significance is apparent, and as he has shown in that wonderful work, ‘‘any change in fune- tion which can be effected by insensibly small steps is within the power of natural selection ; so that an organ rendered, during changed habits of life, useless or injurious for one purpose, might be modified and used for another purpose.” And again: ‘ Rudimentary organs may be compared with the letters of a word, still retained in the spelling, but become useless inthe pronunciation, but which serve as a clue in seeking for its derivation.”* Bopyrus, so far as the female is concerned, is apparently getting worsted in the struggle for existence. One cannot help thinking that in the distant future its lease of life will not be remarkably long. So much the better for the prawn! BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICRO- SCOPICAL SOCIETY. ANNUAL CONVERSAZIONE. The Annual Conversazione of this Society was held on November 16th, at the Town Hall, Birmingham. It was a great success, not only in regard to the number of the visitors, but also to the character and extent of the display. The class of objects which was admitted differed from that comprised in former exhibitions of the kind in being more closely restricted to the Natural History and Microscopy which form the legitimate bounds of the Society’s exertions. The only ex- ceptions to this restriction were the admission of a few objects coming under the head of Archeology and Art, which, while interesting in themselves, were not sufficiently obtrusive to spoil the effect of the whole. Now that it has been demonstrated that an amount of material, capable of affording instruction and entertainment to a large assembly for more than three hours, can be gathered together without trespassing upon ground which more properly belongs to other socie- ties, it is to be hoped that the course thus marked out will be followed on future occasions. The exclamations of delight which could be heard on every side, as some fair damsel saw for the first time those beautiful creatures, living and moving, which she had heretofore met with only in the dry pages of her school text-books; or as some Bir- mingham manufacturer, who had devoted his life-time to the ledger and the desk, took his first glance into a realm of glory of even the very existence of which he had before no conception; the crowds which surrounded the favourite exhibits, as, for instance, that which made taking one’s turn for a peep at the Amoeba as hard a task as ee * “Origin of Species,” pp. 52, 40. Fourth Edition. BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 279 waiting for the opening of the doors at a concert where some queen of song was to delight the audience with her thrilling notes ;—these things showed how great a desire existed to know some of the secrets of nature ; and yet how many there are to whom, even in these days, these secrets are as a closed book. It is one of the highest privileges which a Natural History Society possesses, that of being able to add to the enjoyment as well as to the instruction of those whose powers of investigating nature are undeveloped. Before entering upon a description of the principal exhibits, it may be premised that the microscopical display, which occupied the floor of the hall, and upon which the chief energies of the Society were as usual concentrated, was arranged by Mr. A. W. Wills upon a plan which made it something more than a mere series of pretty objects. The series was so formed that the visitor was led through the whole of the animal and vegetable kingdoms by gradually ascend- ing steps, beginning in each case with the most lowly organisms. That the series was not perfect must be admitted, but everyone who has exhibited living microscopic creatures knows how perversely the very organisms which he wants refuse to turn up at the required moment. One word of general praise must not be forgotten. Those who had been familiar with previous exhibitions of the kind remarked an obvious improvement in the average degree of skill with which the objects under the microscopes were illuminated. Among the microscopical exhibits only a selection can be made. By far the most interesting, at least to the members of the Society, were the illustrations of the structure of the very rare Funiculina, Virgularia, and Pennatula, which had been obtained during the Marine Excursion to Oban last July. The entire animals were also exhibited. These were shown by Messrs. W. P. Marshall and C. T. Parsons. Mr. W. R. Hughes exhibited living specimens of Terebratula and Caryophyllea (a coral), also dredged at Oban. Messrs. Hughes, Collins, Potts, Allport, and Goode exhibited a series of specimens, prepared by Mr. F. W. Sharpus (who was the first English observer of the fact), demonstrating the viviparous nature of the Brittle Starfish (Ophiocoma neglecta). Mr. Wagstaff exhibited living specimens of Spongilla fluviatilis ; and Mr. J. Levick, the large Ameeba, Lithameba discus (Ray Lankester), and Brachionus urceolaris. Mr. A. W. Wills exhibited living Desmids from Sutton Park; and Mr. G. E. Davis, the curious fungus, Myxotrichum, which produces mildew in cotton goods. Besides these there were many others, the total number of microscopes being between seventy and eighty. At a separate table was exhibited, by Mr. F. Enock, a collection of microscopical preparations of insects of all orders, mounted with pressure, retaining the chitinous skin only ; also a collection of heads of insects and entire insects, mounted without pressure, and retaining their natural form and colour. These are especially valuable because the absence of distortion enables the student to make out all the parts and their uses with accuracy and ease. 280) BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Mr. G. E. Davis exhibited Abbe’s Apertometer, and his own Limiting Diaphragm for reducing the apertures of high angle objectives. Mr. W. Cotterell exhibited a collection of crystals; Mr. F. A. Walton, minerals and crystals; Mr. W. J. Harrison, rocks, minerals, and erystals ; and the Committee of the Birmingham Water Department, antlers and bones of deer found about 9ft. below the surface, in digging the Shustoke Reservoir. Mr. J. E. Bagnall, who on a previous occasion had exhibited all the grasses of Warwickshire, now showed a complete series of the British Grasses, including Hierochloe borealis, collected by Robert Dick, the Thurso naturalist. Mr. T. Bolton exhibited a collection of sea-weeds ; Mr. W. Southall photographs of American medicinal plants, and a pharmaceutical herbarium, also a splendid group of the edible fungus, Clitocybe nebularis. Mr. W. B. Grove exhibited a large collection of Fungi from Sutton Park, including the rare Chameota echinata, and the edible species Clitocybe nebularis and Pleurotus ostreatus. Mr. F. Felton exhibited birds’ eggs from the neighbourhood of Birmingham; Professor T. W. Bridge, on behalf of the Mason College, various specimens of animal life; Mr. F. A. Walton, a collection of insects, and cases of birds ; Mr. G. S. Tye, fine collections of British Crustacea and American Unionide, the latter showing the remarkable tendency to variation, which has, in one instance, enabled book-naturalists to manufacture and append their names to more than one hundred and fifty species out of the different forms of one. The chief taxidermists of the town showed cases of birds, but the great feature of the ornithological display—second, indeed, in interest only to the microscopes—was the fine collection of British Birds exhibited by Mr. R. W. Chase. These were exquisitely mounted, the surroundings being in most cases an exact copy of the actual place in which the birds were found. One of the finest was a group of the Auk family, on a piece of chalk cliff. The collection was also made more valuable by presenting in many cases the nest and eggs, and the various stages of growth from the young to the adult. LIST OF SPECIES EXHIBITED BY MR. R. W. CHASE. Aquila chrysaétus .. Golden Eagle .. Stornoway. Haliaétus albicilla .. White-tailed Eagle .. Ditto. Pandion haliaétus .. Osprey.. es .. Staffordshire. Falco peregrinus .. Peregrine Falcon .. Olton. » ‘salon .. seeevlenlint:7: ae .. Bromsgrove. Milvus ictinus dey SILO et ae .. Bourne, Lincolnshire. Pernis apivorus .. Honey Buzzard -. Sussex. Lanius excubitor .. Great Grey Shrike .. Wylde Green and Brighton. 5, collurio .. Red-backed Shrike .. Sutton Coldfield. » rutilus .. Woodchat Shrike .. Yorkshire. Panurus biarmicus ee Bearded Titmouse .. Cambridge. BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 281 Ampelis garrulus Waxwing Aston Park about 1845. Motacilla yarrelli Pied Wagtail .. Hants. a alba White Wagtail Brighton. - boarula Grey Wagtail .- Nechells. 33 flava Grey-headed Wagtail. Brighton. oe raii Yellow Wagtail Sussex. Alauda alpestris Shore Lark Shoreham. Plectrophanes _lap- ponicus .. Lapland Bunting Brighton. Loxia curvirostra Crossbill AstonPark,about 1845. Pyrrhocorax graculus Chough Isle of Man. (idicnemus crepitans. Great Plover .. Charadrius pluvialis.. Golden Plover Harwich. Squatarola helvetica.. Grey Plover .. Shoreham. Vanellus cristatus Lapwing se Sutton Coldfield. Aigialitis hiaticula .. Ringed Plover Perthshire. Strepsilas interpres.. Turnstone Stockton-on-Tees. Recurvirostra avocetta. Avocet Stornoway. Totanus calidris Redshank Perthshire. Tringa canutus Knot Shoreham. » subarquata Curlew paadpiper Littlehampton. » Maritima Purple Sandpiper » alpina Dunlin Hants. » Temminckii .. Temminck’s Stint Shoreham. » minuta Little Stint os Calidris arenaria Sanderling Harwich. Phalaropus fulicarius. Grey Phalarope Bourne. Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit Harwich. » agocephala Black-tailed peas Lincolnshire. Numenius arquata Curlew Perthshire. Ardea cinerea Heron .. sc Hants. » garzetta Little Egret .. Near Scarborough. Botaurus stellaris Bittern Lincolnshire. Rallus aquaticus Water Rail Hants. Crex pratensis Land Rail Water Orton. », porzana .. Spotted Crake Bromford. Gallinula SS Moorhen Washwood Heath. Anser albifrons », leucopsis Anas strepera » clypeata » acuta Harelda glacialis (Edemia fusca Cidemia nigra Somateria mollissima Mergus albellus », serrator White-fronted Breer Bernicle Goose Gadwall Shoveller Pintail Duck Long-tailed Duck Velvet Scoter Common Scoter Hider Duck Smew .. Norfolk. Treland. Lincolnshire. Sutherlandshire. ” Farne Islands. Selly Oak. Red-breasted Merganser Stornoway. 282, BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Colymbus glacialis .. GreatNorthernDiver Filey. 5 arcticus .. Black-throated Diver Stornoway. », Sseptentrionalis Red-throated Diver.. » Fratercula arctica .. Puffin .. ele .. Farne Islands. Alea torda .. Razorbill “in .. Flamborough Head. Uria troile .- Guillemot .. .. Bass Rock. » grylle -. Black Guillemot .. Isle of Man. Phalacrocorax carbo.. Cormorant .. .. Tenby. og cristatus Shag .. ae .. Isle of Man. Sula bassana .. Gannet es .. Bass Rock. Sterna fluviatilis .. Common Tern .. Farne Islands. ,, birundo .. Arctic Tern .. oA - » dougallii .. Roseate Tern oe oe » cantiaca .. Sandwich Tern R ae Larus tridactylus .. Kittiwake Gull .. Worcestershire. » glaucus .. Glaucous Gull .. Bridlington. », leucopterus .. Iceland Gull .. .. Near Brighton. ;, Marinus .. Gt. Black-backed Gull Hants. Lestris parasiticus .. Richardson’s Skua .. Filey. , longicaudus.. Buffon’s Skua .. wichfield. » pomatorhinus Pomatorine Skua .. Leicestershire. Among the objects of Art and Archeology Mr. W. Bragge exhibited a collection of 125 Russo-Greek ‘‘Icons,” or religious pictures; Dr. Hill Norris, Zulu war implements; Mr. F. A. Walton, a case of Indian arrow-heads; Mr. W. H. Vernon, portfolios of sketches; Mr. W. Willis, albums containing admirable reproductions of his delicately- beautiful pencil drawings; and Mr. H. Miller, two rubbings of Brasses from Felbrigg Church, near Cromer, Norfolk. In conclusion, we must not omit to record that the success of the Conversazione was mainly due to the untiring exertions of the Secretary, Mr. John Morley. OUR SUMMER MIGRANTS. AVERAGE DATES OF ARRIVAL AS NOTICED IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF BURTON-ON-TRENT. BY H. G. TOMLINSON. The following notes as to the average dates of arrival of some of our summer migrants may be an interesting comparison with Mr. Macaulay’s Birds of Leicestershire, which appeared in your November Number. Those with an asterisk prefixed will be found to differ as to date of arrival from Mr. Macaulay’s notes of same species. 1. The Chiffchaff, common in neighbourhood of tall trees. I once heard one on March 9th, 1869 ; average date, March 25th. 2.*Blackcap Warbler, common in gardens and woods; April 18th to 30th. . Willow Wren, common; Aprill 4th. . Wheatear, very rare. . Swallow, very common; April 13th. Si) OUR SUMMER MIGRANTS. 283 6. Martin, very common ; April 13th to 20th. 7.*Sand Martin, very common ; generally seen the end of March, never later than April 5th. 8.*The Swift, very common; once seen in April, always by May 6th; leaves in August, once seen in September. 9. Wryneck, not noticed in this locality. 10. Garden Warbler, rare; April 20th. 11. Whitethroat, common ; end of April. 12. Lesser Whitethroat, common ; April 14th. 13.*Yellow Wagtail, very common ; often seen the end of March. 14. Nightingale, occasionally visits us end of April or early May. 15. Cuckoo, end of April. I heard one this year on August 8th at 11 p.m. in my garden. Was it a young or old one ? 16. Grasshopper Warbler, rare ; first week in May, often found in osier beds. May be seen if closely watched. 17 Sedge Warbler, very common ; end of April. 18. Redstart, rare; end of April. 19. Tree Pipit, common; 18th of April. 20. Wood Wren, nowhere common, but met with in all large woods and parks; first week in May. 21. Winchat, common ; first week in May. 22. Spotted Flycatcher, common ; last week in May. 23. Pied Flycatcher, not found here. 24.*Landrail, common ; always heard by May Ist in Trent meadows or osier beds. 25. Nightjar, rarely found. 26. Red-backed Shrike, rarely found. 27. Turtle Dove; end of April, rather rare. 28. White Wagtail, very rare. 29. Reed Warbler; end of May. I have always several pairs build in my garden in privets and lilacs. They are late breeders, never nesting till middle of June. Common in osier beds and gardens near the river. The Cuckoo frequently lays in the nests of this bird. 30. Ring Ouzel, not found here. 31. Quail, very rare. 32. Sandpiper, rather rare; but seen in May and June on Trent and Dove. si METEOROLOGY OF THE MIDLANDS. THE WEATHER OF OCTOBER, 1881. BY CLEMENT L. WRAGGE, F.R.G.S., F.M.S., ETC. October was marked by great atmospheric disturbance, and in this is found the chief meteorological feature of the month. During the first six days pressure continued uniformly high, but on the seventh the barometer gave way,and a great and broad depression (with temporary and trifling recoveries), evidently covering a wide area of our zone, spread over these latitudes. The succeeding crest was not reached until the 16th. Contained as it were in the rear of this main disturbance was the extraordinarily deep cyclonic trough of the 13th—14th, with the resulting hurricane that did such immense damage throughout the British Islands. My space entirely forbids more than a very brief notice of this remarkable storm. It appears to have originated ‘‘ about 150 miles south of Nova Scotia on October 10th,” and thus its centre occupied barely four days in travelling across the Atlantic to the coast of Great Britain, a distance of 2,440 284 STATION. OUTPOST STATIONS. Ben Nevis (@)* ........s000: Fort William (a@)* .......... Spital Cemetery, Carlisle .... Scarborough(d@)...........005 Blackpool(a)—North Shore } South Shore Llandudno (a) .............. Boston ....... etal Lowestoft (a) . Carmarthen (a). ..|W. H. Wheeler, Esq. ...... 2 ..|W. T. Radford, Esq THE WEATHER OF OCTOBER. RAINFALL. ;|Greatest fall in 24 hours. OBSERVER. -| In. \C. L. Wragge, Esq., F.M.S.| 6:58) 3°11 |\C. L. Wragge, Esq., F.M.S/ 4°31} 1°39 I. Cartmell, Hsq. «......... 2°02) 1°02 \F. Shaw, Esq., F.M.S....... 3°98) 0°59! C T. Ward, Esq., F.M.S. .. J. Nicol, Esq., M.D., F.M.S.| 2°42| -28| |H. EK. Miller, Esq. |G. J. Hearder, Esq., Rev. J. Power, M.A WONGHOL(G) oc. cceececnccace sc H. Sagar, Esq. ............ St. Augustine’s, Ramsgate(a)|Rev J. C. Swanson, O.S.B. MIDLAND STATIONS GLOUCESTERSHIRE. PULOU Cee nailet a naaincaisasicuiste 8. J. Coley, Hsq. ........0. 146] “54 Cheltenham (d).........0000- R. Tyrer, Esq., F.M.S. ..../ 2°05) °76 WILTSHIRE. Marlborough(a) ..........+- Rey. T. H. Preston, F.M.S.| 1°26) *42 SHROPSHIRE. WVOOIBESEtON) f... ccc nce ccns Rev. H. D. Carr........2500 2°82) 1°13 BLOKGRAY)e cccteeincicciecccicee sls M. D. La Touche ..... 68} *81 Spe Castle . . KE. Griffiths, Esq. .......... 3°62) 1°28 ore Rectory..... “4P) 4° BaHee Cae nes “*} Rev AdSsiMales-. weseee 845] 1:08 Dowles, near Bewdley ...... J. M. Downing, Esq. ...... 2°48) 116 HEREFORDSHIRE. Barehill (ez) leacaacesseccas. c= T. A. Chapman, Esq., M.D. | 1°92) *61 SHOR OPESLIBH sale cee ticiallsiecisiciciee Rev. G. Alexander ........ 2°71) 1-00 WORCESTERSHIRE. Orleton, Tenbury ............ T. H. Davis, Esq., F.M.S. ..| 8°00) °99 West Malvern ..|A. H. Hartland, Hsq....... 2°58) 1°00 Evesham ..... Y. J. Slatter, Esq., F.G.8...| 1°80} °77 Pedmore ... Stourbridge ..... ae Cawney Bank, Dudley ...... STAFFORDSHIRE. Dennis, Stourbridge (a)...... Kinver Grammar School, Burton.... Weston-under-Lyziard ...... Wrottesley (@).. 0.5. c fc. Heath House, nearCheadle(a) Beacon Stoop, WeaverHills(a) Alntontieldl 75, ice saeiaivinaicisclceis Rey. W. H. Purchas WARWICKSHIRE. St. Mary’s College, Oscott (a)|J. MacElmail, Esq. .......- 2°90} “81 Henley-in-Arden ............ T. H.G. Newton, Esq. ....|2°76] °97 Kenilworth (a) ..........e0.. F. Slade, Esq., C.E., ¥.M.S.| 2°66} *92 Coundon, Coventry .......... Lieut.-Col. kh. Caldicott....| 825) 90 Rugby School....5....scsscsss Rey. T. N. Hutchinson ....| 8°07} "95 DERBYSHIRE. Stony Middleton .........+.- Rev. U. Smith ....cccssees 618] 144 Fernslope, Belper ..|F. J. Jackson, Esq. ++| 4°08] °98 Spondon .\J. T. Barber, Esq. 8°70} 1°08 Dutftield... NOUTI Mansfield (a) Park Hill, Nottingham ...... Hodsock Priory, Worksop (a). WUPOKG) | co easnsccisides av clase LEICESTERSHIRE. Loughborough (@).........+.- BYStOn cccrcccccvccccvsesces Town Museum, Leicester .... HK. R. Marten, Ksq Mr. I. Jefferies . Mr. C. Beale ...... : +| 2°69) *87 C.Webb, Hsq.....c.scceeees 2°48| ‘87 Rev. W. H. Bolton... 2°25) “91 N. E. Best, Esq. ... 8°59| 1:06 J. P. Roberts, Hsq. ......../3°20) “80 C. U. Tripp, Ksq., M.A...../ 8°10) “96 Hon. & Rev. J. Bridgeman .| 2°75) *78 K. Simpson, Wsq. .......... 2: J.C. Philips, Esq., J.P.....|3°5 Mr. James Hall ..... W. Bland, Hsq... W. Tyrer, Esq., F.M.S. ....|8'10} “64 H. F. Johnson, Esq. ...... 8°25) “88 H. Mellish, Ksq., F.M.S. ..| 2°33 “80 W. Berridge, Ksq., F.M.S...| 2°92] 1°11 Ashby Magna... cccccccece RID WOLUH ss isnieciew/cnies caere f Waltham-le-Wold Si Dalby. Hall ..ccccecstedscnses Coston Rectory, Melton (a) .. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. TOWCEBEOL, ccccucccnecevccens OXFORDSHIRE. Radcliffe Observatory, Oxford BEDFORDSHIRE. Aspley Guise, Woburn (a).... RUTLAND. Northfields, Stamford,....... Uppingham (a) ...........66. J. Hames, Esq. .....cereces 2°49) 112 T./Op Smith, Wade scsess eee 2°91) 1°01 Rev. Canon Willes ......-. 2°79) ‘87 T. Macaulay, Hsq. ......-- 8°15] -99 Kdwin Ball, Esq. .......-++ 8°47) 116 G. Jones, Hsq.....scccccces 2°69) °85 Rey. A. M. Rendell.......-. 8°14] 1-04 J. Webb, Hsq......scceecces 8°07] “86 R. G. Scriven, Esq. ......+- 2°88] °87 De WRLUS, ISG. lo Sncenc seme 8°84] 1°08 C. S. Groom, Esq. ........- 818/101 The Stall. cc scecccevcceses 1°80) *64 BE. E. Dymond, Esq., F.M.S.} 2°38] *67 W. H. Hayes, Esq. ........ 2°74/ 1:03 Rey. G. H. Mullins, F.M.S, |8°41) 1°17 Date. 18 18 TEMPERATURK, Greatest ht.|Greatest cd. 16 19 Deg! Date. 511 7 62°2 1 68°8 2 60°8 ll 60°9 69°7 2 60°0 1 580) 11 697 11 63°7 1 640, 1 616 ll 619; a3. 6U5) 11 62°0 1 60°6) 1,11 60°3 il 60°0 8 65°0 9 20 1 60°0 12 72°0 8 611 11 60°0) 1,3,11 62°5) 1,11 60'S 8 60°5 11 68°0 4 62°0 11 69°0 1 61°0) 12,11 610) 11 63°0 10 65°0 1 62°0) 1,2,11 610 11 618 1 590, 28 589} 11 675 2 | 61'8) 2 640) ii 606) 11 580) 1 620 2 580) 12 69°0 2 58°0 bYb 2 60'4, 1 614 1 670) 11 6571 2 67°0 1 62°8 2 69°0} 1,2 560 2 580 5 610} 1,11 690} 11 610) 1 69°0) 12,18 68°0 1 63-4 1 69°9 a 60°0 4 62°7 2 [2 SSESRSELSs GESAIATI ES 2 bo bo bo bo to bo bo x tote Din | PSIeu aR Aon Se? Oo me NeaIISSSsSsssd born pote SGSsm && cocoons oo bob SURean & 25°0 Date. 18 to 17 17 80 a WA RR (a) At these Stations Stevenson’s Thermometer Screen is in use, and the values may be regarded as strictly intercomparable. * The Ben Nevis and Fort William observations are for 27 days only; the mountain observatory has been since closed for the winter. The synopsis for October from my station in the Churnet Valley, at Oakamoor, will appear at foot in next number.—C. L. W. 285 METEOROLOGY OF THE MIDLANDS. nautical miles. It came up from W.S.W., and was strictly cyclonic in character, giving north-easterly gales on its north-west side in Scot- land, and south-westerly on its south-east side in central England, the wind veering and backing respectively as the storm centre passed over towards north-east. Immense damage was done, chiefly to timber, throughout the Midlands; and at Burton-on-Trent no such disastrous gale can be remembered. Between the 19th and 26th another wide main depression covered the British Isles, accompanied by fresh gales. The month was cold on the whole, temperature being 34 degrees below the average at Orleton and Henley-in-Arden. Dura- tion of sunshine at Hodsock, 107.0 hours, Mean sea temperature at Scarborough, 50.6. Correspondence. Narurauists’ Diary—(p. 266).—The proposed diary will not be issued for next year, the number of applications for it being insuffi- cient to justify its publication. Stormy Prrrent.—We lately had a visit from a Stormy Petrel, but it did not live long afterits capture. It has been mounted, and is now in the possession of Mr. Robert Drane, F.L.S.,a chemist in the town.—W. Apams, Cardiff. Aierauitis Curonicus (Gmexuin) Lirrns Rincep PuLover.—In the report of the meeting of the Nottingham Working Mens’ Naturalists’ Society, held on October 3rd, published in the ‘“ Midland Naturalist” for this month (p. 271), it is stated that there was exhibited ‘“ one specimen of the Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius minor), shot at Gelding, Notts.” Mr. Harting in his valuable ‘* Handbook of British Birds” (1872), records less than a score of specimens of this little bird as having been killed in Great Britain. I have not seen the Notting- hamshire bird recorded elsewhere, and Lam sure Ornithologists would feel obliged to Mx. Hazard if he would kindly publish further particu- lars of this interesting occurrence.—O.iver V. Apiin, Banbury, Oxon, November, 1681. ALPINE CuoucH.—On the supposed occurrence of the Alpine Chough in a wild state near Banbury, Oxon. :—In the June number of the ‘Midland Naturalist ” (p. 139), 1 recorded what I then believed to be a specimen of the Cornish Chough, Pyrrhocorax Graculus (Linneeus), remarking that it appeared to be immature, the legs being orange and the bill yellow, and that the latter seemed unusually short. On reading the note at a meeting of the Natural History Society here, I stated that I was not sure that the bird was not of a much rarer species, and to my record of it in the ‘“ Zoologist” the Editor appended a note that it was ‘possibly an Alpine Chough escaped from confinement.” I can now state that from an examination of a specimen in the Oxford museum, and a reference to the plate in Mr. Dresser’s work on the ‘Birds of Europe,” my suspicions are con- firmed, and I have little doubt that the bird killed in Broughton Park in April last is the Alpine species Pyrrhocorax alpinus, Koch.—a bird which has not, I believe, hitherto been recorded in a truly wild state in Great Britain. With regard to the present specimen having escaped from captivity, I may say that the plumage was clean, and not rubbed in the least, nor did the food found in the stomach (cf. p. 139,) point to its having been caged at any very recent period. Possibly though, it was an escaped bird, and had been at liberty long enough to lose the marks of confinement.—Oxiver V. Apuin, Banbury, Oxon., November, 1881. 286 REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. Aeports of Societies. BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.—November lst—GrneRAL Mernrine.— Mr. Bagnall exnibited Scirpus acicularis and Gymnostumum tenue trom Oiton Reservoir, which is a new Warwickshire station for these plants; also, Peplis portula and some fungi from the same locality. Mr. W. B. Grove exnibited Oraterium minutum, Trametes inodora, Polyporus betulinus, LHygrophorus virgineus (an euible species), L/elotium citrimum and other fungi. Mr. Blatch exhibiteu Llater balteatus, « beetie found for the first time in Sutton Park during the Fungus Foray, aud Andomychus coccineus, a beetle new to Warwickshire; also, on behait of Mr. J. Levick, Alater oculatus (living,) a species found in North America. Mr. A.W. Wilis presented to the Society fourteen slides of Desmiaiex, mounted by himself and inciuding many rare and new species. Mr. W. Kk. Hughes, F.L.8., presented for the cabinet of the Society, on behaif of Mr. F. W. Sharpus, of London, one of the corresponding members, a series of twelve siiaes, prepared by the donor, illustrating the structure and functions of certain members of the class HKchinodermata (Star-Fishes, Sea- Urchins, etc.) They consisted of four sliaes demonstrating the viviparous nature of Ophiocoma neglecta, one of the brittle-stars. Mr. Suarpus,who was the first English observer who noticed this remarkable phenomenon, communicated the fact to this Society some years ago. Four slides exhibiting the structure and dental apparatus of Ophiocoma rosula (another of the brittle-stars); one slide exhibiting the renewai of a lost ray in an extremely young specimen of Uraster rubens (the common Cross-Fish), xbout one-third of an inch in diameter; and two slides showing the structure of certain curious and interesting pincer-like orgaus, probably modified spines, of the Star-Fish (Uraster glacialis), ana of the Sea-Urchin (Lchinus sphera), termed Pedicellarice, the functions of which have long been un unsolved probiem to Zoologists, who are net even now quite agreed as to their exact nature. In submitting the preparations, Mr. Hughes gianced at the position of the Achinodermata asa class, and particularly at the two methods of reproduction, one by means of a‘ pseuuempbryo,” una the other ‘*viviparously,” as noticed by Mr. Sharpus, suppiemented 1n some instances, as was shown in the Challenger expedition by meaus of a “ Muarsupium.”’ He ‘also described the preparations at length, which are extremely beautiful, the method of mounting which Mr. Sharpus has by long experience as an amateur perfected, and which has already been aescribed in the ** Midland Naturalist,” Vol. If., p. 126. The preparations were further illustratea by drawings made by Mr. W. P. Marshall and Mr. A. W. Wills. Mr. Levick superintended the microscopical exhibition. A cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Sharpus for his kind and valuabie present. November 8th— Brontocican Section.—Mr. J. EK. Bagnall exhibited Fontinalis antipyretica, from Rugby Canal; LHypnum fluitans, var. submersum, from uear Gaydon, a new record for the county; Chenopodium hybridum, trom near Stratford- on-Avon ; 7riticwm repens, abnormal form having a compound brauched spike, from Alveston Heath. Mr. T. Boiton exhibited Nymphon gracile, living, Pycno- gonum littorale, living, and showing the circulation of the blood; also, Holts Landsburgii, Doris, Hydrozoa aud Polyzoa trom Bangor. Mr. W. B. Grove exhibited Crateriwm minutum, a fungus belonging to the order Myxomycetes, showing the elaters by which the spores are dispersed; also section of Nectria cinnabarina, showing at the same time the coniuio-spores and the asco-spores. Professor T. W. Bridge, read a paper on “The Auditory and Vocal Organs of Fishes,’ in which he referred more particularly to some siluroid fishes in which the auditory, vocal, and tactiie organs are most highly specialised. The paper was iliustratea with numerous diagrams and specimens. November 16.h—ANNUAL CONVERSAZIONE ut the Town Halil (see page 278). November 22na—GrNERAL Mrrnrinec.—Mr. T. Bolton exhibited Pandorina Morum, and Syncheta pectinata. Mr. W. B. Grove exhibiteu two of the Myxomycetes, Zrichia varia aud Chondrioderma difforme, also a young specimen of Agaricus disseminatus, showing the spores in situ on the gills, aud A. cerussatus and Tremella albida. Mr. H. Miller exhibited ~ REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 287 the Sapucaya nut of Brazil. Mr. Silvanus Wilkins then read a paper “On a Dragon-Fly,” in which he devoted attention chiefly to the facts which could be observed by quiet watching, without capturing the insect. He spoke of the curious way in which the male dragon-fiv captures his mate, and compared it to the savage mode of carrying off a bride by force, humorously suggesting that the two habits were connected by the theory of descent. Mr. Kenrick made some observations on the huge eye of the dragon-fly, and, by comparing its forward position to that of the eyes of hawks and predaceous beetles, illustrated his argument that upon this depends the power which they possess of keeping their prey in view when they are close upon it as easily as when it is ata distance. By this means they are enabled to turn sharply in pursuit, as however close they may be they can see it with both eyes, and thus possess the advantage of binocular vision. Mr. Blatch aiso made some remarks on the food of the dragon-fly, and pointed out how Mr. Wilkins’s paper illustrated the fallacy of the allegation that the Midlands are but a barren hunting ground for the naturalist. November 29th—GroLocicaL Section.—Mr. J. Levick described a number of original Photographie Views of ‘Scenes in Inidia,” which were exhibited by Mr. C. Pumphrey with the aid of the oxyhydrogen lantern. The series contained about one hundred fine and effective views, including the principal buildings and scenery of Calcutta, Agra, Lucknow, Benares, Ceyion, and the Himalayas. The views and descriptions were much appreciated by a large and attentive audience. BIRMINGHAM MICROSCOPISTS’ AND NATURALISTS’ UNION.— October 2nd.—A meeting, at which were exhibited by Mr. Wykes, backbone of turtle; by Mr. Boland, vertebre of Ichthyosaurus and scales of Lepidotus, from the Lias, Bearley; by Mr. J. W. Neville, larva of B. mori. showing two rows of hooklets in each leg; and by Mr. H. Insley. section of chalk pebble from drift beds, Leicester, showing foraminifera in situ. October 10th.—A paper by Mr. Blay, ‘‘Our Common Bog Plants,” illustrated by specimens. October 17th. —Exhibited by Mr. Madison, Terebratula caput-sernentis, from Oban ; by Mr. J. W. Neville, tongue of water spider; by Mr. Wykes, section of sheep’s horn and cow’s hoof by polarised light. October 24.—Mr. Baxter showed resting spores of Volvox globator; Mr. Wykes, Chelifer muscorum; Mr. J. W. Neville, double eyes of Gyrinus natator. November lst and 2nd.—The second annual conversazione. The exhibits included foreign insects, fine cale-spar, quartz, and other crystals, and flint implements from North America, by Mr. Walton; British Lepidoptera and Reptiles, by Mr. F. Shrive ; complete collection of British land and fresh-water shells; foreign beetles and skull of Ichthyosaurus, by Mr. Boland; land shells, eocene fossils, and various skulls, by Mr. Madison ; British birds’ egos, bv Mr. Searle; collection of birds, by Mr. Betteridge; British insects, by Mr. J. A. Grew; 150 slides of insects of the district, prepared for the microscope, by Mr. J. W. Neville; circulation of blood in frog’s foot, eyclosis in Nitella, Lophopus crystallinus by Mr. J. Baxter ; collection of district plants and various botanic microscopic objects, by Mr. Blay. Messrs. J. Wykes, Moore, and C. P. Neville exhibited various polariscope objects ; Messrs. Bradbury, Flowers, and Parker, miscellaneous microscopic objects ; Mr. H. Insley, fossils from Wenlock limestone, (Walsall) ; South Staf- fordshire Coal Fields ; oolite of Gloucestershire and Red Crag (coast of Essex). The coal plants were illustrated in the following microscopical sections :— Longitudinal section of Stigmaria ; transverse section of Rachiopteris Old- hamia, a fern found in the Oldham coalfields ; various sections of outer scale of Tepidodendron; a section and set of rocks illustrating the structure of Pouk Hill, near Walsall, was alsoshown. November 14th.—Annual meeting. BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.—Meetings of this Society have been held as under :—GrnerRAL Mentine.—October 19th. A paper was read by R. Moore, on ‘“‘ Autumn Wild Flowers.” Several rare and interesting dried specimens were exhibited. ZoonocicaL SECTION.— November 2nd. A paper was read by H. T. Roberts on “ Fishes.”” GmrNERAL MertTING.—November 11th.—An exhibition of specimens was held at this meeting. Belcher exhibited a collection of dried specimens of wild flowers. 288 REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. A. B. Badger exhibited some Stentors under the microscope. ZooLoGIcaL Srction.—November 16th. A paper was read by F. Pearson, on ‘‘ Bees.” BANBURYSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. — November 7th. Mr. T. Beesley, F.C.S., president, in the chair. Exhibits: Bacteria, from the air of a pigstye (microscopic slides); Larva of one of the ‘“* Hoverer”’ Flies (Helophilus), commonly called Rat-tailed Grub, and microscopic rock sections by Mr. Beesley; Flint Implements (Arrow-heads, etc.) from Oxford and Ireland by the Secretary (Mr. E. A. Walford) ; some live Amphi- bians, Rana esculenta, Bombinator igneus and Salamandra maculosa, from Switzerland; and Land and Fresh-water Tortoises. Testudo and Emys, by Mr. O. V. Aplin; Barnacles, Lepas anatifera, and wood bored by the Ship- worm, Teredo norvegica, by Mr. Symington; Skeleton and Skins of T'alpa europea, also Mole Trap, anda specimen of the Mole Cricket Gryllotalpa vulgaris, from Broughton, by Mr. W. Wyatt: section of Coal Shaft, Monk- wearmouth, by Mr. E. West. The President read the meteorological report for October, stating that the mean temperature was 44°8 degrees, nearly five degrees below the averase. Mean height of barometer, 29°634 inches. Rain- fall on nineteen days, 2°47 inches ; greatest fall (13th), 0°77 inch. Snow fell on the 29th. High winds on the 14th, 15th, 20th, and 22nd. Very strong wind on the night of the 13th, and all the 14th it blew a perfect hurricane, and did much damage to property in the neighbourhood. It caused more than one fatal accident through the falling of trees and branches. Mr. O. V. Aplin read notes on some Amphibians and Tortoises, exhibited on the table. Mr. W. Wyatt read an interesting paper on the Mole, Talpa europea, giving a description of the anatomy of the animal, and an account of its fortress, habits, ete. He also called attention to the Mole Cricket, which also tunnels in the ground, and pointed out the curious resemblance which exists in the structure, and a corresponding resemblance in the habits of the two creatures, although the one has an internal and the other an external skeleton. The President read an important paper on ‘“ Bacteria, and their supposed connection with disease.” Bacteria, minute bodies capable of endless and exceedingly rapid reproduction, and which are Algse, were stated to exist almost everywhere, in the soil as well as in the air, drought only suspending their vitality, bright light causing them to die or become dormant, but moisture aidirg their increase. Very strong evidence had been brought forward showing that some of the more formidable contagious diseases were produced by the introduction of these organisms into the blood. He showed that he had collected them from the air of a pigstye, one of the forms being identified as the germ of ‘‘ malignant carbuncle ” occurring in oxen, pigs, ete.. a small dose of which, he believed, had produced carbunele in man. Mr. Aplin also read a note on ‘* The Supposed Occurrence of the Alpine Chouch, (Pyrrhocorax alpinus, Koch,) in a wild state, near Banbury. BURTON-ON-TRENT NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.—The first evening meeting of the season was held on Friday, November 4th, Mr. R. Thornewill, President of the Society, inthe chair. Mr. W. G. Davy (Hon. Sec. Tamworth Nat. Hist., Geological, and Antiquarian Society) read an interesting paper on “ Personal Reminiscences of a Tour in Iceland.” Mr. Davy illustrated his route by means of a map, and had on the table for exbi- tion some photographs of the places visited, ani of pieces of wood carving done by the natives. Articles of attire, pieces of exquisitely worked cold and silver jewellery, some curious relics, domestic utensils, and geological specimens were also exhibited. A vote of thanks was given to Mr. Davy. Mr. Davy, in reply, said he was glad to assist the Society, or any other similar society. He advocated an interchange of work and papers among the different societies in the Midland Union of Natural History Societies. Errata.—In the list of moths on page 272, Tephrosia punctularia should be T. biundularia. In November number, page 258, line 6, * Rock Salt (pseudomorphs), Aust, Igneous rock,” should be ‘* Keuper and Rheetic.” it