THE HIPPOPOTAMUS, which has been in the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park, London, since 1850, died on the 11th March. THE ANALOGIES OF PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE.-A lecture on this subject, delivered by Dr. F. Darwin, at the London Institution, appears in Nature," of March 14th and 21st. It will repay careful perusal. Reports of Societies. G. BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY AND MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.-February 19th, MICROSCOPICAL GENERAL MEETING -Mr. Hookham, M.A., read a paper on "A Method of Preparing Crystals for the Microscope."-Mr. W. R. Hughes, F.L.S., read the first portion of a paper by Dr. Cobbold, F.R.S., on "The Parasites of Man." March 5th, GENERAL MEETING.-Mr. A. W. Wills read the first of a series of papers on "Freshwater Algæ." March 12th, ADJOURNED ANNUAL MEETING.-The President (Mr. Edmund Tonks, B.C.L.) delivered the Annual Address, the subject of which was "Malaria."-A vote of thanks was given to Mr. Tonks for his address, on the motion of Dr. Deane, seconded by Mr. W. Southall, and supported by Dr. W. Hinds and Mr. W. Wright Wilson.-Dr. A. Milnes Marshall presented a copy of his paper on "The Development of the Cranial Nerves in the Chick." BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. -February 27th.-Mr. Allen Everitt read a paper on "What to See within Six Miles of Birmingham." In the course of a most entertaining and graphic address, Mr. Everitt described the various old churches, moated and timber dwellings, and ancient farm houses within a radius of six miles The lecture was illustrated by sketches made by Mr. Everitt. March 13th.-Mr. C. R. Robinson read a paper on "The Geology of Ludlow." "The BURTON-ON-TRENT NATURAL HISTORY AND ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.-March 12th, Mr. R. Thornewill read a paper on History of Burton Abbey from the date of its foundation, to the end of the Twelfth Century." CARADOC FIELD CLUB.-February 25th.-ANNUAL MEETING, held at Shrewsbury-Rev. J. D. La Touche re-elected President; Rev. J. J. Lambert elected Vice-President. Places and dates of Field Meetings for the season fixed on, viz :-June 26th, Stokesay; July 24th, Abbey-cwm-hir; August 27th, Lilleshall; September 25th, Special Meeting, for Cryptogamic Botany, Downton Castle. The President gave his address, and a telephone was exhibited and lectured on by T. P. Blunt, Esq. CHELTENHAM NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY.-GENERAL MEETING, February 21st.-The President, Dr. T. Wright, F.R.S.E., F.G.S., gave his opening address. He dwelt much on the natural advantages open to the society in the locality, and the interest each searcher after knowledge would find in studying the geological, botanical, and physical features of Cheltenham and its neighbourhood. He then pointed out, and, by aid of diagrams, explained the general geological features of the hills surrounding the valley.-Mr. H. A. James then gave a full and lucid description of the telephone. An instrument had been fixed in the room, connected with a shop in the street, and much amusement was caused by the messages sent and received. EVESHAM FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB.-MEETING, January 30th.Mr. J. S. Slater read one of the Manchester Series of Popular Lectures, by Wm. Pengelley, F.R.S., on "The Cave Men of Devonshire." February 27th.-Mr. T. E. Doeg delivered an address on "Oar Local Molluscs," which he illustrated with some microscopie slides.-The Rev. J. Collins Odgers, B.A., read a paper on the "The Lesser Parasitic Plants," including fungi, mushrooms, and potato mould. NOTTINGHAM LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, NATURAL SCIENCE SECTION-March 13th.-A paper was read by Mr. G. B. Rothera, on "The Physiography of the Yorkshire Coast," illustrated by maps and sections. March 20th.-Microscopical evening. The Rev. G. E. C. Casey, M.A., F.G.S., introduced the subject of "The Epidermal Appendages of Plants." March 27th.-A paper on "Rotifera," part of which appears in our current number, was read by Mr. E. Smith, M.A. NOTTINGHAM NATURALISTS' SOCIETY.-February 20th.-A paper on " A Feather" was read by Mr. Blandy. February 28th.-The Annual Soirée was held at the Mechanics' Large Hall. There was a very large attendance. Several societies in the Union were represented. There was a good display of microscopes and other objects, including local collections of shells, rocks, birds' eggs and nests, butterflies and moths, &c. At 9.45 Mr. A. H. Simpson exhibited, by means of the oxy-hydrogen microscope, a series of photographs for the lantern. Amongst others was one of the cover of the "Midland Naturalist." Altogether it was a most successful evening. March 6th." Life History of a Butterfly," by Mr. C. T. Musson. March 13th.-Microscopical evening, Insects." 44 RUGBY SCHOOL NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.-February 23rd.The President read portions of the Meteorological_Report. The rainfall of the year was 28 72in., being less than 1876 by 1·9in. Rain fell on 195 days. Papers were read as under :-By Mr. G. Jones on "The Rise, Progress, and Fall of Gothic Ecclesiastical Architecture in England;" by Mr. H. J. Else, on "Campanology;" and by Mr. Percy Smith, on "Mushrooms," in the course of which he described the various edible and poisonous kinds. Mr. Bloxam exhibited two Roman urns and bones found by Mr. E. A. Bird, at Soreham, Cambridgeshire, and described the ancient British, Roman, and Saxon modes of burial. Numerous specimens were exhibited. March 16th.--Mr. M. H. Bloxam, F.S.A., read a paper, full of interest, on "Rugby School Close." Among the exhibits at this meeting were some beautiful specimens of arborescent copper ore. STROUD NATURAL HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.— March 12th.-The Rev. W. Farren White, M A., read a most interesting and elaborate paper on "The Slave-making Ant," (Formica sanguinea,) illustrated by diagrams and specimens, and a living colony of the species of ants forming the subject of the paper. There was a large attendance. TAMWORTH NATURAL HISTORY, GEOLOGICAL, AND ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.-February 18th.-Mr. F. A. Grayston read a paper on "The Correlation of the Leicestershire, Warwickshire, South Staffordshire, and Shropshire Coalfields." He showed that they were portions of one extensive formation, and gave it as his opinion that probably large deposits of coal and ironstone existed beneath the Permian and Triassic rocks, which, on the surface, separate the coalfields. In support of this view Mr. Grayston stated that the 7ft. coal of that district, and also the strata between that seam and the "Smithy" coal, could be identified in each of the other three coalfields, and that there were many reasons for assuming that the thick coal of South Staffordshire was represented in Leicestershire, Warwickshire, and Shropshire, by the numerous thin seams of coal found there in the upper part of the coal measure series. Several plans and diagrams in illustration of the subject were exhibited. March 4th.-Mr. R. W. Hanbury, M.P., gave a description of his ride through Asiatic Turkey to India, in the course of which much interesting information was given. Mr. Hanbury exhibited a bronze sword, found near Diarbekr, and presented to him by some monks. It is supposed to be the oldest sword in the world. An inscription, in cuneiform characters, cut deeply on the blade, has been translated thus :-" Palace of Vulnirari, King of Nations, son of Pudil, King of Assyria, son of Belnirari, King of Assyria also." Vulnirari reigned between 1390-1350 B.C., and 500 years before David and Solomon. Mr. Hanbury also exhibited several tracings of inscriptions from the walls and stones in many interesting places visited by him on his journey. The objects of the " Midland Naturalist" are, like those of the several societies in the Union which it represents, at least threefold, viz. -1st, to record such original researches and observations as their members may be fortunate enough to make; 2nd, to facilitate a complete record of the flora and fauna of the several districts of the Midland Counties; and lastly, to enable lovers of Natural History to hold out a helping hand to one another by pointing out how others may pursue most profitably such branches of study as they have themselves specially affected, and by communicating to one another such hints as are derived from their individual experience, whereby success may be ensured, time saved, or gaps in special lines of investigation filled up. The present paper falls within the scope of the last division; it records little or nothing which is original; its object is to invite attention to a branch of microscopical study in which there is ample scope for observation, and to point out in what fashion the examination of the great group of plants known as the Freshwater Algae may be successfully begun and carried on. In doing this it will be convenient to ask and briefly to answer the following questions:-What are Freshwater Algae, and why will they repay patient investigation? Where must they be sought? What are the general features of their structure, modes of reproduction and morphology, and the characteristics of the principal groups into which they are divided? How are they best collected and preserved? And how should observations be recorded? 1st.-Freshwater Algae are minute plants, mostly requiring considerable magnifying power to reveal their structure, belonging to that great group of water-weeds included in the somewhat loose term of Confervoideæ or Chlorospermes, of which the coarser green weeds of the sea shore are the most familiar examples. The imperfection of a classification by reference to the colour of these plants or of their spores will become evident from the outset; it must be accepted only as a rough division by which the majority only of the genera are covered. The freshwater species are far more delicate in texture and various in form than the marine ones, and comprise, in addition to those larger DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES.-PLATE I. Fig. 1.-Chlorococcum vulgare, from the bark of an ash tree, showing subdivision of cells into groups of two, four, &c. Fig. 2.-Protococcus.-Species allied to P. pluvialis, from a freshwater aquarium, showing subdivision of cells and formation of motile forms. Fig. 3.-Urococcus sp? Hass., from damp wall of a greenhouse. Fig. 6.-Micrasterias rotata and Cosmarium cælatum, from bogs in Sutton Park, showing increase by cell-division. N |