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. B. Smith, M.A.
Nottingham Naturalists' Society.—February 20th.—A paper on "A Feather" was read by Mr. Blandy. February 23th —The Annual Soiree 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 18th.—Microscopical evening, "Insects."
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 l.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 “Campanalogy;’ 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 if 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 "Smitby" 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 600 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.
