222 SCIENTIFIC AND LITERARY. 



WORCESTERSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



The increasing importance of this Society is sufficiently exhibited in the 

 rapid progress it has made in the formation of a Museum, which, in the 

 short space of eighteen months, has received, in presentations, upwards 

 of 3000 specimens in the various departments of Natural History, 

 independent of those purchased by the Society. Nearly 200 volumes of 

 books have likewise been presented by individuals residing in the city and 

 county, and 40 volumes from Sir C. Throckmorton, Bart, of Coughton 

 House, Warwickshire. A donation of ten pounds has also been recently 

 received from James Fryer, Esq. of Bewdley. 



At the first meetmg of the Council in September, the members pro- 

 ceeded to make a cursory examination of the museum (now opened for 

 public inspection), and expressed themselves much gratified at the order 

 exhibited in its arrangement. The birds comprise 450 specimens, 

 beautifully preserved ; there are nearly 200 species of serpents, a large 

 case containing tortoises, turtles, and other members of the Chelonia and 

 Sauria ; various marine and fresh water Mollusca, some extraordinary 

 Zoophites, several cases of insects, an herbarium of rare Worcestershire 

 plants, and upwards of 2000 specimens in Geology and Mineralogy. 

 Dr. Hastings having taken the chair, Mr. Lees announced several 

 additional donations from Rev. J. C. Dale, Miss Hastings, Sir Charles 

 Throckmorton, Bart., Ewen Cameron, Esq., Jabez Allies, Esq., Mrs. 

 Blaydes, Martley, and Mr. Batchelor, and thanks were voted to the 

 enlightened donors. A communication was read from Mrs. C. L. E. 

 Perrott, relative to her contemplated publication on the Worcestershire 

 birds, some splendid drawings of which were exhibited to the Society. 

 The Honorary Secretary reported that the following gentlemen had 

 undertaken to deliver lectures to the Society in the course of the autumn, 

 viz. — John ConoUy, M. D., of Warwick ; John Davidson, Esq., F. R. A. S. 

 of London ; Edward Morris, Esq., M. R. C. S. ; Oswald Beale Cooper, 

 Esq., and F. A. Walter, Esq., F. R. S. L. A Committee was appointed 

 to examine the various papers received, and to make a selection therefrom 

 for reading before the Society. The following gentlemen were then pro- 

 posed, and severally elected members : — The Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop 

 of Worcester ; the Very Rev. the Dean of Saint Asaph ; Rev. John 

 Vernon, Shrawley; J. S. Pakington, Esq., Westwood; Thos. Woodyatt, 

 Esq., Holly Mount, Malvern ; Rev. Chas. C. Crump, Halford Bridge, 

 Shipston-on-Stour ; James Fryer, Esq., Bewdley; and George Talbot, 

 jun. Esq., Honeybrook, near Kidderminster. 



The number of members now amounts to upwards of 200, exclusive 

 of Honorary Corresponding Members. 



LUDLOW NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



The county of Salop, it will appear, is treading in the footsteps traced 

 out by her neighbours, and a Natural History Society, in Ludlow, is 

 now fast rising into importance. A course of eight lectures on Geology, 

 twice in a week (Tuesdays and Fridays), commenced on the 12th of 

 September, at the Market-hall, in that town, by Samuel Worsley, Esq. 

 in aid of the funds of the institution, and we understand they are likely 

 to be well supported. These lectures are designed to assist the progress 

 of those students just commencing the interesting study of Geology ; 

 and to give to the more advanced a general view of the present state of 

 the science. 



