156 NATURAL SCIENCE. August, 



A Government Museum for Natural History and Ethnology has been 

 established at Para, in North Brazil, and Dr. Emil A. Goldi has been appointed its 

 first Director. 



The Library and Reading-Room of the Linnean Society will be closed during 

 the month of August for cleaning. 



The Zoological Society of Dublin have received, on deposit from Mr. Cross, of 

 Liverpool, an Orang Utang. The attendance at the Gardens during the month of 

 May reached 11,000. 



The Deutsche Fischer ei-Verein offers a prize of 1,000 marks for a paper embodying 

 the best researches on the pathological and anatomical influence e.xerted on fish 

 by the presence of the following substances in the waters that they inhabit : — (i) 

 Free acids, (2) free bases, especially lime, ammonia, and soda, including the 

 soluble carbonates of potash and soda, (3) free bleaching gases (chlorine and 

 sulphurous acid). The determination of pathological characters accompanying the 

 death of fish from asphyxia is also desired. As appropriate subjects the 

 Salmonidae and Cyprinidse are suggested. Papers, which may be in German^ 

 French, or English, must be sent in by ist November, 1896, to Professor Dr. 

 Weigelt, Zimmerstrasse 90/91, Berlin, S.W., and from him further details may be 

 obtained. 



At its meeting in Munich, the German Zoological Society drew up the final 

 programme for the great systematic work to which we have alluded (Natural 

 Science, Nov., 1893, p. 383). The work, which will be published by G. Fischer, 

 of Jena, is to be entitled "Das Tierreich. Eine Zusammenstellung und Kennzeich- 

 nung der rezenten Tierformen." Though excluding animals properly described as 

 fossil, the work will take cognisance of such forms as have become extinct during 

 historic times. Each species will be accompanied by a diagnosis, as brief and clear 

 as possible. We are glad to find it recognised that such a work can only attempt 

 to be a synopsis of actually published knowledge, and that no corrections or new 

 descriptions can be admitted. The direction of this gigantic task is entrusted to 

 Professor F. E. Schulze, of Berlin, who will be assisted by a committee of seven 

 and a number of sub-editors. 



The Geological Society of London has raised its Composition Fee. We give the 

 new bye-law which was passed at a special general meeting held on June 20, 1894. 

 " A fellow may at any time compound for future annual contributions, that of the 

 current year inclusive, by payment of thirty-five pounds, or if elected before the 

 1st November, 1894, by a payment of thirty-one pounds ten shillings, or if elected 

 before the ist November, 1877, by a payment of twenty-one pounds. If he has 

 already paid the contribution for the current year, or any part of it, such payment 

 shall be reckoned as forming a portion of the composition." 



The Geologists' Association of London holds its long excursion this year in 

 Shropshire. The programme, which is elaborate and lengthy, speaks well for the 

 energy of the leaders and the excursion secretary, Mr. Thomas Leighton. Members 

 will have an opportunity of inspecting in the field the whole sequence of rocks below 

 the Bunter Sandstone, and that under the leadership of such men as Lapworth, 

 Watts, Blake, Callaway, and La Touche. The excursion lasts from July 28 till 

 August 4. The headquarters will be Shrewsbury. 



We learn from Science Gossip that a Geologists' Association has been formed at 

 Bristol, which holds meetings and makes excursions on Sundays. The honorary 

 secretary is Mr. Frederick Ellis, 22 Senier Street, Bristol. 



