358 NATURAL SCIENCE [May 



were marked by extremes of temperature, but were followed by montlis of an 

 opposite character, there was not much departure from the average of the dates 

 of first flowering. 



On June 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, the third Annual Congress of the South-Eastern 

 Union of Scientific Societies will be held in the Town Hall, Croydon. On Thurs- 

 day night, June 2nd, Prof. G. S. Boulger will give the Presidential Address. 

 The following papers will be read and discussed : — " Entomology as a Scientific 

 Pursuit," by J. W. Tutt ; " Ancient and Modern Dene Holes and their Makers," 

 and " Natural Gas in Sussex," by C. Dawson ; " Photography in Relation to 

 Science, with Lantern Hlustrations," by J. H. Baldoek ; " The Place of Geology 

 in Education," by Prof. J. Logan Lobley ; "The Soil in connection with the 

 distribution of Plants and Animals," by H. Franklin Parsons ; " Life History of 

 the Tiger Beetle, with Lantern Hlustrations," by Fred. Enoch ; " New Methods of 

 jireparing Fossils, with Demonstrations," by Dr A. W. Rowe ; " Ideals for Natural 

 History Societies, and liow to attain them," by J. M. Hobson ; " Botanical Work 

 still wanting Workers," by E. M. Holmes. There will be a conversazione on 

 Friday evening. A meeting of delegates from aftiliated societies will be held 

 on Saturday at 10.30. Tickets (admittting to all meetings) : Members of 

 affiliated societies, 2s. 6d. each ; persons unattached, 3s. 6d. each. Aj^plications 

 for these should be made to the Hon. Gen. Sec, Dr G. Abbott, 33 Upper 

 Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells ; C. Poulett Harris, Hon. Sec. of Local 

 Committee ; and R. F. Grundy, Hon. Sec. of Croydon M. & N. H. Cliib. 



The Lincolnshire Science Society, which has been the subject of so mucli 

 correspondence in various papers, puts forward the following objects of study for 

 its members during the ensuing year : — Geologists are asked to limit their atten- 

 tion to the Glacial Beds that occur in those i^ortions of the Trent and Witham 

 Valleys that lie within a ten-mile radius of Lincoln. The most imjjortant pro- 

 blems connected with these are the determination of their age by their topo- 

 graphical position, the collection of the mammalian and other remains that 

 occasionally occur, and the recording of the erratic boulders of the district. 

 Botanists should devote special attention to the careful recording of the Algae 

 and Fungi found within ten miles of the city of Lincoln. The mounting of per- 

 manent specimens of the most uncommon species is essential. A list of flowering 

 plants found within the same radius, arranged according to their natural orders, 

 with the time when found in flower, and tlie exact locality, is also a desideratum. 

 Notes on the insects found visiting the flowers would also be useful in forming a 

 county record. The meteorologists are to study the rainfall of Lincolnshire in 

 connection with mortality tables. Zoologists are requested to direct atten- 

 tion to the breeding localities of the more uncommon Ijirds of the county. 

 Special attention should be directed to the immediate neighbourhood of Lincoln. 

 An investigation of the plant seeds, insects, &c., found in the stomachs of birds 

 would be of great value from an economic point of view. Members will find some 

 interesting information bearing on this point in some jiajjers recently published 

 by the Board of Agriculture. Entomologists who, it is interesting to notice, are 

 carefully sej^arated from zoologists, are expected to verify all records of Lepidop- 

 tera in the separate divisions of the county. The photographers may make a 

 photographic survey of the City of Lincoln, esjiecially of features likely to be 

 swept away in the course of street improvements. A programme of many 

 interesting excursions to be undertaken during the summer has been sent to us. 



