l893 . NEWS OF UNIVERSITIES, ETC. 237 



The American Museum of Natural History has despatched another expedition 

 this summer to the western territories for the discovery of fossil mammalia. This 

 is the third annual expedition of the kind, and the Museum is already beginning 

 to exhibit a remarkable collection as the result of Dr. J. L. Wortman's former 

 explorations. In 1891 only a small collection was made in the Wahsatch beds of 

 the Big Horn Mountains. In 1892 the Puerco Eocene formations of New Mexico, 

 the White River Miocene of South Dakota, and the Cretaceous Laramie rocks were 

 examined. About five hundred specimens were obtained from the first-mentioned 

 horizon, many fine fossils were discovered in the Miocene, and a very large collection 

 of the minute mammalian teeth was made in the Laramie. The recent writings of 

 Professor H. F. Osborn give some idea of the value of the investigation, on which 

 the American Museum is to be congratulated. 



A new scientific society, named the " Societa tra i cultori delle Scienze mediche 

 e naturali in Sardegna," has been founded at Cagliari, Sardinia. 



The new Malacological Society of London has decided to issue Proceedings at 

 undetermined intervals. The publication will be edited by Mr. B. B. Woodward, 

 and the first part may be expected shortly. 



We are glad to observe that the "Societe beige de Geologie " has now succeeded 

 in bringing its Bulletin up to date. Two parts have lately appeared, the one 

 completing the volume for 1892, the other being the first part for the current year, 

 The Treasurer is able to report that the deficit, which for several years has crippled 

 the Society, is steadily disappearing, and that the year 1892 showed a small surplus. 



The Bristol Naturalists' Society has issued a new part of its Proceedings (n.s. 

 vol. vii., pt. ii., 1892-93), containing several papers of much value in reference to the 

 Bristol district. There are records of Phenological and Meteorological observations, 

 Mr. A. J. Heath and Professor Lloyd Morgan publish a concise account of the 

 fossil fish-teeth and spines found in the Carboniferous Limestone, with some original 

 observations ; Dr. A. R. Prowse discusses the ancient British remains on Clifton 

 Down, with a map ; and Mr. C. Druitt has an interesting original paper on the 

 Green Woodpecker, based on his own observations in the neighbourhood. 



The Croydon Microscopical Club has just issued its Proceedings and 

 Transactions for Feb., 1892-June, 1893. The most original paper is that of Mr. 

 Murton Holmes, who discusses " The Microscopical Structure of Hearthstone 

 from Detchworth, Surrey." Foraminifera and casts of the same in glauconite. 

 sponge spicules, coccoliths and rhabdoliths, are recorded, with abundant scales of 

 mica. It is gratifying to learn that the loss on the last soiree was only £\o ; for 

 the Croydon Club soirees are excellent as a rule, both in exhibitions and arrange- 

 ment. 



