1868.] NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 395 



on Artificial Auroras, illustrated by Rumkorff's Induction Coil 

 and Geissler's vacua Tubes. A small charge was made for 

 admission to this, to defray the expenses of illustration. 



CONVERSAZIONE. 



The annual Conversazione was held at the Museum on Feb. 

 18th, and was numerously attended. After an address by the 

 President, a series of interesting experiments on Force was made 

 by Dr. Edwards. Objects were exhibited in microscopes lent 

 by Messrs. Ferrier, Watt, Muir, Clarke, Ritchie, Murphy, Baillie, 

 and others. A binocular microscope was lent by Mr. F. 

 Cundill. Principal Dawson exhibited a collection of Fossils and 

 Canadian Pearls ; Mr. Rimmer a series of Fossils ; Mr. Chap 

 man of Fictile Ivories ; Mr. Stanley Bagg of Coins and Medals ; 

 Mr. Reynolds of Illustrated Works and Roman Antiquities. 

 The rooms were tastefully ornamented by a committee of ladies ; 

 and a choice collection of flowers was exhibited from the con- 

 servatory of Mr. Donald Ross. The band of the Rifle Brigade 

 enlivened the meeting with beautiful music. A novel feature on 

 this occasion was the execution of permanent decorations, design- 

 ed by Mr. M'Cord, which recall to mind the names of the leaders 

 in different departments of science, emblazoned with mottoes and 

 emblems, in a very attractive manner. It is hoped that every 

 year permanent additions will be made of the same character. 



MUSEUM. 



The Council has pleasure in again expressing their high 

 appreciation of the services of Mr. Whiteaves, whose special 

 report to the Council has fully set forth the labours and acquisi- 

 tions of the year. They have renewed the previous engagement 

 with him, subject to due notice being given on either side. In 

 consequence of the great additions to the collection, and especial- 

 ly those generously presented by the University of Oxford at the 

 instance of Mr. Whiteaves, it has Been found necessary to erect 

 three new glass cases. A sub-committee was appointed to assist 

 the Curator in this and other changes in the Museum. Special 

 donations to the fund for cases were made by Mr. Rimmer of 

 $40, and Mr. Reynolds of $45. 



The two extremities of the Museum room being now fitted with 

 permanent cases, the much greater work of fitting up the two 

 sides on the same plan ought to be proceeded with without delay. 

 The existing cases are not only unsightly, but they afford no 



