i8g 5 . NEWS OF UNIVERSITIES, ETC. 69 



The Ealing Microscopical and Natural History Society has changed its name 

 to the Ealing Natural Science and Microscopical Society. It has also passed a new 

 set of rules, founded mainly on those of the Geologists' Association. 



The concluding part (iii.) of volume vi. of the Transactions of the Shropshire 

 Archuvlogical and Natural History Society has just appeared. We regret to observe 

 that the index to this completed volume shows nothing but Archaeology. Surely 

 there is some interest taken in Natural Science in the county. We note also that 

 the honorary curatorship of Zoology is vacant ; but after all that is not of much 

 consequence, for, to judge from the condition of the Museum during the last few 

 years, " honorary curatorship " and " vacant " are synonymous terms. 



The Report and Transactions for 1893 of the Guernsey Society of Natural Science, 

 just published, show that there is much good material in the Channel Islands and 

 many who are willing to work it out. The list of members numbers 100, and 

 monthly meetings are held from September to July. Among the more interesting 

 reports in the present volume is that of the Geological Section. This deals with the 

 superficial deposits, and shows that the Society is always on the look out for new 

 sections or cuttings, no less than twenty of these having been recorded during the 

 year. In another paper the Diatoms of Guernsey are studied by Mr. E. D. 

 Marquand, the president. 



In the Proceedings of the Philosophical Society of Glasgow (vol. xxv.), Dr. John 

 Ferguson's 1893 presidential address will be found. It is entitled " On the work of 

 the Philosophical and other Scientific Societies," and treats of the general work 

 done by the Society during the hundred years it has been in existence. 



Those interested in artificial flight will find a detailed and illustrated report of 

 Mr. H. S. Maxim's paper, read before the Society of Arts on November 28, 1894, 

 in the Journal of that Society for November 30. 



Some time ago we called attention to the curious announcements of the 

 Palaeontographical Society, in which works were advertised as " in preparation " 

 for, in some instances, twenty-five years. The volume just issued shows but small 

 improvement in this respect. Meanwhile, the Geological Survey of New South 

 Wales has gone one better, for they have announced for some years, and still 

 continue to announce, the fact that Dr. L. G. de Koninck is at work on the 

 Palaeozoic Fossils of New South Wales. We dare say they are right, but our 

 information on this side of the world is not so peculiar. Dr. de Koninck died 

 in 1887. 



At a meeting of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, held at Melbourne on 

 October 22 last, a demonstration in practical taxidermy was given by Mr. G. A. 

 Keartland. This is an excellent departure, and might well be followed by some of 

 our own local societies. 



The Report of the Madison meeting (1893) of the American Association for the 

 Advancement of Science has just been published. It contains Professor Le Conte's 

 address on "Theories of the Origin of Mountain Ranges"; C. D. Walcott's 

 address on " Geologic Time ; as indicated by the Sedimentary Rocks of North 

 America " ; and H. F, Osborn's address on " The Rise of the Mammalia in North 

 America." Detailed lists are given of fellows and members, whether living or dead, 

 a compilation of considerable value to librarians and others. 



