142 NATURAL SCIENCE. Feb.. 1895. 



son. The Geological Society of London has thus been the recipient of numerous 

 reports and out-of-the-way publications of considerable interest and value. 



The amount contributed by the residuary legatees of the late Sir Charles 

 Watken to clear the debts and liabilities of the Bristol Museum and Library 

 Association to enable the Corporation to acquire the various collections for the 

 citizens was £2,^1 2s. yd. Sir Charles had himself undertaken the responsibility ; 

 but dying before he was able to realise his intentions, the residuary legatees 

 generously adopted the responsibility. The Trustees of the British Museum also 

 consenting to the release of their interest in the endowment fund, a deed of May 31, 

 1894, transferred the premises to the Corporation, and vested the Bristol Museum 

 and Library Association in the same body. The matter was formally reported to 

 the Town Council on December 7, 1894. 



The recent formation of a Field Club Union by the governing bodies of the four 

 Irish field clubs — Belfast, Dublin, Cork, and Limerick — should lead to increased 

 interest in Natural Science in Ireland by bringing workers in different parts of the 

 country into closer connection with each other. The scheme was started at a very 

 successful joint excursion held last summer at Fermoy by the three southern clubs. 

 We learn that during the coming summer all four societies intend to hold a week's 

 conference and excursions, making Galway their headquarters. 



The spring plans for University Extension Lectures at Toynbee Hall for 1895 

 include the following subjects in Natural Science : — Mr. H. de Haviland will deliver 

 a course of ten lectures on " Darwinism " on Fridays at 8 p.m., and Mr. F. W. 

 Rudler a course on " Our Common Fossils " on Fridays at 8. Botany will be dealt 

 with by Mr. G. May on Thursdays at 7.30; Biology by Miss K. M. Hall on Wednes- 

 days at 7.45 ; Geology by Miss Raisin on Tuesdays at 7.45 ; Physiology by Mr. S. 

 Rowland on Mondays at 8 p.m. 



With regard to the Museum at Para, in Brazil, Dr. E. A. Goeldi, in an official 

 letter, points out the magnificent field which the basin of the Amazon offers for the 

 study and collection of objects of natural history. Dr. Goeldi intends, if he can find 

 support, to found a biological station on the Amazon. We heartily wish him 

 success. 



Apropos of the interesting article on Antarctic exploration by Mr. Southwell in 

 the earlier pages of this number of Natural Science, the following notes on polar 

 matters may be of interest :— An Antarctic expedition to the east of Graham's Land 

 is talked of in Belgium. The route would follow up the recent discoveries of the 

 " Jason," and it is suggested, if the money is forthcoming, that the expedition should 

 leave in September. Should the rigours of the Antarctic prove too much for the 

 party to winter, it is proposed that investigations should be conducted in the lesser 

 known portions of the Indian Ocean. A north polar expedition is projected by 

 Lieutenant Pike, which will leave Tromso in the spring. Lieut. Pike proposes to 

 take with him Soren Kroemer, the well-known hunter and seaman, and proceed to 

 Norse Island en route for Franz Josef's Land, where he will build a hut and winter. 

 He hopes to start in the spring of 1896 on sledges for the Pole. There is also projected 

 aNansen relief expedition, as the " Fram " is thought to have been nipped in the ice. 



An expedition under the auspices of the Russian Geographical Society started 

 early in December for Port Said. Its destination is Abyssinia, and among the 

 party are Professors Jelissejev, Sevjagin, and Leontjev. They are accompanied by 

 an ecclesiastic who carries presents to the Metropolitan of Abyssinia. 



