i8 9 5- NEWS OF UNIVERSITIES, ETC. 43 r 



At a meeting of the Victoria Institute on Monday, May 6, there was read a 

 paper by Sir J. W. Dawson, on the physical character and affinities of the Gaunches, 

 or extinct people of the Canary Islands, illustrated by photographs. The author 

 reviewed the historical facts as to the Canary Islands and their inhabitants, the 

 characters of the crania found and the weapons, ornaments, etc., and described the 

 conclusions he had arrived at with reference to the relationship of the Gaunches to 

 ancient peoples of Western Europe and Africa, and their possible connection with 

 the colonisation of Eastern America. 



Further particulars of the third International Zoological Congress to be held 

 at Leyden in September are to hand. The sectional meetings will be divided into 

 (i) General Zoology; Geographical Distribution including the fossil faunas; the 

 Theory of Evolution. (2) Classification of living and extinct Vertebrates ; Bionomy ; 

 Geographical Distribution including fossil Vertebrates. (3) Comparative Anatomy 

 of living and extinct Vertebrates ; Embryology. (4) Classification of living and 

 extinct Invertebrate Animals ; Bionomy. (5) Entomology. (6) Comparative 

 Anatomy and Embryology of Invertebrate Animals. A long list of zoologists who 

 have promised to attend the Meeting has been published, and those desiring accom- 

 modation should apply to Dr. Lidth de Jeude, of Leyden, who will supply informa- 

 tion as to hotels, etc. 



The subscription list for the International Geographical Congress had, on 

 April 24, reached £2,136. The Royal Geographical Society, therefore, issued a 

 letter on that date pointing out that at least £3,500 would be wanted, and stating 

 that " if the Congress is not the brilliant success which it is expected to be by 

 foreign geographers, the discredit will fall on the Royal Geographical Society." We 

 hope after this gentle squeeze that the foreign geographers will not be disappointed. 

 The anniversary dinner of the Society has been postponed to Tuesday, July 30. 



At the February meeting of the Hull Scientific Club a recently-killed specimen 

 of the English Black Rat was exhibited by Mr. J. W. Boult. 



M. de Mauroy, of Wassy (Haute-Marne), is preparing an account of all 

 French meteorites or meteoric falls, and will be glad of any communications on the 

 subject. 



Mr. Jaroslav Perner, of Prague Museum, has been in London. He is 

 engaged on the Graptolites of the Silurian of Bohemia, in continuation of 

 Barrande's great work. Mr. Perner has also visited Birmingham to see the rich 

 collection of graptolites formed by Professor Lapworth, and we may hope shortly to 

 see the results of his later studies. 



With reference to our note last month on Wild Fowl in Norfolk, it should be 

 mentioned that both the Bittern and the Avocet, though not specially mentioned in 

 the recent Order, were included in the Schedule of 1880 ; and we are informed that 

 protection has been extended to all areas suitable for them to nest in. The birds 

 mentioned by name in the Order were only such species as were too scattered to be 

 protected by the more effective method of naming areas. 



We understand that Lord Kelvin is resigning the Presidency of the Royal 

 Society. We sincerely hope that the high scientific reputation of the chair will be 

 considered in the choice of his successor. 



At the moment of going to press we are informed that Professor Green has 

 resigned his position on the Council of the Royal Society. Professor Bonney has 

 been mentioned as the probable successor. 



