,8,,. NEWS OF UNIVERSITIES, ETC. 159 



Hopkins University last summer at Port Henderson, and makes another communication 

 on " Some Physiographical Features of Jamaica produced by the agency of Water." 

 Among the scientific papers Mr. T. D. A. Cockerell publishes a technical "First 

 Contribution to the Entomology of Bath, Jamaica " ; and there are shorter notes on 

 entomological subjects. 



We are glad to welcome the First Report of the Southport Society of Natural Science, 

 for 1890-91. The Society, as we note from Dr. Vernon's Presidential Address, was 

 inaugurated in November, 1890, and has already done some valuable local work. 

 The Report contains the President's Address on the Material and Educational Utility 

 of Natural Science ; Problems in the Geology of the Neighbourhood of Southport, 

 by E. Dickson, F.G.S. ; general reports of meetings, and a list of members. It 

 concludes with an appendix, consisting of three important Reports as follow : — A List 

 of the Mollusca of Southport and District, by G. W. Chaster, M.R.C.S. ; Botany 

 of the Southport Society of Natural Science District, by Henry Ball ; and a Report 

 upon the Foraminifera of the Southport Society of Natural Science District, by 

 G. W. Chaster. The last report is enriched by a carefully drawn plate, and 

 contains facts and observations of considerable interest. 



The fourth annual meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement 

 of Science was held at Hobart Town, Tasmania, early in January last. In his 

 Presidential Address, Sir Robert Hamilton made an eloquent appeal to the people 

 of Australasia to foster the growth of science and scientific methods in the Colonies. 

 In Natural Science, Professor T. W. E. David presided over the section for Geology 

 and Palaeontology, and Professor Baldwin Spencer over that of Biology ; while 

 Captain Pasco, R.N., occupied the chair in Section E (Geography), and the Rev. 

 Lorimer Fison presided over the Anthropologists in Section G. Professor David 

 addressed the Geologists on Volcanic Action in Eastern Australia and Tasmania. 

 So far as known, the facts indicate that volcanic action in these regions has occurred 

 most frequently after periods of continued subsidence culminating in a re-elevation 

 of the land by way of compensation. It appears that subsidence preceding vol- 

 canic activity is often due to the pressure of the accumulation of thick masses of 

 sediment. Mr. Clunies Ross contributed papers on Coral Reefs and on Lepido- 

 dendron from New South Wales. The value of photography in geological work 

 was also discussed, and there were many minor papers. In his Presidential Address, 

 Professor Baldwin Spencer treated of the origin and development of the Fauna of 

 Tasmania, briefly describing its present characters. Professor F. W. Hutton 

 reiterated his views as to the derivation of the flightless birds of Australasia from 

 flying birds related to the Tinamus of South and Central America ; and there were 

 many other papers, both on Zoology and Botany, chiefly dealing with Australasian 

 subjects. Captain Pasco's address to the Geographical Section included a history 

 of some of the earliest explorations in Australia, and referred, in conclusion, to the 

 importance of undertaking further researches in the Antarctic regions. Mr. J. P. 

 Thomson discussed recent explorations in British New Guinea ; and Mr. D. Murray 

 read extracts from the letters of Mr. Lindsay, who is exploring new regions in 

 Western Australia. In his address, Mr. Fison made some general remarks on the 

 method of studying aborigines, and concluded with a reference to British New 

 Guinea as a promising field for important additions to anthropological science. 

 Papers in this section seem to have been numerous and of wide interest. A lengthy 

 report of the meeting will be found in Nature for March 3. 



An Alpine Club has been inaugurated in Odessa, having for its object the 

 scientific exploration of the mountains of the Crimea. The new Club will publish 

 original memoirs, and will also increase the facilities for tourists visiting the little- 

 known southern uplands of Russia. 



