xl Proceedings. 



exception by our own members) have been read at them all, and 

 the discussions have often been lively. The Exhibition of objects 

 of interest has also been well kept up. 



Commander Cameron'' s Lecture. — In place of the Ordinary Meeting 

 in February, a lecture was delivered in the Large Hall to the 

 members and their friends by Commander V. Lovett Cameron, 

 E.N., C.B., &c., " On the Countries and People of Central Africa 

 visited by him on his Journey across the ContinenL." The 

 lecturer first briefly stated the reasons which led to his taking 

 part ill an expedition in search of Livingstone ; how he heard 

 on his way of the death of the great traveller, and assisted the 

 party bearing his body to the coast by sending back with it his 

 only white companions. The first object of his journey being 

 thus frustrated, he decided to push forward alone, and to trace 

 the course of the mighty Congo across the continent. The main 

 features of this marvellous journey from Zanzibar to Loando 

 were graphically described, with many interesting details of the 

 peoples and tribes met with in the course of it. The great charts 

 borrowed from the Eoyal Geographical Society enabled the 

 lecturer very clearly to indicate his route as he proceeded. 

 Commander Cameron concluded by impressing upon his hearers 

 the immense importance to this country of opening up the great 

 trade routes from the north through the Soudan, and even more 

 so those going northward from our own possessions in the South 

 of Africa ; the fact of the Germans getting a footing in Zanzibar 

 and endeavouring to open up trade with the interior making 

 those routes which are under our own control more than ever 

 important to us. He believed that the murder of Bishop Han- 

 nington was mainly due to the recent German annexations, 

 which had made the natives suspicious of every stranger. The 

 Large Hall was well filled, and the vote of thanks moved by Dr. 

 Carpenter and seconded by Dr. Thompson was most cordially 

 supported by the audience. 



Second Evenimi Mcetin<i, March 10th, 1886. — At the Evening 

 Meeting, held on March 10th, 1886, Commander Lovett Cameron 

 was, with his cordial assent, elected an honorary member of the 

 Club, to show its appreciation of his able and interesting lecture. 



Mr. E. Lovett exhibited and described a rare Crustacean 

 (Alpha.Hs rnher), which has the power of producing a loud sharp 

 noise like the cracking or fracture of glass. 



Mr. A. Bennett exhibited specimens of an Equisetum. [E. 

 Uttorale), found in Surrey by Mr. Beeby, and new to the British 

 Flora. 



Mr. W. Topley, F.G.S., then read a paper, •' On the Changes 

 of the English Coast-line within Historic Times" (Trans., art. 59). 



