Proceedings. CXV 
Speaking for the Microscopical Sub-Committee, I have to report 
.the addition to the Club microscope of a one-inch and quarter- . 
inch object glasses. These will be of great service to members 
who wish to exhibit at our meetings, and I trust that good use 
will be made of them. — 
Geological Sub-Commuttee.— The interest of the members in 
geological matters was considerably stimulated by the visit during the 
summer to the Gas Works, where the Lower Tertiary Woolwich and 
Reading Beds, abounding in characteristic fossils, had been exposed 
in the excavations for a new gasometer. The same beds have also 
been observed by Dr. Franklin Parsons in sewerage excavations near 
Thornton Heath. The late discoveries of mammalian remains in the 
gravels near Croydon have also had the effect of calling attention to 
the great changes in the fauna of the district within a comparatively 
recent geological period. At the present time the sections opened for 
the new lines of railway south of Croydon afford good opportunities of 
studying the geological structure of the country.—Dr. G. J. H1nDE, 
Hon. Sec. 
Several papers on geological subjects have been read during 
the year, and it is satisfactory to find that interest in this section 
is still unabated. 
We were unable to get anyone to attend as delegate at the 
meeting of the British Association at Liverpool this year. 
Excursions. 
April 25th. — Several members of this Club spent a very 
pleasant afternoon at the Zoo, conducted by Mr. Philip Crowley. 
By the courtesy of the Zoological Society, free admission was 
granted to members of the Club, Mr. Crowley providing passes 
for the friends who accompanied them. Dr. Beddard addressed 
the members of the Geological Association the same afternoon 
on ‘The Living Forms of Elephants and Rhinoceroses,’”’ and 
arrangements were made for our Club to hear his remarks. 
Referring to the longevity of the elephant, he stated that one 
entered in the stud-book of the Indian Civil Service in 1702 was 
living in 1868, and might be still alive. Sperm whales were 
said to attain the age of five hundred years, but without reliable 
data. Among the principal animals observed at the Gardens 
may be mentioned Speke’s antelope from South Africa (the only 
living specimen in Europe), and the klipspringer, which is also 
the first example possessed by the Society. The king penguin 
from the Macquarie Islands is also new to the gardens. It still 
has its covering of down although fifteen months old, and as yet 
does not attempt to feed itself. Two species of Apterya are now 
in the collection, and appear to do well in confinement. Of rare 
