148 proceedings op societies. 



South London Natueal History Club. 



Tlie first annual soiree of the South London and Natural History 

 Club was lield on November 30th, at the " Horns " Assembly Rooms, 

 Kennington Park, and proved a gratifying success. 



Notwithstanding the adverse circumstance of inclement weather, 

 nearly five hundred ladies and gentlemen were present during the 

 evening, and appeared to appreciate the efforts to delight them, put 

 forth by those who contributed towards the display. In addition to 

 the members of the South London, representatives of the following 

 associations exhibited : — The Quekett Club, the Croydon Club, the 

 Sydenham and Forest Hill Club, together with numerous other friends 

 and the under-mentioned opticians, — Messrs. E. and J. Beck, Bailey, 

 Baker, Collins, Home, Thornthwaite, How, Moginie, Richards, Stanley. 

 Steward, and Swift. 



Dr. J. D. Hooker, F.R.S., contributed four Californian photo- 

 graphs, and Mr. W. W. King displayed a large collection of photo- 

 graphs from the various plant-houses and gardens at Kew. Mr. J. D. 

 Russell and Messrs. Dawes of Camberwell exhibited cases of preserved 

 specimens ; and a triangular aquarium, the invention of a member of 

 the South London Club, attracted much attention. The personal 

 welfare of the exhibitors was cared for by a specially-appointed com- 

 mittee, and at intervals musical performances were given by various 

 professional and amateur friends. 



The living objects shown were comparatively few in number ; but 

 ConocMlus, Volvox, Carchesium, Emhletonia, Opalina (a parasite from 

 the frog), and various rotifers and water-fleas were to be seen. 



The club may be congratulated on the unequivocal success of the 

 first conversazione, nothing having transpired to mar the arrange- 

 ments.* 



An Ordinary Meeting of this Club was held at Glo'ster Hall, 

 Glo'ster Place, Brixton Road, on Tuesday evening, January 16th, 

 1872. Mr. Deane, F.L.S., presided. 



Fifteen gentlemen, proposed as members, were balloted for, and 

 duly elected. 



Mr. Bott, F.G.S., then read a paper " On the Chalk Formation," 

 w^hich, being in no way microscopic, we of course cannot publish in 

 this Journal. 



After it was read, a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to 

 Mr. Bott for his valuable paper. 



The meeting then resolved itself into a conversazione ; a paper 

 having been announced for the next meeting, on Tuesday evening, 

 February 20th, by Mr. Stewart, M.R.C.S., "On the Aj^plication of 

 Polarized Light to Microscopical Subjects." 



* See ' South London Press,' &c., Dec. 9, 1871. 



