124 REPORTS. 



M.A., lectured on " Coedman, the First English Poet." 15th. — Dr. Seaton gave 

 a lecture on " Epidemics." — Erratum in the April number of " Midland 

 Naturalist." Mr. Teall's lecture on " The Structure of Molecules " was delivered 

 on the 17th March, and not on the 17th February. 



PETERBOROUGH NATURAL HISTORY AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 

 — A most pleasing incident in connection with this society deserves record. Tne 

 Dowager Marchioness of Huntly recently invited the members to pay her a visit 

 at Orton Hall. About fifty availed themselves of the invitation, and were 

 received by the Marchioness, who had for the occasion converted the large 

 dining room into a temporary museum of scientific ©bjects, of which she possesses 

 a valuable collection. After examining these, the party proceeded to the grounds, 

 where they saw much to interest them. On returning to the dining room the 

 Dowager Marchioness of Huntly said : — " I must thank you for having so kindly 

 met me here to-day, especially at this busy time, and I take it not only as a 

 compliment to myself, but as a proof of your interest in the future success of 

 the Peterborough Natural History and Scientific Society. I have thought it 

 would be a great pity that this society, begun originally under such good 

 auspices, should fall to the ground, because I believe it is calculated to exercise 

 a beneficial influence. Peterborough is now a rising place, with a largely increas- 

 ing population, and we could wish that the young especially should be imbued with 

 tastes which would lead them to healthy and improving pursuits. The business 

 of the society will be discussed at a meeting which I hope will soon be convened, 

 but I just wish to say that we are anxious to secure a room for the members, and 

 to obtain books of reference, and cases in which specimens can be exhibited and 

 preserved, and which may become the nucleus of a local museum. Mr. Peckover 

 has sent me an account of the rise and progress of a similar institution at 

 Wisbech, which began in a small way, but gradually received encouragement, and 

 is now rich in grants of money, and contributions of objects of art and natural 

 history. Mr. Peckover has done more. He has generously entrusted me with 

 ten guineas for the purposes of the society. Canon Argles has given three 

 guineas. I hope we may receive further donations, and if funds are still wanted, 

 we might perhaps organise a local exhibition, and devote the proceeds to our 

 undertaking. I understand that 150 pictures have been left to the city of 

 Peterborough on the condition of finding a room in which to place them. This isa 

 good beginning, and augurs well for our future prospects. I will just add that I 

 propose offering to my young friends a book on Natural History, as a prize 

 for the most complete list, with dried specimens if possible, of the plants 

 growing on the fen lands, and the clay, geologically termed the Oxford 

 clay of this county, with a view to ascertaining what families of plants are 

 most likely to flourish on these soils. I would also recommend to our young 

 people a collection of the land and freshwater shells of this neighbourhood, 

 which are especially interesting. Also, that they should look out for the flint celts, 

 the weapons and implements of the ancient inhabitants of the earth, which I believe 

 are to be found in the gravel deposits, and of which you will see a specimen 

 here." Addresses were also given by Mr. Skertchly, Mr. A. Tyler, the Dean of 

 Peterborough, the Rev. Canon Argles, and Mr. Bentley. Subsequently the party 

 adjourned to the drawing room, where " five o'clock tea " was served, and after- 

 wards returned to Peterborough, having heartily enjoyed a most pleasant 

 afternoon. A large number of new members have since joined the society. 



WOOLHOPE NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB.— The Annual Meeting was 

 held at Hereford, on Thursday, April 15th. The financial statement for the 

 year 1879 was read, the dates and places of the Field Meetings for the present 

 year fixed, and the Meteorological Tables, with the Rainfall, and Register of 

 Flood Water on the Wye for 1879 laid on the table. A report on the Hereford- 

 shire Pomona was read, together with the Financial Statement for Part II. ; the 

 first proofs of the ten plates prepared for Part III., giving oloured drawings of 

 forty different varieties of fruit, were exhibited ; and the usual annual grant for 

 the production of Part IV., in 1881, asked for. The members dined together at 

 the Mitre Hotel afterwards. The President subsequently delivered his Retiring 

 Address, and a paper on " The Crab Apple, its Characteristics and Associations," 

 by Edwin Lees, Esq., F.L.S., F.G.S., was read. 



