134 REPORTS. 
sixty-five British butterflies, there was good YWuthority for thirty-eight having 
been captured in Northants ; but his list of moths was but poor, numbering only 
130. In botany twenty-three new species and twenty varieties had been found, 
including Lythrum flexuosum, a casual not before reported to occur in Britain, 
and the roses were also many of them local and rare. The geological report was 
principally on the magnificent present of the Marquis of Northampton to the 
town museum. In November, Mr. Beeby Thompson gave a lecture on ‘The 
Lower Forms of Animal Life, and their Physiological Relation to the Higher.’ In 
December, the Rev. W. Thornton, F.G.S., read a most interesting paper on ‘ The 
Occurrences of the Northampton Liassic Strata among the Volcanic Rocks of the 
West Highlands.’ In January, Mr. C. Jecks read a paper on ‘ Darwinism.’ In 
March, Mr. A. J. Richardson read a paper on ‘ The Age of the Earth.’ The micro- 
scopical and botanical sections had also had a meeting. The library has been 
increased by Lord Lilford’s handsome gift of twenty volumes of ‘The Ibis’ and 
the ‘ Birds of the West Highlands.’ The periodicals, &c., of the society had also 
been bound into thirteen or fourteen volumes; these can be seen at any time by 
applying to Mr. Jeffery. The photographs have been mounted and bound in two 
handsome volumes. An herbarium has been commenced, and includes about 200 
specimens. The list of members now contains 105 names, exclusive of some few 
removed or seceded. It is trusted that the circulation of the ‘ Midland Naturalist’ 
among the members may increase not only the number of members, but also the 
love for, and interest in, all branches of natural history. The working up of the 
various branches of natural history is peculiarly our own subject, and for this 
object many observers are wanted. The balance sheet compares favourably 
with that of last year.” 
NOTTINGHAM NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY.—March 19th.—Mr. C. T. 
Musson read an interesting paper on ‘‘ The Curiosities of Natural History.” 
March 20th.—Annual soiree at the Mechanics Large Hall. It was a decided success, 
and gave general satisfaction. April 2nd.—Mr. Musson continued his paper on 
“The Curiosities of Natural History.” April 16th—An address by Mr. L. Lee 
(hon. sec.) on “ Corals, Living and Fossil,” illustrated by diagrams and specimens, 
NOTTINGHAM LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.— 
Naturant Science Secrion.—March 28th.—A lecture was delivered by A. H. 
Scott White, B.Sc., B.A., F.G.S., &c., on “The Geological History of the 
Animals of Australia.” This was a continuation of the subject lectured on early 
this session, and after quoting from what was then said, to explain the relation 
of marsupials to other mammals, the lecturer proceeded to explain that geological 
history is compiled in nearly the same way as any other history, for although 
we have no documents to search, yet we have the fossil remains of the animals; 
and these give us facts more certain than any obtained from writings. The 
geologist was compared in his task with Dr. Schliemann, who, working on the 
supposed site of Troy, found traces of five cities which had arisen one after 
another, and one on the ruins of the other. From each stratum of débris, Dr. 
Schliemann could tell much of the people who had lived in the corresponding city, 
and when he came to the last stratum he could tell the relative—although not 
the actual—age of that city. The lecturer proceeded to explain and illustrate the 
nature of fossils; and inasmuch as in the case of marsupials all the remains 
consist of bones, the difficulty of the geologist’s work was pointed ont, and 
reference was made to Cuvier, the founder of the science of paleontology ; of 
this distinguished man a fine likeness was exhibited. Ona ‘‘ Table of Strata” 
the positions where marsupial remains have been discovered were pointed out 
and the localities given seriatim, as each set of bones was exhibited by means of 
slides. The following were the principal examples referred to :—Keuper, 
Microlestes and Dromatherium ; Stonesfield Slate, Amphilestes, Amphitherium, 
Phascolotherium, and Stereognathus; Purbeck Beds, Triconodon, Plagiaulax, 
Spalacotherium, and Galestes; Gypseous series of Montmartre, Didelphys. 
The lecturer pointed out the similarity not only of the fauna but 
also of the flora of the Mesozoic period to that which is now peculiar 
to Australia, and brought his subject to a close by referring to and 
exhibiting photographs of the remains of the giant pachydermatous 
marsupials, Diprotodon and Thylacoleo, which have been discovered in 
the bone caves of Australia. April 4th—My. EH. Smith, M.A., read a paper on 
