528 Miscellaneous — Geological and other Prizes. 



recently appointed to the Professorship of Natural History and 

 Botany in the University of Toronto, Canada. 



Evidence of True Goal-Measures in Disco Island, North 

 GrKEENLAND. — Dr. Eobert Brown, of Edinburgh, has kindly sent 

 us an extract from a letter he has received from his friend Mr. 

 District-Surgeon C. G. F. Pfafif, dated Jakobshavn, North Green- 

 land, 8th August, 1871. It annoimces the discovery of a Sigillaria 

 in a river on the eastern coast of Disco, close to the inhabited place 

 Ugarasusuk (or Ucarasuksumitok), he also found several boulders of 

 hard Sandstone which contained fossil ferns, which may be older 

 than Tertiary. As Mr. Pfaflf had no books he speaks cautiously. 

 The Sigillaria, it seems, was not in situ any more than the Ferns, but 

 if it be a true Sigillaria, it is a most interesting discovery. True 

 Coal-plants have been already determined from Melville Island in 

 latitude 75° (Captain Parry's expedition). See Lyell's '' Principles," 

 vol. i., p. 225, tenth edition. 



To London Geologists, Field-Naturalists, and Microscopists. — Members 

 of Microscopical Clubs (the Quekett, Old Change, South London, Forest Hill, and 

 Croydon), the Geologists' Association, the North-London Naturalists', Working Men's 

 College, Working D^en's Clubs, and the unprofessional botanists, microscopists, and 

 geologists of London generally. Prizes for competition in Botany, Microscopy, and 

 Geology. By the kindness of several distinguished friends of the Saturday half 

 holiday in London, the sum of thirty guineas is proposed to be offered for competition 

 to London field-naturalists and microscopists, for the encouragement of Saturday 

 afternoon field excursions for botanical, geological, and microscopical purposes. Her 

 Grace the Duchess of Sutherland, the Countess of Ducie, and the Most Noble the 

 Marquis of Westminster, believing that the proposal would tend to popularize pleasant 

 and instructive recreation on the Saturday afternoon, and commend the Saturday 

 half holiday in departments of business where this weekly boon is greatly needed, 

 have kindly entrusted the Committee of the Early-Closing Association with a fund for 

 this purpose. 



The following are the prizes and the subjects proposed for competition : — 



I. The Duchess of Sutherland's prize of ten guineas, for botanists : £5 5s. for the 

 best collection of mosses, including the Hepaticse, obtained within 20 miles of London ; 

 £3 3s. for the second best collection ; £2 2s. for the third best collection. Adjudi- 

 cator, Dr. Braithwaite, F.L.S. 



II. The Countess of Ducie's Prize of Ten Guineas, for Microscopists. £5 5s. for 

 the best List of the Ponds and other aquatic resorts, within fifteen miles of London, 



and the Microzoa found in them, in the twelve months between 1871, 



and 1872, giving the locality of Pond, the date of the visit, and the state 



of the weather at the time. £3 3«. for the second best ditto ; £2 2s. for the third 

 ditto. Total, £10 10s. 



III. The Marquis of Westminster's Prize of Ten Guineas, for Geologists. £5 5s. 

 for the best List of open Geological Sections and Exposures of the Strata of the London 

 district, giving the Fossil Species found at each Section (in the order of their abun- 

 dance), and the characteristic species of each formation exposed. Note. — As the 

 object is to obtain information for the purpose of field excursions, the sections given 

 must be such as are now open, and likely to continue open for several years, e.g., Chalk- 

 pits, Gravel-pits, Sand-pits, Clay-pits, Railway sections, and similar excavations. 

 The Natural Exposures given should also be accessible for at least the next few years. 

 £6 5s. for the best Notes on and Instances of the Connexion of the Landscape Scenery 

 of the London district with its Geology. Adjudicator, Professor Morris, F.G.S. 



The papers on Geology and Microscopy (Subjects II. and III.) must not in any 

 instance exceed in length two columns of the Times newspaper Parliamentary Debates. 

 Professional Collectors and Dealers are excluded from the competition. The Prizes 

 are intended exclusively for those with whom Natural History pursuits are solely 

 the recreation of their leisure after-business hours. 



Eakly-Closing Association, HENET WALKER, Secretary. 



100, Fleet Street, E.C, October, 1871. 



