1876.] . Proceedings of Societies. 445 
ings are held once a month, at which essays are read or topics of natural 
science discussed. At the society’s rooms free popular lectures are given 
weekly. The society would be very grateful for any assistance ren- 
dered by individuals or older societies in enlarging its museum and 
library. 
— Dr. Günther exhibited, at a late meeting of the Zoölogical Society 
of London, a male, female, and young specimens of a minute Australian 
animal (Antechinus minutissimus), which may be regarded as a marsu- 
pial shrew mouse ; it is the smallest known Australian mammal. The 
female was remarkable as having seven young in the marsupium and 
only four mamme. 
— A number of undergraduates in the Tennessee Agricultural College 
of East Tennessee University, at Knoxville, have organized a science 
club, which meets fortnightly. The club promises to become a useful 
agent in diffusing an interest in the study of natural history throughout 
the college. At present the most popular subjects with the members of 
the club are entomology and botany,in both of which collections have 
been begun. 
— Mr. Darwin is engaged upon a work on the comparative results of 
the cross-fertilization and self-fertilization of plants. 
— The Harvard College Summer School of Geology, under the direc- 
tion of Prof. N. S. Shaler, director of the Geological Survey of Ken- 
tucky, will afford geological students an opportunity of working over the 
area extending from the Cumberland Mountain to the Black Mountains 
of North Carolina, a region rich in geological, botanical, zodlogical, and 
archeological interest. We have received the final directions for the 
guidance of students of the school, whicn gives full details as to the ex- 
penses of the trip to Cumberland Gap, and the mode of reaching the 
camp. The tickets from Boston and return will be $44, the admission 
fee $50, including wagons, tents, and instruction. Board will be $5 a 
week. This is a favorable opportunity for other than geological stu- 
dents to travel in an inexpensive way through one of the most interesting 
mountain regions in the country. 
— The work of the Geological Survey of Brazil is now being carried 
De by Professor Hartt in the interior; not being in direct communica- 
ton with Rio Janeiro, letters and parcels should be sent to the secretary 
of the survey, Major O. C. James, Caixa no Correlo, No. 126, Rio de 
Janeiro, Brazil. 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
NATIONAL ACADEMY or Scrences.— April 18-20. Mr. L. H. 
organ began his paper entitled A Conjectural Restoration of a Pueblo 
of the Mound Builders, with the remark that “a conjecture is some- 
mes worth the time spent upon it.” It is necessary first to consider 
