128 



The Naturalist. 



Bairstow, F. L. S. , re-elected. The report showed good progress, and was 

 very satisfactory. Entomology seems to be the favourite science, botany 

 ranking second. The following notes of a ramble on New Year's Day 

 (midsummer in South Africa), sent by our friend the founder of the 

 society, Mr. S. D. Bairstow, will, we venture to think, be read with 

 interest : — We have it on good authority that the weather on New 

 Year's Day, even from a naturalist's point of view, was all propitious, 

 leaving nothing to be desired. Arriving at Sandfontein, our friends, 

 after visiting the lovely miniature of a waterfall on Mr. Conrey's farm, 

 employed a coloured guide, who led the way across country to the Uiten- 

 hage springs. Here they pitched their imaginary tents, and whilst one 



or two dignified officers of the society, viz., Messrs. (hush !) did a 



snooze," the beetle-men prowled about in search of spoil.- A magnificent 

 longicorn yclept Zoographus ocnlator innocently ruminating on a sweet- 

 scented mimosa blossom, awoke to find himself in Mr. Bairstow's odiously 

 odorous prison bottle. Another specimen, similarly situated, soon snified 

 the benzine breeze dispensed by Mr. Amphlett. The emerald beauty, 

 Cetonia aulica, narrowly escaped with its life, but Mr. Rous made sad 

 havoc amongst the family of a certain white butterfly {Pieris gidica), and 

 Mr. Read boxed bugs (Hemiptera) ad infinitum. Three species of 

 lieduviiis were taken on the Ornithogahim. Escort John now receives his 

 dismissal, and with it a good sample of golden leaf and cut cavendish, 

 and inwardly hopes we may meet again." Although recent rains have 

 considerably improved the appearance of bushy regions, the naturalists 

 failed to discern any floral novelties, and, according to Mr. Hallack, who 

 is conversant with our district botany, the best find of the day was frail 

 and fickle Gethyllia spiralis. A pretty specimen of our curious tree-frog 

 and several interesting larvae were taken en route, and the naturalists 

 arrived at Uitenhage just in time to be too late for the train. Nothing 

 daunted, they visited the farm of Mrs. Stewart, near the railway station, 

 in the homestead of which they were hospitably entertained, and in the 

 grounds of which some local Coleoptera were captured. The naturalists 

 returned to Port Elizabeth by the 7.45 p.m. train, not a bit the Avorse — 

 tanned hides and aching bones always excepted — forspending New Year's 

 Day with Dame Nature and her relatives. 



RiPON Scientific Association, — First annual meeting, Feb. 13th. — 

 Mr. T. C Heslington presided. The secretary, Mr. B. M. Smith, read 

 the report, which stated that the club, which was commenced in February 

 last, had now 120 members, their object being to establish a museum and 

 publish a record of the fauna and flora of the district, from Harrogate on 

 the south to Richmond on the north. The Marquis of Ripon was elected " 

 president, and Mr. B. M. Smith secretary. It was resolved to accept the 

 tenancy of a house in Park-street, at a rental of £23 per annum, for a 

 museum, Mr. G. Waite being accepted as a resident curator. Several new 

 members were elected. 



