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POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
members on its lists, it is affiliated with all the leading scientific societies 
in the midland counties, some of the most eminent names in geological 
science are among its corresponding members, and many of the papers 
which have been read at its meetings are remarkable for their practical 
utility. No less than eight field meetings have been held, for the purpose of 
examining the interesting geological and scientific features of the district ; 
and several evening meetings have also been held, when fossils and scientific 
apparatus have been exhibited, and papers have been read and discussed. 
The annual meeting was held on the Wednesday and Thursday inWitsun 
week, and was most numerously attended, not only by scientific men from 
the surrounding district, but also by many well-known gentlemen from 
London and other places. The proceedings included excursions through 
the limestone workings at the Wren’s Nest Hill, and through the famous 
Silurian caverns of the Castle Hill, which were brilliantly illuminated for 
the occasion by the Earl of Dudley. Some idea of the extent of these 
excavations may be formed from the fact that upwards of 3,000 candles, 
exclusive of lamps and coloured fires, were used in the illumination. Mr. 
J. W. Salter delivered an address in the largest cavern, and at an earlier 
part of the day Mr. S. H. Blackwell read the annual address (which was 
an elaborate resume of the progress of geological science for the last twenty 
years), and Professor Tennant gave a lecture on “ The Connection between 
Mineralogy and Geology.” In the evening Mr. Blackwell showed some 
splendid experiments on the combustion of iron on a large scale. The 
following day the party went to inspect one of the Earl of Dudley’s 
coal-pits near Dudley ; and here again the Earl, with his accustomed 
liberality, caused the whole of the workings to be illuminated. Several 
hours were spent in examining the peculiarities discovered in the mining 
operations, especially with reference to the intrusive basalt and green- 
stone in one part of the pit. The whole of the two days’ varied 
proceedings were extremely successful. We notice that field days are 
arranged for Malvern, South-Western Shropshire, Wenlock, and Matlock, 
and arrangements are in progress by which more practical importance 
may be given to the society’s operations. We shall be glad to record the 
progress of the society, and to witness its development. 
SOCIETY OF AMATEUR BOTANISTS. 
Metropolitan Club (Library), 239, Euston Road. 
This “Field Naturalists’ Club,” recently established in London, is 
one of a high order, and deserves the encouragement, not only of those 
who desire directly to participate in its advantages, but of all who are inte- 
rested in the advancement of Science. 
It is one of those Institutions the establishment of which, in some new 
locality, we have to record in each succeeding Number. An Excursion 
Club ; an Association for the interchange of specimens ; reading of 
Botanical papers ; and for the establishment of a local Museum, Library, 
and Herbarium. 
