138 
NATURE NOTES 
I should be pleased if anyone can give me an explanation why thunderstorms 
are restricted to the tropical and temperate zones. An “ Observer of Nature,” 
on p. 96, says that “ thunderstorms represent electrical discharges between 
certain clouds,” &c. If this is the case, why then does this not take place between 
the clouds in polar regions ? 
Dalziel Place , Edinburgh. Augustus H. Duvall. 
May 20, 1903.' 
SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES, 
Council Meeting. — The usual monthly meeting of the Council will be 
held at 20, Hanover Square, W., on Wednesday, June 24, at 5.30 p.m. 
New Members. — Miss Bolton, Oakamoor ; Capt. Ronald B. Campbell, 
Bedford; W. Reed Williams, Esq., Harrow; Ed. T. Agius, Esq., Hampstead; 
C. D. Hailes, Esq., Hampstead; W. T. B. Young, Esq., W.C. District P.O. ; 
B. A. Smee, Esq., Putney ; Archibald R. Dick, Esq., Hampstead; James Moore, 
Esq., Weybridge ; Allen S. Walker, Esq., Cambridge Street, W. ; W. J. Cramp- 
ton, Esq., Beech; Miss S. Dexter, Hampstead; Mrs. Diggle, Birmingham; 
Mrs. Herbert New, Edgbaston ; J. Udall, Esq., F.G.S., Birmingham ; J. W. 
Oliver, Esq., Harborne ; Mrs. Gladstone, Edgbaston; Alfred Hayes, Esq., Edg- 
baston; W. F. Haslam, Esq., Edgbaston; C. S. Nicholson, Esq., F.L.S., 
Crouch End ; Miss V. E. Oates, Castle Hedingham ; Miss Hunt, Croydon ; 
Miss Jessie C. Cunningham, Blackheath ; S. Melville Banker, Esq., Bounds 
Green ; Tunbridge Wells Nat. Hist. Soc. (per W. B. Trollope, Esq.) ; Went- 
worth Sturgeon, Esq., King’s Bench Walk ; Albert E. Morran, Esq., Plumstead ; 
Henry Irving, Esq., Horley. 
Donations and Subscriptions.— The Council beg to acknowledge the 
following Donations: — Mrs. E. Phillips, 10s. 6d. ; Sir Jas. Colquhoun, Bart., 
25s. 
Subscriptions. — Mrs. Travers Buxton, 10s. ; Mrs. Gladstone, 10s. ; 
C. Burt, Esq., 10s. 6d. ; H. Campion, Esq., 10s. ; G. E. Barron, Esq., 10s. ; 
Dudley W. Buxton, Esq., M.D., D.Sc., 21s. ; Mrs. and Miss Broomhead-Calton- 
Fox, 20s. ; G. S. F. Manton, Esq., 10s. 6d. ; E. S. Morphew, Esq., 21s. ; Mrs. 
Dymond, 10s. ; R. M. B. Otter-Barry, Esq., 10s. ; S. G. Huntley, Esq., 10s. ; 
Mrs. F. C. Jones, 10s. ; M. Pole, Esq. (1903-4), 20s.; Lady Jenkyns, 10s. ; 
Wentworth Sturgeon, Esq. (1903-4), 21s. ; Rev. C. F. Russell, 10s. ; M. J. 
Teesdale, Esq., 10s. ; Mrs. Wolrych Whitmore, 10s. 
NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES. 
Birmingham and Midland. — The Annual Meeting was held on 
Wednesday, April 29, in the Council House, Birmingham, Alderman G. J. 
Johnson presiding. The Hon. Sec. stated that the Branch had made satisfactory 
progress during the year, and that the number of members had increased. The 
Treasurer’s account showed a small balance in hand. 
Clapton (Lower Lea Valley). — The final meeting of the Session 1902-3 
was held on Saturday, April 18, at Sigdon Road Board School, when a paper 
was read by Mr. Geo. H. Wattson on “ Reptiles.” The paper was illustrated in 
an interesting and unusual manner by living specimens (snake, lizard, &c.) as 
well as preserved, from Mr. Wattson’s own collection. 
FIELD CLUB RAMBLES 
Northwood. — In genial weather and bright sunshine a goodly number of 
Selbornians (many of them being new members) enjoyed a most delightful 
ramble on Saturday afternoon, April 25, under the able guidance of Mr. J. E. 
Whiting. Starting from Northwood Station, the lovers of Nature were quickly 
on the look-out for the wild flowers growing around in hedge and ditch. The 
shrill whistle of their guide brought many to his side ; he had discovered a 
