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The Hippopotamus, which has been in the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park, London, since 1840, died on the 11th March,

The Analogies of Plant and Animal Life.—A lecture on this subject, delivered by Dr. F. Darwin, at the London Institution, appears in "Nature," of March 14th and 21st. It will repay careful perusal.



Reports of Societies.


Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical SocietyMicroscopical General Meeting, February 19th—Mr. G. Hookham, M.A., read a paper on "A Method of Preparing Crystals for the Microscope."—Mr. W. R. Hughes, F.L.S., read the first portion of a paper by Dr. Cobbold, F.R.S., on "The Parasites of Man." General Meeting, March 5th—Mr. A. W. Wills read the first of a series of papers on "Freshwater Algæ."—The Adjourned Annual Meeting was held on March 12th, when the President (Mr. Edmund Tonks, B.C.L,) delivered the Annual Address, the subject of which was "Malaria."—A vote of thanks was given to Mr. Tonks for his address, on the motion of Dr. Deane, seconded by Mr. W. Southall, and supported by Dr. W. Hinds and Mr. W. Wright Wilson.—Dr. A. Milnes Marshall presented a copy of his paper on "The Development of the Cranial Nerves in the Chick."


Birmingham and Midland Institute Scientific Society.—February 27th.— Mr. Allen Everitt read a paper on "What to See within Six Miles of Birmingham." In the course of a most entertaining and graphic address, Mr. Everitt described the various old churches, moated and timber dwellings, and ancient farm houses within a radius of six miles. The lecture was illustrated by sketches made by Mr. Everitt. March 13th—Mr. C. R. Rabinson read a paper on "The Geology of Ludlow."


Burton-Upon-Trent Natural History and Archæological Society.—March 12th, Mr. R. Thornewill read a paper on "The History of Burton Abbey from the date of its foundation, to the end of the XII. Century."


Caradoc Field Club.—February 25th.—Annual Meeting, held at Shrewsbury—Rev. J. D, La Touche re-elected President; Rev. J. J. Lambert elected Vice-President. Places and dates of Field Meetings for the season fixed on, viz :—June 26th, Stokesay; July 24th, Abbey-cwm-hir; August 27th, Lilleshall; September 25th, Special Meeting, for Cryptogamic Botany, Downton Castle.—The President gave his address, and a telephone was exhibited and lectured on by T. P. Blunt, Esq.


Cheltenham Natural Science Society.—General Meeting, February 21st.—The President, Dr. T. Wright, F.R.S.E., F.G.S., gave his opening address. He dwelt much on the natural advantages open to the society in the locality, and the interest each searcher after knowledge would find in studying the geological, botanical, and physical features of Cheltenham and its neighbourhood. He then pointed out, and, by aid of diagrams, explained the general geological features of the hills surrounding the valley.—Mr. H. A. James then gave a full and lucid description of the telephone. An instrument had been fixed in the room, connected with a shop in the street, and much amusement was caused by the messages sent and received.


Evesham Field Naturalists' Club.—Meeting, January 30th—Mr. J. S. Slater read one of the Manchester Series of Popular Lectures, by Wm. Pengelley, F.R.S., on "The Cave Men of Devonshire." February 27th.—Mr. T. E. Doeg delivered an address on "Our Local Molluscs," which he illustrated with some microscopic slides.—The Rev. J. Collins Odgers, B.A., read a paper on the "The Less Parasitic Plants," including fruit, mushrooms, and potato mould.