with the aid of an exhaustive catalogue appended to the Address, every specimen can be found without difficulty.
"In looking over the specimens one is at once struck by the fact that the sources whence Linné obtained his fishes were but few in number, and therefore that his private collection represents only a fraction of the materials upon which his work on the fishes in the 'Systema Naturæ' is based. His own specimens belonged to three faunæ only, and form, in fact, three distinct sets, viz.:—
- "1. Scandinavian species.
"2. A series of German, chiefly fresh-water, fishes.
"3. The fishes collected for him by Dr. Alexander Garden in South Carolina."
The Fishes of the Firth of Forth and its Tributaries were till quite recently detailed alone in Dr. Parnell's List, published in 1838. In this month's 'Annals of Scottish Natural History,' Mr. Wm. Eagle Clarke has added the species found and recorded since that time. Parnell's List included 112 species—as we now know them—and Mr. Eagle Clarke's contribution adds twenty-eight, making a grand total of 140 species to date.
At a meeting of the Zoological Society on Dec. 19th last, on behalf of Mr. G.S. Mackenzie, F.Z.S., a photograph was exhibited of two remarkably large tusks of the African Elephant. They each measured, on the outside curve, 10 ft. 4 in. in length, and weighed respectively 235 lbs. and 225 lbs. These have since been illustrated in the 'Field' of Jan. 6th last.
We are glad to see that the number of our local Natural History Societies has been increased by the formation of the "Hampstead Astronomical and Scientific Society," for the encouragement of a popular interest in the practical study of astronomy, geology, microscopical research, zoology, and other branches of science. During the summer months field meetings will be organised. The Hon. Secretary is Mr. Basil W. Martin, 7, Holly Place, Hampstead, N.W.
A well-known traveller and naturalist has passed away in the person of Mr. E.L. Layard, who died on New Year's Day at his residence at Otterbourne, Budleigh Salterton, Devon. He was a sojourner in many lands, and interested himself in the natural history of all he visited. He will be best remembered in South Africa, where he founded the South African Museum at Cape Town, and collected the material for his well known work on the 'Birds of South Africa,' of which there is now an
