Notes

Abstract

THE opening of the bridge over the Victoria Falls on September 12, and the visit of the British Association, were celebrated by a banquet, at which Mr. Newton, representing the British South Africa Company, in proposing the health of Prof. Darwin, welcomed the association on the anniversary of the first occupation of Mashonaland by pioneers fifteen years ago, fifty years after Dr. Livingstone first saw the falls. Prof. Darwin proposed the toast of Sir Charles Metcalfe, representing the great enterprise which to-day marks an important step in advance. Reuter's Agency reports that Sir Charles Metcalfe, in the course of his reply, read congratulatory telegrams from Lord Grey and the directors of the British South Africa Company, and a telegram from Mr. Reunert, president of the South African Association of Sciences, conveying his congratulations that more links had been formed in the chain of civilisation. On September 15 the association received a hearty welcome at Salisbury (Rhodesia). The town was decorated, and the trains were met at the station by the local authorities, headed by the Mayor, the Acting Administrator, and the Resident Commissioner. At a subsequent luncheon the Mayor, in welcoming the members of the association to the most, northern part of their tour in South Africa, directed attention to the progress made since the occupation of Rhodesia fifteen years ago. When the many diseases which affect the cattle of the country have been conquered, it is hoped that stock-raising will develop very rapidly. In the course of his reply, Prof. Darwin remarked that when the papers and lectures dealing with the special features of South African scientific work are published, it will be seen that serious efforts have been made to grapple with these problems. Sir Thomas Scanlen welcomed the association on behalf of the Chartered Company; and Lord Rosse and Sir William Crookes also spoke. On September 16, at Umtali, a deputation headed by Senhor de Sousa, secretary of the Governor of Mozambique, met the section of the British Association proceeding to Beira. Senhor de Sousa welcomed the members of the association to Portuguese territory in the name of the Governor, the Mozambique Company, and the inhabitants of Beira. On September 17, at Beira, the visitors attended a reception given by the Governor, and were entertained at luncheon. At 4 p.m. on the same day the party left for home on the steamer Durham Castle. We regret to learn that Sir William Wharton, a member of the British Association party which is returning home viâ Cape Town, is lying ill at the observatory there, having contracted a serious chill.