the annual increase would be less, and the tree might be 200 or even 220 years old, but I think it is scarcely possible to carry back the origin of an oak of the dimensions given so far as 250 years, and, therefore, there seems a strong probability that the present tree is not the original but the descendant spoken of by Dr. Stukeley.—F. T. Mott, Leicester,
Gleanings.
The Annual Fungus Foray of the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club will be held at Hereford on October 3rd.
The Cryptographic Society of Scotland will hold its Annual Conference at Edinburgh, on October 9th, 10th, and 11th, under the presidency of Professor Balfour. The preprogramme includes excursions, a dinner, and an exhibition of fungi.
Locusts.—The United States Entomological Commission have issued their report on the ravages of the Rocky Mountain Locust Nature says it is "a very important addition to the scientific and practical literature on this subject."
Plant list for Derbyshire.—The Rev. W. Hunt Painter, of 2, Belgrave Street, Derby, is engaged in editing a "Plant list far Derbyshire.” He will be glad of any assistance that botanists, residing in the neighbouring counties, can render him. Specimens of the plants found will be thankfully received, and, if desired, others will be given in exchange,
Microscopical.—Mr, Thos. Bolton, Naturalist, 17, Ann Street, Birmingham, announces that for a subscription of £1 1s. per half-year, paid in advance, he will supply a tube of living specimens every week. The specimens will include all varieties of which he may obtain a sufficient supply, and will be forwarded us early as possible in twenty-six consecutive weeks, To some subscribers he has agreed ta forward the twenty-six tubes during twelve months, or one per fortnight, and to others (science teachers) more rapidly as they may require them for class work or exhibition. To such subscribers he also will from time to time post any notices or sketches that he may print of the various objects he is distributing.
Thos. Oldham, born (Dublin) 1816, died (Rugby) 1878.—Mr. Oldham received his first lessons in geology at Edinburgh, from Prof. Jamieson. Returning to Ireland he aided Portlock in the survey of Derry and Tyrone, (1843,) and afterwards held several offices in connection with the Geological Society of Dublin and the Government Geological Survey; in 1819 he discovered the fossil named after him by Prof. E. Forbes, (Oldhamia radiata,) the then oldest known fossil organic remain. In 1850 he was appointed first director of the Geological Survey of India, and in ten years he succeeded in mapping geologically (with the aid of about twelve assistants) an area in Bengal and Central India of about twice the extent of Great Britain. The publications of the Indian Survey, issued under his direction, are of a magnificent description—quite equal to those which Dr. Hayden sends forth with such liberality from Washington. He was awarded the gold medal of the Royal Society in 1875, and shortly afterwards retired from his post of Superintendent of the Indian survey. His last days were spent at Rugby, where he took much interest in the School Natural History Society. His obituary (from which this short notice is mainly compiled) appears in the "Geological Magazine" for August, as do also two reviews by him (his last work, he wrote them but did not live to correct the proofs) on Barrande's "Cephalopoda of Bolemia" and Hayden's "Geological and Geographical Atlas of Colorado."
