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Two months ago a Committee, composed of the most illustrious Italian zoologists, invited their colleagues to a meeting which was to be held at Pavia on the 22nd and 23rd of April, 1900. The purpose of this meeting was to found a "National Zoological Union," and to facilitate and make possible an Annual Congress of Naturalists, which could only be done by long preparation. Amongst the subscribers may be mentioned the following University Professors:—Camerano (Turin), Cattaneo and Parona (Genoa), Emery (Bologna), Pavesi and Maggi (Pavia), Giglioli (Florence), Monticelli (Naples), and some others.

Many Italian zoologists approved of so useful and opportune an intention, and at the opening of the meeting in the Municipal Hall of Pavia several were present.

The President in the chair was Prof. P. Pavesi, a man dear to science and his friends, who is at the same time an illustrious naturalist, an appreciated politician, and now Mayor of Pavia. He warmly welcomed all those present, and stated he was pleased that the beginning of this Union should take place at Pavia. After the vino d'onore, Prof. Emery, of Bologna, thanked Pavesi for his kind welcome, and added some other opportune phrases. The first meeting took place at one o'clock in the Anatomical Hall, in order to decide if it would be useful to have a "Zoological Union" in Italy, and in this case to establish a scheme of statutes, and to name a temporary Committee. This meeting was presided over by Prof. Pavesi, having as a Secretary Miss Rina Monti, a young and clever naturalist. About forty persons were present, and amongst them I am pleased to mention Emery, Parona, Cattaneo, Maria Sacchi, Andres, Maggi, Mar- Zool. 4th ser. vol. IV., June, 1900.