rapidly as did the population, and during the last five years of that decade it increased 13.7 times as rapidly.

It may be interesting also to glance at the distribution of blind throughout the State of New York. The tenth United States census gives for the first time the number of these unfortunates in the different counties of each State. These statistics are in process of publication; but, as that portion of the report was not complete when this one was being prepared, application was made to the State Board of Charities, where there is deposited a copy of the official returns relating to the bliud. The assistant secretary of the board, Mr. James O. Fanning, has kindly furnished the committee with the number of blind in each county, having ascertained that by adding the lists of more than five thousand names on record. The different counties have been arranged in four groups. The first includes those which contain less than .005 of one per cent; the second, those which contain from .005 to .01 of one per cent ; the third, those which contain from .or of one per cent to 5 per cent; the fourth, those which contain more than .0521 of one per cent.

In view of these rather startling assertions in regard to the increase of blindness, it is natural that we should question the correctness of the data which lead to any such conclusions; in other words, to suspect that the apparently rapid increase was due to the difference in the manner in which the statistics were collected in 1870 as compared with 1880. In the compendium of the "Tenth Census" it is stated by Mr. Wines, who has charge of that department, that the plan was essentially the same; but, in order to satisfy ourselves more thoroughly, a letter was addressed to the secretary of the interior, asking for any additional facts in regard to this point, and we were informed that the same outline was followed in one case as in the other, simply a special blank for the blind being filled out in 1880. Of course, these examinations were by no means as accurate as would be desired from the ophthalmological point of view, for the numerators were often ignorant and careless men; but the fact remains that the errors were probably almost as great in 1870 as in 1880. Moreover, in order to verify the accuracy of some of the figures in the last census, we made application for the returns regarding the city of Buffalo; and while a number of changes of residence were made, and it was difficult to verify the reports in detail, still the information obtained, as far as it went, showed that at least that part of the report was quite as reliable as could be expected.

Let us consider next the causes which tend to make this apparent increase of blindness. In doing so, it is natural that we inquire, first of all, what were the causes which have produced that condition among those who are already blind. To determine this, it seemed advisable to undertake the examination of a considerable number of these unfortunates, and, of course, that could be done most conveniently in asylums, almshouses, where they were collected together. Accordingly a list of questions was prepared, being mainly a copy of that which was used by Hugo Magnus, a specimen of which is here appended; the name of the blind-asylum, location, date of the examination, and name of the examining physician, heading the list. 1. Name of the blind person, residence; name of father or guardian, residence. 2. Sex. 3. Age. 4. Religion. 5. Nationality. 6. For adults, occupation before blindness; for children, occupation of the parents. 7. Color of the hair. 8. Color of the iris, if possible. 9. Degree of blindness: A. Count fingers at of a metre ; B. Quantitative perception of light; C. Absolute amaurosis. 10. Cause of the blindness of the right eye. 11. Cause of the blindness of the left eye. 12. Condition of the right eye. 13. Condition of the left eye. 14. Age at which right was lost. 15. Age at which left was lost. 16. Can the blindness be referred to scrofula? 17. Can it be referred to syphilis? 18. Is the blindness the result of any disease of the general system? Are there any other bodily infirmities? (For those who have had small-pox) 20. Was the blindness before vaccination? and 21. Was the vaccination effectual? 22. Did the blindness occur when in a town, or when in the country? 23. Were the parents related to each other? 24. Did the parents have normal vision? 25. Were any of the relatives blind? 26. Were there any other circumstances which might be important in connection with the case?

19.

To the president of each county medical society we then forwarded as many of these blanks as there were blind inmates of his county almshouse, and the request was made that the blanks be filled and returned to the chairman of this committee. Responses were returned in only nineteen instances, although letters with blanks were sent to all. Unfortunately, also, the answers to some of the questions were so indefinite that it was necessary to omit the cases from the classification.

A second set of examinations which the committee have to acknowledge was made by Dr. W. H. Bates of New York, acting under the supervision of Dr. H. D. Noyes. This list includes one hundred and sixty-eight cases seen at the New York State Institution for the Blind in New York. The third list contains the results of an examination of one hundred and twenty-eight inmates of the New York State Institution for the Blind at Batavia. These examinations were made by the chairman, assisted by Dr. Elmer Starr of Buffalo.

In spite of this plan of inquiry, it is difficult to determine exactly some of the causes of the blindness, even when the greatest care was exercised; but it was evident from even the most casual examination that a very large percentage of the cases were due to some form of contagious disease of the eye. It must be admitted that in the case of blind-asylums this representation, however truthful in itself, has a tendency to exaggerate the importance of the contagious disease of the eye as a cause of blindness. We do not find at such an institution those who have become blind by accident to adult life, or by those diseases which are more common in old age. A table of percentages is given by Magnus in his admirable work on blindness, in which he brought together the results of examinations by different investigators, which covered a total of 2,528 cases of blindness. In this table it may be seen at a glance how very great is the influence of those diseases which are distinctly of a contagious kind as compared with any other, over 20 per cent of those of all ages being due to contagion. In the "Annual Report of the Manhattan Eye and Ear Infirmary for the Year 1886" is given a summary of 48,509 cases, of which it was shown that 26 per cent were due to conjunctival diseases, and 25.5 per cent to corneal diseases; but one of those who made this report, when speaking of them, mentions "over 50 per cent as being communicable, or closely related to communicable diseases." In summing up, therefore, this portion of the question as to what are the causes which have produced blindness, it is fair, we think, to reply that contagion exercises by far the most important influence.

There is another aspect of this part of the subject which it is necessary to mention: we have reference to the influence which immigration has upon the increase and spread of contagious diseases of the eye, directly and indirectly. A considerable number of facts might be presented to illustrate this phase of the subject. We need only select as an example the influence exerted by one class of immigrants in relation to spreading one disease of the eye. It is generally conceded that trachoma is essentially contagious, and also is of frequent occurrence among the lower class of the Irish population. Now, the report of the Treasury Department for 1886 shows that from 1871 to 1880 there were nearly half a million of Irish immigrants in this country, - more exactly, 444,589,- and during these years the Irish formed 15.1 per cent of all the immigrants who arrived in the United States. It should be borne in mind that by far the greater part of these immigrantsat least four-fifths of them-land at Castle Garden. In order, therefore, to ascertain what care was exercised in isolating any such contagious cases which might enter there, a letter was addressed to the physician in charge of the State Emigrant Refuge and Hospital at Ward's Island, New York, inquiring as to this point; and his replies, although frankly given, were by no means such as to impress one with the care which the authorities exercise as to the disposition of such cases.

Few persons appreciate how great is the cost to the community of the maintenance of a number of persons in their midst who are not only non-producers, but who must also be fed and clothed. It is possible to make an estimate of the annual cost to the State for the maintenance of the blind. Supposing they were all provided for in an economical manner, such as can be done in large institu

tions it is fair to estimate the cost of keeping each one at $2 per week, or $104 per year; to which should be added, for clothing, $28 per year, or a total cost of $132. These are the figures given in the report of the Perkins Institution, a Massachusetts asylum for the blind, in October, 1874. It must be remembered, however, that these individuals are not producers: they do not earn what they otherwise would; and this amount must be added to the cost. Taking the lowest estimate of a man's wages at $1.20 for each working day, supposing that not one among them all could become a skilled artisan, and counting the wages of the women at only 40 cents a working day, we find there is a total yearly loss to the community, cost and wages for each man, of $404, and for each woman of $256. This, at the very minimum estimate, amounted in New York, in 1880, to $1,682,136, and over $25,000,ooo in 1888 for the entire United States.

If these statements are of as much importance as they would appear, it behooves us at least to inquire what steps can be taken for lessening the increase of blindness. In a paper like this it is possible only to refer briefly to points which are of primary importance, without attempting detail in any respect. At present, however, if we were to suggest a plan, it would be about as follows:

First, To popularize with the profession and laity the necessity of some care as to the proper cleansing of the eyes of infants immediately after birth; to impress the importance of this matter upon nurses, hospital attendants, and others; and, if possible, to teach them to apply to every infant's eyes a suitable solution of nitrate of silver, which need never be stronger than two per cent, and of maximum quality.

Second, Enactments should be encouraged similar to that recently passed by the New York State Legislature in regard to the proper isolation and quarantining of children with suspicious diseases of the eyes in all residential schools and in large institutions in which children are brought together. Moreover, similar rules, with proper modifications, should be adopted in prisons, reformatories, and other institutions for adults. Especially does this hold good concerning soldiers in barracks, and sailors on shipboard.

Third, By educating the public. The laity should be cautioned as to the contagious character not only of the so-called granular lids, but especially of those severe forms of inflammation of the eye which result from inoculating it with gonorrhoeal matter. This might be accomplished by posting notices in proper places, officially signed by the Board of Health or other proper officers. Other proper notices posted in stone-quarries, machine-shops, etc., would tend to lessen the proportion of accidents to eyes, so frequent in these places.

Fourth, That steps be taken to prevent the introduction into this country, by immigration, of cases of contagious diseases of the eye.

Fifth, That renewed efforts be made by the profession to collect data relating to bacteria affecting the eye, especially to the action of the gonococcus, the so-called trachoma coccus of Michel, and other forms of either the normal or diseased conjunctiva.

In submitting this report the committee is impressed with the fact that any such presentation of statistics and recommendations is entirely inadequate to give a proper idea of the importance of the subject. In order to condense the statement as much as possible, it has been necessary to omit certain phases of the question entirely. The distribution of blindness in different portions of the State; the relation of certain causes which produce it to altitude, to density of population, and other factors, have been entirely omitted for the sake of brevity. The bacteriological questions which it involves have been hardly referred to, although considerable data have been accumulated relating to the causes of the disease here, by a personal examination of the same causes as they exist in Egypt, in Finland, and in other countries where blindness is of frequent occurrence. It is hoped, however, that these few facts, though imperfectly presented, may arouse some slight interest in the subject, and, in doing so, tend to lessen the number of those most unfortunate and most pitiable of human beings, the blind.

BOOK-REVIEWS.

The New Eldorado; A Summer Journey to Alaska. By MATURIN M. BALLOU. New York, Houghton, Mifflin, & Co. 12°. $1.50.

MR. BALLOU, who has travelled extensively in various parts of the globe, here gives us an account of a recent trip across this continent and up the coast of southern Alaska. He is a close and cultivated observer, though not exactly of the scientific order, and his book is intended rather for popular than for learned readers. He tells his story well, except that he is sometimes too anxious to be picturesque, and occasionally falls into rhetorical exclamations that might better have been omitted. On his journey across the continent he tarried nowhere any length of time save in the Yellowstone National Park, where he spent ten days, and to which he devotes several chapters. The scenery that abounds there, however, is not easily described, and his book contains no pictures nor maps to supplement the work of the pen. Arrived on the Pacific coast, Mr. Ballou's party embarked on a steamer and sailed up the coast of Alaska, passing for the most part between the islands and the mainland. The northern parts of the territory were not visited, though the author gives some account of them taken from other authorities. Alaska has generally been supposed unfit for agricultural purposes; but Mr. Ballou assures us that all the southern part will grow any crops that will thrive on the Atlantic coast north of Chesapeake Bay. Still the agricultural resources of the region as a whole are admitted to be small; but its fisheries are well known as of great value, its timber abundant, and its mines of gold, iron, and coal, of special importance. All these resources are described at length by our author, as is also the scenery of the region he passed through. The native inhabitants, however, hardly correspond with the natural features of the country. Mr. Ballou says what good he can of them; but in laziness, filthiness, cruelty, and superstition they are like all barbarians the world over. The Eskimo live in the extreme north, while the natives of the region Mr. Ballou visited are similar to the Indian tribes of our older Territories, though superior in intelligence. Since the government has established a few schools among them, they have shown great eagerness to learn, and the increase of such schools is strongly advocated. Mr. Ballou complains that Congress has not done its duty by Alaska, and gives good reasons for this view, and he also thinks that the scientists have been backward in the work of exploration. On his part, he believes that the future of Alaska is bright with promise, and readers of his book will, to some extent at least, share his views.

Elementary Lessons in Heat. By S. E. TILLMAN. Philadelphia, Lippincott. 8°. $1.80.

THE author is professor of chemistry at the United States Military Academy. and prepared these lessons for use at West Point in a short course on heat. The character of the matter presented was determined to some extent by the peculiarities of the course of study at the academy; but the main point sought was to give the information most likely to be needed, and to give it without overloading with details of apparatus and methods of investigation. After a number of chapters on the elementary principles of heat, there follow several on thermodynamics, — not treated mathematically, — and the influences of heat and cold on meteorological phenomena.

Our Cats and all about Them. By HARRISON WEIR. Boston and New York, Houghton, Mifflin, & Co. 12°. $2.

MR. WEIR is president of the National Cat Club of England; but before he was that, and before the club existed, he was the originator of the cat-show at the Crystal Palace, held in the summer of 1871.

What they talk of at the Cat Club we may believe to be the 'points" of their pets, and the latest trick or show of wisdom in door-opening or wandering home of these same pets. This is what the book tells of. It is a gossipy book, full of stories of the doings of cats, sprinkled with descriptions of the innumerable kinds, with an account of their diseases, and ending with several chapters on trained cats, and cats that have learned to fish.

The author confesses to having been won over to a love for cats

from having been their hater, and writes this book that others may see the cat in all its possibilities as a useful, attractive, and affectionate domestic animal.

At the present time, when the power cats possess of finding their way home over supposed to be unknown roads is receiving some discussion, it is interesting to note that at a race of this kind held near Liege, Belgium, in 1860, the winner was a blind cat.

But it is not alone of cats as cats that our author tells us: he gives us also a glossary of terms of which the word "cat" forms a part. In fact, “Our Cats and all about Them" is a title well borne out by the contents, so far as such information as the ordinary reader is likely to seek is concerned.

A Treatise on Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations. By WILLIAM WOOLSEY JOHNSON. New York, Wiley. 8°. $3.50.

THIS treatise on differential equations is in continuation of the series of mathematical text-books, by the same author, of which have already appeared the differential and integral calculus. Professor Johnson is professor of mathematics at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, and it may be that some will trace in the book methods which are said to be characteristic of the United States Army and Navy mathematics; but it must be said that the plan pursued is likely to lead to a clearer understanding by the student. The object is to give a knowledge of the subject, so far as it is likely to have practical application; and in this it is safe to say that Professor Johnson has succeeded.

A Graduated Course of Natural Science, Experimental and Theoretical, for Schools and Colleges. Part I. By BENJAMIN LOEWY. London and New York, Macmillan. 12°. 60 cents.

THOSE who are trying to introduce sane methods of scienceteaching into our schools, will find in Mr. Loewy's little book much that is suggestive and of value. Mr. Loewy was at one time the science master in the recently discontinued International College

WATTS'

just out of London, and has had twenty years of experience in teaching physics and chemistry to large classes, both in the lectureroom and in the laboratory. In this first part of his series he confines himself to the physical phenomena which arise on account of the mutual attraction of particles of matter, but he has limited himself to those interactions of matter that his experience shows him to be really intelligible to young beginners. This sketch of the author's purpose may be misleading, as the following summation of some of the chapter-heads will show: O Pressure in Liquids," "Filtration," Cause of Winds," "Hard and Soft Water," Action of Animals and Plants on Air," etc.

66

AMONG THE PUBLISHERS.

THE Longmans will publish shortly two volumes of American short stories, "Gerald French's Friends," tales of California Irishmen, by George H. Jessop; and "A Family Tree and Other Stories," by Brander Matthews.

The October number (No. 43) of the Riverside Literature Series (published quarterly during the school year 1889-90 at 15 cents a number, by Houghton, Mifflin, & Co., Boston) contains the "Story of Ulysses among the Phæacians," from William Cullen Bryant's "Translation of Homer's Odyssey." This selection, which has been described by one of our most famous Greek scholars as the finest and at the same time simplest bit of imaginative writing in all Greek literature, is a complete story in itself. It tells of Ulysses' discovery by Nausicaä, the daughter of King Alcinous, his reception by the king, the festivals given in his honor, his song of the Trojan Horse and the Fall of Troy, and his departure for his home in Ithaca, and gives a most excellent picture of the life, manners, and customs of the ancient Greeks. This number of the Riverside Literature Series will be found of especial value for use in schools. It is rarely possible to make a selection from a great poem like the "Odyssey" at once so complete in itself, so fascinating, and so instructive, as is this "Story of the Adventures of Ulysses among the Phæacians."

Revised and entirely rewritten by

Trent.

- Harper & Brothers published on Oct. 11 a volume on the "Constitutional History of the United States," by George Ticknor Curtis. It is a revised edition of Mr. Curtis's earlier work, which, though published thirty years ago, remains to-day the established authority on the history of the formation and adoption of the Constitution. Many years ago Silas Wright, then United States senator from New York, requested George Bancroft to write a life of Martin Van Buren, and furnished a complete collection of papers and letters as materials for the work. From these and other sources Mr. Bancroft compiled a biography which Van Buren, when he saw the manuscript, pronounced to be authentic and true as a record of facts relating to himself. Party feeling ran high at the time, and Mr. Bancroft deemed it best to postpone the publication of the work until the character and career of Van Buren could be judged without prejudice. Nearly coincidently with the author's eightyninth birthday, Messrs. Harper & Brothers published this biography, which is entitled “Martin Van Buren to the End of his Public Career." In his preface Mr. Bancroft says, “ In my recent revision of the original manuscript, I have made no change that could affect Van Buren's approval of it as thoroughly correct.'

"

66

- Messrs. John Wiley & Sons have just issued "A Chart Relative to the Composition, Digestibility, and Nutritive Value of Food," prepared by Professor Henry A. Mott, Ph.D., LL.D. The subjects of the chart are arranged under the following heads: "Relative Value of Foods;" "Digestibility of Foods; ' "Most Easily Digested Substances;" "Daily Proportions of Carbon and Nitrogen in the Food of Different Ages per Pound Weight of the Body; Substances absorbed and discharged during Twenty-four Hours ;" "Amount of Digestive Fluids secreted Daily, and the Proportion of their Chief Constituents;" "A Dinner that will digest within Two Hours;" "Uses of Food in the Body;" "Way in which Nutrients are used in the Body, and supply it with Strength;" "Nitrogen and Carbon required Daily to support Life;" " Alimentary Substances in a Dry State required Daily for the Support of an Ordinary Workingman of Average Height and Weight;" "Standards for Daily Dietaries; 'Standard for Ordinary Man doing Moderate Muscular Work;" Warmth and Strength derived from Various Articles of Food and Drink;' 'Composition of Various Meats;" "Composition of Meat Extracts;" "Composition of Fish and Shell-Fish; "Composition of Vegetables; "Composition of Farinaceous Foods;" "Composition of a Hen's Egg;" "Composition of Cocoa;" "Composition of Coffee;" "Composition of Tea; Composition of Various Kinds of Cheese;" Analyses of Cheese; Analysis of Milk; Analysis of the Products of the Dairy; Analysis of Condensed Milk ; Analysis of American Wines;" "Approximate Analysis of a Man; "Fruits arranged in the Order of their Contents of Free Acid expressed as Hydrate of Malic Acid;" Fruits arranged in the Order of their Contents of Sugar; 'Fruits arranged according to the Proportion between Acid, Sugar, Pectin, Gum, etc.; "Working Power of the Human Body;" "Thermotic Power and Mechanical Energy of Ten Grains of the Material in its Normal Condition when completely burned in Oxygen and when oxidized into Carbonic Acid ;' Water and Urea in the Animal Body;" "Ingredients and Food-Materials;" "Quantity of Nitrogen and Carbon in 100 parts of Various Alimentary Articles." The price of the chart, mounted on rollers, is $1.25.

"

"

"

"

Ticknor & Co. have just published a limited edition of the late Carl Pfeiffer's work, "American Mansions and Cottages," containing one hundred folio plates in a portfolio. They have also just ready a one-volume edition of Charles Wickes's "Illustrations of Spires and Towers of the Medieval Churches of England."

Edward Atkinson has contributed an article on "The Art of Cooking," which will open the November Popular Science Monthly. In it he points out what enormous quantities of food and fuel are wasted in ordinary cooking, and describes the "cooker ” and “oven" invented by him, which need but a wonderfully small quantity of oil or gas, and cannot spoil the food. Col. Garrick Mallery's address before the American Association for the Advancement of Science, on "Israelite and Indian," will be published in the same number. It shows the remarkable similarity between the mortuary customs and religious beliefs and practices of the two peoples, but Col. Mallery draws a conclusion from this parallel unfavorable to the suggested descent of the Indians from the" lost tribes." "The Decadence of Farming," as shown by the number of farms for sale and the prevalence of farm mortgages, will be explained by Mr. Joel Benton in this number (the writer maintaining that our modes of taxation bear more heavily on the farmers than on any other class); and there will be a copiously illustrated article on "Sensitive Flames and Sound-Shadows," by Professor W. LeConte Stevens, embodying some very curious instances in which sound has been found to behave like light.

- Casey's "Treatise on Spherical Trigonometry," published by Longmans, Green, & Co., London and New York, is intended as a sequel to the author's "Treatise on Plane Trigonometry." The book contains much that is new; the author, as is customary now, having culled rich material from the latest mathematical papers. There is a large number of examples furnished, which are believed to cover the ground completely. Professor Casey is professor of higher mathematics and mathematical physics at the Catholic University of Ireland.

- The Forest and Stream Publishing Company announce for publication "Pawnee Hero Stories and Folk-Tales," by George Bird Grinnell. The book is said to present a faithful delineation of the Indian's character and his daily life.

Mr. George Curzon, M.P., who made a detailed examination of the Transcaspian country last fall, has written an account of his travels; and his "Russia in Central Asia in 1889 " and the "AngloPersian Question " will be published soon by Longmans, Green, & Co., both in London and New York. It will contain maps from the latest investigations, some forty illustrations, and a bibliography.

S. C. Griggs & Co., Chicago, have just issued a translation from the Danish, by Professor Julius C. Olson of the University of Wisconsin, of Peter Lauridsen's work entitled "Vitus Bering, the Discoverer of Bering Strait." They will publish soon a new edition, from new plates, of Dr. J. R. Boise's "First Lessons in Greek," revised, with the advice and approval of the author, by Professor G. Pettengill of Ann Arbor High School.

Messrs. Ginn & Co. announce for publication Russell's Chromatic Chart," by E. P. Russell, director of Conservatory of Music, and teacher of music in the State Normal School, Oneonta, N.Y. This chart is designed to teach music-students the habit of thinking the tone as well as reading it, so that the mind may perceive the tone before the voice executes it. It is of great help in teaching the intervals by quick transitions from one key to another. It is of the greatest value in the study and execution of the chromatic scale. The teacher will observe that the chart will, if carefully and intelligently used, help the articulation and enunciation to a remarkable degree. It is believed that the chart is a practical help, of which every wide-awake and progressive teacher will desire to make constant use. The size of the chart is 42 inches by 55 inches. They have also just published the "Common School Song Reader," by W. S. Tilden, teacher of music in the State Normal School, Framingham, Mass., and will issue during the autumn and winter of 1889, "Open, Sesame!" edited by Mrs. B. W. Bellamy and Mrs. M. W. Goodwin, a collection of prose and verse, comprising more than a thousand selections, carefully edited, and arranged for com

mitting to memory. It is in no sense an elocutionist's manual, the editors having made the first test of each selection, "Is it worth learning?" and the second, "Is it adapted to recitation?" The book is representative of English literature, and also comprises many translations from foreign sources. Its various departments contain many of the familiar classics, and also many extracts from late literature never before included in such a collection. It is arranged in three volumes, each complete in itself, and specially adapted to the age for which it is intended. Volume I. is designed for children from four to ten years old; Volume II., for those from ten to fourteen; and Volume III., for the oldest students. The purpose of the book is to train the memory, to educate the literary taste, and to supply the student with the long-needed standard collection of poetry and prose for recitation.

-"The Batrachia of North America," by E. D. Cope, issued as Bulletin No. 34 of the National Museum, embraces the results of a study of the characters of the species, with their variations, which has been rendered effective by the full collection contained in the National Museum, and which this work thus illustrates. Besides this descriptive part, there are presented the results of a thorough study of the osteology of the class, based on the material contained in various museums of the United States and Europe. These results are expressed largely in systematic form, in the belief that descriptive zoology will never be complete until the structure is exhausted in furnishing definitions. Wherever practicable, reference is made to the relations between the extinct and living forms.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

The Telephone for the Prediction of Thunder-Storms. IN 1886 the writer had an experimental telephone line on the Yale campus which proved to be of some value in the prediction of

INDUSTRIAL NOTES.

The Automatic Type-Writer.

ALL are familiar with the ordinary styles of type-writer on the market, and some have asked if there could not be made a typewriter which should cost less and be more portable by being smaller in size and weight. Several attempts have been made to meet this want, and this week we have an opportunity of describing the "Automatic," which it is claimed serves the purpose well.

one phase of the weather. As is well known, the approach of an electrical storm produces sounds in the telephone something like the "sound of a distant rocket, or the quenching of a drop of melted metal in water."

One afternoon shortly after the erection of my line, on a seemingly perfectly clear day, I heard the sounds in the telephone. Although at the time there was no sign of an approaching storm, two hours later the clear weather had vanished, and a severe storm swept over the city.

On another occasion, when an excursion had been planned, as the weather was cloudy and rather doubtful, the telephone was consulted, but gave no evidence of electrical disturbance; and the afternoon passed "fair weather."

In several like instances I made use of the instrument with very satisfactory results. Since then I have had no opportunity for continuing my observations, but I think that similar use of the telephone might be of value to individuals or to local communities. HARVEY B. BASHORE.

West Fairview, Penn., Oct. 14.

Map of Niagara Falls.

64

ON the 88th sheet of the new Stieler's Hand Atlas," No. 6 of the United States, is a small map of Niagara Falls, which contains a curious misprint. The course of the river is well shown, colored red on the Canadian and green on the United States side. The horseshoe fall is represented, but the American fall is obliterated. The coloration for the bank extends all round Goat Island; which, however, instead of being an island, is a peninsula. In other words, there is no American fall represented on the map except in JOSEPH F. JAMES.

name.

Washington, D.C., Oct. 1o.

Thus, I occupies less space than H, and H less again than M.

There are other interesting features to the machine, but we have said enough to show that those interested should examine the merits of the" Automatic."

The Offrell Dynamo.

ALTHOUGH the construction of dynamos and motors has reached such a state of perfection, as regards efficiency and workmanship,

In size the "Automatic" is 11 inches long, 81 wide, and 4 high. Its weight is 10 pounds, and with its case, only 12.

The key-board of 48 keys has been designed with a view to furnishing all the characters in common use. The type and typebars are so arranged that the type is inked by spring contact with an ink-pad against which it rests when in repose, and the type-bars are so guided in their motion as to give very accurate alignment. No ribbon intervenes between the type and paper, the impression being thus the clearer. It is claimed for the "Automatic," that, as the paper-carriage is light, as the space through which the type must move is small, and as its return motion is accelerated by a spring, the speed of writing is much increased.

By an ingenious device the spacing is made to suit the letter.

that any improvement in this direction is not likely to be made, yet many of the electric machines in the market to day are far from being samples of either of the above qualities; and, to be sure, if we consider them from the point of simplicity and economical construction, there is a big margin for improvement.

Setting out with the object in view of designing a dynamo, that, with minimum expenditure of material, should give maximum output, and at the same time the cost of its manufacture be a minimum, Mr. Olof Offrell, electrical engineer, has designed and built such a dynamo.

To gain this purpose, only the very best material is used; also advantage is taken of the latest development in dynamo-building. The field-magnet cores are of the very best wrought iron, the pole