the

Lythraceae. Continuation of Koehne's monograph, comprising the genera Decodon, of a single North American species (D. verticillatus, Elliott), Grislea, Adenaria, Tetrataxis, and Ginoria, first two perhaps to be united to Heimia, and the last including Antherylium. -—(Engler's bot. jahrb., Oct., 1882.) S. W. [48 (Fossil plants.)

Heer's Flora fossilis arctica. The second part of the sixth volume of this celebrated work describes plants of two stages of the cretaceous of Greenland, -those of the schists of Come, referable to the lower cretaceous; those of the schists of Atane, upper cretaceous, including a few species from Pattook, a higher member of the formation of Atane. The publication of the tertiary plants of the same country is reserved for the third part of the volume, the plates being already prepared. All these plants have been described from specimens obtained by the Swedish geographical and geological survey of Greenland under the direction of Steenstrup. And such a degree of attention has been given to paleontological researches by the assistants of the survey, that twentyfive large boxes of specimens of fossil plants were sent to Heer.

The flora of Come, composed of 86 species, has 42 species of ferns, 1 Marsilia, 1 Lycopodium, 3 Equisetaceae, 10 Cycadeae, 21 conifers, 5 monocotyledons, 1 dicotyledon only, and 2 Carpolithes. The flora of Atane, composed of 177 species, has 3 fungi (Hypoxyleae), 34 ferns, 1 Marsilia, 1 Selaginella, 1 Equisetum, 6 Cycadeae, 26 conifers, 8 monocotyledons, and 97 dicotyledons. These two groups of floras of the cretaceous are remarkably different in their composition and in their characters. Besides the great proportional disparity in the number of their representatives, in divers classes of the vegetable kingdom, there is as marked a difference in the characters of the species. While Atane has 97 dicotyledons, Come has only 1, a Populus, represented by a few fragments of leaves; and of the whole number of described species, only 7 ferns, 1 Equisetum and 6 conifers are common to both floras of Come and Atane. This last series of plants shows a greater degree of relation to the flora of the Dakota group: for we find in common to them, 2 ferns, 3 conifers, 1 or 2 cycads, and 8 dicotyledons; and also, the same degree of analogy is remarked in the animal fossil remains found in strata above the schists containing vegetable remains at Atane, and of which some species have been recognized by M. Loriol as identical with those of the Fox Hill group of Hayden, like Avicula nebrascensis Evans, Solemeya subplicata Meek and Hayden, Hemiaster Humphriesianus Meek.- -L. L.

ZOOLOGY.

(Geographical distribution.)

[49

The Sonoran region. — In continuation of an argument upon the desirability of uniting the nearctic and palearctic zoölogical regions, Prof. Heilprin stated his reasons for separating the Sonoran region (the south-western portion of the United States, and the Mexican state of Sonora) from the rest of North America, and uniting it with the neotropical or SouthAmerican region. The reptiles and batrachians, especially of the smaller district, were sharply distinguished from those found to the north and east, and allied to the southern forms.

Dr. Horn stated that the coleopterous fauna of the Sonoran region was, on the contrary, more closely allied to that of the rest of North America. (Acad. nat. sc. Philad.; meeting Jan. 2.)

[50

Zoological geography of western North Amer

ica. Prof. E. D. Cope presented for publication a paper entitled: Notes on the geographical distribution of Batrachia and Reptilia in western North America. The communication is based on collections made by the author and his assistants at various points in the Rocky-Mountain and Pacific regions during the last ten years, and is an important contribution to the final definition of the zoological provinces and districts of the continent.

The results to zoological geography obtained by the identification of species contained in the collections are as follows: The extension northwards of the range of Crotalus molossus, Stenostoma dulce, Diadophis regalis, Crotalus lepidus, and Holbrookia texana; the extension to the Rocky Mountains of the range of Spea Hammondii; the discovery of a new Scaphiopus in the Great-Basin district; and of the southern extension of Rana pretiosa into the same. It has also been determined that the North-Pacific fauna extends east to the Rocky Mountains. This fauna is especially represented by Bascanion vetustum, Rana pretiosa, and Bufo columbiensis. The Great-Basin district of the Sonoran fauna extends north to the southern slope of the Rocky Mountains in Idaho, where are found several of its species. The same fauna extends north along the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, to the beginning of Surprise Valley, California. The North-Pacific fauna extends from Surprise Valley, Eastern California, northwards as far as the author's explorations have extended; viz., to Silver Lake and Klamath Lake. A wide southern range for Spea Hammondi and Bufo columbiensis was also determined.

These results indicate that the Pacific region has much greater extension eastward than has been supposed, although foreshadowed in Mr. Cope's paper on the zoology of Montana, published in 1879. They also indicate that the region must be divided into three districts; for which the names Idaho, Willamet, and South-Californian are proposed. The first is characterized by the absence of Gerrhonotus, and of certain species of Amblystoma and Cynops. The South-California is characterized by the presence of Rhinochilus, and absence of Amblystoma. It is allied to the Sonoran region, to which it is adjacent. -(Acad. nat. sc. Philad.; meeting Jan. 9.) [51

Protozoa.

Perception of light by low organisms. — Th. W. Engelmann has published some interesting observations on this subject. He maintains that light acts in three fundamentally different manners: 1. Directly, by alteration of the exchange of gases, without demonstrable addition of sensation; 2. Alteration of the sensation of the respiratory needs, consequent upon alteration in the gaseous exchange; 3. By means of a specific process assumably corresponding to our sensation of light. By ingenious arguments he seeks to prove that Navicula is a type of the first, Paramecium bursaria of the second, and Euglena viridis of the third. As regards the last he says that the seat of the perception of light is exclusively in the anterior end of the body, where there is no chlorophyl.—(Pflüger's arch., xxix. 387.) c. s. M.

[52

Bütschli's Protozoa. - Parts 14-16 of Bütschli's invaluable revision of the Protozoa in Bronn's Klassen und ordnungen des thierreichs has just appeared. The plates (xxii.-xxviii.) refer to the Radiolaria; the text is entirely devoted to the Gregarinidae, which are nearly completed. It is hardly possible to estimate this work too highly; for there are no other animals concerning which so many errors have been current in recent years as the Protozoa, and it cannot fail to advance zoology to have them treated by so

able and competent an investigator as Prof. Bütschli. It is one of the few works that may be fairly termed indispensable to the microscopist and zoologist. (It is stated from a competent private source that probably two years will be needed to complete the undertaking.) C. S. M.

Mollusks.

[53

History and distribution of the fresh-water mussels. Under this title Dr. R. E. C. Stearns prints a suggestive paper, read before the California academy of sciences, Nov. 20, 1882. The geographical distribution, geological history, and principal subdivisions of the Naiades are summarized, and the species of the great basins and the Pacific slope subsequently taken up in more detail. Anodonta Nuttalliana, representing four nominal species, described twenty-five years ago by Dr. Isaac Lea, from the Wahlámet River of Oregon, has been traced over an immense area, including the drainage system of the Columbia, the valley of California, the lakes of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, thence, either recent or recently fossilized, across the desert to the Wahsatch Mountains, northward to the southern boundary of Idaho and Oregon, along the meridian of 110° W., through part of Montana, to British Columbia, and southward to Fort Yuma. They are found on the surface of the desert, and even, with other still recent species, at a depth of at least fifty feet below the surface. Some of the species have been supposed to be extinct; and in regard to Tryonia, announced by Mr. Tryon in 1873 as found in the living state in Utah by Wheeler's expedition (two specimens), further confirmation seems desirable before it can be confidently claimed as still inhabiting the region. The general uniformity of mollusk-fauna over this region at one time is, however, sufficiently evident. Dr. Stearns traces variations perpetuated by natural selection during the changes brought about in the region by important geological and climatic changes; the radiating distribution from higher altitudes to lower, as the land rose and the waters receded; and the missing links in the chain of migration arising from areal desiccation. He ascribes to the period immediately preceding the glaciation of the higher regions of this area, meteorological conditions more favorable to distribution of aquatic life than any since obtaining there. The author then discusses the circumboreal distribution of four or five species of Limnaea, Physa, etc., and of the fresh-water pearl mussel (Margaritana margaritifera L.), which exhibits some remarkable characteristics in its range. The latter is eaten by the McCloud-River Indians, and by some Oregonian tribes. He concludes, with Wetherby, that the earliest fresh-water forms were lacustrine; and the paper closes with references to the comparative antiquity of Unio and Anodonta, and a list from Lea's synopsis of the number of species of Naiades. -W. H. D. [54

Studies of the Italian cretaceous fossils. Under the auspices of the Accademia dei lincei, Professor G. Seguenza has just published a valuable memoir on the middle cretaceous formation of southern Italy. Already well known by his valuable contributions to our knowledge of the tertiary strata of the two Sicilies, and especially of Calabria, the present publication can only add to his reputation. The first part discusses the sufficiently simple geology of this formation; the second is devoted to the fauna, which is illustrated by sixteen quarto plates beautifully drawn by the author. Of the 223 species described in this work, 104 are supposed to be new, and 186 are mollusks. There are fish remains of two

species, twelve echinoderms (of which nine belong to the genus Hemiaster), and only four corals. Only one brachiopod, a Discina, was collected. Of true mollusks twenty are cephalopods, and fifteen gastropods, leaving, as is evident, the majority lamellibranchiate. In fact, the characteristic feature of the fauna is that it is chiefly composed of bivalve shells belonging to the Veneridae, Veniliidae, Crassatellidae, Cardiidae, Arcidae, and the great heteromyarian group of mussels and oysters. The new genus of Corbulidae (?), Coquandia, is described from internal casts (a condition very general among these fossils), and appears to have somewhat resembled Eucharis Recl., but with the cardinal tooth in each valve prodigiously enlarged, flattened, straight, and set at right angles to the margin. W. H. D. [55

Insects.

Extension of the theory of mimicry in butterflies. Mimicry of one butterfly by another widely differing from it in structure was explained by Bates as resulting from some special protection of the mimicked form, as, by distastefulness. Recently some cases have occurred in which both genera involved were similarly protected; and Fritz Müller attempted to explain this by showing how it was advantageous for one species to resemble another which is more abundant in individuals, although both may possess qualities distasteful to those creatures which would otherwise devour them. Distant objects to this extension of the theory; and adduces in support Spalding's experiments upon young turkeys bred in confinement, who showed instinctive alarm of stingbearing insects. Meldola here comes in, and takes up the question of whether birds have an hereditary distaste for nauseous insects, or learn of their nastiness from sad experience. He claims the latter, while Distant replies in favor of the former view. The discussion partakes somewhat of a polemic character, and is rather barren considering our ignorance of the facts in the case: when they disagree as to which is the mimicking and which the mimicked form, philosophizing is somewhat out of place; yet some suggestions worthy of being kept in mind are made by both parties. (Ann. mag. nat. hist., Dec., 1882, and Jan., 1883.)

[57 A carnivorous bee.. P. Parfitt captured on the wing a male Halictus with its mouth full of insects; viz., a fly, a larval homopteron, and several plantlice. (Ent..monthl. mag., No. 223.) [58

VERTEBRATES.

Origin of the hypoglossus and morphology of the head. Perhaps the most interesting and important discovery in embryology made recently is that of the nature of the hypoglossal nerve by Dr. August Froriep. This investigator found, in ruminant embryos, evidences of three distinct proto-vertebrae in front of the first spinal or cervical nerve, and behind the vagus. In front of each of these is a distinct set of anterior nerve roots, which all unite into a single trunk, - the hypoglossus. Over the posterior of these sets of roots is a dorsal ganglion, which also unites with the same nerve, and resembles the spinal ganglia in position and shape, although smaller in

size. The hypoglossus must therefore be considered to have been formed by the fusion of at least three spinal nerves. As is well known, it makes its exit through the occipital bone, which must therefore be regarded as formed by the fusion of several vertebrae. This, again, forces us to the conclusion that the skull is not identically composed in all animals, but that in the mammals portions of the primitive cervical region have been added to the head, the portions thus added being the hypoglossal region.

At present, therefore, we must consider the head as made up, in mammals, of three divisions: 1o, the prepituitary or trabecular region, bearing the nose and eyes, and corresponding to the upper face; 2°, the pseudo-vertebral region, which gives off the nerves, namely, trigeminal, facial, glosso-pharyngeal, and vagus, supplying the visceral arches or pharyngeal clefts. (The vagus, as is well known, is supposed to be the product of the fusion of several nerves.) 3o, the vertebral region, that of the occipital bone and hypoglossal nerve. This is an entirely new start in the interpretation of the morphology of the head.

The ganglion of the hypoglossus is not permanent. It is always smaller than the spinal ganglia, but for a while it enlarges with the growth of the embryo; it then remains stationary, and becomes finally atrophied. Dr. Froriep's clear and concise presentation of his subject, and his philosophic grasp of its farreaching conclusions, as well as his modest tone, deserve high praise. His short article should be familiar to every morphologist. His observations were made principally on sheep embryos, and by means of longitudinal sections. Embryos of from 8 to about 18 mm. long show the development of the hypoglossus. (Arch. anat. physiol., anat. abtheil. 1882, 279) C. S. M. [59

Origin of the vertebrates.-Mr. C. O. Whitman described a rare form of the blastoderm of the chick, in which the primitive groove extended to the very margin of the blastoderm, terminating here in the marginal notch first observed by Pander. The blastoderm was eighteen hours old, and nearly one centimetre in diameter. The extension of the primitive groove to the marginal notch was regarded as a reappearance of a developmental feature, which is constant in some of the lower vertebrates and their nearest invertebrate allies, but which has ceased to be a normal occurrence in the development of the chick. The blastoderm, interpreted as an atavistic form, was held to be an important confirmation of the theory put forward by His and Rauber, according to which the vertebrate embryo arises by concrescence of the two lateral halves of the germ-ring. The objections made to this theory by Balfour were reviewed, with a view to showing that they presented no serious difficulties to the acceptance of the concrescence theory. Mr. Whitman maintained that Balfour's objections were not broad enough to cover his own theory of the origin of the vertebrates from annelids, a theory which gave us a right to expect some fundamental agreement in their modes of development. This agreement, he contended, was seen, first, in the origin of the embryo from a germ-ring, by the coalescence of the two halves along the axial line of the future animal; and, secondly, in the metameric division, which followed in the wake of the concrescence. The theory of the annelid origin of the vertebrates was inconsistent with the denial of the concrescence theory, since concrescence of the germbands is a well-established fact for both chaetopods and leeches. The theory of differentiation set up by Balfour in opposition to that of concrescence entirely

Use of the saw in Pristis.-In presenting_the beak of a saw-fish (Pristis) from the Lake of Bay, Philippine Islands, Dr. S. Kneeland suggested a use for this toothed projection, in this specimen thirtythree inches long, which seems more reasonable than the ones usually given; viz., that it is an instrument for more or less horizontal insertion in the mud or sand of shallow waters, which, by a vigorous sweep of the long upper-lobed, shark-like tail, is quickly pulled out backward. The lateral teeth are sharpedged in front for easy insertion, but concave behind to offer resistance, and more thoroughly stir up the bottom; this action is doubtless accompanied by a series of short horizontal movements of the anterior part of the body. The mouth is small, underneath, with pavement-like teeth, as in the rays, adapted for crushing the mollusks, crustaceans, and hard-cased creatures on which it feeds. He thinks the stories of its attacking in open sea the smaller cetaceans are errors of observation, arising from confounding the saw-fish with the sword-fish (Xiphias); neither its weapon, its mouth, its teeth, its habitat, nor its habits, can be reconciled with the active carnivorous propensities ordinarily ascribed to it. Ray-like, it is a bottom feeder, with crushing and not tearing teeth: the snout is too blunt for piercing, and its lateral teeth would be an impediment rather than an advantage. -(Bost. soc. nat. hist.; meeting Jan. 3.) [61

Digestion in fishes.- Charles Richet finds in cartilaginous fishes of the genera Scyllium and Acanthias, that the gastric secretion is extremely acid and contains pepsin. This pepsin differs from that of the warm-blooded animal in that it acts as well at 20° C. as 40° C., and for its best activity needs a much more acid medium. There is no trypsin in the gastric secretion, though this has been found in other fishes. As regards the pancreas, Richet comes to direct issue with Krukenberg, who states its secretion in these fishes contains trypsin but no amylolytic ferment. (Archiv. de physiol., x. 1882.) H. N. M. [62

An hermaphrodite bird.-The subject of this paper by Mr. Jeffries is a green-tailed towhee from Colorado. On dissection the bird was found to possess a normal ovary and duct on the left side, and a normal testicle and vas deferens on the right side. Owing to the early time of capture, and to insufficient means of preservation, the presence or absence of spermatozoa could not be affirmed. The kidneys of the bird showed slight anomalies. The plumage was that of a female. — (Bull. Nutt. ornith. club, viii. No. 1.) J. A. J. [64

Peculiar air-sacs.-M. Boulart has found a pair of air-sacs which lie on the sides of the neck, and communicate with the nasal cavity, in Leptoptilus cruminiferus, Ciconia alba, Mycteria australis, and Sula bassana. In these cases there is no communication with the air-sacs supplied by the lungs. In

[65

Measurement of the quantity of blood in living mammals. For this purpose Gréhant and Quinquaud employ a method which essentially consists in letting the animal for some time respire a gaseous mixture containing a known and not fatal proportion of carbon-monoxide. At the end of the time the residual gas is analyzed, in order to find the amount of carbon-monoxide which has been absorbed. A specimen of blood is also drawn from the animal, and the quantity of carbon-monoxide in it determined. The ratio of this quantity to the total amount of the gas absorbed is then assumed to be the ratio to the whole blood of the quantity of blood from which the gas was extracted. Their results as to the quantity of blood in the body agree closely with those of previous workers. (Journ. de l'anat. physiol., 1882, No. 6.) H. N. M. [66 Histology of the pancreas. In the transactions of the university of Kieff, vols. xi. and xii., for 1881, and vol. i., 1882, W. Podwyssotzki, jun., published an extensive Russian memoir on the structure of the pancreas. The research was carried out in Peremeschko's laboratory at Kieff. The author has just published a German abstract. The secretory cells consist of two zones: a peripheral, with all the characteristics of an albuminoid body, and a central granular zone. In the cavity of the alveoli, the ducts, and the fluid of the gland, the granules are wanting. The granules of the central zone are not pure_albuminoids, nor identical with the usual granules of protoplasm; they may be considered the material substratum of the trypsinogen or pancreatic zymogen. The intracellular network (Ebner, Boll) does not exist during life, there being a fluid intercellular substance which may be coagulated like a network by hardening agents. The intercellular spaces are connected with the secretion probably by_receiving the transuded fluids from the capillaries. There are peculiar branching, anastomosing, wedge-shaped, connective tissue corpuscles inside the membrana propria. The plate-shaped processes of the centro-acinary cells extend into the intercellular spaces. Both these and the wedge-shaped cells are metamorphosed connective (not epithelial) cells of the finest ducts. The intercellular fissures, as far as the processes of the centro-acinary cells extend, are the anatomical beginnings of the ducts, which do not therefore arise in special canals or capillaries (Gianuzzi, Savioti). The membrana propria is composed of connective fibres, forming a thick and fine network, and contains no cells or nuclei, and sends no processes into the interior of the alveoli. (Arch. mikr. anat., xxi. 765.) [67

C. 8. M.

Abnormal dentition in dog and man. - Mr. Jacob Wortman called attention to the presence of a third true molar in the upper jaw of a skull of Canis lupus from Sweden. He considered it a case of partial reversion to a more generalized type, such as Amphicyon, where three molars exist both in the upper and lower jaw, and believed that it furnished a hint as to the probable origin of the genus Canis. Dr. J. Leidy described a case of abnormal dental development in an adult man. Although the jaws were well formed, they contained only one incisor, one canine, two premolars, and one molar, on each side. Usually when a tooth is absent, and there is

no evidence of its having been extracted or lost, it has probably been retained embedded in the jaw; but in the case described no germs of the lacking teeth existed. (Acad. nat. sc. Philad.; meeting Jan. 9.) [68

Anatomy of the Aeluroidea. - St. George Mivart occupies sixty pages with notes on this group, in support of the classification proposed by him in a former memoir. The osteology is dwelt upon at length, and two very extended tables of skeletal proportions are given. (Proc. zoöl. soc. Lond., 1882, 459.) [69

F. W. T.

A monstrous orang.-W. A. Forbes describes an abnormal Pithecia satanas, having the third and fourth digits of both mani webbed to the tips. (Proc. zool. soc. Lond., 1882, 442.) F. W. T. [70

Direct communication between the median vaginal cul-de-sac and uro-genital canal in marsupials after parturition.-J. J. Fletcher found such communication in two nearly adult females of Osphranter robustus, five of Halmaturus ruficollis, and nine of Petrogale penicillatus. In two small specimens of O. robustus and two of P. penicillatus it did not exist. (Proc. Linn. soc. N. S. Wales, vi. 1882, 796.) F. W. T. [71

PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY.

The time of apperceiving simple and compound concepts. With the eyes of the observer directed into a dark chamber toward a Geissler tube, the time from the electric illumination of the tube to the instant of closing a key was measured by Dr. M. Friedrich for four observers as the simple reaction time; the additional time required to distinguish colors in this light, to read figures and determine the number of dots irregularly disposed, was then measured. It was found that numbers of two and three figures were apperceived quicker than those of one or four or more, a notable increase of time being required to apperceive the fourth figure. If, however, the first two figures were 18, they were more quickly perceived than any others, being more familiar as designating the present century. — (Philos. studien, i. 1.) G. S. H. [73

Psychological methods.-W. Wundt gives the following: 1°. The psycho-physic method, the accuracy of which has lately been questioned, but which Wundt concludes to be valid, save when applied by averaging right and wrong cases, where more thorough tests than Fechner or any of his successors have applied are needed. 2°. The method of analysis of sense-perceptions is made to include (a) composition, e.g., Helmholtz's combination of simple tones into timbre; (b) decomposition, e.g., Weber's spacethreshold; (c) variation, e.g., stereoscope, judgment of broken and unbroken lines. 3°. Method of measurement of psychologic time, by reaction, comparison, reproduction, and complication. - (Philos. studien, i. 2.) G. S. H.

[74

The time-sense. - Two metronomes were allowed by J. Kellert to tick twice, one after the other. The pendulum of one remaining constant, that of the other was then gradually lengthened or shortened till the observer noted a difference in the interval between the ticks of the latter and those of the

EARLY INSTITUTIONS. Universities. On taking the rectorship of the University of Greifswald, Professor Dr. Behrend describes briefly the beginning and growth of universities: the origin of different faculties (medicine, from Salerno; law, from Bologna; theology and philosophy, from Paris); constitutions; relation with the state, and so on. (Deutsche rundschau, Dec., 1882.) [76 English surnames. - Dr. Beddoe, F.R.S., considers them from an ethnological point of view. Large proportion of Norman names among the peers; Saxon names among the small land-owners and yeomen; nothing like a complete amalgamation of blood be

D. W. R.

--

tween the upper and lower classes. Probably a tenth of the inhabitants of the British Isles bear names of the Celtic-Irish type. Several other conclusions are reached. — (Journ. anthrop. inst., xii. 2.) D. w. R. [77 Agrarian institutions.-Professor Hanssen continues his studies of land-holding and agriculture among the early Germans. Certain heads of families joined together in clearing a tract of land. Upon this they took house-lots (permanent holdings) and arable lots (shifted from one part of the clearing to another, according to the field-grass system). The house-lots were held in severalty, the rest of the land in equal, but undivided shares. This was the primitive agricultural community. It is assumed by Professor Hanssen to have been an association of landowners. We would suggest that it is an open question whether it was an association of land-owners, or an association of tenants. — (Zeitsch. gesammt. staatsw., 1882, 3, 4.) D. W. R. [78

Medieval formulae. - The "Monumenta Germaniae historica. Leges V. Formulae. Pars pria. 4to. 1882," has appeared.-D. W. R. 179

GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS.

Smithsonian institution.

Telegraphic announcements of astronomical discoveries. Arrangements having been completed with the director of the Harvard college observatory for conducting the system of telegraphic announcements of astronomical discoveries, which was established by this institution in 1873, correspondents are informed that hereafter the American centre of reception and distribution of such announcements will be the Harvard college observatory, Cambridge, Mass., to which address all astronomical telegrams should in future be sent. It is hoped and believed that this transfer of a highly important service will prove beneficial to the interests of astronomical science.

National museum.

The museum cases and stands have been recently examined, with a view to adoption, by gentlemen from Richmond college, Cornell university, and the museum of hygiene connected with the United States navy.

Recent additions. — A large collection of remains of the Arctic sea-cow (Rhytina gigas), including eleven skulls more or less perfect, has been recently received from Dr. Leonard Steineger, collector for the Smithsonian institution, at Bering Island. The specimens were accompanied by two skulls of ziphioid whales, and some valuable bird-skins. Nineteen car-loads of specimens have been received from the late Permanent exhibition in Philadelphia.

Cast of a whale. — A cast of a humpback whale has just been completed. It represents a young female, 32 feet 5 inches long, which was captured at Provincetown, Mass., about three years ago. The cast shows one-half the exterior. In the concavity, which is painted black, the skeleton is mounted in its natural position. The work has been done by Mr. Joseph Palmer.

Preparation for the fisheries exhibition. A large number of objects have been added to the collection illustrating the fisheries, for exhibition in London in April. A model of an undisturbed oyster-bank and of one overdredged are being prepared under the su

pervision of Lieut. Winslow. One of the museum preparators is in New Haven, engaged in making, under the direction of Mr. Emerton of Yale College, a model of a giant squid. Five relief-models, representing the entire Atlantic coast of the United States, are in course of preparation by the U. S. coast survey, at the expense of the U. S. fish commission. Those representing the Gulf of Maine and the Gulf of Mexico are completed. The latter was exhibited by Professor Hilgard at the recent meeting of the National academy. The isobathic lines are shown in the same manner as the contour lines of the geological relief-maps. The models are prepared by Mr. C. Lindenkohl. Mr. Henry W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins have prepared a series of drawings of fishingvessels in action. They are probably the most accurate drawings of this nature ever produced, and are worthy of study by artists engaged on marine subjects. The Light-house board and Life-saving service will make a full display of their apparatus.

Model of Zuñi. — An accurate model of the pueblo of Zuñi has recently been completed for the Bureau of ethnology under the superintendence of Mr. Victor Mindeleff. It is about 19 X 11 feet square, and shows the details of the houses and streets. The data for its construction were derived from actual surveys.

Archeological fraud. — A remarkable archeological fraud in the form of a stone idol arrived at the museum a few days ago. It had been advertised as probably the 'god of all the gods.' It has the beak of a bird, the forehead of a lizard, the wings of a beetle, and the abdomen of a grasshopper. The feet are six in number, -four like those of a gopher tortoise, two like those of a seal. The general color is brown, relieved here and there with lighter spots and streaks. The length of the object is about 24 feet, the width about 6 inches.

Department of agriculture. Extension of statistical division. The scope of the statistical division was last year enlarged to include in its monthly reports statements showing the through rates of transportation by railroad and steamboat companies, on all the principal routes of the country, for the principal agricultural products.