N. MISCELLANEOUS. 609 



tion, by which force increased weight is capable of being im- 

 parted to solid bodies without physical contact." Mr. Crookes 

 believes that this force is possessed by all human beings, al- 

 though he has witnessed its exhibition in the case of but very 

 few. Mr. Crookes's previous account had not been received 

 with great favor by the scientific world in England, the Royal 

 Society and the British Association having both declined to 

 take up the subject. 



DESTRUCTION OF THE CHICAGO ACADEMY OF SCIENCES BY 



THE FIRE. 



Among the disastrous results of the recent fire at Chicago, 

 one not referred to in the public papers was the entire de- 

 struction of the building and collections of the Academy of 

 Sciences of that city. This institution, first started by the 

 energy of the late Robert Kennicott, Esq., and carried to its 

 late condition of prosperity under the charge of Dr. William 

 Stimpson, had already taken a front rank among the learned 

 establishments of the country. Its publications embraced 

 material of the utmost value, while its museum ranked at 

 least as high as the fifth in the United States. Although be- 

 lieved to be fire-proof, the building, like others of the same 

 character in Chicago, presented but little resistance to the 

 flames, and every thing within the walls was destroyed. 

 The loss included, besides the collections in natural history 

 of the Academy, a large number of marine invertebrates be- 

 1 on gin to the Smithsonian Institution, which had been for- 

 warded to Dr. Stimpson for investigation. The private cab- 

 inet of this gentleman, and a large mass of valuable manu- 

 script belonging to him, embracing extended memoirs upon 

 the mollusca, radiata, and Crustacea of North America, with 

 numerous illustrations, were entirely destroyed. 



NEW AQUARIUM AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE AT SYDENHAM. 



The aquarium at the Crystal Palace at Sydenham, near 

 London, is now in full working order, under the management 

 of Mr. W. A. Lloyd. The ground occupied by the aquarium 

 and its adjuncts is nearly 600 feet long and 700 feet broad. 

 The sea-water reservoir contains 80,000 gallons, and the fresh 

 water tanks 20,000 gallons, in all 100,000 gallons, weighing 

 1,000,000 pounds. The main aeration of the water is effected 



Cc2 



