XX NOTE^ BY THE EDITOR. 



duty lo send home precise and comprehensive ethnographic and geo- 

 graphic intelligence of the countries through which they travel. 



M. Hochstetter, the naturalist of the recent Austrian Scientific 

 Exploration Expedition, declares, as the result of his observations, that 

 the abundance of the remains of extinct primitive animals found in 

 Australia is most 'astonishing. While Australia has always been 

 considered the newest continent, he has met there with the most 

 ancient and primitive forms in Flora and Fauna, proving Australia to 

 be the oldest continent of the earth. While Europe had to go 

 through several earth revolutions, Australia's continent, since the 

 primeval period, has not been covered with the sea, and has devel- 

 oped itself undisturbedly. He also states, that he has found in New 

 Zealand organic remains, which make him conclude that these islands 

 are of a much more ancient date than has been hitherto supposed. 



Among the recent publications of the Smithsonian Institution, is a 

 new and revised edition of '' Directions for Meteorological Observa- 

 tions." In addition to the directions given in the first edition, there 

 have been added instructions for noting periodical phenomena, earth- 

 quakes, auroras, etc., and special remarks suggested by the experience 

 of previous years. This publication forms an octavo pamphlet of 

 seventy pages, and is now, perhaps, the most convenient and com- 

 plete work for the purpose to be found in the English language. 



COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY 

 WILL RECEIVE ATTENTION IF ADDRESSED TO THE EDITOR, CARE OF 

 GOULD & LINCOLN, 59 WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON, MASS. 



