i«94- NEWS OF UNIVERSITIES, ETC. 399 



collection whenever possible. The Division of Botany also proposes to undertake 

 the testing of various seeds as to purity and germinative powers, for which purpose 

 a laboratory will be fitted up and equipped after the most approved methods of 

 American and European seed control stations. Physiological experiments connected 

 with germination and development will be conducted both in the laboratory and the 

 open air. Histological studies may ultimately be made of the structure of the seeds 

 of American weeds and forage plants, partly with the view to elicit facts of taxonomic 

 value. The entire work will be carried on with special regard to its economic 

 importance, while the collection will be useful for reference. Mr. G. H. Hicks, 

 recent instructor in Botany at the Michigan Agricultural College, has been placed in 

 charge of the matter. 



It will be remembered that, some time ago, the appropriation voted by Congress 

 towards the United States Geological Survey was materially reduced. From Major 

 Powell's annual report we glean the following results of this reduction. During the 

 early part of the fiscal year the field parties engaged in geological work were 

 entirely reorganised. A large reduction of the force employed in palaeontological 

 work was made necessary, and several former divisions were consolidated into one 

 division, in charge of the chief palaeontologist. The division of illustrations was 

 dissolved at the opening of the year, and then re-organised, with a force of seven 

 persons. The total expenditures of the survey for the year amounted to $423,022, 

 against an appropriation of $430,073. It is interesting to note that, despite the 

 reduction, much work, of great economic value to the nation, has been done on the 

 running waters of the country. Steps are already being taken, it is stated, to use at 

 least the smaller streams for water power and irrigation. A rough computation, 

 based on the stream measurements and census figures, indicates, it is cited, that the 

 running streams of the arid region, when all are used, will have a value of at least 

 $600,000,000. Those who know the secret of the reduction of the grant will find 

 food here for sweetly ironical reflections. 



In November last we announced that Mr. W. F. E. Gurley had been appointed 

 State Geologist of Illinois, and we feared that the palaeontological work of the State 

 would be entrusted to the well-known and prolific author of new specific names, Mr. 

 S. A. Miller. Our worst anticipations have been realised. The Illinois State 

 Museum of Natural History has published as its Bulletin no. 3 a "Description of 

 some New Species of Invertebrates from the Palaeozoic Rocks of Illinois and 

 adjacent States " by those two writers. This appears equal to their previous work, 

 and therefore needs no criticism. We merely wish to point out that fifty-eight new 

 species are here described in a State publication, under the name of a State official ; 

 but that only four of the type specimens are in the State Museum, the remaining 

 fifty-four being in the private cabinets of the two authors. " It requires neither 

 information nor study to propose specific names " (p. 55) ; but the type specimens 

 gain in pecuniary value even when the species are worthless. 



Kansas University appears to have undertaken the work of a Geological 

 Survey during 1893. Professor Erasmus Haworth organised a class of three who 

 studied the stratigraphy of the south-eastern part of the State. Nearly 600 miles of 

 sections were made and much other work accomplished, a report of which will be 

 found in the Kansas University Quarterly for January, 1894. Enthusiastic students 

 are always to be found among the young ; this method supplies them with what 

 they chiefly lack — organisation and experience. 



The United States Government are fitting out an expedition to explore the 

 region of the north magnetic pole. This spot, which lies on the western point of 

 the Isle of Boothia Felix, near Cape Adelaide, has only been described once, when 

 Ross's expedition discovered it, and a great deal of curiosity is felt as to whether it 

 will have shifted at all during the last sixty-five years. 



