236 The Ottawa Naturalist. [February 



NOTES, REVIEWS AND COMMENTS. 



" Report on the Marble, Slate and Granite Industries of 

 Vermont," by G. H. Perkins, Ph. D., State Geologist. — This is a brief 

 preliminary report on some of the economic resources of the State of 

 Vermont issued in accordance with an Act of the Scate Legislature 

 passed in 1896. It is the first official report published by this scate 

 since the well known rejjort of "President Edward Hitchcock in 1861." 



As the work has been only recently begun, the report is limited to 

 the three industries mentioned In the title. The different varieties of 

 the various products and their uses are described, as well as the methods 

 of quarrying and manufacturing them. The report is well illustrated 

 and contains much information of a thoroughly practical character. 



According to the best information now available, Vermont stands 

 first amongst the United States in the production of marble and granite, 

 and second, only to Pennsylvania, in slate. 



The value of the annual output of the first is now about $3,500,000, 

 of the second $1,500,000 and of the third $850,000. These figures 

 alone show the importance of maintaining a geological survey in this 

 state. 



The subsequent and complete reports of Prof. Perkins, will be 

 looked for with much interest both for their economic and their scien- 

 tific results. John A. Dresser, Richmond, Que. 



Geological Congress. — The Eighth International Congress of 

 geologists is to take place in Paris, August i6ih to 28th in the year 

 1900, in connection with the Universal Exposition. A circular letter 

 has been communicated to all American geologists inviting them to 

 take part. Monsieur A. Gaudry is president of the committee of 

 organization, with Messrs. Michel Levy and Marcel Bertrand as vice- 

 presidents and Dr. Charles Barrois, secretary. Special excursions to 

 most interesting localities are already arranged for. It is to be hoped 

 that Canada will be fitly represented at this VV^orld's Congress. 



A Well Deserved Honour. — The many readers of The Ottawa 

 Naturalist, as well as his many other friends in Ottawa will learn 

 with pleasure that, Mr. Wm. Scott, B.A., has been chosen by the Prov- 

 incial Minister of Education to fill the position of Principal of the 

 Normal School at Toronto, rendered vacant by the death of the late 

 Principal, Mr. Kirkland, on Dec. the 31st last. Mr. Scott was for 

 several years a most active member of the Council of the Club and, 

 while living in Ottawa, was an enthusiastic and untiring member of the 

 Botanical Branch, for which he did valuable service in working up the 

 local flora and added several new records to the Flora Ottawaensis. 

 We heartily congratulate Mr. Scott on his promotion to the important 

 and responsible ofifice which he tias been selected to fill, knowing that 

 he will carry out thoroughly and well anything he undertakes. 



