ZOOLOGY METEOROLOGY. 629 



of alum 10 cc, and 10 per cent solution of tannic acid 10 cc. One-tenth to two- 

 tenths gram of gallic acid may be added as a mordant, but good results may be 

 obtaiued without it. 



ZOOLOGY. 



Animals useful and injurious to horticulture, A. Larbal^trier (Les animaux 

 utiles et nuisibles a Vhorticulture (insects e.rceptes). Paris: Octave Doin, 1897, pp. 153, 

 Jigs. 29). — This excepts the groups of insects and treats of the mammals, birds, 

 batrachia, reptiles, arthropoda other than insects, worms, and mollusks, that may 

 be considered either injurious or useful to horticulture. The habits of the animals, 

 their characteristics, the character of the damages done by them, their general 

 habits, and means for protection against them are briefly brought out. 



Among myriapods Geophilidse are described as injurious to the tubers of certain 

 plants such as the potato. Kirby is quoted as authority for the statement that they 

 live in galleries in the roots of these plants. The species mentioned is Geophilus 

 longicornis, and along with it as a companion is noted Pohjdesmus complanatus. Jul us 

 teirestris is noted as injurious, and also Glomeris marginata, Savigny's cryptops, and 

 Lithobius forficatus. The very beneficial earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris), where it 

 is very numerous, is considered something of a pest. 



Laboratory directions in general biology, H. Randolph {New Tori;: Henry Holt 

 $• Co., 1897, pp. 16?). — This is a student's handbook of directions for a full year's 

 course in general biology, in which 6 hours per week of work is expected. As an 

 aid to the teacher, the proportionati' amount of work to be devoted to each subject is 

 tabularly set forth. The laboratory directions, which are brief, begin with the fern, 

 which is followed by the earthworm. To each of these subjects 10 hours are devoted. 

 Then follow the anueba, white blood corpuscle, luematococcus, Paramecium, vorti- 

 cella, penicillium, lichens, mushrooms, bacteria, spirogyra, hydra, muscle, lobster, 

 etc. The work finally ends with directions for a brief study of the embryology of 

 the chick. 



METEOROLOGY. 



United States daily atmospheric survey, W. L. Moore ( TJ. 8. 

 Dept. Agr., Weather Bureau Doe. 138, pp. 6). — This is a repriut of a paper 

 read before the geographical section of the British Association for the 

 Advancement of Science, Toronto, August 23, 1897. ' 



"The vast region now brought under the dominion of twice-daily synchronous 

 observations embraces an area extending 2,000 miles north and south, 3,000 miles 

 east and west, and so fortunately located in the interest of the meteorologist as to 

 cut an important arc from the circumpolar thoroughfare of storms of the Northern 

 Hemisphere. The extreme points of observation are Edmondton, in the Canadiau 

 Province of Alberta, on the northwest; St. Johns, on the northeast; Key West, on 

 the southeast, and San Diego on the southwest; and arrangements are now complete 

 for a cooperation with Mexico similar to that in operation with Canada, which will 

 in a few months extend the area of observation southward over Mexico and Yucatan." 



The opinion is expressed that by means of this system of observations 

 the highest degree of accuracy in making forecasts possible to be 

 attained with surface readings has been reached. 



The "Weather Bureau has undertaken "to systematically attack the 

 problem of upper-air exploration, with the hope ultimately of being 



1 Nat. Geog. Mag., 8 (1897), pp. 299-303, 



