1893. NOTES AND COMMENTS. ^n 



We have had the opportunity of seeing a specimen copy of the 

 first part of Mr. Lydekker's " Royal Natural History," and are glad 

 to be able to report on the splendid style in which this important 

 work is got up, the illustrations looking far better when set up 

 among English type than they do in Brehm's ponderous tomes among 

 German letterpress. If this part be not in the hands of our readers 

 by the time they peruse these lines, we believe it will be issued in the 

 course of the current month. 



Mr. J. W. Gregory has decided, with characteristic energy, to 

 push on through the Mount Kenia country to Lake Barengo, and 

 proposes to return by the unfrequented Sabaki route. The dis- 

 trict is fairly healthy, there are many geological and zoological 

 problems awaiting solution, and we trust that he will be successful 

 in doing good work ; he may thus save the reputation of the Villiers 

 Expedition, so seriously injured by its originator. Sir Gerald Portal's 

 cautiously worded reference to Lieut. Villiers was quoted in our April 

 number. 



The Government of India has decided to dispense with the 

 services of natives as Geological Surveyors. The reason for this 

 decision is stated to be, that habits of observation and practical 

 enquiry are not sufficiently developed in the Hindoos by the present 

 system of education. We also understand that the Government has 

 issued further orders restricting the work of the Surveyors to 

 questions of economic interest. 



We have received the Bulletin of the Geological Institution of the 

 University of Upsala, vol. i., no. i, edited by Professor Hj. Sjogren. 

 This is a new serial, and is intended only for papers worked out at 

 the Geological Institution of the University, or based on material 

 belonging to the collections of the Museum. At present, it is pro- 

 posed to issue a yearly number, which will contain a report of the 

 meetings of the geological section of the Upsala Students' Association 

 of Science, in addition to the original articles. Subjects may be 

 treated in French, German, or English. The present number opens 

 with " Contributions to Swedish Mineralogy," by the editor, in which 

 Axinite, Hedyphane, Humite, Chondrodite, Clinohumite, Longbanite, 

 Szabite, and Adelite are treated, the last three being recently- 

 discovered forms. C. Winran writes " Ueber das Silurgebiet des 

 Bottnischen Meeres " ; O. Nordenskjold on " Der Halleflinten des 

 nordostlischen Smalands " ; and J. G. Andersson on "The Oc- 

 currence of the Paradoxides olandicus-zone in Nerike." The Bulletin 

 is illustrated with five plates of minerals. 



