156 NATURAL SCIENCE [September 
while the list of original investigators who used the collections for 
research includes well-known names of several nationalities. 
Among the local acquisitions during the year, one of the most 
remarkable is a hedgehog (£rinaceus ewropaeus), of which Dr Fritsch 
has published the sketch reproduced in Plate II. In this specimen 
there are none of the characteristic spines, the whole body being 
clothed instead with normal hair. Spines, of course, are only highly 
modified hairs, and this individual is doubtless to be regarded as 
an example of atavism, one in which the dermal appendages have 
reverted to their original condition. 
Most of the acquisitions are, naturally, Bohemian or are im- 
portant for comparison with specimens found in the country; for 
the Museum not only stores collections, but is also the central office 
for the geological and biological exploration of the kingdom. 
During 1897 Dr Potta completed the eighth volume of Barrande’s 
well-known “Systeme Silurien de la Bohéme”; Dr Fritsch studied 
fossil myriapods for his work on the Bohemian gas-coal, and made 
important geological observations on the Cretaceous rocks; Drs 
Fritsch and Vavra continued those researches among the organisms 
of the freshwater lakes of Bohemia, to which we have previously 
alluded ; and the botanists made considerable progress in investigat- 
ing the local flora, Dr Schiffner paying special attention to the 
mosses. . The Barrande Fund was employed by Dr Perner in con- 
tinuing his work upon graptolites. 
We congratulate our Bohemian colleagues upon their work, and 
wish them the continued success they so well deserve. 
THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 
(JEOLOGISTS are indebted to the Director-General of the Geological 
Survey for one of the most interesting and valuable publications of 
‘the year. He has decided for the future to issue an annual Sum- 
mary of Progress, containing not merely the bare blue-book statistics 
but also a general readable account of the work of the Survey and 
its bearing upon previous knowledge. He makes a beginning in the 
Summary for 1897 now before us, which is a well-printed booklet 
of 176 pages and three index-maps, to be purchased through any 
bookseller for the small sum of one shilling. We commend it to 
the notice not only of those interested in our own country, but also 
to geologists in general who, whatever may be their special studies, 
are sure to find much of value in it. 
This being the first publication of the kind issued by the 
Geological Survey of the United Kingdom, Sir Archibald Geikie has 
done well to preface the Summary by an introduction regarding the 
history and organisation of his department. This introduction 
occupies 30 pages, and traces the progress of the Survey from its 
