288 NATURAL SCIENCE [April 



kyaks, and a portable boat. Captain Bernier is applying to the Canadian 

 Government for assistance, and is backed by the Geographical Society of Quebec. 

 The Duke of the Abruzzi, nephew of King Humbert, accompanied by Drs 

 Gonella and Defilippi, intends to visit Sjaitzbergen during the approaching 

 summer, and in 1899 to visit Franz Josef Land, whence an attempt will be made 

 to reach the Pole by means of sledges and dogs. The latter are to be obtained 

 from Greenland. 



The Annual Report of the Geological Society shows that the Society stands 

 possessed of £13,226, 3s. 8d., exclusive of the library, collections, furniture, and 

 stock of publications. We are glad to see that the Council contemplate spending 

 some of their riches on the " Publication of Hutton MS." We note that electric 

 light in 1896 cost lis. 6d., and in 1897 £13, 3s. 6d., and suppose we may take the 

 1897 amount as a fair and reasonable yearly amount for lighting. 



Prof. Haddon, whose expedition to Torres Straits we announced last 

 July, left Tilbury on Thursday. Before returning the members will visit New 

 Guinea and Borneo, and carry out a thorough scientific exploration of their 

 mineral and other wealth. We are indebted to the Echo for the following 

 details of the expedition. Prof. Haddon is accompanied by several well- 

 known scientists, each of whom will devote his attention to the special branch 

 of study of which he is a master. The leader of the expedition has decided to 

 study the decorative art of the various tribes whom they are about to visit, while 

 native music will be a subject taken up by Dr C. S. Myers, Caius College, Cam- 

 bridge, who, as part of his equipment, has taken out a phonograph with him, as 

 well as a cinematograph for reproducing dances and other native ceremonies. 

 The well-known Polynesian scholar, Mr S. A. Ray, will direct all observations 

 with regard to the different languages and folk-lore of the tribes, while Dr 

 Rivers, St John's College, Cambridge, will study their beliefs and superstitions. 

 Dr W. M'Dougall, Dr Seligmann, of St Thomas's Hospital, Mr A. Wilkin, of 

 King's College, will make notes on botany, geology, zoology, &c. The object of 

 Prof. Haddon is to obtain full information as to the physical characteristics, 

 customs, amusements, songs, and condition generally of these tribes, and to 

 supplement these observations with collections of scientific interest. 



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