428 NATURAL SCIENCE [June 



The Pliiladeljihia Academy of Natural Sciences has, says Science^ recently re- 

 ceived a collection of lichens from Dr J. W. Eckfeldt ; of Jamaican fossil molluscs 

 from Mr S. Schumo ; and of Honduras Lepidoptera from Dr H. Griffith. 



This summer a joint expedition of the West Siberian branch of the Geo- 

 graphical Society, and the Moscow Society of Amateurs of Natural Sciences will, 

 says Nature, explore the hydrography and the fauna of the lakes in the south of 

 Omsk. The collections will be divided between the two societies. 



The Geological Survey of Maryland has made such a good start that the 

 Legislature of the State has not only appropriated tlie regular $20,000, but also 

 an additional $10,000 for topography and $20,000 for the study of road-con- 

 struction. The whole is under the direction of Prof. W. B. Clark of Johns 

 Hopkins University. 



The Report of the Director of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Plymouth 

 is a record of varied and useful work. To the Drift-Bottle experiment we allude 

 in our Notes and Comments. Mr Garstang has also been occujiied in investigations 

 relating to the migratory pelagic fishes, especially mackerel. Mr Holt has made 

 many observ'ations on the eggs and larvae of fishes, and has studied the distribu- 

 tion of fish at different ages in the neighbourhood of Plymouth. Mr E. T. 

 Browne, who has been working on medusae in the laljoratory, has, in conjunction 

 with Mr Allen, devised a useful apparatus for keeping those and other pelagic 

 organisms alive in confinement. The apparatus is fully described in the April 

 number of the Journal. We may remind our readers that any contributions from 

 them to the library of this institution will always be welcome. No doubt they 

 have already sent their pecuniary donations and subscriptions. 



We are glad to learn that, under its new curator, Mr Alexander Gray, the 

 Robertson Museum at the Millport Marine Biological Station continues to prove 

 of service to naturalists and of interest to the public. Dr Gemmill, lecturer on 

 embryology, and Dr Rankin, demonstrator in zoology in Glasgow University, 

 took several of their students to Millport during the Easter vacation ; and it is 

 expected that many students from Glasgow University, as well as those attending 

 other science classes in the neighbourhood, will avail themselves during the 

 coming season of the advantages offered by this institution for gaining a practical 

 knowledge of the subject of their studies not otherwise attainable. 



The accommodation for students afforded by the Port Erin Biological Station 

 has recently been extended by the erection of a floor beneath the open roof of the 

 laboratory, on which there are five well-lighted work benches. The ac^uarium is 

 now in a flourishing condition, the tanks having been thoroughly cleansed and 

 replenished with local organisms early in the year. A small jmrty of zoologists, 

 including Prof. Herdman, Mr I. C. Thompson, Mr F. J. Cole, and Mr A. 0. 

 Walker, spent the Easter vacation at the Station in pursuit of their special lines 

 of research. Unfavourable weather somewhat marred the success of two dredg- 

 ing excursions taken in the Lancashire Sea Fisheries Committee's steamer ' John 

 Fell,' but shore-collecting and tow-netting in the bay provided all with abundant 

 material for profitable work. Segmenting ova and larvae oi Alcyonium digitatitm 

 in various stages of develojjment were taken in the tow-net. Develo2:)ing eggs of 

 various food-fishes were numerous. 



The city of Geneva has received as a legacy from Philippe Plautamour the 

 .sum of .300,000 francs and his estate of Secheron. The latter will be used as a 

 botanic garden. A botanic garden is being founded at Nantes. In it special 

 attention will be paid to plants useful in the colonies of France. 



Dr Nicole has opened the Bacteriological Institution in Constantinople. 



The German Deep-Sea Expedition, already announced by us, has received a 

 grant of £15,000 from the Reichstag. It is to sail in August, and begin work 

 between Scotland and the Shetlands. It will then j^ass southwards by the 



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