The Microscope. 125 



Dr. Isaac Lea, among the oldest and most prominent of Amer- 

 ican Naturalists, died on the 8th of December. He was born in 

 1792, and devoted his life, with the exception of a few earlier years, 

 to a most successful pursuit of Natural Science. His name is pre- 

 served through his studies of fresh water and land shells. He 

 bequeathed his valuable collection to the National Museum in Wash- 

 ington. 



Dk. E. L. Youmans, the projector and editor of Popular Science 

 Monthly, has just died, in his 66th year. In defining the purpose 

 of his monthly, he wrote "The work of creating science has been 

 organized for centuries * * * The work of diffusing science is, 

 however, as yet, but very imperfectly organized, although it is, 

 clearly, the next great task of civilization." Though, himself, an 

 original thinker, his best work was devoted to the diffusion of 

 thought, the value of which cannot be over-estimated. He was also 

 chiefly instrumental in introducing the works of Herbert Spencer in 

 this country. 



Alfred E. Wallace, LL. D., of London, recently delivered four 

 illustrated lectures at the Peabody Institute, Baltimore, on "The 

 theory of development," and "'The origin and uses of colors in ani- 

 mals and plants." — Science. 



The Agassiz Association has at last an organ in The Swiss 

 Cross. This handsome journal is edited by the President of the 

 Association, Mr. Harlan H. Ballard, and will doubtless prove a well- 

 spring of information to the members. The frontispiece of the 

 January number is a very fair portrait of Louis Agassiz, and the 

 contents full of interest. 



M. Paul Bert, who died recently in Tonquin, was born in 

 1833, graduated a doctor of medicine in 1863, a doctor of science in 

 1866, and a licentiate in law at about the same time. He was at one 

 time assistant to Claud Bernard, and fi'om 1867 to 1869 filled the 

 chair of i:)hysiolog3^ at Bordeaux, being afterward called to the pro- 

 fessorship of physiology in Sorbonne. M. Bert was well known as 

 a writer, and his contributions to the literature of human and 

 animal physiology were extensive and original. 



Mr. vVm. Elliott finds that Volvox glohator is well preserved in 

 a solution of common salt in distilled water. The specimens retain 

 their shape and color, and are well adapted for low powers. — Jr, of 

 Microscopy. 



The Pharmaceutical Society of Brooklyn, in its lectures to ditig- 

 clerks, includes a coiu'se on the microscope in pharmacy. 



