GLEANINGS. 55 
Gronoaican Survry.—The mapping of sheet 70(N.-E. Leicestershire, 
East Notts, and South Lincolnshire) has been all but completed by Mr. 
W. H. Holloway, F.G.8. Very little local work has been done in this 
region, and we trust that a full descriptive memoir will be published 
concerning it. 
Prtrotocy.—We are glad to hear that Mr. F. Rutley, F.G.S., has 
written a book upon this subject, which will be published in a few weeks. 
We pointed out the necessity for such a work in our review of Mr. Rutley’s 
memoir on ‘‘ Brent Tor,” last month, (page 17,) and are glad to find that 
he has anticipated our wishes. 
Naturat History or tun Ant.—The Rev. Henry McCook, of the 
Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, announces the proposed 
publication, by subscription, (four dollars,) of a Monograph of the Agri- 
cultural Ant of Texas. From the syllabus of the work the doings of 
these creatures appear to be of a very extraordinary character, and have 
been minutely studied by the author ‘‘ while encamped in the midst of a 
large colony of formicaries.” There are twenty-four plates, containing a 
large number of illustrations, drawn from nature. 
Norwich Gurotoeican Socrety.—The prosecution of the Geological 
Survey in the Eastern Counties has naturally given an impetus to the 
work of the various scientific societies of that district. As one result of 
this movement, we are glad to see that the Norwich Geological Society 
has commenced the publication of their ‘‘ Proceedings.” Part I. contains 
a list of papers communicated to the Society from its establishment in 
1864 up to November, 1877, and also abstracts of several papers read 
during the session 1877-8. Part II. consists of a very able address 
delivered by the President, H. B. Woodward, Hsq., F.G.S., in which 
much valuable information on glacial topics is contained. 
Tur BiruincHam Rererence Liprary, which included the 
deservedly-famous Shakespeare Library, the Cervantes Library, and the 
unique Staunton Collection (relating to Warwickshire history,) was 
destroyed by fire on the afternoon of Saturday, January 11th, 1879. The 
loss is one deplored by everyone, and many of the treasures destroyed 
can never be replaced. With characteristic energy, Birmingham at once 
set to work to provide funds for the formation of another library as good 
as money judiciously spent can provide. Within a week of the fire more 
than £10,000 was subscribed. Thereis no doubt that £15,000 will soon be 
raised, which is the sum required in addition to the insurance money to 
reinstate the buildings and fill them with the necessary books, &c. 
We have reason to believe that scientific literature will be fully repre- 
sented in the new Reference Library. : 
Tur Present SEVERE WINTER seems to have been plainly foreseen 
by Professor Piazzi Smyth, the Astronomer Royal of Scotland, so long 
ago as 1872. In a communication made by him to Nature, of February 
22nd, in that year, commenting on the observations made with the rock 
thermometers at the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, during many 
preceding years, he states that the most striking features of the observa- 
tions are (1) the great heat-wave which occurs every eleven years and a 
fraction, and nearly coincidently with the beginning of the increase of 
each sun-spot cycle of the same eleven-year duration, and (2) the extreme 
cold found on either side of the great heat-wave, and he points out that 
the next occurrence of the minimum temperature of the then next cold 
wave might be looked for at the end of last year, (1878,) and the early 
part of the present year, and that the next heat-wave will occur in or 
about 1880. 
