1888.] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 56 



NOTES. 



Dr. Jas. E. Reeves, of Wheeling, W. Va., whose ability in the use of the microscope 

 in medical diagnosis has given him a high reputation, has decided to remove to 

 Chattanooga, Tennessee. 



Dr. F. L. Patton, a professor in Princeton Theological Seminary, has succeeded 

 Dr. McCosh as President of Princeton College. 



Prof. F. V. Hayden, formerly chief of the United States Geological Survey, died 

 recently at his home in Philadelphia. He was engaged in geological work from 1853 

 until his resignation in 1886, except during war-time when he entered the army as a 

 surgeon. 



Prof. Asa Gray, the eminent botanist and professor of botany at Harvard College, 

 died of paralysis, in Cambridge, Jan. 30th. 



He was born in Paris, Oneida county, Nov. 18, 1810. He graduated at N. Y. Fair- 

 field Medical College in 1831 with the degree M. D.; buthe abandoned medicine and 

 applied himself to the study of botany. He was appointed professor of botany in the 

 University of Michigan, but before that institution went into operation he was elected 

 P'isher professor of natural history in Harvard College. From the beginning of his 

 career, his name has been associated with the progress of botanical science in America. 

 His perspicacious mind, retentive memory, and untiring industry not only made him 

 foremost in America, but one of the leading botanists of the age. In his numerous 

 writings he showed equal ability in communicating elementary knowledge and in 

 elucidating recondite theory. His elementary works are unsurpassed in the language 

 for precision, simplicity and comprehensiveness. His labors are also recorded in 

 numerous papers contributed to the leading scientific journals. Dr. Gray, with Dr. 

 John Torrey, was among the first who arranged the heterogeneous assembly of species 

 upon the sound basis of natural affinity. In 1838 he commenced, in conjunction with 

 Dr. Torrey, the publication of a ' Flora in North America.' In 1848 Dr. Gray began his 

 'Genera of the Plants of the United States,' illustrated by Isaac Sprague, and in the 

 same year the ' Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States.' 



A Journal of Spiritualism. — Signer Giovanni Succi, of Florence, announces the 

 appearance of the first number of 'II corriere spiritico,' a thirty- two page monthly 

 scientific review of spiritualism. Signor Succi promises that all the assertions made 

 in the ' Corriere ' shall be substantiated by material facts of a convincing nature. 



Japanese Marine Laboratory. — On the west side of the bay of Tokio, Japan, a 

 marine biological station has been established, of which an interesting account is given 

 by Prof. K. Mitsukuri, in the Journal o{ the College of Science of the Imperial Uni- 

 versity. The neighborhood of Misaki has, it appears, long been a favorite collecting 

 ground for naturalists, as all kinds of bottom are accessible, and ' beds which furnish 

 the world-renowned Hyaloneina ' are not far off. With Hvalonema a species of 

 Pi'titacriniis is brought up clinging to the fishing-lines. Mollusca are abundant, and 

 crustaceans are largely represented. The main laboratory room is able to accom- 

 modate ten workers. The formation of the station is due to the liberality of the De- 

 partment of Education and of the authorities of the Imperial University. 



MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETIES. 



Western Society of Naturalists. 



On Dec. 29 a number of naturalists met at Indianapolis and organized a society 

 of this name. They adopted almost entire the constitution of the Eastern Society, 

 with some few exceptions, such as placing the annual meeting in October. The fol- 

 lowing persons were elected to office : — President, S. A. Forbes ; Vice-Presidents, W. J. 

 Beale, C. O. Whitman, H. L. Osborn ; Secretary, J. S. Kinsley ; Treasurer, J. M. 

 Coulter. 



It is the desire to restrict membership so as to make it embrace only the best 

 workers of the northwest. This society has it in its power to do a great deal of good 

 by furnishing a standard of work in Zoology, Botany, Geology, Chemistry, etc., by 

 which bad work shall be unable to receive recognition. 



