April 22, 1922J 



NATURE 



53 



known locally as " clams " of various kinds, and 

 there also occur two species of Mytilus, a pecten, a 

 cockle, and an oyster. The Indians made extensive 

 use of these molluscs before the advent of the white 

 man on this coast, as is shown by the great heaps of 

 shells still remaining. Mya arenaria, which was 

 transported from the Atlantic coast many years ago. 

 probably with oyster-spat, has become well-established 

 in many localities on the Pacific coast, where it in- 

 habits the mudflats of bays and has advanced up 

 some estuaries, always remaining, however, within 

 the influence of salt water. The author records that 

 in January, 191 8, excessive rainfall caused exceed- 

 ingly high water in one of these estuaries, the Mya 

 being washed with comparatively fresh water for four 

 weeks, and at the end of the period a dense layer 

 of fine sand, up to 2 in. in depth, covered the clam 



bed. A high percentage of the younger and weaker 

 individuals was found to be dead, probably smothered 

 by the fine silt. Mya is found to withstand trans- 

 portation to inland markets if kept at 9, low tem- 

 perature, and will remain in good condition for a 

 week after having been taken out of the water, but 

 the other clams cannot be sent successfully any dis- 

 tance in marketable condition. Certain of them are 

 canned at the coast. Observations are given on the 

 spawning periods and growth of the bivalves. 



The attention of students of recent Crinoids may be 

 directed to a paper by Dr. Austin H. Clark on " Sea- 

 lilies and Feather-stars " (Smithsonian Misc. Coll., 

 vol. 72, No. 7, 1921). The account, while devoted 

 chiefly to external and skeletal features, includes short 

 notes on regeneration, asymmetry, distribution, food, 

 locomotion, etc. 



Water-power Resources of India 



^PHE Triennial Report (1919-1921) of the Hydro- 

 -'- Electrical Survey of India, which has just been 

 received, is of the character of a comprehensive 

 volume, embodying all the essential information con- 

 tained in the preliminary and second Reports, which 

 have already been noticed in Nature. In addition, 

 it contains later information derived from the investi- 

 gation of certain sites selected for their potential value 

 as sources of water-power supply. In the result, the 

 opinion is formed " as a rough preliminary forecast " 

 that the probable water of India for maximum 

 development is some 12,680,000 kilowatts, equivalent 

 to 21^ million water horse power, of which only i J per 

 cent, so far is developed or in course of development. 

 The estimate is, of course, to be received with caution, 

 as it is largely " speculative and based on the minimum 

 of reliable information." The water power actually 



developed at the present time amounts to 138,780 kw. 



1 Hydro-Electric Survey of India. Volume III. Triennial Report with 

 a Preliminary Forecast of the Water Power Resources of India, 1919 to 

 1921. By J. W. Meares. Pp. ix + 199. (Calcutta: Government Pnnting 

 Office, 1921). 



The Survey is being made under the supervision of 

 Mr. J. W. Meares, who was appointed Chief Engineer 

 in succession to Mr. F. E. Bull. It is noteworthy 

 that the same reluctance to finance hydrographical 

 surveys exists in India as in other parts of the Empire. 

 Mr. Meares is much concerned as to the outlook. As 

 a consequence of the " Reforms " made by the 

 Government of India, it was decided in October, 1920, 

 that all outlay on water storage and water power 

 would be a Provincial charge and that the necessary 

 provision for hydro-electric surveys should therefore 

 be made in the Provisional Estimates from and after 

 the year 1921-22. When the Estimates came up for 

 approval before the various legislative councils, in 

 many instances reductions were moved, and as the 

 matter now stands " the Survey is in danger of 

 falling between the upper and the nether millstone, 

 as the Government of India is no longer able to 

 provide funds for a continuance of the work." 



A considerable quantity of useful data is incor- 

 porated in the volume, including seven plates and 

 maps, 23 diagrams, and 51 tables. Much detailed 

 information is set out for the guidance and direction 

 of those engaged in the Survey, of whose cordial co- 

 operation Mr. Meares speaks very highly. 



University Pensions 



T^HE Sixteenth Annual Report of the Carnegie 

 -■■ Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching 



provides some interesting reading, especially regarding 

 pension systems. The claim is made that in the 

 Reports of the Foundation will be found " the most 

 complete information concerning pensions and pension 

 systems in existence." The remarks on the Univer- 

 ity Teachers' pensions in England and Wales deserve 

 lotice. Reference is made to the movement of the 

 \ssociation of University Teachers to secure the 

 xtension of the School Teachers (Superannuation) 

 \ct of 1918 to University teachers, or failing this to 



NO. 2738, VOL. 109] 



obtain benefits at least equivalent to those offered by 

 the Act. As in previous years, the Report shows a 

 strong bias against any non-contributory scheme. It 

 is very easy to understand why this should be so. 

 The Teachers' Insurance and Annuity Association of 

 America could not have come into existence on any 

 other than a contributory basis. On its own showing 

 the Foundation was unable to finance a scheme such 

 as is growing up in America. But no attempt is 

 made to demonstrate how such a contributory scheme 

 can be " sounder " than a non-contributory scheme 

 backed by the government of the country. It would 



