114 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [June, 
Professor Dallinger presents a far more commendable course, as shown 
in his laborious and conscientious work described in his presidential address 
before the Royal Microscopical Society. ‘Instead of predetermining that an, 
organism cannot adjust itself to changed environment, because it might follow 
that species could be evolved from each other, a conclusion at variance with 
our narrow notion of the way in which an Infinite Creator would proceed in 
peopling a world with animals and plants, he goes about a series of most deli- 
cate experiments, lasting through seven years without a break, to learn if it 
is a fact that environing conditions may be greatly changed and yet the organ- 
ism adjust itself to the change. No one can read his account without admi- 
ration for such painstaking and intelligent experimentation and for the deter- 
mination, after the break in the series, to go over the ground again. Such 
work done by the leaders inspire the rank and file of workers, and it is such 
work as this which has given us scientific discoveries and their benefits. 
Speculation on the probable origin of the universe may furnish amusement 
for idle hours, which is as permissible as guessing at any conundrums; but 
it should not be forced upon the world as science. History is studied from 
the documents and other records; the origin of a nation is learned by study 
of all the facts; and the historian would murmur if he were confronted with 
the assertion that all correct reasoning begins with a postulate. 
O 
An enthusiastic microscopist.—Not long since it was our good for- 
tune to pass a very pleasant evening with Mr. E. H. Griffith, the genial 
microscopist, who is perhaps as widely known personally as any worker in 
this country. He is one of the most untiring and enthusiastic of workers 
and full of interesting and helpful suggestions. We found him prepared to 
spend an evening at the microscope after a day of business and before a long 
rail-ride on the day to follow. He was mounting diatoms which he had col- 
lected a few days previously in Puget’s Sound. His club microscope was 
on the table, and we looked over its contrivances—truly a most ingenious 
piece of work and most compact and portable. Mr. Griffith showed us how 
he is in the habit, during long journeys, of using his instrument to help make 
the time pass pleasantly ; also to amuse and instruct those about him. Surely 
much can be done by one who will contrive the means to overcome hindrances 
and the instrument made not only a most fascinating and restful pastime, but 
also a means of very great instruction in the mysteries of creation. We 
shall be always glad to welcome Mr. Griffith or any others who come within 
our reach. 
———( ) ———— 
Change of Address.—It will save some delay if all correspondents will 
note the change of the Editor’s address for the summer to No. 3 East Forty- 
seventh street, New York city. This will continue till Sept. first, and further 
notice may be expected in the August number. 
NOTES. 
Desiccated sewage.—The question of how to get rid of the sewage waste from large 
cities is an important sanitary problem which has not up to the present time found an 
entirely satisfactory solution. In the Zomdon Times is contained a description of the 
apparatus in use by Mr. Astrop in the environs of London. By it the sewage is chem- 
ically treated and then pumped into a tank of 400 gallons capacity. From this the 
‘sewage sludge’ is fed into a vat into which perforated heated cylinders are placed, 
