^2 The W'cst Amei'ican Scientist., 



■ . ■ NOTES AND NEWS. 



We expect to soon have the pleasure ot pubhshing some of 

 the papers read before the (iray memorial botanical chapter of 

 the Agassiz Association. G. H. Hick>.-, Owosso, Mich., is the 

 able president of this chapter, who should be addressed by those 

 wishing to join. 



The editor is always glad to identify plants or shells from the 

 west lor anyone. Frequent absence prexents promptness in cor- 

 responding at times. 



Among the various uses of celluloid, it would appear to be a 

 suitable sheathing for ships, in place of copper. In experiments 

 by M. Butaine, plates of celluloid applied to various vessels in 

 January last were removed five or six months after, and lound 

 intact and free from marine vegetation, which was abundant on 

 parts uncovered. 



That the eastern half of our continent is slowly foundering in 

 the Atlantic is a fact well known to science. The rate is slow — a 

 few inches in a hundred years^ — but, like Mercutio's wound it is 

 'enough.' Its effects do not come insensibly — like a thief in the 

 night — each generation is amply able to take care ot itselt by 

 means of which it is unconscious ; they are felt at long intervals 

 in storms whose devastations are greater and extend further 

 inland than any previously ex])erienced. 



In France when a patient is under chloroform, on the slightest 

 symptom appearing of failure of the heart they turn him nearly 

 ujjside down, that is, with his head downward and his heels in 

 the air. This, they say, always restores him, and such is their 

 faith in the efficiency of this method that the operating tables in 

 the Paris hospitals are made so that in an instant they can be ele- 

 vated with one end in the air, so as to bring the patient into a 

 position resembling that of standing on his head. 



Dr. Edward Palmer and Mr. T. S- Brandegee were to leave 

 San Francisco on the 25th of August to continue their botanical 

 explorations in Lower California and the Gulf regions. 



M. Crepin, of the Jardin Botanic, Bruxelles, Belgium, desires 

 specimens of all forms of North American roses. This eminent 

 botanist has made a special study of the roses 01 the world for 

 over thirty years, l^otanists are invited to respond to his request 

 f(jr specimens. 



The new building of the "Cal. Academy of Sciences " is near- 

 ing completion. The marble stairways will cost more than all its 

 past contributions to science ! 



. Jhe Calitornia State Museum is said to contain the finest col- 

 lection of minerals in the world. All the collections in the State 



