NAGOR F: 
[| ApriL 15, 1897 
(1874-95); the Cuthbert Peek grant to Dr. Thorvald Thor- 
oddsen, who since 1882 has been continuously exploring Ice- 
land, having at covered nearly the whole 
island; the Back grant to Lieutenant Ryder (of the Danish 
Navy), for his explorations in East Greenland in 1891 and 
subsequent years, during which he made important rectifica- 
tions on the coast, discovered a new series of fjérds, and 
made important meteorological observations. The following 
have been elected Honorary Corresponding Members of the 
Royal Geographical Society :—Prof. G. Della Vedova, Secre- 
various times 
tary of the Italian Geographical Society ; Baron Toll, Russian 
explorer of the new Siberian islands; and Captain Otto 
Irminger, President of the Danish Geographical Society. 
THE science of experimental psychology, which is zealously 
pursued in Germany, in the United States, and elsewhere, 
clearly deserves more attention in this country than it has 
hitherto received, and it is now proposed that facilities should 
be afforded for its study at University College. With this 
object in view a meeting, at which a number of representative 
men of science were present, was recently held ; and a resolution 
was unanimously adopted expressing the conviction ‘‘ That, in 
the opinion of this meeting, it is eminently desirable to establish a 
laboratory for experimental psychology in University College.” 
An organising Committee, consisting of Mr. Francis Galton, 
F.R.S., Dr. W. H. R. Rivers, Prof. G. Carey Foster, F.R.S., 
Prof. Karl Pearson, F.R.S., Prof. E. A. Schafer, F.R.S., Prof. 
J. Sully (Secretary), was formed to inquire into the probable 
cost of the undertaking, and to send out a letter inviting con- 
tributions. As the Professors of Physics and Physiology at 
University College think it possible that they will be able to 
afford accommodation, at least temporarily, in their laboratories 
for the teaching of this subject, and that they could assist to 
some extent by the loan of apparatus, the work could be estab- 
lished at comparatively small cost. It is estimated that an 
outlay of about 100/, would suffice, in the first instance (with the 
loan of existing apparatus), to provide the equipment necessary 
for a small laboratory. It is considered, further, that at the 
outset it may be wise not to attempt more than a course of in- 
struction extending over one term in the year, and that an 
annual sum of about 100/. would enable the Committee to secure 
the services of an instructor for a single term in each year, and 
to commence work. For funds to do this the Committee have 
madean appeal for help to those who are interested in psychological 
investigations. Cheques should be sent to the London and 
South Western Bank, Limited, Hampstead Branch, 28, High 
Street, Hampstead, N.W,, to the account of the ‘* Psychological 
Laboratory, University College.” 
- Lieut. Peary’s plan to reach the North Pole has been ap- 
proved by the American Geographical Society. It has recently 
been explained by him as follows :—He wishes to proceed along 
the west coast of Greenland to the northernmost settlement, and 
there secure five or six young married couples to establish a 
new settlement as far north as the steamer can conveniently pro- 
ceed, probably on some island in the Archipelago, and within 
the distance of 360 miles from the Pole. The settlement will be 
provisioned for three years, and will include only one, or perhaps 
two whites, besides himself. All will live together in Eskimo 
fashion, and will await, for years if necessary, a condition favour- 
able to making the journey over ice on sleds, which can be 
accomplished at the rate of ten miles a day, so that seventy-two 
days will suffice to go and return. The ship is to visit the station 
every year with fresh stores of provisions, but the stock on hand 
will suffice to support the party in case of failure to reach them for 
one year, or even two. The expense of the undertaking, if pro- 
tracted for several years, is estimated at less than 150,000 dols., 
with a probability of very large reduction from this amount if 
success is soon attained. 
NO. 1433. VOL. 55] 
Ir is understood (states the Zzmes) that the order recently 
promulgated by the Board of Agriculture concerning the 
muzzling of dogs in the metropolitan area is only the first step 
in a comprehensive scheme for giving effect to the reeommenda- 
tion of Mr. Whitmore’s Departmental Committee, ‘‘ that the 
time has come and the circumstances are opportune for the 
Board of Agriculture to make a determined and systematic 
attempt to stamp out rabies.” In view of the expression of 
opinion placed on record by the Committee that such an attempt 
**will not involve universal muzzling, inasmuch as there are 
districts where rabies have never appeared,” but that the Board 
of Agriculture ‘should have regard to the country as a whole, 
and should impose muzzling over considerable areas, irrespective 
of the boundaries of boroughs and counties,” it is obvious 
that great discrimination must be exercised in determining the 
districts in which precautionary measures are needed. From 
the reports which Mr. Long has received, however, it is clear 
that London is not an exceptional case; and a muzzling order 
may shortly be looked for, embracing the whole of South Lanca- 
shire and possibly a portion of Cheshire’ as well. Another area 
likely to be scheduled at no distant date is that of which Birm- 
ingham is the centre. 
WHEN mine host in the ideal country inn, which all of us 
seek but none of us find, brings up a bottle of crusted wine 
covered with cobwebs and dust, this outward and visible sign 
is taken as convincing evidence of age. We grieve to have 
to record that the trust may now be misplaced. A Audletin 
(No. 7) of the Division of Entomology of the U.S. Depart- 
ment of Agriculture says that in France and Pennsylvania an 
industry has recently sprung up, which consists of the farming 
of spiders for the purpose of stocking wine cellars, and thus 
securing almost immediate coating of cobwebs to new wine- 
bottles, giving them the appearance of great age. This in- 
dustry is carried on in a little French village in the Department 
of Loire, and near Philadelphia, where Zpezva vulgarts and 
Nephila plumepes are raised in large quantities and sold to wine 
merchants at the rate of ten dollars per hundred. This 
application of entomology to industry is one which will not be 
highly commended. 
THE immense advance that has taken place in the accommo- 
dation provided for large vessels at the principal ports of this 
kingdom, may be realised by drawing attention to the fact. 
that a steamship is now under construction which is to be 25 
feet longer than the Great Eastern, which proved such a white 
elephant to all who had to do with her, owing to her size and 
draught, that she was finally broken up and sold for old metal. 
The Oceanic, now under construction by Messrs. Harland and 
Wolff, at Belfast, for the White Star Fleet, is to be 704 feet 
in length, or 65 feet longer than any other steamer yet built, 
and her gross tonnage will exceed 17,000 tons. It is antici- 
pated that she will maintain an average speed of 20 knots, or 
over. This vessel would be able to steam, in case of need, 
23,400 miles at 12 knots an hour, or practically round the 
world, without coaling. 
THE specification of the patent taken out in the names of 
the late M. Dansac and M. Chassagne, for the process of 
producing photographs in colour, is reprinted in the current 
number of the British Fournal of Photography. It will be re- 
membered that the process was described as based upon the pro- 
perty of selective colour absorption superinduced by (1) treating 
the plate upon which the negative was taken with a special 
solution ; and (2) treating the positive print with the same solu- 
tion, the successive application of the blue, red, and green 
colouring solutions producing the natural colour effect on the 
print. Our contemporary points out, however, that there is no 
