APRIL 15, 1897 | 
NATURE 
573 
shown in Fig. I, are two cup-shaped pits of 10 to 12 centi- 
metres diameter, which constitute a remarkable feature; the 
smaller depressions or ‘‘thumb-marks” of 3 to 4cm. diameter, 
which cover the remainder of the surface, are also reproduced in 
minute detail. 
At the point where the fragments were removed, the octa- 
hedral cleavage and lines of crystallisation are noticeable to a 
degree rarely seen iniron. It is, however, on the etched sur- 
face—prepared through treating a polished slab with dilute nitric 
acid, in the usual manner—that the beauty of the crystalline 
structure is best seen. In this respect it ranks among the finest 
of recorded irons, the Widmannstatten figures being exception- | 
ally regular and distinct. The accompanying print (Fig. 2) 
was made directly from the etched surface. The broad bands 
of kamacite are symmetrical, the prominence of the interlacing 
of shining white threads of the nickeliferous iron being especially | 
remarkable, and distinguishing it from the El Capitan meteoric 
iron, weighing about 28 kilos, and found (Prof. E. E. Howell, 
Amer. Fourn. of Scz., vol. i. p. 253) in 1893, about ninety miles 
north of the Sacramento range. In the latter iron the percentage 
of ironis less and nickel greater, phosphorus also being present. | 
Fora careful quantitative analysis the writer is indebted to Mr. J. 
Edward Whitfield (with Booth, Garrett, and Blair, of Phila- 
delphia), who obtained the following results : 
Iron Rc 91°39 per cent. | 
Nickel 7 ed 786) vss 
Cobalt] 5 24 ; 4 “oe | 
99°77 
The mass is perfectly preserved, there being no sign of dis- 
integration or exudation of lawrencite. The sawing done shows 
it to be quite soft and generally 
homogeneous. The entire lack 
of surface alteration proves that 
it fell at a comparatively recent 
date, and leads to the conclu- 
sion that it is the meteor seen 
to fall by Mr. Bartlett, whose 
account led to the discovery. 
UNIVERSITY AND 
EDUCATIONAL 
INTELLIGENCE. 
THE University of Edinburgh 
has conferred the honorary 
degree of LL.D. upon Prof. 
James Dewar, F-R.S., and Dr. 
John Wyllie. 
Tue following are among 
recent appointments :—Mr. W. 
J. Pope to be head of the 
Chemical Department of the 
Goldsmiths’ Polytechnic Insti- 
tute, New Cross; Dr. Julian 
Apricio to be director of the 
Meteorologicaland Astronomical 
Observatory of San Salvador ; 
Dr. M. Kirchner to be professor 
of hygiene in the technical high 
school at Hanover ; Dr. F. Pom- 
peckj to be curator of the palzeon- 
tological collection in the State 
Museum at Munich; Dr. F. Koch to be professor of chemistry, ; 
at Klausenberg. 
THE Technical Education Board of the London County 
Council has decided to institute junior horticultural scholarships 
tenable at the gardens of the Royal Botanic Society. These 
scholarships are intended to offer to boys who wish to 
become gardeners an opportunity of going through a thorough 
course of training, and they will be awarded, not upon the | 
results of a set examination, but upon a consideration of the 
record and qualifications of the candidates. Free instruction in 
horticulture will be provided, with a maintenance grant of 20/. 
per annum to scholars under fifteen and 25/. to scholars over 
fifteen. The scholarships will be awarded, in the first instance, 
for one year, but will be renewable for a second, or even for a 
NO. 1433, VOL. 55] 
| third year, if the progress of the scholar is satisfactory. 
No 
candidate will be eligible for these scholarships whose parents 
are in receipt of more than 250/. per annum. 
By an Ac. passed in 1889, a Commission was appointed for 
organising and extending the scope and teaching power of the 
departments of the Scotch Universities, and the effect of the 
Commissioners’ ordinances on the University of Aberdeen was 
to add a new faculty—that of science—as well as to expand the 
four former faculties, and largely to increase the building 
requirements in respect of laboratories, museums, &c., in almost 
allthe departments of the University, while it made no pro- 
vision for supplying the buildings to accommodate them. The 
University was, in these circumstances, compelled to build, but 
had no funds for the purpose. In 1892 Mr. Goschen, then 
Chancellor of the Exchequer, agreed to give a grant of 40,000/. 
if the public subscribed a similar sum. An appeal was made, 
and 75,000/. were raised, which, with the Government grant, 
gave a total of 115,0007. This amount has been expended, while 
the works at present in progress entail a further liability upon 
the University of fully 21,0007. To meet this exigency, as well 
as to complete the buildings extension scheme, and the still 
urgent necessities of the University, a total sum of at least 
40,000/. is required ; and an urgent appeal has been sent out in 
the hope that those who are interested in this historic University 
will assist in the extension of its usefulness. Subscriptions will 
be received by the honorary secretaries of the Extension Fund : 
Mr. A. M. Gordon, of Newton, Convener of the County of 
Aberdeen ; and Mr. P. M. Cran, City Chamberlain, Aberdeen. 
THE value of science as an instrument of education is now 
recognised by all educationists who have taken the trouble to 
consider the matter; but we hasten to say that the scientific 
Fic. 2.—The Sacramento Mts. Meteorite. (Printed directly from the etched surtace of the iron.) 
knowledge must be gained by individual experience with the 
objects and phenomena of nature. This principle is so sound 
that its application is bound to extend. For some years experl- 
mental work in elementary science, on the lines suggested by 
Dr. H. E. Armstrong, has been carried on with great success in 
about fifteen selected schools under the London School Board. 
The results have been so satisfactory, that it has been felt that 
girls as well as boys ought to be given the same training in 
manipulation and common sense ; and to further such an object, 
a meeting of about two hundred teachers took place on Satur- 
day, April 3. The following resolutions formed tne basis of dis- 
cussion, and were carried ez. cow. : (1) That there is great room 
for improvement in the methods of teaching domestic economy 
as commonly practised in schools, and it is desirable that in 
