. 
rightly think that Melbourne, from its size and importance, 
ought to number among its attractions a good zoological 
collection. If they succeed in obtaining a sufficiently 
large number of subscribers, they intend, in the first 
instance, to form as complete a collection as possible 
of the fauna of Australia, and thereafter, when in a 
position to do so, to add those of other countries. The 
Government, we are glad to see, very liberally placed the 
sum of 1,000/. on the estimate for the past financial year. 
A considerable amount of success attended the ope- 
rations of the society during the year previous to March 
last. A number of pheasants of the silver (Phaseanus nyc- 
themerus) and common (Phaseanus colchicus) varieties, had 
been reared, and were to be liberated in suitable places, 
Upwards of 150 guinea-fowl had been placed in various 
secluded spots, in forests far removed from settlement, 
where it is confidently hoped they will increase, and in a 
few years yield both food and sport. 
About 3,500 live trout, hatched at the society’s establish- 
ment at the Royal Park, Melbourne, had, during the pre- 
vious season, been placed in different streams. The deer 
which have been liberated in many parts of the colony are 
spreading and increasing rapidly, and the society possess 
a fine collection of six varieties in their grounds at the 
Royal Park. The valuable stock of Angora goats and the 
ostriches belonging to the society are thriving and in- 
creasing. 
Although the society is anxious to encourage and pro- 
mote sericulture, they find it difficult to advance this 
industry in a really practical manner so as to be of benefit 
to the colony. Baron von Mueller has, however, as well 
as the society, supplied many paris of the colony with 
white mulberry plants, and when they come into bearing, 
silk growing will, they hope, become an important industry 
of the colony. 
On account of the services rendered to pisciculture by 
Sir Robert Officer and Mr. Morton Allpart, of Tasmania, 
the society have awarded to both these gentlemen their 
silver medal; their bronze medal has been awarded to 
Captain Babot, of the Aydrasies, for his enterprise in 
bringing out sea-turtle. 
In conclusion, the council are glad to state that the con- 
dition of the society is sound and prosperous, and they 
only require more liberal co-operation from the public to 
enable them to produce great results in the cause of 
acclimatisation. We sincerely hope the Australian pub- 
lic will see it to be to their own interest to respond 
liberally to the desire of the society for assistance in 
carrying out their benevolent work. 
The bulk of the volume is occupied by two papers. 
The first is a valuable monograph on the “Ichthyology 
of Australia,” by Count F. de Castelnau, in which he 
gives an account of the different sorts obtainable in the 
Melbourne fish market: their number is 142, In the 
introduction the author speaks with great admiration of 
Dr. Giinther’s Catalogue of the Fishes in the British 
Museum, from which he has continually to quote ; fur- 
ther on, he criticises that author’s views on the distribu- 
tion of fishes. He also thinks that the learned doctor is 
too severely condemnatory of the imperfections of his 
scientific comrades. The second paper is a list by Baron 
F. vy. Mueller ot “Select plants readily eligible for Vic- 
torian industrial culture.” 
NEW FRENCH INSTITUTION FOR THE 
EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES 
Aes all her political turmoil and strife it seems to us 
a hopeful sign of the real progress of France that 
she has citizens with energy, enterprise, and enlighten- 
ment enough to undertake and carry out a scheme of 
the magnitude and importance of the one about to be 
realised at Lyons, It is to be exclusively devoted to 
scientific research, and the Revue Scéentifigue thinks it 
NATURE 
485 
deserves to be classed with the richest establishments 
of a similar kind in England, Germany, and Paris. 
For more than a year, it seems, the municipal adminis- 
trators of Lyons have had it under consideration to form 
laboratories of physiology and experimental medicine, 
provided with ail the most modern and most approved 
means of investigation. To settle the plan of such an 
institution, the muncipality nominated a Commission of 
scientific men, consisting of MM. Ollier, Perroud, and 
Tripier. This Commission has given in its report, and 
the following is the scheme it suggests with regard to the 
biological sciences alone :— : 
1. A great central laboratory, equipped for the opera- 
tions and observations which are required in the experi- 
mental study of the physiological and pathological pheno- 
mena of the animal economy. In it will be collected and 
methodically arranged all the instrumental apparatus 
commonly required for such observations and experiments, 
especially the registering apparatus. 
2. A central hall or store-house of apparatus. This 
will be the depét for apparatus and instruments not in 
daily use, and which are used only in certain circum- 
stances. 
3. A laboratory of biological chemistry, 
4. A laboratory of biological physics. 
5. A laboratory of histology. 
6. A room for geological researches relative to the 
study of parasites and parasitical diseases, including those 
of the silkworm, 
7. A room for autopsies. 
8. A room for minute dissections and for the mounting 
of specimens intended to be preserved. 
g. A workshop for construction and repairs, in which 
will also be set agoing the moving forces intended to work 
the apparatus. 
1o, A cabinet of specimens. 
11 and 12. A room of design and a small photographic 
studio. 
13. A library. 
14. A hall for meetings and lectures. 
15. Places for keeping animals, 
16. A conservatory and enclosure for researches in 
vegetable physiology. 
17. General offices, houses for the director and as- 
sistants, for fuel, water, &c. 
The personnel comprehends a director and his assistant, 
a librarian, who will also see to the publication of the 
works of the establishment, three assistants, one for 
operations and autopsies, the second for work in biolo- 
gical physics and chemistry, and the third for microscopic 
studies and work in experimental zoology ; finally work- 
men, laboratory attendants, concierge, groom, &c. 
These laboratories are intended for the study of all the 
branches of the biological sciences, from general and 
comparative physiology to experimental medicine, ques- 
tions of hygiene and public health, diseases of animals 
(especially silkworms), and vegetable physiology. _ 
But, although specially intended as an institution for 
the biological sciences, the Commission has indicated that 
the programme would be rendered complete by adding a 
physico-chemical institute for the study of brute nature, 
so as to unite in the same establishment the whole body 
of modern experimental sciences. 
On March 7 the Maire of Lyons presented to the 
Municipal Council a report asking that the scheme be 
immediately proceeded with. The city of Lyons has pre- 
sented the grounds of the ancient corn-market on the 
Quai St. Vincent. According to the plans and estimates 
of the city architect, the buildings will cost g00,000f., of 
which this year 330,000f. have been raised. Finally, for 
the biological sciences alone, a first annual budget of 
30,000f. has been set aside. 
These figures speak for themselves, and need no com- 
ment, 
