- elaborate analyses of coals, we find that in the coal-pit 
sections the names of characteristic fossils have found 
their way into the text, that notices are given, not merely 
of the economically useful minerals, but of the 
geological formations which have no special indus- 
trial value,—Silurian, Drift, River-terraces, &c. The 
volume contains also meteorological tables and 
notices of recent geological changes. But by far the 
most interesting ‘contribution to science in its pages is 
a “ Report on the Wyandotte Cave and its Fauna,” con- 
tributed by Prof. E. D. Cope, with an account of the 
geology of the cave, by Prof. Cox himself. This remark- 
able cavern runs through the “ sub-carboniferous” lime- 
stone in numerous branches which are said to have a 
total length of twenty-two miles, and greatly to excel 
the more famous Mammoth cave of Kentucky in the 
number and beauty of their stalactites. It contains a pecu- 
liar fauna, numbering at least sixteen species, which show 
a general resemblance to those of the latter cave, and in- 
clude one species of blind fish (Am/yopsis speleus) which 
lives in the subterranean waters of Kentucky. 
In these Reports each county is described separately, 
so that the same geological facts require to be frequently 
repeated. This is, doubtless, the most useful arrange- 
ment for those for whom the volumes are primarily in- 
tended, But it would be a service to other readers if a 
good table of contents were given, and if the index were 
made much fuller, especially in matters of general geo- 
logical interest. The volumes are eminently praiseworthy, 
and we hope to see them followed, before long, by a good 
map and a general geological Report of the whole State 
of Indiana, A. G. 
INTELLECT OF PORPOISES 
SINGLE visit to the Brighton Aquarium would 
suffice to convince a recent correspondent, Mr. 
Mattieu Williams, that the intellect of the porpoise, as 
foreshadowed by its convoluted brain, exceeds, beyond 
comparison, that of thecod-fish or any other representa- 
tives of the piscine race. Of the two specimens now 
inhabiting the largest tank in the building, over one 
hundred feet long, the first-comer so readily accommo- 
dated itself to its altered conditions, that on the second day 
it took its food, smelts and’sprats, from its keeper's hand, 
and has continued to do so ever since, The later arrival 
was, at first, less sociably inclined; but both have latterly 
become equally tame, and frequently, while receiving fish 
from my hand with the gentleness of pet dogs, have per- 
mitted me to pat and stroke their slippery india-rubber- 
like backs. 
During feeding-time it is amusing to watch the avidity 
with which these porpoises take their food; one, the more 
active of the two, usually securing the lion’s share, and 
displaying marked sagacity by frequently snatching a 
second or third morsel before disposing of the first. 
The keeper in charge of these interesting animals is 
now in the habit of summoning them to their meals by 
the call of a whistle; his approaching footsteps, even, 
cause great excitement in their movements, and recent 
experiments have proved them to be acutely sensitive to 
the vibrations of sound, By the physiologist a more 
pleasing spectacle can scarcely be witnessed than the 
graceful actions of these cetacea, as they swiftly pursue 
their course up and down their spacious tank, ascending 
to the surface of the water at intervals of fifteen or twenty 
seconds, to breathe, each inspiration being accompanied 
by a spasmodic sob-like sound, produced by the rush of 
air as a breath is rapidly liberated and inspired through 
the single central blow-hole. % 
Onward progress is effected in these animals, as in all 
other cetacea, exclusively by the action of the horizontal 
caudal fin ; the development of muscle at the “wrist” of 
the tail on which this action depends being enormous and 
NATURE 
a 
229 
plainly visible externally ; the pectorals are devoted prin- 
cipally to the purpose of steering the creature to the right 
or left, aiding it also in rising to the surface of the water. 
The fact alone of the porpoise suckling and evincing 
much maternal solicitude for the welfare of its young indi- 
cates the superiority of its position in the zoological scale 
above that of the other representatives of the finny tribe ; 
and to this, in addition to the remarks just made upon 
their sagacity when feeding, many other facts may be 
cited, pointing inthe sante direction. The curiosity attri- 
buted to these creatures, as illustrated by the experiences 
of Mr. Mattieu Williams, receives ample confirmation 
from their habits in confinement. A new arrival is at 
once subjected to the most importunate attention, and, 
advancing from familiarity to contempt, if disapproved of, 
soon becomes the object of attack and persecution. A 
few dog-fish, Acanthias and Mustecus, three or four feet 
long, placed in the same tank, soon fell victims to their 
tyranny, the porpoises seizing them by their tails, and 
swimming off with and shaking them in a manner scarcely 
conducive to their comfort or dignified appearance, re- 
minding the spectator of a large dog worrying a rat. The 
fine sturgeon, six feet long, now sharing an adjoining 
tank with the cod, was first placed with these animals, but 
in a short time was so persecuted that for safety it had to 
be removed ; while to this day the lacerated condition of 
its tail bears witness to the pertinacious attention of its 
former comrades. Some large skate (Raja clavala and 
maculata), while they maintained their usual habit of 
lying sluggishly on the floor of the tank, escaped moles- 
tation ; but fio sooner did these fish display any unwonted 
activity than the porpoises were upon them, and, making 
a convenient handle of their characteristic attenuated 
tails, worried them incessantly. On one occasion I wit- 
nessed the two Cefacea acting evidently in concert against 
one of these unwieldy fish, the latter swimming close to 
the top of the water, and seeking momentary respite from 
its relentless enemies, by lifting its unfortunate caudal 
appendage high above its surface. It need scarcely be 
remarked that the skate were removed before further 
mischief could be done, leaving the porpoises, with the 
exception of a few conger, which during the day-time 
mostly lie hidden in the crevices of the rock-work, turtles, 
and a huge monk-fish (A/a sguatina) sole occupants 
of this colossal tank. 
While far behind the porpoises in display of intellect, it 
may be hereafter shown that the representatives of the 
Gadide, or cod-family, are by no means the least intelli- 
gent of fish. W. SAVILLE KENT 
AN INTERNATIONAL COINAGE 
i PROPOSITION has been made for holding a 
private conference for an International Coinage at 
Vienna in the course of next September, and to consider 
more particularly the following points 
1. The question of Valuation. 
2, The principal Coins. 
3. The Unit of Value, and its Sub-divisions, 
4. The charge for Coining, the rate of alloy, and other 
technical questions. 
5. The preservation of the full value of the principal 
Coins in circulation, and the coining of others. 
6. The different modes of jntroducing a new moneys 
system, 
The prime mover and most active agent in the proma- 
tion of this conference is Mr, A. Eggers, Consulin Bremen, 
The declared object is to bring together a limited number 
of sem|-official or private representatives of the various 
countries, with a view of a full discussion of the subject ; 
and a committee has been constituted consisting of 
several French and German gentlemen who are interested 
in the question of the International Coinage, 
