Oct. 19, 1871] 
moon, and planets, made at the National Observatory, and news 
as to comets, minor planets, and the like. It promises to be 
very useful, and it is to be wished that other observatories will 
follow M. Delaunay’s example. 
THE contract for the new telescope which Congress has author- 
ised the National Observatory at Washington to procure has been 
given to Mr. Alvan Clarke, of Boston, the well-known manu- 
facturer of astronomical apparatus, It is to be of twenty-six 
inches aperture, and to be completed, according to contract, in 
about two years. Itis understood that Mr. Clarke will again visit 
Europe for the purpose of carefully examining the principal tele- 
scopes there before completing the one in question. He has 
already minutely examined Mr. Newall’s 25-inch, the chefd’euvre 
of our English opticians, Messrs. Cooke and Sons, of York. 
THE College of Physical Science at Newcastie-on-Tyne is 
now fairly at work. Already nearly fifty students are en- 
rolled, and more are expected. Professors Aldis, Page, Her- 
schel, and Marreco delivered their introductory lectures to large 
and appreciative audiences. Each of the professors, while 
touching especially on his own particular branch of science, di- 
lated on the advantages accruing from the study of physical 
science, not only to the student who desires a special technical 
education, but to the community at large. Prof. Aldis, while 
expressing a hope that the advantages of the College would be 
thrown open to women as well as to men, made the following 
admirable remarks on the study of mathematics by women :— 
“A mathematical training, by which I do not mean learning 
Euclid by heart, will be a good preparation for the study of poli- 
tical economy and for the study of nature; I think not a bad 
preparation for the proper management of a house, and the 
mother’s duties towards her children, Iam sure that the time 
spent in receiving such a training, even if by getting it a lad or 
a lass be obliged to commence active duties a year or two later, 
will be time well spent, and will give an impetus which will 
carry them both through life with an ease which scarcely anything 
else will afford.” We understand that Professors Herschel and 
Marreco intend that physical and physico-chemical measurements 
shall be practised by the students, although there is yet no phy- 
sical laboratory. At the time of going to press the question of 
admitting ladies had not been decided. A fair start seems to 
have been made, and we can only wish the new college as pros- 
perous a future. 
Trinity College, Cambridge, has, it appears, the power of 
electing to its Fellowships men of scientific or literary distinction, 
and we are extremely glad to learn that Dr. Michael Foster has 
been thus elected. Dr. Foster was recently appointed to the 
newly-created post of Przelector in Physiology at the College, and 
this election to a further share of the emoluments and administra- 
tion of the College proves that the members of the foundation are 
determined to carry out their intentions of promoting the study 
of Physiology in Cambridge. A temporary laboratory has been 
fitted up in the New Museums of the University, in which Dr. 
Foster gives lectures, and conducts the practical teaching. At 
the same time Mr. Hopkinson, Senior Wrangler of 1871, wes 
elected a Fellow of Trinity College. These elections are the first- 
fruits of the act of last session admitting Nonconformists to a 
full share of the benefits of the University. 
Mr. WALTER WILLIAM FISHER, B.A., was on Saturday 
elected to an open Natural Science Fellowship at Corpus Christi 
College, Oxford, the examiners for which, Dr. Odling and Mr, 
A, Vernon Harcourt, made honourable mention of Mr. Christo- 
pher Childs, Scholar of Merton College. Mr. Fisher entered at 
Worcester College, from whence he gained a Natural Science 
Postmastership at Merton College, and was placed in the first 
class in the Natural Science Schools in Trinity Term 1870, 
Mr. Moscarpt, from the Somersetshire College, Bath, has been 
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493 
elected to a Mathematical Scholarship at Worcester College, 
Oxford, on the Finney Foundation, open fro hac vice; and Mr. 
White, from the Liverpool Institute, has been also elected an 
Exhibitioner. 
It is gratifying to learn that Her Majesty has conferred the 
honour of Civil Companion of the Bath on Mr. J. H. Parker, 
the distinguished antiquarian. It is not often that we find 
either Science or Art so highly recognised in England ; but 
is the Companionship of the Bath the fittest reward we have to 
bestow on scientific merit ? 
THE forty-fourth annual meeting of the Association of German 
Naturalists and Physicians has lately been held in Rostock. It 
has entered on the fiftieth year of its existence, having been 
focnded in 1822 by Oken, who brought together twenty-one 
naturalists in Leipzig. Since that time a meeting has been held 
each year, with five exceptions. In 1831 and 1832 the meetings 
were suspended on account of the prevalence of cholera; in 
1848, on account of political disturbances; and in 1867 and 
1870 on account of war. The SAvitish Medical Fournal states 
that the recent meeting was not so numerously attended as usual, 
many of the members having probably been detained at their 
homes through a fear of their professional services being required 
on account of the occurrence of cholera. One of the principal 
features of the meeting was an eloquent address by Prof. Vir- 
chow, on the position and prospects of natural science in the new 
national life of Germany. 
SEVERAL friends of the Saturday half-holiday movement in 
London have offered the sum of thirty guineas for competition 
to London field-naturalists and microscopists for the encourage- 
ment of Saturday afternoon field excursions for botanical, 
geological, and microscopical purposes. The Duchess of 
Sutherland offers ten guineas to botanists in three prizes for the 
best collection of mosses, including the Hepaticze, obtained within 
twenty miles of London ; the Countess of Ducie ten guineas to 
microscopists in three prizes for the best lists of the ponds and 
other aquatic resorts within fifteen miles of London, and the 
Microzoa found in them ; and the Marquis of Westminster ten 
guineas to geologists in two prizes for the best list of open 
geological sections and exposures of the strata of the London 
district, giving the fossil species found in each section, and the 
characteristic species of each formation exposed, and for the best 
notes on the connection of the landscape scenery of the London 
district with its geology. This movement is an admirable one, 
and altogether to be commended, Professional collectors and 
dealers are wisely excluded from the competition, the prizes 
being intended exclusively for those with whom natural history 
pursuits are solely the recreation of their leisure after-business 
hours. 
THE Atheneum states that Prof. Owen has written to the 
Mayor of Brighton, ‘fon the subject of a survey of the Sussex 
Wealden deposits, the district made famous by the discoveries 
of Mantell.” Any efforts made by Brighton to get together be- 
tween the present date and August 1872, the date of the meet- 
ing of the British Association, a collection illustrative of the 
Iguanodon and other extinct animals, would be esteemed a favour, 
and would be appreciated by members and visitors. Prof. Owen 
recommends Mr. E. Charlesworth as peculiarly qualified for 
carrying out the scheme of the authorities, and benefiting perma- 
nently the Brighton Museum, After a recent meeting of the 
Town Reception Committee, Mr. Charlesworth addressed a few 
of the members of the Committee on the Weald deposits ; but 
the town authorities have no power under existing Acts of Par- 
liament to levy rates for palzeontological researches, 
THE Coventry Institute has arranged for a complete course of 
Science Classes in connection with the Department of Science 
and Art through the approaching winter, in inorganic chemistry, 
