May 1, 1902] 
from Alaska and other parts of the Pacific coast of north- 
western America. Conspicuous among them is the handsome 
shell from Unalaska Island on which the genus and species 
Beringius crebricostatus were established by the author. <A 
very large number of species belong to that group of Trophon 
which the author distinguishes as Boreotrophon. 
THE numerous cruises of the U.S. Fish Commission steamer 
Albatross undertaken for the purposes of dredging, sounding and 
other objects connected with hiology and hydrography are so 
important, and the literature relating to them is distributed 
through such a large number of serial and other publications, 
that all naturalists will be pleased to learn that a concise 
bibliography relative to the work of the vessel has been pub- 
lished. The task of compiling this record, which appears in | 
The U.S. steamer A/édatross dredging, showing port boom rigged for 
surface towing. 
the Report of the U.S. Fish Commission for 1900, has been 
entrusted to Mr. C. H. Townsend, the chief of the Fishery 
Division of the Commission, whose familiarity with the work of 
the ship, on board of which he served as naturalist from 1886 
to 1900, rendered him peculiarly fitted for the task. The record 
NATURE 
17 
sion it was told off for service during the war with Spain. In 
spite of these withdrawals from its proper sphere, the vessel has 
made 1786 dredging and trawling hawls, at all depths down to 
4173 fathoms, and extending over a very large area ; while the 
soundings taken number at least 4000. 
MEssrs. WHITTAKER AND Co. announce that they will 
shortly publish in their specialist series a work entitled 
“Mechanical Refrigeration.” The volume is by Mr. Hal 
Williams, and will deal with the whole field of ice-making and 
cold storage. 
THE edition of the ‘‘ Life of Charles Darwin,” just published 
by Mr. John Murray at the modest price of half-a-crown, is a 
marvel of cheapness. The volume contains 348 pages, clearly 
printed on good paper and neatly bound ; so that naturalists 
| who do not possess a copy of the life of their master should 
hasten to add it to their libraries. A life like Darwin’s inspires 
everyone with reverence for his greatness and the desire to 
walk humbly in the same light. The record and reminiscences 
of such a great career cannot be too widely read. 
To suggest subjects to study in outdoor nature, and facilitate 
the record of the observations, Miss W. L. Boys-Smith has 
prepared a ‘‘ Nature Note-Book,” which has been published 
by Messrs. Allman and Son. A few hints are given concerning 
obvious characteristics, dates of appearance and habits of 
some common animals and plants, and thirty-three questions 
set by the National Froebel Union to test observation are 
printed at the end of the book. The remaining pages are ruled 
for records of observation and remarks, and for drawings. In 
connection with the revival of nature study or natural history, 
the note-book should be of service to young students. 
Mr. JOHN Murray will publish almost immediately an 
important volume by Major Molesworth Sykes, entitled, ‘‘ Ten 
Thousand Miles in Persia.” During the eight years which 
Major Sykes spent in Persia, he travelled over and explored 
the country from the Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf, and from 
the Tigris to the frontiers of Afghanistan and Baluchistan, his 
journeys extending to quite ten thousand miles. The book 
about to appear will contain a record of his travels, with special 
reference to the geography and history of the country as well as 
to its commercial resources, the opening up of trade routes and 
the journeys of Alexander the Great and Marco Polo. 
NEW editions of two volumes in the comprehensive series of 
| manuals of science and technology published by the house of 
comprises 172 closely printed pages, and is accompanied by a | 
chart and illustrated with several views of the vessel, one of 
which is here reproduced. The first cruise took place in 1883, 
and the prime object of the work was the investigation of the 
fisheries and fishing-grounds. From 1892 to 1898 comparatively 
little work of this nature was, however, accomplished, owing to 
the vessel being employed on other services. For instance, at 
one time it was employed in Alaskan waters in connection with 
the Committee on Indian Affairs, on another occasion in laying 
| a Scops Owl 
| 
Ulrico Hoepli, Milan, have recently been received. One is 
the third edition, revised and enlarged, of ‘‘ Magnetismo e 
Elettricita,” by Prof. F. Grassi. The book contains a good 
account of the principles of electricity and magnetism, and 
| gives much more attention to the applications of these sciences 
than is usually the case in similar manuals. Another third 
edition is the “ Manuale del Chimico e dell’Industrale,” by 
Prof. L. Gabba. This volume consists of a valuable collection 
of tables of standards, physical and chemical data, analytical 
| processes, and similar information of service in laboratories and 
assay Offices. 
THE additions to the Zoological Society’s Gardens during the 
past week include a Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo 
(Cacatua galerita) from Australia, presented by Lady Stanley ; 
(Scops giv) European, presented by Miss 
G. Ashley Dodd; a Robben Island Snake (Pseudaspis cana 
phocarum) from South Africa, presented by Mr. T. E. Cart- 
wright ; an Antillean Boa (oa divinilogua) from the West 
Indies, presented by Mr. E. S. Graham; a Derbian Wallaby 
(Macropus derbianus), three Long-necked Chelodines (Chelodina 
the cable between California and Hawaii, and on a third occa- | /ongicollis), two Limbless Lizards (Pygopus lepedopus) from 
NO. 1696, vou. 66] 
