658 
allowed to express their satisfaction with the inclusion of 
one of our ablest systematic workers. 
The key and description for each species are given in 
Latin, in order that, as the author remarks, they may be 
available to the botanists of all nations. The parts will 
not be issued in any particular sequence, the only proviso 
being that no order will be forthcoming until at least twelve 
years have elapsed since it was treated either in “ Die 
Pflanzenfamilien” or in De Candolle’s “Suites au Pro- 
dromus.” Each part dealing with one order will be 
complete in itself and will contain an index. 
Apart from the memoirs incorporated in these two 
works, many of the studies in systematic botany, the 
results of which have been published in Germany within 
recent years, have been controlled more or less by Dr. 
Engler in his position as director of the Botanical Museum 
in Berlin. The “ Flora of Africa,” which has reached the 
twenty-third instalment, represents mainly the investiga- 
tions of workers in the Berlin Museum. One of the 
assistants, Dr, L: Diels, has written an able memoir on'the 
‘“Flora'von Central China.” It is especially noticeable 
how distant and comparatively unknown are many of the 
countries in which the herbaria have been formed which 
are finding their way to the museums in Germany. The 
same spirit of unflagging energy which has made famous 
the names of many German collectors, whose object has 
been to acquire fame by sending home flowers previously 
unknown, may here be found, but the incentive is merely 
scientific enthusiasm. 
NOTES. 
THE Huxley Memorial Tablet represented in the accompany- 
ing illustration was unveiled at the Ealing Public Library on 
Thursday last by the Mayor of Ealing, Alderman H. C. Green, 
The inscription upon the tablet: is, ‘‘ The Right Honourable 
Thomas Henry Huxley.’ Born at Ealing, 4th May, 1825. Died 
at Eastbourne, 29th June, 1895.’ Try to learn something about 
everything, and everything about something.” |The whole 
memorial was’ designed by Mr. Frank Bowcher, with the 
assistance of Prof. G. B. Howes, F.R.S. The background of 
the tablet is ‘‘ Dove” marble; the frame, top row of lettering, 
wreaths and medallion are bronze; the rest of the inscription is 
in incised gilt letters. The movement to establish this memorial 
originated with Mr. B. B. Woodward, who brought it before 
the Ealing Natural Science Society, and a committee was 
formed with him as hon. secretary. Altogether about eighty 
subscriptions were received, mainly from Ealing residents, 
hence the tablet shows that the memory of Huxley is cherished 
at his birthplace. Among those present at Thursday’s ceremony, 
in addition to the Mayor, were Prof. G. Ilenslow, Mrs. T. H. 
NO. 1722, VOL. 66] 
NATURE 
[OcTOBER 30, 1902 
Huxley, Mr. and Mrs, Leonard Huxley, Mr. L. Fletcher, 
F.R.S., Mr. B. B. Woodward, and Mr. F. E. Beddard, F.R.S. 
(representing the Zoological Society of London). Letters re- 
gretting inability to attend were read from Prof. Howes and 
Lord George Hamilton. Prof. Henslow gave a short address, 
in the course of which he related some personal reminiscences 
of Huxley; and the Mayor of Ealing afterwards unveiled the 
tablet. The accompanying photograph having been taken 
before the tablet was erected, an error of the mason’s, unde- 
tected at the time, but since corrected, gives the date of Huxley’s 
death as the 25th instead of the 29th of June, 1895. 
WE regret to see the announcement of the death of the Rev. 
Dr. Wiltshire, formerly professor of geology and mineralogy at 
King’s College, London. 
THE opening meeting of the Institution of Electrical Engineers 
is fixed for Thursday, November 13, when the premiums awarded 
for papers read or published during the session rgo1—1902 will 
be presented, and the president, Mr. James Swinburne, will 
deliver his inaugural address, 
AT the recent conference of Colonial Premiers, a resolution 
in favour of the metric system of weights and measures was 
adopted. Referring to this action, Mr. Chamberlain has in- 
formed a correspondent that he fully recognises the importance 
of the matter, and is in correspondence with the Colonial 
Governments and the Board of Trade on the subject. 
IN reply to a question in the House of Commons on Thursday 
last, Mr. Austen Chamberlain said :—A new cable has been laid 
to Belgium, and telephonic communication between London and 
Brussels will be opened as soon as the necessary arrangements 
can be completed. The establishment of communication 
between London and Berlin is not at present feasible. 
ENERGETIC measures are being adopted at Odessa to prevent 
the spread of plague from the cases which have occurred there. 
The outbreak of the disease in May of this 
year is attributed to the presence of rats, 
which have carried the means of infection 
since the last case of plague was treated in 
Odessa in November, 1901. Systematic 
efforts are therefore being made to destroy 
the colonies of rats and carry out strict 
sanitary regulations. 
THE chief members o: the Scottish 
Antarctic Expedition about to start for 
the South Polar regions were entertained 
to dinner in Edinburgh on Thursday last 
by the president of the Royal Scottish 
Geographical Society, Sir John Murray. 
Replying to the toast proposing success 
to the expedition, Mr. W. S. Bruce, the 
leader, remarked that the work undertaken 
would be supplementary to that of the 
three expeditions already in the Antarctic, 
and would be largely oceanographical. The Scottish area of 
activity would be around that part of the Antarctic where 
Sir James Ross, sixty years ago, took one sounding, attaining 
| a depth of 4000 fathoms without reaching bottom. 
THE Home Secretary has appointed a committee to inquire 
into the use of electricity in mines and the dangers attending it, 
and to report what measures should be adopted in the interests 
of safety by the establishment of special rules or otherwise. 
The committee consists of Mr. H. H. S. Cunynghame, C.B. 
(chairman), Mr. Charles Fenwick, M.P., Mr. Archibald Hood, 
past president of the Mining Association of Great Britain, Mr. 
| James Swinburne, president of the Institution of Electrical 
iM 
