May 13, 1915] 
NATURE 
297 

their character and reconstructed their history. 
He had early struggles and difficulties which some- 
times made him seem a little austere, but as time 
went on his innate kindness asserted itself more 
and more, and his death will be deeply mourned, 
not only by those who benefited from his profes- 
sional skill and knowledge, but by many who had 
experienced generous kindness at his hands. 
NOTES. 
AmonGc the numerous portraits exhibited at the 
Royal Academy this year three may be specially men- 
tioned. That of Sir Archibald Geilie, painted by 
Mr. R. G. Eves for presentation to the Royal Society, 
is a successful and welcome addition to the series of 
portraits of past-presidents of the society. The Hon. 
John Collier’s portrait of Mr. C. V. Boys is not only 
excellent in itself, but also noteworthy for the skilful 
treatment of an experiment in thin films. A portrait 
of Dr. E. A. Wilson by Mr. H. G. Riviere, destined 
for Cheltenham College, is of melancholy interest as 
an appropriate memorial to the naturalist of the 
National Antarctic Expedition. A striking oil paint- 
ing by Mr. John Cooke, forms a memento of a 
discussion on the Piltdown skull which was held in 
the conservator’s room at the Royal College of Sur- 
geons in June, 1913. Prof. Arthur Keith sits at a 
table covered with the remains of the skull, restored 
models, and specimens for comparison, while Prof. 
Elliot Smith stands behind on his right pointing to 
the disputed middle line of the cranium. Mr. Charles 
Dawson and Dr. Smith Woodward also stand behind 
on his left, and Sir Ray Lankester sits at the end of 
the table beneath them. Prof. A. S. Underwood and 
Mr. W. P. Pycraft are seated, one on either side of 
Prof. Keith, and the modeller of the restorations, 
Mr. F. O. Barlow, stands behind Prof. Smith. All 
the portraits are excellent, and the composition of the 
group is pleasing. 
Pror. E. W. Marcuant, of the University of Liver- 
pool, has been elected chairman of the Liverpool 
Engineering Society for the coming year. 
WeE learn from the Lancet that Prof. R. Newstead, 
of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, is in 
France, prosecuting entomological investigations from 
the point of view of military sanitation. 
Tue Pereira medal of the Pharmaceutical Society 
has been awarded to Miss Dora F. White, and the 
silver and bronze medals of the society to Mr. A. J. 
Somer and Mr. R. W. Bowles respectively. 
WE learn from Science that the Draper medal was 
presented to Dr. Joel Stebbins, protessor of astronomy 
at the University of Illinois, at the annual dinner of 
the National Academy of Sciences, held on April 20. 
Mr. T. R. GreeNnoucn and his mother have given, 
in memory of the late Alderman T. Greenough, a 
complete electrical and radiographic installation to 
the Leigh Infirmary. It is in three divisions, and 
its value is estimated at about 5oool. 
Tue Swarthmore lecture of the Society of Friends 
for the present year will be delivered at the Central 
NO. 2376, VOL. 95| 

Hall, Westminster, on Tuesday next, May 18, at 7.30 
p-m., by Prof. Silvanus P. Thompson, who will speak 
on “The Quest for Truth.”” There will be no charge 
made for admission. 
In Egyptian Illustration for May Mr. W. G. Kemp 
announces his discovery of a partially fossilised human 
skull and associated remains in a cavern in the lime- 
stone of the Mokattam Hills, near Cairo. The speci- 
mens, which are considered to be prehistoric, are now 
being studied by Dr. Ferguson at the Cairo School 
of Medicine. 
Mr. G. Masser has retired from his position as 
head of the cryptogamic department in the herbarium 
at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Mr. Massee 
joined the Kew staff in 1893, in succession to Dr. 
M. C. Cooke, and he has rendered valuable service 
to agriculturists and horticulturists throughout the 
British Empire in all 
pathology. 
questions concerning plant 
WE regret to learn of the death of Prof. Erich 
Harnack, director of the pharmacological institute 
of the University of Halle, and a brother of the well- 
known Adolf Harnack. The deceased, a native of 
the Baltic provinces, was a pupil of Schmiedeberg, in 
conjunction with whom he prepared, from choline, 
so-called synthetic muscarine, at one time believed to 
be identical with the poison of Amanita muscaria, 
WE learn from the Irish Naturalist that the follow- 
ing naturalists in Ireland are among those who have 
been given commissions in the Army in connection 
with the present call to national service :—Prof. Gregg 
Wilson, professor of zoology, and Dr. A. R. Dwerry- 
house, lecturer in geology, Queen’s University, Belfast ; 
Prof. H. A. Cummins, professor of botany and agri- 
culture, University College, Cork; Mr. C. M. Selbie, 
of the National Museum, Dublin; Mr. G. P. Farran 
and Mr. A. B. Hillas, of the Fisheries Office; Mr. 
H. T. Kennedy and Mr. R. L. Valentine, of the 
Geological Survey. 

Tue Pioneer Mail for April 16 states that in spite of 
delays due to the European war, Sir Leonard Rogers’s 
scheme for establishing a School of Tropical Medicine 
in Calcutta is progressing satisfactorily, and the time 
when the building will be ready for use is well in 
sight. The aim of the institution is to investigate 
specially the cause of tropical diseases and render the 
best possible relief on practical lines with the view 
of finding more accurate methods of diagnosis and 
improved treatment. The fund for building a hospital 
for tropical diseases now amounts to about 14,000. 
(paid up), including a recent anonymous donation of 
2700l. through Dr. K. C. Buse. Plans for the hospital 
are nearly ready, and the building is expected to be 
commenced very shortly. 
Tue third Wilbur Wright Memorial Lecture of the 
Aeronautical Society will be delivered by Prof. G. H. 
Bryan, on May 20, at the Royal Society of Arts, John 
Street, Adelphi. Gold medals of the society, awarded 
respectively to Prof. Bryan and to the late Mr. E. T. 
Busk, will be officially presented immediately before 
