230 
NAT ORE 
| ¥uly 9, 1885 
volume of water discharged over each; that is to say, 
2% feet per annum for the Canadian Fall, § foot per 
annum for the “ American” Fall, would signify that the 
former pours over its brink three times as much water as 
the latter. 
At the rates of recession above shown it is evident that 
at no very remote age the two falls were united in one 
when abreast of the point in Fig. 2 marked “ New York 
Shore,” and the entire width was about the same as that 
of the present Canadian Fall alone. Moreover, the mean 
width of the fall, from the time it commenced its work at 
the “heights,” seven miles below its present position, 
according to Lyell’s statement as to the gorge of Niagara 
River, was not greater than the present Canadian Fall. 
Adding together the present work done by both falls, we 
should have about 33 feet per annum as the backward 
work performed when the entire volume poured over a 
single fall of the width of the present Canadian Fall. 
At this rate 10,000 years would seem sufficient time for 
the cutting out of the present gorge terminating at the 
“heights” towards Lake Ontario, instead of Lyell’s 
estimate of 35,000 years. All attempts to calculate the 
rate of movement proceed on the assumption that the 
hardness of the lime-rock and shale, the volume of water, 
and the height of the fall, were, for the whole distance, 
much the same that they now are; I merely use these 
same assumptions. It in no wise reflects on Lyell’s 
judgment that he should have erred so greatly in attempt- 
ing to estimate the rate of regression, while yet the 
contour of the fall at different periods had not been 
fixed by triangulation. He was ever the first to lay aside 
a conjecture when he could lay hold of something more 
solid in its stead, and it was by his candour and sound 
judgment in discussing natural phenomena that my 
interest in such matters was chiefly awakened. 
The statement made by him that Hooker, his guide in 
1841, reported that an indentation of 4o feet had been 
made in the “ American” Fall since 1815 seems to con- 
tain the basis on which he estimated the rate of regression 
for both falls, as this amounts to a little over one foot per 
annum. A reference to the results given by me show this 
to have been approximately correct for the mean rate at 
the “American” Fall, but wholly inapplicable when 
applied to the much more important Canadian Fall. 
A consideration of his section of the Niagara River 
leads me to suppose that the falls in the earlier part of 
their history worked even more rapidly than now in un- 
dermining the {brink, but I will not venture further upon 
your space at present. EDWARD WESSON 
Providence, R.I., U.S.A., June 1 
NOTES 
THE Hon, William Macleay, one of the members of the 
Senate of Sydney University, has undertaken to give four fellow- 
ships, of 400/, a year each, for natural science, and to bequeath a 
sum sufficient to endow them permanently. In order to prevent 
any sleepy Fellows, we are told, from being quartered on this 
foundation, he stipulates that they must all have taken the degree 
of B.A. in the University, must be actively engaged in original 
study and research, and must not hold any other lucrative 
appointment, and the appointments are to be renewed every 
year, so as to give an opportunity for correcting any abuse. 
Tue Darwin Medal—founded by the Midland Union of 
Scientific Societies in honour of the great naturalist, and for the 
encouragement of original research—has been awarded for the 
current year to Mr, W. J. Harrison, F.G.S., of Birmingham. 
THE long excursion of the Geologists’ Association this year 
will be to Belgium (the Meuse and the Ardennes, Brussels, 
Dinant, Namur, Liége, Maestricht), under the direction of M. 
Ed. Dupont (Director of the Museum, Brussels, and of the 
Belgian Geological Survey), Prof. A. Renard, Dr. E. Purves, 
and Prof. J. Gosselet. The party will meet in Brussels on 
Monday, August 10, and will proceed the same evening to 
Charleroi. Further particulars as to fares, routes, &c., will be 
given in a special circular, which will also contain full par- 
ticulars of the geology, with illustrations and references. The 
total expense during the five days of the excursion (Tuesday to 
Saturday) will vary from 15s. to 20s. per day for each person. This 
will include conveyances ; also a special steamer on the Meuse, 
stopping at the various points of interest. By this arrangement 
much can be seen in a short time. The papers on the geology 
of Belgium read at the July meeting will be printed, with map 
and illustrations, for the use of the members during the excursion. 
Those proposing to join this excursion are requested to give 
early notice to the Secretary, who will supply further information 
if required. 
A MONUMENT was unveiled last week at the Ecole Normale, 
Paris, to Dr. Thuillier, the member of the French scientific 
mission to Egypt who died of cholera at Alexandria in 1883. 
THE anniversary meeting of the Sanitary Institute is held to- 
day at the Royal Institution at 3 p.m. The chair will be taken 
by Sir John Lubbock, Bart., D.C.L., F.R.S. An address will 
be delivered by Prof. W. H. Corfield, M.A., M.D., entitled 
““The Water Supply of Ancient Roman Cities.” 
THE new buildings which have been erected in Chancery 
Lane and Fetter Lane for the purposes of the Birkbeck Literary 
and Scientific Institution were opened on Saturday afternoon by 
the Prince of Wales. The building, of which the foundation- 
stone was laid by the late Duke of Albany, contains accommoda- 
tion for 6000 students. On the first floor are the library, reading 
and coffee rooms, and on the three floors above are the class 
rooms. A sum of over 20,000/, has been expended on the 
premises, which appear to be admirably adapted to the purposes 
for which they are intended. 
THE Swedish Government have despatched Capt. R. Nissen 
to Kiel and Hamburg for the study of the chronometer obserya- 
tories there and matters relating thereto. A sum of 250/. has 
been further awarded to Capt. Nissen for his valuable meteoro- 
logical, astronomical, and magnetic observations during the 
recent cruise of the Vanadis around the world. A sum of money 
has also been granted to Dr, G. Tiselius, for the study during 
the summer of the attempts in progress in certain parts of 
Sweden of forest-cultivation from seeds; and a similar sum to 
Herr L. Baltzer for the drawing of the Runic inscriptions in the 
province of Bohus. It has further been decided to appoint an 
agent in London for one year to study and report on the fresh 
fish trade between Sweden and England, and the means to be 
adopted for its advancement. 
THE Swedish Government have granted Dr. A. W. Liungman 
a sum of 350/., in addition to his yearly salary, for the study of 
the herring and herring-fisheries of the west and south coast of 
Sweden, and the publication of the material collected. 
AN unusually bright meteor was observed at Sédertelje, near 
Stockholm, on the night of June 5, at 11.5 p.m. It came from 
the south, and went in a straight line west-east at about the 
height of Orion above the horizon. It could be followed with 
the eye in its course between Sirius and Algol, where it disap- 
peared. The apparent size was one-fifth of that of the moon, and 
the colour brilliant white. 
ADVICES received from Iceland by the last mail are of a very 
disquieting character. Of the bodies of those killed by the 
avalanche in February last, twenty-four have been recovered, 
and the authorities have prohibited rebuilding in the valley, The 
weather during the spring has been exceedingly bad, snow falling 
incessantly from May 18 till June 5, and although the sea is open 
