— 
native condition, to take freely to the water ? 
August 20, 1885] 
NATURE 367 
Preventing Collisions with Icebergs 
ALTHOUGH it is, I believe, ascertained that fogs are often 
highly athermanous, I would, at the same time, like to ask 
whether a thermal radiation method might not serve to show the 
presence of a large mass of ice in the neighbourhood of a ship. 
T venture to make the suggestion, as I know of no experiments 
on the degree of athermancy possessed by fogs, as tested by such 
an instrument as the bolometer of Prof. Langley. The use of 
this instrument, or even of the thermopile, in conjunction with a 
large reflector and an alarm circuit closed by galvanometer 
deflection, might be worth trial by any one possessing the oppor- 
tunity. J. Jory 
Engineering School, Trinity College, Dublin, August 
Monkeys and Water 
Is it a usual thing for monkeys, either in captivity or in their 
Some relations 
of mine have a small monkey that was brought to them from 
Java, and which is a great pet. One day it was thought that he 
should be bathed, and he was put on the edge of the bath. In 
a little while he hung down from the edge by a foot and hand, 
and drank the water, and then, plunging in, he swam backwards 
and forwards under the water, with his eyes open, with great 
enjoyment. 
After the first time he was frequently bathed, and a day or 
two ago I saw him go through the performance. It was very 
pretty to see how he enjoyed it, swimming under the water and 
diving away froma hand put down to take him; then going 
head over heels at the bottom and lying on his back to bite play- 
fully at a finger ; then he would run about on all-fours with his 
head held out of the water, and then go under again : and after 
it all, when he was taken out and dried with a towel, he lay 
wrapped up in a shawl, sleeping comfortable and happy. I should 
like to know whether he is an exception to the rule in his love 
of the water. Jerry BARRETT 
15, Avenue Road, Regent’s Park, August 6 
A Correction 
I HAVE very stupidly made it appear in my note on pitcher 
plants, printed in last week’s NATURE (p. 341), that Dr. 
McBride was President of the Linnean Society in 1815. I 
ought to have written, “In 1815 the then President of the 
Linnean Society read a communication from Dr. James 
McBride,” &c. I suppose Sir James Edward Smith was at that 
time President of the Linnean Society, and that Dr. McBride 
never was. W. WATSON 
August 15 
A MODEL UNIVERSITY 
HE following information for applicants for admission 
to the Johns Hopkins University, printed in the 
University Circulars in response to letters, we are sure 
will be read with interest and profit :— 
How was the University Founded?—The Johns 
Hopkins University was instituted by the munificence 
of a citizen of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins, who bequeathed 
the most of his large estate for the establishment of a 
University and a Hospital. The foundation of the 
University is a capital, in land and stocks, estimated in 
value at more than 3,000,000 dollars; the capital of the 
Hospital is not less in amount. The University was in- 
corporated under the laws of the State of Maryland, 
August 24, 1867, and it was opened for instruction in 
September, 1876. The Philosophical Faculty (of Letters 
and Science) is now organised. A medical department 
will soon be instituted. 
In what ts Instruction Given ?—Systematic instruction 
is offered in English, Anglo-Saxon, German, French, 
Italian, Spanish, Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, Hebrew, Arabic, 
and in other languages and literatures; in pure and 
applied mathematics; in chemistry (inorganic and 
organic) with laboratory work; in physics (including 
mechanics, light, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, &c.), 
with laboratory work; in biology (including physiology 
and morphology) with laboratory work; in mineralogy 
and geology ; in ancient and modern history ; in physical 
geography ; in political economy and in the elements of 
international law ; in logic, ethics, psychology, pedagogics, 
&c. Occasional courses of lectures are also given upon 
special themes in literature, science, history, archeology, 
art, &c. 
Lo whom its this Instruction offered ?—To all young 
men who are prepared to profit by it and who will conform 
to the simple regulations which are established by the 
authorities. Graduate, Undergraduate, and Special Stu- 
dents are received. 
Those who have not already received an academic 
degree, should aim to secure one by pursuing a liberal 
and prolonged course of study, at the close of which the 
degree of Bachelor of Arts will be conferred. Those who 
may be prevented from seeking this degree will neverthe- 
less be welcomed to the University, provided that they 
are in earnest and are mature enough in years, attain- 
ments, and character to profit by the advantages which 
are here afforded. Others who have already taken their 
first degree are encouraged to go forward in advanced 
lines of work, and for them unusual facilities are pro- 
vided. Young men who are to pursue the study of law, 
medicine, or theology, or who have entered upon profes- 
sional lives, and others who expect to become teachers, 
if they desire to become proficient in literature and 
science, have easy access to the class-rooms and labora- 
tories. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy may be 
obtained, after three years of advanced study, by those 
who have met the required conditions. 
How is this Instruction given ?—By all the methods 
which experience has shown to be useful—varying accord- 
ing to the preferences of the teachers, the subjects taught, 
and the number of scholars. There are recitations, lec- 
tures, conferences, prolonged courses in laboratories, 
exercises in special libraries, personal counsel, study of 
nature out of doors. The usual four-year classes are not 
maintained, but in all the principal subjects taught there 
are beginners, intermediate students, and advanced 
workers ; so that every scholar is assigned to that posi- 
tion in each section of the University which will yield 
him the greatest advantages. He may be far advanced 
in one subject and only a beginner in another. This 
result is only secured by the engagement of a large staff 
of teachers. 
What are the Laboratory and Library Facilities ?—The 
scientific laboratories are three in number. They are 
open throughout the day and are fully equipped. For 
chemistry there is a special building arranged for about 
ninety workers, and well adapted to all kinds of chemical 
and mineralogical work. A large building has been 
recently constructed for a biological laboratory, with 
complete arrangements for physiological and morpho- 
logical work. The physical department is furnished with 
apparatus selected both for demonstration and investiga- 
tion, and especially valuable for researches in electricity, 
magnetism, light, and heat. The construction of a new 
building for a physical laboratory is now under way. 
The library includes over 26,co0 bound volumes, and 
650 serials are regularly received. It is open thirteen 
hours daily. The library of the Peabody Institute, with 
80,000 volumes, and the other Baltimore libraries, are of 
easy access. Washington is so near that the Library of 
Congress, the National Museum, and the other libraries 
and museums of the capital may be readily visited. 
What are the Necessary Expenses of a Student?—The 
charge for tuition in all departments (including the use of 
the library, and without any extra charges except for 
materials consumed in the laboratories), is 100 dollars 
per annum, payable one-half October 1, and the other 
half February 1. 
Young men. living in any part of Baltimore, or in the 
immediate vicinity, can lodge at home, as the first lessons 
