314 Notes and Comments. 
a highly differentiated stage, and among the earliest recog- 
nizable groups are many species which are still existing and 
dominent types to-day. 
EOZOON CANADENSE. 
It is not so very many years—less than half a century, 
in fact—since the sensational discovery of Eozoon canadense 
in the Laurentian rocks of Canada was hailed as evidence 
that the oldest fossil, was, as might have been expected, a 
rhizopod. Into the long warfare which was waged around 
this fossil, it is not proposed to enter in detail. But there was 
at the time of its discovery no greater authority on the 
Rhizopoda than the late Dr. W. B. Carpenter. He threw the 
whole weight of his authority into the scale in favour of the 
foraminiferal nature of Fozoon, and to the last was convinced 
of the soundness of his belief. But the balance of evidence 
has turned against him, and since his death but little interest 
has been shown in the question, Eozoon having been relegated 
by more or less general consent to the mineral kingdom. 
We are, however, again threatened with a renewal of the 
controversy, for Mr. R. Kirkpatrick, of the British Museum, 
has recently announced in Nature that he is in possession of 
fresh evidence of the foraminiferal nature of Eozoon, and will 
shortly publish it. The microscopical world will no doubt 
await this evidence with interest.’ 
THE SELBY MUSEUM. 
We learn from the Press that ‘The Selby Educational 
Museum, which the late Sir Jonathan Hutchinson has left to 
his trustees to dispose of in their absolute discretion, has been 
generously offered to the town of Selby. The Urban District 
Council have the matter under consideration, and a decision 
will doubtless be arrived at at a special meeting. The Museum 
buildings include a large Museum Hall, which is used for 
public meetings. The property was leased from Lord Londes- 
borough, and the term under the lease has yet to run some 
twenty-seven years. Inquiry is now being made as to the 
terms upon which the lease can be renewed or the property 
purchased. The property would without doubt be an 
acquisition to the town. The project is being mooted to 
move the Art School from its present inadequate premises 
in New Lane and provide for it in the Museum buildings, 
where there would be sufficient room. A more spacious 
Council Chamber for the Urban Council meetings is needed, 
and this could also be provided at the Museum- buildings. 
with the carrying out of slight alterations.’ From this it 
would seem that it is not altogether a Museum that the people 
of Selby want. At present we know the Museum is useful 
for political meetings and domino competitions, but it should 
rise above that. 
Naturalist, 
