Notes and Comments. 379 
of Dr. Smith, the geologist, and they take with them William 
Smith, a practical mason. The object is, in conjunction with 
an examination of the quarries, to see the situations in which, 
and the buildings upon which, the material from the respective 
quarries has been used ; and the mission is thus likely to work 
well, not in the particular instance only for which it was sug- 
gested, but in the interests of building all over the kingdom.’ 
AMERICAN METHODS. 
From an official publication issued by the United States 
Geological Survey, we learn that there has been ‘ Another 
Geological Survey Fire. This time entire building and con- 
tents barely escape destruction.’ A new building is to be 
erected, which will take three or four years. ‘ According to 
the record of the last few years, three or possibly four more 
fires must be reckoned with, since an annual fire event for the 
Geological Survey building has come to be expected copy for 
the Washington newspapers.’ Then follows the announce- 
ment ‘FIRE SALE. Geological Survey Institute’s Unique 
Procedure in offering its Geologic Folios at One-Fifth usual 
price as Result of Fire in Survey Building,’ and ‘ 150,000 folios 
are offered at the nominal price of 5 cents each.’ 
SEA FISHERIES. 
Of far more than mere economical importance are the two 
parts of the Annual Report on Sea Fisheries for the year 
Ig12, recently issued by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. 
Part 1, issued for 10}d., contains the ‘ Report,’ while part 2, 
issued at 1s. 8d., contains the Tables and Charts. Details are 
given of the scientific and economic progress made with regard 
to fishing and fishes in British waters. One unexpected piece 
of information is that ‘the remarkable progress which has 
distinguished the Norwegian Whaling industry in the last 
few years continued during I912. Since 1906 the capital 
invested has increased from about £215,000 (twenty-one 
companies) to £2,173,000 (sixty-one companies). This notable 
development has been confined to the Southern Seas. It is 
not surprising, however, that ‘The rapid and world-wide 
expansion of the industry has given rise in various quarters to 
expressions of opinion that signs of depletion of the stock of 
whales are already observable, and that means for its better 
protection will have to be considered.’ We were agreeably 
surprised to find this Government Report containing an account 
of the contents of the new Museum of Fisheries and Shipping 
at Hull. 
A BAD ATTACK. 
The following description of a strange monster is given 
in a recent issue of Totlers of the Deep. The record is made 
off the west coast of Australia by people ‘ whose sobriety, 
1913 Nov. 1 
