NOTES 231 
if the papers contained any biographical details of importance they 
would not have escaped me.” 
[ Mr. Beevor here refers to the life of Dr. Edmond Halley, as yet 
unwritten. With the mine of inedited material on that subject, 
now available, and the exceedingly fortuitous circumstance of the 
predicted return of Halley’s comet, in 1910, it will, indeed, be sur- 
prising if no English scholar undertakes the preparation of an 
adequate biography of “ the second most illustrious of Anglo-Saxon 
philosophers.” The subject is one which, owing to Halley’s varied 
career, would readily lend itself to popular treatment, without de- 
tracting from the scientific value of the resultant work. 
—EvuGENE FairFieLD McPIKE.] 
MoNUMENT TO Pror. ErNst ABBE 
A movement is in progress in Jena for the erection of a monument 
to Ernst Abbe, who was for many years connected with the univer- 
sity in that city. While distinguished for eminence in mathematics, 
Professor Abbe devoted much attention to its application to the 
natural sciences, and is widely known for his work in connection 
with the design and perfection of optical instruments, especially 
those relating to microscopy and photography. 
His fellow citizens remember him also as a pioneer in social 
science who, with characteristic unselfishness, set aside the thought 
of his own advantage in the endeavor to assure the full fruit of his 
work to those who should come after him. The present spontaneous 
movement towards the erection of an artistic monument in Jena to 
his memory is an indication of the affectionate remembrance 
cherished for Professor Abbe in his former home. 
SMITHSONIAN DELEGATES TO INTERNATIONAL CONGRESSES 
Dr. LEONHARD STEJNEGER, curator of the division of reptiles and 
batrachians in the National Museum, represented the Smithsonian 
Institution and the Museum at the Fourth International Ornitho- 
logical Congress at London, June 12 to 17, 1905, and will also 
represent the Smithsonian Institution at the International Conven- 
tion of the International Catalogue of Scientific Literature to be held 
in London beginning July 25. : 
Mr. F. V. CoviLte, curator of the division of plants in the Na- 
tional Museum represented the Smithsonian Institution and the 
Museum at the Second International Botanical Congress at Vienna, 
June 11 to 18, 1905. 
