NOTES 375 
records of barometric pressure and air temperature showed an ex- 
treme height of nearly ten miles, with a temperature of 85° F. 
below zero eight miles above the earth, and that at about seven 
miles a relatively warm stratum was entered which was found to be 
at a higher level in the summer and autumn. 
SMITHSONIAN TABLE AT NAPLES ZOOLOGICAL STATION 
In response to a memorial signed by nearly two hundred biologists, 
representing about eighty universities, colleges and scientific insti- 
tutions in the United States, the Smithsonian Institution has for 
the past twelve years supported a table at the Naples Zoological 
Station. During that period free use of this table has been granted 
to about forty specialists in various lines of biological research. 
Applications for the Smithsonian seat have been numerous, and 
although the collective appointments for any year have but twice 
exceeded an occupancy of twelve months for one student, not infre- 
quently two, and in rare instances three occupants have been accom- 
modated at the same time through the kindness of Doctor Dohrn, 
the Director. 
The present occupant of the Smithsonian seat at the Naples Sta- 
tion is Dr. Stewart Paton, of Johns Hopkins University, whose 
researches relate to problems of fundamental importance in connec- 
tion with the structure, development, and function of the nerves, 
and their relation to the cardiac movements. Doctor Paton will be 
succeeded by Dr. M. M. Metcalf, of Oberlin College, whose re- 
searches will include a study of the early development of the ner- 
vous system in-the asexual reproduction of Salpa. 
INTERNATIONAL FISHERY CONGRESS 
The International Fishery Congress will hold its fourth general 
meeting in the city of Washington during the summer of 1908, and 
to enhance the interest in its proceedings prizes for contributions 
of merit have been offered by a number of organizations and indi- 
viduals. In view of the importance of the occasion the Smithsonian 
‘Institution has tendered an award of $200 for the best essay or 
treatise on “ International Regulations of the Fisheries on the High 
Seas, their History, Objects and Results.” 
VALPARAISO EARTHQUAKE 
The Institution has been informed, through the Department of 
State, that an Earthquake Commission has been appointed by the 
