338 



SCIENCE 



[X. S. Vol. XLVII. No. 1214 



bringing back rare specimens, while from an 

 educational point of view it has done more 

 than any other museum in revealing the early- 

 history of Mesopotamia and throwing light on 

 early cidture. 



In spite of its youth the real estate, build- 

 ings and exhibits are given the very conserva- 

 tive valuation of more than four million dol- 

 lars, or nearly the value of the total equip- 

 ment of the entire university as carried on its 

 books when founded. 



Its collections of Chinese art are the largest 

 and most representative to be found anywhere 

 in the world, including China. 



Its Babylonian collections are the most im- 

 portant in the world and scholars have used 

 them to reveal millenniums of previously un- 

 known history. The museum has published 

 many of its translations, which have made a 

 great impression upon the entire world. 



Its Egyptian collections are very large and 

 representative, and when those now held in 

 Egypt until the war ends arrive, the exhibit 

 will be one of the most notable in this country. 



Its collections of Eskimo material are the 

 most complete to be found anywhere, and it 

 has a great collection of N'orth American 

 Indian specimens. 



Its South American collections, especially 

 those gathered by Dr. Farabee, are not only 

 unrivaled, but 'the archeological exhibits are 

 the greatest and are almost unique. 



Its collections of Tibetan, Indian, Persian 

 and Syrian art are large and valuable. 



It has vast stores of valuable art and ethno- 

 logical material stored away which there is 

 no room now to place on exhibition. 



How greatly the museum is appreciated out- 

 side this city is shown by the fact that within 

 thirty days $75,000 has been given to the in- 

 stitution by men who have not even visited it, 

 but who know of its value. Of this sum $30,- 

 000 has just been given by a 'New York man, 

 who has watched its career with interest and 

 approval, and has no connection whatever with 

 the university, but desires to increase the mu- 

 seum's educational influences, and, approxi- 

 Dlately, $35,000 by another benefactor, also a 

 non-resident of the state of Pennsylvania. 



The museum is preparing to enlarge its 

 sphere of public usefulness and will shortly 

 issue an announcement of its purposes. It has 

 done much by giving free public lectures Sat- 

 urday afternoons by the best specialists, has 

 given "Wednesday afternoon lectures especially 

 for school children and now desires in the 

 most practical way to further cooperate with 

 all art schools, art clubs, school art leagues 

 and high-school art classes not only in this city 

 but in the entire siu-rounding country. Al- 

 ready much work has been done by assisting 

 manufacturers who have sought collections in 

 the museum for securing new designs or new 

 ideas, and it proposes to extend this work so 

 far as is possible so as to bring the practical 

 results of the exhibits in touch with the com- 

 mercial expansion of the city to a greater 

 extent than ever. 



RECONSTRUCTION COMMISSIONS OF THE 

 BRITISH GOVERNMENT 



The British ministry of reconstruction has 

 just published a complete list of the various 

 commissions and committees that have been 

 set up, both within that ministry and within 

 other ministries and departments of the Brit- 

 ish government, to deal with questions which 

 will arise at the close of the war. 



These commissions and committees, which 

 have been appointed at different times since 

 the war began, now number 87 and fall into 

 15 groups. 



Among the committees on scientific and in- 

 dustrial research are the following: 



Fuel Besearcli Soard. — To investigate the na- 

 ture, preparation and utilization of fuel of all 

 kinds, both in the laboratory and, where necessary, 

 on an industrial scale. 



Cold Storage Besearch Board. — Appointed to or- 

 ganize and control research into problems of the 

 preservation of food products by cold storage and 

 otherwise. 



Standing Committees on Engineering, Metal- 

 lurgy, Mining and Glass and Optical Instruments. — 

 To advise the council on researches relating to the 

 lines of activity named and on such matters as 

 may be referred to the committee by the advisory 

 council. 



Joint Standing Committee on Illuminating Engi- 

 nee'ring. — To survey the field for research on il- 



