426 



SCIENCE. 



[N. S. Vol. XXIV. No. 614. 



comprehensive showing of Scotland's geo- 

 logical history and mutations. 



Among its extraordinary features he 

 will be attracted to the Heddle collection 

 of cut and polished agates with their 

 labeled parts and exposition. It is well 

 known that Dr. Heddle took a very partic- 

 ular interest in the genesis of agates and 

 related mineral phenomena, and the little 

 leaflet which may be purchased "at the door 

 of the museum to-day may be regarded 

 as a complete expression of his opinions- 

 convictions in this matter he conscientiously 

 repudiated— on the subject. It has been 

 prepared by Mr. J. G. Goodchild. The 

 extensive display of cut agates will sur- 

 prise visitors and seems, perhaps, rather 

 needlessly elaborated. But these small 

 nodules, cut across their longest diameter 

 and polished, are very attractive, and the 

 short attached printed labels reveal differ- 

 ences in structure and composition which 

 are very interesting. It is impossible to 

 even epitomize Dr. Heddle 's views on this 

 subject in this article, but it may interest 

 readers to learn that the late Dr. Heddle, 

 of St. Andrews, formed a very large col- 

 lection of agates, gathered from all parts 

 of Scotland, principally with the view of 

 obtaining definite information as to the 

 developmental history of these forms of 

 silica. This collection, on the death of Dr. 

 Heddle, passed into the hands of Mr. 

 Alex. Thoms, of St. Andrews, who, already 

 a generous donor to the Scottish mineral 

 collection, in 1898 presented to the mu- 

 seum 1,000 of Dr. Heddle 's agates, all of 

 them selected and typical examples. It is 

 these specimens which are now carefully 

 exhibited in their surprising variety in the 

 hall of the Edinburgh Museum, enclosing 

 its examples of Scottish geology. 



The Edinburgh Museum is a plain and, 

 probably, inadequately equipped museum; 

 it is neither ostentatious nor unimportant, 



it contains a great accumulation of ma- 

 terial, and this brief notice may draw at- 

 tention to it, amongst the numerous visit- 

 ors to the Athens of the north. Such 

 sketches of museums, imperfect and frag- 

 mentary as they may be, cumulatively help 

 to increase the interest taken in museums 

 by the lay and professional member. 



L. P. Gratacap. 



ISRAEL COOK RUSSELL. 



The senate of the University of Mich- 

 igan has adopted the following memorial 

 as offered by the committee. Professors 

 Lombard and D'Ooge: 



Again and for the third time within the 

 short space of two montlis, the hand of 

 death has been laid heavily upon us, and 

 we are called to mourn the loss of another 

 honored and beloved colleague. 



Professor Israel Cook Russell entered 

 upon his duties as professor of geology in 

 this university in the autumn of 1892, and 

 was stricken down in the midst of his work 

 by an illness which after a few day termi- 

 nated his life, on May 1, 1906. He was 

 born near Garratsville, N. Y., December 

 10, 1852, son of Barnabas and Louisa Sher- 

 man (Cook) Russell. Plis ancestors were 

 early settlers in New England. He was 

 fitted for college at the Rural High School, 

 Clinton, N. Y., and Hasbrook Institute, 

 Jersey City. He entered the University 

 of the City of New York in 1869, and was 

 graduated bachelor of science . and civil 

 engineer in 1872. After pursuing grad- 

 uate studies at the Columbia School of 

 Mines, he was given the degree, master of 

 science, by the University of New York in 

 1875. In 1874 he went to New Zealand 

 as a member of the United States Transit 

 of Venus Expedition, and in this connec- 

 tion made a journey round the world. On 

 his return home in 1875 he was appointed 

 assistant professor of geology in the Co- 



