i66 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



might suggest the possibility of reddening later by oxidation. 

 But these specks are scattered so regularly and the rock has 

 apparently been so long exposed, that such result is probably 

 not to be anticipated. If such change should occur, it is very 

 liable to affect the whole surface evenly, which would do us 

 harm unless disintegration were to ensue. This is very im- 

 probable. 



Within the bounds of the more recent rock series, which form 

 the lowland areas, there are probably some members which may 

 eventually become useful in structural work. But they are 

 generally thin-bedded or too little indurated to be widely ser- 

 viceable. 



We have, however, ample deposits of raw materials suitable 

 for cement and for burning to quick-lime, and these have been 

 capitalized and now constitute important factors in the market 

 supplj' of structural substances. The manufacture of brick and 

 tile from our local clays has probably not progressed beyond 

 the initial stages of its productive history. Some day there 

 will be a much increased demand for this class of products. 



Notes and News 



Dr. R. S. Woodward, of Columbia University, was elected 

 President of the Carnegie Institution, by the trustees, De- 

 cember 13th. 



An expedition from the Indiana University, under Professors 

 John A. Miller and W. A. Coggshall, will go to Spain to observe 

 the total eclipse of the sun to take place on August 13, 1905. 



Luther Burbank has been appointed special lecturer at Stan- 

 ford. A large grant in furtherance of his masterful researches 

 in plant hybridization has been given him by the Carnegie In- 

 stitution. 



Dr. J. C. Merriam, of the University of California, and Dr. 

 J. C. Branner, of the Leland Stanford Junior University, have 

 both recently returned to the United States from vacation trips 

 to Europe. 



The American Institute of jMining Engineers will hold its 

 summer session in 1905, at Victoria, B. C. A special train will 

 leave Chicago June 24th, going direct to Aactoria. Following 

 the meeting, an excursion of 21 days by chartered steamer and 

 special trains, will take in Snettisham Bay, Junean, Skagway, 

 White Horse, Dawson and other Alaskan points, including the 

 Treadwell mines on Douglas Island. Returning to Victoria 

 five days more will be given to British Columbia mining dis- 

 tricts. Eastern participants will reach Chicago, upon the re- 

 turn, early in August. 



