'j2 The West American Scientist. 



of 'Visible Speech,' the great boon to deaf-mutes. IVofessor 

 Bell calls this new discovery of his 'World-English,' and the re- 

 sult is a language which cannot fail to meet with acceptance, and 

 at once supersede the supposed necessity for Volapi'ik, or any 

 other artificial language. No language could be invented for 

 international use that would surpass English in grammatical sim- 

 plicity, and in general fitness to become the tongue of the world. 

 It is already the mother-tongue of increasing millions in both 

 hemispheres, and some knowledge of the language is demanded 

 by all educated populations on the globe. Social and commercial 

 necessities require that the acquisition of this knowledge shall be 

 facilitated, and it is believed that Professor Bell's invention has 

 removed the last impediment to English becoming the universal 

 language, for which vague desires have long been entertained, 

 although hitherto only futile efiorts have been made. "World- 

 English' is published in pamphlet form by N. D. C. Hodges, 47 

 Lafayette Place, New York. Price, 25 cents. 



Our Native Ferns and their Allies — By L. M. Under- 

 wood, Ph. D. The third edition of this valuable book has just 

 appeared from the press of Henry Holt & Co., New York. Oi 

 the true ferns it records 156 species, and gives synoptical descrip- 

 tions of the other American Pteridophyta known north of Mexico. 

 The fern allies have 68 species noticed, among them a new genus 

 (Salvinia) and five species — two hitherto undescribed — that were 

 not embraced in the former editions. 



Nature Studies. — ^J. Fitzgerald, publisher, 24 East 4th street, 

 New York. Pice. 15 cents. Here are contained four highly in- 

 teresting essays on 'Flame,' 'Birds of Passage,' 'Snow' and 

 'Caves,' by Prof. Lowe, Dr. Robert Brown. G C Chisholm, and 

 James Dallas, respectively. An attractive variety of subjects, and 

 the essays are written in captivating style. 



Nests and Eggs of North American Birds. — The third 

 edition of this standard work ot Prof. Oliver Davie is now in 

 press. It will contain twelve full-page engravings by Dr. Theo. 

 Jasper and W. O. Emerson, with an introduction by J. Parker 

 Norris. From the advance sheets received we judge the char- 

 acter of the book to be greatly improved and brought up to date 

 in matters of nomenclature and completeness. Price, $1.00. 

 About 350 pp.. octavo. Orders will be received at this office. 



NOTES AND NEWS. 



A large eagle was shot last month in Chase County in Kansas. 



Four barrels of water of the Great Salt Lake will leave after 

 evaporation nearly a barrel of salt. 



A beautifully carved reindeer's horn was recently found in a 

 cave in France. This is the latest relic ot pre-historic man. 



The old Audubon place at 155th street, near 12th avenue, for 



