492 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 
the journal containing the photometric observations made from 
August, 1877, to September, 1878, and in part those of October, 
1878, to March, 1879; these are numbered from 1 to 5037. 
Chapter III contains the reduction of the observations of Saturn 
and Mars, and of Jupiter and Venus at their conjunctions in 
1877; and chapter IV contains the discussion of the observations 
made on the more conspicuous double stars visible in the latitude 
of Cambridge. This work is one of especial importance because it 
is the first time that so large an instrument has been entirely 
devoted to Photometry. 
IV. MIscELLANEOUS SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. 
1. Geological Survey of the Public Domain.—In volume xvii of 
this Journal, at page 78 (January number, 1879), the Report of the 
Committee of the National Academy of Sciences “ appointed to 
consider the Scientific Surveys of the United States” which had 
been required of the Academy by an act of Congress, is published 
at length. e Report recommended two distinct departments 
with reference to such surveys, under separate heads—one fo 
Surveys of Mensuration (to include the Coast and Geodetic sur- 
veys, and the topograpical work of the Land Survey office, an 
the other, for “the determination of all questions relating to the 
Geological structure and Natural Resources of the Public Domain.” 
embraces vast mineral wealth in its soils, metals, salines, stones, 
ays, etc. To meet the requirements of existing laws in the dis- 
position of the agricultural, mine toral, 
swamp lands, a thorough investigation and classification of - 
t ing a " 
Civil a which has reference on tere cited (pp. 20, 21). 
a For salary of the Director of the Geological Survey, which 
Office is hereby established, under the Interior Department, who 
Shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and 
ent of the Senate, six thousand dollars: Provided, That this 
