114 Chronicles of Science. [Jan., 



are taking place in the Niagara Falls. The Horseshoe Fall has 

 become more triangular, and it is said more beautiful. It has 

 retired considerably on the American side. 



The American rivers are undergoing a considerable change. It 

 is not to be wondered at that Mr. Marsh, an inhabitant of that 

 continent, should have been struck with the power that man has 

 in altering the appearance of the country, and consequently its 

 atmospheric phenomena. The book* he wrote some time back could 

 receive no more striking illustrations than from his native continent. 

 The clearing the primeval forests, the cultivation of the land, and 

 the diversion of drainage in new directions have led to astonishing 

 results. The mighty Mississippi is developing sand-banks and 

 shoals, and is running with steadily decreased stream. The rapid 

 rising after rain no longer takes place, and the navigation of the 

 river is much altered in character. 



The first separate map of Candia, a place about which we are 

 all now beginning to inquire, has lately been published by Mr. 

 "Wylde. It is extremely clear and distinct, and will be useful for 

 reference, both during the revolution, and also when that revolution 

 has accomplished its object. 



It is not often that we have to record honour done to scientific 

 men. It is with great pleasure that we chronicle the fact that 

 Mr. Baker has received knighthood at the hands of Her Majesty, 

 and that Captain Speke has been made Commander of the Bath, 

 both to commemorate their researches about the head waters of the 

 Nile. Whilst mentioning the notice taken of the enterprise of these 

 gentlemen, we cannot pass over the intrepidity, the self-denial, and 

 the patient endurance of the wife of the former. It is pleasant to 

 think that whilst she endured privation, assisting and being assisted 

 by her husband, she with him receives a portion of the honour 

 bestowed on hini. 



Proceedings of the Koyal Geographical. Society. 



At the commencement of the session of 1866-7 the President, 

 Sir Boderick I. Murchison, gave a slight sketch of recent geo- 

 graphical doings, and mentioned some of the papers that it was 

 expected would be read at the forthcoming meetings. But little 

 that is new or startling had been effected, but work was going 

 steadily onward. Dr. Livingstone is advancing and gaining im- 

 portant knowledge as to the watershed of Africa. A letter, of 

 which an abstract is given below, was read at a subsequent meeting 

 detailing his discoveries. Mr. W. Chandless, the recipient of the 

 Victoria Medal for his exploration of the Purus river, has examined 

 its tributary, the Aquiry, and is expected before the end of the session 



* ' Man and Nature ; or, Physical Geography as modified hy Human Action.' 

 By G. P. Marsh. 



