﻿162 Scientific Intelligence. 



Haven, 1885. — This large volume is an important contribution to 

 Physiological Chemistry, and is itself the best commendation of 

 the organization of a laboratory in which so large an amount of 

 good work could be accomplished in a single year. The papers 

 included are eleven in number ; one of these by Professors Chit- 

 tenden and H. E. Smith gives the results of a quantitative study 

 of the diastatic action of saliva as modified by various conditions ; 

 another by the same authors shows that the absorption of arsenic 

 by the brain is limited to cases when soluble forms of arsenic 

 have been administered. Other papers discuss the modifications 

 of the amylolytic action of saliva and of the diastase of malt 

 under various conditions, also the influence of various salts and 

 other substances upon the proteolytic action, and kindred topics. 



II. Geology and Natubal Histoky. 



1. Geological Survey of Pennsylvania. Report of the Pro- 

 gress of the Survey for 1885, by the State Geologist, J. P. Les- 

 ley. Harrisburg, 1886. — Professor Lesley, in this chapter from 

 his Annual Report, reviews briefly the work of the survey since 

 1874, when it began. By the close of 1885, 67 volumes of 

 reports in 8vo had been published ; the survey of the counties 

 was nearly completed, 57 large colored geological maps and 

 two uncolored of the 67 counties had been published ; an octavo 

 hand-atlas which contains colored geological maps on a small 

 scale of all the counties; besides several parts of the atlas of the 

 Anthracite region and numerous detailed maps and sections in 

 the volumes of text. 



In 1885, the appropriation for the years 1885-1886 was unfor- 

 tunately reduced to only $25,000 a year, one-half the previous 

 allowance ; and at the same time the legislature asked for a new 

 survey of the oil, gas and coal fields of western Pennsylvania. 

 This crippling of the survey in its resources when doubling on 

 its duties was of the worst kind of economy, especially for a State 

 whose resources are so vastly mineral and geological in nature. 

 Still, a large amount of work was accomplished in 1885, which 

 awaits publication. 



The survey has been ably conducted, and has had, with Profes- 

 sor Lesley at the head, an excellent corps of geological workers. 

 It has been pushed forward with energy and produced great and 

 admirable results, and those engaged in it merit the confidence 

 and thanks and generous support in whatever plans for the com- 

 pletion of the survey the director may present. This report is 

 prefaced by a beautiful colored geological map of the State of 

 Pennsylvania which in itself speaks a strong word for the survey. 



2. Volcanic Eruption in New Zealand. — The region of the New 

 Zealand volcanic eruption in June last (between 1 and 2 o'clock on 

 the morning of the 10th), is northeast of the center of the broad 

 part of the North Island near lake Tarawera. The chief seat of 

 the eruptions was in Mt. Tarawera and its vicinity on the east 



