244 Scientific Intelligence. 



- 4. The Grasses of Iowa ; by L. H. Pammel, J. B. Weems 

 and F. Lamson-Scribner (Bull. 1, Iowa Geological Survey), pp. 

 1-525, woodcuts in text 220, 1901. — This is an elaborate scientific 

 discussion of the grasses of the state by botanists, though pub- 

 lished as the first of the Bulletins of the Geological Survey, 

 which is authorized to publish on subjects " of economic interest 

 relating to the Natural History of the State." It is a paper one 

 would naturally look for among the agricultural reports. The 

 illustrations present numerous histological details as well as rep- 

 resentations of the form and modes of growth of the plants. 



5. The Birds of North and Middle America; by Robert 

 Ridgewat. Part I, Family Fringillidse — the Finches. Pp. xxx, 

 715 ; with 20 plates. Washington, 1901 (Bulletin No. 50, U. S. 

 Nat. Museum, Smithsonian Institution). — The comprehensive 

 character of this valuable work will be seen from the statement 

 in the preface that it is intended to describe in it " every species 

 and subspecies, or definable form, of bird found on the continent 

 of North America, from the arctic districts to the eastern end of 

 the Isthmus of Panama, together with those of the West Indies 

 and other islands of the Caribbean Sea (except Trinidad and 

 Tobago) and the Galapago Archipelago ; introduced and natural- 

 ized species being included as well as accidental or casual 

 visitors." 



III. Miscellaneous Scientific Intelligence. 



1. The Smithsonian Institution; Docuinents Relative to its 

 Origin and History ', 1835-1899, compiled and edited by William 

 Jones Rhees, in two volumes, vol. ii, 1887-1899, pp. xvi, 1045- 

 1983. — This second volume of the valuable compilation of Smith- 

 sonian Documents, noticed in the December number of this Journal 

 (p. 473), has recently been issued and completes this important 

 work. 



2. Scientia. — This valuable series, published in Paris by G. 

 Carre and C. Naud under the above name, has received the 

 following additions : 



Production et emploi des Courants alternatifs; par L. Barbillion. (Phys.- 

 Mathematique, No. 11.) Pp. 103, 1901. 



La Serie de Taylor et son proloogement analytique ; par J. Hadamard. (Phys.- 

 Mathematique, No. 12.) Pp. 102, 1901. 



Knowledge Diary and Scientific Hand-book for 1902. Pp. 112. London, 

 1901. Issued in conjunction with " Knowledge" (Knowledge Office, 326 

 High Holborn). The varied scope of this volume will be seen from the fol- 

 lowing statement of its contents. It contains original descriptive articles on 

 the observation of comets and meteors ; how to use an equatorial telescope ; 

 the microscope and its uses ; aids to field botany ; hints on meteorology ; 

 and monthly astronomical ephemeris. Also the paths of the principal 

 planets for the year, illustrated with charts ; astronomical notes and tables, 

 with an account of the celestial phenomena of the year ; and twelve star 

 maps showing the night sky for every month in the year, with full descrip- 

 tive account of the visible constellations and principal stars ; a calendar of 

 notable scientific events ; an obituary for the year. 



