160 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



3. Upon the meteoric theory of the zodiacal light, it is to be ex- 

 pected that a continous zodiacal band should be present ; but the 

 question of its actual visibility is complicated by the slight maxi- 

 ma of stellar density which are situated along those parts of the 

 ecliptic most readily accessible to observation from stations in 

 the northern hemisphere. 



4. The belt of sky occupied by the pi-ojections of the orbits of 

 the first 237 asteroids presents certain peculiarities which corres- 

 pond to those of the zodiacal light, and suggest the hypothesis 

 that the light may be partly due to minute objects circulating in 

 orbits like those of the smaller planets. 



Mr. Searle also finds incidentally that a stream of small stars is 

 indicated by the Durchmusterung as extending along the ecliptic 

 from 8 Cancri to /3 Virginis. h. a. w. 



2. " International Exhibition of Implements against Crypto- 

 gams and Parasites.'''' — The following circular has been issued by 

 the Royal School of Viti-Culture and (Enology at Conegliano 

 (near Venice). " The Minister of Agriculture, Industry and Com- 

 merce of Italy, in order to favor and facilitate the application of 

 the methods of destroying the cryptogams and parasites of culti- 

 vated plants, and especially the use of the milk calx against the 

 Perorospora (mildew) of the vine, has decreed (November 9th) 

 the opening of an international Exhibition, and the offering of 

 prizes for pumps, watering and pulverization implements. The 

 Exhibition will take place at Conegliano at the Royal School of 

 Viticulture and (Enology. 



The following prizes will be awarded : 1 Gold Medal-: and 500 

 francs ; 3 Silver Medals and, with each, 150 francs ; 5 bronze Medals. 

 The Ministry of Agriculture will also purchase rewarded imple- 

 ments to the value of 1000 francs ^ for distribution to the 

 Agrarian government stations and practical and special Agri- 

 cultural schools. 



Exhibitors must apply for admission to the ' Direzione della R. 

 Scuola di Viticoltura ed Enologia in Conegliano,' not later than 

 the 22d of February, 1886. The application must contain a short 

 description of the instruments and the price of each object which 

 is offered for exhibition. Italian and foreign inventors and makers, 

 or their representatives, must present their machines at the model 

 farm of the School at Conegliano by the 1st of March, 1886. On 

 the 2d of March and following days will take place the trials and 

 experiments for comparison, in which proprietors and viticulturists 

 may assist. The jury that awards the prizes will present, within 

 20 days from the close of the exhibition, special reports about 

 the exhibited instruments, which reports will be printed in the 

 'JBollettino di Notizie Agrarid of the Ministry of Agriculture." 



