168 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



" Prehistoric Fishing in Europe and North America," a work 

 already noticed in this Journal. Not the least of the benefits 

 conferred by the Sinithson gift is the free system of international 

 exchanges of scientific publications carried on by it. During 

 1884 over 65,000 packages were thus distributed, of an aggregate 

 weight of nearly 154,000 pounds. The institution has also been 

 a chief reliance in State and International Exhibitions and has 

 brought great credit to the country and done it great service by 

 its labors in this direction. 



Further, the care and enlargement of the National Museum, 

 although supported by appropriations from Congress, have 

 become a prominent object with the institution. The grand 

 museum is an expression of the efficiency of the present secretary, 

 Professor Baird. 



2. American Association for the Advancement of Science. — 

 The arrangements made by the local committee for the coming 

 meeting are noticed on page 87. For all matters pertaining to 

 membership, papers, and business of the Association the perma- 

 nent Seci'etary, F. W. Putnam, should be addressed, at Salem to 

 August 20, and at Ann Arbor, Michigan, from August 20 to Sep- 

 tember 2. 



The President of the session is H. A. Newton of New Haven, 

 Ct. ; the Vice Presidents, J. H. Van Vleck of Middletown, Ct., 

 in Mathematics and Astronomy ; C. F. Brackett of Princeton, 

 N. J., in Physics; W. R. Nichols of Boston, Mass. ; J. B. Webb 

 of Ithaca, in Mechanical Science ; B. G. Wilder of Ithaca, in 

 Biology ; S. H. Gager of Ithaca, in Histology and Microscopy ; 

 W. H. Dall of Washington, in Anthropology ; and E. Atkinson 

 of Boston in Economic Science and Statistics. 



3. Report on the Museums of America and Canada; by V. 

 Ball. 34 pp. 8vo. — Mr. Ball, formerly connected with the geoh g- 

 M5al Survey of India, is now Director of the Science and Art 

 Museum, Dublin. His observations on American Museums were 

 made during his visit to the country last summer, and with special 

 reference to the improvement of the arrangements in the museum 

 under his charge, and not without some profit, as he states in his 

 report. 



The Sun: A familiar description of his phenomena, by the Rev. Thomas W. 

 "Webb. 80 pp. 12mo. New York, 1885. (Industrial Publication Company.) 



An Introduction to Practical Chemistry, including Analysis, by John E. Bow- 

 man; edited by Charles L. Bloxam. Eighth edition. 248 pp. 12mo. Philadel- 

 phia, 1885. (P. Blakiston, Son & Co.) 



An Introduction to Practical Organic Analysis, adapted to the requirements of 

 the first M. B. Examination, by George E. R. Ellis. 72 pp. 12mo. London, 1885. 

 (Longmans, Green & Co.) 



OBITUAKY. 



Titiax R. Pjeale, of Philadelphia, died on the 13th of March, 

 1885, in his 86th year. Mr. Peale was one of the Naturalists of 

 the Wilkes Exploring Expedition. He was for twenty-four years 

 connected with the Patent Office at Washington. 



