262 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



say for two years. Here surely is a fine field open in which to 

 gain well-merited distinction." 



2. Aid to Astronomical Research. — Miss C. W. Bruce has 

 offered the sum of six thousand dollars ($6,000) during the pres- 

 ent year in aid of astronomical research. No restriction will be 

 made likely to limit the usefulness of this gift. In the hope of 

 making it of the greatest benefit to science, the entire sum will be 

 divided, and in general the amount devoted to a single object will 

 not exceed five hundred dollars ($500). Precedence will be given 

 to institutions and individuals whose work is already known 

 through their publications, also to those cases which cannot other- 

 wise be provided for or where additional sums can be procured if 

 a part of the cost is furnished. Applications are invited from 

 astronomers of all countries, and should be made to the under- 

 signed before October 1, 1890, giving complete information re- 

 garding the desired objects. Applications not acted on favor- 

 ably will be regarded as confidential. The unrestricted character 

 of this gift should insure many important results to science, if 

 judiciously expended. In that case it is hoped that others will 

 be encouraged to follow this example, and that eventually it may 

 lead to securing the needed means for any astronomer who could 

 so use it as to make a real advance in astronomical science. Any 

 suggestions regarding the best way of fulfilling the objects of this 

 circular will be gratefully received. 



Harvard College Observatory, EDWARD C. PICKERING. 



Cambridge, Mass., U. S. A., July 15, 1890. 



3. Construction of buildings in Earthquake countries. — Vol- 

 ume xiv of the Transactions of the Seismological Society of Japan 

 (1889) consists of a discussion by John Milne of the subject of 

 suitable buildings for earthquake countries. It describes disasters 

 and the best ways of avoiding them in constructions, and illus- 

 trates the subject with plans and views. 



4. A Handbook of Engine and Boiler Trials and the Indi- 

 cator and Prony Brake. For engineers and technical schools ; 

 by R. H. Thurston. 514 pp. Svo. New York, 1890 (John 

 Wiley & Sons). — The author has given us here a standard work 

 of reference in a department of great practical importance in 

 civil engineering, and has thus filled a place not occupied before. 

 The instructions given for the application of the trials are practi- 

 cal and clearly stated, and the methods to be used are described 

 with precision and conciseness, and the engineer will find this 

 fresh and accurate handbook of great value to him. 



5. The Science of Metrology ; or Natural Weights and Meas- 

 ures. A challenge to the Metric System ; by the Hon. E. Noel. 

 83 pp. London, 1889 (Edward Stanford). — In this little book 

 the author has attempted to show that " by a little amending the 

 existing English measures can be evolved into a system scientif- 

 ically as well as practically superior to the Metric." 



Gesammelte matkematische Abhandlungen von H. A. Schwarz. Yol. i, 338 

 pp., with 4 plates ; vol. ii, 370 pp. Large 8vo. Berlin, 1890 (Julius Springer). 



