



Miscellaneous Intelligence. 401 



" The operations of the Astrophysical Observatory during the 

 past year have been distinguished, first, by the publication of the 

 first volume of its Annals, in which the infra-red solar spectrum 

 is the main topic; second, by progress in the preparation of a 

 highly sensitive, steady, and magnetically shielded galvanometer; 

 third, by observations of the total solar eclipse, in which excel- 

 lent large-scale photographs of the corona were secured, the 

 coronal extensions photographed to upward of three diameters 

 from the moon's limb, the absence of intra-mercurial planets 

 above the fourth magnitude made nearly certain and the presence 

 of several such between the fifth and seventh magnitude rendered 

 as probable as single photographs can do, and finally, in which 

 the small but measurable intensity of the total radiations and the 

 effectively low temperature of the inner corona were observed by 

 the aid of the bolometer." 



4. Memorial of George Brown Goode. — Report of the U. S. 

 National Museum, Part II. Pp. 515, with 109 plates. Washington, 

 1901 (Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution for the year 

 ending June 30th, 1897). — This volume is devoted to a Memorial 

 of Dr. George Brown Goode, giving also a selection of his papers on 

 Museums and the History of Science in America. It opens with 

 an account of the memorial exercises held to commemorate the 

 life and services of Dr. Goode, on February 13th, 1897, with the 

 addresses by Prof. Langley and others, delivered at that time. 

 A memoir by Prof. Langley follows (pp. 41-61). The remainder 

 of the volume is devoted to the re-publication of some of the 

 papers by Dr. Goode. Dr. Goode's services to science were so 

 important ; his study of museums in general so thorough, and his 

 labors in behalf of the one of which he was in charge so active 

 and fruitful ; his example as a man was so inspiring, that this 

 volume must interest and benefit a large number of readers. 



The opening paper discusses museum-history and gives an 

 account of the older museums of the world. Another paper 

 describes the origin and development of the U. S. National 

 Museum ; others are of general character and deal with museum 

 administration and the progress of museums in the future. The 

 discussions of the beginning of Natural History in America, and 

 of American science in general, which are given in other papers, 

 are most interesting, and bring together much material which it 

 would be difficult to find in any other place. The volume is 

 enriched by upwards of one hundred portraits of notable men, 

 who, as scientists, explorers or statesmen, contributed to the 

 advancement of science in this country. 



5. U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey: Report of the Superin- 

 tendent for the year from July 1st, 1898 to June 30th, 1899. 

 Pp. 964, 4to, with numerous plates and maps. Washington, 

 1900. — The annual volume of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Sur- 

 vey contains the usual summary of the work, geodetic, hydro- 

 graphic, magnetic, tidal, etc., which has been carried on in 

 different parts of the country. This is followed by a series of 



Am. Jour. Sci. — Fourth Series, Vol. XI, No. 65. — May, 1901. 



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