Miscellaneous Intelligence. 397 



Hawaiian Islands, also those of Java, Iceland, etc. ; further the 

 volcanic troughs of East Africa. The resemblance brought out 

 in certain salient peculiarities is very striking, and it is rightly 

 urged that a comparative study of the lunar and terrestrial sur- 

 faces in these and similar directions is likely to lead to a much 

 better knowledge of the moon's history and a safer interpretation 

 of what the telescope reveals. 



10. Experimental Morphology • by C. B. Davenport, Ph.D. 

 Part First, Effect of chemical and physical agents upon proto- 

 plasm. New York, 1897 (The Macmillan Company). — The thor- 

 oughness which characterizes this important treatise renders it 

 the most useful annotated bibliography of the subject which has 

 appeared. But it is far more than an expanded bibliography. 

 With a good sense of proportion, Dr. Davenport has placed at 

 the command of biologists, not merely the results which have 

 already been secured in this fascinating field, but he has pointed 

 out certain directions which new investigations ought to pursue if 

 they are to be fruitful. The sequence of subjects does not com- 

 mend itself to us as in all respects the best, for it appears as if 

 the effect of molar agents and of varying moisture upon proto- 

 plasm might well precede instead of follow the action of chem- 

 ical agents and the molecular forces, but, aside from this, one can 

 go with the author along a straight path, until he comes to the 

 end of this part, now before us, namely, the action of light and 

 heat upon protoplasm. 



The general considerations on the effects of chemical and phys- 

 ical agents upon protoplasm, which constitute the closing chapter 

 of this part, are carefully stated, and keep on relatively safe 

 ground : they are at the same time of a distinctly suggestive 

 character which must aid in carrying out the chief wish of the 

 author, namely, the stimulation of further inquiries in this attrac- 

 tive and fertile field. Botanists owe to Dr. Davenport very sin- 

 cere thanks for the exhaustive manner in which he has presented 

 the botanical side of his subject. g. l. g. 



III. Miscellaneous Scientific Intelligence. 



1. Geological Lectures of Harvard University. — Dr. Hans 

 Reusch, Director of the Geological Survey of Norway, has been 

 appointed to the Sturgis-Hooper Professorship of Geology in 

 Harvard University, left vacant since the death of Professor J. 

 D. Whitney, a year ago. Dr. Reusch will deliver two courses of 

 lectures. During the first half year he will treat of Vulcanism : 

 volcanoes and eruptive rocks in general ; earthquakes and move- 

 ments of the earth's crust. In the second half year, he will con- 

 sider the Geology of Northern Europe, and its relations to general 

 geology. These lectures will be given in the Museum, where the 

 Whitney geological library will be immediately accessible. The 

 third hour of each week will be set apart for seminary work, with 

 reports and discussions on geological literature. In the spring, 



