320 NOTES. 
We are sorry to learn that the Government of Nova Scotia, in 
resorting to the retrenchment system, has withdrawn the small, 
annual grant heretofore made to the Institute of Natural Science, 
the only scientific society that colony possesses; and, moreover, 
one which for the past eight years has struggled to maintain a 
position creditable to itself and the country in which it is estab- 
lished. Surely the trouble and expense of publishing, setting 
aside the gratuitous mental labor of those members who have 
furnished the interesting papers which together form the eight 
annual parts, comprising two volumes of over one thousand pages, 
should have been considered by the authorities of the colony 
before they acted in such an illiberal spirit. We trust, neverthe- — 
less, to see the Institute still progress in its career of usefulness. 
— Nature. 
Prof. Agassiz has accepted an invitation extended to him by 
the Coast Survey Bureau to take passage on the iron coast survey 
steamer, which has just been built near Wilmington, Del., and 
which sails for the Pacific coast in September next. The expedi- 
tion will take deep sea soundings all the way, and extensive collec- 
.tions of specimens will be made for the Museum of Comparative 
Zoology at Cambridge. _ 
Secretary Boutwell has written to the Secretaries of State and 
Navy asking that naval and other officers may be instructed to 
afford such courtesy and assistance to the exploring party as may 
be desirable. 
We learn that Count Pourtales of the Coast Survey and Rev. 
Dr. Hill will accompany the expedition. 
The Legislature of Arkansas*has passed a bill providing for a 
geological survey, and making an appropriation of fifteen thousand 
. dollars for beginning the work. The position of chief geologist, 
salary two thousand eight hundred dollars per annum, was ten- 
dered to Prof. Edward Orton, of Antioch College, one of the as- 
sistant geologists on the Ohio survey, but has been declined by 
him.— American Chemist. 
The President of the Geological Society of Glasgow thinks the 
phosphate deposits of South Carolina are of Eocene Tertiary age. 
This is quite a mistake, as they are of Quaternary age. a 
bones he refers to were washed out of Eocene strata, but they are 
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