70 



EDITORIAL. 



A certain "institute of science" advertises in various medi- 

 ums, otherwise usually respectable, like the Scientific American, 

 offering to send free a book on the wonders of personal magnetism 

 and hypnotism. The book, accompanied by numerous circulars 

 and testimonials, was duly received upon application. It contains 

 much that is time; quotes many eminent men, like Presidents Jor- 

 dan, Eliot, and others, no doubt correctly; and some startling 

 claims are put forward of the certainties in the reach of any one 

 sending 15 for their wonderful secrets ("former price $25,00— re- 

 duced for a short time only," as I recollect the circular's wording:.) 

 Skillful dovetailing of truth with falsehood is often effectual in 

 parting the fool and his money, but unt 1 this remarkably "liberal" 

 institute accedes to the editor's proposal for the" testing of the al- 

 leged discoveries and methods, we would advise our readers to be 

 ciutious- The wonders of nature are yet beyond the comprehen- 

 sion of the human mind, and some truth is at the foundation of 

 all great popular error, bat only the student — the specialist we 

 might say, can unerringly detect the true diamond among false 

 stones, or winnow the wheat from the chaff. 



"Manifest destiny" seems to point to national expansion. 

 With the East Indies and the West Indies and the open door to 

 China commerce must advance. There are too many millions of 

 idle capital in the United States to neglect the opening vista. 

 Money rules; monopoly has seized the saloons of Manilla and may 

 soon grasp the Opium trade of the Orient; gigantic trusts are fast 

 throttling individuil effort at home; the horizon looks dark to 

 many — but there is a glorious dawn beyond. 





NOTES AND NEWS. 



It should be noted that Epiphragmophora Harperi was 

 named in honor of Prof. George W. Harper, for nearly half a cen- 

 tury devoted to educational work in Cincinnati, and uatil lately 

 principal of Woodward High School — having resigned that position 

 to devot° his time more fully to scientific research; geology and 

 conchology are his specialties. 



Epiphragmophora Bowersi was named in honor of Dr. Ste- 

 phen A. Bowers, a veteran in scientific and other good work on the 

 Pacific coast, now state mine examiner for California. 



